TCBCast: An Unofficial Elvis Presley Fan Podcast

Latest Episodes:

TCBCast 129: Sun Records Episode 1 "706 Union" Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

Justin & Gurdip are joined by Olivia Murphy-Rogers for a review of the pilot episode of the 2017 CMT miniseries "Sun Records." Intended as an adaptation of the stage musical "Million Dollar Quartet," did the series' attempt at making Memphis Recording Service's historic breakthroughs relevant to modern audiences work, or did the show give in to biopic tropes and stereotypes?

Then, for Song of the Week, Olivia selects Elvis' cover of Eddy Arnold's timeless country ballad "After Loving You," while Gurdip serenades us all with his version of The Tune Weavers' "Happy Happy Birthday Baby." (Oh yeah, and he talks about Elvis' home recording of said tune!) Justin, meanwhile, takes a complete 180 from pretty much every Elvis fan ever and tries to make a case for "Signs of the Zodiac."

TCBCast 128: June 1958 - The Last 50s Session Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

We wrap up our coverage of Elvis' 1950s non-soundtrack studio sessions with the last session Elvis had before shipping out to Germany. Backed by an A-team of Nashville players, Elvis worked no less hard turning out single material than he did with Scotty & Bill. And unlike several prior sessions, RCA kept the tapes, so we get to hear the artistic process in motion as Private Presley pushes for distinct sounds and hard-hitting rockers, although "Ain't That Loving You Baby" trips them all up.

Then, for Song of the Week, Gurdip selects the optimistic "What A Wonderful Life" from the 1961 film "Follow That Dream." Justin, meanwhile, takes a listener request to cover "That's Someone You Never Forget," penned by Red West and none other than Elvis Presley himself. But does the urban legend that Elvis wrote this for his mother have any historical basis? We deep dive on the source for this oft-repeated story and see what can be uncovered!

Featured Songs of the Week:

Gurdip: What A Wonderful Life

Justin: That's Someone You Never Forget

Blue Suede Reviews: Guitar Man (1981) to Where No One Stands Alone (2018) PLUS Justin's Top 10 Elvis Albums Aug 12, 2020

Show notes

Justin rounds off Blue Suede Reviews highlighting some of the major posthumous projects that purported to offer "new" Elvis recordings via overdubs, remixes and reorchestrations, along with a brief discussion of the state of RCA's Elvis output between 1977 and the release of "Guitar Man" in 1981.

Then, Justin offers an extended discussion of his Top 10 favorite Elvis lifetime albums. Later this week, we'll have some additional content for you to enjoy this Elvis Week. Thanks for your continued support of TCBCast!

Video versions of these reviews (without audio samples) will be released on the original Blue Suede Reviews YouTube Playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLksrT1foBINwTJCYMGruFbBjsG7Gx5SnQ

Blue Suede Reviews: The Missing Albums (1970-1977) Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

As promised, Justin revives Blue Suede Reviews for Elvis Week 2020 to look at the albums released during Elvis' lifetime that were left off the RCA Albums Collection box set, starting with the 1970 Camden release of "Elvis' Christmas Album" and ending with the album that eventually accompanied the 1977 CBS Special "Elvis in Concert." This episode also includes a discussion on the 1973 buyout deal with RCA that affected Elvis' catalogue for years to come.

Justin will also be releasing additional episodes this week about notable posthumous albums, his Top 10 favorite Elvis lifetime albums, and perhaps more surprises! Video versions of these reviews (without audio samples) will be released on the original Blue Suede Reviews YouTube Playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLksrT1foBINwTJCYMGruFbBjsG7Gx5SnQ

TCBCast 127: September '57 & February '58 Sessions Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

This week, Justin & Gurdip return to their coverage of Elvis' non-movie recording sessions. First up are the sessions that not only produced his first Christmas album but also the smash hit "Don't" but also led to a rift between Elvis and his band members. Skipping ahead a few months (and a draft notice), the guys also explore the final sessions with Scotty & Bill in early 1958.

With a couple Frankenstein'd masters, tracks that remained unreleased for years, and failed attempts to capture the broad pop style Elvis would only begin to master upon his return, do these sessions bear out that theory that Elvis was ready to step beyond the rock sound (and country players) that skyrocketed him to fame?

Then, for Song of the Week, Gurdip takes us to the fair with his fluffy pick from a 1962 Elvis flick, while Justin goes for Elvis' cover of the hard-hitting Little Walter rocker, "My Babe."

Featured Songs of the Week:

Gurdip: Take Me To the Fair

Justin: My Babe

TCBCast 126: Return to Sender - The Elvis Stamp Jul 28, 2020

Show notes

Justin & Gurdip start off this week's episode answering a listener question about reaction videos on YouTube about Elvis. Then the main topic goes to a strange corner of the Elvis fandom, looking at the history behind the two USPS stamps featuring Elvis' image, including the massive "young vs old Elvis" cultural debate of the early 90s. Then, for Song of the Week, Gurdip does the best he can picking "Doin' The Best I Can" from the 1960 film "G.I. Blues." Justin, in the meanwhile, goes full Christmas in July with the biggest holiday hit associated with Elvis.

Featured Songs of the Week:

Gurdip: Doin' The Best I Can

Justin: Blue Christmas

TCBCast 125: No Room to Rhumba - Fun in Acapulco Pt. 2 Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

Ryan, Gurdip & Justin return this week to wrap up their review of the 1963 film "Fun in Acapulco," including an mostly-irrelevant tangent about their experiences at gimmicky restaurants. But it's all good! Find out where the movie ranks among their favorites of Elvis' filmography.

Then, for Song of the Week, Ryan highlights the heavenly "Angel" from 1962's "Follow That Dream" soundtrack while Gurdip walks that "Milky White Way." Justin wraps up this week's episode with "If You Talk In Your Sleep," Elvis' funky minor hit about infidelity that has a surprising back story.

Featured Songs of the Week:

Ryan: Angel

Gurdip: Milky White Way

Justin: If You Talk In Your Sleep

TCBCast 124: Fiesta en Acapulco, Part 1 Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

NOTE: This episode was recorded before news broke about the unfortunate passing of Elvis' grandson Ben Keough. We will not be addressing this tragic incident in this or the following episode. Our hearts are with the extended Presley family, and we hope that Elvis fans will continue to provide them the privacy they deserve at this time.

This week, Justin, Ryan & Gurdip head south of the border for a look at Elvis' 1963 film "Fun in Acapulco." With a Mexican-flavored, crooner-style soundtrack, a love triangle and a whole lot of rear projection-shot footage, the guys wonder whether the film still holds up, or if it should take a long siesta. Song of the Week will be featured in next week's episode, with selections from all three hosts!

TCBCast 123: Elvis from Outer Space Movie Review Jul 07, 2020

Show notes

We're going to drop the third person pretense for this episode description. This week, we're review "Elvis From Outer Space," which is dropping on digital distribution platforms like Amazon and Apple on July 7, 2020. We were very graciously granted access to a pre-release screener by the distribution company. If you want, you can check the film out as it launches the same day this podcast is released.

As you will hear in this episode, we had very strong reactions to the film. First, we uncover that the film is a new version of an older film that had already been released a decade ago. Then, as we dig into the movie itself, I (Justin) am left speechless and offended. Gurdip is exasperated by the plot. This may actually be the worst Elvis-related movie we've ever watched. However, we take time to give credit where it's due to certain performers and aspects of the film, and to credit the filmmakers for the accomplishment of having made the film at all.

We know getting an independently-produced film made is both hard, and personal. We sincerely thank the distribution company for the opportunity to view and review the film and genuinely wish everyone associated with the film the best of luck on their future endeavors.

For Song of the Week, Justin wants to forget about this space-themed movie, so he picks "Let's Forget About the Stars" from 1968. Gurdip, on the other hand, goes all in on the theme of "Bad Elvis Movie" and highlights Elvis' performance of "So Close Yet So Far" from the 1965 film "Harum Scarum"... which in retrospect is quite an objectively enjoyable viewing experience.

TCBCast 122: Guitar Man '80-'81 Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

After 3 years of planning to do an episode on it, Justin & Gurdip deep dive the posthumous sessions that gave Elvis his first "remix" album, with overdubbed instrumentation. Not only is the "Guitar Man" album from 1981 covered, but so too is the "Too Much Monkey Business" Follow That Dream release, and newly discovered alternate and unfinished recordings from the sessions that were rediscovered by an Elvis fan in 2018.

Then, for Song of the Week, Gurdip pulls out a "Double Trouble" rocker to spite Justin's dislike of the film. Meanwhile, Justin highlights how Elvis resurrected a beautiful yet obscure 19-year-old ballad from R&B singer Ivory Joe Hunter for no reason except that he loved it.

Featured Songs of the Week:

Gurdip: Baby If You'll Give Me All Your Love

Justin: I Will Be True

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