March 29 - Blue Chart (Updated)

Due from the Friday Music label on July 28, 2017 is a Limited Anniversary Edition re-issue of the classic "Elvis Presley" album on translucent blue 180 gram vinyl.

Due from the State of Art budget label on April 21, 2017 is the double pack CD "A Date With Elvis + Elvis Is Back" .

US Chart

Elvis Presley has no albums on the Billboard Album Top 200 chart for the week ending April 8, 2017. 

• 'The Wonder Of You' rises from 8 to 7 on the Classical Albums Chart
• 'If I Can Dream' rises from 18 to 15 on the Classical Albums Chart
• 'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' rises from 8 to 7 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart and rises from 30 to 26 on the Top Christian Albums Chart
• 'Heart And Soul' is a re-entry at 23 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart

Billboard and Spotify are also teaming to present three new Spotify-driven charts published weekly on Billboard.com. The Viral 50 will feature songs with the greatest volume of social and sharing activity; the 30-track Velocity Chart covers songs that are growing rapidly on Spotify; and the Spotify Rewind tally will highlight five songs for each decade from the 1960s through the 2000s, ranked by popularity and relative weekly revival. In addition, those who visit Billboard's site will be able to hear 30-second snippets of each song on every chart, with the option to stream tunes in their entirety on Spotify's service:

• 'Pocketful Of Rainbows' - Elvis Presley is a new entry at 5 on the Spotify 60's Rewind Chart

UK Chart

• 'The Wonder Of You' rises from 93 to 65 on the UK Album Chart for 31st March, 2017.
• 'The Wonder Of You' rises from 54 to 48 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from 69 to 53 on the Album Sales Chart 
• 'The Platinum Collection' rises from 87 to 85 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from 16 to 21 on the Indie Albums Chart

European Chart

• The 'The Wonder Of You' album dropped off the Belgian Album chart. 
• The 'Top 40 Elvis' album dropped off the Belgian Mid-price Album chart. 
• The 'The Wonder Of You' album rises from 75 to 56 on the Scottish Album Chart
• The 'The Platinum Collection' album is a re-entry at 87 on the Scottish Album Chart

Australian Chart

• The DVD 'Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More' re-entered the Australian Music DVD chart at #40.

(Source: Amazon / Brian Quinn on FECC)

March 28 - Allan Weiss Dies At 90

Screenwriter Allan Weiss, who was on hand to witness Elvis Presley's first Hollywood screen test and worked on six of the singer's movies in the 1960s, has died. He was 90. Weiss died Thursday at a nursing facility in Mission Viejo, Calif., his nephew, Ken Maas, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Weiss provided the story for Presley's Blue Hawaii (1961) and wrote or co-wrote the screenplays for the films Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), Fun in Acapulco (1963), Roustabout (1964), Paradise, Hawaiian Style(1966) and Easy Come, Easy Go (1967).

Weiss was an associate of renowned producer Hal B. Wallis, whose credits included The Maltese Falcon (1941), Casablanca (1942) and several films starring Martin and Jerry Lewis. The writer was present when Wallis, then based at Paramount Pictures, made Presley's screen test in March 1956.

"No one had any expectations; [Presley] was such a strange, quiet fellow -- so completely foreign," Weiss said in the 2004 book Elvis Presley: The Man. The Life. The Legend. "But he sang and read a scene from [the N. Richard Nash play] The Rainmaker and answered questions asked from off-screen -- and it was phenomenal. It was an amazing experience to be there, one of those life-changing experiences."

Weiss once noted that to write a screenplay for an Elvis movie, "You had to make room for 12 songs, and they had to be integrated." He and Anthony Lawrence's script for Roustabout was nominated for a WGA award for best movie musical that year, losing out to Mary Poppins.

(Hollywood Reporter / Billboard)

March 27 - A Brand New Cadillac, Honey!

The Straight Arrow import-label announced the release of the double CD set v"A Brand New Cadillac, Honey!". It contains audience recordings of the 2:30 PM show in Long Beach on April 25, 1976 and the show in Seattle on April 26, 1976.

From the press-release:
Straight Arrow is pleased to bring you a new double CD dedicated to Elvis' April ’76 tour. It was short but very good tour, with Tony Brown and Ronnie Tutt replacing Shane Kiester on piano and Larrie Londin on drums. The Long Beach, April 25th, 1976 afternoon show is previously unreleased. The Seattle, April 26th, 1976 show was first released by Millbranch Music ("The Bicentennial King Vol. 2", released 2010) from a rather bad, flat sounding tape source. Straight Arrow was fortunate enough to obtain recently recovered 1st generation copies of the original audience-recorded cassettess, which were not in circulation previously. Both shows were recorded by the same person. These enjoyable concerts were never before available in good sound quality… until now! Ask your dealer for sound samples. As usual, this new release will be presented in a beautiful 4-panel digipak that includes photos taken in Long Beach (2:30 pm) and Seattle and newspaper reviews of both concerts. Again - it’s new Straight Arrow so you know what to expect!

Tracks CD 1: 01. Introduction: 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. All Shook Up - 08. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 09. Tryin' To Get To You - 10. America (The Beautiful) - 11. Polk Salad Annie - 12. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 13. What'd I Say - 14. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 15. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 16. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 17. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) - 18. School Day - 19. Hurt - 20. And I Love You So - 21. Burning Love - 22. How Great Thou Art - 23. Hound Dog - 24. Funny How Time Slips Away - 25. It's Now Or Never - 26. Can't Help Falling In Love - 27. Closing Vamp.

Tracks CD 2: 01. Introduction: 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. All Shook Up - 08. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 09. Tryin' To Get To You - 10. My Way - 11. Polk Salad Annie - 12. Monologue about New Year's Eve show in Pontiac / Auld Lang Syne (one line) - 13. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 14. What'd I Say - 15. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 16. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 17. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 18. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) - 19. School Day - 20. America (The Beautiful) - 21. And I Love You So - 22. Hound Dog (with break) - 23. Hurt - 24. Help Me - 25. How Great Thou Art - 26. Blue Suede Shoes - 27. Funny How Time Slips Away - 28. Can't Help Falling In Love - 29. Closing Vamp.

New Elvis book
 

Two new books are due from the Belgian author Marc Hendrickx. His 700 page book "Muziek, Mens and Mythe" (The Music, Man and Myth") has been published several times and in several languages. More details when available.

(Source: FECC)

March 26 - Got Me Workin' Boss Man

The Straight Arrow import-label announced the release of "Got Me Workin' Boss Man - 40 Years After Vol. 1".

From the press-release:
Straight Arrow is pleased to bring you a new CD dedicated to Elvis' May ’77 tour. The Macon, June 1st, 1977 show is previously unreleased. This recording was taken directly from a recently found 1st generation copy of an audience-recorded mastertape. This historic concert was never before available in decent sound quality… until now! Ask your dealer for sound samples. Compared with an average show in Baton Rouge, May 31st, Macon concert is surprisingly good. ”Fairytale”, ”My Way” and ”And I Love You So” are performed really well but one highlight stands out, rocking performance of „Big Boss Man“ at the end of show. As usual, this new release will be presented in a beautiful 3-panel digipak that includes photos taken in Macon and a newspaper review. If you liked our other May 1977 release “Too Late For Goodbyes” (SA/SP 2016-42-02), we'll bet that you will also love this one. It’s new Straight Arrow so you know what to expect!

Tracks Got Me Workin' Boss Man - 40 Years After Vol. 1:
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. Fairytale - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Jailhouse Rock - 08. O Sole Mio (Sherrill Nielsen) / It's Now Or Never - 09. My Way - 10. Little Sister - 11. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 12. And I Love You So (with break) - 13. Danny Boy (Sherrill Nielsen) - 14. Walk With Me (Sherrill Nielsen) - 15. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 16. Early Mornin' Rain - 17. What'd I Say - 18. Johnny B. Goode - 19. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 20. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 21. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 22. Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (Bobby Ogdin) - 23. School Day - 24. My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me (Kathy Westmoreland) - 25. Hound Dog - 26. Big Boss Man - 27. Can't Help Falling In Love -28. Closing Vamp. 

(Source: FECC)

March 25 - Elvis From France

Due for release May 16, 2017 from the French UMSM label is the vinyl album “Best of 50’s”. Also due from the label on June 2, 2017 is an 27 track Elvis Presley CD compilation in the “Master Serie”.  

Tracks “Master Series”: That's All Right Mama - Good Rockin' Tonight - Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Blue Moon - Baby Let's Play House - Mystery Train - I Got A Woman - Heartbreak Hotel - Money Honey - Blue Suede Shoes - My Baby Left Me - Tutti Frutti - Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Shake, Rattle And Roll - Hound Dog - Don't Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Ready Teddy - Rip It Up - All Shook Up - Jailhouse Rock - Treat Me Nice - Hard Headed Woman - (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care - King Creole - A Big Hunk Of Love - I Bot Stung

Tracks “Best Of 50’s”:

 1. That's all right mama
  2. Good rockin' tonight
  3. Baby let's play house
  4. Mystery train
  5. I got a woman
  6. Heartbreak hôtel
  7. Blue suede shoes
  8. My baby left me
  9. Tutti frutti
  10. Shake, rattle and roll
  11. Hound dog
  12. Don't be cruel
  13. Love me tender
  14. Ready teddy
  15. Rip it up
  16. All shook up
  17. Jailhouse rock
  18. (you're so square) baby I don't care
  19. King creole

(Source: Amazon / Elvis Club Berlin)

March 24 - Platinum Release

Sony Music have re-released Platinum: A Life In Music. 'Platinum' chronicles the outstanding career of Elvis Presley (1954 to 1977) from a unique perspective. It features 100 performances, 77 of which are previously unreleased. This historic overview traces his development as an artist and emphasizes how Elvis' music always returned to its unshakable core values. This 4-CD box set contains a 48-page book and consists mostly of previously unreleased alternate takes of Elvis Presley's hits.

You probably think you've heard all there is to hear from The King, what with countless Elvis retrospectives, anthologies, and reissues flooding the market. While "Platinum" is far from the first Elvis box, it's unique in that it's composed largely of previously unreleased material. Four discs cover every phase of Presley's career, from young Memphis hip-shaker to middle-aged Vegas hip-shaker, adding a fresh perspective to each period.

It's both an education and a kick to hear alternate versions of songs as ingrained in the public consciousness as 'That's All Right', and others from Elvis' legendary Sun sessions. Obscure delights like 1969's 'Power Of My Love' update one of rock & roll's most stellar legacies. Off-the-cuff recordings and live TV performances contribute further to this set, which proves that.

Lola Albright Died

Lola Albright, the glamorous blonde actress best known for starring on the television series “Peter Gunn,” died Thursday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 92.

A native of Akron, Ohio, news of her death was first reported by the Akron Beacon-Journal. “She went very peacefully,” her friend Eric Anderson told the newspaper. “She died at 7:20 a.m. of natural causes. We loved her so much.”

Her first film appearance came in 1947 in “The Unfinished Dance,” starring Margaret O’Brien. She then starred with Judy Garland in “Easter Parade” in 1948. The next year she appeared opposite Kirk Douglas in 1949’s “Champion,” portraying a spurned lover. Douglas received an Oscar nomination for his work. In 1950, she acted in “The Good Humor Man” with her future spouse Jack Carson. She also appeared in Frank Sinatra’s “The Tender Trap,” Elvis Presley’s “Kid Galahad",. She received the best actress award in 1966 at the Berlin Film Festival for portraying a suicidal mother in “Lord Love a Duck.”

UK Chart for the week ending March 24, 2017:

• On the UK album chart 'The Wonder of You' is a re-entry at #93.
• 'The Wonder Of You' rises from #61 to #54 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from #74 to #69 on the Album Sales Chart 
• 'The Platinum Collection' rises from 95 to 87 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from #22 to #16 on the Indie Albums Chart

European Chart

• 'The Wonder Of You' is a re-entry at #75 on the Scottish Album Chart
• The 'The Wonder Of You' dropped from #82 to #179m on the Belgian Album chart.
• The 'The 50 Greatest Hits' dropped off the Swiss Album Top 100 after a re-entry at the bottom of the chart at #100 last week. 

Australian Charts

• The 'The Wonder of You' dropped off the Australian Album chart. 
• The "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" DVD dropped off the Australian Music DVD chart.

(Source: Sony / Brian Quinn on FECC / The King's World / Variety)

March 22 - All The King's Vinyl Horses

Due for release from Regnery History on August 17, 2017 is the 200 page book "All The King's Horses: The Equestrian Life Of Elvis Presley" by Kimberly Gatto and Victoria Racimo. Priscilla Presley wrote the pre-face.

From the publisher:
"When Elvis Presley decided he wanted to buy a horse in 1966, he didn't want just any horse. "He wanted a Golden Palomino," Priscilla Presley remembers. "He would get up at 3:00 in the morning, go to certain farms and ranches and say, 'Do you have a Golden Palomino for sale?' People would say, 'That was Elvis Presley!"

Elvis's legendary love of horses drove him to find the Golden Palomino who would become his beloved companion Rising Sun, and to fill Graceland's stables and Circle G Ranch with horses for family and friends to ride.

In the first-ever book dedicated to Elvis's equestrian side, horse lovers Kimberly Gatto and Victoria Racimo share rare stories, interviews, and photographs that shed light on the beautiful, quiet life the King lived when he was with his horses."

Record Store Day

The movie soundtrack "Blue Hawaii" and "Pot Luck" album will be re-issued on colored vinyl for Record Store Day by the French VPI label. The albums are not featured on the official releases overview, so probably a public domain initiative. Both releases are limited editions of 1000 copies each. "Blue Hawaii" on blue vinyl, "Pot Luck" on yellow vinyl.

Tracks Blue Hawaii
Side A 1.  Blue Hawaii  (Takes 2 & 3) 2.  Almost Always True  (Takes 4 & 5) 3.  Aloha Oe (Master  The Surfers + Take 6 Elvis)  4.  No More (Take 8) 5.  Can’t Help Falling in Love (Take 24, version film) 6.  Rock-A-Hula Baby (Takes 2 & 3) 7.  Moonlight Swim (Takes 1 & 2) 

Side B 8. Ku-u-i-po (Takes 4 & 5) 9. Ito Eats (Takes 4 & 5) 10. Slicin’ Sand (Takes 13 & 14) 11 Hawaiian Sunset (Take 2) 12. Beach Boy Blues  (Take 3, version film) 13. Island Of Love (Take 9) 14. Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 1)

Tracks Pot Luck
Side A 1.  Kiss Me Quick (Take 4) 2.  Just For Old Time Sake (Takes 3 & 4) 3.  Gonna Get Back Home Somehow (Take 5) 4.  Easy Question (Such An) (Take 3) 5.  Steppin’ Out Of Line  (Take 15)* 6.  I’m Yours (Take 4)
Side B 7.  Something Blue  (Takes 3 & 4) 8. Suspicion (Take 2) 9. I Feel That I’ve Known You   Forever (Take 3) 11. Night Rider (Takes 1 & 2) 12. Fountain of Love (Take 9) 13. T hat’s Someone  You Never Forget (Take 7)

Elvis On Television 1956 - 1960

The Memphis Recording Service label will release "Elvis On Television 1956 - 1960" on vinyl on March 22, 2017 for Record Store Day. This 180 gram 2LP set contains for the first time ever, the complete archival sound recordings of all of Elvis Presley’s television appearances from 1956 – 1960. All the 40 tracks herein are restored re-mastered using the most sophisticated technology. The bonus 24-page gatefold photo album contains many rare photographs with listings of Elvis’ TV appearance dates.

LP 1 - The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (28.01.1956):
Shake Rattle And Roll / Flip Flop And Fly - I Got A Woman

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (04.02.1956):
Baby Let's Play House - Tutti Frutti

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (11.02.1956):
Introduction - Blue Suede Shoes - Heartbreak Hotel (With Orchestra)

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (18.02.1956):
Tutti Frutti - I Was The One

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (17.03.1956):
Blue Suede Shoes - Heartbreak Hotel

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show (24.03.1956):
Money Honey - Heartbreak Hotel

The Milton Berle Show (03.04.1956):
Heartbreak Hotel - Blue Suede Shoes - Blue Suede Shoes (Reprise)

The Milton Berle Show (05.06.1956):
Hound Dog - I Want You I Need You I Love You

The Steve Allen Show (01.07.1956):
I Want You I Need You I Love You - Hound Dog - Yippee Yi Yo Yippee Yi Yay (Comedy Routine With Steve Allen, Elvis Presley, Imogene Coca & Andy Griffith)

LP 2 - The Ed Sullivan Show (09.09.1956):
Don't Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Ready Teddy - Hound Dog

The Ed Sullivan Show (28.10.1956):
Don't Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Love Me - Hound Dog

The Ed Sullivan Show (06.01.1957):
Hound Dog - Love Me Tender - Heartbreak Hotel - Don't Be Cruel - Too Much - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley

The Frank Sinatra Show (26.03.1960):

It's Very Nice to Travelling (With Frank & Nancy Sinatra, Joey Bishop & Sammy Davis Jr.) - Fame And Fortune - Stuck On You - Witchcraft / Love Me Tender (With Frank Sinatra) - Love Me Tender (Reprise With Frank Sinatra)

Charts

The US Billboard Charts for the week ending April 1, 2017.

• The 'The Wonder Of You' album dropped from #5 to #8 on the UB Billboard Classical Album chart. 
• The 'If I Can Dream' album dropped from #15 to #18 on the Classical Album chart. 
• 'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' drops from #5 to #8 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart; remains at #30 on the Top Christian Albums Chart and remains at #32 on the Top Christian And Gospel Albums Chart

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Brian Quinn on FECC / Memphis Recording Service)

March 20 - Rock And Beauty

The SR import-label announced that the content of the "Rock and Beauty" release will be changed due to "technical" problems. The unreleased concert of August 24, 1971 Dinner Show performance will replace the scheduled August 19, 1971 Midnight Show performance for the upcoming "Rock And Beauty" release. 

Tracks Unreleased show August 24, 1971 Dinner Show:

01. 2001 Theme/Intro 02. That’s All Right 03. Proud Mary 04. Sweet Caroline 05. Polk Salad Annie 06. Johnny B Goode 07. It’s Impossible 08. Love Me 09. Blue Suede Shoes/ Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On 10. Heartbreak Hotel 11. Teddy Bear /Don’t Be Cruel 12. Hound Dog 13. Love Me Tender 14. I’m Leavin’ 15. Suspicious Minds 16. Band Introductions 17. Mystery Train/Tiger Man 18. Can’t Help Falling In Love 19. Closing Vamp (running-time 45 minutes).

Elvis In Concert - Live On Screen 2017

2017 looks set to be another vintage year for fans of the King! Following the sellout British arena tour last year and the No.1 multi-platinum album The Wonder Of You, Elvis returns to the UK for a live concert experience like no other, featuring the most recognisable voice of all time, backed by the legendary Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

The six date UK arena tour kicks off in Glasgow at the SSE Hydro on November 23rd, taking in Leeds First Direct Arena (24th), Newcastle First Direct Arena (25th), Birmingham Genting Arena (27th), Manchester Arena (28th), with the finale at London’s O2 Arena on November 30th.

Last year’s run gained critical applause – the Yorkshire Evening Post commented “Elvis may have left the building but his legacy very much goes marching on”, with the Birmingham Mail observing how the RPCO “played a blinder to authenticate Elvis’s back catalogue”, with The Spectator stating “the technical achievement was remarkable”.

The Lancashire Telegraph simply put it – “By the end, the show left no-one in any doubt. Elvis is and always will be the king of rock and roll – and so much more besides”.

Featuring a very special personal appearance by Priscilla Presley, the shows will once again give fans a chance that many have never had before – to experience the man who changed the course of popular music. Up close live on screen, the biggest selling solo artist in history (having sold an astonishing one billion records world wide), alongside the RPCO live on stage performing the King of Rock and Roll’s most well-known “rocking” songs and his tender, heart-wrenching ballads.

The critically acclaimed albums, If I Can Dream and The Wonder Of You, used archive recordings of “The King’s” voice featuring new orchestral arrangements of some of his biggest hits, to create an overwhelmingly encapsulating and enthralling album. The latter was Elvis’ 13th No.1 album in the UK!

If I Can Dream and The Wonder Of You were produced by Executive Producer, Don Reedman, Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley Enterprises. Priscilla Presley will be also be making a very special appearance at the arena shows. 

These shows will be a musical celebration of the legend for whom superlatives weren’t enough and who continues to break records.

Tour Dates:
November 23 Glasgow SSE Hydro
November 24 Leeds First Direct Arena
November 25 Newcastle First Direct Arena
November 27 Birmingham Genting Arena
November 28 Manchester Arena
November 30 London O2 Arena

(Source: FECC / SR label / Ticketline)

March 18 - Chuck Berry Died

Chuck Berry, the singer, songwriter and guitar great who practically defined rock music with his impeccably twangy hits “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Memphis,” “My Ding-a-Ling” and “Sweet Little Sixteen,” has died. He was 90.

St. Charles County police responded to a call placed at around 12:40 p.m. local time on Saturday. They arrived on the scene where Berry was found unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at 1:26 p.m., according to the police department.

Berry's core repertoire was some three dozen songs, his influence incalculable, from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to virtually any group from garage band to arena act that called itself rock 'n roll. While Elvis Presley gave rock its libidinous, hip-shaking image, Berry was the auteur, setting the template for a new sound and way of life. Well before the rise of Bob Dylan, Berry wedded social commentary to the beat and rush of popular music.

Elvis Presley recorded "Maybellene", "Memphis, Tennessee", "Johnny B. Goode", "Promised Land," and "Too Much Monkey Business". "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" was part of the Million Dollar jamsession. Elvis Presley performed "School Day" in concert  and based his recording of "Merry Christmas Baby" on Berry's version.

The singer/songwriter, whose classic “Johnny B. Goode” was chosen by Carl Sagan to be included on the golden record of Earth Sounds and Music launched with Voyager in 1977, died Saturday afternoon, St. Charles County Police Department confirmed. The cause of death was not revealed. 

During his 60-plus years in show business, Berry in 1986 became one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He entered The Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame in ’85 and that year also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. 

He performed in 1979 for President Jimmy Carter at the White House, landed at No. 6 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and trademarked his stage showmanship with his famous “duck walk.”  

John Lennon once said, “If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry.’” He paved the way for such music legends as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Band, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, AC/DC, Sex Pistols and Jerry Lee Lewis, among many others. 

Keith Richards of the Stones, a big fan, said, “Chuck Berry always was the epitome of rhythm and blues playing, rock ’n’ roll playing. It was beautiful and effortless, and his timing was perfection. He is rhythm supreme. He plays that lovely double-string stuff, which I got down a long time ago but I’m still getting the hang of. Later I realized why he played that way — because of the sheer physical size of the guy. I mean, he makes one of those big Gibsons look like a ukulele!”.

(Source: Billboard / Variety)

March 17 - Spliced Bootleg Bootlegged

The first two original Elvis Presley albums will be re-issued once more. Sony Music Switzerland coupled the two classic albums and will release this 24 tracks set on March 24 in Germany, Swiss and Austria. 

Bootlegged

The four "Spliced Takes" import-releases from the CMT label have been bootlegged by the Rock ´n´ Roll Majesty label. It features the CD's Nashville, Holywood, T-R-O-U-B-L-E and Snowbird. 

CD 1 - Nashville:
Ain't That Loving You Baby (Alternate Master) - I Need Your Love Tonight Spliced (Take 6, 7, 13) - I'm Coming Home (Spliced Take 5, 4) - The Girl of My Best Friend (Spliced Take2, 3) - Never Ending (Spliced Take 2, 3, 3) - The Girl Next Door Went A Walkin' (Spliced Take 2, 3, 3, 3) - Fame And Fortune (Spliced Take 4, 2) - Fountain Of Love (Spliced Take 4, 6) - In My Fathers House (Spliced Take 3, 4, 6, 7) - I Gotta Know (Alternate Master) - Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers (Spliced Take 2, 3) - Little Sister (Spliced Take 7, 9) - Suspicion -Spliced (Take5 / Working Part 3) - I'm Yours (Alternate Master) - Fever (Alternate Master) - Make Me Know It (Spliced Take 2, 3) - Surrender (Spliced Take 3, 6) - Such A Night (Spliced Take 4, 1) - Are You Lonesome Tonight (Alternate Master) - Echoes Of Love (Spliced Take 4, 5, 3) - Judy (Spliced Take 2, 3, 7) - You Don't Know Me (Spliced Take 7, 10) - Guitar Man / What'd I Say (Spliced Take 1, 5, 10, 12, 10) - Stay Away (Spliced Take 12, 14) - Mine (Spliced Take 3, 4) - Run On (Spliced Take 5, 4, 6) - Where No One Stands Alone (Spliced Take 3 / Working Part 3) - Crying In The Chapel (Spliced Take 2, 1, 3) - You'll Never Walk Alone (Spliced Take 4, 8, 1) - U. S. Male (Alternate Master)

CD 2 - Hollywood:
Blue Hawaii (Spliced Take 4, 6, 3) - Almost Always True (Spliced Take 6, 5) -  Didja Ever (Spliced Take 1, 2) -  Pocketful Of Rainbows (Spliced Take 19, 20) -  Steppin Out O Line (Alternate Master) - Slowly But Surely (Spliced Take 3, 4, 1 - Bluesy Intro) - If You Think I Dont Need You (Spliced Take 5, 7) - What A Wonderful Life (Spliced Take 5, 6) - Tonights So Right For Love (Spliced Take 5, 6) - We'll Be Together (Spliced Take 8, 10) - One Broken Heart For Sale (Spliced Take 3, 5) - The Bullfighter Was A Lady (Spliced Take 9, 7) - Ku-U-I-Po (Spliced Take 2, 5) - Animal Instinct (Spliced Take 3, 4) - A Dogs Life (Spliced Take 5, 4) - C'mon Everybody - (Spliced Take 1, 3) - King Of The Whole Wide World (Remake - Spliced Take 2, 3) - Cross My Heart Hope To Die (Spliced Take 9, 11) - Smorgasbord (Spliced Take 4, 2) - What's She Really Like (Spliced 16, 11) - Ito Eats (Spliced Take 2, 4, 5) - Girl Happy (Alternate Master) - A Cane And A High Starched Collar (Alternate Master) - Stay Away, Joe (Spliced Take 15, 16, 13) - Island Of Love (Spliced Take 4, 4, 8) - Stop Look And Listen (Spliced Take 5, 6) - Take Me To the Fair (Spliced Take 5, 7) - Where Do You Come From (Spliced Take 13, 14) - Let Yourself Go (Spliced Take 5, 6) - Almost in Love (Spliced Take 1, 6)

CD 3 - T-R-O-U-B-L-E:
Trouble / Guitar Man (Spliced Take 2, 3, 1) - Long Black Limousine (Spliced Take 1, 2, 6) - Kentucky Rain (Spliced Take 5, 7) - I'll Be There (Spliced Take 2, 3 - New Intro) - Twenty Days And Twenty Nights (Spliced Take 5, 6, 8) - The Sound Of Your Cry (Spliced Take 2, 3 - Edited) - If I Were You (Spliced Take 3, 3, 5, 5 - Faded) - A Little Bit Of Green (Spliced Take 2, 1, 1) - For Lovin' Me (Alternate Master) - Any Day Now (Spliced Take 3, 4, 2) - How The Web Was Woven (Alternate Master) - Johnny B. Goode (Spliced Take 1, 3) - Burning Love (Spliced Take 3, 4) - It's A Matter Of Time (Spliced Take 1, 3, 4) - Separate Ways (Spliced Take 12, 13, 21) - Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming (Spliced Take 2, 3, 4) - If I'm A Fool (Spliced Take 6, 9) - The Next Step Is Love (Spliced Take 7, 8, 9, 10) - Help Me Make It Through The Night (Spliced Take 14, 15) - Where Do I Go From Here (Spliced Take 4, 5, 6) - Moody Blue (Spliced Take 9, 7, 5) - Pledging My Love (Alternate Master) - It's Impossible ("Live" Splice - 16.02.1972 M/S) - Always On My Mind (Alternate Master - Mock) - If I Can Dream (Spliced Take)

CD 4 - Snowbird:
TI'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Spliced Take 5, 6) - Peace In The Valley (Spliced Take 5, 8, 7) - Known Only To Him (Alternate Master) - Winter Wonderland (Alternate Master) - Snowbird (Alternate Master) - Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees (Spliced Take 1, 2) - His Hand In Mine (Spliced Take 3, 4) - Merry Christmas Baby (Undubbed "Single" Version) - Silver Bells (Spliced Rehearsal / Take 1) - In the Garden (Spliced Take 1, 2, 3) - It Is No Secret (Spliced Take 4, 5, 12) - If I Get Home On Christmas Day (Alternate Master) - It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Spliced Take 2, 3) - If Everyday Was Like Christmas (Spliced Take 1, 2) - Without Him (Spliced Take 13, 4) - If That Isn't Love (Spliced Take 2, 7) - The First Noel (Spliced With Re-Recording) - We Call On Him (Spliced Take 4, 5, 8, 8) - He Touched Me (Spliced Take 2, 2, 3) - I'll Be Home On Christmas Day (Remake - Spliced Take 5, 6, 9)

Bonus Song:

Mama Liked The Roses (Harmony Duet Version)

(Source: FECC / elvis Club Berlin)

March 15 - Follow Elvis On The Charts

Two new Follow That Dream titles were announced. These titles are due April 2017. The label also announced that it deleted the titles "Summer Festival", "Unchained Melody", "Dixieland Delight" and "From Hawaii To Vegas" from the catalogue.

The “Elvis Las Vegas '74” double CD contains two legendary shows from the Hilton Hotel on August 20,1974. This release comes as a double CD release packed in a 5 inch digipack. The concerts were mastered by Jan Eliasson.
Musicians: Guitars: James Burton, John Wilkinson; Guitar and Vocals: Charlie Hodge; Bass: Duke Bardwell; Drums: Ronnie Tutt; Piano: Glen D. Hardin; Vocals: The Sweet Inspirations, J. D. Sumner & The Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland, Voice. Joe Guercio and his Orchestra.

CD 1 - 20.08.1974 D/S:
C. C. Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - It’s Midnight - Big Boss Man - Fever - Trying To Get To You - Love Me Tender - All Shook Up - I’m Leavin’ - Softly As I Leave You - Hound Dog - You Gave Me A Mountain - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions (Part Missing) - If You Talk In Your Sleep - Why Me Lord - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Heartbreak Hotel - Bridge Over Troubled Water - Hawaiian Wedding Song - Let Me Be There - Can’t Help Falling In Love

Bonus Song - 02.09.1974 M/S:
It’s Now Or Never (Second Version)

CD 2 - 20.08.1974 M/S:
C. C. Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - It’s Midnight - Proud Mary - Trying To Get To You - Big Boss Man - Fever - Promised Land - Love Me Tender - All Shook Up - I’m Leavin’ - Softly As I Leave You - Hound Dog - You Gave Me A Mountain - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions - If You Talk In Your Sleep - Why Me Lord - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel (Incomplete) - Hawaiian Wedding Song (Incomplete) - Let Me Be There - Can’t Help Falling In Love

Bonus Songs - 28.08.1974 D/S:
Help Me - My Boy - How Great Thou Art

Elvis: His Songs Of Praise Volume 2.

As the second volume of "Elvis: His Songs Of Praise", this book completes the story chronicling a further 51 sacred, spiritual and inspirational gospel songs to add to the 55 songs featured in volume 1. 

Once again, the story of each song is told with extensively researched detail. Also observe the high quality and subtle differences on the front cover and many other photographs of Elvis featured throughout the 350 pages. In addition, the 32-track CD that runs for over 79 minutes features many rare and officially unreleased tracks. Compilation by Trevor Simpson CD Mastered by Jan Eliasson.

01. Elvis Introduction / Only Believe (With unused horns overdubbed June 8, 1970) (2:55)

Pure Elvis: Undubbed Sacred Songs
02. I, John (T-2 Undubbed Master June 10, 1971) (2:15)
03. Life (T-20 Undubbed Master June 6, 1970) (3:07)
04. Reach Out To Jesus (T-9 Undubbed June 9, 1971) (3:08)
05. He Is My Everything (Undubbed Master June 9, 1971) (2:39)
06. He Knows Just What I Need (T-9 Undubbed Oct 30, 1960) (2:10)
07. Swing Down Sweet Chariot (Undubbed Movie Version Oct 23, 1969) (2:15)
08. We Call On Him (T-3 Undubbed September 11, 1967) (2:33)
09. Padre (Undubbed Spliced Master May 16, 1971) (2:29)
10. Elvis Introduction / You’ll Never Walk Alone (Extended Master September 11, 1967) (3:52)

1956 – 1977 Elvis Impromptu (Live And Rare)
11. On the Jericho Road (SUN Studio Dec 4, 1956) (0:50)
12. Peace In The Valley (Ed Sullivan Show Jan 6, 1957) (1:39)
13. Down By The Riverside / When The Saints Go Marching In (From the Movie “Frankie & Johnny May 1965) (1:45)
14. The Lord’s Prayer (Edit May 16, 1971) (2:03)
15. Elvis Introduction / Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone / Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus / Nearer My God To The (March / April 1972) (3:11)
16. Bosom Of Abraham / You Better Run (March / April 1972) (2:34)
17. The Impossible Dream (Madison Square Garden) (June 10, 1972) (3:18)
18. Where No One Stands Alone (Montgomery, Alabama February 16, 1977) (2:23)

Seasons Greetings From Elvis: The Christmas Radio Special From December 3, 1967.
19. Announcer / Here Comes Santa Claus (2:37)
20. Announcer / Blue Christmas (2:11)
21. Announcer / O Little Town Of Bethlehem (2:47)
22. Dale Robertson / Christmas Seal Charity Appeal (1:23)
23. Announcer / Silent Night (2:34)
24. I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1:54)
25. Announcer / I Believe (2:23)
26. Announcer / If Everyday Was Like Christmas (3:04)
27. Announcer / How Great Thou Art (3:16)
28. His Hand In Mine (3:00)
29. Announcer / Promotion of Elvis’ Albums (1:00)
30. Elvis’ Special Message / I’ll Be Home For Christmas (2:08)

More Pure Elvis - Undubbed Christmas Carols
31. The First Noel (Undubbed Master May 21, 1971) (2:13)
32. O Come, All Ye Faithful (T-1 Undubbed Master May 21, 1971 (2:58)

Charts

The Billboard charts for the week ending March 18, 2017:

• The “The Wonder of You” album dropped from #4 to #5 on the Bilboard Classical Album chart. 
• The “If I Can Dream” album remained steady at #15 on the Classical Album chart.
• 'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' rises from 8 to 5 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart; rises from 32 to 30 on the Top Christian Albums Chart and rises from 33 to 32 on the Top Christian And Gospel Albums Chart
• 'Heart And Soul' is a re-entry at 22 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart
• 'He Touched Me - The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley' (Vols.1 and 2) is a re-entry at 8 on the Music Video Sales Chart

Elvis Entries on the UK Charts - 17th March, 2017

• 'The Wonder Of You' rises from 73 to 61 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from 83 to 74 on the Album Sales Chart 
• 'The Platinum Collection' drops from 83 to 95 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from 17 to 22 on the Indie Albums Chart
• 'Hound Dog' is a re-entry at 68 on the Physical Singles Chart
• 'Blue Suede Shoes' is a re-entry at 69 on the Physical Singles Chart

European Charts

• The "The 50 Greatest Hits" compilation re-entered the Swiss Album charts at #100.  
• The 'The Wonder of You' re-entered the Belgian Album chart at #82. 
• The 'Top 40 Elvis' dropped off the Belgian Mid-proce Album chart. 

Australian Chart

• On the Australian Album chart 'The Wonder of You' dropped from #44 to #47. 
• The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" dropped from #16 to #37 on the Australian Music DVD chart.

(Source: FECC / Billboard / The King's World)

March 13 - Frank And Elvis

The Eagle Rock Entertainment announced the release of two new DVD in the "Frank Sinatra Collection" entitled "The Timex Shows Volume 1 and 2". The latter is of special interest for Elvis Presley fans. The release-date is May 17, 2017.

From the press-release:
New York, NY-- On May 19, 2017, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release another pair of titles in The Frank Sinatra Collection on DVD and digital formats. On license from Frank Sinatra Enterprises (FSE), the definitive collection pulls together some of the finest performances on television and in concert from the greatest entertainer of the 20th century.

The Timex Shows Vol.1 - The Frank Sinatra Timex Show / An Afternoon With Frank Sinatra

The Frank Sinatra Collection brings together some of Frank Sinatra’s finest performances on television and in concert. This release combines his first two Timex TV shows from the late ‘50s.

The Frank Sinatra Timex Show – First broadcast by ABC on October 19, 1959. This was the first of four Timex-sponsored television specials that Sinatra hosted. It’s a fun and energetic show that captures Frank Sinatra at the top of his game. Guests include Dean Martin, Mitzi Gaynor and Bing Crosby, who join forces for an opening rendition of “High Hopes” and later Jimmy Durante makes a surprise appearance.

An Afternoon With Frank Sinatra – First broadcast by ABC on December 13, 1959, ‘An Afternoon With Frank Sinatra’ was the second of Sinatra’s four Timex television specials. The show includes guest appearances from Peter Lawford, Hermione Gingold, The Hi-Lo’s, Red Norvo’s jazz combo, dancer Juliet Prowse and the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald. Sinatra sings such hits as “I’ve Got The World On A String,” "I'll Never Smile Again" and duets on "Can't We Be Friends" with Ella.

The Timex Shows Vol.2 - To The Ladies / Welcome Home Elvis

The Frank Sinatra Collection brings together some of Frank Sinatra’s finest performances on television and in concert. This release combines his two final Timex TV shows from 1960.

"To The Ladies" – First broadcast by ABC on February*15, 1960, ‘To The Ladies’ surrounded Frank Sinatra with a host of wonderful female performers for his third Timex-sponsored television special. It’s a mix of comedy, opera, dancing and great songs. Guests include Lena Horne, Mary Costa, Barbara Heller, Juliet Prowse and special guest star Eleanor Roosevelt.

"Welcome Home Elvis" – First broadcast by ABC on May 12, 1960, ‘Welcome Home Elvis’ was Frank Sinatra’s fourth and final Timex special. It marked Elvis Presley’s first TV appearance after coming home from military service. Elvis performs “Fame And Fortune” and “Stuck On You” then Presley and Sinatra join forces on great renditions of “Witchcraft” and “Love Me Tender.” Joining in the fun is Nancy Sinatra, Jr., Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.

Full tracklisting information - The Timex Shows Vol.1 

The Frank Sinatra Timex Show:  1) High Hopes (Bing Crosby/Dean Martin/Mitzi Gaynor) 2) Day In, Day Out (Frank Sinatra) 3) Together, Wherever We Go (Frank Sinatra/Bing Crosby/Dean Martin) 4) Hurricane (Mitzi Gaynor) 5) Talk To Me (Frank Sinatra/Mitzi Gaynor) 6) Cheek To Cheek (Bing Crosby/Dean Martin/Mitzi Gaynor) 7) Wrap Your Trouble In Dreams (Dean Martin 8 ) Medley: Good Old Songs/Down By The Old Mill Stream/The Old Gray Mare/In Shade Of The Old Apple Tree/That Old Feeling/Down The Old Ox Road/Old Rockin’ Chair/Old Devil Moon/You’re An Old Smoothie/My Old Flame/Ol’ Man River (Frank Sinatra/Bing Crosby/Dean Martin) 9) High Hopes (Frank Sinatra) 10) Medley: Just One Of Those Things/Angel Eyes/The Lady Is A Tramp (Frank Sinatra) 11) Medley: Start Each Day With A Song/Inka Dinka Doo/Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home (Frank Sinatra/Bing Crosby/Dean Martin/Mitzi Gaynor/Jimmy Durante)

An Afternoon With Frank Sinatra: 1) Spend The Afternoon With Me (Frank Sinatra) 2) I’ve Got The World On A String (Frank Sinatra) 3) The Desert Is Calling (The Hi-Lo’s) 4) Comes Love (Hermione Gingold/Peter Lawford) 5) There’s A Lull In My Life (Ella Fitzgerald) 6) It’s All Right With Me (Frank Sinatra) 7) Juliet Prowse Dance Routine 8 ) Too Marvelous For Words (Frank Sinatra/Red Norvo Quintet) 9) Here Is That Rainy Day (Frank Sinatra/Red Norvo Quintet) 10) Just You, Just Me (Ella Fitzgerald) 11) I’ll Never Smile Again (Frank Sinatra/The Hi-Lo’s) 12) Can’t We Be Friends (Frank Sinatra/Ella Fitzgerald) 13) Puttin’ On The Ritz (Hermione Gingold/Peter Lawford/Juliet Prowse) 14) He Loves And She Loves (Ella Fitzgerald) 15) Love Walked Right In (The Hi-Lo’s) 16) Our Love Is Here To Stay (Frank Sinatra) 17) Love Is Sweeping The Country (Frank Sinatra/Hermione Gingold/Peter Lawford/Juliet Prowse/Ella Fitzgerald) 

Full tracklisting information - The Timex Shows Vol. 2

To The Ladies: 1) Here’s To The Ladies (Frank Sinatra) 2) I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Frank Sinatra) 3) Ouvre Ton Coeur (Mary Costa) 4) By Strauss (Barbara Heller) 5) Ring The Bell (Lena Horne) 6) Come Cha Cha With Me (Juliet Prowse) 7) It’s A Lonesome Old Town (Frank Sinatra) 8 ) But Beautiful (Lena Horne) 9) From This Moment On (Lena Horne) 10) Harold Arlen Medley: As Long As I Live/It’s Only A Paper Moon/One For My Baby/Accentuate The Positive/Stormy Weather/Get Happy/Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (Frank Sinatra/Lena Horne) 11) My Heart Stood Still (Frank Sinatra) 12) Yours Is My Heart Alone (Mary Costa) 13) Afraid Of Love (Barbara Heller) 14) My Heart Belongs To Daddy (Lena Horne) 15) My Funny Valentine (Juliet Prowse) 16) High Hopes (Eleanor Roosevelt) 17) Here’s To The Ladies (Frank Sinatra)

Welcome Home Elvis: 1) It’s Nice To Go Trav’ling (Frank Sinatra/Joey Bishop/Sammy Davis Jr/Nancy Sinatra) 2) It’s Nice To Go Trav’ling (Frank Sinatra/Joey Bishop/Sammy Davis Jr/Nancy Sinatra/Elvis Presley) 3) Witchcraft (Frank Sinatra) 4) Come On Bess (Sammy Davis Jr) 5) Oriental Dance (Leona Irwin & The Tommy Hansen Dancers) 6) Gone With The Wind (Frank Sinatra) 7) Uh Oh! (Nutty Squirrels) 8 ) All The Way (Sammy Davis Jr) 9) Shall We Dance (Sammy Davis Jr/Peter Lawford) 10) Fame And Fortune (Elvis Presley) 11) Stuck On You (Elvis Presley) 12) Medley: Witchcraft/Love Me Tender (Frank Sinatra/Elvis Presley) 13) Medley: Witchcraft/Love Me Tender - Reprise (Frank Sinatra/Elvis Presley) 14) You Make Me Feel So Young (Frank Sinatra/Nancy Sinatra) 15) Let’s Dance (Nancy Sinatra)

Rock And Beauty

Due for release from the SR Special Product import-label March 2017 is "Rock And Beauty , Live In Las Vegas Straight From The Tape Vol.1". This contains audience recordings of both the dinner and midnight shows in Las Vegas on August 19, 1971. This comes in standard edition of 400 copies (with two different front covers) and a Deluxe edition of 100 copies with “exclusive contents”.


From the press-release:

Available from the middle March, Rock and Beauty (SR Records) with focus on Elvis’ August 1971.Both the shows are previously unreleased taken directly from a first generation tape. This will be the first of three volumes that SR will publish inside the year with focus on August 1971. The SR attitude is to present Elvis at the peak of his possibility and without doubt in the Las Vegas August 1971 season Elvis still rocks and still beautiful, delivering maybe shorter shows respect the previous summer seasons , but still solid. If Rock is attitude the man still have it. The performance is terrific full and sharp. 

Here are presented two unreleased shows from the second week of the season. Both the show are very similar , the track list is minimized and the shows are practically identical, the afternoon presents in more the song I Got a Woman. We are happy and proud of the result we hope you can enjoy too, in spite of the limitation of the audience recording you can listen in a very balanced form all the instruments and Elvis super powerful voice. The shows are fantastic and the track listing is solid , giving us the best of the Season. All the songs are very well performed . Talking of best song is very hard, however you have Proud Mary and Johnny B. Good performed at the top of Elvis’ possibilities, but in the same moment the same happens with classic ballad Love Me Tender here still performed in both the shows or the pop new single I’m Leaving …. This the magic of Elvis in the 1971, a man singing with his own style all styles at the top of his possibilities. 

This new SR special Product will be the first of three volumes housed in a deluxe long digipack, containing a 12 pages of booklet with focus and details on the season including a collection of live photographs newspapers clips and memorabilia plus a high quality glossy 135 gram paper poster of 50x50 cm size and a high glossy paper bonus art card of 25x13 cm of size.. 

In matter to have a special collector item, the 400 copies will be presented with two different sleeves variation (same sleeve, but in color and black and white). All the copies will come hand numbered and individually sealed. As by tradition of the label, it produced various versions of the set, limited to 100 copies each, all with exclusive material. 

Unreleased show august 19, 1971 DS Time 50 min.
01. 2001 Theme 02. That’s All Right 03. Proud Mary 04.I Got A Woman / Amen 05. Love Me Tender 06. Sweet Caroline 07. Polk Salad Annie 08. Dialogue 09. Johnny B Goode 10. It’s Impossible 11. Love Me 12. Blue Suede Shoes/ Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On 13. Heartbreak Hotel 14. Teddy Bear /Don’t Be Cruel 15. Dialogue 16. Hound Dog 17. Suspicious Minds 18. Band Introductions 19. I’m Leavin’ 20. Lawdy Miss Clawdy 21. Dialogue 22. Can’t Help Falling In Love 23.Closing Vamp 

Unreleased show august 19, 1971 MS Time 45.00 min. 
01. 2001 Theme 02. That’s All Right 03. Proud Mary 04. Love Me Tender 05. Sweet Caroline 06. Polk Salad Annie 07. Dialogue 08. Johnny B Goode 09. It’s Impossible 10. Love Me 11. Blue Suede Shoes/ Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On 12. Heartbreak Hotel 13. Teddy Bear /Don’t Be Cruel 14. Dialogue 15. Hound Dog 16. Suspicious Minds 17. Band Introductions 18. I’m Leavin’ 19. Lawdy Miss Clawdy 20. Can’t Help Falling In Love 21. Closing Vamp 

Packing the Arena

The MxF import-label will release soon its third special product called “Packing the Arena'' featuring both the shows performed from Elvis in Long Beach CA, Long Beach Arena on April 25, 1976. The 2.30 PM show is previously unreleased, while the 8.30 PM show has been previously released on CD ("California Wave” on Memory Records in 2009). However here is presented in very improved audio-quality so, We believe it is the right time for a proper re-release. 

After the successful Las Vegas Hilton comeback in December 1975, in spite a little bit overweight but with strong spirit, Elvis is ready to face his long tour activities of 1976. The first tour started in the middle of March , a passable tour but nothing more, the man obviously is afflicted from a lot of problems, personal relationship, recording session and overall self-attitude destructive to life. everything seems to go wrong. 

This second tour confirmed the impression from the March concerts: Elvis was not looking after himself physically and artistically he was at a dead end. In spite the lack of renewal, in the repertoire are still included some strong numbers to make the concerts of a very good quality. In some of the more demanding artistically songs, Elvis builds his show, He is still able to find LIFE singing songs like You Gave a Mountain, America the Beautiful, How Great Thou art and last single Hurt. Without doubt this is the focus of the show and the audience appreciated that, making the concert atmosphere still incredible experience. 

Talking about the concerts, both are solid with a few little variation of tracking list..in the evening one, Elvis performs three more songs: The life Anthem ; My Way, the religious ; Help Me and the fifty Rocker ; Blue Suede Shoes. Beside the focus of the show He still able to delivery in decent way, some of his classic rockers, Like Polk Salad Annie, Trying to Get To You and surprisingly in both the shows his best rocker in the seventies; Burning Love. 

The sound is very good for an ambient recordings, considering that this kind of recording is coming from a big hall no the intimate Las Vegas showroom… We have on our hands the original mono tapes 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 tapes 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 third special Product for this label, this new double set will be housed in a deluxe large four panel digipack (20 cm) , containing a 12 pages of booklet with focus and details on the tour shows, including a collection of live photographs, newspapers clips and memorabilia plus a high quality glossy 135 gram paper poster of 40x40 cm size + an high glossy quality paper art card (20x20 cm). 

In matter to have a special collector item, the 400 copies will be presented with four different sleeves variation, the same for the poster too. All the copies will come hand numbered and individually sealed and Please remember!! This is a limited hand numbered 400 copies  Like the previous special products, will be presented a 100 copies deluxe edition with exclusive content. 

Tracklist April 25 1976 (2:30 pm). Long Beach CA. Long Beach Arena: 
01. 2001 Theme 02. C. C. Rider 03. Got A Woman / Amen 04. Love Me 05. If You Love 06. You Gave Me A Mountain 07. All Shook Up 08. Teddy Bear /Don’t Be Cruel 09. Tryin’ To Get To You 10. America The Beautiful 11. Polk Salad Annie 12. Band Introductions /Solos 13. Hurt 14. And I Love You So 15. Burning Love 16. How Great Thou Art 17. Hound Dog 18. Funny How Time Slips Away 19. It’s Now Or Never 20. Can’t Help Falling In Love 21. Closing Vamp 
(CD 1 67.00 min.)

Tracklist  April 25 1976 (8:30 pm). Long Beach CA. Long Beach Arena:
01. C. C. Rider 02. I Got A Woman /Amen 03. Love Me 04. If You Love Me 05. You Gave Me A Mountain 06. All Shook Up 07. Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel 08. Tryin’ To Get To You 09. My Way 10. Polk Salad Annie 11. Band Introductions / Solos 12. Hurt 13. And I Love You So 14. America The Beautiful 15. Burning Love 16. Help Me (+ 1 false start) 17. How Great Thou Art 18. It’s Now Or Never /Elvis introduces The Eagles 19. Funny How Time Slips Away 20. Hound Dog 21. Blue Suede Shoes 22. Can’t Help Falling In Love 23. Closing Vamp (CD 2 68.00 min.)

(Source: FECC / Sinatra Family)