May 31 - Tanya For Dinner

The Straight Arrow importlabel announced the release of "Tanya For Dinner" containing an audience-recording of the March 28, 1975 Dinner show as recorded in LAs Vegas.

From the press-release:
Coming soon is the new Straight Arrow digipak release, "Tanya For Dinner", featuring the March 28, 1975 dinner performance. Elvis hits the ground running with his usual openers, and keeps the energy up and pacing crisp throughout. New covers like "And I Love You So" -- taped in Los Angeles just a few weeks earlier -- are bright. Even the jokes are chipper, such as his lyric change to "I want a little drink of brandy" during "Big Boss Man," a tiny rib at stage assistant Charlie Hodge. 

Listen for outstanding renditions of "It's Midnight" and "I'm Leavin'" and a warm introduction of teenaged country singing sensation, Tanya Tucker. The audience recording is previously unreleased from a recently-discovered source. The quality is very good, from start to finish, save a brief segment during band introductions, where a secondary source is used to fill in a missing portion.

Tracks: 
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C.C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. And I Love You So - 07. Big Boss Man - 08. It's Midnight - 09. Help Me (w/ two false starts) - 10. I'm Leavin' - 11. Introduction of vocalists, musicians - 12. What'd I Say (James Burton) - 13. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 14. Bass Solo (Duke Bardwell) - 15. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - 16. Electric Piano and Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) - 17. School Day (Joe Guercio Orchestra) - 18. Introduction of Tanya Tucker - 19. My Boy - 20. I'll Remember You - 21. Let Me Be There (w/ reprise) - 22. Heartbreak Hotel - 23. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 24. Elvis Chats With Audience - 25. Can't Help Falling In Love - 26. Closing Vamp. 

Weekend Charts

The Sony Special Products release "Elvis Uncovered" entered the Billboard Album Chart at #192 for the week ending June 8, 2013, selling some 2,338 units. Total sales to date: 86,428 units. 

The set is Elvis' 128th charted album. With the debut, he widens his lead over runner-up Frank Sinatra (82). It also enters the Current Album Chart at 151 and the Rock Album Chart at at 49. The budget-priced "Uncovered" was released in May, 2012 but finally charts following continued promotion at retail with a 87% increase in sales this week.


The following albums appeared on the Billboard Catalog Album Charts:

• 'The Very Best Of Love' rises from 126 to 120 selling some 1,591 units. Total sales to date: 361,809 units.
• 'An Afternoon In The Garden' drops from 110 to 140 selling some 1,474 units. Total sales to date: 555,450 units.
• 'Heart And Soul' drops from 115 to 158 selling some 1,378 units. Total sales to date: 647,208 units.

Irish Charts

The CD "The Real... Elvis" climbed from #65 to #59 on the  Irish album chart while the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits from#85 to #95 on that same chart.


Australian Charts

The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" re-entered the Australian Music DVD charts at #37 adding one more week to it's 132 weeks chartern. 

FTD Top 40 May 2013

Still only classic albums in the top 5. From this year's releases only Stay Away Joe and From In Elvis In Memphis got votes. The latter is already close to the top 40. The current top 5 (compared to March 2013):

1 (1) Promised Land (2011)
2 (2) Elvis Is Back! (2005)
3 (5) Good Times (2009)
4 (3) That's The Way It Is (2008)
5 (4) Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) (2008)

(Source: FECC / The King's World / Brian Quinn / Elvis Telegraph)

May 30 - Cover Art?

The first official cover for the upcoming "Elvis at Stax" (Deluxe Edition) appeared on the German Elvis Memories website. Along with the tracklisting of the single disc edition of "Elvis At Stax". Update: Amazon added this cover on May 31 to their site. 

Tracklisting: Elvis At Stax Single CD Edition:

1) Promised Land
2) I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby
3) If You Talk In Your Sleep
4) Raised On Rock
5) Help Me
6) I Got A Feelin’ In My Body – Take 4
7) For Ol’ Times Sake – Take 4
8) Talk About The Good Times – Take 3
9) Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues – Take 8
10) You Asked Me To – Take 3A
11) Loving Arms – Take 2
12) Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming – Take 4
13) Spanish Eyes – Take 2
14) It’s Midnight – Take 7
15) Find Out What’s Happening – Takes 8-7
16) Three Corn Patches – Take 14
17) My Boy – Take 1

(Source: Elvis Memories / Sony Music / Helmut Radermacher / FECC)

May 29 - Collecting Elvis

Volume 37 in the German "Elvis-Sammlung" was released by DeAgostini. This volume contains the movie The Great Performances Vol. 2", a magazine, memorabelia reproductions and a mini-poster for the movie "Viva las Vegas".

(Source: DeAgostini)

May 28 - #100

A new issue of the magazine Elvis The man And His Music is out. This excellent magazine celebrates their issue #100, congratulations!

Trevor Cajiao, editor and founder of the magazine: "We've pulled out all the stops to make this 100th issue really special. There's something for everybody here and, thanks to our great team of knowledgable writers and contributors, it's the perfect way to celebrate this publishing landmark. Enjoy The King's legacy. Enjoy 'Elvis - The Man & His Music'. Let's have a party!"

The jam-packed 100th issue contains:

• Elvis And The Racquetball Racket - The Story of Presley Center Courts
• Let's Go Back And Touch The Past - Essential releases from the past 25 years
• Carol Montgomery Interview - The former backing singer recalls working with The King
• All Because Of Deke Rivers ... - The impact of blue denim!
• Elvis On Super 8 - The golden age of home cinema
• David English Interview - The author of 'Welcome Home Elvis', 'From Memphis To Hollywood' and 'Summer Of '61'
• The Dirty Dozen - 12 of the worst Elvis covers ...plus a whole lot more in this bumper, 60-page anniversary issue.

Gold CD

ElvisMatters announced the content of the CD that comes free (for gold-subscribers) with volume 41 of their 68 page glossy fan club magazine (out June 1st). Here's the tracklisting:

1. Tonight’s SO Right For Love (take 8) (Sid Wayne, Abner Silver/Offenbach)

2. Tonight’s ALL Right For Love (take 1) (Sid Wayne, Abner Silver/Strauss)

3. GI Blues Radio Commercial

4. Announcement Old Shep

5. Old Shep (Red Foley)

6. Announcement Ed Sullivan-fragment

7. Don’t Be Cruel (Otis Blackwell)

8. Announcement “I Was The One”

9. I Was The One (Schroeder/DeMetrius/Blair/Peppers)

10. Announcement “Love Me Tender”

11. Love Me Tender (Vera Matson)

12. Announcement “Blue Suede Shoes”

13. Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)

14. George Klein in 1972

15. Gordon Stoker RIP

16. Goodbye Alice (Kluger - Tura - Carrère – Buggy – Van Eijk – Kemmer)

(Source: Now Dig This / Elvis Express / Elvis And His Music / ElvisMatters)

May 26 - Paul, Better Than Ever

The VV import label released the vinyl / CD set "Elvis - Better Than Ever" on a double LP and CD. The set contains a soundboard recording of of the January 26, 1970 Opening  Show  on vinyl and an audience-recording of the February 28, 1970 Afternoon Show as recorded in Houston on the silver disc. 

Content of the LP:
Side A: Opening Vamp - All Shook Up - That’s All Right - Proud Mary - Don’t Cry Daddy - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel
Side B: Long Tall Sally - Let It Be Me - I Can’t Stop Loving You - Walk A Mile In My Shoes / In The Ghetto
Side C: True Love Travels On A Gravel Road -  Sweet Caroline - Polk Salad Annie
Side D: Introductions - Kentucky Rain - Suspicious Minds - Can’t Help Falling In Love

Content of the CD:
Intro - All Shook Up - I Got A Woman - Long Tall Sally - Don’t Cry Daddy - Heartbreak Hotel - Hound Dog - Love Me Tender - Kentucky Rain - Release Me - Walk A Mile In My Shoes / In The Ghetto - I Can’t Stop Loving You - Polk Salad Annie - Band Introductions - Suspicious Minds - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Love Me Tender (instrumental).

A Guitar Pick For Elvis

Paul McCartney made his first visit to the one-time home of the King of Rock 'N' Roll and left a gift behind. According to the official Twitter account of the former Beatle, McCartney dropped a personal guitar pick on Elvis Presley's grave and said it was "so Elvis can play in heaven."

The lifelong Elvis fan toured Graceland, the Memphis mansion, on Sunday. He was in Memphis to play a show on the North American leg of his "Out There" tour. The show at FedExForum marked McCartney's first visit to the Bluff City in two decades.


Elvis and The Beatles actually met in 1965 in LA at Elvis' house after a music journalist with links to both the Beatles and Elvis organised it. When the Fab Four were ushered before The King they were so overawed that at first none of them could think of anything to say.

It was Elvis who broke the ice. ‘Well, if you guys are just gonna sit there and stare at me all night, I’m going to bed,’ he said, before calling for guitars to be passed around for a jam session.

Elvis was a huge influence on both McCartney and John Lennon. The emergence of Elvis’s first British single Heartbreak Hotel in 1956 had led the schoolboy Lennon to form his own group, the Quarrymen.
McCartney had been similarly obsessed, and all through their years playing in 

Liverpool’s Cavern Club and in Hamburg, The Beatles had included more than a dozen Elvis songs in their repertoire.

(Source: FECC / FECC / Stamford Advocate / Elvis Information Network)

May 25 - Weekend Charts

Elvis had no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending June 1, 2013. The following albums appeared on the Catalog Album Chart:

• 'An Afternoon In The Garden' dropped from 68 to 110 selling some 1,614 units. Total sales to date: 553,976 units. It also dropped from 77 to 99 on the SMEI (Sony Music Entertainment International) Chart. It also dropped from 153 to 179 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 1,612 units. Total physical sales to date: 552,978 units.
• 'Heart And Soul' dropped from 78 to 115 selling some 1,547 units. Total sales to date: 645,830 units. It also dropped from 165 to 186 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 1,546 units. Total physical sales to date: 645,260 units.
• 'Elvis Country' (Compilation) dropped from 123 to 167 selling some 1,317 units. Total sales to date: 183,281 units.
• 'Elvis: The Very Best Of Love' dropped from 174 to 199 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 1,482 units. Total physical sales to date: 360,218 units.
• 'He Touched Me: The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley' (Vol.1) rose from 29 to 6 on the Music Video Chart selling some 727 units. Total sales to date: 220,079 units.
• 'Elvis Lives - The 25th Anniversary Concert' rose from 57 to 9 on the Music Video Chart selling some 615 units. Total sales to date: 170,803 units.

Ireland

The CD "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" is listed at #85 while "The Real... Elvis“ is listet at #65 on the Irisch Album chart. 

UK And Australia

In the U.K. and Australia the releases "Viva Elvis" (from the Cirque Du Soleil show) and "The King Of Rock And Roll" dropped off respectively the Album and Music DVD charts. 

(Source: Brian Quinn / The king's World)

May 24 - The Very Best Setlist

The CD "Setlist - The Very Best Of Elvis Presley" was re-ssued with an 12 page booklet.

Back On Stage

A new Elvis 5 LP / 3 CD Box is due early june 2013 from PinUp Records. This box with Las Vegas 1970 recordings is a limited edition of only 500 individually numbered copies. The content of the 5 LPs is copied on 3 CDs. 

LP 1 ) International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Usa, 26-01-1970 Opening Show
LP 2 ) International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Usa, 26-01-1970 Opening Show (Part 2) plus International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Usa, 23-02-1970 Closing Show (Part 1)
LP 3 ) International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Usa, 23-02-1970 Closing Show (Part 2)
LP 4 ) International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Usa, 16-02-1970 Dinner Show plus Stage Rehearsal , International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Usa, 18-02-1970 + International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Usa, 18-02-1970 Dinner and Midnight Show
LP 5 ) International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Usa, 19-02-1970 Dinner Show plus International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, Usa, 15-02-1970 Midnight Show.

(Source: FECC / Elvis On CD)

May 23 - Spanish DVDs

The DVDs "El Rock De La Cárcel" (Jailhouse Rock) and "El Barrio Contra Mí" (King Creole) were released in Spain.

(Source: Elvis And His Music)

May 22 - From Dixie To Spain

The 448 page book "Elvis Presley: A Southern Life" by Joel Williamson will be released by Oxford University Press, USA on August 1, 2013:

From the publisher:
In Elvis Presley, one of the most admired Southern historians of our time takes on one of the greatest cultural icons of all time. The result is a masterpiece: a vivid, gripping biography, set against the rich backdrop of Southern society--indeed, American society--in the second half of the twentieth century. 

Author of The Crucible of Race and William Faulkner and Southern History, Joel Williamson is a renowned historian known for his matchless ability to write compelling narratives. In this tour de force biography, he captures the drama of Presley's career and offers insights into the social upheavals following World War II. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley was a contradiction, flamboyant in pegged black pants with pink stripes, yet soft-spoken, respectfully courting a decent girl from church. Then he wandered into Sun Records, and everything changed. He first went onstage in 1954. "I was scared stiff," Elvis recalled. "Everyone was hollering and I didn't know what they were hollering at." Girls did the hollering--at his snarl and swagger. Williamson calls it "the revolution of the Elvis girls." They took command, insisting on his sexually charged performances. They lived in an intense moment, this generation raised by their mothers, when men had been at war. The first Supreme Court ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education occurred two weeks before Elvis's first gig, turning high schools into battlegrounds of race. Explosively, white girls went wild for a white man singing a black man's songs, "wiggling" erotically. The book illuminates the zenith of Presley's career, his period of deepest creativity, which captured a legion of fans and kept them fervently loyal throughout years of army, wine, and women. Williamson shows how Elvis himself changed--and didn't. The deferential boy with downcast eyes became the bloated, demented drug addict who, despite his success, never escaped his sense of social inferiority. He bought Graceland in part to escape the judgment of his wealthy, established neighbors.

Appreciative and unsparing, musically attuned and socially revealing, Elvis Presley will deepen our understanding of the man and his times.


To Live And Die In Dixie


The Straight Arrow import release "To Live And Die In Dixie" containing audience recordings from both the February 19, 1972 Dinner and Midnight Shos as recorded at the Las Vegas Hilton, was released. 


Elvis DVD's

Due for release in Spain is the 10 DVD + 1 book + 1 CD set, simply entitled "Elvis". The set contains the movies Charro!, Girl Happy, A Lo Loco, Mi Regalo De Cumpleanos, Mis Problemas Con Las Mujeres, Pista DE Carreras, Punos Y Oagrimas, Doble Problema, El Rock De La Carcel, Cita En Las Vegas.


Budget CDs

The Read Out Records budget label released the 25 minute compilation "The Legendary Voice" while the ATF Media label released the 59 minutes compilation "The King's Greatest Hits". 

(Source: Elvis Club Berin / Amazon / Elvis On CD)

May 21 - Elvis And Ali For Sale?

Elvis Presley’ Graceland mansion and rights to the images of Elvis and Muhammad Ali are on the market with a possible price tag of more than $200m, people familiar with the process said. 

Three people familiar with the process said Core Media Group, the entertainment group behind TV-programmes such as American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, has begun approaching potential bidders from Asia, Europe and the US for Elvis Presley Enterprises and Muhammad Ali Enterprises.

Core, known as CKx before Apollo Global Management bought it for $509m in 2011, has appointed The Raine Group, a New York merchant bank, to review strategic alternatives, two of these people said. 

It is testing the market but could keep both if it is unhappy with the offers it receives, they said, but Core hopes to focus on producing content for television and digital outlets. Core and Raine declined to comment.

More than 35 years after Presley’s death and 32 years after Ali’s retirement, the two assets generate revenues of about $60m a year and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of about $23m, according to a briefing document sent to potential bidders.

Despite the 38 per cent ebitda margin, a record of stable, predictable cash flows and a history of revenue raising Elvis re-releases, people familiar with the Presley estate see significant potential for expansion if a buyer is willing to invest.

Possible investments include an Elvis-themed hotel near Graceland in Memphis, a stage show in an Asian casino hub such as Macau, and digital and social media expansion. People familiar with the estate add that per capita spending by Graceland’s 550,000 annual visitors is relatively low and could be improved. The Presley family, represented by the singer’s daughter, Lisa Marie, retained 15 per cent of the company when it sold the remainder to Robert Sillerman’s CKx for about $100m in 2004. The Ali family owns 20 per cent of Muhammad Ali Enterprises.

The unusual combination of brand management rights for two of the 20th century’s most recognisable brands with a tourist destination that has become a place of pilgrimage for many music fans is likely to attract a diverse set of buyers. 

These could include music and live entertainment companies and executives, developers, wealthy fans and local Memphis businesspeople. Elvis Presley Enterprises includes: More than 110,000 pieces of memorabilia, including 3,000 pieces of clothing and 30 vehicles; royalties from 24 films; and copyrights and royalties for 1,150 songs. 

Muhammed Ali Enterprises controls: 11,000 images, 50 hours of footage from the boxer’s life and career, and 5,000 pieces of memorabilia. 

Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings division holds the rights to all Presley’s master recordings, and has overseen several reissues, including plans to release a deluxe edition of “Elvis at Stax” in August.

Core considered a bid for Endemol before the European television production company’s owners put sale talks on hold. A successful sale could raise proceeds for a renewed attempt to buy Endemol or other production businesses.

(Source: EvisMatters)

May 20 - Blues From St. Louis

The E.P. Collector label announced the release of "St. Louis Blues" containing an audience-recording of the the March 22, 1976 closing show recorded live in the Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri. The CD contains several bonus-songs from Johnson City, March 19, 1976. The running time is 51:34 for the main show and 28:05 for the bonus selections. 

From the press-release:
Expected soon is new CD entitled ”St. Louis Blues” (label E.P. Collector, EPC 2013-01) recorded from the audience at the St. Louis, March 22, 1976 tour closing show. It was last Elvis show during his lifetime, reviewed in ”Rolling Stone” #213. Some of Elvis stable musicians were replaced and the result was surprisingly fresh sound with keyboards more prominent. Among the highlights are ”Let Me Be There” (performed for very last time), ”Steamroller Blues”, ”Polk Salad Annie”, ”Hurt” and ”America (The Beautiful)”. Since the show is rather short, producers decided to add 9 solid bonus tracks from Johnson City, March 19, 1976 show. 

This previously unreleased recording was taken from a 1st generation copy of the original audience recorded tape and the sound - though not perfect - is far better than any other known version of this show. The CD is packaged in nicely designed digipak with collection of March 22, 1976 photos.

Tracks: 
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra, 02. C. C. Rider, 03. I Got A Woman / Amen, 04. Love Me, 05. Let Me Be There (performed last time) 06. You Gave Me A Mountain, 07. Steamroller Blues 08. All Shook Up, 09. medley: Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel, 10. Heartbreak Hotel, 11. Love Me Tender, 12. Polk Salad Annie, 13. Band Introductions, 14. What'd I Say (James Burton), 15. Drum Solo (Larry Londin), 16. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff), 17. Piano Solo (Shane Keister), 18. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs), 19. School Day, 20. And I Love You So, 21. Hurt, 22. Hound Dog, 23. America (The Beautiful), 24. Funny How Time Slips Away, 25. Can't Help Falling In Love, 26. Closing Vamp. 
Bonus (Johnson City, March 19, 1976): 
27. Love Me, 28. You Gave Me A Mountain, 29. Let Me Be There (with false start), 30. Steamroller Blues, 31. All Shook Up, 32. medley: Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel, 33. Heartbreak Hotel, 34. Love Me Tender, 35. Polk Salad Annie (with false start). 

(Source: FECC)

May 18 - Details June 2013 Follow That Dream Releases

EPE posted the details on the June 2013 releases from the Follow That Dream collectors label. The details:

Hot August Night

FTD’s next must-have release includes the complete live recording from the midnight show, August 25, 1969. Presented in 7" format with a 12-page 4-color booklet. This album was recorded live on stage at The International Hotel in Las Vegas.

Tracks:
01 Blue Suede Shoes 2:25, 02 I Got A Woman 2:43, 03 All Shook Up 1:54, 04 Monologue 1:14, 05 Love Me Tender 2:28, 05 Jailhouse Rock / Don't Be Cruel 3:05, 06 Heartbreak Hotel 2:22, 07 Hound Dog 4:48, 08 I Can’t Stop Loving You 2:37, 09 My Babe 2:28, 10 Mystery Train / Tiger Man 4:24, 11 Life Story 8:39, 12 Baby, What You Want Me To Do 2:00, 13 Runaway 2:19, 14 Are You Losesome Tonight? 3:04, 15 Words 2:42, 16 Yesterday / Hey Jude 5:58, 17 Introductions 4:39, 18 In The Ghetto 2:48, 19 Suspicious Minds 7:20, 20 What’d I Say 3:49, 21 Can’t Help Falling In Love 2:11

Elvis Presley Sold Out!


FTD is proud to announce "Elvis Presley - Sold Out!" featuring the March and June concerts of 1974 from Tulsa, AZ and Cleveland,OH. Prepared and researched for FTD by Robert Frieser / Hans Slebos ('Forty Eight Hours To Memphis' and '3000 South Paradise Road') this release will be presented in 7" format accompanied by 16-page 4-color booklet and extensive liner notes. Recorded June 21, 1974 at Convention Center Public Hall, Cleveland. Ohio. Track 21 was recorded June 17, 1974, at Louisiana State University Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Tracks:

DISC 1 (March 1, 1974 Tulsa Oklahoma);  01) Also Sprach Zarathustra 1:19, 02) See See Rider 3:21, 03) I Got A Woman/Amen 3:05, 04) Love Me 1:38, 05) Trying To Get To You 2:13, 06) Sweet Caroline 2:33, 07) Love Me Tender 1:44, 08) Johnny B. Goode 1:49, 09) Hound Dog 1:10, 10) Fever 2:58, 11) Polk Salad Annie 3:19, 12) Why Me Lord? 3:01, 13) Suspicious Minds 3:28, 14) Introductions by Elvis 1:28, 15) I Can't Stop Loving You 2:26, 16) Help Me 2:41, 17) American Trilogy 4:00, 18) Let Me Be There 4:04, 19) Funny How Time Slips Away 2:42, 20) Can't Help Falling In Love 1:39, 21) Closing Vamp 0:49, 22) Announcements 0:39

DISC 2 (June 21, 1974 Cleveland. Ohio); 1) See See Rider 3:51, 2) I Got A Woman /Amen 5:33, 3) Love Me 2:03, 4) Trying To Get To You 2:06, 5) All Shook Up 1:11, 6) Love Me Tender 1:41, 7) Hound Dog 1:23, 8) Fever 3:13, 9) Polk Salad Annie 4:58, 10) Why Me Lord 2:58, 11) You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me 2:08, 12) Suspicious Minds 3:52, 13) Introductions 3:17, 14) I Can’t Stop Loving You 2:50, 15) Help Me 2:50, 16) Bridge Over troubled Water 4:12, 17) Let Me Be There 5:04, 18) Funny How Time Slips Away 2:50, 19) Big Boss Man 3:21, 20) Can’t Help Fallling In Love 1:45, BONUS SONG (June17, 1974 Baton Rouge, Louisiana); 21) Turn Around, Look At Me (four lines only) 0:35

Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis (2LP)

FTD's next vinyl release features, for the first time on this format, the complete concert recorded on March 20,1974 in Memphis Tennessee. Please note, all future vinyl releases will feature poly-lined plain inner bags instead of printed card. This will provide better lifetime protection.

Vinyl cutting by Abbey Road Stusios
DMM Copper Mastering
180 Grams heavyweight vinyl
Strictly limited pressing
Currently available on CD as FTD

Tracks:
Also Sprach Zarathustra
See See Rider
I Got A Woman/Amen
Love Me
Trying To Get To You
All Shook Up
Steamroller Blues
Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel
Love Me Tender
Medley: Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On/Mama Don’t Dance/Flip, Flop And Fly/Jailhouse Rock/Hound Dog
Fever
Polk Salad Annie
Why Me Lord?
How Great Thou Art
Suspicious Minds
Introductions by Elvis
Blueberry Hill/I Can’t Stop Loving You
Help Me
American Trilogy
Let Me Be There
My Baby Left Me
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Funny How Time Slips Away
Can’t Help Falling In Love
Closing Vamp

Charts

• The CD "ELV1S 30 # 1 Hits“ re-entered the Irish Album charts at #76 this week. 
• On the Australian Music DVD charts the DVD "Elvis The King Of Rock And Roll" slipped from #28 to #38.
• The CD "Viva Elvis – The Album", the soundtrack for the Cirque Du Soleil show with the same title dropped from#81 to #85.

Steve Forrest

Actor Steve Forrest has died at the age of 87 in Thousand Oaks, California, near Los Angeles. In 1960's "Flaming Star," he played alongside Elvis Presley and Barbara Eden, as Clint Burton. Forrest, who was best known for a leading role on the short-lived 1970s television drama "S.W.A.T.", died peacefully on May 18, his family said in a statement. No cause of death was given.

(Source: EPE / The King's World / ARIA / Elvis Matters)

May 17 - ELV1S Greatest Re-issues

ParkLane Books will re-issue the 64 page book "Elvis Presley In Words And Pictures"  once more on August 1, 2013. Included in this gift pack are 6 10 x 8 prints.

From the publisher:
Celebrate the life, loves and extraordinary times of the greatest rock 'n' roller of them all. There will never be another performer quite like Elvis Presley and this wonderful tribute in words and pictures, looks back at the life of the most successful recording artist of all time, bringing the sights and sounds of his incredible story to vivid life.


Elvis Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite

The Music On Vinyl label re-issued "Aloha From Hawaii" as a four LP vinyl set, 180g vinyl, with a gatefold cover containing the Aloha From Hawaii concert, rehearsal and five bonus tracks recorded for the US broadcast. The audio was remastered and liner notes are rewritten.



ELV1S Greatest Re-issues

Sony Legacy will re-issue the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" and "Elvis Second To None" on June 1, 2013.

Elvis Presley, Special Three Disc Collection

The U.K. based Quantum Leap Group will release the 3 DVD set "Elvis Presley, Special Three Disc Collection" on May 27, 2013. 

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Elvis Info's / Amazon)

May 16 - The Elvis '62 Sessions Handbook

The Complete 62 Sessions

The Chrome Dreams budget label continues their "sessions" series of Elvis Presley royalty free catalogue with "The Complete '62 Sessions". 

Colorized Elvis

The Mischief label will release Elvis Presley's debut album on "splatter" coloured vinyl. This limited edition of 500 copies is due June 20, 2013. 

Side A:
Blue Suede Shoes - I'm Counting On You - I Got A Woman - One-Sided Love Affair - I Love You Because - Just Because 
Side B:
Tutti Frutti - Tryin' To Get To You - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You) - I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin') - Blue Moon - Money Honey


Everything You Need To Know About Elvis Presley

The book "The Elvis Presley Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About Elvis Presley" by  Emily Smith will will be published by Emereo Publishing. More information when available.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Amazon)

May 15 - Collecting Elvis Vinyl In Richmond

Volume 36 in the German "Elvis Sammlung" series was released by De'Agostini. This edition contains the movie "Elvis: The Great Performances, Vol. 1", a magazine, memorabelia-reproductions, miniposter of "Tickle Me" and more.

From Richmond To Greensboro

The second release from the new Rock Legends label will be "From Richmond To Greensboro". 

From the press-release:
Those two shows were released several years ago in wonderful sound quality but are now hard-to-find , especially the Richmond one. The sound of the Greensboro concert is the same as originally released on Madison, however we found a better source for the Richmond gig that sounds much better now, smoother with a wider dynamic range. This is two shows from a great tour presented in a beautiful full color digipack with photographs from both performances. It will be available soon so if you missed either one of them, this is your chance to own them. This new double set will be a very limited edition.

Track list:
Richmond, VA April 10, 1972 E.S.
1 Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra 2 C.C. Rider 3 Proud Mary 4 Never Been To Spain 5 You Gave Me A Mountain 6 Until it's Time For You To Go 7 Polk Salad Annie 8 Love Me 9 All Shook Up 10 Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel 11 Heartbreak Hotel 12 Hound Dog 13 Bridge Over Troubled Water 14 Love Me Tender 15 It's Over 16 Suspicious Minds 17 Introductions of the band, vocalists, orchestra 18 For The Good Times 19 I Can't Stop Loving You 20 An American Trilogy 21 Lawdy, Miss Clawdy ( incomplete ) 22 Funny How Time Slips Away 23 Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing vamp

Greensboro, NC April 14, 1972 E.S. 
1 Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra 2 C.C. Rider 3 Proud Mary 4 Never Been To Spain 5 You Gave Me A Mountain 6 Until it's Time For You To Go 7 Polk Salad Annie 8 Love Me 9 All Shook Up 10 Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel 11 Hound Dog 12 Heartbreak Hotel 13 A Big Hunk 'O Love 14 Bridge Over Troubled Water 15 Suspicious Minds 16 Love Me Tender 17 Introductions of the band, vocalists, orchestra 18 For The Good Times 19 An American Trilogy 20 Burning Love 21 Release Me 22 Funny How Time Slips Away 23 Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing vamp

Watch out very soon for "Mood Swings" on Rock Legends featuring the infamous Closing show of September 2, 1974 recorded from the soundboard in Las Vegas, NV. The sound quality will be a major improvement over the first issue. Another high quality digipak double set coming from Rock Legends you won't want to miss. 


Moody Blue

The Friday Music label re-issued "Moody Blue" on 180g vinyl.

Side 1: Unchained Melody - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - Little Darlin’ - He’ll Have to Go - Let Me Be There
Side B:Way Down - Pledging My Love - Moody Blue - She Thinks I Still Care - It’s Easy for You


(Source: Elvis Sammlung / FECC / Elvis Infos)

May 13 - FTD June Titles Announced

The Follow That Dream Collector's label released some basic info about the upcoming releases, planned for June 2013. At this time, there is no cover art available and this is all the info they announced at this time:

Elvis Presley - Sold Out! (2-CD)
Prepared and researched for FTD by Robert Frieser / Hans Slebos ( 'Forty Eight Hours To Memphis' and '3000 South Paradise Road'), this release will be presented in 7" format accompanied by 16-page 4-color booklet and extensive liner notes.

Hot August Night (1-CD)
Includes the complete live recording from the midnight show on August 25, 1969. This will be presented in 7" format with a 12-page 4-color booklet.

Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis (2-LP Vinyl Limited Edition)
FTD's next vinyl release features, for the first time on this format, the complete concert recorded on March 20, 1974, in Memphis, Tennessee. This will be issued on 180gram vinyl.

Best of British - The HMV Years" (Book)
Due to popular demand, FTD is pleased to announce a limited reprint of The Best of British - The HMV Years.

(Source: EPE)

May 12 - Weekend Chart Releases

The classic album "Elvis’ Gold Records, Vol. 2" was re-issued in the "Platinum Collection" series in Switzerland and Italy.

The album "Stereo ’57 – Essential Elvis, Vol. 2" was re-issued on Super Audio CD (SACD) by Analogue Productions. This album was also re-issued on vinyl. 

Irish Charts
The CD "Elvis – 30 # 1 Hits“ fell of the Irish Album charts. 

Australian Charts
The DVD "Elvis: The King Of Rock 'N' Roll" dropped from #21 to #28.

UK Chart
The soundtrack CD "Viva Elvis – The Album" for the Cirque Du Soleil show dropped from #70 to #81.


New Elvis magazine

The Portuguese Official Elvis Fan Club "Burning Star" presents the first regular Elvis magazine written in portuguese! The fan club used to send a newsletter which was a photocopy. The magazine has 40 pages in colour, written in portuguese, with articles on Elvis, dozens of photos, news and a contest in every edition to win Elvis' prizes. This magazine is sent to fan club members but can also be bought by fan from all over the world.

(Source: The King's World / ARIA / Elvis Info's / Burning Star)

May 10 - Elvis Golden Vinyl

The Friday Music label announced the re-issue of "Elvis' Golden Records" on a limited edition 180 gram audiophile vinyl edition with a gatefold cover. The disc is due June 25, 2013. 

From Amazon:
Elvis Aaron Presley was born during the Great Depression into a poor family in Mississippi. They moved to Memphis during the early fifties, and as a struggling young truck driver, Elvis cut some demos at Sun Studios as a gift for his beloved mother Gladys. These initial songs, of which he had only paid a few dollars to record, would become the catalyst that would kick-start the beginnings of a soon to be worldwide superstar unlike the world has ever known.

The folks at RCA Victor knew that this young fellow named Elvis was destined for superstardom. They quickly bought out his contract and signed the legend to a long-term deal, and his first RCA single Heartbreak Hotel forever etched The King Of Rock And Roll trademark to his name. He would eventually become the most successful solo artist of all time!
From the remainder of the 1950 s, Elvis Presley would release several more hit albums, smash singles and movies before spending time in the Army. Ever proving that he was indeed on top of his game, RCA Victor awarded their superstar artist and his fans with the King s first greatest hits collection Elvis Golden Records.

Featuring fourteen of his most familiar top charting hit singles Elvis Golden Records went on to become one of his most memorable titles in his huge arsenal of masterful rock and roll albums.
Thanks to his finest rock smashes like Heartbreak Hotel, Don t Be Cruel, Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock, this collection of Elvis Presley s biggest hits were just what the fans were screaming for, and the entire album was built around the framework of his rocking trademark sound. The 1958 album also was another blockbuster for The King as it topped the upper rungs of the pop charts, making this one of his biggest albums of his career as well as one of his most revered. Elvis Golden Records truly proved once again that his career was unlike any other in music history.

Elvis Golden Records also included some of his finest number one ballads like Love Me Tender and I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, plus more top rock and roll hits like Teddy Bear, Treat Me Nice and Too Much. In total, the album showcases fourteen important Elvis Presley hits recordings which have truly gone on to become definitive classics by any measure of popular music.

In honor of the Man, the Music, the Legend, the King Of Rock And Roll, Friday Music is very proud and honored to announce the first time limited 55th Anniversary Edition 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl release of the RCA Victor classic Elvis Golden Records by Elvis Presley.

As an eighth installment in our exciting Elvis Presley 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl Series, we are pleased to present this masterwork in all its high fidelity glory. Mastered impeccably from by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios and manufactured at R.T.I., Elvis Golden Records will be a much anticipated first time audiophile dream release for Elvis fans everywhere!

For a limited time only, we are also including a rare first time gatefold artwork presentation including the original 1958 artwork elements. As usual, we are also enclosing a poly bag to protect your album cover and poly lined sleeve to help keep your Elvis vinyl in mint shape.

Elvis Presley's Elvis Golden Records
A history making rock album from an historic legend, an original monophonic first time audiophile dream release... first time gatefold cover...is now an audiophile vinyl dream come true...From your friends at Friday Music...Stay tuned for more Elvis Presley original RCA Record audiophile recordings from Friday Music.

(Source: Amazon)

May 09 - Only Believe! More Details Elvis At Stax

The Gravel Road Music import label released the CD "Only Believe!" containing the January 27, 1971 midnight show, as recorded at the main showroom of the International Hotel.

Details Elvis At Stax

On the Elvis The Music website the details of the upcoming "Elvis At Stax - 40th Anniversary" were published.

From the site:
Elvis At Stax - Deluxe Edition: chronicles the 40th Anniversary of Elvis' historic hometown studio sessions of July and December 1973. Deluxe 3-CD Box Set marks the first gathering of 28 masters and 27 outtakes in one comprehensive package.

The last major studio sessions in the career of Elvis Presley have finally been gathered together for the first time in one comprehensive package, as Elvis At Stax - Deluxe Edition. The deluxe 3-CD box set, a 40th anniversary chronicle of a dozen nights that Presley spent at Stax Recording Studios in his hometown of Memphis in July and December 1973. 

Elvis At Stax - Deluxe Edition bristles with energy and dynamism. The proof is in the six consecutive singles that the Stax sessions produced, all of which skirted the Top 40 from 1973 to 1975. In effect, they rivaled some of the hottest streaks that Presley had charted a decade earlier. 

The Stax singles still resonate today:

• "Raised On Rock" b/w "For Ol' Time Sake" (Hot 100 #41, country #42); 
• "I've Got A Thing About You Baby" b/w "Take Good Care Of Her" (Hot 100 #39, country #4); 
• "Promised Land" b/w "It's Midnight" (Hot 100 #14, country #9); 
• "If You Talk In Your Sleep" b/w "Help Me" (Hot 100 #17, country #6); 
• "My Boy" b/w Thinking About You (Hot 100 #20, country #14); and 
• "Mr. Songman" (B-side of "T-R-O-U-B-L-E," Hot 100 #35, country #11).
• "I Got A Feelin' In My Body" (recorded at Stax, catalog RCA PB-11679), was reissued as a posthumous single by RCA Records in 1979.

The historical significance of Presley’s work at Stax is appreciated by such music scholars as Peter Guralnick, the award-winning author of Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley (1994) and Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley (1999); and producer Ernst Mikael Jørgensen, respected director of RCA’s Presley catalog for over two decades, and author of the critical research guide, Elvis Presley: A Life In Music (St. Martin’s Press, 1998).

Jørgensen has long been concerned with doing justice to the Stax sessions, which were never acknowledged by the artist's record label RCA as a unified whole. Instead, as with most of Presley's studio work in his second decade as a recording artist, the tracks were scattered onto LPs and intermingled with material recorded in Nashville and Hollywood. The bulk of the Stax cuts showed up on Raised On Rock/For Ol’ Times Sake (1973), Good Times (1974), and Promised Land (1975). For Elvis At Stax, many of the outtakes originated on the CD-era reissues of those three albums on Jørgensen’s and co-director Roger Semon's own label, Follow That Dream (FTD) Records. Elvis At Stax was produced by Jørgensen, Semon, and Rob Santos of Legacy A&R.

Taking up the cause for is another scholar and aficionado of the artist, award-winning resident Memphis journalist Robert Gordon, who has written an in-depth, day-by-day (i.e. night-by-night) liner notes essay for the box set. Previously, Gordon and his wife Tara McAdams (author of The Elvis Handbook, 2004) co-wrote the liner notes essay for RCA/Legacy's From Elvis In Memphis: Legacy Edition (2009). In addition to major biographies of Muddy Waters and Jerry Lee Lewis, Gordon is the author of two important Elvis Presley studies, The King on the Road: Elvis Live on Tour 1954 to 1977 (St. Martin’s, 1996) and The Elvis Treasures (Random House, 2002). Gordon has also written two books on the Memphis music scene, the acclaimed It Came from Memphis (Faber & Faber, 1995, foreword penned by Peter Guralnick) and the upcoming Respect Yourself: Stax Records and the Soul Explosion (Bloomsbury USA, set for publication in November 2013).

Etched in music history, 1973 was a crucial watershed year for Presley, in the wake of his return to extended concert touring in 1972, after 12 years away from the stage and 27 movies in Hollywood. His New York City concert debut was emblematic of an exciting new chapter in his career. It was chronicled last year on the RCA/Legacy deluxe 2-CD+DVD box set, Prince From Another Planet: Elvis As Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden / 40th Anniversary Edition, which captured an afternoon and an evening concert staged on June 10, 1972. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker, sought a world-class mega-event to underscore the touring, which led to the one-hour global satellite broadcast from the Honolulu International Center Arena on January 14, 1973, viewed by over one billion people around the world. That, too, was recently chronicled on the RCA/Legacy double-disc set issued this past March, Aloha From Hawaii: Legacy Edition.

The highs of 1972-’73 led Presley and Colonel Parker to accept RCA’s $5.4 million offer for an outright transfer of Presley's complete back catalog. He wanted a new start, new control, and a new publishing company. But the RCA deal also called for his return to the studio and a promise for him to deliver 24 new masters, i.e. two new singles (four songs), a new pop LP (ten songs), and a new gospel LP (ten songs).

Four years earlier, in 1969, Presley had made his Memphis recording return (after a 13-year absence) at Chips Moman’s American Studios. These triumphantly successful sessions had yielded a year-long string of ‘comeback’ hit singles: “In the Ghetto” (#3), “Suspicious Minds” (#1), “Don’t Cry Daddy” (#6), and “Kentucky Rain” (#16), the last such string of major consecutive hits in his life. But by 1973, American had closed up shop, and most of its musicians had relocated to Nashville. However, Stax Studios, the launching pad of such greats as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Booker T. and The MGs, and Isaac Hayes was still thriving at its original 926 E. McLemore Avenue space. In fact, Isaac Hayes relinquished his studio time to accommodate Presley. Ironically, less than two years later in 1975, the Stax offices would also be closed.

Presley spent 12 days at Stax in 1973 (July 21-25 and December 10-16), and the rollercoaster ride of those sessions is meticulously detailed in Gordon’s liner notes. Elvis At Stax neatly compartmentalizes the results:

Disc 1: The R&B and Country Sessions – The Outtakes: 17 tracks
Disc 2: Part 1 – The Pop Sessions – The Outtakes: 10 tracks
Disc 2: Part 2 – The July 1973 Masters: four single sides and six album tracks, and
Disc 3: The December 1973 Masters: seven single sides and 11 album tracks.

Tracklistings: 


Disc 1:   The R&B and Country Sessions – The Outtakes:  Selections – 1. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body - take 1 (I) • 2. Find Out What’s Happening - takes 8-7 (B) • 3. Promised Land - take 4 (I) • 4. For Ol’ Times Sake - take 4 (I) • 5. I’ve Got A Thing About You, Babe - take 14 (I) • 6. It’s Midnight - take 7 (F) • 7. If You Talk In Your Sleep - take 5 (J) • 8. Loving Arms - take 2 (I) • 9. You Asked Me To - take 3A (F) • 10. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues - take 8 (I) • 11. Talk About The Good Times - take 3 (I) • 12. There’s A Honky Tonk Angel - take 1 (I) • 13. She Wears My Ring - take 8 (I) • 14. Three Corn Patches - take 14 (I) • 15. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body - take 4 (J) • 16. If You Don’t Come Back - take 3 (I) • 17. Promised Land - take 5 (H). 

Disc 2:  Part 1 – The Pop Sessions – The Outtakes:  Selections – 1. Mr. Songman - take 2 (F) • 2. Your Love’s Been A Long time Coming - take 4 (I) • 3. Spanish Eyes - take 2 (I) • 4. Take Good Care Of Her - takes 1,2,3 (D) • 5. It’s Diff’rent Now (unfinished recording) (G) • 6. Thinking About You - take 4 (I) • 7. My Boy - take 1 (D) • 8. Girl Of Mine - take 9 (I) • 9. Love Song Of The Year - take 1 (F) • 10. If That Isn’t Love - take 1 (I) • Part 2 – The July 1973 Masters: • 11. Raised On Rock (Hot 100 #41, country #42) (A) • 12. For Ol’ Time Sake (charts same as track 11) (A) • 13. I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby (Hot 100 #39, country #4) (C) • 14. Take Good Care Of Her (charts same as track 13) (C) • 15. If You Don’t Come Back (A) • 16. Three Corn Patches (A) • 17. Girl Of Mine (A) • 18. Just A Little Bit (A) • 19. Find Out What’s Happening (A) • 20. Sweet Angeline (A) . 

Disc 3:  The December 1973 Masters:  Selections – 1. Promised Land (Hot 100 #14, country #9) (E) • 2. It’s Midnight (charts same as track 1) (E) • 3. If You Talk In Your Sleep (Hot 100 #17, country #6) (E) • 4. Help Me (charts same as track 3) (E) • 5. My Boy (Hot 100 #20, country #14) (C) • 6. Thinking About You (charts same as track 5) (E) • 7. Mr. Songman (Hot 100 #35, country #11) (E) • 8. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body (C) • 9. Loving Arms (C) • 10. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (C) • 11. You Asked Me To (E) • 12. There’s A Honky Tonk Angel (Who Will Take Me Back In) (E) • 13. Talk About The Good Times (C) • 14. She Wears My Ring (C) • 15. Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming (E) • 16. Love Song Of The Year (E) • 17. Spanish Eyes (C) • 18. If That Isn’t Love (C).

Album source index:

• A – From Raised On Rock/For Ol’ Times Sake LP (RCA APL1-0388, released October 1973)
• B – From Raised on Rock CD (FTD 86971 28432, released July 2007)
• C – From Good Times LP (RCA CPL1-0475, released March 1974)
• D – From Good Times CD (FTD 50602 09750 0 3, released December 2012)
• E – From Promised Land LP (RCA APL1-0873, released January 1975)
• F – From Promised Land CD (FTD 50602 09750 1 9, released December 2011)
• G – From Walk a Mile in My Shoes – The Essential ’70s Masters 5-CD box set (RCA 7863-66670-2, released October 1995)
• H – From Platinum - A Life In Music 4-CD box set (RCA 67469, released July 1997)
• I – From Rhythm and Country CD (RCA 07863-67672-2, released August 1998)
• J – From Today, Tomorrow and Forever 4-CD box set (RCA 07863-65115-2, released June 2002)

(Source: Elvis On CD / Amazon)