May 31 - Original Box

A new CD box is due for release this August in Europe, '20 Original Albums'. The set contains 20 albums:
Elvis Presley (1956) - Elvis Is Back (1960) - Something For Everybody (1961) - Pot Luck (1962) - Elvis For Everyone! (1965) - From Elvis In Memphis (1969) - On Stage (1970) - That's The Way It Is (1971) - Elvis Country (1971) - Love Letters From Elvis Presley (1971) - Elvis Now (1972) - Elvis (1973) - Aloha From Hawaii (1973) - Raised On Rock (1973) - Good Times (1974) - Promised Land (1975) - Today (1975) - From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee (1976) - Moody Blue (1977) - Welcome To My World (1977)

(Source: ElvisUnlimited)

May 30 - Collecting Elvis

Volume 11 in the Elvis Collector's series was released by D'Agostini in Germany. Besides a magazine and the movie 'Easy Come, Easy Go' the set contains several memorabilia reproductions. 

(Source D'Agostini)

May 29 - Aloha From Brazil

EPE announced a new exhibition in Brazil entitled 'The Elvis Experience'. The new exhibition will open on September 5, 2012 in Sao Paulo at the Shopping Eldorado Mall. Elvis Presley in Concert will also be on tour in South America during the same time this exciting exhibition launches in Sao Paulo.


This will be the first time that an exhibition of such size will be mounted outside the United States. The Elvis Experience will feature over 500 rare and personal items such as tools, documents and photos - most of which have never been seen outside of Graceland.
Among the items are Elvis’ red MG automobile as featured in his classic film “Blue Hawaii,” a gold plated rotary dial telephone from Elvis upstairs bedroom, and his signature white suit featured in the closing number of his 1968 television special now referred to as the "’68 Special.” One of the most recognizable items traveling from Memphis to Brazil is one of the American Eagle jumpsuits Elvis used for the 1973 “Aloha from Hawaii” television special, the world’s first LIVE televised satellite concert.


Learn more about the Elvis Experience and purchase your tickets today to see this one of a kind exhibition! Also, purchase your tickets to see Elvis Presley in Concert during the South American tour.



Elvis Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite

The CD 'Elvis Aloha From Hawaii' (1998 edition) was re-issued in Germany in the new Sony Music series 'Alben Für Die Ewigkeit'.



(Source: EPE / Elvis Info)

May 28 - Dollars For A Crypt

Julien's Auctions will be selling Elvis Presley's original crypt to the highest bidder as part of their "Music Icons" auction later this month. The tomb is located inside the granite and marble mausoleum at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tenn. Presley was interred there alongside his mother, Gladys, after he died Aug. 16, 1977. Two months later, they were re-buried at his Graceland home. The original crypt has remained empty ever since.
Julien says the winning bid from the auction beginning June 23 will receive the crypt, opening and closing of the vault for burial, a memorialization inscription and use of a chapel for a committal service. Transportation and funeral home charges are not included.

FTD Preview

The JapaneseElvis For Sound Fans Only fan-club released their book 'The Elvis Presley: FTD World' on the first 111 Follow That Dream releases. These are a few previews.  

(Source: Elvis Unlimited)

May 27 - Elvis Et Les Femmes

Archipoche announced the release of the French book 'Elvis Et Les Femmes' (Elvis And The Women) by Patrick Mahé.


From the publisher:
"Margrit, Anita, Tempest, Ann Margret, Linda ou Ginger... Alors qu'il a chanté l'amour pendant plus de vingt ans et qu'un millier de livres lui ont été consacrés, aucun ne s'attarde sur les conquêtes d'Elvis Presley.
"Love me Tender", "Loving You" jalonnent ses tendres années. Jusqu'au mélancolique "Are you Lonesome Tonight ?", son répertoire traverse les années soixante, celles du bouillonnant rock'n' roll et des flirts brûlants. Hollywood l'a vu tourner "Amour frénétique", chanter "Girls ! Girls ! Girls !", frissonner dans "Live a Little", enflammer les coeurs dans le trépidant "Jailhouse Rock".
À l'écran, sur scène, il a fait de l'amour sa griffe. Mais dans la vie, qu'en est-il ? S'il jongle avec "Blondes, brunes et rousses", ce n'est pas seulement au cinéma. Sans doute Elvis Presley n'a-t-il connu qu'un grand amour, Priscilla, qu'il épouse à Las Vegas et qui lui donne sa fille unique, Lisa Marie. Mais combien d'autres conquêtes ? Des dizaines ! Le livre révèle que, pour Elvis, il y avait une vie sentimentale avant, pendant et après Priscilla."


(Source: Elvis Club Berlin)

May 26 - Wild Tiger In Concert

 Italian fan club president, Sebastiano Cecere, has released a mammoth new Italian book entitled 'Elvis in concert 1945-1977' with just under 800 pages. It was published by Nuovi Equilibri.

Wild Tiger In Concert

The MfX import release 'Wild Tiger In Concert' containing an audiencerecording of the November 14, 1972 Evening Show as reorder in Long Beach / California was released.

Elvis Files Five

Volume 5 of 'The Elvis Files' was released. This volume covers the years 1969-1970 with 1600 pages on 580 pages.

(The Elvis Information Website)

May 25 - Elvis' Unforgettable Voice Uncovered

Sony Special Products announced the release of a new budget compilation entitled 'Elvis Uncovered' due out June 19, 2012.


From the promo text:

In the years between his 1968 Comeback and his death in 1977, Elvis Presley reinvented himself as both a bigger-than-life concert performer and an astute interpreter of contemporary pop material. During that period, his studio albums and live concerts were dominated by his distinctive readings of recent hits and older pop standards. This collection spotlights that phase of Presley's career, collecting a dozen notable cover numbers from his last decade. Complete with 8-page booklet and Liner Notes.

Tracklisting:

1. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, 2. Proud Mary, 3. Something, 4. You've Lost That Loving Feeling, 5. Sweet Caroline, 6. Words, 7. Bridge Over Troubled Water 8. Hey Jude, 9. Make The World Go Away, 10. My Way, 11. Steamroller Blues 12. Unchained Melody.


Unforgettable Voices


The AceWonder budget label released an Elvis Presley CD in their 'Unforgettable Voices' series. 


Jailhouse Rock


The German Weltbild released the double CD 'Jailhouse Rock'. 


(The Elvis Information Website / Amazon / The King's World / Weltbild)

May 24 - Preview Details

The London based Elvis Shop listed two previews for the upcoming SUN project 'A Boy From Tupelo' and the track listing for the newly announced Follow That Dream Collector's Editions.

Details Follow That Dream releases:

Tracklisting: G.I Blues Vol 1

The original Album Side 1
01) Tonight’s All Right For Love 2:15 02) What's She Really Like 2:19 03) Frankfort Special 2:57 04) Wooden Heart 2:05 05) G. I. Blues 2:41 
The Original Album Side 2
06) Pocketful Of Rainbows 2:36 07) Shoppin' Around 2:24 08) Big Boots 1:33 09) Didja' Ever 2:38 10) Blue Suede Shoes 2:08 11) Doin' The Best I Can 3:16 

Alternate Song
12) Tonight’s All Right For Love 1:26 

Bonus Songs
13) Shoppin’ Around (version #1) 2:17 14) Frankfort Special (fast version) 2:19 15) Big Boots (fast version) 1:22 16) Pocketful Of Rainbows (version #1, take 12) 2:26 17) Big Boots (medium tempo version) 1:04 18) Tonight Is So Right For Love (Barcarolle from “The Tales Of Hoffman”, instrumental) 2:18 

First Takes
19) Tonight Is So Right For Love (takes 1-2) 3:07 20) What’s She Really Like (takes 1-5) 6:25 21) Frankfort Special (fast version takes 1-2) 3:48 22) Wooden Heart (take 1) 2:13 23) G.I.Blues (take 1) 2:57 24) Pocketful Of Rainbows (version #1, takes 1-2) 4:52 25) Shoppin’ Around (version #1, take 1) 2:34 26) Big Boots (fast version, takes 1-2) 1:48 27) Big Boots (slow version, take 1) 1:39 28) Didja’ Ever (take 1) 2:59 29) Tonight’s All Right For Love (take 1) 1:24 30) Doin’ The Best I Can (takes 1-3) 5:11 

April 27-28 Sessions 
01) Pocketful Of Rainbows (version #1, take 3) 2:43 02) Shoppin’ Around (instrumental take 4) 1:46 03) Shoppin’ Around (version #1, takes 2-4) 3:20 04) Shoppin’ Around (version #1, take 5) 2:26 05) Doin’ The Best I Can (takes 4-7) 2:23 06) Doin’ The Best I Can (takes 8-9) 3:44 07) G.I. Blues (takes 2-4) 3:45 08) G.I. Blues (take 5) 2:43 09) Tonight Is So Right For Love (take 3) 2:36 10) Tonight Is So Right For Love (take 4) 2:36 11) Tonight Is So Right For Love (takes 5-7) 5:28 12) Frankfort Special (fast version, takes 3-7) 6:51 13) Frankfort Special (fast version, take 8) 2:42 14) Big Boots (fast version, take 3) 1:36 15) Big Boots (fast version, take 4) 1:41 16) Big Boots (slow version, takes 2-3) 2:26 17) What’s She Really Like (takes 6-7) 3:32 18) What’s She Really Like (takes 8-11) 6:10 19) What’s She Really Like (takes 12-13) 3:02 20) Pocketful Of Rainbows (version #1, takes 4-7) 5:36 21) Pocketful Of Rainbows (version #1, take 8) 2:51 22) Pocketful Of Rainbows (version #1, take 9) 2:49 23) Pocketful Of Rainbows (version #1, take 10) 2:48 24) Wooden Heart (takes 2-4M) 3:53

From Hawaii To Las Vegas - The January 25, 1973 rehearsal

1) Something 2) You Gave Me A Mountain 3) Steamroller Blues 4) My Way 5) Love Me 6) It’s Over 7) Blue Suede Shoes 8) I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry 9) Welcome To My World 10) I’ll Remember You 11) Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On 12) An American Trilogy 13) A Big Hunk O’ Love 14) I’m Leavin’ It All Up To You 15) Faded Love 16) I Can’t Stop Loving You 17) Separate Ways –with band 18) Separate Ways – with band and orchestra 19) Bridge Over Troubled Water 20) Can’t Help Falling In Love - incomplete Recorded on stage January 25, 1973 at the Las Vegas Hilton
   
That's The Way It Is - Special Edition LP

Side 1 
1. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (MGM rehearsal) 6.08 (Barry Mann/Cynthia Weill) 2. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights (take 8) 3.16 (Ben Weisman/Clive Westlake) 3. Patch It Up (live) 3.49 (Eddie Rabbitt/Rory Bourke) 4. Mary In The Morning (take 4) 4.16 (Johnny Cymbal/Michael Rashkow) 5. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (takes 1, 2) 3.12 (Wickham/Napier-Bell/Donaggio/Pallivicine) 
Side 2 
1. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling (stage rehearsal) 4.18 (Phil Spector/Cynthia Weill/Barry Mann) 2. I’ve Lost You (live) 3.16 (Ken Howard/Alan Blaikley) 3. Stranger In The Crowd (master take 9, rough mix) 4.31 (Winfield Scott) 4. The Next Step Is Love (live) 3.27 (Paul Evans/Paul Parnes) 5. Bridge Over Troubled Water (live) 4.13 (Paul Simon) 

Side 3 

1. Just Pretend (takes 1, 2) 4.46 (Doug Flett/Guy Fletcher) 2. How The Web Was Woven (master) 3.25 (Clive Westlake/David Most) 3. Patch It Up (alternate master take 9) 3.14 (Eddie Rabbitt/Rory Bourke) 4. Sweet Caroline (live) 2.43 (Neil Diamond) 5. Make The World Go Away (live) 3.21 (Hank Cochran) 6. The Wonder Of You (live) 2.39 (Baker Knight) 

Side 4 
1. Little Sister/Get Back (live) 3.09 (Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman) (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) 2. Something (live) 3.36 (George Harrison) 3. Patch It Up (take 1) 2.42 (Eddie Rabbitt/Rory Bourke) 4. The Next Step Is Love (takes 9, 10) 4.55 (Paul Evans/Paul Parnes) 5. I’ve Lost You (takes 4-6) 4.55 (Ken Howard/Alan Blaikley)

(Source: Elvis Shop)

May 23 - Follow That Collector's Dream

It seems to be that the FTD label is driving at full speed announcing another series of new FTD releases. 

In the classic album series, it is now time for the first volume of G.I. BLUES material. As always in a 7” inch digi pack format with booklet. However, this time without the In-and-Outtakes section, which will be featured in Volume 2, in order to summarize all the G.I. BLUES recordings. A lot of effort (and money) has gone into making these the best sounding G.I. BLUES recordings ever. 

The new 5” digi pack release, FROM HAWAII TO LAS VEGAS, is a cassette recording of Elvis’ January 25 dress rehearsal for his January/February 1973 season at The Las Vegas Hilton. The rough audio quality is more than compensated by the fascinating insight into how Elvis worked in order to create his shows. With little talk, and a lot of music, we are invited to a first row presentation of what he had in mind, and yet he decided to change the repertoire the next day. Among the many songs is “Separate Ways” – rehearsed with and without the orchestra - a song that Elvis chose to never perform in public.  

FTD vinyl is pleased to announce the release of a special 2-disc 180-gram vinyl edition of the '“THAT’S THE WAY IT IS”' album.

Hot on the heels of WELCOME HOME ELVIS comes its sequel, another Flaming Star production written by David English, which brings Elvis from Memphis back to the movie making business in Hollywood, and the actual production of G.I. BLUES. As with WELCOME HOME ELVIS the book features an album – this time not surprising the newly found original mono LP master for G.I. BLUES. As with its predecessor, the book is filled to the brim with great, rare and informative photos and documents.

(Source: ElvisMatters)

May 22 - Belgian Promo

The Belgian / Dutch ElvisMatters fan-club produced a limited edition CD - 300 copies - as a give-a-way for the first 300 customers who buy 'A Young Man From Tupelo' box-set. It features all 4 songs that Elvis recorded before 'That's All Right Mama'; 

Tracks:

That´s All Right, Mama - My Happiness - That´s When Your Heartaches Begin - I´ll Never Stand In Your Way - It Wouldn´t Be The Same Without You

To buy the box go to www.ElvisMatters.com.

Flip Flop And Fly

JAT Publishing announced the release of the book 'Flip Flop And Fly - St. Louis To Atlanta' with 400+ photo's on 256 pages.

Special Edition

The Italian D' Agostini announced that an additional 'Special Edition' volume in their German "Elvis Collectors Edition" series will be a special edition dedicated to Elvis In The Army in Germany. This volume should be available June 12,  in Germany, together with the regular volume 12. 
The 'Special Edition' contains the documentary 'Private Elvis', memorabilia reproductions from the German Army era like Elvis' Army ID card, an Army press release and an "RCA" advertising for the 1960 LP 'G.I. Blues' as a mini poster. 
(Source: ElvisMatters / FECC The King's World)

May 21 - Elvis From Vinyl

A new original vinyl release was re-issued on import CD, this time 'Elvis In Germany'. 

From the press-release:
Elvis In Germany was originally released in RCA's 'take off' LP series in 1982 as was a German only release featuring 13 tracks of music and interviews with a unique painting style picture sleeve. All tracks on the album have a connection with 'G.I. Elvis'. This is the only CD that contains the complete extended master take of Tonight's All Right For Love as released on the German RCA vinyl single and the RCA Germany G.I. Blues vinyl LP 1st pressing! 
This version can not be found on any other known RCA / BMG / Sony CD worldwide! 
The CD also contains the complete 'Elvis Sails ' EP. The CD  is housed in a stunning 3 - panel Deluxe foldout full colour digipack with topnotch design, relevant photos, extensive liner notes, the latest updated sound on all recordings, it contains the full original album plus some great bonustracks.

Tracklisting:
Wooden Heart (muss I Denn)
I Love Only One Girl
C'mon Everybody
Frankfort Special
Tonight's All Right For Love
Today, Tomorrow And Forever
G.I. Blues
Tonight Is So Right For Love
Five Sleepy Heads
Fool
I Love Only One Girl (Take 1)
G.I. Blues (Take 7)
Tonight Is So Right For Love (Take 4)
C'mon Everybody (Take 3)
Fool (Take 1)
Elvis Arrival In Germany (Ray Barracks, Friedberg, 2nd October 1958 )
Apron Strings * (Private Home Recording Bad Nauheim, Germany, Summer 1959)
I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen * (Private Home Recording Bad
Nauheim, Germany, Summer 1959)
Elvis Sails: Press Interview With Elvis
Elvis Sails: Newsreel Interview
Elvis Sails: Pat Hernon Interviews Elvis

Sonny West's Health

Sonny West is asking for prayers as he begins chemotherapy. Because this is very personal for him and his family, he doesn’t want to go into details about prognosis, etc. He has a great attitude, and has a lot of faith and remains confident.

(Source: Elvis Australia / ElvisNews)

May 20 - A 70's Setlist

The free CD the Gold members of the Belgian / Dutch fan Clum ElvisMatters get with their magazine  take you back to that dreadful day in Memphis, August 16th 1977. All 17 tracks on this historic CD were recorded that faithful day, "The Day The Beat Stopped" - which is also the title of this CD. You'll hear fans and friends - such as Joe Esposito and Charlie Hodge - but also comments from showbiss friends like Sammy Davis Jr. and TJ Sheppard, tributes from Ann-Margret and much, much more. 

For subscriptions go to www.ElvisMatters.com.

The Very Best Of Elvis Presley Live (1950's)

Sony Released the track listing of the upcoming 'Setlist: The Very Best Of Elvis Presley Live (1950's)' CD which will be released on the Legacy sub label on June 26, 2012.

Tracklisting:

• Money Honey
• Blue Suede Shoes
• Baby Let's Play House
• I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
• Ready Teddy
• Heartbreak Hotel (Live In Shreveport, Louisiana December 15, 1956)
• Long Tall Sally (Live In Shreveport, Louisiana December 15, 1956)
• I Was The One (Live In Shreveport, Louisiana December 15, 1956)
• Love Me Tender (Live In Shreveport, Louisiana December 15, 1956)
• Don't Be Cruel (Live In Shreveport, Louisiana December 15, 1956)
• Love Me (Live In Shreveport, Louisiana December 15, 1956)
• I Got A Woman (Live In Shreveport, Louisiana December 15, 1956)
• When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (Live In Shreveport, Louisiana December 15, 1956)
• Paralyzed (Live In Shreveport, Louisiana December 15, 1956)
• Hound Dog (Live In Shreveport, Louisiana December 15, 1956)

(Source: FECC / ElvisMatters / Elvis World Japan)

May 19 - A Creole Change

The vinyl re-issue from Sthe Spannish 'Hoodoo Records'  was changed in design and track listing. The original cover art for the classic soundtrack album was changed to that of the 'King Creole Plus Blue Hawaii'  budget CD release. Among the 11 songs added to the soundtrack is 'Wear My Ring Around Your Neck'. 


Charts



The following appeared on the Billboard Catalog Album Charts (w/e 26th May, 2012):

• 'Elvis: The Very Best Of Love' selling some 2675 copies. Total sales to date: 266,962 copies.
• 'Heart And Soul' selling some 2082 copies. Total sales to date: 556,778 copies.
• 'An Afternoon In The Garden' selling some 1892 copies. Total sales to date: 466,035 copies.
• 'Elvis Rock' (Compilation) selling some 1287 copies. Total sales to date: 166,343 copies.
• 'Elvis Gospel/ An Evening Prayer' (Compilation) selling some 1199 copies. Total sales to date: 156,916 copies.
• 'Elvis Inspirational' (Compilation) selling some 1184 copies. Total sales to date: 90,528 copies.
• 'Elvis Country' (Compilation) selling some 1174 copies. Total sales to date: 109,811 copies.
• 'Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits' (Digital Sales Only) selling som 487 copies. Total sales to date: 138,554 copies.

(Source: The King's World / Too Much Monkey Business Forum)

May 16 - A Boy Named Elvis From Tupelo

The release of the long awaited Follow That Dream Sun project was confirmed by the FTD label. 


From the fan-club update:
'A Boy From Tupelo - The Complete 1953 - 1955 Recording' includes for the first time in one collection every known Elvis Presley SUN master and outtake, plus two private records Elvis paid for with his own money, as well as thrilling radio and concert performances from the period. This 3 CD package features 10 previously-unreleased cuts. 
The accompanying book is, in essence, a fully-illustrated travelogue. It thoughtfully details the birth of Elvis' career through facts, anecdotes, documentation, many rare photos, and a succinct narrative. Independence Day 1954 is when this uniquely American saga begins, less than 24 hours before his first professional recording session, and it ends in December 1955, when the rights to Elvis' SUN tapes officially expire, and the singer leaves Sam Phillips to record for RCA. This is Elvis Presley before he becomes world-famous, and the mystery of how this amazing young man readies himself for stardom, achieving success on a level that no one could have dreamed possible. 
All audio has been re-mastered and restored as best we could, but Disc 3 has pretty rough audio. The book is 512 pages in 12” by 12” format and includes more than 500 photos of which about 200 are previously unpublished. If you are not an expert in this period of Elvis’ career, a lot more photos will be new to you. Many familiar photos will be seen in best ever quality, but since this is a historical document, there will also be many images of less quality, included for their rarity value and support of the story. The book also includes, for the first time, Steve Sholes’ original notes on the Sun tapes. 
The project will come in a slip case (like the 'Young Man With The Big Beat') that holds both the book and the CD holder (a double album type package). The cover-art is a concept.


Free Vinyl
The U.K. based The Elvis Shop will add a free one-sided vinyl 45 RPM single featuring 'My Happiness' with the purchase of this set.
The Dutch Elvis Corner tops this with the give-a-way of Elvis first 5 SUN singles.

Lisa Marie Lists Her Favorite Elvis Songs on iTunes


Lisa Marie Presley is now sharing her favorite Elvis songs on iTunes. Lisa Marie recently listed her top 12 songs by her father in the iTunes playlist titled "Lisa Marie's Favorite Elvis Songs." Among her favorites include "Just Pretend," "How Great Thou Art," and many others. See the complete list below. 


Just Pretend
Mary In the Morning
How Great Thou Art
Polk Salad Annie
It's Over
You Gave Me a Mountain
Such a Night
An American Trilogy
I'm Leavin'
Until It's Time for You to Go
Ku-U-I-Po
Kentucky Rain 


Name Comeback


Elvis is coming back. He's worked his way back into the top 1,000 in the list of most popular baby names registered with it, the Social Security Administration reports. The federal agency today released the 2011 list, based on its annual recordkeeping. Top name for girls is Sophia while Jacob is No. 1 for boys. Elvis is at 904, which is better than falling completely off the list, as he did in 2010.


Collecting Elvis



Volume 10 in the "Elvis Collectors Edition" series was released in Germany. The lavishly illustrated publication from De Agostini and EPE contains the movie 'Girls! Girls! Girls!', a 28-page Elvis magazine and a variety of Elvis memorabilia reproductions. 



Teen Idol


Turner Classic Movies salutes 16 of the biggest teen heart throbs though out the years. Elvis, along with James Dean, Pat Boone, Ricky Nelson, and Davy Jones are just a few of the idols TCM will be saluting.
Turner released the following statement on why they chose Elvis  for the cover. “We looked at the festival as a whole, and thought that Elvis conveyed the concept of “teen idol” and was also a big enough sensation to carry the cover on his own, not to mention that he hasn’t graced the cover yet, so it was about time and this was the perfect tie-in!”



Grandes Musicales

Released in Spain is the DVD series 'Grandes Musicales' containing the movies Mis Problemas Con Las Mujeres (The Trouble With Girls) - Girl Happy - Pista De Carreras (Speedway) - A Lo Loco (Harem Holiday) - Puños Y Lágrimas (Wild In The Country) - Cita En Las Vegas (Viva Las Vegas).

(Source: FECC / ElvisMatters / The King's World / Elvis Express / Elvis Club Bedrlin)

May 15 - FTD At SUN?

The Official Elvis Presley fan-club posted an update on Ernst Jorgensen's SUN project:


"For over five years “Follow That Dream” /Sony Elvis Committee president Ernst Jorgensen has been working on the definitive Elvis @ Sun Records book, and this is possibly the most ambitious project of his entire career. The Genesis of rock n roll has to be the combination of Elvis and the Memphis based Sun Records Company, and at last this outstanding labour of love is about to be published. This will be no ordinary volume of facts and figures. It will be a massive superlative Elvis Presley production including the rarest of pictures, recording data, the real story behind Elvis’ time at Sun with unique Elvis artefact photographs, together with a companion of Elvis Sun recordings on THREE CDs which will excite your senses.
So secretive is this project that we can only tell you that the release date will be August 2012, and that you must pre-order your copy now with a deposit of £100.00. We do not have a final price at this time other than to confirm that it should be less than £130.00 including shipping, and we understand that like previous FTD books it will be limited to one print run only".

May 2012 FTD's Released


The book 'Welcome Home Elvis 1960', the CD 'Another Saturday Night' and the double vinyl re-issue of 'Promised Land' were released by the Follow That Dream Collectors label. 


(Source: The Official Elvis Presley Fan Club / FECC / Elvis Unlimited)

May 14 - Love My DVDs

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment announced the release of "Love Me Tender" on July 20, 2012 as the first of seven movie re-issues in Germany. Do for release are 'Flaming Star', "Wild in the Country', 'Follow That Dream', 'Kid Galahad', 'Frankie and Johnny' and 'Clambake'. These releases will also be boxed as 'Elvis Presley Anniversary Box' (which appears to be a working title).

Elvis Files Delayed



The book 'The Elvis Files Volume 5 : 1969-1970' will be released on May 22. The book is currently at the printer and so almost ready to 'ship'. Only 2 years are covered in this 580 page and 1600 picture book, 1969 and 1970. Here is the release schedule for the upcoming volumes of Erik Lorentzen's The Elvis Files:


The Elvis Files Volume 5 1969 - 1970 to be released May 22 -2012
The Elvis Files Magazine to be released September 24 - 2012
The Elvis Files Volume 1 1953 - 1956 to be released December 15 -2012

(Source: The King's World / ElvisNews)

May 13 - Like A(nother) Baby

Early 2012 a vinyl single reproduction of the - never released - 'Like A Baby / Make Me Know It' single was released. But the 'original' artwork was not the same as the press-release made fans believe. The RCA Victor label was replaced by the logo of 'It's Elvis Time'. Now the single is re-released with the original artwork in a limited edition of 250 copies:


- 7 inch 45 rpm vinyl single in solid blue vinyl
- 47- 8025 Not For Sale, Promotional copy
- Label: White RCA promotional label
- Limited edition of 250 pieces
- Singles all sealed



Bassplayer Donald 'Duck' Dunn Died
 
Grammy-winning American bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, who helped shape the blues and soul music scenes in the 1960s and 1970s, died Sunday in Tokyo. He was 70. A former member of legendary band Booker T and the MG's, Dunn died in his sleep in a hotel room in the Japanese capital after performing two shows at Blue Note Tokyo. As a house bass player at the Stax label in Memphis, Dunn's fingers worked the frets on a number of classics, including Elvis sessions on July 24 and 25 1973. As well as playing sessions with names like Neil Young, Eric Clapton and Jerry Lee Lewis, Dunn earned himself a little Hollywood glitter when he appeared as himself in "The Blues Brothers" starring comedians John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.



Once Upon An Anita


The book 'Once Upon A Time, Elvis and Anita, Memories of My Mother, Anita Wood Brewer' is a new book that is due for release soon. It is written by Jonitta Brewer, the daughter of Anita Wood, the former girlfriend of Elvis Presley from 1957 until 1962.  

(Source: Elvis-Express / Elvis Australia / ElvisMatters)

May 11 - Bootlegs For Saints And Sinners!

The five authors of the upcoming 'Bootleg Elvis!' book, Felix Gubelli, Rolf Gilgen, Peter van Bragt, Dick Dekker and Bruno Pause, send out an update on their book. The book is due July 2012.


From the update:
People get ready…
Don’t miss the most extensive ever book on Elvis vinyl bootlegs!
Don’t miss the adventurous history of Elvis bootlegs!
Don’t miss the never before told stories from various Elvis bootleggers!
And… don’t miss the Elvis bootlegs in close to 1,000 entries illustrated with more than 1,200 photos. For your reading pleasure the bootleg entries are divided into the following chapters:

•  7 inch singles
•  7 inch extended play albums
•  10 inch albums and 78rpm singles
•  12 inch albums and maxi singles
•  Interviews and session talks
•  Novelty and tribute bootlegged records
•  Far Eastern bootlegged records

It’s all here in a massive 640-pages high-quality hardcover book!
It’s for you, the Elvis collector, the fan and the vinyl- and music lover!
It’s a labor of love by five diehard European Elvis collectors and scholars.
It’s possible because of the fantastic support from many fans all over the world.
It’s the book that might soon become an instant classic in the Elvis world.
It’s Bootleg Elvis!
And ... it's limited to 1,000 copies, but it can be yours if you order it today.


New (Re)releases

The Play On budget label announced the release of a compilation simply entitled 'Play' on June 1, 2012. 


The Elvis Corner budget label announced the release of the CDs 'Lost In The 60's: Kiss Me Quick' and 'Lost In The 60's: Fame & Fortune' with June 11, 2012 as the release-date.


The Big 3 budget label announced the release of the 3CD box-set 'The Saint & The Sinner' on June 18, 2012. 


Sony / legacy announced the release of another Elvis Presley CD in their 'Setlist' series. This volume focusses on the fifties. The release-date is set for June 26, 2012.


The movie 'Love Me Tender - Pulverdampf und Heiße Lieder (Musical Edition)' will be re-released in a special edition by 20th Century Fox in Germany on July 20, 2012. 

New Charts

The following appeared on the Billboard Catalog Album Charts (w/e 19th May, 2012):


- 'Elvis: The Very Best Of Love' selling some 2144 copies. Total sales to date: 264,287 copies.
- 'An Afternoon In The Garden' selling some 2131 copies. Total sales to date: 464,143 copies.
- 'Elvis Inspirational' (Compilation) selling some 1310 copies. Total sales to date: 89,344 copies.
- 'Elvis Rock' (Compilation) selling some 1287 copies. Total sales to date: 165,056 copies.
- 'Elvis Country' (Compilation) selling some 1242 copies. Total sales to date: 108,637 copies.
- 'Elvis Gospel/ An Evening Prayer' (Compilation) selling some 1162 copies. Total sales to date: 155,717 copies.
- 'Elvis Christmas' selling some 17 copies. Total sales to date: 599,471 copies.
- 'Elvis Christmas Duets' selling some 10 copies. Total sales to date: 490,097.

(Source: e-mail \ Amazon \ Brian Quinn)