April 30 - Coming Home

For the first time in over a year, the STAR import label announced a new release; "Elvis Coming Home". 


This DVD with 25 newly crated clips has a May 2010 release-date. This release marks the first STAR release on a factory made DVD. 

1. Guitar Man
2. Big Boss Man
3. Edge of Reality
4. Going Home
5. Just Call Me Lonesome
6. Wonderful World
7. Fools Fall in Love
8. You Don’t Know Me
9. Clean Up Your Own Backyard
10. Rubberneckin’ 
11. A Little Less Conversation
12. It Hurts Me
13. Let Yourself Go
14. Power of My Love
15. Tomorrow is A Long Time
16. Singing Tree
17. I’m Movin’ On
18. Come What May
19. All I Needed Was the Rain
20. Charro!
21. Almost in Love
22. U.S. Male
23. Too Much Monkey Business
24. Stay Away
25. Almost

April 29 - The Collection

The Dutch Weton Wesgram label announced the release of "Elvis Presley - The Collection", a five disc collection of fifties recordings packed n a slipcase. The set is due May 3, 2010.


On the German Amazon.de site re-issues of eight classic soundtrack releases popped up. The titles are  "Fun In Acapulco", "Roustabout", "Clambake", "Frankie And Johnny", "Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Girl Happy", "G.I. Blues"and "Viva Las Vegas". These CDs were released May 31, 2010 in the United Kingdom and June 4, 2010 in Germany.

 

April 28 - Christmas Today With Flaming Stars

Christmas is coming early in 2010! The Venus Productions label announced the release of a double CD set entitled "Christmas Today" with a "red" and "blue" CD. 

The red CD features Nashville recordings from May 1971 with various out-takes and undubbed masters taken from acetates. 


The blue CD may sound unessential to most fans, but the label claimed it would become a favorite CD for many fans due to the lively enthusiasm from Elvis during the recording sessions at RCA’s studio on Sunset Boulevard.







Flaming Star & Summer Kisses Released

The CD "Elvis Flaming Star & Summer Kisses" has been released.

 

April 27 - The Elvis Files Vol. 3

The release date for the book "The Elvis Files Vol. 3 1960 - 1964" by Ken Sharp was announced; May 2010. 


It is the first release in a series of six books covering Elvis Presley's life from 1954 to 1977 covering everything from what he wore on stage to whom he meet that day. The series starts with the release of volume 3. 


The German Elvis Presley Gesellschaft announced the release of volume 192 of their Graceland magazine with "Elvis Is Back" as the main theme. 

(Source: Elvis Matters / Elvis Presley Gesellschaft)

April 26 - Official Bootlegs & Contract

Various Dutch fan club releases found their way to on-line stores like Amazon.



Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the original vinyl "Rockin Rebel" bootlegs and the "Jailhouse Rock Sessions" bootleg. "We Just Stumbled Upon It" is an original fan club release.



Elvis Signed Contracts Sold

Elvis Presley 1957 signed Graceland real estate sale contract, two sided, 8. 5" x 14," - Elvis signed "sale contract form approved by real estate board of Memphis" to purchase Graceland on March 21, 1957 for $102,500, the terms in the contract included the deed on Elvis' East Memphis house located at 1034 Audubon Drive for a $55,000 deduction from the sale price, Elvis signed the document, together with his father Vernon Presley and his mother Gladys (died aug. 14, 1958),"bosworth, inc realtors, memphis, tennessee," 13. 891 acres, "1034 Audobon Drive is not to be shown until possession is given" handwritten addendum.

Graceland Farms was originally owned by S.C. Toof and named after toof's daughter, Grace,who inherited the farm, the portion of the land designated as Graceland today was given to Grace Toof's niece, Ruth Moore, "part of the Thomas D. Moore 179. 42 acre tract,... ," also signed by Ruth Brown Moore, in 1939 together with her husband Dr. Thomas Moore built the current american "colonial" style mansion that Elvis made his home until his death there on aug. 16, 1977, also signed by representative of virginia grant realty co,. Document was one of 4 "executed copies".

It was sold for 25,000.00 US Dollars.

Elvis Presley Knive


The king's year-long 75th birthday celebration will be the theme for some of the very first Elvis-branded Case commemoratives and collectibles. Case knives were present at another important birthday in Elvis’ past. In January of 1945, Gladys Presley accompanied her son to Tupelo Hardware, a local hardware store which still sells Case knives, in search of a birthday present for her son. It was there that Elvis received his very first guitar. 


W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company was recently approved by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. to manufacture and market Elvis-branded knives, commemoratives and collectibles in the U.S.A. The agreement matches one of the world’s most revered cultural icons with one of America’s oldest and most collected knife brands. 


The Elvis Story - The Boy The Man The King


The Green Umbrella documentary DVD "The Elvis Story - The Boy The Man The King" was re-issued in Germany.




Uncensored Memories Of The King


Germany The DVD "Uncensored Memories Of The King" was released by  Archive Média Publishing in France.

 

April 25 - Triple Platinum Down Under

On the Australian ARIA Music DVD Chart the DVD "Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll" moved up one spot to #19 after 102 weeks on the chart. The DVD is now certified 3xP, representing unit sales in excess of 45,000.

United States

Billboard 200:
• #186 (Re) Elvis 75 [1CD]
• #199 (Re) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

Top 50 Christian Albums:
• #38 (26) An Evening Prayer

Top 50 Catalog Albums:
• #29 (Re) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

US (Soundscan) sales, as of this week:
• Essential Elvis - 324,000
• Suspicious Minds (digital track) - 515,000 (downloaded 4,000 times last week)

Canada

Top 50 Country Albums:
• #16 (33) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits
• #66 (82) Essential Elvis

Australia

Top 40 DVDs:
• #19 (20) Elvis: The King Of Rock ’N’ Roll

Top 50 Catalogue Albums:
• #20 (15) The King

(Source: ElvisNews, Elvis Information Network)

April 24 - Elvis Presley's Memphis

Pediment Books put a preview on-line of the upcoming book "Elvis Presley's Memphis", a cooperation between Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. and Memphis’ award-winning newspaper, The Commercial Appeal.   


Both entities have opened their significant archives and discovered photographs, documents and news stories that share Memphis through the eyes of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This hard-bound, full color, collector’s book contains photos, reproductions of articles and more.

 

April 23 - "Elvis" Doesn't Make It In Vegas But Does On The Chart

Due to the recent prime-time exposure on U.S. TV, Elvis is back on this week's Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart 'Elvis 75' re-enters at 186 and the smash hit
album 'Elvis 30 No.1s' re-enters at 199.

On the download side of things, 'Essential Elvis' received 1000 downloads, which is an increase of 50% over the previous week making a total of 324,000 sales, both physical and downloaded.

Also, 'Elvis 30 No.1s' received 3000 downloads, an increase of 54% over the previous week making a total of 4.63 million sales, both physical and downloaded. This album has received a total of 90,000 downloads in all.


Bankruptcy In Vegas


A company with strategic land holdings on the Las Vegas Strip filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization Wednesday after its plans for an Elvis Presley-themed resort fell through.

The filing was made in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Las Vegas by FX Luxury Las Vegas I LLC, which is part of New York-based FX Real Estate and Entertainment Inc.


The prepackaged bankruptcy calls for the land to be auctioned and says that if the auction doesn't yield an acceptable price, insider investors have agreed to buy it out of bankruptcy at a discount to the debt owed.


The investors include American Idol TV show owner Robert F.X. Sillerman, chairman and chief executive of FX Real Estate and Entertainment; Paul Kanavos, president of FX Real Estate and Entertainment; and Las Vegas real estate investor Brett Torino.


The company owns 17.72 acres of land at the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue that are occupied by numerous small businesses and a 125-room Travelodge motel. 


The property is across the Strip from MGM Mirage's CityCenter development, where another Sillerman company receives royalties from the Viva Elvis production at the Aria hotel-casino thanks to Sillerman's control of Elvis Presley trademarks.


In explaining the bankruptcy, FX Luxury President Mitchell Nelson said in an affidavit: "The current global financial crisis has had a particularly grave impact on the Las Vegas real estate market, including a substantial reduction in the number of visitors and per visitor spending, the abandonment of, and/or loan defaults related to, several major new hotel and casino development projects as well as publicly expressed concerns regarding the financial viability of several of the largest hotel and casino operators in the Las Vegas market."


"The current economic climate has also adversely affected the properties’ commercial leasing activities and, as a result, debtor has failed to maintain its previously high tenant occupancy rates amid these market conditions. In addition, market forecasts indicate Las Vegas may experience a prolonged decline in the development of new hotels and other entertainment venues, which could adversely affect any potential redevelopment of the properties for the foreseeable future," Nelson said in his statement.


(Source: Las Vegas SUN)

April 22 - ElvisWeek And Birthday Celebrations

Elvis Week 2010 tickets went on sale for the general public today.

Happy Birthday Desiree

The Virgo import label announced the release of their CD "Happy Birthday Desiree" containing reissues of two Las Vegas concert recordings.

According to the press-release of this CD both concerts were recorded on the birthday of Elvis' first-born daughter, Desirée. On august 24. 1969, during the midnight show Elvis was in top form. He was the King again. But without his 11 years old daughter he was lonely. 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' sounded very sincere on this night. He sang it from his heart...

The next date is august 24, 1970. During the dinner show he didn't forget his daughter's 12th birthday and sang 'When The Snow Is On The Roses' for the first and the last time, for Desirée. This show wasn't recorded professionally, but fortunately a member of the audience recorded it in fair quality.

Track-list of CD1:

1 - Blues Suede Shoes, 2 - I Got A Woman, 3 - All Shook Up, 4 - Love Me Tender, 5 - Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel, 6 - Heartbreak Hotel, 7 - Hound Dog, 8 - I Can't Stop Loving You, 9 - Johnny B Goode, 10 - Monologue, 11 - Baby What You Want Me To Do, 12 - Runaway, 13 - Are You Lonesome Tonight?, 14 - Words, 15 - Yesterday/Hey Jude, 16 - Introductions, 17 - In The Ghetto, 18 - Suspicious Minds, 19 - Can't Help Falling In Love

Track-list of CD2:

1 -  Opening Theme/That's All Right, 2 - I Got A Woman/Spanish Eyes (1 line only), 3 - Tiger Man, 4 - I Just Can't Help Believin', 5 - You've Lost That Loving Feelin', 6 - Band Intros, 7 - Johnny B Goode, 8 - Intros of Celebrities, 9 - When The Snow Is On The Roses, 10 - The Wonder Of You, 11 - Heartbreak Hotel, 12 - One Night/All Shook Up (false start only), 13 - Blue Suede Shoes, 14 - Hound Dog, 15 - Bridge Over Troubled Water, 16 - Suspicious Minds, 17 - Release Me, 18 - Can't Help Falling In Love/Closing Vamp, Special Bonus Track: 19 - Interview with Lucy de Barbin & Desirée Presley (News, Source: Email)



(Source: EPE / Elvis Information Network)

April 21 - Trying To Do The Best

The new Groove Jam import label announced a four CD longbox with a 12-page booklet entitled "Trying To Do The Best". The set contains four audience recordings; 1 of them never before released on CD. The dates are: April 17. 1972 Little Rock, November 14. 1972 Long Beach, March 2. 1974 Tulsa, and Asheville July 23. 1975.

(Source: Elvis News)

April 20 - Elvis Pops Up At Beetles Exhibition

John Lennon once said "Without Elvis there would be no Beatles". Elvis fan Tony Stuchbury found this quote in Liverpool at the Beatles Story exhibition. Also on display is on e of Elvis' shirts, on loan from Elvis Presley Enterprises.

(Source: Elvis Information Network)

April 19 - A Date With Black Diamond's Greatest Hits

Two new import labels announced their upcomming releases; "Black Diamond" and a re-issue of the 1981 compilation "Greatest Hits Volume 1". 



One legal CD was released too; in the U.K. Hallmark re-issued the 1959 ten track album "A Date With Elvis". 


Available from the major on-line sellers like Amazon is the original EP "Elvis Presley". This CD was originally released by the Dutch Elvis Corner Shop. 

Greatest Hits Volume 1

The new label Victrola will re-release the "classic" Greatest Hits Volume 1.


From the press release:

An old friend is back with a new name… The brand-new Victrola label is planning a number of very interesting releases for the Elvis fan & collector. Our first release is a CD reissue of the 1981 release "Greatest Hits vol. 1" (AHL1-2347) from 1981. 

Despite the forgettable title, this is a superb album that is highly sought-after today. We’re excited about being able to present this album in its full glory, digitally improved from the original album masters and with superior packaging. 

Even now, 25 years after its original release, "Greatest Hits vol. 1" still holds up extremely well. All material on this album dates from Elvis’ comeback period, 1967 – ’73. It’s an album that makes sense: the songs fit well together and the performances are uniformly strong on a wide variety of material, with Elvis putting his own indelible stamp on them, regardless of the genre. In fact, if you would want to introduce a friend to the magic of The King’s music, then this album would be a very good starting point. 

It’s interesting to note that several of the mixes / versions heard here are unavailable elsewhere. In some instances, these mixes are far superior, a case in point being "Steamroller Blues" from the Aloha rehearsal show (01-12-’73). This mix really captures the excitement of Elvis’ original performance, whereas the mix as released on "The Alternate Aloha" in 1988 is best forgotten.

This album also contains what is arguably the best-ever Elvis version of "What’d I Say", a cleverly edited live-recording from Elvis’ August 23rd, 1969 Midnight Show performance at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. Since this was usually the penultimate song of the show, Elvis and the band would really let loose, creating a true frenzy at the shows by extending the song with repeated verses and extra solos. Though this was a real showstopper at those early Vegas shows, the excitement of these long versions does not really come across as well on record, and it was a sensible decision by Joan Deary to edit it for release. This track really captures the intensity and raw energy of Elvis’ 1969 comeback. Another highlight is Elvis’ tremendous revival of "Big Hunk O’ Love" from the February 17th, 1972 Dinner Show at the Las Vegas Hilton. Listen out for Elvis’ humming along to Glen D. Hardin’s piano-solo! 

In 1989, RCA Australia released "Greatest Hits Vol. 1" on CD in a limited edition, but that release is now very hard to get. There have been many requests for this album to be issued again, and Victrola is proud to be able to present this release in a deluxe fold-out digipack, with relevant photos and in-depth liner-notes. We were able to work from an original mastertape as sent by RCA to one of its international offices, and the sound quality is exceptional. All tracks were digitally remastered using 24 bit technology. This deluxe edition will be pressed in very limited quantities, so it’s bound to become a true collector’s item. 

Black Diamond

From the press-release:


In late May the Northern Star label will re-release Elvis' last Las Vegas concert. We're trying to make the sound quality a little bit better than it was on the previous releases of this historic concert. No more bad noise reduction,vinyl source and things like these. We have the first generation copy of the master tape and every single second will be carefully remastered. The 2 CD-set will come with a 16-page booklet,containing photographs and memorabilia from the last Vegas engagement. 


Tracklisting

CD 1 :

2001 - See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - My Way (with false start) - Fairytale - You Gave Me A Mountain - Jailhouse Rock - Little Sister - O Sole Mio / It's Now Or Never - Trying To Get To You - Happy Birthday To Charlie Hodge - Blue Suede Shoes - Elvis Talks About His Black Diamond Ring - Blue Christmas - Softly As I Leave You - Are You Lonesome Tonight ? - That's All Right - Bridge Over Troubled Water

CD 2 :

Band Introductions - Early Morning Rain - What'd I Say - Johnny B. Goode - Drum / Bass / Electric Piano Solos - Love Letters - School Days - Hurt - Such A Night - Sweet Caroline - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

 (Source: For Elvis CD Collectors / HMV)

April 18 - I'm Gonna Leave My Indian TV Debut With Karate Fever

The Le Freak Records import label announced the release of Elvis' February 15th 1973 Dinner Show on a CD entitled "I'm Gonna Leave The Stage!". This show was originally issued on a now hard to find 1992 CD "Las Vegas Dinner Show". This is the (in)famous concert where Elvis walked off-stage in the middle of singing "Fever" for 18 minutes, leaving J.D. Sumner and The Stamps singing whatever they could to fill the show while Elvis is being off-stage. Elvis returns , performs "Can't Help Falling In Love" and suddenly decides to continue the show. He does 5 more songs , (including "Can't Help Falling In Love" for the second time!) and closes the show.

The producers claim to have improved the sound quality significantly. As a bonus they added 3 extra tracks from the previously unreleased February 21 D/S . This show wasn't available in any form previously, not even on CD-R. Even better, this material was taken from a first generation booth recording and the sound quality is excellent !






Tracklisting


1 - 2001 Theme , 2 - See See Rider , 3 - I Got A Woman / Amen , 4 - Love Me Tender , 5 - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me , 6 - Steamroller Blues , 7 - You Gave Me A Mountain , 8 - Fever , 9 - Walk That Lonesome Road ( by Stamps Quartet ) , 10 - Sweet Sweet Spirit (by Stamps Quartet ) , 11 - When It's My Time (by Bill Baise) , 12 - How Great Thou Art (by Stamps Quartet) , 13 - I Sould Have Been Crucified (by Stamps Quartet) , 14 - Can't Help Falling In Love , 15 - Faded Love , 16 - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry , 17 - Polk Salad Annie , 18 - An American Trilogy , 19 - Can't Help Falling In Love , 20 - Closing Vamp / Announcements , BONUS TRACKS: 21 - Suspicious Minds , 22 - I Can't Stop Loving You , 23 - What Now My Love (with 2 false starts & reprise)



Karate Fever


The Straight Arrow import label announced the release of Elvis Presley's Las Vegas August 31st, 1974 Dinner show entitled "Karate Fever". Elvis Summer '74 Las Vegas engagement was quite memorable not only due to the inclusion of many new or unusual songs, but also due to the long monologues on various themes. In 1974, Elvis’ main 'non-singing' interest was karate and he was awarded with an 8th black belt degree from the Korean karate master Kang Rhee. During many of these summer '74 concerts, he tried to explain his audience what karate mean to him. Nevertheless, he was also singing more than ever and his voice was in excellent shape - he gave many memorable performances.


This is a previously unreleased audience recording. An early generation copy of the original mastertape was obtained and completely restored using today's advanced technology. The sound quality is remarkable for an off-line audio source.


Just like all previous releases from this label, this new CD will come in a deluxe package with a 16-page booklet, containing a collection of photographs taken in August / September 1974 as well as informative liner notes. This CD is set for release near the end of April 2010.


Tracklisting:


01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. It's Midnight - 07. Big Boss Man - 08. Fever - 09. All Shook Up- 10. Softly As I Leave You - 11. Hound Dog (with reprise) - 12. An American Trilogy - 13. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 14. Introductions by Elvis of Singers, Musicians - 15. If You Talk In Your Sleep - 16. Karate Monologue - 17. Until It's Time For You To Go - 18. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 19. Hawaiian Wedding Song - 20. Heartbreak Hotel - 21. How Great Thou Art - 22. Can't Help Falling In Love - 23. Closing Vamp / Announcements.


Approximate running time: 79:01



Television Debut


Hard to imagine, but starting today a series of Elvis Presley movies will debut on the Indian Television through Vh1. For The First Time On Indian TV. Movies like GI Blues, King Creole, Blue Hawaii, Fun in Acapulco, Girls! Girls! Girls! and many more, will be telecast for the next 6 weeks, every Sunday at 9pm.






Global Chart Update - Week 15

US:

Top 50 Christian Albums:
• #26 (Re) An Evening Prayer

Canada:

Top 50 Country Albums:
• #33 (35) Elvis: 30 #1 Hits

Australia:

Top 40 DVDs:
• #20 (20) Elvis: The King Of Rock ’N’ Roll

Top 50 Catalogue Albums:
• #15 (25) The King



(Source: For Elvis CD Collectors / ElvisNews)

April 17 - That's All Right

This reproduction of "That's All Right" was exclusively re-issued on vinyl for "Record Store Day 2010" to commemorate Elvis Presley's 75th birthday and available at Vintage Vinyl Records The single is a faithful reproduction of the original 45 with a custom-designed 7" sleeve – exclusive to this release. It also includes a free bonus download of both tracks.

Track listing:

Side A: "That's All Right"

Side B: "Blue Moon of Kentucky"

On eBay two released from RCA/SONY Music Thailand poppet-up; a digi-pack of the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation and a promotional 20 track  MP3 CD "Country" from the "Genre series".