Presley Style - Lost Elvis Songwriter Demos Vol.1

Randy Starr, born in 1930, successfully completed his dental studies at Columbia College in 1954. Around the same time, he wrote songs that were recorded by Jackie Wilson, Connie Francis, the Kingston Trio and Kay Starr, among others. In 1957 he appeared on the American Bandstand for the first time with his hit After School, and in 1959 he entered the Billboard charts with The Enchanted Sea as the singer of The Islanders, reaching number 15. His greatest successes as a songwriter, however, came with a total of 12 compositions personally selected by Elvis Presley, which became part of the soundtracks of Elvis movies. To give Elvis an accurate picture of the songs, Randy Starr produced highly professional recordings in top studios in New York with hand-picked musicians and often himself as the singer. Bear Family is releasing around 70 of these recordings on two CD albums, 12 of which were recorded by Elvis. This first of two CDs contains 35 songs, six can be heard in Elvis' version in feature films: Kissin' Cousins (Kissin Cousins), The Yellow Rose Of Texas (Viva Las Vegas), Look Out, Broadway (Frankie And Johnny), Datin' (Paradise, Hawaiian Style), Adam And Evil (Spinout), and The Girl I Never Loved (Clambake). Only one of these demo recordings has been released, 34 of these songs appear here for the first time on vinyl or CD! 

In order to achieve the high sound quality Bear Family Records® is known for, we commissioned an experienced sound engineer to master the original sources. The result sounds brilliant! Randy Starr sang 14 of the 35 demo songs recorded between 1963 and 1968, 13 were performed by Kenny Karen, while the remaining recordings were done by either Malcom Dodds or Jerry Keller, the same Jerry Keller who made it to number 14 in the Billboard charts in 1959 with the legendary Here Comes Summer. The British Elvis collector and expert Trevor Simpson was in close contact with Randy Starr for many years. We owe him the extremely competent liner notes, which are based on many interviews conducted with Randy Starr. Unfortunately, Trevor passed away in January 2024 and did not live to see the release of these albums. We dedicate the Randy Starr CDs to this extraordinary man and expert.

CD: Malcolm Dodds: Kissin' Cousins Malcolm Dodds: Viva Las Vegas Randy Starr: The Yellow Rose Of Texas Malcolm Dodds: Lady Luck Is A Gypsy Malcolm Dodds: Look Out, Broadway Kenny Karen: Kissing In The Rain Randy Starr: Three Wishes Randy Starr: Bring On The Dancing Girls Malcolm Dodds: A Thousand And One Nights Jerry Keller: Polynesian Paradise Jerry Keller: Datin' Kenny Karen: Adam And Evil Kenny Karen: Never Say Forever Kenny Karen: Easy Come, Easy Go Kenny Karen: Wheel Of Love Randy Starr: I'l Take Love Kenny Karen: Love On The Rocks Randy Starr: Clambake Kenny Karen: The Girl I Never Loved Randy Starr: Let Her Go Randy Starr: You Can Do It Randy Starr: Handle With Care Randy Starr: Better And Better Kenny Karen: From Riches To Rags Kenny Karen: Little Girl Randy Starr: Big Bright, Beautiful World Randy Starr: Head For The Hills Randy Starr: Strange Vibrations Kenny Karen: Come Hell, Come Sundown Randy Starr: Charro! Kenny Karen: The Chautauqua Kenny Karen and Mimi Roman: We Can See Him Everywhere Randy Starr: Don't Stand Under The Mistletoe Kenny Karen and Mimi Roman: My Christmas Won't Be Merry This Year Kenny Karen and Mimi Roman: Let's Have A Christmas Party