From the press-release:
Elvis' 1973 "Summer Festival" was his ninth month-long stand in Las Vegas since July-August 1969. Reviews noted his excess weight and half-hearted performances. But, despite bad press, health issues and a 1967 marriage that would soon end in divorce, Presley slowly warmed to his always-thrilled fans.
The songs here, from his Sunday shows on August 26th, 1973, are a good example of this warmth. At both shows Elvis welcomed the presence of Lisa, his beloved daughter, then just five and-a-half years old. Obviously, she provided additional inspiration for her dad. In fact, there are several rare highlights, including "A Big Hunk O' Love," "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Release Me" and "How Great Thou Art." And for fans of legendary bass player Emory Gordy, Jr., these would be among the last dates he would ever do with Presley.
Both the Dinner and Midnight sets are taken from a 24-bit digital transfer of the first-generation copy of a privately-recorded 120-minute cassette. The sound was painstakingly restored for your listening pleasure.
The August 26th, 1973 Dinner show is previously unissued, while the Midnight show was released in substandard mono by Memory Records in 2002 ("Caught In The Act"). Straight Arrow presents both shows in superb, "two-mike live ambience" stereo sound.
Like its predecessors from Straight Arrow Special Products mini series, this new release will be presented in a beautiful digipack with all the necessary information as well as a collection of photos taken during the September 1st, 1973 dinner show.
CD 1 – August 26, 1973 Dinner Show
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra – 02. C. C. Rider – 03. I Got A Woman / Amen – 04. Love Me – 05. Steamroller Blues – 06. You Gave Me A Mountain – 07. Blue Suede Shoes – 08. Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Your Mama Don’t Dance / Flip, Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog – 09. Love Me Tender – 10. Fever – 11. Bridge Over Troubled Water – 12. Suspicious Minds – 13. Introduction of Vocalists, Musicians – 14. Introduction of daughter Lisa – 15. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel – 16. I Can’t Stop Loving You – 17. An American Trilogy – 18. A Big Hunk O’ Love – 19. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – 20. Can’t Help Falling In Love – 21. Closing Vamp / Announcements.
CD 2 – August 26, 1973 Midnight Show
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra – 02. C. C. Rider – 03. I Got A Woman / Amen – 04. Love Me – 05. Steamroller Blues – 06. You Gave Me A Mountain – 07. Blue Suede Shoes – 08. Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Your Mama Don’t Dance / Flip, Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog – 09. Love Me Tender – 10. Fever – 11. What Now My Love – 12. Suspicious Minds – 13. Introduction of Vocalists, Musicians – 14. Release Me – 15. An American Trilogy – 16. Introduction of daughter Lisa – 17. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel – 18. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – 19. Johnny B. Goode – 20. How Great Thou Art (with reprise) – 21. Can’t Help Falling In Love – 22. Closing Vamp / Announcements.
Latest Billboard Charts
The Billboard charts for the week ending January 7, 2012.
- 'An Afternoon In The Garden' drops from #167 to #170 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart
- 'It's Christmas Time' drops from #72 to #105 on the Top 200 Albums Chart, drops from #11 to #16 on the Catalog Albums Chart and remains at #16 on the Holiday Albums Chart.
- 'Elvis Christmas' drops from #94 to #114 on the Top 200 Albums Chart and rises from #18 to #22 on the Catalog Albums Chart. It also rises from #25 to #21 on the Holiday Albums Chart.
- 'Blue Christmas' rises from #19 to #17 on the Holiday Songs Chart and rises from #28 to #21 on the Holiday Airplay Chart.
- 'Elvis: The Great Performances' is at #36 on the Top 40 Video Chart.
The Dutch 'Christmas Duets' CD containing the 'Blue Christmas' duet by Elvis Presley and Guus Meeuwis dropped two places on the Dutch Combined Album chart from #8 to #10.
JAT Press-release
JAT Publishing announced a roadmap for 2012 and 2013:
As we embark on our 24th year at JAT Publishing, we would like to thank so many of you for your continued support. It’s true when people say Elvis Presley fans are the greatest fans in the world. Last year was one of our busiest years ever, with a combination of CDs, DVDs, books and special projects released under the JAT umbrella. This year we look ahead to another big year, marking the 35th anniversary of the King’s passing.
In early 2012, we plan to release “Elvis 69: Featuring the Film ‘Change of Habit,” containing a wealth of never-before-seen photos. Stay tuned as a trailer for this book will debut online soon! Four other projects filled with unpublished photographs exclusive to JAT will follow, including “Elvis - Atlanta in Black and White,” documenting Elvis’ 1973 and 1975 concert performances at Atlanta’s Omni Coliseum, and a special 24th anniversary production on what is arguably
Elvis Presley’s finest film, “Elvis Presley - King Creole.” In this title -- a hardback edition with over 250 photos -- we tackle the mystery surrounding the missing “King Creole” tapes. Available at the low retail price of $19.95, “King Creole” is on track for a spring release.
In 2013, fans can expect the definitive Elvis recording sessions book, “Elvis Sessions IV, The Recorded Music of Elvis Aron Presley 1953-1977,” with new photos, facts and information exclusive to JAT Publishing and not found on websites or in previous editions.
(Source: FECC / Flaming Star / The King's World)