Friday, January 24, 2020

January 24 - HMV Worldwide Blu-ray Discography

The "HMV Worldwide Discography" by Alan White has been updated and re-released. 

Synopsis:

This 100-page book is all you need to know regarding Elvis’ historic releases on the HMV label. Alan White, the foremost specialist on the worldwide Elvis Presley releases on the HMV label, covers  78’s from England, Ireland, New Zealand and Pakistan, 45’s from England and New Zealand, EP’s from England and LP’s from England, New Zealand and much, much more. 

Did you know POP 408 "Lawdy, Miss Clawdy" was issued in the UK with gold lettering? Have you ever seen a solid centre Elvis UK HMV 45rpm? The items in the book are described in meticulous detail to easily identify the variations and illustrated with excellent colour photographed covers and labels. The book also includes test pressings, demonstration discs and other variations. 


King Creole Blu-ray

Paramount announced the release of a limited edition Blu-ray of the classic 1958 movie “King Creole” with March 17th 2020. The movie is remastered, widescreen and comes with English and French subtitles. 

Elvis Pop Icon

Equinox Publishing announced the release of the book "Elvis: Roots, Image, Comeback, Phenomenon" by Mark Duffett as part of their ongoing "Icons of Pop Music" series.

Synopsis: 
Elvis Presley remains the single most important figure in twentieth century popular music. To many commentators, however, he has simply embodied the benefits and problems of uncritically embracing capitalism. By 2005 the ‘Memphis Flash’ sold over a billion records worldwide, yet his cultural significance cannot be measured by these extraordinary sales figures alone. He cannot quite be reduced to a placeholder for the contradictions of commerce. As the most prominent performer of the rock’n’roll era, then as a charismatic global superstar, Elvis fundamentally challenged the established relationship between White and Black culture, drew attention to the social needs of women and young people, and promoted the value of Southern creativity. He functioned as a bridge figure between folk roots and high modernity, and in the process became a controversial symbol of American unity.

Elvis interprets the image and music of Elvis Presley to reveal how they have evolved to construct a particularly appealing and powerful myth. Following broad contours of Presley’s rollercoaster career, the book uses a range of analytical frames to challenge established perspectives on an icon. Its shows that the controversy around Elvis has effectively tested how far a concern for social equality could be articulated through the marketplace, and ultimately challenged how popular music itself should be assessed.

(Source: The Elvis Shop London / Amazon / FECC)