April 29 - Walk A Mile In My Audiostory

The 5 CD  box "Elvis - Walk A Mile In My Shoes" will be re-issued on May 14, 2013 in Italy with an additional DVD. The content of the DVD is yet unknown. 

Elvis Die Audiostory

Bastei Lübbe will release the CD "ELVIS - Die Audiostory" on November 22, 2013in Germany. The audiobook s written and narrated by Michael Herden.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin)

April 28 - Better Than Ever On The Charts

The VV import label announced the release of their third release "Better Than Ever!" containing both the complete live soundboard recording on January 26th 1970 Las Vegas opening show and the complete unreleased live audience recording from Houston on February 28, 1970 Afternoon Show ..

From the press-release:
To be released shortly (late May) on the VV label will be their third release entitled "Better Than Ever!" featuring both the complete live soundboard recording on January 26th 1970 Las Vegas opening show and the complete unreleased live audience recording from Houston on February 28, 1970 Afternoon Show. After the success of the first two releases We decided: first to improve the product and second, keeping the same formula to give you more...

The producers are aware of the fact that the opening night show, as one of the best Elvis Presley concerts ever, has been previously released in different imports. But Here we give you the chance to listen to the show in its entirety for the first time in a double high valued collector vinyl set, 45 rpm speed. The second show, the Houston unreleased February 28nd afternoon show, presents Elvis at the pick of his possibility, although not new to tape collectors, will not have been heard in this quality before. This release is taken directly from a first generation tape and has been professionally remastered to a high standard producing an excellent audio quality. Elvis at Houston is pure dynamite , delivering a great performance that compares with the opening night in terms of quality, giving to this release the status of “unique”.

’Better than Ever” wants to give you a unique perspective of the man and his music during this February 1970. The Vegas second season allows Elvis, after paying his debt to the golden past in the ’69 season, to demonstrate his true abilities. We see the best of Elvis in songs that will become the fulcrum of the Elvis show until 1972 Here you can hear the complete opening night. Houston three days later only from the end of the Vegas season, for Elvis the very first opportunity to face a real audience from his comeback to live scenes. The result six supernatural shows with record attendance set in the Saturday evening show… the rest his history, Here you can hear the complete February 28nd afternoon show.

About the Vegas opening night has been already said a lot a words, so We like spend some words on the Houston show here presented… Elvis performed accompanied from the band only a solid and rough show singing the best of the previous Las Vegas Season, in spite the short show ( about 44 minutes) and the bad acoustic this show as the title suggest Better than Ever directly from Houston Chronicle review can be reasonably to be included in one of best shows ever!!!

The double LP set, 140 Gr. vinyl at 45 RPM for a better higher resolution for a better high resolution sound, it never sounded better! It is a limited hand numbered edition of 500 copies. It comes with an three fold 300 gram high quality glossy sleeve both sides printed, giving an unique view. The sleeve will be accompanied Newspapers clips and with many photographs of the Elvis different suits wore in February. Both the vinyl disc will have for the first time of the label, glossy full colour paper sleeve, including high quality photos with track listing. The CD with the Houston show, will be accompanied with slim four panel digipack.

We hope you can enjoy this third product in the way to give life to more of his kind in next future.

LP January 26, 1970 Opening NightLive soundboard recording, running time 57 minutes.

Side A
* 01.Opening Vamp 02.All Shook Up 03.That’s All Right 04.Proud Mary 05.Don’t Cry Daddy 06.Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel

Side B* 
07.Long Tall Sally 08.Let It Be Me 09.I Can’t Stop Loving You 10.Walk a Mile In My Shoes/In The Ghetto

Side C* 
11.True Love Travels On A Gravel Road 12.Sweet Caroline 13.Polk Salad Annie

Side D* 
14.Introductions 15.Kentucky Rain 16.Suspicious Minds 17.Can’t Help Falling In Love 
*Tracks previously released soundboard recording

CD Houston February 28th , 1970 afternoon show complete unreleased show 
Live Audience recording, running time 44 min.

01. Intro 02. All Shook Up 03. I Got A Woman 04. Long Tall Sally 05. Don’t Cry Daddy 06. Heartbreak Hotel 07. Hound Dog 08. Love Me Tender 09. Kentucky Rain 10. Release Me 11. Walk A Mile In My Shoes / In The Ghetto 12. I Can’t Stop Loving You 13. Polk Salad Annie 14. Band Introductions 15. Suspicious Minds 16. Can’t Help Falling In Love 17. Love Me Tender(instrumental) .

Australian Chart

The compilation DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" climbed from #29 to #24 on the Australian Music DVD chart. 

UK Chart


The CD "Viva Elvis" re-entered the UK Album chart at #92.

(Source: FECC /The King's World)

April 26 - Live Setlist From Dixie

RCA International (Sony Music) announced the re-release of "Setlist: The Very Best Of Elvis Presley - Live". The disc will be re-issued May 24, 2013.

Tracks:
That’s All Right (13.08.1970) – Blue Suede Shoes (22.08.1969) – All Shook Up – (22.08.1969) - Love Me Tender (22.08.1969) - Jailhouse Rock / Don’t Be Cruel (22.08.1969) - Heartbreak Hotel (22.08.1969) - Hound Dog (22.08.1969) - Are You Lonesome Tonight? (22.08.1969) - The Wonder Of You (13.08.1970) - An American Trilogy (14.01.1973) - Burning Love (14.01.1973) - In The Ghetto (22.08.1969) - Suspicious Minds (22.08.1969) - Can’t Help Falling In Love (22.08.1969)


To Live And Die In Dixie

The Straight Arrow import label announced the release of the CD "To Live And Die In Dixie" containing an audience-recording of the Dinner and midnightshow performances from the February 19, 1972.

The press-release:
Coming out soon is the new Straight Arrow's double-digipak release "TTo Live And Die In Dixie", featuring the February 19, 1972 Dinner and Midnight performances. This 6th Las Vegas season has been somewhat overlooked by bootleggers, mainly due to the below-par sound quality of the audience recorded tapes available. The last few years, the Straight Arrow team has been looking for good sounding amateur recordings from this particular season, and we are pleased to announced that we finally succeeded in locating two very good tapes obtained directly from the person who recorded them.

Most of the fans know that this is the engagement where Priscilla told Elvis that she was leaving him. Very little else seems to stand out for the casual observer. In many ways that's a pity, because this engagement is crucial on a number of levels. Firstly, because it represented a return to form. The early '72 Vegas shows surprised both the critics and fans because of Elvis' serious commitment to his music and his no-nonsense delivery. These shows marked also the first time that he performed the now-legendary "Theme 2001" / "C. C. Rider" opening, plus he also introduces various new songs to the show that are now widely considered as his finest show additions from the 70s, including "A Big Hunk O‘Love", "You Gave Me A Mountain", "Never Been To Spain", "I’ll Remember You" and "An American Trilogy". Actually, the best-ever versions of "Trilogy" are from this engagement!

As a bonus, we added the only known live-performance of "I'm Leaving It All Up To You" from the February 10th, 1972 Midnight show.

Both shows are strong and focused and they give the listener a good impression of Elvis' renewed interest in his music and his stage performances. These concerts are previously unreleased and they are presented in their complete form and in the best possible sound quality.

Tracks: 
CD 1 / Saturday, February 19, 1972 Dinner Show 01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. Proud Mary - 04. Never Been To Spain - 05. You Gave Me A Mountain - 06. Until It's Time For You To Go - 07. Polk Salad Annie - 08. Love Me - 09. All Shook Up - 10. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 11. Hound Dog - 12. A Big Hunk O'Love - 13. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 14. Suspicious Minds - 15. Introduction of singers, musicians, orchestra - 16. Introduction of LA radio DJ Robert W. Morgan - 17. An American Trilogy - 18. Can't Help Falling In Love - 19. Closing Vamp.

CD 2 / Saturday, February 19, 1972 Midnight Show 01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. Proud Mary - 04. Never Been To Spain - 05. You Gave Me A Mountain - 06. Until It's Time For You To Go - 07. Polk Salad Annie - 08. Love Me - 09. All Shook Up - 10. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 11. Hound Dog - 12. A Big Hunk O'Love - 13. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 14. Suspicious Minds - 15. Introduction of singers, musicians, orchestra - 16. Introduction of actor Chill Wills - 17. An American Trilogy - 18. Can't Help Falling In Love - 19. Closing Vamp. 

Bonus (February 10, 1972 Midnight Show): 20. I'm Leaving It All Up To You

US Charts

Elvis had no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending May 4, 2013. The following albums appeared on the Catalog Album Chart:

• 'An Afternoon In The Garden' rises from 70 to 61 selling some 2,148 units. Total sales to date: 545,695 units. It also drops from 127 to 140 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 2,147units. Total physical sales to date: 544,707 units. It also rises from 72 to 70 on the SMEI Album Chart.
• 'Heart And Soul' drops from 65 to 80 selling some 1,971 units. Total sales to date: 637,987 units. It also drops from 126 to 152 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 1,969 units. Total physical sales to date: 637,420 units. It also drops to 15 on the Country Catalog Album Chart and drops from 71 to 90 on the SMEI (Sony Music Entertainment International) Album Chart.
• 'Elvis Country' (Compilation) rises from 154 to 132 selling some 1,602 units. Total sales to date: 176,623 units. 
• 'Elvis Inspirational' (Compilation) drops from 137 to 182 selling some 1,405 units. Total sales to date: 150,798 units.
• 'The Very Best Of Love' drops from 157 to 198 selling some 1,342 units. Total sales to date: 353,487 units.
• 'Viva Las Vegas' drops from 76 to 77 on the Top Soundtrack Album Chart selling some 357 units. Total sales to date: 56,122 units.

Irisch Charts

The CD "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" climbed from #75 to #66 on the Irish Album chart while the CD "The Real ... Elvis" dropped off that chart. 

Vinyl Delay

The SACD re-issue of "Stereo '57 (Essential Elvis Volume 2)" on the Analogue Productions label has been postponed to May 3, 2013.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Amazon / FECC / Elvis Memories / Elvis Infos)

April 25 - UK Favorites

Shiver, the factual arm of ITV Studios UK, has been commissioned by ITV to produce The Nation's Favourite Elvis Song, a 90-minute prime-time special focused on the top 20 songs by the King of Rock 'n' Roll. The production, which will air later in the year, features commentary from Priscilla Presley as well as a number of producers and musicians. No date has yet been given.

Mark Robinson, the creative director of Shiver, commented: "Our Nation's Favourite. format has celebrated some of the greatest acts in popular music, but none bigger than the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself. This special tells the fascinating stories behind Elvis' best known songs, in the words of the people who knew him best, climaxing with the revelation of The Nation's Favourite Elvis Song."

Phil Savill, the director of marketing for CMG/Sony Music, added: "I am delighted that ITV have chosen to celebrate the marvellous music of Elvis Presley with The Nation's Favourite Elvis Song ITV special. He is arguably still the Nation's Favourite recording artist and we are delighted that ITV will be counting down through his 20 most popular tunes to reveal The Nation's Favourite Elvis Song."

(Source: Brian Quinn / Elvis Telegraph)

April 24 - Greatest FTD Hits

Another budget compilation with an original title is due July 3, 2013; "Elvis Presley - The Greatest Hits". 

Tracks:
I Wash The One - Blue Suede Shoes - Tutti Frutti - Maybellene - Long Tall Sally - Lonesome Cowboy - Party - All Shook Up - Hot Dog - Heartbreak Hotel - Poor Boy - Shake, Ratle & Roll - Let Me - Loving You - Blue Moon Of kentuky - Ready Teddy - Lawdy MIss Clawdy - Treat Me Nice - Money Honey - Hound Dog


Follow That Dream Released


The Follow That Dream label released CD "Stay Away, Joe", the double CD "From Elvis In Memphis", the vinyl re-issue of "On Stage – February, 1970" and the book / CD package "Summer Of ’61". The latter is a coproduction with the Norwegian Flaming Star fan club. The new "collectables" should be on their way to the dealers according to The King's World. No confirmation yet on the exact content of the CD / DVD that comes with the book. 


Elvis Presley Enterprises Partners with March of Dimes for 75th Anniversary

As part of the 75th Anniversary, Elvis Presley Enterprises is teaming up with a charity close to Elvis' heart. The Memphis March for Babies will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Shelby Farms at 8:00 a.m. Among thousands of attendees, will be Mary Kosloski, an original poster child for March of Dimes pictured in the photo above with Elvis on the foyer steps of Graceland. Learn more about walking in your own community by clicking here. 

Kosloski will be attending the 2013 Memphis March for Babies where many of these famous photos of Elvis supporting the March of Dimes will be showcased in the 75th Anniversary Tent.  During her visit to Memphis, Kosloski will be recreating her famous 1957 pose on the interior staircase of Graceland.

There are at least 20 other photos of Elvis Presley in the March of Dimes Archives photography collection. These include photos of Elvis with national poster child Mary Kosloski and other polio sufferers, both children and adults. In 2004, a German author, Andreas Roth, licensed eight of these photos taken on December 9, 1958, for "The Ultimate Elvis in Munich Book," which has been called one of the finest intensive pictorial studies of Elvis. The author used the March of Dimes photographs of Elvis and Robert Marquette, a six-year-old American boy disabled by polio as evidence of his strong commitment to the mission of the March of Dimes. 

Elvis Presley actively supported the March of Dimes in the 1950s to promote polio vaccination among teenagers after the Salk polio vaccine was licensed for use in 1955. A key March of Dimes photo depicts Elvis Presley receiving his own polio vaccination from Dr. Harold Fuerst on October 28, 1956, with New York City Health Commissioner Leona Baumgartner. Elvis agreed to this photo opportunity to support the March of Dimes Teens Against Polio (TAP) publicity efforts. 

The photo of Presley, Fuerst, and Baumgartner is one of the truly iconic publicity shots in the photography collection of the March of Dimes Archives. That it was taken on October 28, 1956, the date of Elvis Presley's second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, is especially remarkable. The March of Dimes distributed the photo to over 600 Elvis fan clubs across the nation to encourage teen-age polio immunization, calling Elvis Presley “the Pied Piper of modern youth.” Though the photo pre-dates March of Dimes involvement in the problem of prematurity, Leona Baumgartner, as New York City Commissioner of Health, had earlier helped to establish a network of premature infant centers and local transport for premature infants in New York City in the 1940s. The photo thus bridges the evolution of the March of Dimes mission “from polio to prematurity” in an unforeseen but powerful way.

Elvis Presley’s appearances on this show were enormously important in the explosive popularity of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s. The photo was used successfully to encourage teenagers to get their polio vaccinations during the period of intensive public education about the polio vaccine from 1955 to 1962. A related March of Dimes polio vaccine brochure was titled "You Can't Rock 'n Roll with Polio," used in the Teens Against Polio program.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. Its mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary. The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to end polio in the United States and it succeeded. Babies born today continue to receive the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines and benefit from many March of Dimes supported breakthroughs, such as treatments for premature infants and for children with birth defects.


(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / The King's World / EPE)

April 23 - Only Believe!

The Gravel Road import label announced the release of the CD "Only Believe!" containing the January 21, 1971 Midnight Show.

From the press release:
Elvis Presley, unquestionably the most popular entertainer to ever appear on the famed Las Vegas Strip, returns to the main showroom of the International Hotel! With the limited Album “Snowboard Revisited" we started off with the first of three shows from 1971 January – February Las Vegas season.

With great pleasure we announce the second show “Only Believe”. This is a fantastic show of January 27, 1971 Midnight. If you enjoyed “Snowboard Revisited”, you’ll going to love the cd “Only Believe!” for sure! It took 18 years to come up with a fully re-mastered audio and deluxe artwork with plenty photos and liner notes of January 1971. All housed in a modern seventies styled package. We guarantee, you’ll hear details not heard before! 

With the research we figured out that it is very likely that only “Suspicious Minds” and “The Impossible Dream” were not recorded. Because of the energy of the show, the show of 28th of January Midnight was the best choice to restore it to a complete show. We took these songs and edited them to make them fit the show. This is a limited edition and will match the previous release.

Top Single Seller

Here's an updated look at the acts with the most Top 40 Billboard chart titles dating since the Hot 100's Aug. 4, 1958, launch. Elvis is still #1 even though this does not include Elvis' massive 1956 and 1957 chart successes.

1. Elvis Presley - 80
2. Lil Wayne - 61
3. Elton John - 57
4. "Glee" Cast - 51
5. The Beatles - 50
6. Madonna - 49 
7. Stevie Wonder - 46
8. James Brown - 44
9. Aretha Franklin - 43
10. Marvin Gaye - 41 
10. The Rolling Stones - 41
10. Taylor Swift. - 41

(Source: FECC)

April 21 - My Memories Of Elvis

Here's a book just released and new to our eyes. Life long fan Jo Anne Truiett Phillips saw Elvis 11 times between August 1955 and March 1977. She has written a book for her grand kids called "My Memories of Elvis", and because of the many great comments that the book and personal stories received, the book has been made available to the general public.

(Source: ElvisMatters)

April 19 - Charts

The CD "Elvis – 30 # 1 Hits" climbed from #100 to #75 on the Irish Album chart while the "The Real... Elvis" remains steady at #71 on that same chart.

In Australia the "The King Of Rock And Roll" compilation DVD dropped from #25 to #29 on the Music DVD chart.

Elvis had no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for w/e 27th April, 2013. The only entry I can find is for 'Heart And Soul' which dropped from 9 to 15 on the Country Catalog Album Chart. No sales information available.

(Source: The King's World / Aria / Brian Quinn)

April 18 - Original Aloha Cape For Sale (Again)

The original, floor length Aloha cape, designed by Bill Belew and Gene Doucette for Elvis's legendary Aloha from Hawaii concert, is once again for sale, this time through Julian's Auction House. The cape was way too heavy for Elvis, so he asked for a 'shorter' version. The floor length cape remained in Graceland's archives, until Lisa sold it in the nineties.

(Source: ElvisMatters)

April 17 - Loving You

Volume 34 in the "Elvis-Sammler-Edition" from De Agostini was released. This volume contains the 1984 documentary DVD "Elvis – The Echo Will Never Die“, a magazine, memorabilia reproductions  like a mini poster for "Stay Away, Joe“ and more.

Loving You

The classic movie "Loving You" was re-issued in Spain.

(Source: De Agostini / Elvis Club Berlin)

April 14 - The Happening

The Rock Legend import label released "Las Vegas March 1975 Happening", a double CD digipack containing the nearly complete pre-show on the first disc and on the second disc the March 22, 1975 Midnight performance along with some bonus tracks recorded three nights earlier. This release should be from an earlier generation tape than previous outings of this concert. 

(Source: FECC)

April 12 - Aloha Chart Record-breaker Since 1956

Boxcar Enterprises announced it will finally release its long anticipated title “Elvis – Aloha via Satellite” on June 3rd 2013 as part of a 40th Year Anniversary special celebration.

From the pressrelease:
This massive, most comprehensive 450 page hardback volume is packaged with hundreds of photographs many of which have never before been seen.  

Also collected here exclusively, are scores of historical memorabilia as well as the Colonels original internal documents and scripts that explores the making of this historical event from the early plans all the way to the many RCA releases that followed from around the world. This, with the informative text included in this release is intended to create a time-travel experience of sorts documenting the most groundbreaking event in the annals of television history.

Golden Cover-art

RCA Victor (Sony Music Switzerland) will re-issue "Elvis Gold Records Volume 2" in the "Platinum Collection" series on May 3, 2013. This is the cover-art.

US Charts

The 'Heart And Soul' CD entered the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart at 187 for the week ending April 20, 2013, 2013 selling some 2,826 units. Total sales to date: 633,776 units. This 1995 compilation album finally debuts on the chart, giving the King his 127th chart entry. The set is selling especially well with mass merchants, as its selling for only $5 at Walmart. 

Elvis continues to hold the record -- by far -- for the most-charted albums in the history of the Billboard 200 chart of which 27 made the Top 10 and 10 made it to No.1 (giving a total of 67 weeks in the top spot).

The following albums also appeared on the Catalog Album Chart:

• 'Heart And Soul' rises from 55 to 38 selling some 2,826 units. Total sales to date: 633,776 units. It also rises from 121 to 110 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 2,824 units. Total physical sales to date: 633,211 units. It also rises from 14 to 9 on the Country Catalog Album Chart and rises from 64 to 62 on the SMEI (Sony Music Entertainment International) Album Chart.
• 'An Afternoon In The Garden' rises from 65 to 53 selling some 2,590 units. Total sales to date: 541,318 units. It also rises from 1136 to 122 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 2,589 units. Total physical sales to date: 540,335 units. It also drops from 69 to 71 on the SMEI Album Chart.
• 'Elvis Inspirational' (Compilation) rises from 95 to 91 selling some 2,052 units. Total sales to date: 147,781 units. It also rises from 177 to 160 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 2,048 units. Total physical sales to date: 145,142 units. It also drops from 92 to 94 on the SMEI Album Chart.
• 'Elvis Country' (Compilation) drops from 116 to 117 selling some 1,852 units. Total sales to date: 173,479 units. It also rises from 196 to 184 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 1,847 units. Total physical sales to date: 172,436 units.
• 'The Very Best Of Love' drops from 134 to 154 selling some 1,634 units. Total sales to date: 350,619 units.
• 'Viva Las Vegas' rises from 93 to 73 on the Top Soundtrack Album Chart selling some 423 units. Total sales to date: 55,430 units.

Irish Charts

The "Elvis – 30 # 1 Hits" compilation dropped from #83 to #100 on the Irish Album chart while "The Real... Elvis" dropped from #68 to #71 on the same chart. 

UK Charts

The latest Legacy / SONY Elvis album release 'Aloha From Hawaii' was released in the UK on 18th March, 2013. The original live album peaked at No.11 in the UK back in 1973 but 40 years on, the new legacy edition enters at #196 and gives Elvis his 139th Official UK Album Chart for the week ending March 24, 2013. During its first week of release it sold 1,191 copies and as of 12th April, 2013 had sold 1,280 copies.

Australian Charts

The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" climbed from #36 to #25 on the Australian Music DVD chart.

Elvis '14

It is spring, so here is the first 2014 calendar.

Historic Aircraft From Elvis' Army Days Restored by McGuire AirForce Base

After more than 40 months of restoration, the infamous C-118 Liftmaster aircraft that brought Elvis home from Germany in 1960, has been restored by the McGuire Air Force Base in Lakehurst, New Jersey. In a recent article on JointBaseMDL.ad.mil, Staff Sergeant David Carbajal writes about how this military plane contributed to American history.

"It's a huge piece of not only American history, but of McGuire history as well," states Aungelic Nelson, 305th AMW historian, on JointBaseMDL.ad.mil.

One of the C-118's most notable legacies is when Elvis Presley returned to the U.S. from Germany on the aircraft. After his promotion to Sergeant in January of 1960, Elvis left Germany on March 2, arriving in New Jersey the next day for a press conference. He was officially discharged from active duty on March 5, 1960. According to the military base, this Liftmaster, as well as many other C-118s, also contributed to operations save haven I and II, saving more than 14,000 Hungarian refugees from oppression from 1956 - 1957.

Volunteers contributed more than 4,000 hours, mostly their off-duty time, toward the aircraft's fuselage refurbishment, interior, propeller blades and paint scheme, since renovation began October 2009.

Elvis '56

The book "Elvis 56" by Alfred Wertheimer will be released through Omnibus Press on June 10, 2013. The 128 page book contains the usual Wertheimer pictures. 

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Brian Quinn / FECC / Boxcar / Elvis Memories / The King's World / Elvis Express / EPE / UEPS)

April 11 - A College Release

The Parental Advisory import label released the double CD "Elvis as Recorded Live in College Park Maryland – September 28, 1974". The set comes with a 12 page booklet. The concert was released before on "A Profile - The King On Stage Vol 2 (CD 2) - A Profile - The King On Stage Vol 2 (CD 3) - Broken Finger and Live At College Park.

(Source: Elvis Infos)

April 10 - King Of SACD

The Audiofidelity label announced the release of the "King Creole" on Super Audio CD. The mastering for this SACD was done by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio.

From the site: 
"One of the King's best movie soundtracks..."

King Creole is Elvis Presley's sixth album and his fourth film, released in 1958, it was the last movie Elvis made before entering the army and features him in a serious dramatic role, rather than the light romantic comedies he would soon become known for in the early 60's. The album includes songs written and recorded expressly for the film and followed the film release by over ten weeks. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.

The eleven songs include a hot title track by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller that was a dazzling showcase for Elvis' intense, exciting lead vocal. Leiber and Stoller had two other songs in the film including "Trouble," arguably the film's most memorable song. Years later Presley returned to this song for his tremendously successful television comeback special.

Other hits featured in the album are "Hard Headed Woman" and "Don't Ask Me Why" which were also released as two sides of the first single on July 10, 1958, to coincide with the release of the film. "Hard Headed Woman," the A-side, and "Don't Ask Me Why" both made the pop singles chart, peaking at #1 and #25 respectively.

Elvis Presley had said in interviews that of all the 30 odd pictures he had made "King Creole" was his personal favorite.


Tracks: 
1. King Creole
2. As Long As I Have You
3. Hard Headed Woman
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

As a bonus: Includes 4" x 5" replica of 1957 B&W Elvis US Army Collector Photo that was included in the original LP release.

(Source: FECC / Audio Fideleiy)

April 09 - I Love Elvis Vinyl

The Real Gone Music label announced the release of a heart-shaped picture-disc entitled "7-Love Songs EP" which is due April 15, 2013. 


Side One: Love Me Tender / Are You Lonesome Tonight
Side Two: Can't Help Falling In Love / Wooden Heart

The label will also re-issue the five SUN singles on red vinyl in a limited box-set on May 6, 2013. 

Tracks:
Single 1: That's All Right Mama / Blue Moon Of Kentucky
Single 2: I Don't Care If The Don't Shine / Good Rockin' Tonight
Single 3: Milkcow Blues Boogie / You're A Heartbreaker
Single 4: I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone / Baby Let's Play House
Single 5: Mystery Train / I Forgot To Remember To Forget

Record Collector News 


Elvis Presley is featured on the cover of the Californian Record Collectors News magazine. Inside an article on the "Aloha From Hawaii" re-issue.

On the site you can read the article including a small interview with Ernst Jorgensen. Site: Record Collector News.

Follow That Release-date

The Follow That Dream collectors label have advised that it now looks like an April 20 release date for the following FTD titles. But this is subject to change. The Follow That Dream Collector's label will release four titles, From Elvis In Memphis (FTD 7" 2 CD Classic Album Presentation), Stay Away Joe (7" Classic Album Presentation) the book, Summer '61 and a Special Limited Edition of On Stage on a vinyl 2 LP.

Elvis Music FAQ: All That's Left To Know About The King's Recorded Works

Here is the cover art for the upcoming 400 page book "Elvis Music FAQ: All That's Left To Know About The King's Recorded Works" by Mike Eder which is due from Backbeat Books on October 15, 2013. 

From the publisher:
"Why is Elvis Presley's body of recorded work still so relevant nearly 60 years after he began recording? Elvis Music FAQ is for anyone who has been inspired by an Elvis Presley record. Following in the tradition of the FAQ series, in Elvis Music FAQ , a lot of rare information is woven together in one concise, entertaining package.

There are chapters about every year of Elvis's career, including a look at his pioneering original record label Sun; insight on his management; the continued importance of television in his career; a summation of each Presley concert tour; the inside scoop about the role Elvis's band members and songwriters played in his sound; stories about the amusing musical oddities created by those trying to ride on the Elvis success train; details about the contentious role drugs played in his career; and, finally, a full review of every record the King ever issued.

One might say that the only truths about Elvis Presley can be found in the grooves of his records, where his natural talent and passion for music comes through always. Elvis Music FAQ aims to be the one essential companion that explains the reason why the voice heard over the speakers still carries such resonance. Dozens of rare images accompany this engaging text."

Elvis Films FAQ: All That's Left To Know About The King Of Rock 'n' Roll In Hollywood

This is the cover of the 400 page book "Elvis Films FAQ: All That's Left To Know About The King Of Rock 'n' Roll In Hollywood" by Paul Simpson which is due from Applause Theatre and Cinema Books on September 17, 2013.

From the publisher:
"If Elvis Presley had not wanted to be a movie star, he would never have single-handedly revolutionized popular culture. Yet this aspect of his phenomenal career has been much maligned and misunderstood partly because the King himself once referred to his 33 movies as a rut he had got stuck in just off Hollywood Boulevard.

Elvis Films FAQ explores his best and worst moments as an actor, analyzes the bizarre autobiographical detail that runs through so many of his films, and reflects on what it must be like to be idolized by millions around the world yet have to make a living singing about dogs, chambers of commerce, and fatally naive shrimps. Elvis's Hollywood years are full of mystery, and Elvis Films FAQ covers them all!

Which of his own movies did he actually like? What films did he wish he could have made? Why didn't he have an acting coach? When will Quentin Tarantino stop alluding to him in his movies? And was Clambake really the catalyst for his marriage to Priscilla?

Elvis Films FAQ explains everything you want to know about the whys and wherefores of the singer-actor's bizarre celluloid odyssey; or, as Elvis said, "I saw the movie and I was the hero of the movie."

(Source: FECC / Record Collector News / Amazon / Elvis Club Berlin)

April 08 - Celebrating 25 Years Of Publishing

JAT Publishing announced the release date of two new books celebrating 25 years of Elvis Presley productions. Both titles are due June 3, 2013.

“Flip, Flop & Fly - From St Louis to Atlanta 1973 - 1976” which has rare photos with over 120 unpublished colour and black & white images filling this 208 page production.
“Elvis Presley in King Creole” has over 140 rare and unpublished photographs, Includes rare docs which may help solve the mystery of the missing outtakes.




(Source: email)

April 07 - Out Now: Such Night

Out now is the new release from the "SR" importlabel titled "Such Night". It features an unreleased show from Las Vegas August 16, 1969 (Midnight Show)

From the press-release:
After a long research finally we located a good tape that gives us the possibility to produce a show from Elvis very first season. As everybody knows SR concentrates its work on early 70's live period of Elvis' activity, trying to produce always unreleased shows with Elvis at the top of his possibilities. In this our new release, we are proud to present the almost complete show from August 16th midnight performance of the first Elvis’ historical Vegas season.

The midnight show from August 16th, as presented on this CD, represents one of the best show of Elvis’ first and maybe best Vegas season, Elvis’ first Vegas act is incredible, like a wild animal free from his cage, Elvis gave life to a memorable first season. Dressed in black tunic, Elvis stepped in the stage shaking, gyrating like nothing was changed in the last 9 years of his absence from the stage, He performed the best of his past hits and the new two singles from the Memphis 1969 sessions. The music is the focus of the season, Elvis appear better than ever, concentrate and strong He delivered a long show with no surprises in the track list respect the season, but pure dynamite from the begin to the end of the show.

This recording come from an early generation copy of the master tape, the sound quality is very good considering the first season. We have on 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 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 incomplete, Suspicious Minds was missing and most part of the Life Story dialogue (only the first 48 seconds left), we have been able to include Suspicious Minds from a second source of the same show in the matter to give to the show the deserved completeness. So enjoy our work and realize: this is one of the best possible audience recording of this season you can find all around! In spite the RCA recording of the last week of the season; here you have the chance to listen to a solid and powerful Elvis in an almost complete show far away from nervousness of an opening night or a professional recording.

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 + a four pages booklet.

Tracks: 
01.Intro; 02.Blue Suede Shoes; 03.I Got A Woman; 04.All Shook Up; 05.Dialogue(cut); 06.Love Me Tender; 07.My Babe; 08.Dialogue; 09.Such A Night (one line) 10.Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel; 11.Heartbreak Hotel; 12.Dialogue; 13.Hound Dog; 14.Dialogue; 15.Memories; 16.Dialogue; 17.Mistery Train/Tiger Man; 18.+Life Story; 19.Baby, What Do You Want Me To Do; 20.Runaway; 21.Are You Lonesome Tonight?; 22.Yesterday/Hey Jude; 23.Band Introduction; 24.In The Ghetto; 25.*Suspicious Minds; 26.What’d I Say; 27.Can’t Help Falling In Love
*denote a difference source 
+ Incomplete, first 48 seconds only
Approximate Total running time: 69.11

(Source: FECC)

April 06 - Caught On Camera

As a follow up to the 'Top Notch Bootleg Series', ('Top Notch Nashville - Part 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5' 'Top Notch Hollywood': 'Live Love Hollywood') come two new releases; 'Caught On Camera: The Complete TV Appearances 1956-1960: Part 1 & 2'.

From the press-release:
'Caught On Camera : The Complete TV Appearances' part 1 and 2 represents all of Elvis Presley's TV appearances did from 1956 to 1960. From Elvis' first national TV appearance in the USA on January 28, 1956, on The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show to his first televised appearance since coming home from his military service in Germany on May 12, 1960 (taping on March 26), on The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis. Including all Elvis' appearances from: 'Stage Show', 'The Milton Berle Show', 'Teenage Dance Party', 'The Steve Allen Show', 'Hy Gardner Calling', 'The Ed Sullivan Show' and 'The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis'. 

This is the one and only collection bringing all these historic recordings together. A great collection in the best possible sound and ofcourse, complete! Both CDs include a 16 page booklet with photos and recording information.

Tracklisting:
Elvis Presley : Caught On Camera Part 1 CD : The Complete TV Appearances 1956-1960 Part 1

CBS 'Stage Show'
01 Introduction
02 Shake, Rattle And Roll/Flip, Flop And Fly (01-28-1956)
03 I Got A Woman (01-28-1956)
04 Baby Let's Play House (02-04-1956)
05 Tutti Frutti (02-04-1956)
06 Blue Suede Shoes (02-11-1956)
07 Heartbreak Hotel (02-11-1956)
08 Tutti Frutti (02-18-1956)
09 I Was The One (02-18-1956)
10 Blue Suede Shoes (03-17-1956)
11 Heartbreak Hotel (03-17-1956)
12 Money Honey (03-24-1956)
13 Heartbreak Hotel (03-24-1956)

NBC 'The Milton Berle Show'
14 Introduction (04-03-1956)
15 Shake, Rattle And Roll (04-03-1956)
16 Heartbreak Hotel (04-03-1956)
17 Blue Suede Shoes (04-03-1956)
18 Comedy Sketch / Blue Suede Shoes (04-03-1956)
19 Hound Dog (06-05-1956)
20 Elvis meets Deborah Paget (06-05-1956)
21 Milton Berle Comedy Sketch (06-05-1956)
22 I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (06-05-1956)
23 Presentation of Billboard Award (06-05-1956)

WHBQ TV 'Teenage Dance Party'
24 Wink Martindale interview with Dewey Phillips and Elvis (06-16-1956)
25 About Rushwood Park Show, July 4, 1956

NBC 'Steve Allen Show' (part one)
26 Dialogue With Steve Allen (07-01-1956)
27 I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (07-01-1956)
28 Dialogue With Steve Allen (07-01-1956)
29 Hound Dog (07-01-1956)

Elvis Presley : Caught On Camera Part 2 CD : The Complete TV Appearances 1956-1960 Part 2

NBC 'Steve Allen Show' (part two)Range roundup - Complete/unedited (07-01-1956)
01 Introduction (07-01-1956)
02 Big Steve and The Whole Gang (07-01-1956)
03 Tonto Bar (07-01-1956)
04 A Western Song (07-01-1956)

WRCA-TV 'Hy Gardner Calling'
05 Hy Gardner interview with Elvis Complete/unedited TV interview (07-01-1956)

CBS 'Toast of the Town' - Ed Sullivan Show
06 Ed Sullivan announces Elvis (07-15-1956)
07 Next Week's Headliners (09-02-1956)
08 Introduction (09-09-1956)
09 4 Gold records for Elvis (09-09-1956)
10 Don't Be Cruel (09-09-1956)
11 Elvis talks (09-09-1956)
12 Love Me Tender (09-09-1956)
13 Ready Teddy (09-09-1956)
14 Hound Dog (09-09-1956)
15 Ed Sullivan Retruns (09-16-1956)
16 Next Week's Headliners (10-21-1956)
17 Don't Be Cruel (10-28-1956)
18 Ed Sullivan (10-28-1956)
19 Love Me Tender (10-28-1956)
20 Ed Sullivan Introduces Elvis (10-28-1956)
21 Love Me (10-28-1956)
22 Hound Dog (10-28-1956)
23 Elvis' closing remarks (10-28-1956)
24 Ed Sullivan Introduces Elvis' first Motion Picture 'Love Me Tender' (11-18-1956)
25 Introduction (01-06-1957)
26 Hound Dog (01-06-1957)
27 Love Me Tender (01-06-1957)
28 Heartbreak Hotel (01-06-1957)
29 Don't Be Cruel (01-06-1957)
30 Too Much (01-06-1957)
31 Elvis Talks (01-06-1957)
32 When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (01-06-1957)
33 Ed Sullivan Speaks (01-06-1957)
34 (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) (01-06-1957)
35 Ed Sullivan Speaks (01-06-1957)

WHBQ TV 'Teenage Dance Party'
36 Wink Martindale interviews Elvis in Germany (09/59)

ABC's 'The Frank Sinatra - Timex Show'
37 It's Very Nice To Go Trav'ling (03-26-1960)
38 Fame And Fortune (03-26-1960)
39 Stuck On You (03-26-1960)
40 Witchcraft/Love Me Tender (03-26-1960)

Elvis Files Vol.1 '53-'56 Released

Erik Lorentzen's new book 'Elvis Files Vol.1 1953 - 1956' was released. 

From the press-release:
A huge volume of 594 pages even with it trimmed down to a feasible postal weight - 1956 was a great year for Elvis. The first volume of the Elvis Files story, chronicling Elvis' rise from his pre SUN discovery to becoming the world's biggest new sensation - with over 1,400 photos. Featuring All Elvis Events from 1953-1956, Every Working Moment, The Early Tours, The first Las Vegas trip, Recording Sessions, The TV Shows and lots of unseen and unpublished images.

New publication dates for the further two volumes are... 
Elvis Files Vol. 6,1971-1973, (August 16, 2013)
Elvis Files Vol. 7,1974-1977, (December 2013).

Elvis Acoustic

Elvis Presley is featured on the cover of the German "Acoustic" magazine. Inside instruction on how to play the King's songs.

(Source: Elvis Australia / Elvis Memories Elvis Information Network)

April 05 - Hall Of Fame

Four legendary Memphis radio personalities will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame next month. Rick Dees, George Klein, Dewey Phillips and Rufus Thomas are among this year’s 16 inductees. Klein, known as being one of Elvis Presley’s closest friends, has spent the last 50 years on radio and television at several Memphis area stations. Phillips was the Mid-South’s most popular radio personality in the 1950′s — hosting his “Red, Hot and Blue Show” on WHBQ. He was also the first DJ to play an Elvis Presley record on the air. The Induction banquet will be held on May 4th at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro.

(Source: ElvisMatters)

April 04 - Delay From Hawaii

The "Aloha" book from the U.K. based Memphsis Recording Service appears to be delayed to May or early June according to an update from Belgium. 

This massive most comprehensive 450 page volume is packaged and housed the same as Boxcar’s previous outing of Elvis Presley’s Graceland Through The Years releases last year. The text book comprises of hundreds upon hundreds of photographs many of which have never before been seen. Also collected here exclusively are scores of historical memorabilia and the Colonel’s original internal documents and scripts. This is intended to create a ‘time-travel’ experience of sorts documenting the most groundbreaking event in the annals of television history.


Gold Re-Issues

RCA Victor (Sony Music Switzerland) will re-issue "Elvis Gold Records Volume 2" on May 3, 2013.

Charts

Elvis had no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending April 13, 2013. The following albums appeared on the Catalog Album Chart:

• 'Heart And Soul' rises from 65 to 55 selling some 2,856 units. Total sales to date: 630,950 units. It also rises from 131 to 121 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 2,854 units. Total physical sales to date: 630,387 units. It also appears on the Country Catalog Album Chart at 14.
• 'An Afternoon In The Garden' rises from 84 to 65 selling some 2,592 units. Total sales to date: 538,728 units. It also rises from 148 to 136 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 2,592 units. Total physical sales to date: 537,746 units.
• 'Elvis Inspirational' (Compilation) rises from 133 to 95 selling some 2,172 units. Total sales to date: 145,729 units.It also rises from 194 to 177 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 2,161 units. Total physical sales to date: 143,094 units.
• 'Elvis Country' (Compilation) rises from 123 to 116 selling some 2,017 units. Total sales to date: 171,627 units. It also dropped from 183 to 196 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 2,015 units. Total physical sales to date: 170,589 units.
• 'The Very Best Of Love' drops from 115 to 134 selling some 1,906 units. Total sales to date: 348,985 units.
• 'Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits' also re-entered the Catalog Album Chart selling some 1,180 units. Total sales to date: 4,852,384 units.
• 'Viva Las Vegas' dropped from 74 to 93 on the Top Soundtrack Album Chart selling some 378 units. Total sales to date: 55,007 units.

Irish Charts

The CD "The Real... Elvis" drops from #55 to #68 on the Irish Album chart while the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation drops from #72 to #83 on that same chart.

Australian Charts

The DVD "The King Of Rock ’n’ Roll" re-entered the Australian Music DVD chart at #36.

(Source: FECC / Brian Quinn / UEPS / Essential Elvis / Amazon / The King's World)