November 30 - Ignited From Japan With Love

Expected soon from the E. P. Collector import label is another release entitled "Make The World Go Away - From Japan With Love vol. 2". It contains the August 8, 1973 Midnight Show as recorded from the audience at the Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. This CD is packaged in a nicely designed digipak filled with collection of images taken in August 1973. This is the last release from this label for 2016.

From the press-release:
Recorded live from the audience on the Las Vegas, NV, August 8th, 1973 M/S, the CD is subtitled "From Japan With Love Vol. 2“ because it was recorded by a member of a Japanese fan club.

The Las Vegas, August 8th, 1973 Midnight show is previously unreleased. This concert was never before available in good sound, until now! It was taken from a recently obtained first generation copy of an original audience recorded master cassette tape and digitally restored for your listening pleasure.

Elvis opened his 9th Las Vegas season on August 6th, he performed a total of 59 shows, closing on September 3rd - and unlike in February ’73, there were no cancellations. Elvis refreshed his repertoire with several new additions, like “My Boy” or “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and his concerts were longer. Elvis looked and sounded good and he gave an excellent performance on August 8th! In fact, this is a delightful concert and one that is warmly recommended. Elvis sings quite well, and his interplay with the audience is fun to listen to. He sounds in full control, like he was entertaining the crowd from his own living room.

Tracklist: 01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Theme) - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. Medley: I Got a Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. Steamroller Blues - 06. You Gave Me a Mountain - 07. Trouble - 08. Blue Suede Shoes - 09. Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Mama Can't Dance / Flip Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - 10. Love Me Tender - 11. Hound Dog - 12. Fever - 13. What Now My Love - 14. Bridge over Troubled Water - 15. Suspicious Mind - 16. Band Introductions - 17. Introduction of Japanese fans -18. My Boy - 19. I Can't Stop Loving You - 20. An American Trilogy - 21. A Big Hunk O'Love - 22. Release Me - 23. Make the World Go Away - 24. Can't Help Falling In Love - 25. Closing Vamp.

Right Hand Of The King

Due for release from the HooDoo Records label on December 16, 2016 is the CD "Scotty Moore - Right Hand Of The King 1954-62 Recordings With Elvis Presley". It comes with a 16 page booklet.

Tracks: That’s All Right (Mama) - Good Rockin’ Tonight - Mystery Train - Baby Let’s Play House - Hound Dog - Have Guitar Will Travel (Scotty Moore Trio) - Heartbreak Hotel - Blue Suede Shoes - Ready Teddy - Anyplace Is Paradise - Jailhouse Rock - Don’t Be Cruel - Now She Cares No More (Doug Poindexter & The Starlite Wranglers) - My Kind Of Carryin’ On (Doug Poindexter & The Starlite Wranglers) - Just Because - Crawfish - Money Honey - I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You) - Shake, Rattle & Roll - I Forgot To Remember To Forget - I Got A Woman - King Creole - Hard Headed Woman - Too Much - Little Sister - When It Rains, It Really Pours - I Beg Of You - We’re Coming In Loaded - Night Rider - Frankfort Special.

Elvis Ignited

Due for release on March 17, 2017 from University Press Of Florida is the book "Elvis Ignited" The Rise Of An Icon In Florida" by Bob Kealing. 

From the publisher:
"I don t think there was a better time and place to be a teenager than in Florida in the 1950s. It was such a magical place. Elvis is part of what contributed to that excitement. Bob Graham, former Florida governor and United States senator Kealing tells us the story of what happened when Elvis arrived in Florida and what role the Sunshine State played in his life and musical career.


This is a critical era in the Elvis Saga. William McKeen, editor of Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay: An Anthology Presents a great picture of what it was like to be a touring musician in the 1950s and also of Florida at the time and how the culture was changed by the shock of Elvis. Joy Wallace Dickinson, author of Remembering Orlando: Tales from Elvis to Disney It was his most electric and influential time as a live performer. The young and hungry Elvis, the rising star, burst onto stages large and small sexy, controversial, brimming with talent and ambition. One lightning-hot year in Florida fueled his rise from novelty act to headlining megastar.

The Wonder of Kate Moss

Kate Moss to star in the new video for Elvis Presley’s "The Wonder of You" as late singer overtakes Madonna to become most successful solo artist ever. She secretly filmed at Abbey Road studios for the video, which is due to be released next month.

(Source: FECC Forum / HooDoo Records / Elvis Club Berln / The Daily)

November 29 - Sing Again At The Gate

Two new importreleases were announced; "Elvis - Double Date At The Gate - 40th Anniversary Edition" and "Let Me.. Sing Again".

Both shows are soundboard recordings. The first show was released before on a title called ''America The Beautiful'' and later in stereo (mixed down from binaural) on Audionics ''San Francisco Bay Blues''. The second show was released recently on the Follow that Dream collector's label as ''The West Coast Tour''.

Details Elvis - Double Date At The Gate - 40th Anniversary Edition
On November 28 and 29, 1976 Elvis performed two shows at the Cow Palace in the flower-city San Francisco. These shows have been regarded as some of Elvis' finest performances during this busy bicentennial year for The King. Gathered here in a beautiful 2-disc digipack is both shows in excellent quality. Unfortunately the sound engineer was not able to capture the whole shows while recording, but on this release you will find every second that was captured. The sound on both shows has been remastered by professionals and has never sounded better. Period.

Track list: CD1: November 28, 1976 - Cow Palace, San Francisco: 
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra, 02. C. C. Rider, 03. I Got A Woman / Amen, 04. Love Me, 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know), 06. You Gave Me A Mountain, 07. Jailhouse Rock, 08. It's Now Or Never, 09. All Shook Up, 10. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel, 11. And I Love You So, 12. Fever, 13. America The Beautiful, 14. Polk Salad Annie, 15. Band Introductions, 16. Early Morning Rain, 17. What I'd Say, 18. Johnny B. Goode, 19. Drum solo (Ronnie Tutt), 20. Bass solo (Blues, Jerry Scheff), 21. Piano solo (Tony Brown), 22. Electric piano solo (David Briggs), 23. Love Letters, 24. School Day, 25. Hurt, 26. Hound Dog (incomplete) - Bonus (binaural): 27. America The Beautiful, 28. Polk Salad Annie, 29. Early Morning Rain, 30. Hurt

CD2: November 29, 1976 - Cow Palace, San Francisco: 
01. C. C. Rider, 02. I Got A Woman / Amen, 03. Love Me, 04. If You Love Me (Let Me Know), 05. You Gave Me A Mountain, 06. Blue Suede Shoes, 07. It's Now Or Never, 08. All Shook Up, 09. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel, 10. And I Love You So, 11. Fever, 12. Bridge Over Troubled Water, 13. Band Introductions, 14. Early Morning Rain, 15. What I'd Say, 16. Johnny B. Goode, 17. Drum solo (Ronnie Tutt), 18. Bass solo 1 (Blues, Jerry Scheff), 19. Bass solo 2 (Battle Of New Orleans, Jerry Scheff), 20. Piano solo (Tony Brown), 21. Electric piano solo (David Briggs), 22. Love Letters, 23. School Day, 24. Hurt, 25. Hound Dog, 26. Funny How Time Slips Away

Details "Let Me ... Sing Again":

The MxF label will soon release it's new second special product called “Let Me.. Sing Again" featuring both the Dinner and Midnight show from August 25th, 1973.  These recordings are taken directly from a first generation of original tapes. The afternoon show is previously unreleased show, the evening show previously released here is presented in a very improved audio-quality.

August 1973, Elvis Is back for his last summer season..The 1973 was begun in the better way, with the Aloha special at least commercial talking…But the things turned immediately toward the wrong direction..the man had too weight to bear in his human shoulders... But as always for Elvis the music keeps his mind alive and overall active..so the best moments of our man is when He is on the stage..The August 1973 is no exception.

The August 25 present Elvis in positive mood, both the shows are solid and well performed... Elvis deliveries some killer version of My Boy and You Gave Me a Mountain, keeping steady part of the show the two classic Suspicious Minds and Bridge Over Troubled Water and delighting the audience with the sensitive The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and rocker&blues latest single Steamroller Blues.

The sound is very good for an ambient recording, We have on our hands the original mono tape of extremely good quality enabling us to carry out a simple re-mastering work, concentrating on the reduction of noise trying to achieve a more clear sound balancing the channel and put at the right speed the tape. The result a pretty dynamic tape with a great definition of the background music and for sure you can live the atmosphere of a Elvis’ concert in the seventy.

This is the second very special Product for this label, this new double set will be housed in a deluxe 7”( 20x20 cm ) size digipack, containing a bonus card with a collection of live photographs newspapers clips and memorabilia plus a high quality glossy 135 gram paper poster of 60x20 cm size.

In matter to have a special collector item, the 400 copies will be presented with four different sleeves variation. All the copies will come hand numbered sticker and individually sealed and Please remember! This is a limited hand numbered edition of 400 copies. The first 100 copies (variation 1 of sleeve) will be housed in a special die-cut and crucifold sleeve. This deluxe edition will have exclusive content. CD 1 has a running-time of approx. 54.00 minutes, CD 2 has a running-time of approx. 55.00 minutes. 

Tracklist Las Vegas August 25, 1973 DS Previously Unreleased: 
01.2001 Theme 02.See See Rider 03.I Got A Woman/Amen 04. Love Me 05. Steamroller Blues 06.You Gave Me A Mountain 07. Blue Suede Shoes 08.Rock Medley 09.Love Me Tender 10. Fever 11. Bridge Over Troubled Water (+ reprise) 12. Suspicious Minds 13.Band Introductions 14.Release Me 15. Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel 16.An American Trilogy 17.A Big Hunk O Love 18. Heartbreak Hotel 19.The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face ( missing some seconds at the begin) 20.Can’t Help Falling In Love 21.Closing Vamp

CD 2   Las Vegas August 25, 1973 MS: 
01.2001 Theme 02. See See Rider 03. I Got A Woman/Amen 04. Love Me 05. Steamroller Blues 06. You Gave Me A Mountain 07. Blue Suede Shoes 08.Rock Medley 09. Love Me Tender 10. Fever 11. What Now My Love 12. Suspicious Minds (missing last seconds) 13. Band Introductions 14. My Boy 15. I Can’t Stop Loving You 16. An American Trilogy 17. Release Me 18. It’s A Matter Of Time 19. Elvis introduces Dee and Vernon Presley 20. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 21.Bridge Over Troubled Water 22.Can’t Help Falling In Love 23.Closing Vamp 

Blue Suede Book

Due for release from Glitterati on August 1, 2017 is the book "Blue Suede Shoes: The Culture Of Elvis".

From the publisher: 
"Larger-than-life in talent, Elvis Presley was also legendarily charismatic, a man who left a deep and lasting impression on every person who knew him. Blue Suede Shoes is an all-access pass to the personal world of Elvis Presley, an intimate look at the culture he created and the legacy he left behind.

From photographer Thom Gilbert (Soul: Memphis’ Original Sound) comes this unique visual history, an interplay of photographs and stories that reveal the private Elvis. This stunningly photographed collection pairs personal anecdotes from 75 of Elvis's friends, fellow musicians, and fans, with portraits of the people whose lives he touched and the objects and artifacts he left behind.

Rediscover the man behind the image through these photographs of the places he lived and recorded, the jewelry and clothing he wore, and even the gifts he chose for friends (plus, uniquely, items that were given to Elvis) and through reading first-hand accounts from those whose experienced his profound generosity. A magnificent gift for fans old and new, Blue Suede Shoes provides a beautiful and insightful look at one of America’s most beloved performers."

(Source: FECC / Elvis Club Berlin)

November 28 - Some Hall Of Fame Vinyl For Everyone

The French VPI label released the classic "Something For Everybody" album on pink colored vinyl in a limited edition of 1000 copies. 

Side A: 1. Theres Always Me (Prise 4) 2. Give Me The Right (Prise 2)  3. Its A Sin (Prises 1 and 2)   4. Sentimental Me (Prise 1)  5. Starting Today (Prise 2) 6. Gently (Prise 3)

Side B: 7. I'm Comin' Home (Prise 3) 8. In Your Arms (Prise 1)  9. Put The Blame On Me (Prises 1 and 2) 10. Judy (Prises 2 and 3) 11. I Want You With Me (Prise 1) 12. I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Prises 8 and 9).

Jailhouse Rock Among 2017 Grammy Hall of Fame Inductions

In keeping with its ongoing dedication to preserving and celebrating timeless recordings, The Recording Academy® has announced the newest additions to its distinctive Grammy Hall Of Fame. This year's collection acknowledges a diverse range of both singles and album recordings at least 25 years old that exhibit qualitative or historical significance. Each year recordings are reviewed by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by The Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. With 25 new titles, the Hall, now in its 44th year, currently totals 1,038 recordings.

"The Grammy Hall Of Fame represents all genres of music, acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which The Academy has become renowned," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Memorable and inspiring, these recordings are proudly added to our growing catalog and are an integral part of our musical, social, and cultural history."
Representing an array of tracks and albums, the 2017 Grammy Hall Of Fame inductees range from the Jackson 5's "ABC" to N.W.A's Straight Outta Compton. The highly reputed list also features David Bowie's "Changes," Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock," Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Billie Holiday's Lady Sings The Blues, Prince's Sign "O" The Times, Merle Haggard's Okie From Muskogee, and the Beach Boys' "I Get Around." Other inductees include recordings by Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Deep Purple, Dion, the Everly Brothers, Arlo Guthrie, R.E.M., Sly & The Family Stone, and Sonny & Cher, among others.

(Source: Amazon / Broadway World / FECC)

November 27 - The Ultimate Love for the Blues

The Elvis One label announced two new compilations, "Ultimate Love" and "The Blues". “Ultimate Love” and “The Blues” are the first two CD releases from “The Genre Collection”. Each CD in this collection contains the original masters and alternate recordings, including recordings previously unreleased by Elvis’ record company.

“Ultimate Love” contains the original mono single master from “I’m Yours”, take 16 of “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me”, a 1959 homerecording of “Send Me Some Lovin’” and 27 other great songs. On “The Blues” you can hear the complete take 3 of “What’d I Say”, the song “Hound Dog” in stunning sound quality! A total of 25 songs.

Tracks Ultimate Love:
01 Such A Night 02 Anyplace Is Paradise 03 Stuck On You (Original Mono single master) 04 All Shook Up (Including count-in) 05 Fever 06 I Want You With Me 07 Young And Beautiful 08 I’m Falling In Love Tonight (Alternate take 5) 09 Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Alternate take 16)* 10 It’s Now Or Never (Original Mono single master) 11 Gently 12 Can’t Help Falling In Love (Movie version, take 9)* 13 I Need Your Love Tonight 14 Surrender 15 Loving You 16 I’m Yours (Original Mono single master) 17 Where Do You Come From (Binaural master)* 18 I Want You, I Need You, I Love You 19 Paralyzed 20 Blue Moon (Original Sun master) 21 Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (Undubbed master) 22 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 23 Any Way You Want Me (That’s How I Will Be) 24 This Is My Heaven (Alternate take 5)* 25 Home Is Where The Heart Is (Alternate take 20)* 26 One Night 27 First In Line 28 Love Me Tender 29 Because Of Love (Binaural master)* 30 Send Me Some Lovin’ (Homerecording, 1959)*  * Previously Unreleased by Elvis’ Record Company.

Tracks The Blues:
01 Reconsider Baby 02 I Feel So Bad 03 When It Rains, It Really Pours (Original Sun master) 04 Milkcow Blues Boogie (Original Sun master) 05 So Glad You’re Mine 06 Mean Woman Blues 07 My Baby Left Me 08 Tomorrow Night (Original Sun master) 09 Trying To Get To You (Original Sun master) 10 New Orleans 11 Trouble 12 It Feels So Right 13 Beach Boy Blues 14 Like A Baby 15 Lawdy Miss Clawdy 16 A Mess Of Blues (Original Mono single master) 17 I Want To Be Free 18 Give Me The Right 19 Anyplace Is Paradise 20 I Need You So 21 My Baby’s Gone (Original Sun master) 22 Hound Dog (From the original master tape) 23 What’d I Say (Alternate take 3)* 24 Santa Claus Is Back In Town 25 Blue Christmas.

November 25 - FTD Preview

Elvis Presley recordings specialist Keith Flynn has completed a tour-de-force on the Follow That Dream collector's label releases entitled "The World Of Follow That Dream". A 1,200 pages, 8 kilos, hardbound three book set, chronicling every release by FTD until 2016. It will be published by KJ Consulting.

The book was authored and designed by Keith Flynn with input from a large number of other Elvis specialists including Piers Beagley (Elvis Information Network), Trevor Cajiao, Geoffrey McDonnell, Gordon Minto (Elvis The Man and his Music) and many others.
The book also features 100s of high-quality photos from the collection of Erik Lorentzen and will be out in time for Christmas.

On the >>> Elvis Information Network page you can read an interview with Keith Flynn.

(Source: Elvis Information Network)

November 25 - Charts

The Official UK Charts:

• The 'The Wonder Of You' CD remains at #5 on the Official UK Album chart with 32,261 copies sold. 
• The album also remains #5 on the Physical Album Chart; drops from #32 to #35 on the Album Download Chart; remains at #5 on the Album Sales Chart and drops from #5 to #7 on the Official Record Store Chart.
• The 'If I Can Dream' rises from #46 to #43 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from #48 to #46 on the Album Sales Chart.
• The 'The Platinum Collection' compilation drops from #71 to #98 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from #15 to #24 on the Indie Album Chart.
• The 'ELV1S 30 No.1 Hits' drops from #74 to #95 on the Physical Album Chart and is a re-entry at #96 on the Album Streaming Chart.
• The 6 DVD-Box "The Elvis Collection" is remained steady at #23 on the Official UK Music DVD chart. 

European Charts

• The 'The Wonder Of You' CD remains at #4 on the Scottish Album Chart.
• The 'If I Can Dream' CDrises from #53 to #44 on the Scottish Album Chart.
• The 'The Wonder of You' CD is listed at #30 on the German Album chart.
• The 'The Wonder of You' CD is listed at #10 on the Irish Album chart.
• The 'The Wonder of You' CD is listed at #41 on the Belgian Album chart.
• The 'The Wonder of You' CD is listed at #18 on the Austrian Album chart.
• The 'The Wonder of You' CD is listed at #22 on the Swiss Album chart.

Charts Down Under

• 'The Wonder Of You: Elvis Presley With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra' CD has dropped from #6 to #12 on the ARIA Album Chart in Australia.
• The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More"  re-entered the Australian Music DVD chart once more at #36. 
• 'The Wonder Of You: Elvis Presley With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra' CD has dropped from #6 to #13 On the New Zealand Album chart. 

(Source: Brian Quinn on FECC)

November 23 - Spliced Giftset

Available from Fanjoy is a "The Wonder Of You" gift set. It contains the "The Wonder Of You" CD, a Royal Blue The Wonder of You T-Shirt, The Wonder of You Elvis Chocolate Bar, cacustom The Wonder of You 5x7 Archival Quality Print and finally a an Elvis in Eagle Suit Ornament.

Spliced Releases

The two import releases “Spliced Takes - T-R-O-U-B-L-E” and “Spliced Takes - Snowboard” have been released by the CMT import label. Both releases contain newly edited versions of well known songs by the producers from the STAR label. 

Joe Esposito Has Died, Aged 78

Joe Esposito died this morning after a year of declining health. It was confirmed:

"Thank you all for the messages. It is true that our father passed away this morning. Hopefully he is with his wife Martha and Elvis now looking at all of these messages of love. More info for donations etc to come. He truely loved all of his fans and lived to keep Elvis' memory alive. Thank you all for your love and support."

From EPE / Graceland:
Elvis met Joe in 1958 when they were drafted into the Army. They met in Germany and became close friends, and before leaving the service, Elvis asked Joe to work for him. Their friendship lasted for almost 20 years.

“On behalf of Lisa and the entire Presley family, we are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our friend, Joe Esposito," Priscilla Presley said. "Joe loved Elvis and their close friendship lasted a lifetime. Our hearts go out to Joe's family and friends at this time.” 


“All of us at Graceland wish to express our deepest sympathy on the passing of Joe Esposito, Elvis Presley's legendary road manager and one of his dearest friends," said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. "We know that Elvis fans all over the world join us today as we remember and honor Joe, and send our condolences to his family."

Joe Esposito's Biography From Wikipedia:
Joe Esposito (January 22, 1938 – November 23, 2016) was a veteran author and publisher, who along with his long-time business partner Daniel Lombardy, have several best selling books to their credit.

Esposito is best known for his association with Elvis Presley (see Memphis Mafia). He first met Presley while serving in the military in 1958. They both went through basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, but did not meet face to face until a year later when they were both stationed in West Germany, where they quickly became lifelong friends. 

Esposito became Elvis's road manager and bodyguard beginning in 1960. Esposito served as co-best man, with Marty Lacker at Elvis's wedding while Esposito's wife, Joan, served as the matron of honor. After Elvis' death in 1977 Esposito went to work for Jerry Weintraub becoming the road manager for greats including Michael Jackson, The Bee Gees, Karen Carpenter and John Denver.

Esposito, Col. Tom Parker and Jerry Schilling served as principal consultants in the movie "This Is Elvis".

Esposito has 3 children, Debbie (born 1962) and Cindy (born 1966) from his first marriage to Joan (Roberts) and Anthony (born 1985) from his second marriage to Martha Gallub. Martha Gallub Esposito died on March 19, 2012, after a long fight with cancer.

(Source: Twitter / Elvis On CD / FECC / Wikipedia)

November 22 - Orchestral Christmas

EPE announced the details and logo for the Birthday Celebration on January 5-8, 2017. It includes the Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony, the Fan Club Presidents' Event, the Official Graceland Insiders Reception, Club Elvis, "Viva Las Vegas" Sing-A-Long, Auction at Graceland and more.

The special guests are Gavin and Robin Koon, the twins from "Follow That Dream," who will help us celebrate the movie's 55th anniversary. Tickets go on sale next week. The Graceland Insiders pre-sale is Wednesday, November 30, and tickets for the general public will go on sale on Thursday, December 1. Click here to see the full schedule and get more information.

The Wonder Of Christmas

Mike Mettler from Sound And Vision interviewed Nick Patrick and Don Reedman, producers of the recent "If I Can Dream" and "The Wonder Of You" albums. They confirmed that they are working on a third installment in this series, a Christmas Album. 

Mike Mettler: Finally, will we see a third installment in this series in 2017? Do you have any ideas in mind for what you'd like to do next?
Nick Patrick: We hope very much that there will be a third Elvis installment, yes. We are just starting a Roy Orbison album, which we are very excited about.
Don Reedman: We are making an Elvis Christmas album, and, like Nick said, are also in the process of working on a Roy Orbison album. Exciting times ahead!

Charts

The US Billboard Charts for the week ending December 3, 2016:

Billboard Billboard 200

• It's Christmas Time #142 (Re-Entry

Billboard Top Rock Albums

• The Wonder Of You #37

Billboard Classical Albums

• The Wonder Of You #3 (from #2)
• If I Can Dream #19

Billboard Holiday Albums

• It's Christmas Time #19 (from #18)
• Merry Christmas... Love, Elvis #26 (from #25) 
• Elvis: Ultimate Christmas #40 (from #39)

Billboard Top Album Sales:

•   61 If I Can Dream 
•   92 Merry Christmas 
• 129 Elvis Ultimate Christmas
• 182 The Wonder of You

Billboard Country Catalog Albums:

•   4 Merry Christmas... Love, Elvis
•   9 Elvis: Ultimate Christmas
• 15 The Classic Christmas Album

Billboard Holiday Digital Song Sales:

• 26 Blue Christmas 

Billboard Top Catalog Albums:

•   7  It's Christmas Time
• 15  Merry Christmas... Love, Elvis
• 31 Elvis: Ultimate Christmas 

(Source: Sound And Vision / FECC / EPE)

November 21 Spirit Of Jackson

The Follow That Dream collecties label annonces the release of "Spirit Of Jackson".

From the preses-release:

On May 5th 1975, Elvis performed a concert in aid of the McComb tornado victims at the State Fair Coliseum, Jackson, Mississippi. Elvis raised $108, 860 to help residents who were affected by the devastation. The audio for this show is damaged beyond repair. However, Sprit Of Jackson, MS includes two other shows from the State Fair Coliseum. Just over a month after the charity show, Elvis performed in Jackson again and this show is featured on Disc 2. Disc 1 stays at the same venue for a concert given in September 1976. Sprit Of Jackson, MS is a 2-CD digipack.

Disc 1
01) Also Sprach Zarathustra 1:26 02) See See Rider 3:33 03) I Got A Woman / Amen 5:05 04) Love Me 1:43 05) Fairytale 2:42 06) You Gave Me A Mountain 3:04 07) All Shook Up 1:05 08) (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel 2:27 09) And I Love You So 3:15 10) Jailhouse Rock 1:31 11) Fever 3:49 12) America The Beautiful 2:50 13) Introductions 9:52 a) Early Mornin’ Rain b) What’d I Say c) Johnny B. Goode 14) Love Letters 2:57 15) Hurt 2:33 16) Hound Dog 1:30 17) Danny Boy – sung by Sherrill Nielsen 3:32 18) That’s All Right 2:17 19) Blue Christmas 1:43 20) How Great Thou Art 3:28 20) Can’t Help Falling In Love 1:43 21) Closing Vamp 1:49
The last part of the introductions including the chorus of Chuck Berry’s “School Day” is missing
Recorded live at the State Fair Coliseum, Jackson, Mississippi September 5, 1976

Disc 2
01) Love Me 4:13 02) If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 2:56 03) All Shook Up 1:06 04) (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel 2:00 05) Hound Dog 1:19 06) The Wonder Of You 2:13 07) Polk Salad Annie 3:21 08) Introductions/Johnny B. Goode 7:16 09) Introductions/School Day 0:55 10) T-R-O-U-B-L-E 3:38 11) Why Me Lord 2:38 12) Let Me Be There 2:42 13) An American Trilogy 5:00 14) Funny How Time Slips Away 2:48 15) Mystery Train/Tiger Man 2:32 16) Help Me Make It Through The Night 1:58 17) Can’t Help Falling In Love 1:48
Bonus Songs
18) Little Darlin’ 2:01 19) How Great Thou Art 2:50 Recorded live at the State Fair Coliseum, Jackson, Mississippi June 9, 1975. Tracks 18 & 19 recorded June 8, 1975/evening show at the same venue. The first three numbers of the show were not recorded: Also Sprach Zarathustra, See See Rider, I Got A Woman/Amen
Update November 21, 2016

November 20 - Released

The Elvis One label released the 2 CD set “Elvis Presley - The Complete Sun Masters” in their "New Album Series”. The label also released “The Elvis Presley Movie Album, Volume 2 – Elvis In Stereo and Binaural" in their “The Bootleg Series”. The first one contains all the SUN and Hayride material, the latter contains movie soundtrack songs from the years 1956 - 1963 in both mono and binaural stereo. Both come  with a 12 -age booklet.

(Source: Elvis One)

November 19 - Don’t Be Cruel Connie

Connie Francis announced the release of a duet with Elvis Presley of “Love Me Tender / Heartbreak Hotel” on her own Concetta Records label with December 2016 as the release-date. The songs is produced by Connie Francis, Ron Roberts and Константин Осауленко.

Don’t Be Cruel 

The French Wagram Music released the vinyl LP “Don’t Be Cruel“ in Germany. Austria and Switzerland. It contains well known tracks from the years 1958 - 1962. 

Chart Topping Album Collection

The 3 CD set “Chart-Topping Album Collection” has been released by the Golden Years label. It contains 8 albums that topped the charts in the US and UK between 1956 and 1961; “Elvis Presley”, “Elvis”, “Loving You”, “King Creole”, “Elvis Is Back!”, G.I. Blues”, “Something For Everybody”, “Blue Hawaii” and  “Elvis’ Christmas Album”.

(Source: Elvis Express / Amazon)

November 18 - Charts

The US Billboard Charts for the week ending November 26, 2016:

• If I Can Dream: #76 on the Billboard Album Top 200 chart
• The Wonder Of You: #98 on the Billboard Album Top 200 chart
• Merry Christmas: #108 on the Billboard Album Top 200 chart
• Elvis Ultimate Christmas #156 on the Billboard Album Top 200 chart
•  Merry Christmas... Love, Elvis climbed from #7 to #5 on the Country Catalog Albums chart
• Ultimate Christmas: new entry at # 9 on the Country Catalog Albums chart
• It's Christmas Time climed from #24 to #18 on the Holiday Albums chart
• Merry Christmas... Love, Elvis climbed from #29 to #25 on the Holiday Albums chart
• Elvis: Ultimate Christmas re-entry at #39 on the Holiday Albums chart
• It's Christmas Time climbed from #23 to #10 on the Top Catalog Albums chart
• Merry Christmas... Love, Elvis climbed from #35 to #20 on the Top Catalog Albums chart
• Elvis: Ultimate Christmas new entry at #38 on the Top Catalog Albums chart 

Charts Down Under:

• The “The Wonder of You” CD dropped from #6 to #7 on the Australian Album chart. 
• The DVD Elvis – The King Of Rock ’n’ Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More“ dropped off the Australian Musc DVD chart. 
• The “The Wonder of You” CD dropped from #4 to #6 on the New Zealand Album chart. 

European Charts:

• The "If I Can Dream" CD  dropped from #3 to #5 on the Official UK Album chart. 
• The "If I Can Dream" CD is listed at #53
• The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation is listed at #81. 
• The 6 DVD set “The Elvis Collection” dropped from #16 to #23 on the Official UK Music DVD chart. 
• 'The Wonder Of You' drops from 3 to 5 on the Physical Album Chart; drops from 22 to 32 on the Album Download Chart; drops from 3 to 5 on the Album Sales Chart and rises from 6 to 5 on the Record Store Chart.
• 'If I Can Dream' drops from 43 to 46 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from 47 to 48 on the Album Sales Chart
• 'The Platinum Collection' drops from 63 to 71 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from 77 to 85 on the Album Sales Chart
• 'Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits' rises from 79 to 74 on the Physical Album Chart and from 83 to 80 on the Album Sales Chart 
• 'The Elvis Collection' rises from 45 to 20 on the Music Video Chart
• Elvis Presley has no entries on the Top 100 Streaming Chart
• 'The Platinum Collection" rises from 18 to 15 on Indie Albums Chart

European Charts

• 'The Wonder Of You' remains at 4 on the Scottish Album Chart
• 'If I Can Dream' rises from 54 to 53 on the Scottish Album Chart
• 'Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits' drops from 75 to 76 on the Scottish Album Chart
• The “The Wonder of You” CD dropped from #4 to #9 on the Irish Album chart. 
• The “The Wonder of You” CD is a new entry on the Norwegian Album chart at #35.
• The “The Wonder of You” CD dropped from #11 to #19 on the German Album chart. 
• The “The Wonder of You” CD climbed from #9 to #8 on the Austrian Album chart. 
• The “The Wonder Of You & If I Can Dream” 2 CD climbed from #36 to #11 on the Austrian Album chart. 
• The “The Wonder of You” CD dropped from #49 to #50 on the Spanish Album chart. 
• The “The Wonder of You” CD dropped from #20 to #34 on the Belgian Album chart. 
• The “The Wonder Of You & If I Can Dream” 2 CD dropped from #50 to #80 on the Belgian Album chart.
• The “The Wonder Of You & If I Can Dream” 2 CD dropped off the Dutch Album chart. 
• The “The Wonder of You” CD dropped off the Israeli Album chart.

(Source: Acharts / The King’s World / FECC)

November 17 - Glasgow Tour Kick-off

The new tour kicked off in Glasgow. It was a good concert with some nice surprises in the set-list. I used some of my own and fellow fan postings from the FECC forum for this short review:

The producers used two screens, one small with Elvis and one in the back behind the orchestra. They could have done more with the latter, images there were very basic.

The rear screen wasn't incorporated enough or well-enough throughout the show. But when it was used well, particularly during the second half of the show, it was very effective. Most of the footage also looked great on the front screen - which hung above the orchestra - with the exception of some TTWII material, which wasn't framed well. 
More movie footage would have been ideal here. Especially with regards to the way Love Me Tender was used. Essentially, the rear screen is akin to a cinema screen. But these issues aside, the orchestra was just marvelous and the sound was tremendous. They worked superbly with the images on screen and were a joy to hear. 

The sound was magnificent throughout. A few mistakes though but to the casual viewer they probably wouldn't have noticed. But at some points during the show the hairs of one fan from the FECC forum stood up especially the end of Trilogy and How Great Thou Art. And Burning Love sounded better here than on the CD. There were a few sound glitches which were probably feedback, two or three of the transitions between songs weren't too smooth, but for the first show it were some minor issues. 

Even Priscilla mingled in the crowd after the intermission. Although she was obviously nervous, made a few mistakes and got distracted by some audience members. She mistakenly said I Cant Stop Loving You several times instead on Cant Help Falling in Love which is what she meant. 
But she was affectionate and endearing, enjoying what the concerts were designed to represent and put herself out on a limb by walking amongst the crowd. Not that she was bound to be in any danger, but she had (most of) the audience on her side and going slightly off-piste could have endangered that. 

Some complained because they went from Thats Alright to Blue Suede Shoes, all fast songs apart from Are You Lonesome Tonight, might have been better switching this song to the end of the faster songs. Ill be Home for Christmas was an unexpected surprise.

Overall a good experience and atmosphere with a few standing ovations as well, there was definitely a great buzz about the place.

The Yorkshire Evening Post wrote on the Leeds Concert:

An opening sequence of Burning Love, Welcome To My World and Steamroller Blues shows Elvis by turns as a smouldering rock’n’roller, vulnerable balladeer and bluesy powerhouse. The orchestra comes into its own in a smoky rendition of Fever while Just Pretend and Don’t reveal the King’s tender side, then Elvis’ fondness first for opera then gospel shines through in It’s Now Or Never and How Great Thou Art. Sandwiched in between is a classy montage of images of a young Elvis with his parents Gladys and Vernon that accompanies In The Ghetto. The second half of the show zips along with one rock’n’roll number after another. Trouble, Guitar Man, Hound Dog, Don’t Be Cruel, Heartbreak Hotel, All Shook Up and Blue Suede Shoes are all immaculately presented but Love Me Tender, presented with flickering black and white footage from the film of the same name, and a sizzling performance of Suspicious Minds, with Elvis at his hip-swivelling best, prove even more powerful. As the concert climaxes with two show stoppers, American Trilogy and If I Can Dream, the audience gives the orchestra a standing ovation. It’s well deserved. 

Elvis may have left the building but his legacy very much goes marching on.

(Source: Me and fellow fans on FECC :-) / Yorkshire Evening Post)

November 16 - Released

The Memphis Recording Service released the 2 CD / book set “Memphis Recording Service: The Complete Works 1953-1955”. The 100-page book chronicles Elvis' short recording career there, from its humble beginnings (his personal acetate recordings from July 1953 and January 1954) through to the final Sun sessions in 1955. The full and comprehensive text is complemented by rare photographs and unseen pieces of documentation. 

The 2CD's contain the complete archival studio recordings from 1953-1955: Elvis' personal acetates, the Sun masters, along with rare session outtakes. The tracks have been painstakingly remastered and restored. There are many highlights on this new release. All of the newly remastered tracks now sound much clearer and crisper. Indeed, all previous erroneous mastering faults and miscalculations have been rectified on this release, making it the best collection thus far.

Vinyl


The French VPI label announced their December 2016 releases in their Elvis Presley “The Signature Collection”. The final titles are “Gospel”, “SUN”, “Country” and “Noel”.

Each title is limited to 500 units numbered and remastered for optimal listening. Each “Signature Collection” release contain both a Vinyl 45 RPM picture disc EP and a compact disc vinyl replica including 4 titles EP vinyl plus 4 rare and unpublished alternative versions and cover Rock'n'Roll, Classical, Gospel, Blues, Soundtracks, Country, Ballads, Sun Studio and Christmas songs. 

With these 10 45 rpm color vinyl EPs and their associated Compact Disc you will find all facets of the talent of the King! The 'Signature Collection' was designed by Culture Factory and Jean-Marie Pouzenc.

Vol. 7 'Gospel':
Side A: I Believe In The Man In The Sky / Joshua Fit The Battle
Side B: Swing Down Sweet Chariot / Working On The Building

Vol. 8 'Sun':
Side A: That's All Right / Blue Moon Of Kentucky
Side B: Blue Moon / I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone

Vol. 9 'Country':
Side A: I Forgot To Remember To Forget / Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Side B: Your Cheatin' Heart / A Fool Such As I

Vol. 10 'Noel':
Side A Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me / Blue Christmas
Side B: Like A Baby / I Feel So Bad

(Source: Memphis Recording Service / Amazon)

November 13 - A Vegas Fling With The King

The Straight Arrow import-label announced the release of the 2 CD set "A Vegas Fling With The King" containing the Monday, February 12th, 1973, Dinner and Midnight Show performances as recorded from the audience at the  ,Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. This is volume 9 in the Straight Arrow's "From The Booth Tapes“ series.

From the press-release:
Coming out soon is the 9th volume of Straight Arrow's "From The Booth Tapes“ series. It's 2CD entitled "A Vegas Fling With The King" featuring Elvis' Dinner and Midnight show from February 12th, 1973. These recordings are taken directly from original 'booth recorded' mastertapes.

These concerts showcase Elvis in excellent form! Famous actor Jack Lord and his wife Marie were present for both shows. Elvis called out Jack's name, and Jack stood up. The applause was tremendous. Elvis grinned and said, 'Sit down, Jack, you're getting more applause than I am'. Both shows are previously unreleased and 100% complete. The February 12, 1973 D/S is a completely new show, even for die-hard Elvis fans. It has never been in circulation - in any form. The February 12, 1973 M/S was in circulation in the form of amateur CDRs in very bad sound. It has nothing to do with the top-notch booth quality tape presented here by Straight Arrow. Ask your dealer for sound samples.

As usual, this new release will be presented in a beautiful 4-panel digipak that includes Jack Lord's special memory of Elvis and rare photos taken on- and off-stage during Elvis’ 1973 Las Vegas Winter season. If you liked our previous Las Vegas 1973 releases like “One For The Ladies” (SA/SP 2016-41-02) or “Doin’ The Best I Can” (SA/SP 2015-29-02), we'll bet that you will also love this one! 

Tracks CD 1 - Monday, February 12, 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. Heartbreak Hotel - 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. Hound Dog - 14. What Now My Love - 15. Suspicious Minds - 16. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 17. Introduction of actor Jack Lord / Hawaii 5-0 theme - 18. I’ll Remember You (dedicated to Jack and Marie Lord) - 19. I Can’t Stop Loving You - 20. An American Trilogy - 21. Can't Help Falling In Love - 22. Closing Vamp / Announcements. 
Approx. running time: 53:40

Tracks CD 2 - Monday, February 12, 1973 Midnight 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. Heartbreak Hotel - 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. Hound Dog - 14. What Now My Love - 15. Suspicious Minds - 16. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 17. Introduction of actor Jack Lord / Hawaii 5-0 theme - 18. I’ll Remember You - 19. I Can’t Stop Loving You (with reprise) - 20. An American Trilogy - 21. Can't Help Falling In Love - 22. Closing Vamp.
Approx. running time: 51:09

The Wonder Of A Second Show


Due to overwhelming demand, a second Melbourne show will be added to Elvis, The Wonder Of You Australian tour - the additional show will take place on Saturday 10th June, 2017.

(Source: FECC)