January 31 - Love Me

Hot on the heals of the recent release of “Such A Night: Rockin' In The Early 60s’” the Vee-Tone Records label will next release, “Love Me - The British HMV Singles '56 - '57” a 12" vinyl album bringing together in chronological order, all of Elvis’ electrifying and now highly collectible British His Masters Voice singles released between March 1956 and March 1957. This limited edition of only 500 copies comes in a 180g audiophile vinyl format. 

When Elvis signed his new recording contract in November 1955, taking him from Sun Records in Memphis, to national music giant RCA Victor, nobody could have predicted the influence he would have on the course of popular music worldwide.  Elvis’ pioneering, early UK singles were released on EMIs, HMV label before being moved by British Decca over to RCA/RCA Victor in 1958.  LOVE ME – The British HMV Singles ’56 - ’57, charts Elvis’ meteoric rise in Britain.  Featuring recordings from Elvis’ Sun Records catalogue and the now legendary RCA ’56 sessions, 16 pure Rock ‘n’ Roll gems, pre-army Presley at his very best!

Tracks side A 
1. Heartbreak Hotel HMV 7M 385 (45) / Pop 182 (78) 
2. I Was The One HMV 7M 385 (45) / Pop 182 (78)
3. Blue Suede Shoes HMV 7M 405 (45) / Pop 213 (78)
4. Tutti Frutti HMV 7M 405 (45) / Pop 213 (78) 
5. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You HMV 7M 424 (45) / Pop 235 (78) 
6. My Baby Left Me HMV 7M 424 (45) / Pop 235 (78)
7. Hound Dog HMV POP 249
8. Don't Be Cruel HMV POP 249 

Tracks side B
1. Blue Moon HMV POP 272(45 & 78)
2. I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine HMV POP 272 (45 & 78)
3. Love Me Tender HMV POP 253 (45 & 78)
4. Any Way You Want Me HMV POP 253 (45 & 78)
5. Mystery Train HMV POP 295 (45 & 78)
6. Love Me HMV POP 295 (45 & 78)
7. Rip It Up HMV POP 305 (45 & 78)
8. Baby, Let's Play House HMV POP 305 (45 & 78)

Moving Forward

Out now is the release from the SR import-label is titled "Moving Forward" and features the unreleased show from Las Vegas February 22, 1970 DS. This new CD comes in a four panel digi-pack and contains an early generation copy of the master tape.

Lizabeth Scott Has Died
 
Lizabeth Scott, who starred in Loving You with Elvis (she played a press agent who discovers a young country singer) passed away at the age of 92. Scott, who also starred as a gangster's wife opposite Humphrey Bogart in Dead Reckoning (1947), died Jan. 31 of congestive heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, her friend Mary Goodstein told the Los Angeles Times.

(Source: Elvis Information Network / FECC / ElvisMatters)

January 30 - The Music from Elvis at the O2

Here is the complete cover art for the CD "Elvis Presley - The Music from Elvis at the O2" which is only available for visitors of the Elvis Presley exhibition which opened on December 12, 2014 at the London O2 World center. The CD ships February 02 for those who pre-ordered it.

Tracks CD 1:
That´s All Right - Don´t Be Cruel - All Shook Up - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - Heartbreak Hotel - (Now And Then There´s) A Fool Such As I - Love Me Tender - Stuck On You - One Night - Hard Headed Woman - Too Much - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Good Luck Charm - It´s NOw Or Never - Don´t - A Big Hunk´O Love - Are You Lonesome Tonight - (Marie´s The Name) His Latest Flame - Surrender - Can´t Help Falling In Love - Return To Sender - (You´re The) Devil In Disguise - Words - In The Ghetto - Suspicious Minds - Mary In The Morning - Burning Love - A Little Less Conversation (JXL Remix)

Tracks CD 2:

Shake, Rattle And Roll - Hound Dog - Jailhouse Rock - Viva Las Vegas - Trouble / Guitar Man (Medley) - Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog - All Shook Up (Medley) - If I Can Dream (Live) - That´s All Right (Live) - Suspcisious Minds (Live) - Johnny B. Goode (Live) - An American Trilogy (Live) - Can´t Help Falling In Love (Live)

(Source: Elvis On CD)

January 29 - The Charts

The German compilation "Elvis 80" dropped from #15 to #19 on the German Album charts while the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" fell off the charts after re-entering the charts last week. 

The “Elvis 80” 3 CD set dropped from #6 to #13 on the Austrian Album chart. The “ELV1S 30 #1 Hits” compilation dropped off the Album chart. 

On the Swiss Album chart “Elvis 80” dropped from #18 to #36 while “ELV1S 30 #1 Hits” compilation dropped off the Album chart. 
The CD/DVD set “Love Me Tender” from the MCP Sound & Media budget-label is a new entry at #98

The “The Real… Elvis” budget compilation from Sony climbed from #80 to #67 on the Italian Album charts. 

The compilation “The Essential Elvis Presley” fell off the Dutch Mud-price Album chart. 

The Warner Home Video 6 DVD set “The Elvis Collection” climbed from #38 to #22 on the Official UK Music Video Chart.

On the Scottish Album charts “Elvis Love Songs” is a new entry at #48.

US Charts

'Heart And Soul' drops from 10 to 20 on the Billboard Country Catalog Album Chart for w/e 7th February, 2015. 'He Touched Me': The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley' (Vols 1 and 2) rises from 29 to 11 on the Music Video Sales Chart. There are no other Elvis entries on the Billboard Charts.

(Source: Elvis Memories / FECC / Media Control, GfK Entertainment Charts / Dutch Charts / The King's World / FIMI)

January 28 - From St. Paul To Fort Wayne

JAT Publishing released an update on the upcoming release "From St. Paul To Fort Wayne". This book will be a photo journal covering Elvis' appearances in St. Paul, Minnesota in October, 1974 and his appearance in Fort Wayne, Indiana on October 25, 1976, containing roughly 120 unpublished photos according to the update on the FECC forum.

(Source: JAT / FECC)

January 26 - California 1960

Due from the Mr. Suit budget label on February 26, 2015 is “California Fall 1960/61”, a limited edition of 300 pieces on white vinyl with green splatter . 

Synopsis:
Wild In The Country is Elvis' classic 1961 film. Since the movie was meant to showcase his acting talent, Elvis chose not to release any album in conjunction with the film's release. Some singles were released, but otherwise, this 1960/61 sessions recorded in Hollywood went unreleased for years. Included here are all the tracks from the film as well as an entire b-side of outtakes and studio rarities. Another incredible and essential collection of Elvis deep cuts on Mr. Suit, this time in a limited edition of 300 pieces on white vinyl with green splatter.

Tracks side A: 
01 Lonely Man 02 Wild In The Country 03 I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell 04 King Of The Whole Wide World 05 This Is Living 06 Riding The Rainbow 07 Home Is Where The Heart Is 08 I Got Lucky 09 A Whistling Tune

Side B:
10 Wild In The Country (Maracas Version) 11 In My Way (Solo, Take 3 & 7) 12 I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Take 4, 5 & 6) 13 Wild In The Country (Take 3) 14 Wild In The Country (Take 7) 15 I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Take 10) 16 Wild In The Country (Take 8) 17 I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Take 12 & 17) 18 I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Master Take 13 Including Count-In) 19 Wild In The Country (Take 9) 20 Wild In The Country (Take 15, 17 & 18) 21 Wild In The Country (Take 19)

(Source: Spin CD’s)

February 24 - Alternate Vinyl

Due from the Mr. Suits label on February 26, 2015 is the vinyl album "Jailhouse Rock: the Alternate Album". 

Description:
'Jailhouse Rock' was Elvis' third, and possibly most famous film. However, the album released in conjunction with the film did not include the actual music from the movie, but instead re-recorded versions and extraneous tunes. Found here is the music from the actual film, including multiple versions of the legendary titular track, as well as incredible alternate versions of such classic tracks as 'Treat Me Nice' and 'Don't Leave Me Now'. A truly essential collection for any serious Elvis collector, released in a 300 piece limited edition on pink vinyl with white splatter.

Tracks side A:
01 Jailhouse Rock 02 Treat Me Nice 03 I Want To Be Free 04 Don't Leave Me Now 05 Young And Beautiful 06 Baby I Don't Care 07 Jailhouse Rock (Movie Version 1) 08 Jailhouse Rock (Movie Version 2) 09 Young And Beautiful (Movie Version 1) 10 Young And Beautiful (Movie Version 2)

Side B:
11 Don't Leave Me Now (Movie Version 1) 12 Don't Leave Me Now (Movie Version 2) 13 I Want To Be Free (Movie Version) 14 Treat Me Nice (Movie Version) 15 Young And Beautiful (Version 3) 16 Young And Beautiful (Spliced Take) 17 Young And Beautiful (Take 19) 18 Baby I Don't Care (Remix) 19 Jailhouse Rock (Remix #1) 20 Jailhouse Rock (Remix #2) 21 One More Day (Mickey Shaughnessy) 

Rolling Stone Magazine Readers Top Ten

Had Elvis Presley lived, he would have turned 80 years old this month. It's hard to imagine Elvis doing concerts in 2015, but Leonard Cohen is a few months older and manages to do three-and-a-half hours without breaking a sweat. Hell, Chuck Berry is 88 and still at it. If Elvis had managed to lose the weight and get healthy, there's no reason why he couldn't still be shaking his hips onstage. Sadly, that's not the way his life worked out. But he's still the king of rock & roll, and to celebrate his birthday Rolling Stone magazine asked their readers to vote for their favourite Presley song. These are the results. 
10 "Mystery Train"
9 "Kentucky Rain"
8 "An American Trilogy"
7 "Heartbreak Hotel"
6 "Love Me Tender"
5 "Can't Help Falling in Love" 
4 "Jailhouse Rock"

3 "In the Ghetto" - Elvis spent much of the 1960s churning out cheesy B-movies and lifeless soundtracks while new acts like the Beatles and Bob Dylan made him seem like a relic. His brilliant 1968 comeback special shot him back to the forefront, and he took his newfound energy into the studio to cut "In the Ghetto." It's a song about the vicious cycle of poverty and despair in America's inner-cities, and it eventually hit Number Three, cementing the fact that Elvis was back.

2 "If I Can Dream" - Just two months after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Elvis Presley stepped into the Western Recorders studio and laid down this moving tribute to the civil rights hero. It was the stirring climax to his 1968 comeback special, and he belted it out with incredible passion. The song rose to Number 12 on the Hot 100, and today many see it as one of the greatest vocal performances of his career.


1 "Suspicious Minds" - Elvis was just two years into his marriage with Priscilla when he recorded "Suspicious Minds," but things were already falling apart. It's clear he poured some of that disappointment, particularly over his own failings as a husband, into the song. Written by Mark James, it became his first Number One hit in seven years and was a regular highlight of his live show

(Source: Amazon / Clear Spot / Rolling Stone / Elvis Information Network)

January 23 - The Elvis Chart Show

Due for release on February 1, 2015 from the El Toro label is the limited edition gold vinyl 45 rpm vinyl EP "Elvis Sings Hits of Specialty". It is the first of four volumes specially released to commemorate the King's 80th anniversary.

Other titles in this series are "Elvis Sings the Hits of Atlantic", " Elvis Sings the Hits of Doo Wop" and "Elvis Sings the Hits of Sun". 

Tracks Elvis Sings Hits of Specialty: 
Tutti Frutti / Ready Teddy / Long Tall Sally / Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Take #12)

Tracks Elvis Sings the Hits of Atlantic:
Such a Night / Judy / I Got a Woman (Live - Houston, Texas, March 19, 1955) / Shake, Rattle & Roll (Live - Shreveport, Louisiana, March 5, 1955)

Tracks Elvis Sings the Hits of Doo Wop: 
Soldier Boy / Money Honey / Little Mama (Live - Shreveport, Louisiana, March 5, 1955) / 
Fool Fool Fool (Radio Station Demo - Kdav Radio, Lubbock, Texas, January 6, 1955)

Tracks Elvis Sings the Hits of Sun: 
Blue Suede Shoes (G.I. Blues Sound Track) / I’m Coming Home / Mystery Train / When It Rains It Pours (Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee, November 1-4, 1955)

European Charts

The "Elvis 80" compilation remained steady at #15 in it's second week on the German Album chart. The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation is a new entry at #93 on the German Album chart. 

The 2011 compilation “The Real… Elvis” climbed to #80 on the Italian Album charts. 

On the Dutch Mid-Price Album chart “The Essential Elvis Presley” is a re-entry at #45. 

 The 3 CD set “Elvis 80” climbed from #8 to #6 on the Austrian Album chart while the “ELV1S 30 #1 Hits” compilation dropped from #35 to #66. 

On the Swiss Album chart “Elvis 80” climbed from #36 to #18 while “ELV1S 30 #1 Hits” dropped from #19 to #64 while “The 50 Greatest Hits” dropped off the charts from last weeks entry at #49.

The Warner Home Video 6 DVD set “The Elvis Collection” dropped from #23 to #38 on the Official UK Music Video Chart.

Billboard Charts

'Heart And Soul' re-enters the Billboard Top Catalog Album Chart at 45 for w/e 31st January, 2015. It also drops from 7 to 10 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
'He Touched Me' - The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley (Vols. 1 and 2) drops from 2 to 29 on the Music Video Sales Chart.
The CD "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" fell off the Billboard Album Top 200.

The Elvis Show - The Essential Early Elvis

The Motiv budget label announced the release of the 3 CD set entitled "The Elvis Show - The Essential Early Elvis". The set is due for releaseMarch 30, 2015.

(Source: Elvis Memories / Elvis Club Berlin / El Toro Records / FECC /The King's World)

January 22 - Loose As A Loose

The Straight Arrom import release "Loose As A Loose!" has been released. This set contains both the Dinner and Midnight Show performances from August 19, 1970 as recorded from the audience at the International Hotel  Las Vegas NV.

(Source: Elvis Aktuell)

January 21 - The Last Farewell

Here is the tracklisting for the upcomming import-release 'The Last Farewell", containing the complete masters and outtakes from the last Graceland sessions. Click image to enlarge.

Ronnie Tutt - 2014 Classic Drummer Inductee

Ronnie Tutt has been inducted into the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame. He is one of 9 other drummers that were inducted. The others are: Art Blakey (1919-1990), Vinnie Colaiuta, Mick Fleetwood, Don Henley, Nigel Olsson, Ian Paice, Max Roach (1924-2007), Alex Van Halen, Max Weinberg.

The magazine notes...  
Whenever you see film of The King slaying an audience in one of his trademark jumpsuits, the man driving the groove and punching Elvis' every move is none other than the great Ron Tutt. Whether in the studio or on the stage, Presley trusted Ron to support the emotion of the moment and the feel of the music.

Of course when an artist spends a decade working with an icon, his other work can often be overshadowed. However, after Elvis' death, Tutt was invited to join Neil Diamond as his permanent touring and studio drummer. In addition, he's either performed with or recorded with such greats as Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers, Los Lobos, Elvis Costello and Jerry Garcia. He's even worked with pop stars Billy Joel, the Carpenters, Stevie Nicks and Michael McDonald, and his work on Roy Orbison's In Black and White Live is time capsule worthy.


In addition to other projects, today Ron Tutt still plays with the King as part of the "virtual Elvis" tour along with his former band mates and an audio-visual representations of ELVIS.

Collecting Elvis

Volume 80 in the German “Elvis Sammlung” series has been released by DeAgostini. This edition contains the magazine, memorabilia reproductions and a mini-poster for the “Kissin´ Cousins" single.

(Source: FECC / Elvis Sammlung)

January 20 - Cover-art

This is the cover-art for the HooDoo Records budget compilation “The Number One Hits 1956-1962” and the WaxTime vinyl re-issue of “Pot Luck”. Both titles are due February 16, 2015.

(Source: Amazon)

January 19 - Elvis: The Story of the Rock and Roll King

The enry Holt & Company has announced a new hardcover book entitled "Elvis: The Story of the Rock and Roll King". The book is written and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen. This 32 pages book is due for release on April 21, 2015.

(Source: Elvis And His Music)

January 18 - Alle Farben Video

Sony released the official video for the new remix of "Shake That Tambourine" by Alle Farben which is the only "new" track in the "Elvis 80" compilation. The video is only available in Germany.

(Source: Elvis Memories)

January 17 - A Last Farewell From Uniondale Hysteria

The MxF import-label will release soon the first volume of a trilogy dedicated to Elvis’ historical performance at Uniondale Nassau Coliseum. This first CD is entitled "Uniondale Hysteria", featuring the Uniondale, June 22, 1973 8.00 PM Show. The CD has a running-time of 55 minutes.

From the press-release:
The June Tour represent the second and last tour of the year, Elvis on tour means Elvis at the top of his possibilities. Uniondale is the third step of the tour, in the Nassau coliseum Elvis performs four shows in three days. The show here presented is the first one…The begin of the 1973 presents an Elvis still at the top, no more a rocking singer, He deliveries with enthusiasm the classic repertoire post-72... The year was begun with the glorious Hawaii TV satellite Show and after a pale useless Vegas season, Elvis recuperated from the fatigue, started the first tour of the year in a different mood ... the second tour is even better with our man very energetic on stage, full of enthusiasm he sings with power delivering a solid and long show, with the classic repertoire of the 1973 including a incredible “Steaming Rolling Blues” version, together a sensitive I’ll Remember you and nice super pop I’m Leaving... together the three classic Bridge Over Troubled Water, Suspicious Minds and American Trilogy. On stage is an impressive figure in the Pharoo jumpsuit, the rocker attitude still intact, the voice great, the atmosphere enormous, the demand terrific, 16.500 lucky people attended at the show.

The show is unreleased and complete, here we present the show directly from a first generation copy of a privately-recorded 60-minute cassette. The sound was restored trying to remove the background noise trying to let intact the feeling of the concert and overall your listening pleasure. The sound quality here is good, considering it was taped from the audience in a big hall. Elvis and overall the band is loud and clear, the sounds is very powerful in very good balanced mix the audience is never too intrusive giving instead the real feeling of the concert.

Like its predecessors, this new release will be presented in a beautiful four panels digipack with a collection of photos taken during show. As bonus the first 100 copies will come with a 12x12 card, represent a memorabilia flyer of the Uniondale. All the photos, memorabilia and newspaper clips come from the Steve Rino and Bob Rush book on the Elvis June 1973 tour.

The recording is in good quality and the superb show give to Uniondale Hysteria the status of Unique.

Tracks - As recorded live at Nassau Coliseum, June 22, 1973 8.00 PM
01. 2001 Theme 02. See See Rider 03. I Got A Woman/Amen 04. Love Me Tender 05. Steamroller Blues 06. You Gave Me A Mountain 07. Love Me 08. Blue Suede Shoes 09. Rock Medley 10. I’m Leavin 11. Bridge Over Troubled Water 12. Fever 13. What Now My Love 14. Suspicious Minds 15. Band Introductions 16. I’ll Remember You 17. I Can’t Stop Loving You 18. An American Trilogy 19. A Big Hunk Of Love 20. Can’t Help Falling In Love 21. Closing Vamp 

The Last Farewell

Due for release at the end of February is a 5 CD set entitled "The Last Farewell", containing the complete masters and outtakes from the last Graceland sessions. The set, limited to 1000 copies, is packed in a Pewter box-set and comes with an 80 page book (28 by 28 cm) with unseen photo’s, never published before according to the press-release. It also claims the audio comes in superb sound quality, "better than ever was thought possible". 

(Source: FECC)

January 16 - Doin’ The Best I Can

Coming out soon from the Straight Arrow import-label is the double CD set "Doin’ The Best I Can" featuring two shows recorded on February 16. 

From the press-release:
Most Elvis experts agree that the „post Aloha“ winter engagement was his weakest up to that point. Perhaps his inner turmoils played a role, but a rather severe throat infection most definitely did. It was so serious that midnight shows on Feb. 13, 14 and 15 ended up getting cancelled and dinner shows were performed against doctors advice. At some of the shows it was clear that the infection seriously hampered his ability to sing. Still, being the professional that he was, he tried to do the best he could. This is also what you will hear on the previously unreleased concerts from this engagement on this new Straight Arrow release. Presented in truly excellent audience-recorded audio, they give us interesting insights of Elvis at work under trying circumstances. His voice is not at its best here, his condition prevents him from firing on all cylinders, but still he’s giving solid and professional shows. And that’s one element that certainly deserves to be acknowledged more than it is today.

The February 16, 1973 concerts are taken directly from original „booth recorded tapes.“ The Feb. 16, 1973 D/S was previously released ("A Dinner Date At The Hilton", 2007 and "I'm A Steamroller Baby", 2008) from an inferior audience recorded source. These CD have nothing to do with Straight Arrow’s excellent „booth tape“ version! The Feb. 16 1973 M/S is a completely new show, even for die-hard Elvis fans. It has never been in circulation - in any form! These tapes were rediscovered recently and we believe that you will agree with us that this is another great find. A real must - not just for the hardcore collector. Another quality Straight Arrow release! Tracklist:

CD1 - Friday, February 16, 1973 Dinner Show 
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me Tender - 05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 06. Steamroller Blues - 07. You Gave Me A Mountain - 08. Fever - 09. Love Me - 10. Blue Suede Shoes - 11. Hound Dog - 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. What Now My Love - 14. Suspicious Minds - 15. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 16. Introduction of Johnny Tillotson - 17. I Can’t Stop Loving You - 18. An American Trilogy - 19. Can't Help Falling In Love - 20. Closing Vamp / Announcements.

CD2 - Friday, February 16, 1973 Midnight Show 
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me Tender (with false start) - 05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 06. Steamroller Blues - 07. You Gave Me A Mountain - 08. Fever - 09. Love Me - 10. Blue Suede Shoes - 11. Johnny B. Goode - 12. Hound Dog - 13. What Now My Love - 14. Suspicious Minds - 15. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 16. Introduction of Paul Anka - 17. I Can’t Stop Loving You - 18. An American Trilogy - 19. Can't Help Falling In Love - 20. Closing Vamp / Announcements. 

(Source: FECC)

January 15 - Ultimate Elvis Charts

Due for release on February 11 2015 is the Blu-Ray “Estrella De Fuego” ("Flaming Star").

Gold DVD

The double feature DVD "Elvis: Gold Edition" containing the documentaries "Elvis Presley: The Legacy" and "Elvis: Thru The Years".

US Charts for the week ending January 24, 2015

• The hit-compilation "ELV1S 30 No.1 Hits" is a re-entry at #181 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts . It also re-enters the Country Catalog Album Chart at #9.
• The "Heart And Soul" compilation rises from #13 to #7 on the Country Catalog Album Chart.
• The "The Essential Elvis Presley" set re-enters the Country Catalog Album Chart at #16.
• The DVD set "He Touched Me - The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley (Volumes 1 and 2)" remains at #2 on the Top Video Sales Chart.

European Charts

• The German 3 CD-set "Elvis 80" is a new entry at #15 on the German Album chart. 
• The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" climbed from #18 to #10 on the Dutch Mid-price Album chart while "The Real ... Elvis - 60s Collection" enter the chart at #48. "The Classic Christmas Album" and "The Essential Elvis Presley" dropped off the Dutch Mid-price Album chart.
• The CD "The Real... Elvis" dropped from #63 to #66 on the Italian Album Chart.
• The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation climbed from #88 to #49 on the Irish Album chart.
• The new "Elvis 80" 3 CD compilation is a new entry at #8 on the Austrian Album chart while the 2002 compilation "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" climbed from #49 to #35 on that chart. 
• In Switzerland the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" set is listed at #19, "Elvis 80" a new entry at #36 and the double CD "The 50 Greatest Hits" a re-entry at #49.
•  On the Official UK Music Video chart the 6 DVD set “The Elvis Collection” dropped from #22 to #23.

Australian Chart

• The “ELV1S 30 #1 Hits” compilation dropped from #16 to #37 on the Australian Catalogue Album chart.

ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS! - The Ultimate Collection of Elvis Presley

Due for release from RCA in Japan is the 10 "Blu-Spec CD2" CD set entitled "ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS! - The Ultimate Collection of Elvis Presley". This set contains 10 themed compilations: Top 20 Hits 1 (1956-59), Top 20 Hits 2 (1960-65), Top 20 Hits 3 (1966-77), Rockin' Elvis 1, Rockin' Elvis 2, Pop'n Sweet, Elvis in Screen, Exotic Elvis, Sings Singer-Songwriters and Heartfelt Ballads.

Disc 1: Top 20 Hits 1 (1956-59) 

Heartbreak Hotel - I Was The One - Blue Suede Shoes - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - My Baby Left Me - Hound Dog - Don't Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Anyway You Want Me - Love Me - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - Too Much - All Shook Up - Teddy Bear - Loving You - Jailhouse Rock - Treat Me Nice - Don't - I Beg Of You - Wear My Ring Around Your Neck - Doncha' Think It's Time - Hard Headed Woman - King Creole - One Night - I Got Stung - A Fool Such As I - I Need Your Love Tonight - A Big Hunk O' Love - My Wish Came True

Disc 2: Top 20 Hits 2 (1960-65) 
Stuck On You - Fame And Fortune - It's Now Or Never - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - I Gotta Know - Surrender - Flaming Star - I Feel So Bad - His Latest Flame - Little Sister - Can't Help Falling In Love - Good Luck Charm - Follow That Dream - She's Not You - Return To Sender - One Broken Heart For Sale - Devil In Disguise - Bossa Nova Baby - Kissin' Cousins - What'd I Say - Viva Las Vegas - Such A Night - Ask Me - Ain't That Loving You Baby - Do The Clam - Crying In The Chapel

Disc 3: Top 20 Hits 3 (1966-77) 
Easy Question - I'm Yours - Puppet On A String - Love Letters - If I Can Dream - In The Ghetto - Suspicious Minds - Don't Cry Daddy - Rubberneckin' - Kentucky Rain - The Wonder Of You - Mama Liked The Roses - I've Lost You - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Patch It Up - I Really Don't Want To Know - Burning Love - Separate Ways - Steamroller Blues - Fool - If You Talk In Your Sleep - Promised Land - My Boy - Way Down


Disc 4: Rockin' Elvis 1 
That's All Right - Good Rockin' Tonight - Baby, Let's Play House - Mystery Train - I Got A Woman - Money Honey - Tutti Frutti - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy - Shake, Rattle And Roll - Long Tall Sally - Ready Teddy - Rip It Up - When It Rains, It Really Pours - Trouble - New Otleans - A Mess Of Blues - It Feels So Right - Like A Baby - Dirty, Dirty Feeling - Reconsider Baby - I'm Coming Home - Give Me The Right - I Want You With Me - Put The Blame On Me - Beach Boy Blues - Night Rider - I'm Gonna Get Back Home Somehow - Witchcraft - Long Lonely Highway - Blue River - C'mon Everybody - Memphis, Tennessee

Disc 5: Rockin' Elvis 2 
own In The Alley - Let Yourself Go - Guitar Man - Big Boss Man - Hi-Heel Sneakers - Too Much Monkey Business - U. S. Male - A Little Less Conversation - Clean Up Your Own Backyard - Long Black Limousine - Stranger In My Own Home Town - Power Of My Love - Change Of Habit - Polk Salad Annie - Walk A Mile In My Shoes - The Fool - Faded Love - If You Don't Come Back - Tree Corn Patches - I've Got A Thing About You Baby - Just A Little Bit - Raised On Rock - I Got A Feeling In My Body - T.R.O.U.B.L.E. - Shake A Hand


Disc 6: Pop'n Sweet 
Playing For Keeps - Tell Me Why - Young Dreams - Fever - Girl Of My Best Friend - Gently - There's Always Me - Kiss Me Quick - Anything That's Part Of You - Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello - Siuspicion - Fools Fall In Love - Indescribably Blue - Stay Away - Any Day Now - Stranger In The Crowd - Life - The Next Step Is Love - I Just Can't Help Believin' - Rags To Riches - I'm Leavin' - For Ol' Times Sale - Take Good Care Of Her - Bringing It Back - Moody Blue - For The Heart - My Way

Disc 7: Elvis in Screen 
Poor Boy - Mean Woman Blues - Baby, I Don't Care - Don't Ask Me Why - G. I. Blues - Pocketful Of Rainbow - Wild In The Country - Lonely Man - Blue Hawaii - Rock-A-Hula Baby - Angel - King Of The Whole Wide World - Girls! Girls! Girls! - A Boy Like Me, A Girl Like You - Where Do You Come From - A World Of Our Own - They Remind Me Too Much Of You - Fun In Acapulco - One Boy, Two Little Girls - The Lady Loves Me - I Need Somebody To Lean On - It's A Wonderful World - Spring Fever - Kismet - Frankie And Johnny - Please Don't Stop Loving Me - Paradise, Hawaiian Style - Spinout - Long Legged Girl - Clambake - Who Are You? - Wonderful World - Let's Be Friends

Disc 8: Exotic Elvis 
Wooden Heart - Frankfort Special - Hawaiian Sunset - Ku-U-I-Po - No More - Hawaiian Wedding Song - Moonlight Swim - For The Millionth And The Last Time - You'll Be Gone - We'll Be Together - No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car - You Can't Say No In Acapulco - Do The Vega - Santa Lucia - This Is My Heaven - All That I Am - Beyond The Reef - I'll Remember You - I'll Take Love - Almost In Love - Let It Be Me - Heart Of Rome - Alle En Al Rancho Grande - Padre - It's Impossible - What Now My Love - Spanish Eyes

Disc 9: Sings Singer-Songwriters 
Tomorrow Is A Long Time - Gentle On My Mind - Inherit The Wind - And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind - Sweet Caroline - Bridge Over Troubled Water - Funny How Time Slips Away - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Early Morning Rain - For Loving Me - Help Me Make It Through The Night - Until It's Time For You To Go - An American Trilogy - For The Good Times - Where Do I Go From Here - Always On My Mind - Never Been To Spain - Loving Arms - Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues - Why Me Lord - I Can Help - And I Love You So

Disc 10: Heartfelt Ballads 
Old Shep - Peace In The Valley - His Hand In Mine - Today, Tomorrow And Forever - It Hurts Me - Where Could I Go But To The Lord - You'll Never Walk Alone - Memories - Do You Know Who I Am - Just Pretend - Make The World Go Away - There Goes My Everything - Only Believe - Where Did They Go, Lord - Amazing Grace - He Touched Me - I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Sweet Angeline - Are You Sincere - She Thinks I Still Care - I'll Never Fall In Love Again - Hurt - Unchained Melody - Danny Boy

(Source: Brian Quinn / FECC / Elvis World Japan / Dutch Charts / IRMA / FIMi / Official UK Charts / Ari Charts / The King's World)

January 14 - Pot Luck On A Gavel Road

The Wax Time label has announced a new 180g vinyl Pot Luck With Elvis + 2 Bonus Tracks. This is due for release on February 16, 2015.

Tracks:
Kiss Me Quick - Just For Old Time Sake  - Gonna Get Back Home Somehow  - (Such An) Easy Question  - Steppin' Out Of Line  - I'm Yours  - Something Blue  - Suspicion  - I Feel That I've Known You Forever  - Night Rider  - Fountain Of Love  - That's Someone You Never Forget + 2 Bonus Tracks?

Songbook From Hawaii

The Hal Leonard songbook "Elvis Presley - Aloha from Hawaii" has been released. 

Gravel Road Update

The Gravel Road Music import-label announced on their delayed releases:

Due to the totally new presentation of our releases, we encountered some printing issues.  Our new printers didn’t made such a book before, so we had a few trail and errors; color, sizes, sealing. We believe they really nailed it perfectly, and very pleased with the results!

Unfortunately, our ambitious plan to release instead of one, two sets at the same time just before Christmas appeared to be a too tight time schedule for everyone. With “Love American Style” ready and “Vegas Rhythm revisited” on the way, you can safely expect in the fourth week of January.

We apologize for the delay but we just want the best we can offer, and nothing less. As we say like to say “Good releases travel over a gravel road..”

The Number One Hits 1956-1962

Due for release in February from the HooDoo budget label is the CD “The Number One Hits 1956-1962”. 

(Source: Elvis And His Music / Elvis Aktuell / Elvis Telegraph / Amazon)

January 13 - Loose As A Goose

Coming out soon is the new Straight Arrow's double-digipak CD release, called "Loose As A Goose!", featuring the August 19th, 1970 Las Vegas dinner and midnight shows. These recordings were first released in 1998 ("Double Dynamite" set) and were never re-released - until now.

From the press-release:
17 years have passed, and it is the right time for the ultimate release of these special recordings.

To call this new Straight Arrow release „a nice upgrade“ would be like calling the Mona Lisa an „okay“ painting! The label was able to retrieve the first generation Rick Rennie cassettes from the August 19, 1970 dinner & midnight shows (the originals are lost) and then carefully enhanced every second on the tapes. As it turns out, that earlier release of these two show was  edited, so this new SA release presents Rick's 1st generations tapes in their complete form for the very first time.  To give you an example, the dinner show on "Double Dynamite" was about 45 mins; now it‘s 56 mins!

Still, one edit remains in the DS recording, the one made by the late Rick Rennie originally. Rick told us about 10 years ago that ‘Love Me Tender’ just went on and on, with Elvis being mostly preoccupied with entertaining a few lucky ladies in the front rows. This went on for almost 15 minutes, and all around him Rick could hear people starting to "boo" Elvis. He felt embarrassed about this moment and edited it from the tape. Interestingly, the label on the tape reads: "Elvis - the booed show.  Edited." Even though Elvis’ performance on this night was quite strong overall, you can hear in parts that Rick’s account rings true. Elvis’ off-color jokes receive only polite applause, if even that, and during ‘Polk Salad Annie’, he accidentally falls flat on his face!

But make no mistake about it, even these moments cannot distract from the pure dynamite of Elvis’ vocals and showmanship at the time. Especially on the newer stuff he sings at full throttle. The midnight show is even better: it’s 70 action-packed minutes of Presley at his mightiest, rockinest, lovinest… It’s „Elvis 1970“, and that really says it all for the true fan & connoisseur. Even moreso than the TTWII recordings, these tapes give us a unique insight into Elvis performing live in his element & at the peak of his considerable powers. At the same time, these recordings are significant because they give us the first glimpses of what was to come…

As with every Straight Arrow’s "upgrade", this beautifully designed double-digipack edition is limited to 500 copies. If you enjoyed "A New Decade, A New Sound" and "Lightning Strikes Twice In Portland" you will definitely not be disappointed by "Loose As A Goose!". These shows never sounded better! Elvis never sounded better!

Tracks CD 1:
01. Orchestra Intro - 02. Opening Vamp - 03. Tiger Man - 04. I Got A Woman (with false start)/Ave Maria (excerpt) - 05. Monologue - 06. Love Me Tender (false start only) - 07. I've Lost You - 08. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 09. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' -  10. Polk Salad Annie - 11. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 12. The Wonder Of You - 13. Heartbreak Hotel (with 4 false starts) - 14. One Night - 15. Blue Suede Shoes - 16. Along Came Jones (excerpt) - 17. Hound Dog - 18. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 19. Suspicious Minds - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love.

CD 2:
01. Orchestra Intro - 02. Opening Vamp - 03. That's All Right - 04. I Got A Woman - 05. Tiger Man - 06. I Walk The Line (excerpt) / Monologue - 07. Love Me Tender - 08. Instrumental intermezzo #1 - 09. I've Lost You - 10. I Just Can't Help Believin' - 11. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - 12. Polk Salad Annie - 13. Instrumental intermezzo #2 - 14. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 15. Johnny B. Goode - 16. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra continues - 17. The Wonder Of You - 18. Heartbreak Hotel - 19. One Night - 20. All Shook Up - 21. Blue Suede Shoes - 22. Hound Dog - 23. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 24. Suspicious Minds - 25. Can't Help Falling In Love - 26. Closing Vamp.

January 12 - Stolen!

The Elvis Presley portrait that was part of the Walk Of Fame in the German town of Bad Nauheim , where Elvis lived during his stay in Germany from October 1958 until March 1960, has been stolen. The portrait was placed in from of the Tourist Information office, what remains is a hole in the sidewalk. 

(Source: Elvis Memories / Wetterauer Zeitung)

January 11 - Cover From Around The Bloch

Here is the cover-art for the upcoming Follow That Dream / Flaming Star cooperation "Rock Around The Bloch!" by David English. More details on the audio content, back cover of the book and some preview pages are due soon according to one of the authors on the FECC Forum. 

Wayne Jackson In Hospital 

More bad health news as the Memphis Horns' Wayne Jackson has been hospitalised over the weekend with congestive heart failure. Playing first with The Mar-Keys at STAX and then with The Memphis Horns, Wayne's sweet trumpet is one of the most recognised soulful sounds in the last 50 years of pop music and he was a major contributor at Elvis' 1969 Memphis Sessions.

(Source: FECC / Elvis Information Network)

January 10 - Moving Forward

The forthcoming release from the "SR" import-label is titled "Moving Forward" and will feature the unreleased show from Las Vegas February 22, 1970 DS. This new CD has a running-time of 57 minutes and comes packed in a deluxe four-panel digipack, containing a collection of live photographs from the Season plus newspaper clippings.

From the press-release:
As everybody knows SR concentrates it's work on early 70's live period of Elvis' activity, trying to produce always unreleased shows with Elvis at the top of his possibilities. With the new release, we are proud to present the complete show from February 22th dinner show,a rare show from a Vegas winter season always poor of official and unofficial releases.. Elvis' love of singing is clear in this tape and we are glad to give you the opportunity to listen to it. The Vegas second season allows Elvis, after paying his debt to the golden past in the ’69 season, to demonstrate his true abilities. We see the best of Elvis in songs that will become the fulcrum of the Elvis show until 1972.The midnight show from February 22th, represents very well the shows of the season, the absence of mostly of the classic repertoire from the golden era, as newspaper noted make to think that Elvis is moving toward a more contemporary repertoire… The combination of all his latest four singles with the new songs although covers, give to listener something unique that unfortunately will be no repeated in the future.. at least with this intensity.. yes we are talking about covers but Elvis still has the ability to take a song and turn it in HIS song…Polk Salad Annie or See See Rider are the perfect example.

Talking about the show , the show is solid and rough no too long the classic 60 minutes of pure energy , Elvis worked hard performing 14 songs, including his new single “Kentucky Rain.” together the best repertoire of the season. Talking about best songs is always hard overall in this kind of show where all the songs are very well performed, however surely we appreciated the incredible Walk a Mile in My Shoes/In the Ghetto medley.

This recording come from an early generation copy of the master tape, the sound quality is good considering the early season. The sound was restored in a studio to achieve best possible results. We have spent hours in the studio over the digital restoration of the sound, to achieve the best possible results and to give you the chance to hear it with pleasure.

Tracks: 
01. All Shook Up. 02. I Got A Woman. 03.Long Tall Sally. 04. Don’t Cry Daddy. 05. Hound Dog. 06. Love Me Tender (+ 1 false start). 07. Kentucky Rain. 08. Let It Be Me (+ 1 false start). 09. I Can’t Stop Loving You. 10. Walk A Mile In My Shoes / In The Ghetto. 11. Sweet Caroline. 12. Polk Salad Annie. 13 Band Introductions. 14. Suspicious Minds. 15. Can’t Help Falling In Love. 

(Source: FECC)