From the press-release:
This is unlike any other CD available! "Elvis - The New Recordings" consists of 26 new (2015) overdubs of some of Mr. Presley's best tracks — both well known and obscure. Produced by Larry Jordan of VoiceMasters fame (who has done overdubs on stars ranging from Patsy Cline to Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Jim Reeves — the latter of whom had a #1 this past summer in Europe from one of Jordan's overdubs) —the new Elvis offering features stunning sound quality and top musicianship. "The King" may not have invented rock 'n' roll but he was its leading proponent. But he could also sing a quiet, tender love song and do so with great warmth and sensitivity. Unfortunately, on a lot of his masters, his voice is at least partially obscured by overwhelmingly loud (and sometimes off-key) background vocals and/or superfluous instrumentation, that were typical of the era in which he made his records.
So VoiceMasters used the tools of the digital age to strip down some of Elvis's tracks to the bare essentials. His voice was remastered to bring out his purity of tone, overly loud vocal backings were subdued or eliminated entirely, and some of the original accompaniment that distracted from his singing was dispensed with. His voice was brought forward so you can hear him more clearly.
Then, the producer recruited some world-class musicians — including alumni of the Atlanta jazz scene, current members of the Grand Ole Opry band in Nashville, and others — to help update Elvis's songs with tasteful new backings to showcase him to best advantage. These selections now sound amazingly fresh, beautiful and vibrant — as if Elvis just recorded them today!
This unique new CD also includes rare photos of Elvis plus a fascinating, 8 page booklet of little-known facts about this unforgettable artist, plus detailed liner notes on each song. It's a keepsake you will treasure for years to come!
Listen to a sample >> here.
Tracks:
So Glad You´re Mine - She´s Not You - Good Luck Charm - Fame And Fortune - Reconsider Baby - Stuck On You - I Gotta Know - The Girl Of My Best Friend - Just Tell Her Im Said Hello - Fever - Island Of Love - Wild In The Country - Can´t Help Falling In Love - Judy - I Will Be Home Again - Soldier Boy - Love Me Tender - Anything That´s Part Of You - Starting Today - Home Is Where The Heart Is - Gently - Something Blue - It´s A Sin - Just For Old Time´s Sake - Mansion Over The Hilltop - In My Way
Elvis Presley’s First Recording Acetate Sold
Synopsis:
Likely the most important 78 mm record ever offered, this acetate was recorded by Elvis in 1953, possibly as a gift for his mother Gladys. Elvis walked into Sam Phillips’ Memphis Recording Service (home of Sun Records) and paid the sum of $4 to record a belated birthday gift for his mother — his first ever recording. Elvis sang two songs: “My Happiness” (Side A), which is the only Elvis recording that exists of this song, and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” (Side B). Legend has it that Elvis’ friend Ed Leek convinced and accompanied Elvis to the recording studio that fateful day. Elvis was greeted by Marion Keisker, assistant to Sam Philips, who asked Elvis who he sounded like and Elvis responded, “I don’t sound like nobody.” Little did she know at the time that he was absolutely right. In these two songs that Elvis chose to sing, Marion heard something different, enough to note Elvis’ name and telephone number and add that he was a good ballad singer. When Elvis left the studio that day, he and Ed stopped at Ed’s parents’ house to listen to the fresh recording, as they had a modern phonograph and Elvis wanted to hear how it sounded. Elvis left his friend’s house that day without the record and this acetate is being offered directly from a descendant of Ed Leek. The acetate has a label containing the titles of each song typed on the reverse of a Sun Record label. This historical 78 acetate was the beginning of a revolution in the music industry and the start of an iconic legend. In private hands since it was created, Elvis’ first recording documents the start of a musical sensation and is being offered for the first time since Elvis walked into that studio over 60 years ago.
Lorisa Hilburn, the niece of the late Ed Leek, stated, “It was surreal—it was so much fun. We’re just so excited—this is such a blessing. We plan to put the money towards the college education of several family members. After 60 years in a vault, I really hope the winning bidder gets a chance to enjoy the acetate and share it with the public."
Riding the momentum created by the successful inaugural auction in August of 2014, various pieces of jewelry, movie memorabilia and personal items were among the 67 lots in the auction curated and authenticated by Graceland Authenticated.
- Other top items included Elvis “That’s all Right” signed by Elvis, which sold for $32,500 against an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000. Elvis’ friend Ed Leek was with Elvis to witness the initial production of Elvis’ first Sun Studio record, a 78 RPM record of “That’s all Right” and grabbed one of the records, which Elvis signed to Ed, writing “To a good pal, Elvis Presley” on the label.
- A treble clef gold and diamond ring gifted to Sammy Davis, Jr. sold for $32,500, against an estimate of $20,000 to $25,000.
- An RCA Award to Colonel Parker for “In The Ghetto,” sold for $16,250, against an estimate of $6,000 to $8,000.
- 'Heart And Soul' rises from 15 to 13 on the Billboard Country Catalog Album Chart for w/e 17th January, 2015.
- 'He Touched Me': The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley' rises from 8 to 2 on the Music Video Sales Chart.
- The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" dropped from #9 to #18 on the Dutch Mid-price Album chart while "The Classic Christmas Album" made a dive from #3 to #30 on that same chart. "The Essential Elvis Presley" is a re-entry at #46.
- The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" is a re-entry at #49 on the Swiss Album chart.
- The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" is a re-entry at #22 on the Austrian Album charts.
- The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" is dropped from #83 to #88 on the Irish Album chart.
- The Warner Brothers 6 DVD box "The Elvis Collection" climbed from #35 to #22 on the UK Music Video Top 40.
ElvisElvis Presley's second album, simply entitled "Elvis" is due for re-release from the WaxTime label on March 10. This re-issue comes with 4 additional bonus tracks.