Any love for "Kismet"?

[Juan Luis]

A Tepper-Bennett tune for the (in my opinion), underrated "Harum Scarum" soundtrack. Recorded at Nashville's RCA Studio B on February 26, 1965. At the moment, my favorite ballad of the 60's soundtracks with exception of the no need mentioned classic! I love take 2 as well. The master is take 5, being the only other completed and final take. It's beautiful! If you like it. Give your thoughts. If you don't. Do so if you feel the need... Enjoy Elvis' wonderful singing!


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[drjohncarpenter]

A Tepper-Bennett tune for the in my opinion, underrated "Harum Scarum" soundtrack. Recorded at Nashville's RCA Studio B on February 26, 1965. At the moment, my favorite ballad of the 60's soundtracks with exception of the no need mentioned classic! I love take 2 as well. The master is take 5, being the only other completed and final take. It's beautiful! If you like it. Give your thoughts. If you don't. Do so if you feel the need... Enjoy!

It's a wretched movie soundtrack song from one of Presley's most unremarkable songwriting teams. The 1965 soundtrack sessions were uniformly dire, save maybe a song or two, and it would get worse before it got better. Oh, the pain. Of the hundreds of Presley songs I can call to mind in a nanosecond, "Kismet" is not one of them. Had Presley never recorded this tune, almost no one on the planet would miss it. But, hey, maybe I'm in the minority on this one.

[Juan Luis]

A Tepper-Bennett tune for the in my opinion, underrated "Harum Scarum" soundtrack. Recorded at Nashville's RCA Studio B on February 26, 1965. At the moment, my favorite ballad of the 60's soundtracks with exception of the no need mentioned classic! I love take 2 as well. The master is take 5, being the only other completed and final take. It's beautiful! If you like it. Give your thoughts. If you don't. Do so if you feel the need... Enjoy!

It's a wretched movie soundtrack song from one of Presley's most unremarkable songwriting teams. The 1965 soundtrack sessions were uniformly dire, save maybe a song or two, and it would get worse before it got better. Oh, the pain. Of the hundreds of Presley songs I can call to mind in a nanosecond, "Kismet" is not one of them. Had Presley never recorded this tune, almost no one on the planet would miss it. But, hey, maybe I'm in the minority on this one.

Of course it is not a known tune. That's the point. I love to find nuggets such as "Kismet". All I know I've been humming along to this tune lately and decided to share. I might be alone. And that's ok too.

[Johnny2523]

I always liked kismet ever since i first saw harum scarum. I always thought it was sung quite beautiful. Definetly a song i'd never skip.

[Bodie]

I love it and i don't care what anyone else thinks.

[Hobbes]

I like "So Close, Yet So Far From Paradise" and "Wisdom of the Ages." The rest of this soundtrack, not too much.

I have the feeling that Elvis must have had a brief moment of excitement at the thought of doing a Lawrence of Arabia type of film, then colossal disappointment upon reading the script. Still, I think he relished in the wardrobe for this movie.

[Dan_T]

I like it too !

[drjohncarpenter]

It's a wretched movie soundtrack song from one of Presley's most unremarkable songwriting teams. The 1965 soundtrack sessions were uniformly dire, save maybe a song or two, and it would get worse before it got better. Oh, the pain. Of the hundreds of Presley songs I can call to mind in a nanosecond, "Kismet" is not one of them. Had Presley never recorded this tune, almost no one on the planet would miss it. But, hey, maybe I'm in the minority on this one.

Of course it is not a known tune. That's the point. I love to find nuggets such as "Kismet". All I know I've been humming along to this tune lately and decided to share. I might be alone. And that's ok too.

My point is the song is deservedly unknown.

[Juan Luis]

It stuck out enough that Bob Dylan mis-remembered "Kismet" as the supposed title of the album on which the cover of "Tomorrow is A Long Time" supposedly appeared - of course that was Spinout. So apparently it was more memorable than anything actually from Spinout, although that's not saying much haha!

http://www.daysofthecrazy-wild.com/audio-listen-to-bob-dylans-fave-cover-of-a-bob-dylan-song-the-one-recording-i-treasure-the-most/

KOOL find! Thank you.

[drjohncarpenter]

It stuck out enough that Bob Dylan mis-remembered "Kismet" as the supposed title of the album on which the cover of "Tomorrow is A Long Time" supposedly appeared - of course that was Spinout. So apparently it was more memorable than anything actually from Spinout, although that's not saying much haha!

http://www.daysofthecrazy-wild.com/audio-listen-to-bob-dylans-fave-cover-of-a-bob-dylan-song-the-one-recording-i-treasure-the-most/

Bob Dylan could have been easily referencing the soundtrack to a very successful Broadway musical and subsequent Hollywood adaptation called "Kismet." In fact, I would imagine this was his point of reference with that flip answer. He was not at all "misremembering" the LP title, he simply did not know or did not care about either soundtrack release.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kismet_(musical)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kismet_(1955_film)

[TINML]

Any love for "Kismet"?

NO!

[MikeFromHolland]

All I know I've been humming along to this tune (..)

I have the same when I hear it . The song just ease along. That's why I give it a YES.

.

[Tony C]

I've always liked "Kismet", there are more tracks on the LP I like as opposed to the few I dislike.

[poormadpeter2]

Sadly the only saving grace on the Harum Scarum soundtrack is So Close Yet So Far - and, even then, the take first issued on Collector's Gold usurps the master. Kismet, sadly, is as memorable as most elevator music. Most of Tepper and Bennett's work for Elvis, with a few exceptions, was hack work - predictable, derivative, and unmemorable. It's a great shame, as the composers were much better than their Elvis work suggests, and they certainly had the ability to write hit material as Red Roses For a Blue Lady, The Young Ones, and Travellin' Light demonstrate.

[Steve Morse]

Yes. It's beautiful.

I recently listened to the extended On Stage CD (not the FTD, but the 1990s one). I didn't really enjoy it (too much shouting, not enough singing). I did the same with Elvis Now and found it largely unmemorable. Given the choice of the three (including Harum Scarum) to take to a desert island, I'd plump for HS every time.

I've commented many times on here that his singing on the HS soundtrack is perfect for the Eastern feel of the songs. I like the dry recording, too. I sense a commitment to the 'project' and Elvis must have wondered why he had bothered, when it came to the filming.

I'm happy for anyone to comment on my assessment . . . but I will not appreciate the sarcasm I have come to expect from a certain quarter.

[drjohncarpenter]

Bob Dylan could have been easily referencing the soundtrack to a very successful Broadway musical and subsequent Hollywood adaptation called "Kismet." In fact, I would imagine this was his point of reference with that flip answer. He was not at all "misremembering" the LP title, he simply did not know or did not care about either soundtrack release.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kismet_(musical)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kismet_(1955_film)

Yes, I'm sure that Bob Dylan, in answer to an interview question specifically about an Elvis album, was citing a completely irrelevant and off-topic Broadway musical and then-decade-and-a-half-old film adaptation, as opposed to an actual Elvis song on an actual Elvis album released less than a year earlier from the actual album on which the cover of "Tomorrow is a Long Time" appeared.

Yes, in the 1965-1966 period of Bob Dylan's career, all evidence points to him being a voracious collector and fan of Elvis Presley's recent soundtrack LPs. The evidence also indicates that he was never flip in the many interviews he consented to at this time.

It's also worth noting that Dylan was a very well-read young man. The word kismet also means destiny, or fate. So the songwriter could have been implying to Rolling Stone that Elvis cutting the song was exactly that. This explanation, or even the one you make fun of, are far more plausible.

https://www.google.com/search?q=kismet+def

[drjohncarpenter]

Yes. It's beautiful.

I recently listened to the extended On Stage CD (not the FTD, but the 1990s one). I didn't really enjoy it (too much shouting, not enough singing). I did the same with Elvis Now and found it largely unmemorable. Given the choice of the three (including Harum Scarum) to take to a desert island, I'd plump for HS every time.

I've commented many times on here that his singing on the HS soundtrack is perfect for the Eastern feel of the songs. I like the dry recording, too. I sense a commitment to the 'project' and Elvis must have wondered why he had bothered, when it came to the filming.

I'm happy for anyone to comment on my assessment . . . but I will not appreciate the sarcasm I have come to expect from a certain quarter.

My copy of that 1999 CD features nothing but singing. Maybe you got a defective copy.

[Mike Windgren]

Hi there!! .

Love it!. Kismet, So Close,Yet So Far & Wisdom Of the Ages are my favourite ones on the "Harum Scarum" soundtrack .

The complete recording session for Kismet, in great sound quality, was included in the great Venus cd release of "Elvis Sings Hard Knocks" . Bye for now .



P.S: VENUS is already working on a follow up Vol 2 of movie outtakes! .

Source: http://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/650225.html#04

[Chucky99]

A Tepper-Bennett tune for the (in my opinion), underrated "Harum Scarum" soundtrack. Recorded at Nashville's RCA Studio B on February 26, 1965. At the moment, my favorite ballad of the 60's soundtracks with exception of the no need mentioned classic! I love take 2 as well. The master is take 5, being the only other completed and final take. It's beautiful! If you like it. Give your thoughts. If you don't. Do so if you feel the need... Enjoy Elvis' wonderful singing!


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I like it.Strangely, I also like the song Mirage

[Hard Rocker]

Good to see so many Kismetologists on board. Thumbs up from me!

[Stvimpe]

Sorry, Juan, Kismet is not my cup of tea. But thanks again for starting an informative thread. And enjoy Kismet. Best wishes.

[Stvimpe]

Yes. It's beautiful.

I recently listened to the extended On Stage CD (not the FTD, but the 1990s one). I didn't really enjoy it (too much shouting, not enough singing). I did the same with Elvis Now and found it largely unmemorable. Given the choice of the three (including Harum Scarum) to take to a desert island, I'd plump for HS every time.

I've commented many times on here that his singing on the HS soundtrack is perfect for the Eastern feel of the songs. I like the dry recording, too. I sense a commitment to the 'project' and Elvis must have wondered why he had bothered, when it came to the filming.

I'm happy for anyone to comment on my assessment . . . but I will not appreciate the sarcasm I have come to expect from a certain quarter.

Dear Steve,
Could you elaborate on your assessment of Harum Scarum and why you prefer it above On Stage and Elvis Now? Thanks. Looking forward to hearing your view. No sarcasm intended. Best.

[drjohncarpenter]

My copy of that 1999 CD features nothing but singing. Maybe you got a defective copy.

Maybe he doesn't know this is a thing? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_projection

Not that there's anything wrong with his subjective opinion of the content. Enough room here for all.

It's not about room. If a person dismisses something because they dislike it, that's their prerogative.

However, if they do so with fallacious reasoning, that is quite obviously wrong. Elvis does not shout, sing flat, mumble or drop lines. His standard of performance on the August 1969 and February 1970 recordings is impeccable and entirely appropriate. That's not my opinion, that's a fact.

[Johnny2523]

I like it.Strangely, I also like the song Mirage

You're not the only one, i really like that song too.

[drjohncarpenter]

Yes, in the 1965-1966 period of Bob Dylan's career, all evidence points to him being a voracious collector and fan of Elvis Presley's recent soundtrack LPs. The evidence also indicates that he was never flip in the many interviews he consented to at this time.

It's also worth noting that Dylan was a very well-read young man. The word kismet also means destiny, or fate. So the songwriter could have been implying to Rolling Stone that Elvis cutting the song was exactly that. This explanation, or even the one you make fun of, are far more plausible.

https://www.google.com/search?q=kismet+def

Keeping editing your post ...

Nah, I was done the first time, I just added a URL for the definition of kismet, to help you out. But if it makes you feel good to continue putting me down, you just go right ahead. It does you no favors. You clearly know a lot about Bob Dylan, and display the same level of knowledge about Elvis, nuance, and just about everything else.

Carry on.