Sunday, September 29, 2013

September 29 - A Legendary Performer Box

In 1974 RCA launched the highly acclaimed Legendary Performer series, combining classic recordings with unreleased rarieties. This "A Legendary Performer Box", a 8 CD set, presents an expanded version of the original albums packed with outtakes, rare mixes and selected live performances according tot the information. The release-date, of this limited edition of 500 copies, is October 10, 2013.


Disc 1
That's All Right - I Love You Because (takes 4 & 5) - Stay Away Joe (alt. mix) - Heartbreak Hotel - Don't Be Cruel - Kiss Me Quick (takes 8 & 9) - I Really Don't Want To Know (alt. mix) - Memories (alt. mix) - Love Me (from second sitdown show 1968) - Trying To Get To You (from second sitdown show 1968) - Love Me Tender - Peace In The Valley - Datin'(alt. mix) - A Fool Such As I - Tonight's All Right For Love - Everybody Come Aboard (takes 3 & 4) - Are You Lonesome Tonight? (from second sitdown show 1968) - Polk Salad Annie (alt. mix) - Too Much Monkey Business (alt. mix) - Can't Help Falling In Love - Joshua Fit The Battle (newly mixed version) - A Mess Of Blues (with new intro) - ELVIS - Excerpt from interview of September 22. 1958 - ELVIS' Farewell To His Fans - Excerpt from interview of September 22, 1958

Originally released on the bootleg CD "A Legendary Performer Vol. 1 - Expanded Edition"

Disc 2
Harbor Lights - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (alternate take 15) - Blue Suede Shoes (from second sitdown show 1968) - Blue Christmas - Let Me (solo mix) - Jailhouse Rock - You Don't Know Me (alt. mix) - It's Now Or Never - Cane And A High Starched Collar (take 2 & spliced master from take 6 & insert take 6) - Blue Hawaii - Such A Night (takes 2-5) - It Won't Be Long (alt. mix) - For The Good Times (strings overdub) - Baby What You Want Me To Do (from second sitdown show 1968) - How Great Thou Art - If I Can Dream - I Love You Because (complete spliced master, takes 3 & 5, including spoken part) - Puppet On A String (newly mixed) - Almost (strings version) - Dominic (alt. mix) - Pledging My Love (alt. master mix) - Interview - Elvis interviewed by DJ Jay Thompson (April 10, 1956?) - Preseviation Of Awards To Elvis - Excerpt from press conference (Honolulu, Hawaii March 25, 1961)

Originally released on the bootleg CD "A Legendary Performer Vol. 2 - Expanded Edition"
 
Disc 3
Hound Dog (original master, take 31) - Danny (recorded for "King Creole") - Fame And Fortune (alternate take 2) - Frankfort Special (alternate take HO-2) - Britches (recorded for "Flaming Star") - Crying In The Chapel (original master, take 3) - Surrender (alternate take 2) - Can´t Help Falling In Love (alternate takes 1-5) - Guadaljara (alternate take PVX-2) - It Hurts Me (June 68) - Let Yourself Go (June 68) - Inherit The Wind (alternate take) - Gentle On my Mind (alternate version) - In The Ghetto (vocal only) - Let It Be Me (Live Las Vegas, Feb. 15, 1970 Midnight Show) - Memories (funny version, rehearsal July 24, 1970) - Meet & greet in Elvis´Suite (January 30, 1974) - For The Heart (undubbed version) - Complete interview with Elvis and the Colonel for TV Guide

Originally released on the bootleg CD "A Legendary Performer Vol. 3"
 
Disc 4
When It Rains, It Reall Pours (alternate takes c, f, e) - Tampa Interview (August 5, 1956) - One Night Of Sin - Don't - I'm Beginning To Forget You (home recording 1959) - Mona Lisa (home recording 1959) - Wooden Heart (alternate takes 3 & 4) - Thanks To The Rolling Sea (group version) - Plantation Rock - The Lady Loves Me (Elvis Presley & Ann-Margret) - Kissin' Cousins (alternate version) - I'm A Roustabout - Signs Of The Zodiac - That's All Right (live, June 27, 1968, 8PM) - My Little Friend (undubbed master) - Are You Lonesome Tonight (live In Las Vegas, August 26, 1969 MS) - Reconsider Baby (live at Madison Square Garden, June 10 1972, AS) - I'll Remember You (live at Madison Square Garden, June 10 1972, AS) - Girl Of Mine (undubbed master) - It's Midnight (undubbed master) - See See Rider / I Got A Woman/Amen (live, November 28, 1976) - Million Dollar Quartet Radio Spot

Originally released on the bootleg CD "A Legendary Performer Vol. 4"
 
Disc 5
Elvis Presley "Victrola" Special Offer - October 1956  - I Beg Of You (binaural takes 9-10)  - One Night Of Sin (with sax overdub) - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (binaural, take 14) - Loving You (" main title 2", take 16) - I Need Your Love Tonight (take 14) - No More (take 9) - For The Millionth And The Last Time (take 7) - I Met Her Today (take 14) - Please Don't Drag That String Around (takes 3, 5) - Home Is Where The Heart Is (take 12) - Night Life (unedited master, no added echo, take 14) - Yellow Rose Of Texas / The Eyes Of Texas (unedited master, take 9)   - The Climb (take 3) - Do The Vega (unedited master, no added echo, take 7) - Wisdom Of The Ages (takes 1-2) - Easy Come, Easy Go (take 9) - 500 Miles (stereo homerecording from 1966) - Heartbreak Hotel (live soundboard - August 24 - 1969 MS) - I Can't Stop Loving You (live soundboard - August 24 - 1969 MS) - Blueberry Hill / Lawdy Miss Clawdy (live soundboard - February 23 - 1970 CS - I've Lost You (rehearsal - August 7 - 1970) - I've Lost You (rehearsal - August 10 - 1970) - I've Got Confidence (take 1) - It's A Matter Of Time (undubbed master, take 5) - Conversation With Elvis (excerpt - March 1972)  - " Elvis On Tour " radio ad - November 1972 - Trying To Get To You (live soundboard - March 3 - 1974 AS) - Woman Without Love (undubbed master, take 1) - My Boy (live soundboard - March 1975) - Big Boss Man (live soundboard - March 1975) - And I Love You So (live [binaural] - March 21 - 1976)

Originally released on the bootleg CD "A Legendary Performer Vol. 5"
 
Disc 6
Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (take 9) - Shake, Rattle And Roll (master w/o back vocal) - Blueberry Hill (take 8 - binaural) - Loving You (take 6) - Elvis Shakes His Pelvis In Canada (radio broadcasting, April 2, 1957) - Riding The Rainbow (take 6) - Fountain Of Love (takes 8, 6) - Kissin' Cousins (version 2 - master w/o back vocal) - Smokey Mountain Boy (master w/o banjo) - Tender Feeling (master w/o back vocal) - So Close Yet So Far (From Paradise) (takes 2, 3) - The Love Machine - Stay Away (takes 5, 10) - If I'm A Fool (take 5, 4) - Wearin' That Loved On Look (takes 1, 9, 14) - What I'd Say? (Live - Las Vegas, August 21, 1969, MS) - True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (Live - Las Vegas, January 26, 1970, OS) - Kentucky Rain (Live - Las Vegas, January 26, 1970, OS) - Heartbreak Hotel (Live - Las Vegas, February 23, 1970, CS) - One Night (Live - Las Vegas, February 23, 1970 CS) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Rehearsal July 29, 1970) - Don't Cry Daddy (Rehearsal. August 4, 1970) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (Live - Richmond, April 10, 1972) - Gold Record Award presentation to Elvis (Las Vegas, August 1972) - Steamroller Blues (Live - Las Vegas, January 29, 1973, DS) - It's Midnight (Live, Las Vegas, August 30, 1974, MS) - Burning Love (Live - Charlotte, March 20, 1976, ES) - Hurt (Live - Charlotte, March 20, 1976, ES) - Love Letters (Live - Birmingham, December 29, 1976) - Radio Ad for Elvis Aaron Presley LP box-set (1980)

Originally released on the bootleg CD "A Legendary Performer Vol. 6"

Disc 7
(There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) (binaural master , take 9) - Loving You ("main title 2" , take 7) - Ain't That Loving You Baby (takes 7, 1 , June 10 - 1958) - Summer Kisses, Winter Tears (takes 21-23) - There's Gold In The Mountains (undubbed master, take 3) - I'll Take Love (master) - The Girl I Never Loved (takes 8* , 10* and Take 11) - Speedway (unedited master, take 4) - Stay Away, Joe (movie version , takes 3* , 4* and take 8) - "Live A Little, Love A Little" Radio Ad (previously unreleased) - Long Black Limousine (takes 3* , 5* and take 6) - In The Ghetto (takes 5* , 6* and take 1 ) - Don't Cry Daddy (soundboard , January 26 - 1970 OS) - Elvis Talks (*rehearsal , August 7 - 1970) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (*rehearsal , August 7 - 1970) - Words (previously unreleased rehearsal , August 7 - 1970) - I Just Can't Help Believin' (* dressing room rehearsal , August 10 - 1970) - Blue Suede Shoes (* soundboard , January 27 - 1971 DS) - Until It's Time For You To Go (soundboard , January 26 - 1972 OS) - Seperate Ways (movie version, take 2) - Jaycee Awards Speech (* July 1972) - Funny How Time Slips Away (soundboard , April 10 - 1972) - I'll Remember You (* soundboard, February 1973) - Hound Dog (* soundboard, May 1974) - Big Boss Man (soundboard, October 6 - 1974 ES) - Heartbreak Hotel (* binaural , March 20 - 1976 ES) - Reconsider Baby (soundboard , February 21 - 1977) - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (* soundboard , Spring 1977) - "This Is Elvis" Radio Ad (* September 1981)

Originally released on the bootleg CD "A Legendary Performer Vol. 7"

Disc 8
(There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) (binaural master , take 9) - Loving You ("main title 2" , take 7) - Ain't That Loving You Baby (takes 7, 1 , June 10 - 1958) - Summer Kisses, Winter Tears (takes 21-23) - There's Gold In The Mountains (undubbed master, take 3) - I'll Take Love (master) - The Girl I Never Loved (takes 8* , 10* and Take 11) - Speedway (unedited master, take 4) - Stay Away, Joe (movie version , takes 3* , 4* and take 8) - "Live A Little, Love A Little" Radio Ad (previously unreleased) - Long Black Limousine (takes 3* , 5* and take 6) - In The Ghetto (takes 5* , 6* and take 1 ) - Don't Cry Daddy (soundboard , January 26 - 1970 OS) - Elvis Talks (*rehearsal , August 7 - 1970) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (*rehearsal , August 7 - 1970) - Words (previously unreleased rehearsal , August 7 - 1970) - I Just Can't Help Believin' (* dressing room rehearsal , August 10 - 1970) - Blue Suede Shoes (* soundboard , January 27 - 1971 DS) - Until It's Time For You To Go (soundboard , January 26 - 1972 OS) - Seperate Ways (movie version, take 2) - Jaycee Awards Speech (* July 1972) - Funny How Time Slips Away (soundboard , April 10 - 1972) - I'll Remember You (* soundboard, February 1973) - Hound Dog (* soundboard, May 1974) - Big Boss Man (soundboard, October 6 - 1974 ES) - Heartbreak Hotel (* binaural , March 20 - 1976 ES) - Reconsider Baby (soundboard , February 21 - 1977) - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (* soundboard , Spring 1977) - "This Is Elvis" Radio Ad (* September 1981)

Originally released on the bootleg CD "A Legendary Performer Vol. 8"

(Source: Music Of Elvis Presley / Elvis On CD)

Saturday, September 28, 2013

September 28 - Dee Stanley Has Passed Away

Dee Stanley, Former wife of Elvis' Father, Vernon Presley; passed away September 28, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Devada Mae (Dee) Elliott Stanley was born June 16, 1925. 


Dee Stanley, the former stepmother of Elvis Presley is dead. Dee married Elvis' father on July 3, 1960, in Huntsville, Alabama, much to the disapproval of Elvis, who refused to attend the wedding and was unhappy that his father married so soon after the death of his mother in 1958. However, all those around Elvis in Germany at that time agree that Dee seemed to make her initial play for Elvis and finally she tosses her hubby aside to snag Vernon.

Back in 1993 Dee Stanley tried to get her then new book published but failed as publishers stayed well away from her latest and most disgusting claims. It was on an episode of 'Geraldo' that Stanley announced that Elvis and his mother had sexual relations together... O well. Keith Alverson put it this way: good riddance.

Dee had three sons with her first husband William Stanley: Rick, Billy, and David. Vernon and Dee divorced in the year of 1977. Preceded in death by her husbands, William J. Stanley Sr. and Vernon E. Presley; she is survived Billy, Monica Stanley, Rev. Rick Stanley, David Stanley; grandchildren Austin, Brooke, Tyler, Brittany, Bethany; great grandchild Talon. 

(Source: Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville / ElvisMatters)

Friday, September 27, 2013

September 27 - The Official Collector's Charts

Due for release on November 11, 2013 is the 3DVD-set "Elvis - The Official Collector's Edition" featuring "King Of Rock And Roll", "Memories Of Elvis" and "The DVD Archive". 

Weekend Charts

The CD "Heart & Soul" fell of the Billboard Album chart from week's listing at #189. 
The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation remained steady at #10 on the Dutch Mid-price album chart. 
The "Elvis At Stax" set climbed from #163 to #141 on the Belgian Album chart. 

The "The real Elvis" compilation dropped from #54 to # 69 on the Irish Album charts. 

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

Thursday, September 26, 2013

September 26 - Music, Vinyl And Magazines

The "Music & Photos", originally released in the U.K., will be released in a German edition October 11, 2013. “ It contains a book and 51 tracks on two CDs and comes in an LP sized hardcover set. 

Elvis Is Back On Vinyl

The Spanish Was Time Records re-issued the classic "Elvis Is Back" on 180 Gr. vinyl. It contains the 12 songs from the original release but comes with a new cover, using a shot from "Jailhouse Rock". 

Rock 'n' Roll Musikmagazine

The German "Rock 'n' Roll Musicmagazin" features Elvis Presley on the cover of volume 211. Inside an article on the European Elvis festival in Bad Nauheim".

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

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

September 25 - Elvis At Best

In company with other legendary artists such as The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac and Bob Dylan, the latest release from SONY/LEGACY Records "Elvis at Stax: Deluxe Edition" has been named among "Best 2013 Album Reissues" on CBSNews.com. 

The article states, "This 3-CD set collects the King of Rock 'n' Roll's recordings at the famed Stax Studios in Memphis in 1973. Riding high from his triumphant shows in Madison Square Garden in the summer of 1972 and his 'Aloha from Hawaii' television special in early 1973, Presley entered Stax Studios and recorded some gritty and soulful tracks there that were eventually released over the course of several studio albums and compilations between 1973 and 2002. This new set also features previous outtakes from those sessions."

Monday, September 23, 2013

September 23 - From Brazil To the Jungle Room

Here's, finally, the complete picture of a 13 year old Elvis Presley, posing in front of the Tupelo Hardware Store. There's no exact date for this picture, other than that it was taken, most likely, in 1948. Prints of this picture sold on eBay for as much as 350 euro, but the seller blacked out part of the photo. So, here it, for the first time: uncropped and complete. 


Poster For The Brazillian Tour

Busy days ahead for the TCB Band! While the TCB members are in Paris this week, they're also getting ready for the TCB Cruise next Month (October 5-12) with Priscilla Presley. And right after that, they head for the first Video tour of the year, this time in Brazil. Just like last year, it looks like most shows will be sold out. Here's the poster for that 8 gig tour.

Lisa Marie Records In The Jungle Room


Lisa Marie walked a mile in her fathers shoes last weekend. Saturday as the night of her performance in the Shell, the place where Elvis performed for the first time in his professional career. Yesterday, she recorded in the Jungle Room, just like her father used to do. The concert and interview that Lisa Marie gave in Graceland will be placed online in November by Yahoo Music.

Music Legends: Elvis Presley

Released today is the 4 DVD set "Music Legends: Elvis Presley".

The Lights! Action! Elvis!

Due for re-release on November 12, 2013 is the 8 DVD set "The Elvis Presley: The Lights! Action! Elvis! Collection" contains 8 Elvis movies; King Creole, G. I. Blues, Blue Hawaii, Roustabout, Girls! Girls! Girls!, Fun In Acapulco, Paradise, Hawaiian Style and Easy Come, Easy Go.

(Source: ElvisMatters / Elvis Club Berlin)

Saturday, September 21, 2013

September 21 - King Of A Gravel Road

Erik Lorentzen announced a new book on the legendary 1968 Comeback Special entitled "Elvis - The King Of The Jungle - 45 Years After".

The book should feature "a tons of new photos, camera originals...no screen grabs and never before seen photos" according to the author. Erik Lorentzen also says: "I Want the fans out there to see these photos. That is why I push this book forward a little and why I'll wait for "Elvis Files Volume 7" until 2014.


FECC's EPA 35 has noted, "I've seen some of the preview pages that Elvis Files designer Chris M has done, and they are not just good, they are amazing. Lots of new photos in the best quality I have ever seen from the '68 Special. 
Some great full size photos. Colours and B/W." 


Elvis Files 7

The cover-art of the volume 7 in Eric Lorentzen's "The Elvis Files" was featured too on the Elvis Files website. But it could well be changed by publication (as it did with Volume 6).

Blue Hawaii Reissue

Due for re-release on October 24, 2013 from the Vinyl Passion label is the classic soundtrack "Blue Hawaii". 

Weekend Charts
  • The "Heart & Soul" compilation remained seedy at #187 on the US Billboard Album Top 200. 
  • The CD "Elvis At Stax" dropped from #98 to #163 on the Belgian Album Top 200. 
  • The "The Real... Elvis"  compilation climbed from# 79 to # 54 on the Irish Album charts. 
  • On the Dutch Mid-price chart "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" climbed from #20 to #10 in it's 146th week on the chart.
Gravel Roads Contest

With all the cutbacks last years Gravelroad Music wants to do something for the fans for the release of their latest CD "Leaner & Meaner Than Ever" featuring a remastered soundboard recording of the January 28, 1971 Midnight Show performance. They like to do a contest and throw in very hard to get releases including the bonus items.

The Contest
Since the beginning, Gravelroad Music has always offered historic Elvis Presley CDs. Many today are already collectables, highly sought-after releases with exclusive bonus items, which sometimes sell for crazy prices on the Internet. Because of this we have decided to give away the few copies we still have of these in our archives, in connection with our most exciting CD release to date, “LEANER & MEANER THAN EVER”... a new look at the 28 January 1971 midnight show. This time we get Elvis is at his meanest and leanest…

What are they giving away?
  • First prize is a special Gravelroad package of 11 concerts, including the rare bonus items!
  • Second prize includes a 5 concert package.
  • Third prize will receive a 3 concert package.
  • Fourth and fifth prizewinners each get a 1 concert package.
So, finally, you have a chance to pick up these hard-to-find, long sold out CDs after all! Winning one of these Special packages is easy. With every copy of the new “Leaner And Meaner Than Ever” you have the chance to find one of the contest prize flyers. This release is limited to 500 copies, and only 5 will contain the contest prize flyer. On it will be an email address. Reply to that email address with the unique code provided and Gravelroad will send you the Special package for free! First person we get email from will receive the first prize of 11 concerts:
  • A Day In Dayton (2 concerts)
  • Good To Be Back (with Concert Folio)
  • Hilton's All Shook Up
  • Only Believe
  • Sitting on Top of the World (with Guitar Pick)
  • Snowbird Revisited
  • Star Spangled Spectacular (2 concerts)
  • The Summer Festival Continues At Full Blast
  • The Return of a Prodigy (with Envelope holding 2 promo photos inside)
The label is aware that for some fans it might take more time to get hold of their copy of our new CD “Leaner & Meaner than ever”. That’s why we set the last day of entry is 20th of October. The package will be sent within 1 week after all 5 winners are made public. So, don't think that you are too late if you find it; You are already a winner!

(Source: FECC / Amazon / The King's World / Elvis Telegraph / Elvis Express / Elvis Information Network)

Friday, September 20, 2013

September 20 - Back To 1977

Due for release is the import CD "Elvis: February 1977: Still The King". 

The press-release:
We have for you something very special. This release is not aimed at the collector - it is for those that love good music .... February 1977 and Elvis is in good form, the sound quality is top notch, and we have included a few extra tracks to make this a very enjoyable listen. A very complete testament to the fact that Elvis still was king in 1977.
As an example of the quality of the sound, we were able to simply insert the stereo master of 'I Really Don't Want To Know' - as it is so good - and it fits seamlessly with the other tracks with no conflict in sound quality.
Of note, 15 of the 26 tracks are from February 21, 1977, FTD released the CD, 'Unchained Melody' featuring mainly tracks from February 20, why god only knows as the CD is a disaster - from track 1 Elvis is clearly out of form. And to make matters worse they add the wonderful performance, 'Where No One Stands Alone' from Feb 16 as a bonus, as we do, however they used a version with awful sound faults. We don't !

So ... Kicking off with a great version of 'Big Boss Man' [April 29] then in to February 21 starting with 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' while Elvis does forget the words it is another classic with Elvis' banter with Estelle of the Sweets. 'Reconsider Baby' shows he is still the best white blues singer. Moving on we have a ultra rare 'Moody Blue' and it is a good and full version, not a one liner, 'Hurt' has us reeling like anyone at the opera such is the performance, as does 'How Great Thou Art'. We have included a few tracks from outside February '77 to make this a unique and fulfilling concert experience, 'Blue Christmas' from March '77 is excellent but then we have used 'Softly As I Leave You' the 1975 recording that was issued as a single, beautiful, but here we have the full recording with Elvis starting with an informal 'Welcome To My World' before commencing which makes this special. [Why? because it works!!!] 

Then from 1976, the majestic 'America The Beautiful'. [Same here] This really is wonderful, perfect sound and a great performance. Note that we did not use the 1975 single release version as it is inferior and also has a lot of distortion!!! Shame RCA picked that for release.
We then have the above mentioned master of 'I Really Don't Want To Know' as good in its own way as the 1970 studio cut, which is an Elvis classic. 'If You Love Me (Let Me Know)' is the original recording overdubbed for use on the 'Moody Blue' LP, here again we give you the full recording with Elvis starting out with 'Fairytale' before stopping and then going in to what you know is a great performance of 'If You Love Me (Let Me Know)'.
Now, the rarest of recordings, and performed so well, and here is perfect sound quality, 'Where No One Stands Alone' with Elvis playing piano, then into a single release worthy performance of 'Unchained Melody'.
Just before this there is the 'Striptease', you can hear what this is on the disc but also we include a photo.

Tracks:
Big Boss Man (04/29/77) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (02/21/77) Reconsider Baby (02/21/77) Love Me (02/21/77) Moody Blue (02/21/77) You Gave Me A Mountain (02/21/77) Jailhouse Rock (02/21/77) O Sole Mio / It's Now Or Never (02/21/77) Little Sister (02/21/77) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (02/21/77) My Way (02/21/77) Release Me (02/21/77) Hurt (02/21/77) Why Me Lord (02/21/77) How Great Thou Art (02/20/77) Blue Christmas (03/26/77) Blueberry Hill (02/14/77) Love Letters (02/14/77) Softly As I Leave You [With Welcome To My World] (02/13/75) America The Beautiful (03/21/76) I Really Don't Want To Know (06/21/77) Fairytale / If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (04/26/77) Elvis Talks / Striptease (02/16/77) Where No One Stands Alone (02/16/77) Unchained Melody (02/16/77) Can't Help Falling In Love (02/16/77) 

(Source: FECC)

Thursday, September 19, 2013

September 19 - Follow That Vinyl

The 2 LP vinyl re-issue of the classoc "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" on the Follow That Dream Collectors label was finally shipped to dealers by the label. 

(Source: Elvis The King)

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

September 18 - Collecting Elvis

Volume 45 of the German Elvis Sammlung was released by De'Agostini in cooperation with EPE. It contains a magazine, memorabilia reproductions and more. 


(Source Elvis Sammlung)

Monday, September 16, 2013

September 16 - Private 1977 Vinyl

Due for release from Friday Music on October 29, 2013 is a vinyl re-issue of the "NBC TV Special".  Also due on vinyl, on November 12, 2013, is the "King Creole" soundtrack.

Private Albums


The Polish Buchmann Publishing will publish a new book series about live and artistic work of cultural icons entitled "Private albums" (Osobiste albumy). One of the volumes will be about king of rock'n'roll, Elvis Presley and is due October, 2, 2013. The 208 page hardcover book includes many photos from Elvis' career.

Elvis '77 DVD Series : 1977 CBS TV Special

A new import DVD-set is due "Elvis '77 DVD Series : 1977 CBS TV Special". 

From the press-release

Elvis '77 DVD Series consists of 6 DVDs with 3 of the DVDs being dual layered. (So really it's almost like saying 9 DVD's compared to the average DVD). 

The contents of the DVDs are:

The 1977 CBS TV Special in perfect quality, a very special treat for fans. For the first time ever, using a 1st Generation digital copy of a TV Station tape, (originally used to broadcast 'The Special' in October 1977) it has been re-mastered frame by frame and now finally, released to fans to watch this in all its glory!
Then there are two DVDs with the Omaha June 19 show from a new tape source with unreleased footage for the first time and the Rapid City June 21st concert from a new tape source with unreleased footage and near 100% complete for the first time. These are the last two professionally filmed Elvis shows taped for the CBS TV Special in 1977. While not as good in picture quality os the 'TV Special', these come from a tape source four generations better than previously used before. Not only have these two shows been painstakingly restored and re-mastered frame by frame, but for the first time, it include new unreleased footage from Rapid City, making this show practically complete. In fact all that is missing is just a few of the introductions. The new footage found from Omaha now makes this show 100% complete! How Great Thou Art & I Really Don't Want To Know

And completing the 'picture', two DVDs containing 8mm film of Elvis in concert with more than 2 hours of unreleased footage with the best sound possible on all footage. The 8mm DVD's are dual layered for maximum length with maximum quality and all have multi angle viewing. Included in this section is 36 minutes of unreleased footage from Indianapolis alone. And, the sixth DVD contains 1977 news footage.


DVD 1 [amateur 8mm film]

May 22 1977 - Largo, MD - Capital Centre 
May 23 1977 - Providence, RI - Civic Center
May 24 1977 - Augusta, ME - Civic Center 
May 25 1977 - Rochester, NY - War Memorial 
May 26 1977 - Binghampton, NY - Broome County Veterans Memorial
May 24 1977 - Binghampton, NY - Broome County Veterans Memorial 
May 28 1977 - Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum
May 29 1977 - Baltimore, MD - Civic Center 
June 1, 1977 - Macon, GA - Coliseum

DVD 2 [amateur 8mm film]

June 18 1977 - Kansas City, MO - Kemper Arena 
June 24 1977 - Madison, WI - Dane County Coliseum 
June 25 1977 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverfront Coliseum 
June 26 1977 - Indianapolis, IN - Market Square Arena
Bonus Footage:
February 20 1977 - Charlotte, NC - Coliseum
May 1 1977 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Stadium
May 2 1977 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Stadium

DVD 3 [The June 19, 1977 concert]

Omaha, NB (June 19, 1977)
Also Sprach Zarathustra 
See See Rider
I Got A Woman/Amen
That's All Right 
Are You Lonesome Tonight 
Love Me 
Fairytale 
Little Sister
Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel 
And I Love You So 
Jailhouse Rock 
How Great Thou Art 
Introductions
Early Mornin' Rain 
What'd I Say 
Johnny B. Goode 
Introductions I Really Don't Want To Know 
Introductions
Hurt 
Hound Dog 
0 Sole Mio*/It's Now Or Never
Can't Help Falling In Love 
Closing Vamp

DVD 4 [The June 21, 1977 concert]

Rapid City, SD (June 21, 1977)
Backstage Footage
Also Sprach Zarathustra
See See Rider I Got A Woman/Amen
That's All Right 
Are You Lonesome Tonight 
Love Me 
If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
You Gave Me A Mountain 
Jailhouse Rock 
0 Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never
Trying To Get To You 
Hawaiian Wedding Song 
Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel 
My Way
Introductions
I Really Don't Want To Know 
Introduction of Vernon Presley & Ginger Alden
Hurt 
Hound Dog 
Unchained Melody 
Can't Help Falling In Love 
Closing Vamp

DVD 5 [The CBS TV Special]

Elvis In Concert (The CBS-TV-Special)
Opening Credits Incl. Fans' Comments, 
Stage Setup and Elvis' Arrival At Airport
Also Sprach Zarathustra 
See See Rider 
That's All Right 
Are You Lonesome Tonight 
Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel 
Fans' Comments
You Gave Me A Mountain 
Jailhouse Rock 
Fans' Comments
How Great Thou Art 
Fans' Comments
Early Mornin' Rain I Really Don't Want To Know 
Introduction Of Vernon Presley & Ginger Alden
Hurt 
Hound Dog 
My Way 
Can't Help Falling In Love (Vernon Presley Interview Inserted)
Closing Vamp 
Special Message From Vernon Presley
Closing Credits
CBS TV Trailer  (October 2, 1977)

DVD 6 [TV Footage from 1977]

'Elvis Is Dead'
A collection of news reports from local and major TV on the passing of Elvis Presley, recorded August '77.

(Source: Amazon / Elvis Australia / Elvis Promised Land)

Friday, September 13, 2013

September 13 - Follow That Iconic American Attraction


The Follow That Dream Collectors label posted the details of the new FTD releases on the official Elvis Presley website. Two new CD releases, "G. I. Blues Vol.2" and "On Stage Season" and one vinyl re-issue of "From Elvis In Memphis". The CDs are due in October, the vinyl in November. 

Also expected in November of 2013 "Moody Blue" and "Elvis At American Sound", the third volume from the 1969 Memphis Sessions. Both are 2 CD -sets.

The "Cafe Europe" 2-disc 7” set follows on from the successful Volume 1 release earlier this year. The 16-page booklet features great photographs and contains the In and Outtakes section for both releases. Sounding better than anything before, the original masters including studio banter have been newly remixed from the original multi tracks.

The On Stage Season 2-CD release features the two shows from January 26, 1970 and February 23, 1970. It comes with a 16-page 4-color booklet, featuring great photographs from the season and a insightful essay by Ann Moses Marino. These historic soundboard recordings were made by Elvis’ sound engineer Bill Porter at the request of Tom Diskin. 


"From Elvis in Memphis" is the latest in the classic vinyl series which dives into the 1969 sessions at American Sound Studio in Memphis. Fans can enjoy the recorded sessions of January and February of 1969. This 2-disc collector's edition features the original album, outtakes and rehearsals. "From Elvis in Memphis" is the product of the same 1969 American Sound Studio sessions under producer Chips Moman that yielded the recent "Back in Memphis" FTD.
  • Vinyl cutting by Abbey Rod Studios
  • DMM Copper Mastering
  • 180 Grams heavyweight vinyl
  • Strictly limited pressing
  • Currently available on CD as FTD
Details On Stage Season: 
Disc 1 recorded at the opening night show January 26, 1970 at the International Hotel, Las Vegas. 

That's All Right - Proud Mary - Don't Cry Daddy - Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - Long Tall Sally -Let It Be Me - I Can't Stop Loving You - Walk A Mile In My Shoes - In The Ghetto - True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - Sweet Caroline - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions - Kentucky Rain - Suspicious Minds - Can't Help Falling In Love

Disc 2 recorded at the closing night show on February 23, 1970 at the International Hotel, Las Vegas. 
All Shook Up - I Got A Woman - Long Tall Sally - Don't Cry Daddy - Hound Dog - Love Me Tender - Kentucky Rain - Let It Be Me - I Can't Stop Loving You - See See Rider - Sweet Caroline - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions - Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Heartbreak Hotel - One Night - It's Now Or Never - Suspicious Minds - Can't Help Falling In Love

Details G.I. Blues Vol 2:

FTD just announced two updates about yesterdays news. The vinyl 'From Elvis in Memphis' will be released in November and not in October as first mentioned. The setlist for GI Blues Vol 2 will be as follows:

Disc 1 - Master Takes Remixed)

01 Didja' Ever (take 2 CO-sp replaced master) (2:54)
02 Doin' The Best I Can (take 13/M) (3:32)
03 G. I. Blues (take 7/M + insert ending takes 8-10/M) (4:36)
04 Tonight Is So Right For Love (takes 10-11/M) (4:16)
05 What's She Really Like (takes 17-19/M + insert takes 20-22/M) (8:11)
06 Blue Suede Shoes (take 1/M) (2:14)
07 Wooden Heart (take 4/M) (2:09)
08 Shoppin' Around (remake, takes 6-7/M) (2:57)
09 Pocketful Of Rainbows (remake, take 2/M) (2:36)
10 Frankfort Special (remake, takes 9-10/M) (4:29)
11 Tonight's All Right For Love (take 10/M + insert takes 1-2/M) (3:22)
12 Big Boots (slow version, take 4/M) (1:40)
13 Big Boots (slow version, remake, insert takes 2-4/M) (1:55)

Out-takes
14 Shoppin' Around (version 1, takes 6-10) (4:59)
15 Doin' The Best I Can (takes 10-12) (4:38)
16 G.I. Blues (take 6) (2:47)
17 Tonight Is So Right For Love (take 8) (2:30)
18 Tonight Is So Right For Love (take 9) (2:29)
19 Big Boots (fast version, takes 6-5) (1:40)
20 What¹s She Really Like (takes 14-16) (4:13)
21 Pocketful Of Rainbows (version 1, takes 11,13-14) (3:19)
22 Pocketful Of Rainbows (version 1, takes 15-16) (3:31)
23 Pocketful Of Rainbows (version 1, take 17) (2:50)

Disc 2
01 Pocketful Of Rainbows (version 1, takes 18-20) (6:18)
02 Pocketful Of Rainbows (version 1, takes 21-25) (5:04)
03 Pocketful Of Rainbows (version 1, takes 26-28) (4:45)
04 Big Boots (medium tempo version, take 1) (1:10)
05 Shoppin¹ Around (remake, takes 1-2) (2:47)
06 Shoppin¹ Around (remake, takes 3-5) (3:24)
07 Pocketful Of Rainbows (remake, takes 1-3) (4:11)
08 Frankfort Special (fast version, takes 9-12/fs + remake takes 1-5) (9:11)
09 Frankfort Special (remake, takes 6-8) (5:38)
10 Tonight's All Right For Love (takes 2-5) (4:05)
11 Tonight's All Right For Love (take 6) (1:27)
12 Tonight's All Right For Love (takes 7-8) (2:02)
13 Tonight's All Right For Love (takes 9,11,12) (2:46)
14 Tonight's All Right For Love (takes 14-15) (2:03)
15 Tonight's All Right For Love (takes 16-17) (2:15)
16 Big Boots (slow version, remake takes 1-6 + insert take 1) (4:50)

Bonus tracks
17 Tonight's All Right For Love (Tales From The Vienna Woods, instrumental) 2:26
18 Wooden Heart (Grammafunken Version, instrumental) (1:19)
19 Whistling Blues (Instrumental) (3:26)

Details From Elvis In Memphis (2LP Version)
Side A: Wearin' That Loved On Look (Take 3, 10) - Only The Strong Survive (Take 1) - Long Black Limousine (Take 6) - It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin' (Take 1, 2) - I'm Movin' On (Take 1, 2)
Side B: Power Of My Love (Take 1) - Gentle On My Mind (Undubbed Master With Track Replacement Overdubs) - After Loving You (Take 2) - True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (Take 2) - Any Day Now (Take 1, 2) - In The Ghetto (Take 1)
Side C: I'm Movin' On (Take 1, 2 With Vocal Replacement And Steel Guitar Overdub) - True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - Long Black Limousine (Take 6, 8, 9M) - Only The Strong Survive (Take 17, 20, 21) - In The Ghetto (Take 20)
Side D: Wearin' That Loved On Look (Take 12, 13, 14) - After Loving You (Take 3) - Power Of My Love (Take 6) - In The Ghetto (Take 2, 3) - Any Day Now (Take 3, 4)

Best Iconic American Attractions


After four weeks of voting in 10Best.com's Readers' Choice contest, your votes helped identify the "Best Iconic American Attractions." The winners are:

1. Graceland - Memphis

2. Mount Rushmore - Keystone, S.D.
3. National Civil Rights Museum - Memphis
4. Grand Canyon - Arizona
5. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island - New York City
6. Las Vegas Strip - Las Vegas
7. 9/11 Memorial - New York City
8. Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco
9. The Alamo - San Antonio
10. Cable Cars - San Francisco

10Best and USA TODAY extend their congratulations to all the winners. The category's original nominees were carefully chosen by a panel of experts, and then voted on by the public. 


Elvis Presley forever captured the world's attention and adoration, so perhaps it's no surprise that his beloved Memphis home – Graceland – took top honors this week in the 10Best Readers' Choice contest for Best Iconic American Attraction. The public had four weeks to vote on 20 nominees – renowned attractions including the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore and the White House. But Graceland loyalists amassed nearly half of all votes for the entire category; many of them likely Elvis fans.



But despite its status as a great American landmark, Graceland was and is a home. "It was my childhood home," says Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis' only daughter and the owner of Graceland and its contents. "I was born in Memphis and it was my home," says Lisa Marie. When told on Monday that Graceland was just voted the most iconic American attraction among a heady list of other highly recognizable American landmarks and attractions, she said, "Wow. That's really incredible. I'm very humbled and flattered to hear that. It's incredible . . . it's just incredible."

Elvis Presley died at Graceland in 1977, at the age of 42, when Lisa Marie, now 45, was nine years old. But his tragic early death failed to diminish the impact he'd already had (and would continue to have) on the music industry and pop culture worldwide. Graceland - today a museum estate which the public can visit - presents those who enter with a moment in American history perfectly frozen in time.


"It's got a very special energy there, when you go," says Lisa Marie. "It's like a time capsule: nothing's been changed or moved since 1977. It's like a time warp and the energy is still very much there. You can feel it," she says, emphatically. "It's from the essence of that time period. It's a very special place."


Elvis and Graceland


Elvis Presley, an enigmatic and talented singer, first gained wide popularity 1954, with Memphis' Sun Records label. In 1955, RCA acquired his recording contract and less than a year later, the handsome Memphis crooner with the gyrating hips also became a movie star. In 1957, just before a two-year stint in the U.S. Army put his performing career on hold, Elvis took the proceeds from his first hit – Heartbreak Hotel – and purchased Graceland, a 10,000 square foot Southern-style Colonial mansion.


His parents moved into Elvis' dream home with him – a far cry from the tiny first home they had all shared in Tupelo, Miss. The years following Elvis' 1960 return from the Army were filled with hit records, films and concerts. Girlfriend Priscilla Beaulieu moved to Graceland and lived with "The King" while he became a legend beyond the scope of anything the world had seen before. They eventually wed in Las Vegas, in 1967, and held a wedding reception for family members a few weeks later in the trophy room at Graceland. In 1968, the estate gained a new resident when Priscilla and Elvis brought home their infant daughter Lisa Marie.


Elvis made some conversions to the mansion's second floor – originally four bedrooms and three baths – to accommodate his changing lifestyle. He adapted one of the bedrooms so that his new baby had a nursery. The heralded Memphis estate fascinated the world, but to Lisa Marie, Graceland was simply home.


Elvis accommodated his ever-expanding wardrobe in a second upstairs bedroom, and turned the remaining bedroom into an office. His father Vernon maintained a separate office in an out-building on the property, where - with the assistance of a cadre of secretaries - he managed family business and piles of fan mail. Gold records began to accumulate in the basement TV room.


Weekend Charts
  • The "Heart & Soul" compilation re-entered the Billboard Album Top 200 at #187 this week.
  • The "The Real Elvis" re-entered the Irish Album chart at #79 after dropping off the chart last week. 
  • The "Elvis At Stax" compilation climbed from #115 to #98 on the Belgian Album chart. 
  • On the Dutch Mid-price chart "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" is a new entry at #20.
(Source: Official Elvis Presley Website / EPE / US Today / ElvisMatters)

Thursday, September 12, 2013

September 12 - Turnin' Around With The Creeping Crud

The Audionics import-label release "The Creeping Crud Express" is out. It contains previously unreleased soundboard material from the May/June 1975 tour.

From the press-release:
Elvis often wore different Phoenix jumpsuits in May/June ’75, and in a way that’s entirely appropriate. Compared with the fall of ’74, he looked fresh and rejuvenated, sounded great, and seemed genuinly happy about being on the road again. He was like a phoenix rising from its ashes.

Fortunately, the June ’75 tour is well-documented, and most of the shows have been released on soundboard. In this deluxe package, Audionics presents for the first time the unreleased afternoon show in Shreveport, Louisiana on June 7th, 1975 – a real killer show. Even though most of the shows on this tour have a similar setlist, it’s always a treat to hear a new show from this remarkable tour and to hear unique moments - like different dialogue, fun interplay with the audience and of course small variations in the way he performs the songs or especially good versions. The audio quality of this soundboard is topnotch.

The Dallas show has been out before, first by RCA in 1980, and then more complete on import as ‘Dallas Seventyfive Uncensored’ a couple of years ago. We were able to obtain a superior and even more complete tape source, and it’s a joy to hear this fantastic show in excellent sound.

Presented in a deluxe double digipak with rare photos (some are published in color for the first time here) and relevant liner notes, this is another winner that every die-hard fan must own.



Keep On Turnin'

The import-release "Keep On Turnin'" was released by Touchdown Productions. It contains an audience-recording of the August 26, 1971 Dinner Show performance and a few bonustracks from the Augist 31, 1971 Dinner Show. 


From the press-release:
Touchdown Productions proudly presents for their 20th release another totally new show! This time we'll release the dinner show from August 26, 1971.

There's no wow and flutter and the overall soundquality is of very good quality for an audience recording. That goes also for the bonus tracks which were recorded at the dinner show on August 31, 1971. The show itself was released before a few years ago, but this time the bonus tracks were taken from a different source which offers a much better soundquality than the released CD of the show. As usual the CD will be packaged with a beautiful designed 16-page booklet.


9 Million Fans

Elvis Presley just added his 9millionth fan on the Official Elvis Presley Facebook account. EPE would like to thank our Elvis fans world-wide for making this possible! Stay tuned to EPE's daily updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Elvis.com.

Or simply visit ElvisDayByDay for your Daily update :-)


Change of Habit Director William A. Graham Died

William A. Graham who directed Elvis Presley's final film and the pilots for The Big Valley and Police Story, died Sept 12 of complications from pneumonia. He was 87. Earlier, Graham directed the real Elvis in Change of Habit (1969), which has the rock 'n' roll legend, in his last film, playing a doctor opposite Mary Tyler Moore as a nun.

In an interview about Elvis, William Graham noted that he talked Presley into changing his famous hairstyle for the film. "He had a kind of a pompadour in front and his hair was full of grease. And because this was a movie about a doctor working in the ghetto, it just didn't seem to be quite the right hairstyle, so I talked to him and I said, 'Elvis, how would you feel about changing your hair a little bit?' Well, he said he would be open to the idea. In the end we washed all the grease out of his hair and modified the styling and it was quite a landmark achievement. It was pretty unusual to get that done. And Elvis actually liked it very much.

Elvis was wonderful to work with and honestly was the nicest man I ever met in my life. Elvis called everyone 'Sir' or 'M'am' - from the gate guard at the studio all the way up to the head of the studio. Elvis was very responsive to direction. He didn't show any of the kind of ego, the kind of temperament that you would expect from a big star -- and he was a big star. Soemtimes Elvis would come out and sit around on the set and bring out his guitar and he would sing and play for us, lots of songs like 'Hound Dog' or 'Blue Suede Shoes' and this was wonderful for us. Elvis made being on the movie set a real thrill for the whole crew".

His also directed the telemovie 'Elvis and the Colonel: The Untold Story' (1993), with Rob Youngblood as Elvis Presley and Beau Bridges as Col. Tom Parker.


(Source: FECC / Elvis On CD / Elvis Information Network)

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

September 11 - Vinyl Christmas

Due for release on November 11, 2013 from the Mischief label are three new Christmas compilations on vinyl; "Blue Christmas", "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Santa Claus Is Back In Town". No information on the shape or color of these releases.


Track list;
I'll Be Home for Christmas (Red); 1. I'll Be Home For Christmas, 2. Silent Night, 3. I Believe, 4. It's No Secret (What God Can Do)

Blue Christmas (White); 1. Blue Christmas, 2. Santa Bring My Baby (Back To Me), 3. O Little Town of Bethlehem, 4. Take My Hand, Precious Lord

Santa Claus Is Back In Town (Green); 1. Santa Claus Is Back In Town, 2. White Christmas, 3. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane), 4. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)


(Source: Amazon / Elvis Club Berlin)

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

September 10 - Christmas With Friends

The Weltrecord label released the CD "The Christmas Songs" by Elvis And Friends. It is an 20 track Christmas compilation with 12 tracks by Elvis Presley and 8 by other oldies. 

(Source: Amazon)

Sunday, September 08, 2013

September 08 - Susan Boyle Records Duet With Elvis Presley

Singing star Susan Boyle has recorded a duet with Elvis. Britain’s Got Talent sensation "SuBo", 52, is the first British artist to perform with the legendary King of Rock ’n’ Roll by means of studio wizardry. Her fifth studio album "Home For Christmas" features the voice of Elvis alongside hers on the famous carol "Oh Come All Ye Faithful". Susan is a self-confessed Elvis fanatic and said that singing with him was a “dream come true”. She has dedicated the track to her late father, who was also a big Elvis fan.

Producers used digital technology to combine the vocals of the Scottish singer and the US star, who died in 1977. SuBo said: “To put a unique twist on classic Christmas songs is truly wonderful. I grew up listening to Elvis and to sing with him, well, I didn’t think it would be possible. Isn’t technology brilliant?” The Christmas album is out on November 25.


It's a Rock'n Roll Christmas

The Go Entertainment (H'ART) label announced the release of "It's a Rock'n Roll Christmas" with October 18, 2013. 


(Source: ElvisMatters / Amazon)

Saturday, September 07, 2013

September 07 - Holy Vinyl


Due from the Mischief label on October 18, 2013 are three more shaped vinyl releases; "His Hand in Mine", "Known Only to Him", "Swing Low Sweet Chariot".

Charts

The CD "The Real... Elvis" dropped off the Irish Album chart.
The "Elvis At Stax" set dropped from #68 to #115 on the Belgian Album chart. The set dropped off the Swiss album chart from last week's #100 listing.
The CD also dropped off the Australian Album site. 

Great Footage

Great footage from Elvis Presley's 1957 performances surfaced. It was shot with 8mm by Elizabeth Moore, the wife of Ken Moore who worked security for Elvis at the time. Its a recent acquisition from her collection.



(Source: Amazon / IRMA / FECC / Elvis World Japan)