February 28 - Elvis In Mono

The Venus import-label has announced a new 5CD box-set entitled "The Mono Masters 1960 – 1975". This 5CD boxset comes with a 480 pages LP-size hardcover book with rare and unseen pictures. It is limited to 750 copies.

The set comes in three versions; "standard", "Promo", with a special promo sticker and 6 pictures (21x21cm) that are not included in the regular set and finally a "Preview" version set that will have a special preview sticker plus 6 pictures (21x21cm) that are not included in the regular sets and will be different to the promo pictures. 

From the press-release:
MONO is how most listeners first heard Elvis in the 1950s and 1960s, when it was the predominant audio format. Until 1968, each Elvis album was given a unique MONO and STEREO mix, but Elvis always regarded the MONO mix as primary. This was also true for singles. Up until affordable home STEREO systems in the late 1960s, the record industry always regarded STEREO as secondary, going back to its debut in the late 1950s. MONO singles, EPs and LPs were the standard for retail and radio. Simply put, MONO had all of the sound mixed in a single channel and was meant to be listened to on a turntable with a built-in speaker, a car radio, or a stand-alone AM radio receiver. The goal was to create MONO master takes with as much clarity and power as possible.

When EMI released MONO masters of the Beatles in 2009, they received rave reviews. Left out in the cold were Elvis’ loyal fans. Somehow, SONY didn’t see a reason why they might want the pleasure of listening to his original MONO mixes. So when we first heard about the existence of the original MONO master tapes of Elvis’ hit singles, it was an easy decision to make these available to the fans in a five-disc collection. Elvis' acclaimed MONO tracks have been newly-mastered for CD, using the best digital technology. Hours were dedicated to concentrated listening, fastidiously comparing these master tapes with mint, MONO first pressings. The result is a perfect reproduction of Elvis' original MONO vinyl sound!

ELVIS PRESLEY: THE MONO MASTERS 1960 – 1975**

• All the single sides, including 24 completely UNRELEASED, in their original MONO mix
• LP-size, 480-page hardcover book, containing rare pictures, plus original US and rare foreign single sleeves
• Stunning bonus picture with a 2016 calendar on the back
• Limited edition of 750 numbered copies
• We trust you’ll enjoy this set for many years to come!

Tracks: 
Stuck On You - Fame And Fortune - It's Now Or Never - A Mess Of Blues - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - I Gotta Know – Surrender - Lonely Man - I Feel So Bad - Wild In The Country - (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame - Little Sister - Can't Help Falling In Love - Rock-A-Hula-Baby - Good Luck Charm - Anything That's Part Of You - She's Not You - Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello - Return To Sender - Where Do You Come From? - One Broken Heart For Sale - They Remind Me Too Much Of You - (You're The) Devil In Disguise - Please Don't Drag That String Around - Bossa Nova Baby - Witchcraft - Kissin' Cousins - It Hurts Me - Kiss Me Quick – Suspicion - What’d I Say - Viva Las Vegas - Such A Night - Never Ending - Ask Me - Ain't That Loving You Baby - Do The Clam - You'll Be Gone - Crying In The Chapel - I Believe In The Man In The Sky - Such An Easy Question - It Feels So Right - I'm Yours - Long Lonely Highway - Puppet On A String - Wooden Heart - Santa Claus Is Back In Town - Blue Christmas - Tell Me Why - Blue River - Frankie And Johnny - Please Don't Stop Loving Me - Love Letters - Come What May – Spinout - All That I Am - If Everyday Was Like Christmas - How Would You Like To Be - Indescribably Blue - Fools Fall In Love - Long Legged Girl - That's Someone You Never Forget - There's Always Me – Judy - Big Boss Man - You Don't Know Me - Guitar Man - Hi-Heel Sneakers - U.S. Male - Stay Away - You'll Never Walk Alone - We Call On Him - Let Yourself Go - Your Time Hasn't Come Yet Baby - A Little Less Conversation - Almost In Love - If I Can Dream - Edge Of Reality – Memories - In The Ghetto - Any Day Now - Clean Up Your Own Backyard - The Fair's Moving On - Suspicious Minds -You'll Think Of Me - Don't Cry Daddy - Rubberneckin' - Kentucky Rain - My Little Friend - Mama Liked The Roses - The Wonder Of You - I've Lost You - The Next Step Is Love - Patch It Up - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - I Really Don't Want To Know - There Goes My Everything - Rags To Riches - Where Did They Go Lord – Life Only Believe - I'm Leavin' - Heart Of Rome - It's Only Love - The Sound Of Your Cry - Merry Christmas Baby * - O Come All Ye Faithful * - Until It's Time For You To Go * - We Can Make The Morning * - Bosom Of Abraham * - He Touched Me * - An American Trilogy * - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face * - Burning Love * - It's A Matter Of Time * - Separate Ways * - Always On My Mind * - Fool * - Steamroller Blues * - Raised On Rock * - For Ol' Times Sake * - If You Talk In Your Sleep * - Help Me * - Promised Land * - It's Midnight * - My Boy * - T-R-O-U-B-L-E * - Bringing It Back * - Pieces Of My Life * 
* Unreleased original MONO mixes, taken from mint acetates
**The size of this set will be some 30x30x7 cm and it weighs 4,5 kilos.
Please stay tuned for our next release with new and unreleased movie outtakes! 

(Source: FECC)