February 27 - Chart Update (Updated)

Here are the charts for this week:

US Billboard chart for the week ending March 3, 2018:

• On the US Billboard Classical Album chart "The Wonder of You" climbed from #10 to #7 in it's 70th. week on the chart.
• On the US Billboard Christian Album chart the "Elvis: Ultimate Gospel" compilation climbed from #31 to #23.
• On the US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart "Elvis: Ultimate Gospel" is listed at #12. 
• On the US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart the "Heart And Soul" compilation dropped from #10 to #24. 
• On the US Billboard Christian Album Sales chart "Crying In The Chapel: Hymns And Gospel Favorites" dropped from #47 to #49.

Canada:

• The "40 Years On" compilation remained steady at #44 on the Canadian Album chart. 

Europe:

• On there Croatian Album chart the "ELV1s 30 #1 Hits" compilation is listed at #27. 

Australia (commencing February 26, 2018):

• On the Australian Album Top 100 chart the "Elvis The King" compilation is back in the Top 100 climbing from #102 to #99. 
• On the Australian Catalogue Album chart the "Elvis The King" compilation is a re-entry at #49. 
• The "The King Of Rock’n’Roll" DVD dropped off the Australian Music DVD chart. 

(Source: Billboard / Laser-Freak)

February 24 - Big Boss Man Released

The Friday Music label announced the release of "On Stage - February 1970" on 180 Gr. audiophile black and blue swirl vinyl packed in a gatefold cover and with an additional poster. The release-date is May 25, 2018.

Big Boss Man Released

The Rock N Roll Majesty import-release "Big Boss Man In Vegas", a limited edition of 350 numbered longbox 4 CD set, has been released. 

Like their previous outings this box contains previously released material; two 1974 concerts (on four discs). The August 30, 1974 midnight show was released on "Night Fever In Vegas" by the Rock Legends import-label in 1997 and later as "Black Angels In Vegas" by the Venus Productions import-label in 2009.
The September 2, 1974 closing show, was previously released as "Desert Storm" by the Fort Baxter import-label in 1997 and this show was later released by various labels as "Strung Out In Vegas" (Godfather Records) and 'Time To Dare' (MxF import-label).

(Source: various)

February 22 - $100 Million Advisors Can Be Wrong

Lisa Marie Presley is offering an explanation for why she's in debt. She says an ex-manager sunk $100 million into a failed investment, and now she's suing him. Lisa Marie says Barry Siegel ran the Trust Elvis Presley left for his daughter  and in 2005 he sold off 85% of her interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises for $100 million. In the lawsuit docs she says Siegel took all of that cash and invested in a company called Core Entertainment.

Elvis’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, inherited his $100m (£71.5m) estate in 1993 at the age of 25. Another 25 years later, she says in a lawsuit obtained by US media that she is down to her last $14,000.

Presley blames her former manager Barry Siegel for her precarious finances, and filed a suit last week against him accusing him of “reckless and negligent mismanagement” of her inherited estate.

In the suit, first reported by the US website the Blast, she claims that her cash reserves were whittled down because of Seigel’s poor investment decisions. He has countered that Presley is to blame, alleging in a lawsuit of his own that she squandered much of her fortune. He is demanding $800,000 in damages for non-payment.

Elvis Presley’s fortune had dwindled to a few million dollars at the time of his death in 1977, but the power of the Presley brand – including the tourist attraction Graceland – meant that assets were built back up into the $100m trust that Lisa Marie inherited on her 25th birthday.

Siegel sold off 85% of her share in the Elvis Presley Enterprises company in 2005, a deal that he says “cleared up over $20m in debts Lisa had incurred and netted her over $40m cash and a multi-million dollar income stream”. Presley says it lost her millions thanks to a subsequent investment in Core Entertainment, the company behind American Idol that went bankrupt in 2016.

According to reports in the US, tax filings show the family’s Presley Charitable Foundation has operated at an annual loss in every tax year since 2009, with reported annual revenue down to just $26 in one year. The foundation’s endowment, reported to be just north of $100,000, is in Seigel’s care. The foundation did not return the Guardian’s calls.

Presley, who has recorded three albums of her own, is already in a battle over assets in the wake of her divorce from Michael Lockwood, her fourth marriage after short-lived partnerships with Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage. According to reports of her divorce proceedings last week, she claims she is $16m in debt. Lockwood disputes the figure, arguing “she has not disclosed her assets or their values”.

None of Presley’s representatives the Guardian contacted responded with comments. Leon Gladstone, a lawyer for Siegel, said his client had sued Presley first for non-payment. “It’s clear Lisa Marie is going through a difficult time in her life and looking to blame others instead of taking responsibility for her actions,” he said in a statement.

(Source: TMZ / The Guardian)

February 21 - Elvis Charts (Updated March 25)

The charts from around the world for this week:

US:

• On the Billboard Christian Album chart "Elvis Ultimate Gospel" dropped from #26 to #31.
• On the Billboard Christian Album chart "Playlist: The Very Best Gospel of Elvis Presley" dropped from #41 to #48.
• On the Billboard Classical Album chart the "The Wonder of You" album climbed from #12 to #10..
• On the Billboard Country Catalog Album chart the "Heart And Soul" compilation climbed from #14 to 10.
• On the Billboard Country Catalog Album chart the "ELV1S 30#1 Hits" compilation is listed at #23.
• On the Christian Album Sales chart "Crying in the Chapel: Hymns and Gospel Favorites" is a re-entry at #47. 

Canada:

• On the Canadian Album chart the "40 Years On" compilation climbed from #48 to #44.

Spain:

• The "Elvis: El Disco De Oro" compilation climbed from #51 to #44 on the Spanish Album chart. 

Scotland and Ireland:

• The "Lovin' Elvis" compilation dropped from #25 to #31 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
• The "The Real ... Elvis" is a re-entry at #95 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
• The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation re-entered the Irish Album chart at #85.

(Source: Laser-Freak / Official UK Chart Company / Ariachart)

February 19 - Elvis Argentina 1956-1962

Available at last according to a posting on the FECC forum is the book “Elvis @ Argentina 1956 - 1962” containing hundreds of never before published pictures and detailed info on everything about Elvis in Argentina 1956/1962.

Synopsis:
This new book by Carlos R. Ares shows the impact of Elvis in Argentina between 1956 and 1962, his influence on local artists, complete discography and filmography, press clippings, records and films reviews, magazines, promotional material, RCA label copies and everything related to the aforementioned period in Argentina. Hundreds of records, documents, posters, RCA label copies never before on print! Over 200 pages of ultra-rare Argentinean collectors items on display. 


(Source: FECC)

 

 

 

February 16 - Elvis Presley’s Watch to Hit the Auction Block (Updated 18/02)

You can’t envision a much cooler moment than Elvis Presley sauntering into a cocktail lounge at the Sahara in early-1960s Las Vegas: Picture him taking a seat next to a stranger, who notices the flash of diamonds on the wrist of the king of rock ‘n’ roll. “I like your watch,” the stranger says. Noticing that the guy who broached the subject is also wearing an expensive timepiece, Elvis responds: “I like your watch — want to trade?”

That scenario happened more often than you might think. Now, one of the watches Presley gave away is about to take the spotlight: A vintage Omega, purchased by RCA Records in 1961 at Tiffany & Co., will hit the auction block May 12 at Phillips in Geneva. And it’s not just any watch, it’s a milestone piece. RCA execs presented the watch to their most valuable artist to celebrate the sale of 75 million Elvis Presley records. The case back’s engraving commemorates the event: “To Elvis, 75 Million Records, RCA Victor, 12-25-60”  (the record company pinpointed Christmas 1960 as the day the record-breaking sales figure was achieved).

“This was a big moment in Elvis’ life, and this watch celebrates that,” says Paul Boutros, senior vp and head of watches for the Americas for Phillips. “He had just been discharged from the Army, which had drafted him at the peak of his career, and even though he was out of the limelight, his records were still selling like crazy. He crossed the 75-million mark and was being welcomed back to record more music and make more movies. This is the watch that documents that fascinating moment in time.”  

RCA spared no expense, it seems, in selecting this particular trophy: The 33-millimeter manual watch is crafted in 18-karat white gold, with 44 round brilliant diamonds embellishing its bezel. The dial is also marked “Tiffany & Co.” under its Omega logo. (For watch nerds, the piece’s movement is also stamped with “OXG,” Omega’s U.S. import code, for additional proof of its authenticity.)

“It’s a very nice, very slim dress watch that’s well-suited to its period,” Boutros notes. “I would consider it the most elegant of all his watches that we’ve come across in our research.”

The watch makes its public debut this weekend at Watches & Wonders, a multi-brand event for watch aficionados taking place throughout Miami’s Design District. Phillips is displaying the piece, alongside other highlights from the upcoming Geneva auction, Friday through Sunday at the Design District’s Opera Gallery.

The watch is being consigned by the nephew of the man who indeed traded his Hamilton timepiece for Presley’s Omega in that Sahara cocktail lounge. “The watch has hardly been worn over the years; it’s in excellent condition and, given the crispness of the engravings on the case back, doesn’t look like it’s been polished,” says Boutros, adding that the consignor approached Phillips following the success of October’s Paul Newman Daytona auction. “He’d been sitting on the watch for years, and after reading about the record-breaking result of that auction, he got in touch with us. He’d spoken with other houses previously, but he felt they didn’t understand the watch’s importance.”

Phillips has set an auction estimate of $50,000 to $100,000 for the piece, which will come with a certificate of authenticity from the Elvis Presley Museum at Graceland and a 1982 Dave Marsh book, simply titled Elvis, which includes images of Presley wearing the timepiece.

Ultimately, while Boutros estimates that Presley owned — and traded — perhaps hundreds of watches over the years, it’s not likely there’s another sitting in a drawer that will draw the same interest. “This is the most historically significant one ever to appear on the market,” he says. “When you fold in its clear provenance and its great background story, it became a very compelling piece for us to sell. We love watches with great stories.”

As Heard On Vinyl

The Wax Love label released the compilation "Elvis Presley - The King As Seen on TV" containing recordings from the 1957 "Dorsey Brothers" and "Ed Sullivan" TV Shows.  

Side A: Shake, Rattle And Roll / Flip, Flop And Fly - I Got A Woman - Baby, Let's Play House - Tutti Frutti - Blue Suede Shoes - Heartbreak Hotel - I Was The One - Money Honey
Side B: Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Talks - Love Me Tender - Ready Teddy - Love Me - Hound Dog - Heartbreak Hotel - Too Much - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me).

Spliced Release

The first 2018 release from the CMT import-label, "Spliced Takes - G.I. Blues", has been released. It contains 12 newly created takes from the well known 1960  tracks. 

Tracks: Tonight Is So Right For Love (Spliced Take 10 & 8) - What’s She Really Like (Spliced Take 17 & 19) - Frankfort Special (Spliced Take 3, 4 & 5) - Wooden Heart (Alternate Intro Version) - G. I. Blues (Spliced Take 2 ,6, Pu10, 7 & Pu9) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Spliced Take 1 & 3) - Shoppin’ Around (Spliced Take 4, 2 & 5) - Big Boots (‘Trilogy’ Version) - Didja Ever (Spliced Take 1, 2 & 1) - Blue Suede Shoes (Spliced Master) - Doin’ The Best I Can (Spliced Take 10 & 12) - Tonight Is All Right For Love (Spliced Take 5A & 5B)

(Source: Hollywood Reporter / Elvis on CD)

February 15 - Chart Update (Updated 23/02)

This week's chart updates:

US Billboard chart:

• On the US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart the "Heart And Soul" compilation is listed at #14.
• On the US Billboard Top Christian Album chart the "Elvis Ultimate Gospel" climbed from #28 to #26.
• On the US Billboard Top Christian Album chart the "Playlist: The Very Best Gospel of Elvis Presley" climbed from #47 to #41.
• On the US Billboard Classical Album chart the "The Wonder of You" cooperation by Elvis Presley and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra climbed from #13 to #12. 

Canadian chart:

• On the Canadian Album chart the "40 Years On" album dropped from #47 to #48. 

European chart:

• On the Spanish Album Top 100 chart the "Elvis: El Disco De Oro" 
• On the Official UK Music DVD chart the "The Elvis Collection" DVD set dropped from #46 to #47.
• On the official Scottish Album chart the "Lovin' Elvis" compilation climbed from #27 to #25. 
• On the official Scottish Album chart the "The Platinum Collection" dropped from #84 to #93.

Australian chart:

• The "Elvis The King" compilation climbed from #112 to #102 on the Australian Album Top 100.
• The "The King Of Rock ’n’ Roll" DVD climbed from #23 to #13 on the Australian Music DVD chart.

(Source: Laser Freak)

February 10 - A Release From Behind The Closed Doors

The Hepcat import-label re-issued the classic "Behind Closed Doors" bootleg on CD and red colored vinyl with an additional vinyl single coupling "Gentle On My Mind" (Vocal Repaired Undubbed Master) with "Tomorrow Never Comes" (Take 11). The audio has been remastered for this release.

Side A: Lonely Man - (Solo - Take 1) - In My Way (Take 1) - Moonlight Swim (Take 2) - King Of The Whole Wide World (Take 31) - Home Is Where The Heart Is (Take 7) - I Got Lucky (MX5 - Take 2)

Side B: Faded Love (Alternate Master / Take 3) - Don´t Cry Dady (17.02.1970 M/S) - Kentucky Rain (17.02.1970 M/S) - Funny How Time Slips Away (Unedited Undubbed Master)

CD 1:
Lonely Man (Solo Take 1) - I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Take 14 & 15) - I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Take 16) - Wild In The Country (Take 1) - Wild In The Country (Take 15 & 16) - In My Way (Take 1) - Forget Me Never (Take 1 & 2) - Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 1) - Island Of Love (Take 5, 7 & 8) - Steppin´ Out Of Line (Take 19) - Steppin´ Out Of Line (Take 8) - Almost Always True (Take 4 & 5) - Moonlight Swim (Take 1) - Moonlight Swim (Take 2) - Can´t Help Falling In Love (Take 20 - 22 & 24) - Beach Boy Blues (Take 1 & 3 - Mono) - King Of The Whole Wide World (Take 31) - This Is Living (Take 3) - Home Is Where the Heart Is (Take 7) - I Got Lucky (MX 5 - Take 2) - A Whistling Tune (Take 3 - 7) - Drusm Of The Island (A1V Take 1 -3) - This Is My Heaven (FOV Take 3) - Swing Down Sweet Chariot (Movie Version - Undubbed Master - Take 10) - Almost (Movie Version - Undubbed Master - Take 31) - Signs Of The Zodiac (Master - Take 9) - The Whiffenpoof Song / Violet

CD 2:
Gentle On My Mind (Master) - Faded Love (Alternate Master / Take 3) - I Got A Woman (26.08.1969 D/S) - Suspicious Minds (Spliced 22.08.1969 D/S & Unknown Live Version) - Don´t Cry Daddy (17.02.1970 M/S) - Kentucky Rain (17.02.1970 M/S) - Polk Salad annie (16.02.1970 M/S) - It´s Your Baby, You Rock It (Undubbed Master - Take 5 - LP Version) - Tomorrow Never Comes (Composite Master) - Funny How Time Slips Away (Unedited Undubbed Master) - I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water (Unedited Undubbed Master) - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Duet With Ginger Holladay - Take 12) - Don´t Think Twice, It´s All Right (Extended Version)

Bonus Songs:
Island Of Love (Take 7 & 8 - Stereo) - Beach Boy Blues (Take 3 - Stereo) - Don´t Think Twice, It´s All Right (Full Version - 16./17.05.1971) - It´s Your Baby, You Rock It (Undubbed Master - Take 5)

Single:
Gentle On My Mind (Vocal Repaired Undubbed Master) / Tomorrow Never Comes (Take 11)

(Source: FECC / The Kings World / Elvis Club Berlin)

February 09 - The Reno Brothers

Norwegian author and publisher Erik Lorentzen is working on a book in his "Gold Standard Series". The "The Reno Brothers" deals with Elvis Presley's first movie "Love Me Tender". The book-title refers to the original title of the movie. The release-date isn't clear yet. 

(Source: EM / UEPS)

 

February 08 - Charts (Updated)

The Billboard charts:

• The "ELV1s 30 #1 Hits" compilation is listed at #34 on the Billboard Country Album chart.
• The "Ultimate Gospel" compilation is is listed at #28 on the Billboard Christian Music chart.
• The "Playlist: The Very Best Gospel Of Elvis Presley" compilation is is listed at #47 on the Billboard Christian Music chart.
• The "The Wonder of You" cooperation with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra climbed from #14 to #13 on the Billboard Classical Album chart.

The European charts:

• The "Lovin' Elvis" compilation is a new entry at #27 on the Scottish Album chart.
• The "The Platinum Collection" dropped from #78 to #84 on the Scottish Album chart.
• The "The Real ... Elvis" compilation dropped from #58 to #89 on the Scottish Album chart.
• The "El Disco De Oro" compilation dropped from #49 to #77 on the Spanisch Album chart.
• The "The Elvis Collection" DVD-set dropped from #46 to #47 on the Official UK Music DVD chart.

Australian charts:

• The album "The King" dropped off the Australian Album Top 100 for the week commencing February 12, 2018). It dropped from #99 to #112. 
• The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More:" dropped from #22 to #23 on her Australian Music DVD chart. 

Blu-Ray Releases

Explosive-Media / Koch Media released the classic movies "Follow That Dream" (1962) and "Frankie And Johnny" (1966) on blu-ray in Germany as "Ein Sommer in Florida" and "Frankie und Johnny". Both come in the German and English language, original theatrical trailers and a bonus picture gallery.  

(Source: Billboard / The King's World / Laser Freak / Official UK Chart Company / Amazon)

February 07 - The Searcher Details

Here are the final details of the upcoming HBO special "Elvis Presley: The Searcher" soundtrack which is due for release April 6, 2018.

This spring, the three-hour, two-part documentary "Elvis Presley: The Searcher" will peel back the legend of The King of Rock and Roll to focus on Elvis' evolution as a musician and a man. The Thom Zimny-directed feature uses rare footage and new interviews with those who knew Elvis best to share the stories behind the songs that made him famous.

The soundtrack to Elvis Presley: The Searcher showcases Elvis' most enduring hits, powerful performances and rare alternate takes, from his early blues and country-influenced recordings to his final 1976 recording sessions at the Jungle Room in Graceland. The soundtrack will be available on April 6 as an 18-track overview on CD or 2LP. A 3CD deluxe version adds 37 additional Elvis cuts, original score compositions by Mike McCready of Pearl Jam plus songs that inspired Elvis, from R&B and country classics to his mother Gladys Presley singing at home. The deluxe edition includes a 40-page book of photos, liner notes by Warren Zanes, and a producers note from film director Thom Zimny. Soundtrack Producers: Ernst Mikael Jørgensen, Thom Zimny and Jon Landau.

Tracks (Deluxe Version) CD 1:
Trouble / Guitar Man (Live) - My Baby Left Me - Baby, What You Want Me To Do (First 'Stand-Up' Show) (Live) - Old Shep - That's When Your Heartaches Begin - That's All Right - Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Fool, Fool, Fool - Tweedlee Dee - Baby Let's Play House - Good Rockin' Tonight - Trying To Get To You - Blue Moon - When it Rains It Pours - Blue Christmas - Heartbreak Hotel - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy - Money Honey - Hound Dog - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) - Crawfish - Trouble - Farther Along - Mona Lisa - Hide Thou Me - Loving You (End Title - Take 16) - Lonely Man (Solo Version) - Power Of My Love

CD 2: Milky White Way - A Mess Of Blues - Fame And Fortune - Love Me Tender / Witchcraft (With Frank Sinatra) (Remastered) - Like A Baby - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - It's Now Or Never - Wooden Heart - Swing Down Sweet Chariot - Reconsider Baby - Bossa Nova Baby - C'mon Everybody - Tomorrow Is A Long Time - Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Run On - Baby What You Want Me To Do  (Version 1) (Live)  - Suspicious Minds (Take 6) - Baby Let's Play House (Rehearsal version) - Words (Rehearsal version) - That's All Right (Live) - Never Been To Spain (Live) - An American Trilogy (Live at the Honolulu International Center) - You Gave Me A Mountain (Live at the Honolulu International Center) - Burning Love (Rehearsal Version) - Separate Ways (Rehearsal Version) - Hurt (Take 5) - If I Can Dream (Stereo Mix)

CD 3: Dissolution (Mike McCready) - Satisfied (The Blackwood Brothers) - That's All Right (Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup) - She May Be Yours But She Comes To See Me So (Joe Hill Louis) - Mystery Train (Little Junior's Blue Flames) - Smokestack Lightning (Howlin' Wolf) - Rock-A-My Soul (The Blackwood Brothers) - Just Walkin' In The Rain (The Prisonaires) - Rocket 88 (Jackie Brenston And His Delta Cats) - Write Me A Letter (The Ravens) - Blue Moon Of Kentucky (Bill Monroe) - Ain't That Right (Eddie Snow) - Just Walkin' In The Rain (Johnnie Ray) - Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Lloyd Price) - Home Sweet Home (Gladys Presley) - Blowin' In The Wind (Odetta) - Tomorrow Is A Long Time (Odetta) - The Weight (The Staple Singers) - Heartbreak Hotel (The Orlons) - Wooden Heart (Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers) - Rebound (Mike McCready) 

Note that the download version link listed appears to omit disc 3, track 14,  Lloyd Price - "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" thereby featuring 20 tracks rather than 21 for disc 3.

Elvis Presley: The Searcher (The Original Soundtrack) - 2LP

Side A: Trouble / Guitar Man (Live) - My Baby Left Me - That's All Right - Baby Let's Play House - Heartbreak Hotel 
Side B: Lawdy, Miss Clawdy - Hound Dog - Crawfish - Mona Lisa - Milky White Way 
Side C: Like A Baby - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - It's Now Or Never - Tomorrow Is A Long Time 
Side D: Suspicious Minds (take 6) - Separate Ways (rehearsal version) - Hurt (take 5) - If I Can Dream (Stereo Mix)

A quote by Thom Zimny regarding the soundtrack (from Rollling Stone):

"From day one I had a soundtrack in mind; one that would cover Elvis in a new way and go deep into the vault. Thanks to the help of Sony Legacy and the efforts of Ernst Jorgensen, I was able to pore over thousands of recordings and Elvis Presley outtakes. I also wanted the film's soundtrack to pay tribute to the many artists who influenced Elvis, and to incorporate their music to create a sonic landscape that I hoped would give the viewer the experiences Elvis had absorbing the many genres he was exposed to and influenced by – from gospel, to R&B, to country."

Private Presley Exhibition

Graceland Commemorates Elvis' Army Anniversary with Offer for Veterans, Active Duty Military. Graceland to Open Expanded “Private Presley” Exhibit  Chronicling Elvis’ Military Career

Elvis Presley began his service in the United States military on March 24, 1958, when he was inducted into the U.S. Army. To salute our troops and to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Elvis’ military service, Graceland has announced that complimentary tickets to the new Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment and exhibit complex will be made available on Saturday, March 24, 2018 to all military veterans and those serving on active duty. Additionally, the AAA four-diamond Guest House at Graceland resort hotel will offer its “Salute to Heroes” discounted rate of 30% off standard room rates to both active and retired military. 


This anniversary day will also mark the opening of an expanded “Private Presley” Army exhibit at Elvis Presley’s Memphis.  The newly-expanded “Private Presley” exhibit will take an in-depth look at Elvis’ military service, including letters from Elvis’ manager Col. Parker to the Army asking for a deferment to allow Elvis to complete filming of “King Creole,” letters from the Army regarding press access to Elvis, his original Army footlocker, the dress that his mother Gladys wore at his induction ceremony, and more. Fans can also learn about how Col. Parker kept Elvis’ career alive while he was serving in Germany and see items from Frank Sinatra’s legendary “Welcome Home, Elvis” 1960 ABC television special.

(Source: Sony Legacy / FECC / Rolling Stone)

February 06 - Strictly Elvis Charts (Updated)

Erik Lorentzen and Keith Alverson have started working on their second "Strictly Elvis" book. 

It will contain more than 1,200 photos from 1976 and 1977 with more than 1,000 never published, or even seen, before. Here’s the cover, to be released later this year. 

US and Canadian Charts

The "40 Years On" compilation climbed from #50 to #47 on the Canadian Billboard Top 100 chart.

• The "Can't Help Falling In Love" is listed at #82 on the US Billboard Top  Singles Sales chart. 
• The "The Wonder of You" climbed from #14 to #13 on the US Billboard Classical Album chart. 
• The "Ultimate Gospel" compilation dropped from #27 to #28 on the US Billboard Christian Album chart.
• The "Ultimate Gospel" compilation is listed at #15 on the US Billboard Country Catalog Albums chart.
• The "Playlist: The Very Best Gospel of Elvis Presley" compilation dropped from #41 to #47 on the US Billboard Christian Album chart.
• The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation dropped from #32 to #34 on the US Billboard Top Country Album chart. 

European Chart

• The "Elvis: El Disco De Oro" compilation dropped from #49 to #77 on the Spanish Album chart. 

Australian Chart

• The "Elvis: The King Of Rock 'N' Roll" DVD dropped from #18 to #22 on the Australian Music DVD chart.

(Source: Essential Elvis / Laser Freak / Aria Chart)

February 05 - A Rebel In Murfreesbro

The Follow That Dream collectors label announced the release of the February 2018 titles; the “Elvis: Murfreesboro '74” double CD, the “Rebel With A Cause '56” book and CD set and on vinyl the classic “Elvis - The Fool Album”.   

The label also announced that the titles "Paradise Hawaiian Style" and "Guitar Man" were deleted from the catalogue. 

Details Elvis: Murfreesboro '74 (FTD 155 2 CD Set)

FTD is pleased to announce the release of "Elvis: Murfreesboro '74". Released as a 5 inch digipack, this 2-CD set features Elvis in great form from two shows on March 14th and 19th at the Murfreesboro Middle State Tennessee University. The sound quality and performances from Elvis and the band are really powerful. "Steamroller Blues" will knock your socks off!

Disc 1 - March 14, 1974 01 Also Sprach Zarathustra 02 See See Rider 3:36 03 I Got A Woman / Amen 4:13 04 Love Me 1:41 05 Trying To Get To You 2:09 06 All Shook Up 1:01 07 Steamroller Blues 3:01 08 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 2:06 09 Love Me Tender 1:53 10 Johnny B. Goode 1:40 11 Hound Dog 1:11 12 Fever 3:06 13 Polk Salad Annie 3:38 14 Why Me Lord 3:58 15 Suspicious Minds 3:55 16 Introductions 1:58 17 I Can't Stop Loving You 2:41 18 Help Me 2:44 19 American Trilogy 4:04 20 Let Me Be There 3:59 21 Funny How Time Slips Away 2:42 22 Can't Help Falling In Love 1:41) 23 Closing Vamp 1:00 

Disc 2 - March 19, 1974 01 Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey) 1:15 02 See See Rider 3:37 03 I Got A Woman / Amen 5:56 04 Love Me 1:46 05 Trying To Get To You 2:12 06 All Shook Up 1:02 07 Steamroller Blues 2:56 08 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 1:58 09 Love Me Tender 1:55 10 Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On/Mama Don't Dance / Flip, Flop and Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog 3:37 11 Fever 3:08 12 Polk Salad Annie 3:39 13 Why Me Lord 4:00 14 Suspicious Minds 3:51 15 Introductions 2:37 16 I Can't Stop Loving You 2:32 17 Help Me 3:11 18 American Trilogy 4:00 19 Let Me Be There 4:15 20 Funny How Time Slips Away 2:32 21 Mystery Train 0:45 (incomplete)
  
Details Rebel With A Cause '56 (FTD Book/CD)

The new book “Rebel With A Cause”, written by David English en Pål Granlund, follows Elvis between August 16th and September 30th 1956 from his arrival in Hollywood to his return to Memphis. It includes many rare and unpublished photos taken from the original negatives.

The bonus CD features "Elvis Presley: Rock ‘n’ Roll No. 2", an album originally released by HMV in the UK. It also features all 4 songs from Elvis’ first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show on September 9th 1956, and a recording off the afternoon performance of September 26th in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Track listing on CD:
1. Rip It Up 2. Love Me 3. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again 4. Long Tall Sally 5. First In Line 6. Paralyzed 7. So Glad You're Mine 8. Old Shep (Take 5) 9. Ready Teddy 10. Anyplace Is Paradise 11. How's The World Treating You 12. How Do You Think I Feel 

The Ed Sullivan Show: September 9, 1956 (previously released on "A Golden Celebration") 13. Don't Be Cruel 14. Elvis talks 15. Love Me Tender 16. Ready Teddy 17. Hound Dog.

The Mississippi-Alabama Fair And Dairy Show: September 26, 1956 - Afternoon Show (previously released on "A Golden Celebration" & "Love Me Tender FTD") 18. Heartbreak Hotel 19. Long Tall Sally 20. Presentations 21. I Was The One 22. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You 23. Elvis talks 24. I Got A Woman 25. Don't Be Cruel 26. Ready Teddy 27. Love Me Tender 28. Hound Dog.

29. Interview with Vernon and Gladys Presley 30. Interview with Nick Adams 31. Interview with Judy Hopper 32. Interview with Elvis.

Details ELVIS - The Fool Album (FTD 318 2 LP Ltd Edition 180gram Vinyl Set)

FTD Vinyl is please to announce the release of "ELVIS - The Fool Album". Originally released in July 1973, this album's track listing changed dramatically from RCA's internal documents circulated just one month before. 

Here for the first time, disc 1 features the LP sequenced as originally planned. The LP artwork also replicates the original draft layout before it was amended. Disc 2 includes outtakes from the sessions that contributed to the album. Highlights include the rare fully orchestrated version of 'Fool" and the 11-minute plus version of "Don’t Think Twice It’s Allright”. 

Disc 1: The Original Planned Version Of The Album
Side A 01 Fool (2:49) 02 Where Do I Go From Here (2:41) 03 Blue Hawaii* (2:38) 04 Early Mornin' Rain* (3:03) 05 It's Impossible* (2:55) Side B 01 Reconsider Baby (Blues Jam)* (2:45) 02 Hawaiian Wedding Song* (2:01) 03 Ku-U-I-Po* (2:14) 04 I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen (2:27) 05 No More* (2:38) (Don Robertson/Hal Blair) *Recorded live.

Disc 2: The Outtakes and Alternates
Side C 01 FOOL (with full strings overdub) (2:49) 02 Steamroller Blues* (single mix) (3:05) 03 Until It's Time For You To Go (takes 1 & 2) (5:47) 04 (That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me (takes 9 & 10) (4:09) 05 I Will Be True (takes 1 & 2) (4:24) Side D 01 Don't Think Twice, It's All Right + (take 2, informal recording) (11:20) 02 Love Me, Love The Life I Lead (alternate mix) (3:07) 03 It's Still Here (takes 4 & 5) (2.05).

(Source: Follow That Dream / FECC)

February 04 - Weekend Imports And Charts

Three new Straight Arrow releases were announced: "Rippin’ It In Cincinnati" containing the March 21, 1976 14.30 PM Show, "Philadelphia Freedom" containing the June 28, 1976 show as recorded at the Spectrum in Philadelphia and "He's The One In '71" containing the August 28th, 1971 Dinner Show as recorded in Las Vegas.

Philadelphia Freedom

The first release from Straight Arrows is "Philadelphia Freedom" and contains the June 28th 1976 show at the Spectrum. It’s the summer of 1976, and America is celebrating its bicentennial. What could be more patriotic than seeing America’s greatest entertainer in the city where the countries’ Declaration of Independence was formed and signed? The Straight Arrow team has been looking for a recording of this particular concert for a long time… and they finally succeeded.

Compared with July and August 1976 concerts, performances in June were of a much better standard and the Philadelphia concert is no exception. Elvis did a fine show that night. The Philadelphia show is previously unreleased. Until now, this show was not available in acceptable sound, and the only existing tape was in horrible quality. This release has been taken directly from a previously unreleased, original audience-recorded cassette. This concert was recorded by an Elvis fan from Pennsylvania.

This release is presented in a deluxe six-panel digipak with a collection of photos taken during the concert. There’s also some interesting liner notes written by the fan who taped the show.

Tracks: Part of pre-program: Gonna Fly Now (theme from Rocky – by Joe Guercio & The Hot Hilton Horns) / Black Sunday (by The Sweet Inspirations) / If You Leave Me Now (by Sweet Inspirations). The Elvis Presley show: Introduction / Also Sprach Zarathustra / CC Rider / I Got A Woman – Amen / Love Me / If You Love Me (Let Me Know) / You Gave Me A Mountain / All Shook Up / (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear – Don’t Be Cruel / And I Love You So / Jailhouse Rock / Fever / America The Beautiful / Introductions Of Singers, Musicians And Orchestra / Early Mornin’ Rain / What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode / Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt – incomplete) / Bass Solo (Blues – Jerry Scheff) / Piano Solo (Tony Brown) / Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) / Love Letters / School Day / Hurt #1 / Hurt #2 / Hound Dog / Funny How Time Slips Away (with reprise) / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcements.

The pre-program was taped in Philadelphia, PA, May 28th, 1977 by the same guy who recorded the 1976 show. Straight Arrow planned to release the May 28th, 1977 show too, but another label released it recently from another tape source.

Rippin’ It In Cincinnati

The second 2018 release from Straight Arrow is entitled Rippin’ It In Cincinnati from March 21st 1976 (2:30pm show). It was the 1st tour of 1976 and some of Elvis’ key musicians were replaced. Unexpectedly, the result was a surprisingly fresh sound, with keyboards and drums prominent. During this rather short tour, Elvis performed 8 solid and entertaining shows in 4 cities.

The Cincinnati show is previously unreleased. Once again, this show was not available in acceptable sound thus far. The only existing tape in circulation was in poor quality. This was the show where Elvis ripped the seat of his blue Bicentennial suit during Polk Salad Annie, and finished the show dressed in the Rainfall suit. It is one of the very few shows where Elvis left the stage for awhile (another example is Baltimore, May 29, 1977, released on our 2xCD Breakdown In Baltimore).
This recording has been taken directly from a first generation copy of a previously unreleased original audience-recorded cassette. This concert was recorded by Elvis super-fan John Herman, who also taped the legendary Pittsburgh 1976 New Years Eve show, widely released by bootleggers and by the official FTD label.
As usual, this release is presented in a deluxe 6-panel digipak with collection of photos taken in Cincinnati and local press reviews. A couple of unpublished John Herman snapshots were added, too!

Tracks: Introduction / Also Sprach Zarathustra / CC Rider / I Got A Woman – Amen / Love Me / Let Me Be There / You Gave Me A Mountain / Steamroller Blues / All Shook Up / (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear – Don’t Be Cruel / Love Me Tender / Polk Salad Annie – Elvis leaves the stage to change the jumpsuit / Introductions Of Singers, Musicians And Orchestra (by JD Sumner) / What’d I Say (James Burton, instrumental) / Drum Solo (Larry Londin) / Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) / Elvis returns / Piano Solo (Shane Keister) / Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) / School Day / And I Love You So / Hurt (with reprise) / Burning Love / America The Beautiful / Funny How Time Slips Away / Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcements.

He's The One In '71

The third CD in this Straight Arrow batch, and some might say, the best is a great sounding show from 1971. 

Straight Arrow is very pleased to bring you this rare concert recording from Elvis’ Summer 1971 festival. It is always a delight to find new, fresh tapes from this year, and from this particular season — especially when it’s in very good sound quality. This is an excellent recording from the August 28th dinner show.
Elvis’ previous engagement there had shown signs of his high performing standard slipping, but here he sounds like he’s back on track again. Late August shows are tight, no-nonsense affairs with Presley in good voice and in strong form. He performs with focus and professionalism, and he sings a fantastic variety of music.

The Las Vegas, August 28th, 1971 dinner show is previously unreleased. The only existing tape/CD-R in circulation is of very poor quality. Our release has been taken directly from a recently obtained first generation copy of an original audience-recorded cassette. This concert was recorded by an Elvis fan from France, Marie Chantal Rivière, who also taped other August 1971 Las Vegas shows. SA has released Marie Chantal Rivière’s recordings of the August 27th & 29th dinner and midnight concerts on the 2xCD Solid As Rock and Last Stint At The International. If you like those releases, you cannot go wrong with He’s The One In ‘71.

This release is presented in a deluxe 6-panel digipak with collection of photos taken in August 1971 and press reviews.

Tracks: Orchestra Intro / Introduction / Also Sprach Zarathustra / That’s All Right / I Got A Woman / Proud Mary / Sweet Caroline / Polk Salad Annie / Instrumental Intermezzo / Elvis Talks / Johnny B. Goode / It’s Impossible / Love Me / Blue Suede Shoes – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On – Blue Suede Shoes / Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear – Don’t Be Cruel / Suspicious Minds / Introductions Of Singers, Musicians & Orchestra / I’m Leavin’ / Introduction Of Ed Parker / Bridge Over Troubled Water / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcements.

Charts

The chart wrap-up for this week: 

Australian Charts

• The "Elvis The King" compilation dropped from #65 to #99 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart Top 100.
• The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" dropped from #18 to #22 on the Australian ARIA Music DVD chart.

United States Billboard Charts for the week ending February 1 2018

• The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" climbed from #48 to #32 on the US Billboard Country Album chart. 
• The "Ultimate Gospel" compilation dropped from #22 to #27 on the UC Billboard Gospel Album chart. 
• The "Playlist: The Very Best Gospel Of Elvis Presley" climbed from #44 to $41 on the US Billboard Christian Album chart. 
• The "The Wonder of You" cooperation by Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra climbed from #15 to #14 on the US Billboard Classical Album chart. 
• The song "Can't Help Falling In Love" is listed at # 82 on the Top 100 Singles Sales chart

Billboard Canada

• The "40 Years On" album dropped from #50 to #47 on the Top 100 Album chart.

European Charts

• The "The Platinum Collection" set climbed from #92 top #78 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
• The "The Real ... Elvis" set climbed from #64 #58 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
• The Spanisch compilation "Elvis – El Disco De Oro" dropped from #44 to #49 on the Spanisch Album chart.
• The "Elvis At The Movies" album is currently listed at #23 on the Croarian Album chart. 

(Source: Essential Elvis / Laser Freak on FECC / ARIA / Billboard / The King's World / Official Chart Company)

February 03 - Here I Go Again ... Behind Closed Doors

The Hepcat import-label announced the rerelease of the classic 1979 Audifön import-release “Behind Closed Doors” in their special product series.

From the press-release:

After the success of "The Alternate Moody Blue" and "The Alternate Today" Hepcat records releases "Behind Closed Doors" in it's newly launched special products series.

Behind Closed Doors has always been a fan favorite, the beautiful LP box set issued by the Audifön label in 1979 was a groundbreaking release. Most material was unreleased and the quality was pretty good.

Hepcat started this project after locating some of the original acetates and a (partly usable) tape used to create the original lp masters.  After a short investigation we realized this set deserved a proper re-release. Especially with the acetates and tape in hand! Obviously during the years a lot of material was issued officially in the right quality but also some of the tracks are not yet available on other releases or in the form as presented on the original boxset. (Besides a terrible sounding CD release in the 90's). 

For example Steppin' Out Of Line take 19 and 8 which were only released as a spliced version. On this set you will find the proper versions, in an awesome quality. The outtakes of the TAG for Drums Of The Islands are another example of beautiful quality on this set. Same counts for Wild In The Country / Beach Boy Blues take 1 and 3 and so on. This set offers too much to mention and will sure bring back some memories.

Also for the 70's lovers there is enough to enjoy on this set, for example the Suspicious Minds spliced live version and Polk Salad Annie from February 16, 1970 are presented here in a quality as never before. Also the extended version of Don't Think Twice, It's All Right is in a quality you will certainly enjoy. For It's Your Baby You Rock It was mostly thought that the undubbed master on the original LP box was skipping, actually it was a bad edited version as it appeared on the tape, a better source was not available at the time and still is not available. We decided to put the edited version the way it was presented on the tape and original lp box as it is still way better then the second acetate source, which is also presented as a bonus track. Die hard vinyl spinners might even be able to sing along with the edited version. All tracks are digitally remastered and speed corrected where necessary. 

Now for the first time this legendary LP boxset is re-released in this beautiful 10 inch sized boxset. Containing 2 CD's, a 10 inch record and a bonus 45 RPM record containing Gentle On My Mind (vocal repaired undubbed master) and Tomorrow Never Comes (take 11). Only available in red vinyl. 

Tracks 10 inch vinyl:
Side A: Lonely Man (Solo Take 1) / In My Way (Take 1) / Moonlight Swim (Take 2) / King Of The Whole Wide World (Take 31) / Home Is Where The Heart Is (Take 7) / I Got Lucky (MX5 Take 2).
Side B: Faded Love (Alternate Master Take 3) / Don’t Cry Daddy (Live, February 17th 1970 midnight show) / Kentucky Rain (Live, February 17th 1970 midnight show) / Funny How Time Slips Away (Unedited Undubbed Master).

Tracks CD:
Disc One: Lonely Man (Solo Take 1) / I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Takes 14 & 15) / I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Take 16) / Wild I The Country (Take 1) / Wild In The Country (Takes 15 & 16) / In My Way (Take 1) / Forget Me Never (Takes 1 & 2) / Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 1) / Island Of Love (Takes 5, 7 & 8) / Steppin’ Out Of Line (Take 19) / Steppin’ Out Of Line (Take 8) / Almost Always True (Takes 4 & 5) / Moonlight Swim (take 1) / Moonlight Swim (Take 2) / Can’t Help Falling In Love (Takes 20, 22 & 24) / Beach Boy Blues (Takes 1 & 3 Mono) / King Of The Whole Wide World (Take 31) / This Is Living (Take 3) / Home Is Where The Heart Is (Take 7) / I Got Lucky (MX5 Take 2) / A Whistling Tune (Takes 3-7) / Drums Of The Island (A1V Takes 1-3) / Swing Down Sweet Chariot (Movie Version Undubbed Master Take 10) / Almost (Movie Version Undubbed Master Take 31) / Signs Of The Zodiac (Master Take 9) / The Whiffenpoof Song / Violet.

Disc Two: Gentle On My Mind (Master) / Faded Love (Alternate Master Take 3 / I Got A Woman (Live, August 26th 1969 dinner show) / Suspicious Minds (Spliced Live Version – August 22nd 1969 and unknown live version) / Don’t Cry Daddy (February 17th 1970 midnight show) / Kentucky Rain (February 17th 1970 midnight show) / Polk Salad Annie (February 16th 1970 midnight show) / It’s Your Baby, You Rock It (Undubbed Master Take 15 – LP Version) / Tomorrow Never Comes (Composite Master) / Funny How Time Slips Away (Unedited Undubbed Master) / The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Duet with Ginger Holladay – Take 12) / Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Extended Version). Bonus Tracks: Island Of Love (Takes 7 & 8 Stereo) / Beach Boy Blues (Take 3 Stereo) / Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Full Version – May 16th/17th 1971) / It’s Your Baby, You Rock It (Undubbed Master Take 5).

Tracks 45rpm:
Side A: Gentle On My Mind (Vocal Repaired Undubbed Master)
Side B: Tomorrow Never Comes (Take 11)

Here I Go Again

The legendary DAE import-label announced the release of “Here I Go Again” on vinyl and CD.

From the press-release:

23 years after the first Diamond Anniversary Editions release "old times they are not forgotten" the DAE team has joined together for some very special releases.

But first a little bit of Elvis history. All recordings on the DAE label were never released before in any form. Due to the many copies (read: "counterfeits" of the originals) that were made from the original DAE releases it did not make much sense to do another run of the original releases at the time. This is maybe also a good opportunity to state that DAE never did a reissue of any kind. At the time there was the original run and a reprint was never issued. Most copies that appear from time to time on the market are therefore not the original DAE issues and have nothing to do with the original label. With as a low point the humiliating release of "The Very Best Of Diamond Anniversary". Till now it is the first time the DAE team has joined forces again for this very special release.

Back in the old days of the 90's vinyl was out of fashion and compact discs were the new medium. Therefore the request for CDs was so much higher and after locating the shows they were only released on CD. Now with the revival of vinyl, DAE decided to give the shows a well deserved re-release on vinyl. The first title chosen is actually the 5th CD release Here I Go Again. Containing the August 24 1969 midnight show. Back in the days the tape was wrongly dated and it was released as being the August 23 dinner show. 

This new release of Here I Go Again is completely updated and remastered and for the biggest part sourced from multitrack sources plus the original tape used for the CD release. We realize our friends from Gravel Road Music have also reissued the show with a little bit of help from the original DAE tapes but they left out some tracks of the original show, which were replaced by other versions. And the so called "raw material" did not add much to the package as we believe even the original CD release is sounding way better. We believe this new updated double album is the best outing of this show till now! And of course the show is included on CD too.

This release is very limited and is available in red or blue vinyl presented in a gatefold sleeve. Get it while you can and add this awesome DAE product to your collection.

Tracks August 24, 1969 Dinner Show: 
Opening Theme, Blue Suede Shoes, I Got A Woman, All Shook Up, Monologue, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock/ Don't Be Cruel, Heartbreak Hotel, Monologue, Hound Dog, I Can't Stop Loving You, Johnny B. Goode, Monologue (Life Story), Baby What You Want Me To Do, Runaway, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Words, Yesterday/ Hey Jude, Introductions, In The Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, What'd I Say, Can't Help Falling In Love

Don't Think Twice It's All Right - Best Of 71

A new compilation CD entitled "Don't Think Twice It's All Right - Best Of 71" has been announced. 

From the press-release:

This import compilation is packed in a 6 panel digi-pack with some of Elvis Presley's best 1971 recordings (minus the Christmas and live recordings) is available now. A fantastic collection with lots of rare and hard to find outtakes. All unreleased in this form.

Tracks: I’m Leavin’ (Unedited Master) / Amazing Grace (Take 2) / Early Morning Rain (Take 11) / We Can Make The Morning (Unedited Master) / It’s Still Here (Take 5) / (That’s What You Get) For Lovin’ Me / The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Different Mix) / Bosom Of Abraham (Take 4) / Help Me Make It Through The Night (Take 7) / Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Edit Version) / He Touched Me (Take 2) / Until It’s Time For You To Go (Unedited Master) / Fools Rush In (Take 6) / An Evening Prayer (Take 8) / Put Your Hand In The Hand (Unedited Master) / I Will Be True (Take 2) / It’s Only Love (Unedited Master) / Reach Out To Jesus (Take 9).

(Source: FECC)