August 31 - Leaner And Meaner Than Ever

The Gravelroad import -label announced the release of the CD "Leaner And Meaner Than Ever" featuring a soundboard-recording of Elvis Presley's Midnight Show performance from January 28, 1971. 

From the press-release:
All of us know there's a lot of talk in our business these days about "superstars." A lot of talk but a very few true "superstars." One such star that everyone will agree more than rates the title is Elvis Presley. His record of worldwide Gold and platinum releases continues to build with every release!!!
Because so many of you enjoyed our great 1971 Las Vegas releases "Snowbird Revisited” and "Only Believe" we want you to have the promised third soundboard CD of this collection "Leaner And Meaner Than Ever" which includes the January 28, 1971 Midnight show in Las Vegas with probable the best appearance of this engagement 21 tracks filled with power! A collection of his hit singles, meaner and leaner performed than ever.. This is just a minor glimpse of the appearance in person that are sold out weeks before opening night and finds fans literally traveling from all over the world to see him.

The Gravelroad team brings again the best of the true superstar appearances to CD! All packed into a tri-fold deluxe digipack with extensive booklet and liner notes and plenty photos to match the two previous releases of this excellent 1971 January / February Vegas season. All in excellent sound and better than before Elvis is a superstar. Here for you once again is proof of his talent, in the groove where it counts the most!

Tracks:
January 28, 1971 Midnight Show (12.00 am). Las Vegas NV. International Hotel 
01 Also Sprach Zarathustra 02 That’s All Right 03 I Got A Woman 04 Love Me Tender (With false start) 05 You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me 06 Sweet Caroline 07 You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling 08 Polk Salad Annie 09 Band Introductions 1 10 Johnny B Goode 11 Something 12 Band Introductions 2 13 Something (excerpt) 14 The wonder of You 15 Heartbreak Hotel 16 Blue Suede Shoes 17 Hound Dog 18 One Night 19 Teddy Bear 20 Suspicious Minds 21 The Impossible Dream. 

(Source: FECC / Elvis Club Berlin)

August 30 - Vinyl Concert Reissues

RCA International (Sony Music) will re-issue "The King", a double CD, on October 13, 2013. 


5 New Songs For Elvis Presley In Concert
 
According to a report on the Web, there will be 5 'new' songs on the October Brazilian Tour of 'Elvis In Concert' including 'Love Me', 'Little Sister', 'Always On My Mind', 'Sweet Caroline', 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy' (from On Tour), and "Mystery Train/Tigerman". However, 'Love Me' was featured on the 2005 European Tour.

According to Jack Soden, South America ranks third in the number of international fans, behind only the United Kingdom and Mexico, "and this allows us to share the life of Elvis and his legacy with them." Bearing this in mind, could the concert tour Mexico be next?

Mood Swings


The third release from Rock Legends import label, "Mood Swings" was released according to a posting on the FECC forum. It features the infamous closing show recorded from the soundboard in Las Vegas, NV on September 2, 1974. The sound quality is a major improvement over the first issue according to the press-release. Elvis Presley' mood swings were legendary during this period of time, and perhaps a bit over the edge on this one. It will never be his best concert but definitely one of his best representation. As a bonus the second CD features the complete August 20, 1973 M.S., a totally different mood and one of the best ever audience recordings released, and superior to many soundboard recordings.

New book about Elvis at Crown Electric
 

A new book about Elvis's work at Crown Electric is coming our way. This is what author Adrian Keller wrote: "There are some facts that have never been told about Elvis while he was working at Crown Electric in Memphis. I worked in mid 80s for the same man who owned Crown Electric (Mr. Tipler), who shared many of these facts with me. Putting this in writing has been a long-time coming, but it's here. I am sure the fans would love to know these things, since they've never been told before, not to mention the photos which, likewise, have never been released anywhere. There is an abridged version of the upcoming book, already available on Amazon Kindle, titled "Elvis before Elvis", that you may like to read to get an idea of the next book."


Charts

• The "Elvis At Stax" set is currently listed on the Belgian Album charts at #68 (from #75) and on the Swiss Album charts at #98 (from #81). The set dropped of the Dutch and Swedish album charts. The CD climbed from #43 to #41 on the Australian Album charts. 
• The "The Real … Elvis" dropped from #55 to #68 on the Irish Album chart. 
• In the U.S. the "Heart And Soul" compilation fell of the chart.

(Amazon / ElvisMatters / EPE / FECC / The King's World)

August 29 - Released

The Friday Music vinyl re-issue of "Blue Hawaii", just like the vinyl re-issue of "Loving You" by the Mischief Music on colored vinyl. Christmas comes early this year with the "Merry Christmas... Love, Elvis" CD from Sony Music.

(Source: The King's World)

August 23 - Gold For Sale

Elvis Presley’s famed 24-carat-gold-painted grand piano, a first-anniversary gift from Priscilla, sits in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum — for now. If it doesn't sell for 3,5 million $US before September 3rd, it goes to a major auction house and, presumably, someplace other than the Country Music Hall of Fame. The family of Russ Kemppel, an Akron, Ohio, businessman who died in January 2012, owns the piano. Kemppel bought the piano for $2 million. He moved it out of Graceland, Presley’s Memphis estate, 22 years ago and leased it to the hall for $1. Now the family would like to sell. Ferrell said he connected with Fenn in an effort to keep the piano in Nashville, but he's given the required 90-day notice to end the hall's lease...

Weekend charts


The "Elvis At Stax" set entered the Australian Album chart at #43. In Belgium the set climbed from #79 to #75, in The Netherlands it dropped from #610 to #61, on the Swedish Album chart it dropped from #41 to #59 and in Switzerland it dropped from #53 to #81. The CD fell off the charts in Austria and France. 

In the U.S. the "Heart & Soul" compilation climbed from #182 to #172, no sign of "Elvis At Stax" yet.

The CD "The Real... Elvis" climbed from #72 to #55 on the irish Album chart while the "Elvis At Stax" set did not yet make an appearance. 

(Source: ElvisMatters / The King's World)

August 26 - Sold!

An unknown picture of Elvis leaving at the Tupelo Hardware Store on his bikewas sold on eBay. The  print of a picture of a 10 (or 11 or 12) year old Elvis outside the Tupelo Hardware Store has sold for $US 361.68. The seller has the right to sell more prints in the future, and the actual negatives are still in private possession too.

The story the seller was told is that Elvis was leaving the drug store in Tupelo circa 1945-1947, as he was leaving a lady that knew Elvis and his family was getting ready to go into the drug store and get a roll of film developed. She saw Elvis and told him to pose for a photo because she had one photo left on the roll and didn't want it to go to waste. She took Elvis' photo and then walked inside, and dropped off the film to be developed... 

La Selection 

Sony Music France released the triple CD compilation "La Selection". 

(Source: ElvisMatters / FECC / eBay)

August 22 - Blue Splattered Bonus Vinyl

The Mischief Music label has announced yet another “blue splatter vinyl”. This time it’s the classic album "King Creole". Due for release September 12, 3013.

Tracks:
1. King Creole, 2. As Long As I Have You, 3. Hard Headed Women, 4. Trouble, 5. Dixieland Rock, 6. Don't Ask Me Why, 7. Lover Doll, 8. Crawfish, 9. Young Dreams, 10. Steadfast, Loyal And True, 11. New Orleans.

Bonus Elvis 

Hoodoo Records has announced a new CD-release; Elvis Presley (Debut Album) + Elvis + Bonus tracks. This is the (original) cover-art. The CD is due for release September 16th.


Losin’ Out In Vegas

The impft-release "Losin’ Out In Vegas" was released by the Straight Arrow label. It holds an audience-recording of the December 5, 1976 as recorded at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. The concert was previously released by the JR Production import albel as "Presley At The Hilton".


(Source: Elvis And His Music / Various)

August 21 - Collecting Elvis

Volume 43 in the German "Elvis Sammlung" series was released by De'Agostini and EPE. This edition holds the usual magazine, memorabilia reproductions and mini-poster for the movie "Live A Little, Love A Little". 

(Source: Elvis Sammlung)

August 20 - The Creeping Crud Express

Right after the release of the very controversial Houston, August 28th, 1976 show ("Houston We Have A Problem") the Audionics importlabel announced the release of previously unreleased soundboard material from the May/June 1975 tour on the CD "The Creeping Crud Express" 

From the press-release: 

Elvis often wore different Phoenix jumpsuits in May/June ’75, and in a way that’s entirely appropriate. Compared with the fall of ’74, he looked fresh and rejuvenated, sounded great, and seemed genuinly happy about being on the road again. He was like a phoenix rising from its ashes. 

Fortunately, the June ’75 tour is well-documented, and most of the shows have been released on soundboard. In this deluxe package, Audionics presents for the first time the unreleased afternoon show in Shreveport, Louisiana on June 7th, 1975 – a real killer show. Even though most of the shows on this tour have a similar setlist, it’s always a treat to hear a new show from this remarkable tour and to hear unique moments - like different dialogue, fun interplay with the audience and of course small variations in the way he performs the songs or especially good versions. The audio quality of this soundboard is topnotch. 

The Dallas show has been out before, first by RCA in 1980, and then more complete on import as ‘Dallas Seventyfive Uncensored’ a couple of years ago. We were able to obtain a superior and even more complete tape source, and it’s a joy to hear this fantastic show in excellent sound. 

Presented in a deluxe double digipak with rare photos (some are published in color for the first time here) and relevant liner notes, this is another winner that every die-hard fan must own. 

Tracks: 

CD1: 01. I Got A Woman / Amen (incomplete) - 02. Love Me - 03. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 04. Love Me Tender - 05. All Shook Up - 06. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 07. Hound Dog - 08. The Wonder Of You - 09. Burning Love - 10. Introductions by Elvis of Singers, Musicians - 11. Johnny B. Goode (James Burton) - 12. School Day (Joe Guercio Orchestra) - 13. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. - 14. Why Me Lord? - 15. How Great Thou Art (with reprise) - 16. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 17. An American Trilogy - 18. Funny How Time Slips Away (with reprise) - 19. Little Darlin' - 20. Mystery Train / Tiger Man - 21. Can't Help Falling In Love - 22. Closing Vamp / Announcements. 

CD2: 01. I Got A Woman / Amen (incomplete) - 02. Love Me - 03. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 04. Love Me Tender - 05. All Shook Up - 06. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 07. Hound Dog - 08. The Wonder Of You - 09. Burning Love - 10. Introductions by Elvis of Singers, Musicians - 11. Johnny B. Goode (James Burton) - 12. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 13. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - 14. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - 15. School Day (Joe Guercio Orchestra) - 16. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. - 17. Why Me Lord? - 18. How Great Thou Art - 19. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 20. An American Trilogy - 21. Little Darlin' - 21. Mystery Train / Tiger Man - 22. Can't Help Falling In Love - 23. Closing Vamp / Announcements. 

Friday, June 6, 1975, 8:30 pm, Convention Center's Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, TX and previously unreleased Saturday, June 7, 1975, 2:30 pm, Hirsch Coliseum, Shreveport, LA. 

(Source: FECC) 

August 19 - Merry Christmas, Love Elvis

Sony Music Special Products will release the CD "Merry Christmas, Love Elvis" on August 27, 2013. This is the cover-art and the track-listing as shown on Amazon.

Tracks:

If Every Day Was Like Christmas - Santa Claus Is Back In Town - Winter Wonderland - Silver Bells - Blue Christmas - It Won´t Seem Like Christmas (Without You) - Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) - O Come, All Ye Faithful - I´ll Be Home On Christmas Day - Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees - Merry Christmas Baby - If I Get Home ON Christmas Day

(Source: Amazon)

August 17 - Weekend Chart Favourites

To coincide with the ITV Programme (date not yet set) SONY UK will release single and double CD versions of the album entitled 'The Nations Favourite Elvis Songs' on 11th November, 2013 as follows. The single disc will retail at £10.94 and the double CD will retail at £11.74.

The Nation’s Favourite Elvis Song will be a 90 minute special to air later this year on ITV telling the stories behind the 20 greatest songs ever recorded by the King of Rock’n'Roll from Heartbreak Hotel to In The Ghetto, It’s Now or Never to An American Trilogy.

As well as hearing from Priscilla Presley and different generations of pop stars and musicians influenced by Elvis, the show will also feature those who worked with Elvis from the 50s through to the 70s – from songwriters to backing singers, producers to session musicians.

CD 1: single disc edition:
Suspicious Minds - Always On My Mind - Love Me Tender - In The Ghetto - Viva Las Vegas - Jailhouse Rock - Hound Dog - Blue Suede Shoes - All Shook Up - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - The Wonder Of You - It's Now Or Never - Don't Be Cruel - Heartbreak Hotel - If I Can Dream - An American Trilogy - King Creole - Return To Sender - A Little Less Conversation (Elvis Vs JXL) - Can't Help Falling in Love

CD 2: additional favorites:
(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I - Hard Headed Woman - Burning Love - She's Not You - (You're The) Devil In Disguise - Good Luck Charm - (Marie's The Name Of) His Latest Flame - Wooden Heart - Way Down - Surrender -  Stuck Oon You - A Big Hunk O' Love - One Night - Crying In The Chapel - Don't - I Just Can't Help Believin' - Too Much - Promised Land - Guitar Man - Rubberneckin' - Suspicious Minds (Live) - Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Presume Laughing Version)

Weekend Charts

The "Elvis At Stax" compilation entered the Swedish album chart at #41, the Austrian Album chart at #64, the Swiss album chart at #53 and debuted on the French Album chart at #194.

In The Netherlands the Stax-set dropped in it's second week on the chart from #26 to #60 while in Belgium the set climbed from #113 to # 79.

In the UK the "Elvis At Stax" CD fell off the charts after a new-entry at #70 last week.

On the Irish Album chart the "The Real... Elvis" climbed from #76 to #72, "Elvis At Stax" has not appeared on the Irish chart yet.

The latest Billboard Album Charts for the week ending August 17, 2013: 

• 'Heart And Soul' rises from 185 to 182 selling some 2,329 units. Total sales to date: 667,626 units. It also rises from 44 to 37 on the Catalog Album Chart.
• The following albums appeared on the Catalog Album Chart:
• 'An Afternoon In The Garden' rises from 93 to 80 selling some 1,804 units. Total sales to date: 573,365 units.
• 'The Essential Elvis' (Double Album) appeared at 96 selling some 1,666 units. Total sales to date: 526,631 units. For RIAA purposes this has now sold 1,053,262 units. It also appeared on the 'Albums With TEA' at 195 selling some 3,191 units. 
• 'Elvis Inspirational (Compilation) rises from 143 to 113 selling some 1,579 units. Total sales to date: 172,212 units.
• 'The Very Best Of Love' re-enters at 151 selling some 1,352 units. Total sales to date: 375,677 units.
• 'Elvis Country' (Compilation) rises from 187 to 181 selling some 1,257 units. Total sales to date: 199,206 units.
• 'Elvis At Stax' (De-Luxe 3CD Version) entered the Current Album Chart at 167 selling some 2,067 units.
• 'He Touched Me' (Volumes 1 and 2) dropped from 32 to 34 on the Music Video Sales Chart.

The Elvis Files

Volume 6 in "The Elvis Files" series was released. This volume in the series from Erik Lorentzen and his team, released through KJ Consulting" deals with the years 1971 to 1973; Madison Square Garden, "Elvis On Tour", "Aloha From Hawaii", STAX and Nashville Sessions, the divorce from Priscilla and more. The hardcover book holds 1600 images on 500 pages.


Spotlight on Elvis
 
Ed Bonja, Elvis' tour photographer, released a new book. Just like the Boxcar releases for the Graceland and Aloha book, this publication comes in a deluxe version. With 160 pages and over 200 pictures, we'll get an overview of Eds best pictures he made from The King. Each book comes with a signed picture of Ed Bonja.

(Source: The king's World / Brian Quinn / Elvis Information Network)

August 16 - Loving Elvis

Here is the vinyl re-issue of the "Loving You" soundtrack from Mischief Music which is due for release August 29, 2013. This "limited collectors edition" comes on blue splattered vinyl and is limited to 1000 copies worldwide. 

Tracks:
1. Mean Woman Blues
2. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
3. Loving You
4. Got A Lot O'livin' To Do!
5. Lonesome Cowboy
6. Hot Dog
7. (Let's Have A) Party
8. Blueberry Hill
9. True Love
10. Don't Leave Me Now
11. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
12. I Need You So

(Source: Amazon)

August 15 - Elvis Presley Estate Bid Round 2

The auction for Core Media’s packaged estates of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali is now in the second round as bids are landing at the the Raine Group, the investment bank running the auction for Core Media. The New York Post reported that bids were due Wednesday (Aug. 14).

Among the suitors expected to place bids are Sony Corp. (on behalf of Sony Music Entertainment and Sony/ATV); and the G2 Investment Group, where former Evergreen Copyrights principal David Schulhof is the managing director of the firm's media business. A couple of companies that mine name and likeness assets are also expected to place bids. Sony Music Entertainment already handles the Presley master recording catalog, so if its bid were successful the company would no longer need to make artist royalty payments to the estate.

Sources say that the properties up for sale generate about $15 million annually in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

In another measure, the Presley publishing catalog, which is currently administered by Imagem, reportedly has $6 million in net publisher's share. That catalog is 50% owned by the Presley estate and 50% owned by the heirs of Hill & Range founder Julian Aberbach and his brother, Jean. The part up for sale has $3 million in net publisher's share.

According to sources, the packaging of the Presley and the Ali assets is making it difficult for bidders to get a handle on the assets, because running those assets and maximizing revenue require diverse skill sets. But not everyone has the expertise to buy and maximize revenue from all of those assets. So sources suggest that interested parties are pairing up to chase the assets they want because owner Core Media won’t bifurcate them.

For example, in addition to the recording masters royalties and the publishing assets, the Presley estate also includes real estate assets like Graceland and Heartbreak Hotel. Sony could buy the music assets, but does the company have expertise in running themed real estate assets like Graceland and the hotel?

While first round bids for the Presley and Ali estate were in the $200 million range, sources say second round bids lowered in the $100 million to $150 million range, because the recognition that both Heartbreak Hotel and the Graceland mansion itself will require a capital infusion in order to upgrade and maintain the properties. There is room to build an adjacent hotel, which would also require a capitol infusion, sources say.


Gear Up for 60th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll 

As thousands of fans gather for Elvis Week and prepare for the annual Candlelight Vigil at Graceland this evening, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is announcing plans and debuting artwork today for a yearlong celebration to commemorate Elvis’ first professional recording, considered by many music historians to be the birth of the rock ‘n’ roll music movement. Joining EPE’s CEO Jack Soden for the announcement will be Kevin Kane, President of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau and Jayne Ellen Brooks from Sun Studio.

On July 5, 1954, Elvis walked into Sun Studio in Memphis and recorded a sped up version of Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right” with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips first played the song July 8, 1954 on WHBQ radio and the switchboard lit up, the song was repeated fourteen times in a row during the “Red HOT and Blue” broadcast due to public demand. Rock ‘n’ Roll was born and the world of music changed forever.

Kicking off the year-long celebration in 2014 is the New Year’s Eve Hard Rock Café Guitar Drop on world famous Beale Street. Thousands will gather on the famed blues alley in Memphis to take in live music and watch a 10-foot guitar wrapped in the 60 years of Rock ‘n’ Roll art  as it descends 100 feet onto Beale Street at midnight in the Central time zone.

On January 8th, fans from around the world will gather at Graceland to celebrate the birth of the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll as a cake fit for a king is cut during the Elvis Presley Day Proclamation Ceremony. Events continue through the 11th and include a concert by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra as they showcase symphonic interpretations of the songs that helped give Memphis the title of Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

A special exhibition will open at Graceland on March 3, 2014 showcasing Elvis’ impact on music and popular culture over the past 60 years and chronicling the birth of rock ‘n’ roll . The vaults of the Graceland Archives have been opened to help develop this unique exhibit that will be included as part of the Graceland VIP Tour.

The site of Elvis’ first professional recording session, Sun Studio, will be the site of a global celebration on July 5th as Memphis and the world mark the birth of rock ‘n’ roll with Elvis Presley’s recording of “That’s All Right.” Additional details for festivities planned at the famed Memphis recording studio will be announced at a later date.  

The impressive ‘ELVIS PRESLEY – ON STAGE’ music experience will kick off a 23 date tour of the United Kingdom starting in April through the end of May, taking the 60th Anniversary celebration on the road to Europe. Using the latest technology, Elvis performs via state-of-the art video screens singing lead vocals backed by a live band, singers and an orchestra. Together, this multi-media creation puts the audience inside an Elvis Presley concert presented exactly like one of his classic live performances in a Las Vegas showroom. The contemporary staging and overall production create the illusion that Elvis is on stage for his finest concert performances. The concert tour schedule is available here, with tickets on sale on September 6, 2013.

During the 60th Anniversary year, the Elvis® Fans Holy Land Tour will take place February 23 - March 4, 2014. Fans will have the chance to explore the Gospel side of Elvis with an Israel tour experience unlike any other. Travelers will cruise the Sea of Galilee, experience the Western Wall and ancient city of Jerusalem, float in the Dead Sea, roam the beaches of Tel Aviv, experience baptism in the Jordan River and much more. More information and how to reserve a spot at Israelthemetours.com/elvis.

An anniversary year of this magnitude will also include the debut of a variety of officially licensed products featuring the 60th Anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll artwork. Elvis.com will also celebrate the 60th Anniversary music milestone with an online clock countdown to July 5th, 2014. 

A schedule of events for the yearlong celebration, an online countdown clock and additional details about planned festivities can be found at Elvis.com/60years.

(Source: Ed Christman / Billboard / EPE)

August 14 - Keep On Touring

The Touchdown Productions import-label announced the release of the CD "Keep On Turnin'" CD, their 20th release.

From the press-release:
This time we'll release the dinner show from August 26, 1971. There's no wow and flutter and the overall sound quality is of very good quality for an audience recording. That goes also for the bonus tracks which were recorded at the dinner show on August 31, 1971. The show itself was released before a few years ago, but this time the bonus tracks were taken from a different source which offers a much better soundquality than the released CD of the show. As usual the CD will be packaged with a beautiful designed 16-page booklet.

Tracks:
[01] Also Sprach Zarathustra (1.14) [02] That‘s Alright Mama (2.19) [03] Proud Mary (2.45) [04] I Got A Woman (2.25) [05] Elvis Welcomes The Audience (0.20) [06] Love Me Tender (2.31) [07] Elvis Foolin‘ Around (0.19) [08] Sweet Caroline (2.26) [09] Polk Salad Annie (3.50) [10] Intermission (0.42) [11] Johnny B. Goode (1.47) [12] Impossible (2.49) [13] Love Me (1.43) [14] Blue Suede Shoes/Whole Lotta Shakin‘ Goin‘ On/ Blue Suede Shoes (1.38) [15] Heartbreak Hotel (1.41) [16] Teddy Bear/ Don‘t Be Cruel (2.18) [17] Hound Dog (1.00) [18] Suspicious Minds (5.39) [19] Introduction (1.31) [20] I‘m Leavin‘ (3.22) [21] Lawdy Miss Clawdy (1.52) [22] Can‘t Help Falling In Love (1.47) [23] Closing Vamp (0.22) 
[24] Proud Mary (2.43) [25] Sweet Caroline (2.23) [26] Polk Salad Annie (3.58) [27] Johnny B Goode (1.42) [28] It‘s Impossible (2.43) 
01-23 recorded on August 26, 1971 Dinner Show 24-28 recorded on August 31, 1971 Dinner Show

European  / UK Tour?

It’s just been confirmed that the 'Elvis Presley In Concert' screen show will be touring Europe in April 2014 but sadly without the TCB Band. This is not the popular version that toured South-America successfully recently (and will return there in October), but instead it’s a low-budget version without the original TCB band members and singers. These have been replaced by unknown musicians. The shows are being offered by Live Nation. 

• Wed 30 Apr 2014 SHEFFIELD City Hall
• Thu 01 May 2014 NEWCASTLE City Hall
• Fri 02 May 2014 DUNDEE Caird Hall
• Sat 03 May 2014 EDINBURGH Playhouse
• Sun 04 May 2014 GLASGOW Clyde Auditorium
• Mon 05 May 2014 LIVERPOOL Philharmonic
• Wed 07 May 2014 PRESTON Guild Hall
• Thu 08 May 2014 NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall
• Fri 09 May 2014 IPSWICH Regent Theatre
• Sat 10 May 2014 BRIGHTON Centre
• Sun 11 May 2014 PLYMOUTH Pavilion
• Tue 13 May 2014 BRISTOL Colston Hall
• Wed 14 May 2014 SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion
• Thu 15 May 2014 BOURNEMOUTH BIC
• Fri 16 May 2014 CARDIFF Motorpoint Arena
• Sat 17 May 2014 MANCHESTER Bridgewater Hall
• Sun 18 May 2014 MILTON KEYNES Theatre
• Tue 20 May 2014 YORK Barbican
• Wed 21 May 2014 LEICESTER De Montfort Hall
• Thu 22 May 2014 OXFORD New Theatre
• Fri 23 May 2014 BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall
• Sat 24 May 2014 LONDON Hammersmith Apollo
• Sun 25 May 2014 LONDON Hammersmith Apollo

Holy Land Tour

Just announced during Elvis Week at Conversations on Elvis is the Elvis Fans Holy Land Tour, hosted by Elvis Week host Tom Brown. This exciting tour of the Holy Land will take place February 23 - March 4, 2014. 

From the update:
Fans from around the world will have the chance to explore the Gospel side of Elvis with an Israel tour experience unlike any other. Travelers will follow in the footsteps of Jesus, cruise the Sea of Galilee, experience the Western Wall and the ancient city of Jerusalem, float in the Dead Sea, roam the beaches of Tel Aviv, experience baptism in the Jordan River and much more. 

(Source: FECC / Elvis information Network / EPE)

August 13 - King Of iTunes

In celebration of Elvis Week, numerous key titles in the Elvis Presley catalog have been mastered for iTunes and are available at iTunes.com/Elvis.  The iTunes roll-out coincides with Presley being honored as Artist Of The Month for August, 2013 by Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.  

The Elvis Presley albums mastered for iTunes ensure the delivery of the music to listeners with increased audio fidelity, more closely replicating what the artists, recording engineers, and producers intended.  The Complete 50s Albums Collection brings together nine original albums from the 1950s including:  Elvis Presley  (his RCA debut album, released 1956), Elvis (second album, 1956), Loving You (film sound¬track, 1957), Elvis’ Christmas Album (1957), Elvis’ Golden Records (1958), King Creole (film sound¬track, 1958), For LP Fans Only (1959), A Date With Elvis (1959), and 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong: Elvis’ Gold Records, Volume 2 (1959).  Also included are this month's brand-new "Elvis At Stax" collection (available as a three-volume set or a single Highlights selection) as well as the popular The Essential Elvis Presley collection.   

This is the first time that Legacy Recordings and iTunes have collaborated on music releases coinciding with Elvis Week.  The official Elvis At Stax Listening Party will take place at the Stax Museum in Memphis today with a YouTube Live stream of the Q & A session. The Q & A session will be attended by famed Nashville musician/producer Norbert Putnam (who originally played on the December sessions at Stax), as well as reissue co-producer Ernst Mikael Jørgensen, the respected director of RCA’s Presley catalog for over two decades, and the author of the critical research guide, Elvis Presley: A Life In Music (St. Martin’s Press, 1998).  "Elvis At Stax" will also be one of the topics discussed at “Conversations On Elvis,” a Q & A session hosted by Elvis aficionado Tom Brown.  
  
Released to critical claim on August 6 by RCA/Legacy, the "Elvis At Stax" physical box set marks the first time that the last major studio sessions in Elvis Presley’s career have been gathered together in one comprehensive package.  The 3-CD box set is a 40th anniversary chronicle of the dozen nights that Presley spent at Stax Recording Studios in his hometown of Memphis in July and December 1973. The proof of Presley’s energy and dynamism at Stax is evident in the six consecutive singles that the sessions produced, all of which skirted the Top 40 from 1973 to 1975.  In effect, they rivaled some of the hottest streaks that Presley had charted a decade earlier. The Stax singles still resonate today:

• “Raised On Rock” b/w “For Ol’ Time Sake” (Hot 100 #41, country #42)
• “I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby” b/w “Take Good Care Of Her” (Hot 100 #39, country #4)
• “Promised Land” b/w “It’s Midnight” (Hot 100 #14, country #9)
• “If You Talk In Your Sleep” b/w “Help Me” (Hot 100 #17, country #6)
• “My Boy” b/w “Thinking About You” (Hot 100 #20, country #14)
• “Mr. Songman” (B-side of “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” Hot 100 #35, country #11)

Jørgensen, who co-produced the box set alongside Legacy A&R producer Rob Santos, was long concerned with doing justice to the Stax sessions, and presenting them as a unified whole.  As with most of Presley's studio work in his second decade as a recording artist, the Stax tracks were scattered onto LPs and intermingled with material recorded in Nashville and Hollywood.  The bulk of the Stax cuts showed up on the LPs Raised On Rock/For Ol’ Times Sake (1973), Good Times (1974), and Promised Land (1975).  Many of the outtakes heard on Elvis At Stax originated on the CD-era reissues of those three albums on Jørgensen’s and co-director Roger Semon's own label, Follow That Dream (FTD) Records.

The material that Elvis Presley recorded at Stax in 1973 is compartmentalized on "Elvis At Stax" as follows:

• Disc 1:  The R&B and Country Sessions – The Outtakes: 17 tracks
• Disc 2:  Part 1 – The Pop Sessions – The Outtakes: 10 tracks
• Disc 2:  Part 2 – The July 1973 Masters: four single sides and six album tracks, and
• Disc 3:  The December 1973 Masters: seven single sides and 11 album tracks.

Legacy’s prestigious Artist Of The Month program was launched in 2013 and has honored such iconic artists as Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, and others.  The Artist Of The Month program provides fresh perspectives on musical legends whose sounds continue to affect people's lives.  The program enables new fans and deep aficionados the opportunity to focus on an essential figure in pop music history, whose principal catalog is a cornerstone of the Sony Music archives.

Humes High Marker

Here is the all new State Marker to honour Humes High School, the Alma Mater of Elvis Presley. This morning, Memphis time, George Klein (left) and Red West (right) were on hand to unveil the new marker in front of Elvis's former high school Humes High. Interesting to know is that the manager of the school wants to reopen one of the buildings on the property and turn it into a new Elvis at Humes Museum by 2014!

Elvis first attended Humes in 1948 and would get to graduate from Humes High School in 1953. It was while at Humes that Elvis got his first taste of fame. He won the senior class talent show and his slicked back hair and unusual style of dress were tolerated by his. 

Primo Elvis

Elvis Presley is featured on the cover of this week's Primo TV-guide magazine in Belgium. The magazine features 4 pages on Elvis Presley.

(Source: iTunes / EPE / ElvisMAtters / Elvis Express / UEPS)

August 12 - Love Me Tonight

The SR importlabel announced the release of the CD "Love Me Toninght" featuring an audience recording of the February 13, 1971 midnight show performance. 

From the press-release:
To be released in early September on the "SR" label is a new CD entitled "Love me tonight" featuring an unreleased show from Las Vegas February 13, 1971 Midnight Show. After a long research we finally located a good tape that gives us the possibility to produce another show from Elvis fourth season.
As everybody knows SR concentrates its work on Elvis early 70's live period, trying to produce unreleased shows with Elvis at the top of his possibilities. In this new release, we are proud to present the complete show from February 13th, midnight performance of the fourth Elvis’ historical Vegas season.

The midnight show from February 13th, as presented on this CD, .. no surprises in the tracklist, but the show is extremely solid and good, the sound is good and powerful using a straight copy of the original source tape. Elvis' performance on these early season nights is superb as he is still performing to the best of his ability. Although he delivers short shows they are delivered in a very intense, crisp and fresh manner that cannot be denied. Elvis was on stage to have fun and demonstrated this during the older, classic numbers, but songs such as 'Polk Salad Annie', 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling' and 'Sweet Caroline' never sounded better. The season will be remembered for the beautiful new closing number ‘The Impossible Dream’ which Elvis sang with power and feeling giving us proof that Elvis continued to grow as a performer.

This recording came from an early generation copy of the master tape, the sound quality is very good considering the early season. We have in our hands the original mono tape of extremely good quality enabling us to carry out simple re-mastering work, concentrating on the reduction of noise and trying to achieve a more clear sound and of Elvis, keeping his vocal power up in the central mix and at the same time trying to give a great definition to the background music. The Tape was unfortunately incomplete, Suspicious Minds last only four minutes for a cut in the middle.

As usually from this label, this new CD will come in a deluxe digipack, containing a collection of live photographs from the season and informative liner notes. Approximate Total running time: 47.58 minutes.

Tracks: 
01. Opening/That’s All Right, 02. I Got A Woman, 03. I Can’t Help Falling In Love,04. Proud Mary, 05. You’Ve Lost Than Loving Feeling 06. Polk alad Annie, 07. Johnny B.Good, 08. Something, 09. How Great Thou Art, 10. Mistery Train/Tiger Man, 11. Love Me, 12. Don’t Be Cruel, 13. Heartbreak Hotel, 13. Blue Suede Shoes, 14. Little Sister/Get Back, 15. Hound Dog, 16. *Suspicious Minds, 17. Band Introduction, 18. The Impossible Dream. * Incomplete 

(Source: FECC)

August 11 - Vinyl Is Back

This is the cover-art for the upcoming vinyl re-issue of the classic "Elvis Is Back!". This album is due as a limited edition on 180g vinyl from the Waxtime label on September 20, 2013. 


Side A: Make Me Know It - Fever - The Girl Of My Best Friend - I Will Be Home Again - Dirty, Dirty Feeling - Thrill Of Your Love
Side B: Soldier Boy - Such A Night - It Feels So Right - Girl Next Door Went A'Walking - Like A Baby - Reconsider Baby


(Source: Amazon)

August 09 - Elvis Unplugged

The Something Special label announced the release of a new CD "Elvis Unplugged: Versions You Have Never Heard!" This contains 20 songs with either just vocal tracks or backing tracks. It is due for release September 9, 2013.

Product Description:
A Totally unique package that features Versions of Elvis tunes never before heard 20 tracks in total. We have 10 Original Studio tracks of Elvis vocals only, where you only hear the fabulous vocals up close and personal of Elvis As if you were sitting and listening in the same room. Also, there is 10 Original ELVIS backing tracks, where all you hear are the fantastic band and sometimes backing vocals clear and vibrant as if the Instruments are bursting out of your speakers in wonderful STEREO! This is Fantastic for Karaoke and Sing-A-Longs both for professionals and amateurs and of course for any fan of rare Elvis. This package Is a fantastic collectors Item of never before heard versions. All of the 10 Instrumental tracks are in stereo.

Tracks:
1. Blue Suede Shoes (Vocal), 2. Little Sister (Instrumental), 3. Where Do You Come From (Vocal), 4. Kiss Me Quick (Instrumental), 5. Good Luck Charm (Vocal), 6. Follow That Dream (Instrumental), 7. Shoppin' Around (Vocal), 8. I Want You With Me (Instrumental), 9. She's Not You (Vocal), 10. Flaming Star (Instrumental), 11. His Hand In Mine (Vocal), 12. Night Rider (Instrumental), 13. Girls Girls Girls (Vocal), 14. Riding The Rainbow (Instrumental), 15. Doin' The Best I Can (Vocal), 16. You'll Be Gone (Instrumental), 17. Suspicion (Vocal), 18. Put The Blame On Me (Instrumental), 19. Judy (Vocal)(Redell), 20. (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame (Instrumental)

US Charts

The 2007 CD "The Essential Elvis Presley" re-entered the Billboard Album op 200 at #42. The Essential Elvis Presley sold some 8,755 units. Total sales to date: 524,965 units. Being a double album it is eligible for double sales under RIAA rules i.e. 17,418 units.

The 1995 release "Heart & Soul" re-entered the chart at #185. The "He Touched Me" (Volumes 1 and 2)" re-entered the Music Video Chart at #32. It sold some 2,459 units. Total sales to date: 665,297 units.

Irish Charts

The double CD "The Essential Elvis Presley" fell of the Irish Album chart after a re-entry at #39 last week while "The Real ... Elvis" dropped from #62 to #76 this week. 

UK Charts (Record)

The new "Elvis At Stax" has entered the official U.K album chart at #70. The set sold 1,367 copies during its first week on sale in the UK. It was Elvis' 111th Chart Album which is a record. Perhaps the advertisement in the UK record Collector helped boost sales.

Dutch And Belgian Charts

The single disc edition of "Elvis At Stax" entered the Dutch Album chart at #26 and the Belgian Album chart at #113.


German Charts


The new 'Elvis At Stax' album has entered the German Top 100 Album Chart at # 41.

(Source: Elvis And His Music / Amazon / Billboard / The King's World / Elvis Express)

August 08 - Cowboy Jack Clement Died

Cowboy Jack Clement, a producer, engineer, songwriter and beloved figure who helped birth rock 'n' roll and push country music into modern times, died Thursday at his home. He was 82. His death came just months after he learned he would be joining the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was to be inducted at a ceremony this fall.

Clement's career included stops in Memphis at Sun Records as an engineer for Sam Phillips, where he discovered Jerry Lee Lewis and recorded greats like Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison. He invited a young Elvis Presley to sit in his band occasionally after returning to Memphis to attend college, where he picked up the nickname "Cowboy" for his role in a radio show. nimble thinking helped Clement insert himself into another historic moment — the fleeting few hours when Presley, Cash, Lewis and Perkins found themselves together in the store-front Union Avenue studio and decided to mess around a little. The result was "The Million Dollar Quartet."

"After a while, Sam went next door to Taylor's restaurant," Clement said in a 2010 interview with The Commercial Appeal of Memphis. "And I was sitting in the control room, turning up some knobs and I heard what they were doing. I remember I stood up and said, 'I'd be remiss if I didn't record this.' So I stuck a tape on, walked out in the studio and moved a few mics around, and I just let it run for about an hour and a half or so. Nobody seemed to object."
 
This Is Gold

A new ward can be added to Elvis Presley's long list; 'This Is Elvis" (Warner Home Video, 2007) was awarded a Gold Certification.

(Source: Washington Post / ElvisMatters / FECC)

August 07 - DVD Happy

The 1969 movie "Change of Habit" featuring Elvis Presley and Mary Tyler Moore will be re-issued by Universal Studios on October 15, 2013.

Il Delinquente Del Rock 'N' Roll (Jailhouse Rock)

Due for release on August 2, 2013 is another Italian DVD re-issue of "Jailhouse Rock" (Il Delinquente Del Rock 'N' Roll).

Collecting Elvis


Volume 42 in the German De Agostini "Elvis Sammlung" was released. This is the first volume without a DVD but, next to the usual magazine, additional memorabilia-reproductions from the Graceland archives.

Elvis Preview

Here is a preview of volume 6 in "The Elvis Files" series. This volume covers the years 1971 - 1973 and is the penultimate volume to this series of books. It is due for release August 16, 2013. Click on the images for bigger previews.


(Source: Amazon / Elvis Club Berlin)

August 06 - Turning Night Into Daytime

Rainbow Records proudly presents a new CD release called “Turning Night Into Daytime”, featuring Elvis Presley´s complete performance of August 31, 1973 (Midnight Show) at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. This show is due on August 16, 2013. This Summer release is limited to 300 copies only.

From the press-release:
This show has not been released on CD before and will be presented in very good sound for an audience recording. The recording has been taken directly from the original cassette tape - as recorded by a “Super-Fan” from the UK who was present at this particular show.

Elvis seems to have a good time at this show and he delivers a real fine choice of songs. There are quite a few highlights to discover: a strong “Brigde Over Troubled Water”, a rather “early in the set” sung “Release Me”, a great “An American Trilogy” and a rather “rare for 73” sung “Funny How Time Slips Away”. Also note that this recording is complete, only missing the “2001” theme.

Tracks: 
01. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 02. I Got A Woman / Amen - 03. Love Me - 04. Release Me - 05. Fever - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Long Tall Sally (with false start) / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Mama Don't Dance / Flip Flop & Fly / Hound Dog - 08. Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - 09. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 10. Suspicious Minds - 11. Band Introductions - 12. Love Me Tender - 13. How Great Thou Art - 14. Heartbreak Hotel - 15. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - 16. Mystery Train / Tiger Man - 17. An American Trilogy - 18. Funny How Time Slips Away - 19. Johnny B. Goode - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love - 21. Closing Vamp.

As recorded live at the Las Vegas Hilton, August 31, 1973 Midnight show

Spotlight On Elvis
 
Ed Bonja, Elvis' tour photographer and good friend of ElvisMatters, will release a new book during this month. Just like the Boxcar releases for the Graceland and Aloha book, this publication will come in a deluxe version. With 160 pages and over 200 pictures, we'll get an overview of Eds best pictures he made from The King. Each book comes with a signed picture of Ed Bonja.

(Source: Various)