"While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Moderators: FECC-Moderator, Moderator5, Moderator3, Site Mechanic
-
Topic author
"While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
That's what Elvis stated while waiting for the lyric sheet of "Faded Love" on June 4, 1970 at RCA Studio B Nashville. Overdubs on October 1st with The Imperials providing the background with Armond Morales highlighting the bass singing.
Felton Jarvis would have been a fool indeed if he had stopped that tape recorder of a song Elvis Presley loved since its original release in 1956, and even home recorded it while in Germany, 11-59. For it is a doozy! I love it. Some might prefer the original Naomi Ford credited (composer Lee Hazelwood's wife) by Sanford Clark's 1956 hit single. I don't. Enjoy "The Fool", from the classic and great "Elvis Country" album!
..
..
..
Hard to find at the moment on youtube.
Felton Jarvis would have been a fool indeed if he had stopped that tape recorder of a song Elvis Presley loved since its original release in 1956, and even home recorded it while in Germany, 11-59. For it is a doozy! I love it. Some might prefer the original Naomi Ford credited (composer Lee Hazelwood's wife) by Sanford Clark's 1956 hit single. I don't. Enjoy "The Fool", from the classic and great "Elvis Country" album!
..
..
..
Hard to find at the moment on youtube.
-
- Posts: 7583
- Joined: 12 years 10 months
- Has thanked: 2477 times
- Been thanked: 6863 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
.
My go to version in my teen years was Robert Gordon's version with Link Wray on guitar. I still prefer that one to be honest.
But it's a great song all together. Thanks for posting!
.
My go to version in my teen years was Robert Gordon's version with Link Wray on guitar. I still prefer that one to be honest.
But it's a great song all together. Thanks for posting!
.
Mike
------
lay back,
take it easy
And try a smile...
.
------
lay back,
take it easy
And try a smile...
.
-
- Posts: 13159
- Joined: 12 years 7 months
- Has thanked: 2230 times
- Been thanked: 8418 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Love the song, it's very catchy. Love it when elvis says ''While we wait, let's do ''The Fool'' and he basically nails it on the first take.
if you'll try a little kindness and you'll overlook the blindness
Of the narrow minded people on the narrow minded streets
Of the narrow minded people on the narrow minded streets
-
- Posts: 7583
- Joined: 12 years 10 months
- Has thanked: 2477 times
- Been thanked: 6863 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
.
Just found my favorite Robert Gordon version. Here it is:
..
.
Just found my favorite Robert Gordon version. Here it is:
..

.
Mike
------
lay back,
take it easy
And try a smile...
.
------
lay back,
take it easy
And try a smile...
.
-
- Banned -- Same user as "mysterytrainrideson"
- Posts: 3027
- Joined: 9 years 8 months
- Has thanked: 887 times
- Been thanked: 622 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Always preferred Sandford Clark's 1956 Rockabilly version - the thumping double bass is awesome!
Elvis' version is ok, nothing to shout about.
Elvis' version is ok, nothing to shout about.
-
Topic author
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
What Elvis songs do actually put a smile on your face?Davelee wrote:Always preferred Sandford Clark's 1956 Rockabilly version - the thumping double bass is awesome!
Elvis' version is ok, nothing to shout about.
-
- Posts: 5017
- Joined: 20 years 5 months
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England
- Has thanked: 6895 times
- Been thanked: 6111 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Released in December 1977, this Robert Gordon 12" (PVTS 127) holds a lot of memories for me too.


I have always enjoyed the Elvis version, taken from the excellent 'Elvis Country' LP.
Andy


I have always enjoyed the Elvis version, taken from the excellent 'Elvis Country' LP.
Andy
Elvis - King of the UK charts
-
- Posts: 7583
- Joined: 12 years 10 months
- Has thanked: 2477 times
- Been thanked: 6863 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
He was Red Hot at the timejetblack wrote:Released in December 1977, this Robert Gordon 12" (PVTS 127) holds a lot of memories for me too.
Andy

.
Mike
------
lay back,
take it easy
And try a smile...
.
------
lay back,
take it easy
And try a smile...
.
-
- Posts: 1633
- Joined: 14 years 2 months
- Location: Scotland, U.K.
- Has thanked: 265 times
- Been thanked: 377 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Have always liked Sanford Clark and 'The Fool'. We, of course, had this when it first came out. My older siblings purchased ALL the good singles from 1955 onwards. I have so much to thank them for, without them I would have missed out on so much great music.
I am also a big fan of Elvis's version and was so pleased that he covered it for the great album Elvis Country. It has a fantastic backing and his vocal is also superb. I would have liked him to do a whole album of these type of covers.
I am also a big fan of Elvis's version and was so pleased that he covered it for the great album Elvis Country. It has a fantastic backing and his vocal is also superb. I would have liked him to do a whole album of these type of covers.
-
Topic author
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Love the original Sanford Clark version, love Robert Gordon and Link Wray's version and love Elvis' version. Its just a good song. I wish Elvis had revisited more tunes like this. It was tailor made for him. I also wish it had been released as a single instead of some choices that were made.Chris Roberts wrote:Have always liked Sanford Clark and 'The Fool'. We, of course, had this when it first came out. My older siblings purchased ALL the good singles from 1955 onwards. I have so much to thank them for, without them I would have missed out on so much great music.
I am also a big fan of Elvis's version and was so pleased that he covered it for the great album Elvis Country. It has a fantastic backing and his vocal is also superb. I would have liked him to do a whole album of these type of covers.
-
- Posts: 4906
- Joined: 21 years 9 months
- Location: Brasstown/Murphy, North Carolina (USA)
- Has thanked: 448 times
- Been thanked: 338 times
- Age: 48
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
I've always also liked Elvis's version of "The Fool" from "Elvis Country" (I just am not fond of the "IWBATTYA" snippets between the tracks) and I like that entire album except for what I put in parentheses. "I Was Born" sounds much better on it's own - or, if you prefer, not at all. 

"If the songs don't go over, we can do a medley of costumes!" - Elvis Presley (August 10, 1970 backstage in his dressing room before the first show of the August, 10, 1970/September 8, 1970 season in Vegas).
-
- Posts: 3854
- Joined: 8 years 11 months
- Has thanked: 1733 times
- Been thanked: 1524 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
I like all versions of this song.Never heard the Robert Gordon version before.Pretty cool.The Sanford Clark goes without saying but since then there's the Elvis version.He does a pretty cool Elvis version.
Like Johnny2523 say,it's a catchy tune.
Like Johnny2523 say,it's a catchy tune.


-
Topic author
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
You should check out Robert's albums on RCA from 1977-80. They are very good. Much better than Shakin Stevens IMO. The guy could sing!Domino wrote:I like all versions of this song.Never heard the Robert Gordon version before.Pretty cool.The Sanford Clark goes without saying but since then there's the Elvis version.He does a pretty cool Elvis version.
Like Johnny2523 say,it's a catchy tune.
-
Topic author
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
The composer's version is interesting.
..
..
Last edited by Juan Luis on Thu Jun 02, 2016 4:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 7583
- Joined: 12 years 10 months
- Has thanked: 2477 times
- Been thanked: 6863 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
r&b wrote:You should check out Robert's albums on RCA from 1977-80. They are very good. Much better than Shakin Stevens IMO. The guy could sing!Domino wrote:I like all versions of this song.Never heard the Robert Gordon version before.Pretty cool.The Sanford Clark goes without saying but since then there's the Elvis version.He does a pretty cool Elvis version.
Like Johnny2523 say,it's a catchy tune.
He's still going strong. Feb. 2015:
..
He is 69 yo now.
His first 5 albums I like the most. His first record on RCA "Rock-A-Billy Boogie" is my all time favorite

Just found one of his first recordings from 1964. A joy to listen to:
..
Excuse me. Got carried away. Back on topic again

.
Last edited by MikeFromHolland on Thu Jun 02, 2016 4:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike
------
lay back,
take it easy
And try a smile...
.
------
lay back,
take it easy
And try a smile...
.
-
- Posts: 1633
- Joined: 14 years 2 months
- Location: Scotland, U.K.
- Has thanked: 265 times
- Been thanked: 377 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
I also really liked Robert Gordon very much. Speaking of Shakin Stevens, in the late '70's through to the late 80's I managed a r@r band and did a lot of the dancing, I dressed Elvis (same as Shaky) 50's style and was known as Rockin Roberts. At one gig these young boys came up and asked for an autograph so I signed Rockin Roberts. Their dad came up and told me that they thought I was Shakin Stevens and would I sign as such, so I did. So out there somewhere are these two middle aged men that may still have these forged autographs in their possession.r&b wrote:You should check out Robert's albums on RCA from 1977-80. They are very good. Much better than Shakin Stevens IMO. The guy could sing!Domino wrote:I like all versions of this song.Never heard the Robert Gordon version before.Pretty cool.The Sanford Clark goes without saying but since then there's the Elvis version.He does a pretty cool Elvis version.
Like Johnny2523 say,it's a catchy tune.
-
- Banned -- Same user as "mysterytrainrideson"
- Posts: 3027
- Joined: 9 years 8 months
- Has thanked: 887 times
- Been thanked: 622 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Virtually everything from 1954 to 1962. And I like everything he recorded at American in 69 except 'Hey Jude". How's that?poormadpeter2 wrote:What Elvis songs do actually put a smile on your face?Davelee wrote:Always preferred Sandford Clark's 1956 Rockabilly version - the thumping double bass is awesome!
Elvis' version is ok, nothing to shout about.
-
Topic author
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
That is accurate! Nothing wrong with celebrating the cream of the man's legacy.Davelee wrote:Virtually everything from 1954 to 1962. And I like everything he recorded at American in 69 except 'Hey Jude". How's that?poormadpeter2 wrote:What Elvis songs do actually put a smile on your face?Davelee wrote:Always preferred Sandford Clark's 1956 Rockabilly version - the thumping double bass is awesome!
Elvis' version is ok, nothing to shout about.
-
- Posts: 1260
- Joined: 9 years 2 months
- Location: CT
- Has thanked: 2420 times
- Been thanked: 976 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
I always liked the outtake from the Essential Elvis volume 5(?). It's loose and fun like a jam almost.
-
- Banned -- Same user as "mysterytrainrideson"
- Posts: 3027
- Joined: 9 years 8 months
- Has thanked: 887 times
- Been thanked: 622 times
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Yes, and this stuff is what he will always be remembered for - not the crap he recorded for the movies, and much of the live rubbish in the 70s.r&b wrote:That is accurate! Nothing wrong with celebrating the cream of the man's legacy.Davelee wrote:Virtually everything from 1954 to 1962. And I like everything he recorded at American in 69 except 'Hey Jude". How's that?poormadpeter2 wrote:What Elvis songs do actually put a smile on your face?Davelee wrote:Always preferred Sandford Clark's 1956 Rockabilly version - the thumping double bass is awesome!
Elvis' version is ok, nothing to shout about.
-
Topic author
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
off topic!Davelee wrote:Yes, and this stuff is what he will always be remembered for - not the crap he recorded for the movies, and much of the live rubbish in the 70s.r&b wrote:That is accurate! Nothing wrong with celebrating the cream of the man's legacy.Davelee wrote:Virtually everything from 1954 to 1962. And I like everything he recorded at American in 69 except 'Hey Jude". How's that?poormadpeter2 wrote:What Elvis songs do actually put a smile on your face?Davelee wrote:Always preferred Sandford Clark's 1956 Rockabilly version - the thumping double bass is awesome!
Elvis' version is ok, nothing to shout about.
-
- Posts: 110035
- Joined: 21 years 10 months
- Location: United States of America
- Has thanked: 12420 times
- Been thanked: 37924 times
- Age: 90
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Fair enough, I certainly think no one in their right mind can disagree with that assessment.Davelee wrote:Yes, and this stuff is what he will always be remembered for - not the crap he recorded for the movies, and much of the live rubbish in the 70s.r&b wrote:That is accurate! Nothing wrong with celebrating the cream of the man's legacy.Davelee wrote:Virtually everything from 1954 to 1962. And I like everything he recorded at American in 69 except 'Hey Jude". How's that?
As for the topic, I can add a couple of things for those who will appreciate it. First off, no one has mentioned "The Fool" was covered MANY times before Elvis formally cut a version in 1970, including Paul Evans (who wrote several songs for Presley), Bob Luman, Roger Miller and Johnny Burnette.
Secondly, one of the standout performances on the Elvis cut is David Briggs' bright piano work, which permeates nearly every moment of the recording with a rollicking, barroom feel.
Thirdly, Al Casey plays the lead guitar on Sanford Clark's original single. He would later play with Elvis in June 1968, on music created for the NBC-TV special shown that December.
Finally, Fel-Tone Jarvis selected "The Fool" as one of the numbers to be reworked for the 1980-1981 Guitar Man project. He may have even brought in Sanford Clark to overdub on it, but the track has never been issued.
BONUS MUSIC
Here's an alternate of his best known song, it's still quite good.
..
Sanford Clark "The Fool"
Alternate take.
March 1956, unknown date : SANFORD CLARK makes his recording debut in Phoenix,
Arizona (Ramsey Studio). "The Fool"/"Lonesome For A Letter" is first released on MCI 1003 in May, then on Dot 15481 (June 27).
Accompaniment by Al Casey (lead guitar) ; Jimmy Wilcox (bass) ; Corky Casey (rhythm guitar) ; Connie Conway (drums / percussion).
Produced by Lee Hazlewood.
http://members.home.nl/henk.gorter/Itc5603.html
Last edited by drjohncarpenter on Thu Jun 02, 2016 10:05 pm, edited 3 times in total.
.
Dr. John Carpenter, M.D.
Stop, look and listen, baby <<--->> that's my philosophy!
Dr. John Carpenter, M.D.
Stop, look and listen, baby <<--->> that's my philosophy!
-
- Posts: 16824
- Joined: 21 years 9 months
- Location: In the audience 1969 - 1977........
- Has thanked: 3600 times
- Been thanked: 4078 times
- Age: 60
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Not much left for you to celebrate then...enjoyDavelee wrote:
Yes, and this stuff is what he will always be remembered for - not the crap he recorded for the movies, and much of the live rubbish in the 70s.

Thanks to Ernst Joergensen, Roger Semon and Erik Rasmussen for the great work. Keep the spirit alive !
-
Topic author
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
You start off with an insult. And later expect appreciation for bringing something "new" to the table? Can you see that? Really?drjohncarpenter wrote:Fair enough, I certainly think no one in their right mind can disagree with that assessment.Davelee wrote:Yes, and this stuff is what he will always be remembered for - not the crap he recorded for the movies, and much of the live rubbish in the 70s.r&b wrote:That is accurate! Nothing wrong with celebrating the cream of the man's legacy.Davelee wrote:Virtually everything from 1954 to 1962. And I like everything he recorded at American in 69 except 'Hey Jude". How's that?
-
- Posts: 110035
- Joined: 21 years 10 months
- Location: United States of America
- Has thanked: 12420 times
- Been thanked: 37924 times
- Age: 90
Re: "While we wait, let's do 'THE FOOL' "!
Here comes the anger. My goodness.Juan Luis wrote:You start off with an insult. And later expect appreciation for bringing something "new" to the table? Can you see that? Really?
.
Dr. John Carpenter, M.D.
Stop, look and listen, baby <<--->> that's my philosophy!
Dr. John Carpenter, M.D.
Stop, look and listen, baby <<--->> that's my philosophy!