Oh No....Charro Don't Go...Charro Don't Go !!

[Domino]

When I was a wee child I'd listen to the Camden LP called Almost In Love.
Released on November 1970 ,I didn't know it was a mixed bag of tracks put together.
To me it was a cool album.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almost_in_Love

Two songs that always stood out were Edge Of Reality and the focus of this post.....Charro.
Elvis with a big orchestra behind him and in the movie playing a character similar to the man with no name Clint Eastwood.....but I knew his name.It was Elvis Presley.

charro 4.jpg

Elvis's 29th feature film was a National General Pictures called Charro.
Released in the U.S.A. March 13, 1969 and made $1.5 million at the Box Office.

This was his last attempt at a serious non singing role.

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charro 5.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charro!#Soundtrack

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The sound track for Charro originally was scheduled to have two songs but was changed to one.
Just the title song.The unused track was Let's Forget About The Stars.

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Charro was written by Mac Davis & Billy Strange.
The instrumental track was recorded on October 15th,1968.On November 25th-27th the rhythm group repairs were done and the full orchestra backing was added .Elvis probably recorded the vocal overdub at the same session.
The musical conductor was Hugo Monetnegro.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Montenegro

hm.jpg

Hugo Montenegro had a #2 hit on Billboard for 2 weeks in March 1968 and it stayed on the chart for 24 weeks.
The song was the theme from The Good,The Bad & The Ugly.

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http://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/681015.html#02
http://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/681125.html#02
http://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/681126.html#01

charro 7.jpg

charro 8.jpg

Charro was released on February 25 1969 and was the the flip side of Memories.(RCA-47-9731)

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ln_9731.JPG

http://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/discography_1960.html

charro 9.jpg

Now let's hear Charro Don't Go.....Charro Don't Go!!!

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[GERRY]

Great post.

[Johnny2523]

Great post and i love this song, i also like the remix by danny handes
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[skatterbrane]

Almost In Love was and is a great album, especially when they corrected the mistake of putting Stay Away, Joe on it instead of the intended Stay Away. The only mystery was why did they put on Long Legged Girl instead of one of these: High Heel Sneakers, Come What May or Fools Fall In Love? (And why didn't they use the take 16 single version of A Little Less Conversation instead of the rejected take 10?)

I have always liked Charro (the song, not so much the movie).

[poormadpeter2]

Almost In Love was and is a great album, especially when they corrected the mistake of putting Stay Away, Joe on it instead of the intended Stay Away. The only mystery was why did they put on Long Legged Girl instead of one of these: High Heel Sneakers, Come What May or Fools Fall In Love? (And why didn't they use the take 16 single version of A Little Less Conversation instead of the rejected take 10?)

I have always liked Charro (the song, not so much the movie).

I agree about the album, and Hi-Heel Sneakers would have fit very nicely, although Long Legged Girl doesn't sound so out of place. Elvis was recording some fine material in the late 1960s, and even these "lesser" songs from the Memphis sessions and the later soundtracks gel together nicely. As for Charro, it's great to hear Elvis tackling more challenging material written by one of the great soundtrack composers of the era.

[Dan_T]

Great post ! God, I loved, The Good Bad And The Ugly, Single when I was a kid,.!

Always liked Charro as a song, but just don't like the film...Elvis is strangely very self-conscious in it, imo.

[Juan Luis]

Thanks Domino!


Couple of lobby cards I found.

[skatterbrane]

Almost In Love was and is a great album, especially when they corrected the mistake of putting Stay Away, Joe on it instead of the intended Stay Away. The only mystery was why did they put on Long Legged Girl instead of one of these: High Heel Sneakers, Come What May or Fools Fall In Love? (And why didn't they use the take 16 single version of A Little Less Conversation instead of the rejected take 10?)

I have always liked Charro (the song, not so much the movie).

I agree about the album, and Hi-Heel Sneakers would have fit very nicely, although Long Legged Girl doesn't sound so out of place. Elvis was recording some fine material in the late 1960s, and even these "lesser" songs from the Memphis sessions and the later soundtracks gel together nicely. As for Charro, it's great to hear Elvis tackling more challenging material written by one of the great soundtrack composers of the era.

But all the other songs (once Stay Away replaced Stay Away, Joe) were singles not previously available on LP, EXCEPT for Long Legged Girl. It was out of place conceptually.

[poormadpeter2]

Almost In Love was and is a great album, especially when they corrected the mistake of putting Stay Away, Joe on it instead of the intended Stay Away. The only mystery was why did they put on Long Legged Girl instead of one of these: High Heel Sneakers, Come What May or Fools Fall In Love? (And why didn't they use the take 16 single version of A Little Less Conversation instead of the rejected take 10?)

I have always liked Charro (the song, not so much the movie).

I agree about the album, and Hi-Heel Sneakers would have fit very nicely, although Long Legged Girl doesn't sound so out of place. Elvis was recording some fine material in the late 1960s, and even these "lesser" songs from the Memphis sessions and the later soundtracks gel together nicely. As for Charro, it's great to hear Elvis tackling more challenging material written by one of the great soundtrack composers of the era.

But all the other songs (once Stay Away replaced Stay Away, Joe) were singles not previously available on LP, EXCEPT for Long Legged Girl. It was out of place conceptually.

Oh sure, I realise that - but I didn't when I first got the album, and so, like Let Me Be There on Moody Blue, has always been there and never been a problem for me. I'm not sure concepts and Camdens go hand in hand though!

[skatterbrane]

I was a stickler for non-LP songs. I had all the LPs and I bought only the singles and EPs that had songs not on LP. I did not like that Long Legged Girl was on two LPs. Many of the Camdens did allow me to get rid of a few singles and EPs however, which was cool.

[Domino]

Thanks Domino!


Couple of lobby cards I found.

Cool.Thanks.

[minkahed]

I agree, "Almost in Love" was, and still is, a very good album, especially tracks 3-8, I find real good.

[Rob]

I'm a fan of the song and the film.

[Davelee]

I like the song Charro, its ok. Its certainly not a "classic", but its certainly an improvement to what he'd been doing the previous 3/4 years in regards to movie soundtracks, and of coursr, being penned by two guys that where a little established and well accomplished as songwriters and producers (Billy Strange) make the song a bit more of a standout.

The film itself is also a little better to what he'd he'd been doing previously, but again, its nothing to shout home about. Looking at photos of Elvis from this movie he does look really cool, the beard certainly suits him and he does look a proper mean cowboy and his look can certainly be compared (if not better) to the great Clint Eastwood, though Elvis would never outdo him as far as acting goes.

As for the album Almost In Love it has a fine selection of songs i really do enjoy.

[charroman]

Probably not a shock to know from my user name on here that I love the track. Sterling vocal from Elvis on this and a great arrangement. Always loved the line with the high female vocal in the background. Very eerie and dramatic and fits the song perfectly. Elvis obviously liked that high female vocal.
Also its a film that I think would still benefit from a re-edit and perhaps restoration of scenes that were removed. A directors cut or re-imagining. It was a good attempt at doing something different and mature for Elvis as the marketing message claimed. Just a pity that the film was marred by some sloppy edits/scenes such as the infamous rolling cannon etc and a script that did'nt challenge him more. He was certainly capable of it. Still I enjoy watching the movie for what it was and imo its no worse than a lot of made for TV westerns at the time and had good support from the cast. If it made the money that is claimed it was a small commercial if not artistic success
But the song and the soundtrack are brilliant and along with Wild In The Country has some fine incidental music that I would love to have on CD.

[Domino]

Great post and i love this song, i also like the remix by danny handes
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Never heard this one before.Thanks.

[Domino]

Almost In Love was and is a great album, especially when they corrected the mistake of putting Stay Away, Joe on it instead of the intended Stay Away. The only mystery was why did they put on Long Legged Girl instead of one of these: High Heel Sneakers, Come What May or Fools Fall In Love? (And why didn't they use the take 16 single version of A Little Less Conversation instead of the rejected take 10?)

I have always liked Charro (the song, not so much the movie).

It always confused me when I was a kid that the cover said "Stay Away" but the record had "Stay Away Joe".

[Steve Morse]

Probably not a shock to know from my user name on here that I love the track. Sterling vocal from Elvis on this and a great arrangement. Always loved the line with the high female vocal in the background. Very eerie and dramatic and fits the song perfectly. Elvis obviously liked that high female vocal.
Also its a film that I think would still benefit from a re-edit and perhaps restoration of scenes that were removed. A directors cut or re-imagining. It was a good attempt at doing something different and mature for Elvis as the marketing message claimed. Just a pity that the film was marred by some sloppy edits/scenes such as the infamous rolling cannon etc and a script that did'nt challenge him more. He was certainly capable of it. Still I enjoy watching the movie for what it was and imo its no worse than a lot of made for TV westerns at the time and had good support from the cast. If it made the money that is claimed it was a small commercial if not artistic success
But the song and the soundtrack are brilliant and along with Wild In The Country has some fine incidental music that I would love to have on CD.

Totally agree. Superb recording. I, too, love the WITC incidental music.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

But, if Let's Forget About The Stars was meant for Charro then my name is Beauregarde Rippy !

[goldbelt]

Charro

The Charro title track is really masterful in the drama and atmosphere it creates, from the sweeping orchestrations to the dramatic punctuation of the drums, to the ethereal female backing vocals.

Elvis is in great form vocally on both tracks from this session. The only way this track could have been bettered is perhaps if it had been Millie Kirkham providing her beautiful high voice backing vocals on the track instead.

Let's Forget About The Stars is also a great track and Elvis overdubbed his vocals to backing tracks for both songs - 5 takes for this and 9 takes for Charro (the master of which was a splice of takes 5 and 9).

Outtakes And Undubbed Performances

No outtakes from these sessions have surfaced, though on the Camden US Male LP 'LFATS' featured some prominent piano overdubs and a quicker fade not found on the Double Features CD master.

The undubbed master of 'LFATS' appeared on the 'Tigerman Anthology Volume 9' cd and features little to no obvious piano and instead a far more upfront in the mix acoustic guitar. One hopes that when it comes to the Charro tracks appearing on FTD that every effort is made to include this undubbed master.

Let's Forget About The Stars And The Movie

Just where was this track originally to appear in the movie is the question, was it a deleted scene with Elvis' performance filmed, was it a song originally intended for use in LALLAL and held over for possible use in Charro?

Charro Radio Promo and On Set Interviews.

From the almost 14 minute Radio Promo included on the cd 'Let's Take It On Home Volume 2' which includes on set interviews with Ina Balin, Barbara Werle and Charles M. Warren by this point Ina Balin was referring to it being a non singing role for Elvis, and Barbara Werle of it being a straight drama for him.

Also, Director Warren makes specific mention of the violence in the movie and of the inclusion of the female nude bath tub scene in the movie, so it would seem by the stage of these on set interviews the other nude scene(s) and any singing from Elvis in the movie had already been ruled out.

The female nude bath tub scene (featuring a stand in for Ina Balin) and the violence of the branding scene were examples of scenes that were later edited out in some versions of the movie.

In the interviews, of particular interest is Barbara Werle's (who had previously appeared in 2 other Elvis movies) describing how Elvis told her effectively to not worry about hurting him and not to hold back because he was ready when her character is required to beat and punch him in anger at the (spoiler ahead) .......... death of her husband in the movie.

It seems she took Elvis at his word - she tells how the take had to be re-shot because the actors had ended up out of frame - "not so hard this time" was supposedly Elvis response the next time she had to hit him.

Elvis receives much praise during the interviews.

[Elfan]

if Let's Forget About The Stars was meant for Charro then my name is Beauregarde Rippy !

I agree with you.
I think the track was originally intended for inclusion in 'Live A Little, Love A Little'.
There is a scene in the movie where Elvis actually says "Let's forget about the stars" and then there is an obvious edit at that point.

[r&b]

'A different kind of role, a different kind of man' and I guess it was. Anyone remember the hype back in 69? I cut work one afternoon to see this film on 42nd St NYC. Being a matinee the theater was 1/3 full. I thought the film was OK at the time, and I like the song a lot. its amazing how much better the music, and to a lesser extent the films got in 68-69. I looked forward to more movies, but it was not to be. As for the Almost In Love LP, I think it is better than any 70's album except EC. Today I dont view the film as fondly. I see poor directing, and poor acting except for Victor French. Elvis was stiff as a board here.

[goldbelt]

if Let's Forget About The Stars was meant for Charro then my name is Beauregarde Rippy !

I agree with you.
I think the track was originally intended for inclusion in 'Live A Little, Love A Little'.
There is a scene in the movie where Elvis actually says "Let's forget about the stars" and then there is an obvious edit at that point.

What part of the LALLAL movie does that happen? It's not on the scenes leading up to ALLC where the talk of astrology would make an obvious place for the songs lyrics.

One wonders if it was intended for that LALLAL scene but replaced by ALLC, or considered for the movie but not recorded and instead held over for use in another movie project.

With the romance being such a central part of the Charro storyline, it would have been easy to have written a few lines of dialogue to lead into a performance of Let's Forget About The Stars within the Charro movie if they had wished to include it.

Could it even have been filmed but ended up on the cutting room floor - it wouldn't be the first Elvis film to have had a song performance filmed and not included. Unlikely it was ever filmed for Charro though, given the Ina Balin interview comments about it being a non singing role for Elvis, she would likely have mentioned they had filmed a musical scene if they had.

Then again, it wasn't until recently that the LALLAL session reels were located and it was revealed that take 2 of ALLC actually wasn't part of the material recorded for the Comeback Special afterall.

[Johnny 99]

I s this real? If so, great photo I haven't seen before

[goldbelt]

I s this real? If so, great photo I haven't seen before

The photo is not real, no.

The original photo was one of many studio shots posed with co-star Ina Balin, with Elvis in movie costume.

[Troubleman]

With regards to 'Let's forget about the star' all you have to do is look in the great book 'The complete recording sessions' by Ernst to know the answer. The recording session for LALLAL was done in March 7, 1968 and only the 4 songs that appear in the movie were recorded. The recording session for Charro was on October 15, 1968 (7 months later) and 2 songs were recorded: Charro and LFATS. The book also mentions that 'The studio hired arranger-producer Hugo Montenegro to produce two songs in conjunction with the film, although only one actually made it to screen'.

So sorry 'Beauregarde Rippy', but it was originally meant for this movie, and not LALLAL, believe it or not. Lol.