Sunday, April 29, 2018

April 29 - Weekend Charts

The European Elvis Presley charts:
  • The "The Searcher" is a new entry at #50 on the Greek Album chart ((IFPI week 15).
  • The "The Searcher" dropped from #47 to #59 on the Flandern Album chart (Belgium)
  • The "The Searcher" dropped from #87 to #121 on the Wallonian Album chart (Belgium)
  • The "The Essential Elvis Presley" dropped from #5 to #6 on the Wallonian Mid-price Album chart (Belgium)
The UK and Scottish chart (Official Chart Company chart week April 27 to May 3, 2018):
  • The "The King In The Ring" LP is a new entry on the Official UK Album Sales chart: #92
  • The "The King In The Ring" LP is a new entry on the Official UK Physical Album chart: #77
  • The "The King In The Ring" LP is a new entry on the Official UK Record Store chart: #26
  • The "The King In The Ring" LP is a new entry on the Official UK Vinyl Album chart: #31
  • The "The King In The Ring" LP is a new entry on the Official Scottish Album chart: #81 
(Source: Laser Freak)

Saturday, April 28, 2018

April 28 - Being Re-issued

The book "Being Elvis - A Lonely Life" by author Ray Connolly will be re-issued August 3, 2018 by  Liverright. This edition comes with a new cover and 416 pages, 48 pages more than the original edition. 

From the publisher:
"Elvis Presley is a giant figure in American popular culture, a man whose talent and fame were matched only by his later excesses and tragic end. A godlike entity in the history of rock and roll, this twentieth-century icon with a dazzling voice blended gospel and traditionally black rhythm and blues with country to create a completely new kind of music and new way of expressing male sexuality, which simply blew the doors off a staid and repressed 1950s America.In Being Elvis veteran rock journalist Ray Connolly takes a fresh look at the career of the world’s most loved singer, placing him, forty years after his death, not exhaustively in the garish neon lights of Las Vegas but back in his mid-twentieth-century, distinctly southern world.

For new and seasoned fans alike, Connolly, who interviewed Elvis in 1969, re-creates a man who sprang from poverty in Tupelo, Mississippi, to unprecedented overnight fame, eclipsing Frank Sinatra and then inspiring the Beatles along the way.Juxtaposing the music, the songs, and the incendiary live concerts with a personal life that would later careen wildly out of control, Connolly demonstrates that Elvis’s amphetamine use began as early as his touring days of hysteria in the late 1950s, and that the financial needs that drove him in the beginning would return to plague him at the very end.

With a narrative informed by interviews over many years with John Lennon, Bob Dylan, B. B. King, Sam Phillips, and Roy Orbison, among many others, Connolly creates one of the most nuanced and mature portraits of this cultural phenomenon to date.What distinguishes Being Elvis beyond the narrative itself is Connolly’s more subtle examinations of white poverty, class aspirations, and the prison that is extreme fame. As we reach the end of this poignant account, Elvis’s death at forty-two takes on the hue of a profoundly American tragedy. The creator of an American sound that resonates today, Elvis remains frozen in time, an enduring American icon who could “seamlessly soar into a falsetto of pleading and yearning” and capture an inner emotion, perhaps of eternal yearning, to which all of us can still relate.Intimate and unsparing, Being Elvis explores the extravagance and irrationality inherent in the Elvis mythology, ultimately offering a thoughtful celebration of an immortal life."

Complete 1956-62 Albums


Due for release from the Valentine Records (H'Art) label on Juli 8, 2018 is a re-issue of the "Complete 1956-62 Albums" 8 CD bod-set. 

Graceland Expansion Proposal

The plans for the Graceland campus expansion shows two exhibit buildings of 80,000 square feet each on either side of the "live Event Center" EPE wants to build on the western border behind its Elvis Presley's Memphis entertainment complex.

The plan and rendering released last Monday by Graceland managing partner Joel Weinshanker, also includes:

A "Made in USA Outlet" building of more than 64,000 square feet directly across the boulevard from the Guest House at Graceland.
An aircraft hangar for the two restored jets owned by Elvis Presley.
A new wing for the Guest House.
Weinshanker also touts 1,000 new jobs to be created by the expansion.
Graceland is now seeking financing for both the arena and exhibit space with approval earlier this month from the Economic Development Growth Engine, the city-county agency that approves economic incentives for such projects.

The EDGE board approved a plan that would specifically increase the flow of city and county property tax revenue through a tax increment financing district, or TIF, to the financing of the Guest House at Graceland and Elvis Presley's Memphis. 

Graceland would then use the money it now puts toward financing those two projects toward the financing of a 6,000- to 7,000-seat arena estimated to cost $50 million.

Graceland's new legal position is that the OK'd arrangement means it can build the arena and not violate the non-compete agreement the Memphis Grizzlies.

City chief legal officer Bruce McMullen also said he had hoped Graceland and the Grizzlies could work out some agreement without the matter being decided in court.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Amazon / Elvis Information Network)

Friday, April 27, 2018

April 27 - Saturday Night Fever

The Ragdoll import-label announced the release of "Saturday Night Fever", a new CD containing the near complete March 30th dinner show performance. 

From the press-release:
Ragdoll is proud to present their latest release ''Saturday Night Fever'', In march of 1975 Elvis gave 29 performances, he opened this season on March 18, 1975, and the crowd at the Las Vegas Hilton saw a rejuvenated performer, as well as a rejuvenated setlist, Elvis just got done recording his new album Elvis Today, and took some of this material with him to Las Vegas, songs like ''Green Green Grass Of Home'' ''And I Love You So'' and ''Fairytale'' would be introduced, with the latter two staying in the setlist for most of those shows, Elvis also re-introduced some songs that haven't been sung regularly for 2 years, including ''My Boy'' ''Burning Love'' and ''I'll Remember You'', the latter one having been sung only once the year before in Lake Tahoe. Here on this disc you will find for the first time, the near complete March 30th dinner show, which was previously released incomplete on ''Live From Las Vegas'' by the lf2 label, however this was a simple copy and paste job from vinyl source, and missed several songs (including a fantastic version of ‘’My Boy’’ and a serious version of ''I'll Remember You''), however Ragdoll was able to obtain a new source, which included the near complete show (the tape ran out near the end of ''Hound Dog'') which was in very good sound quality. Despite being incomplete we were able to get another tape of this show to complete this release, which was the source used for the ''The Live Years'' 3-LP set by the Astra label, back in the mid 80's, this time finally from tape source and not from a needle-drop. The sound is ambient and very good, the only song left incomplete is ''Can't Help Falling In Love''. 

Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - If You Love Me Let Me Know - And I Love You So - Big Boss Man - Love Me Tender - Burning Love - Introductions - What'd I Say (James Burton) - Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - Bass Solo (Duke Bardwell) - Piano Solo - Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Electric Keyboard Solo (David Briggs) - School Days (With Reprise) - My Boy - I'll Remember You - Let Me Be There (With Reprise) - How Great Thou Art (With Reprise) - Hound Dog (Spliced With 2nd Source) - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (2nd Source) -  Can't Help Falling In Love (2nd Source, Incomplete)

(Source: FECC)

Thursday, April 26, 2018

April 26 - Released!

The UK based Memphis Recording Service have released the Limited Edition 5CD/200-page book "The Complete '50s Movie Masters And | Session Recordings". This Limited Edition 5CD/Book set pays tribute to Elvis Presley's complete music recordings made for his movies during the 1950s.

The 5 CDs contain the complete works of the master and | Session studio recordings made for each of Elvis's movies during the 1950s, and all tracks have been remastered with many restoration surprises ignored by other labels.

The 200-page book focuses on each of the recording | Sessions held for the four motion pictures made between August 1956 and March 1958. The comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and documentation.

Click on the cover on the top right to buy the set.

(Source: Memphis Recording Service)

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

April 24 - The #1 Hits And DVD (Updated April 26)

Due for release on May 30, 2018 from the New Continent label is the "The #1 Hits" LP. This title comes on 180 Gr. vinyl and packed in a gatefold cover. 

Elvis Presley (Tupelo, Mississippi, January 8, 1935 Memphis, Tennessee, August 16, 1977) was rock & rolls first real star and one of the most important cultural forces in history a hip-shaking symbol of liberation for the staid America of the 1950s. 

Included on this set are Elvis greatest hits from the period 1955-62, among them all of his King singles that reached number one on the U.S. pop charts between 1956 and 1962. 

Among other smash hits, our release includes both sides of the single Hound Dog/Dont Be Cruel (the most successful Elvis single release, with 11 weeks on the charts), Elvis second RCA single, I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, and the classic rocker Heartbreak Hotel (which peaked at number one and remained on the charts for eight weeks after extensive television exposure following its release). 

The killer Rock and Roll tune, All Shook Up (9 weeks at number one), has also been added here, as well as classic ballads like Dont and Are You Lonesome Tonight? and the two popular Italian ballads Its Now or Never (English version of O Sole Mio) and Surrender (English version of Torna a Surriento). Without a doubt, this is the material upon which Elvis Presleys legend was built.

Side A: Mystery Train - Heartbreak Hotel - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - Hound Dog - Don't Be Cruel - Blue Suede Shoes - Love Me Tender - Too Much - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Don't

Side B: Jailhouse Rock - Hard Headed Woman - A Big Hunk O'Love - Stuck On You - It's Now Or Never - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Surrender - Can't Help Falling In Love - Good Luck Charm - Return To Sender


The Searcher DVD

Available May 2018 from a UK fan-club is the DVD "The Searcher" containing the two episodes from the special.

Charts

The '2nd week' of sales for "The Searcher" on the US Billboard chart (sale week from April 13 to April 19, 2018 / chart week from April 22 to April 28, 2018).
  • Billboard 200: #183 (#145)
  • Billboard Top 200 Album Sales: #? (#45 -3,889 sold albums)
  • Billboard Top Album Sales: #72 (#46)
  • Billboard Top Rock Albums: #32 (#27)
  • Billboard Rock Album Sales: #21 (#12)
  • Billboard Top Country Albums: #30 (#17)
  • Billboard Country Album Sales: #17 (#12)
  • Billboard Soundtracks (Top 25): #8 (#9)
  • Billboard Soundtrack Album Sales: #7 (#4)
  • Billboard Tastemaker Albums (Top 25): #15 (#23)
  • Billboard Internet Albums (Top 25): #-- (#21)
  • Billboard Top Current Albums: #57 (#44)
The other US charts
  • The “ELV1S 30 # 1 Hits“ compilation re-entered the US Billboard Country Album Chart at #44. 
  • The “Ultimate Gospel” compilation climbed from #27 to #23 on the Billboard Christian Album Chart 
  • On the Classical Album Chart The “Elvis With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: The Wonder Of You“ dropped from #6 to #8 
Other worldwide charts
  • No chart entry for The Searcher in the Canadian Top 100 Albums! (The album 40 Years On ist listed as well in the week before at #73.)
  • No '2nd week' for the album “The Searcher” in Austria (Top 75) as well as Switzerland (Top 100).
(Source: Amazon / FECC / Elvis Presley Fan Club / Laser Freak)

Monday, April 23, 2018

April 23 - The First Time Ever I Looked Into The Wings

The E. P. Collector import-label announced two new titles; "The First Time Ever I Lay With You" and "Looked Into The Wings". The label is planning special double CD called "Black Tornado“ with newly found original tapes of Elvis’ concerts in Cleveland, OH, November 6, 1971 (Afternoon and Evening shows), which were never before available in good sound according to the press-release.

Details "The First Time Ever I Lay With You":

Now, when majority of Elvis import labels is only re-releasing old stuff in new packages, E. P. Collector label is coming with another surprise! The San Diego, April 24th, 1976 afternoon show is previously unreleased and moreover, it is completely a new show for Elvis fans – never before in circulation, in any form!

Elvis April ’76 tour was rated as very good one, with longer shows and variable set list. Unlike later that year, when Elvis ended his concerts quickly after introductions of his band, here he gave no less than 9 songs after “School Day“ orchestra solo! Elvis’ drummer Ronnie Tutt was back in band and pianist Shane Kiester was replaced by Tony Brown.

Among the concert highlights there are “Tryin' To Get To You”, “America (The Beautiful)”, “Hurt”, “Burning Love” and “How Great Thou Art”.  One song stands out: rare, heartfelt performance of complete version of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”. This song was performed only 3 known times, in 1976.

This concert is taken from a recently found first generation copy of an original audience recorded cassette tape. You may ask your supplier for samples.

This CD is packaged in a nicely designed digipak with great collection of quality images taken in San Diego, CA, April 24, 1976. If you have enjoyed our other April ’76 tour release called “The Beat Is Back“, then you are sure to enjoy our latest release, too. 

Tracklist: 01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Theme) - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. medley: 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. medley: Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 09. Tryin' To Get To You - 10. America (The Beautiful) – 11. Polk Salad Annie - 12. Band Introductions - 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. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - 22. Burning Love - 23. How Great Thou Art - 24. Funny How Time Slips Away (with false start and reprise) - 25. Little Darlin’ - 26. It's Now Or Never - 27. Can't Help Falling In Love - 28. Closing Vamp.

Details Looked Into The Wings:

October tour was another good one, after several problematic tours in the Summer. Elvis lost some 10-12 kilos and he was able to wear his jumpsuits from 1974 again. He looked much healthier and he was in good mood and in solid voice.

We have released Elvis’ last Kalamazoo concert from April 26, 1977 in 2017. Now we have decided to release its prequel. We had complete original tape of this show in our vaults since late 90s, but we have considered it not so good for release because Elvis was distant and wild audience reaction too prominent. Now new tape turned out, of much better sound. Unfortunately, new tape was incomplete and middle part was repaired using our old source.  As usual, you may ask your supplier for samples.

Playlist is rather typical for Autumn ’76 shows. Among the concert highlights there are “ Help Me“, “And I Love You So“, “America (The Beautiful)“, “Love Letters“, “Hurt“ and “Blue Christmas“.

This CD is packaged in a nicely designed digipak, too. Since there were no suitable photographs from the Kalamazoo performance, all images used for this project were taken in Cleveland, Ohio just two days later, on the 23rd where Elvis wore the same 'King of Spades' jumpsuit.

Tracklist: 01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Theme) - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. medley: I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Jailhouse Rock - 08. Help Me - 09. All Shook Up -10. medley: Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 11. And I Love You So - 12. Fever - 13. America (The Beautiful) - 14. Band Introductions - 15. Early Mornin' Rain - 16. What'd I Say - 17. Johnny B. Goode - 18. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 19. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 20. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 21. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) - 22. Love Letters - 23. School Day - 24. Hurt (with reprise) - 25. Hound Dog - 26. Blue Christmas - 27. Can't Help Falling In Love - 28. Closing Vamp & Announcements.

(Source: FECC)

Sunday, April 22, 2018

April 22 - Sold

A rare vintage poster for a 1955 Elvis Presley show in North Carolina has sold at auction for more than double the expected price. The News & Observer of Raleigh reports the poster for a show on May 19, 1955, in Raleigh sold this month for $42,500. Giles Moon of Texas-based Heritage Auctions says he had expected the poster to sell for about $20,000.

The poster advertises a concert in Raleigh where Presley was on the lineup below Hank Snow, Faron Young and other acts. Moon says both the buyer and the seller prefer to remain anonymous. He says the buyer is from California. The poster was made by the iconic Hatch Show Print, based in Nashville, Tennessee.

(Source: News & Observer of Raleigh / Billboard)

Saturday, April 21, 2018

April 21 - Record Store Day

It is Record Store Day 2018. Elvis Presley releases that are due today: "Elvis: RCA Studio 1", "The King in the Ring" (double LP red vinyl), "Loving You" (slightly different cover and blue vinyl), "Girls! Girls! Girls!" (slightly different cover and red vinyl),  "Shake Rattle and Roll/Fool Fool Fool" (picture single) and "Johnny - Elvis: Quand Johnny Reprend Elvis" (originally released in 2016).

Buy the "Elvis: RCA Studio 1" album >>> here directly from The Memphis Recording Service.

(Source: Record Store Day)









April 21 - Loving Weekend Charts

Due for release from Pan Am-Records on July 5, 2018 is the LP "Loving You" containing the original tracks from the LP with three additional bonus songs  

Side A:
Mean Woman Blues - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Loving You - Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do - Lonesome Cowboy - Hot Dog - Party
Bonus Song:
 Is It So Strange
Side B:
Blueberry Hill - True Love - Don´t Leave Me Now - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? - I Need You So Bonus Songs:
Treat Me Nice - All Shook Up

Weekend charts

The Official UK and Scottish Chart Company Charts (chart week April 20 to April 26, 2018)
  • Elvis The Searcher: Top Albums #- (#32)  (Sales: less than 1,070 units)
  • Elvis The Searcher: Albums Sales #74 (#18)
  • Elvis The Searcher: Physical Albums #56 (#16)
  • Elvis The Searcher: Record Store Top 40 #- (#34)
  • Elvis The Searcher: Soundtrack Albums #6 (#2)
  • Elvis The Searcher: Vinyl Albums Top 40 #- (#15)
Scotland:
  • Elvis The Searcher: Top Albums: #88 (#12)
Other European results:
  • Elvis The Searcher: Belgium (Flanders): #47 (#47)
  • Elvis The Searcher: Belgium (Wallonia) #87 (#97)
  • Elvis The Searcher: Germany #-- (#58)
  • Elvis The Searcher: Ireland #100 (#49)
  • Elvis The Searcher: Netherlands #-- (#81)
Australia 

The Searcher (OST), which debuted at #72 on April 16, is no longer in the Top 100 Albums Chart after its second sales week.

There is also Down Under a well-known greatest hit compilation issue more pleasant. The cd album The King (88697118042), former #4 highest position and meanwhile certified for 140,000 sold units with double platinum is still in the Top 100 Albums, rising from #87 to #80 next chart week (commencing April 23, 2018).
By the way... The DVD (88697174959) "The King Of Rock 'n' Roll - 30 Hit Performances And More" (same artwork but not identical content with the 2 cd) also continues to be exemplary in the corresponding chart (Music DVDs): ranked at #20 (dropped from #15) in now 282nd chart week for the former #2 and five-time platinum (75,000) certified video.

Rare Elvis Pictures Discovered


Elvis Presley’s show at Empire Stadium on Aug. 31, 1957 is the stuff of legend. But photos of the gig are as rare as hen’s teeth. So imagine Rob Frith’s surprise when he recently got a call about some unknown Elvis pix from Empire Stadium.

Frith admits he was “a bit skeptical” about new photos turning up six decades after the show. But he was astonished when he saw them in person.

“Look at this,” he said this week, pointing to a photo of Elvis in full pelvis mode. “That’s just killer! It’s the classic pose.” Indeed it is. The photo captures the early Elvis in all his rock ’n’ roll glory, knees bent and wide apart, singin’ and swingin’ in his famous gold lame jacket.

“I was excited — I had to have them,” laughs Frith, one of Canada’s top rock poster collectors.

“I was worried they would disappear. The guy (was moving) and one of his boxes gets lost and that’s it, they’re gone.”

Frith wound up purchasing 14 prints from Andrew Bazan, whose dad Anthony took the shots. Anthony Bazan worked as a portrait photographer, and talked his way into the Presley show by claiming to be a member of the press.

One photo features Elvis with his backing singers the Jordonaires, the rest are solo shots of Elvis in various states of gyration. They’ve never been published, which is hard to believe, because they totally capture his onstage magic.

The show only lasted 22 minutes before some fans rushed the stage and Elvis vamoosed. But it sounds like the King was in full control onstage.

“(At one point) Dad was about to take a photograph when Elvis turned away,” Andrew Bazan said in an email.

“Elvis realized the situation, turned, faced Dad, smiled and waited for him to take the photo, all while still performing the song.”

The black and white prints are small, four by six inches. The negatives were lost in a fire years ago, but the Bazans kept the prints in pristine condition. Anthony Bazan died about 10 years ago, and his son inherited the photos. He decided to sell them when he moved to Peterborough, Ont.

“I felt the photos belonged in Vancouver, in a good home, hopefully to be enjoyed as I had enjoyed them over the years,” he said.

Frith was a logical person to sell them to — he owns Neptoon Records on Main Street, and is Vancouver’s top rock poster collector. Bazan had also dealt with him before.

“Apparently when his mother died he called me and I bought her records, like 20 years ago or something,” said Frith. “I think he (also) saw me on that Rockinitis (cable TV) show.”

Most of the existing shots from the gig were by Rolly Ford, who made prints for disc jockey Red Robinson, who was the MC of the show. Robinson chuckles when asked about a rumour that Elvis was wearing black pants in the Vancouver show because his gold lame pants were at the drycleaners.

“Elvis tried to wear that gold suit (onstage), but with his movement and everything else it cracked,” he said.

“He said ‘I don’t want to wear this (bleep) anymore,’ and took off the bottom and left the top on. It was gold lame, and just split apart.”

The Sun sent photographer Bill Dennett to the Presley show, and apparently he took some marvellous shots. But when the crowd rushed the stage, editors decided to run a Ralph Bower photo of the crowd instead of Elvis, which infuriated Dennett.

“He went (backstage) and did a whole bunch of (portrait) shots of Elvis with his hand up, with his wristwatch, beautiful shots,” Bower recalls.

“He had an idea of selling them as a big promotion (in the paper). He must have had about a dozen good shots.”

Unfortunately the Dennett photos have disappeared from the Sun’s archives, and have never been seen by the public. Frith can’t believe the Sun didn’t run any Elvis shots from his show, which drew a record crowd of 25,898.

“It was one of the biggest cultural events in the history of the world — Elvis Presley was a big deal!” said Frith.

“How could they not run that? Why wouldn’t you? Do you not want to sell newspapers?”

(Source: Amazon / Laser Freak / Vancouver Sun / Elvis Club Berlin)

Friday, April 20, 2018

April 20 - Cover Art

Here is the cover-art for the upcoming release “When We Were Kings” which is due from the Le Chant Du Monde label May 18, 2018. It comes as a single LP and as a 5 CD box. 

This is the cover for the upcoming limited edition album “G.I. Blues” from the Reel To Reel label. This clear vinyl disc is due May 18, 2018. 

(Source: Sounds Delft)

Thursday, April 19, 2018

April 19 - Elvis 5-Movie Collection

Here is the cover-art for the Paramount "Elvis 5 Movie Collection" which is due for release June 12, 2018. 

(Source: Amazon)

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

April 18 - Calender Boy


 It is spring 2018, and the publishers of the 2019 calendars previewed their 2019 calendars.  

Upcoming Releases

The State of Art budget-label will release the CD "His Hand in Mine" on April 20, 2018. 

Tracks: His Hand In Mine - I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stars - In My Father's House - Milky White Way - Known Only To Him - I Believe In The Man In The Sky - Joshua Fit The Battle - He Knows Just What I Need - Swing Down Sweet Chariot - Mansion Over The Hilltop - If We Never Meet Again  - Working On The Building - Santa Claus Is Back In Town - White Christmas - Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) - I’ll Be Home For Christmas - Blue Christmas - Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) - Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem - Silent Night - (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) - I Believe - Take My Hand, Precious Lord - It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) - When The Saints Go Marching In (Demo) - I Asked The Lord - Don´t - Chrying In The Chapel

Due for the Reel to Reel Music (H'Art) label on May 11, 2018 is the white vinyl vinyl maxi single "Original Ep Collection" volume 3. Limited to 1000 copies.

The Real Elvis (EP) (US) RCA EPA 940 (Originally Released 17.08.1956) - Side A: Don't Be Cruel - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
Seite B: Hound Dog - My Baby Left Me

Any Way You Want Me (EP) (US) RCA EPA 965 (Originally Released 05.09.1956) - Side A:
Any Way You Want Me (That's How I Will Be) - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone
Side B: I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine - Mystery Train

Due for release from the French Chant du Monde label is the 5 CD set "When We Were Kings" featuring tracks by Johnny Hallyday and Elvis Presley.

Drake Tied with Elvis

For what it is worth in regard to the way charts are compiled now-days.

Drake tied Elvis Presley’s number of top-10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 this week after his latest release, “Nice For What,” hit No. 1 on the chart, dethroning his previous No. 1 single, “God’s Plan.” The rapper has now earned 25 top-10 singles on Billboard’s chart, matching the mark Presley set with 1972’s “Burning Love.”

The Elvis Information Network website notes however that this story is totally false as the Billboard 'Top 100' only started in summer 1958 and so the KEY years of Elvis' run of top ten hits, 1956 and 1957 are actually missing from the list. Without even considering this new age of "instant download" and the distortion that this has created on the charts, ELVIS still dominates everyone who had the same period in the charts. Elvis had twelve top ten US hits in 1956/57 making his total actually 37 - just one behind Madonna.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / UEPS / Amazon / Reuters / Elvis Information Network)

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

April 17 - The King Released In The Ring (Updated April 18)

Sony Music have released the "Elvis Presley, The King In The Ring" double LP set exclusively for Record Store Day 2018.  These record sets are Individually Numbered on Red opaque colored Vinyl for the first time. (Previously released as "Tiger Man" on CD).

Synopsis:
Elvis Presley re-established himself as The King of Rock and Roll with ELVIS, the widely-seen 'comeback special' broadcast on NBC at the end of 1968. The show's many highlights included laid-back live performances recorded in the round before a small audience and featuring a powerful ensemble - including guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana, both part of Elvis' original, classic backing band. 
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of ELVIS, both electrifying, intimate 'sit-down' sets will be released on vinyl for the first time in an individually numbered 2LP package with a newly created gatefold sleeve, pressed on red vinyl. 

The history of Presley's amazing 'comeback special' is told in Elvis Presley: The Searcher, the new documentary that premiered April 14, 2018 on HBO.

Billboard Charts

The Billboard charts (evaluation week from April 6 to April 12, 2018 / chart week from April 15 to April 21, 2018):
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard 200: #145
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Top 200 Album Sales: #45 (3,889 sold albums)
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Top Album Sales: #46
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Top Rock Albums: #27
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Rock Album Sales: #12
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Top Country Albums: #17
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Country Albums Sales: #12
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Soundtracks (Top 25): #9
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Soundtrack Albums Sales Chart: #4
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Tastemaker Albums (Top 25): #23
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Internet Albums (Top 25): #21
  • The "The Searcher" on the Billboard Top Current Albums: #44.
  • On the Classical Album chart the "The Wonder of You" cooperation by Elvis Presley and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra remained steady at#6.
  • On the Top Christian Album chart the "Elvis: Ultimate Gospel" compilation dropped 3 places to #27.
Canada (Billboard chart week commencing April 15, 2018)
  • On the Canadian Album Chart the "40 Years On" compilation dropped from #64 to #73.
  • No entry for the "The Searcher" in the Canadian Top 100 Albums chart.
Austria

  • The "The Searcher" soundtrack is a new entry #38 on the Austrian Top Album chart.
Switzerland
  • The "The Searcher" soundtrack is a new entry #64 on the Swiss Top Album chart.
(Source: Sony / Laser Freak)

Monday, April 16, 2018

April 16 - Le 'King' Incontesté Du Rock

Due for release from the French EPM label on June 22, 2018 is the 5 CD set "Elvis Presley - Le 'King' Incontesté Du Rock".

CD 1: That's All Right - Good Rockin' Tonight - Blue Moon - Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Harbor Lights - I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine - I Love You Because - I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin') - Just Because - Tomorrow Night - You're A Heartbreaker - Baby Let's Play House - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone - Mystery Train - Trying To Get To You - When It Rains It Really Pours - One-Sided Love Affair - Any Way You Want Me (That's How I Will Be) - How Do You Think I Feel  - My Happiness

CD 2: Blue Suede Shoes - Don't Be Cruel - Heartbreak Hotel - Hound Dog - How's The World Treating You - I Got A woman - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - I Was The One - I'm Counting On You - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy - Long Tall Sally - Love Me - Too Much - Money Honey - My Baby Left Me - Old Shep - Paralyzed - Ready Teddy - Rip It Up

CD 3: Love Me Tender - Jailhouse Rock - All Shook Up - Shake, Rattle And Roll - So Glad You're Mine - Tutti Frutti - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) - (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care - Don't - Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do! - Loving You - Mean Woman blues - Santa Claus Is Back In Town - Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Treat Me Nice - (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I - A Big Hunk O' Love - Hard Headed Woman

CD 4: Are You Lonesome Tonight? - I Got Stung - I Need Your Love Tonight - King Creole - One Night - Trouble - Wear My Ring Around Your Neck - Playing For Keeps - A Mess Of Blues - Doin' The Best I Can - His Hand In Mine - I Believe In The Man In The Sky - If We Never Meet Again - In My Father's House - It's Now Or Never - Joshua Fit The Battle - Kiss Me Quick - Like A Baby - Milky White Way - Reconsider Baby

CD 5: Can't Help Falling In Love - Stuck On You - Such A Night - Surrender - Swing Down Sweet Chariot - The Girl Of My Best Friend - Soldier Boy - G. I. Blues - (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame - Anything That's Part Of You - Good Luck Charm - I Feel So Bad - Little Sister - Night Rider - Rock-A-Hula Baby - That's Someone You Never Forget - Gonna Get Back Home Somehow - Return To Sender - She's Not You - Suspicion.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin)

Sunday, April 15, 2018

April 15 - The NY RSD Sessions?

The Memphis Recording Service Record Store Day release "RCA Studio 1 - The New York Sessions" has arrived at the dealers. The vinyl album is officially available from April 21, 2018 and contains the complete New York masters plus outtake session recordings on 180 Gr. vinyl, packed in a gatefold cover with a four page photo insert. This latest album is the 5th Record Store Day release from the label.

Side A (Approx -  23:43)
01. Blue Suede Shoes
02. My Baby Left Me
03. One-Sided Love Affair
04. So Glad Your Mine
05. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down & Cry
06. Tutti Frutti
07. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
08. Shake, Rattle & Roll
09. Hound Dog
10. Don't Be Cruel
11. Anyway You Want Me

Side B (Approx - 23:31):
01. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 6)
02. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 7)
03. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 8 & 9)
04. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 11 & 12)
05. Shake, Rattle & Roll (Take 1-3)
06. Shake, Rattle & Roll (Take 5-7)
07. Shake, Rattle & Roll (Take 8)
08. Shake, Rattle & Roll (Take 9-11)
09. Shake, Rattle & Roll (Take 12 Undubbed Edit Master)

There appears to be a problem with the Record Store Day organization as the Elvis Express reports that "The NY Sessions" release has been dropped by the RSD organisation (as the sometimes do with releases from independent labels).

This move by the RSD organisation appears strange, especially when you realise that there are 3 other Elvis releases available on Independent record labels being released for RSD 2018. And what's with the RSD sticker? A record label cannot just produce their own RSD stickers, each label has to pay a fee to RSD who produce the labels and then send them to the said record label.

In the case of the Memphis Recording Service, they would have signed the contract with RSD, obeyed all the rules, produced the album and paid for 1000 RSD stickers, which were delivered to the producer who then manually added the stickers to the album covers and then distribute the album to the record stores that had pre-ordered the album only to then be informed with just one week to go that the album is no longer part of the RSD releases.

This might become a collectible, you can pre-order the album through the link at the top right.

(Source: UEPS / Elvis Express)

Saturday, April 14, 2018

April 14 - Weekend Charts (Updated April 15, 2018)

The chart wrap-up for "Elvis - The Searcher" for this weekend, thanks to Laser Freak:

United Kingdom, Ireland and Scotland (Official UK Chart Company):
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #32 on the Official UK Album Top 100 chart with 2,507 sold units.
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #15 on the Official UK Vinyl Album Top 40 chart.
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #16 on the Official UK Physical Album chart.
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #18 on the Official UK Album Sales chart.
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #2 on the Official UK Soundtrack Album chart.
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #34 on the Official UK Record Store Album chart.
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #49 on the Official Irish Album Top 50 chart.
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #12 on the Official Scottish Album Top 100 chart.
The Netherlands:
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #81 on the Dutch Album Top 100 chart.
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #27 on the Dutch Vinyl Top 33 chart.
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #98 on the Dutch Combi Album Top 100 chart.
Belgium:
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #47 on the Belgian Album Top 200 chart (Flanders).
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #97 on the Belgian Album Top 200 chart (Wallonia).
Australia:
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #72 on the Australian Aria Album Top 100 chart.
Germany:
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #58 on the German Album chart.
Sweden:
  • The “The Searcher is a new entry at #17 on the Swedish Physical Album chart.

The other charts:


The chart wrap-up for the "other" Elvis Presley releases for this weekend, thanks to Laser Freak:


Australia (ARIA chart week commencing April 16, 2018):
  • On the Australian Aria Catalogue Album chart "The King" dropped from #40 to #43.
  • On the Australian Aria Music DVD chart the "Elvis: King of Rock and Roll" DVD climbed from #26 to #15. 
  • The "The King" compilation remained steady at #87.
  • On the Australian Physical Album chart the "The Searcher" is a new entry at #29.
  • On the Australian Physical Album chart the "The King" dropped from #46 to 51.
Belgium (Ultratop chart week commencing April 14, 2018):
  • On the Belgian Ultratop Mid-price Album (Flanders) chart the "The Essential Elvis Presley" compilation is a re-entry at #44.
  • On the Belgian Ultratop Mid-price Album (Wallonia) chart the "Top 40 Elvis: His Ultimate Top 40 Collection" climbed from #23 to #4.
  • On the Belgian Ultratop Mid-price Album (Wallonia) chart the "The Essential Elvis Presley" is a re-entry at #14.
United Kingdom, Ireland and Scotland (Official Chart Company chart week commencing April 13, 2018):
  • On the Official UK Music Video chart the "The Elvis Collection" set dropped off the chart. 
  • The “Loving’ Elvis” compilation dropped from #69 to #90 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
  • The "The Platinum Collection" dropped off the Official Scottish Album chart.
  • The "The Real ... Elvis" dropped off the Official Scottish Album chart.
(Source: Laser Freak)

Thursday, April 12, 2018

April 12 - Altered Movie Originals

Due for release from the Reel To Reel label on May 4, 2018 are two four CD sets entitled “Elvis At The Movies”. 

Tracks Volume 1 - CD 1: Love Me Tender - Let Me - Poor Boy - We're Gonna Move - We're Gonna Move  - Love Me Tender - Mean Woman Blues - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Loving You - Got A Lot O Livin' To Do - Lonesome Cowboy - Hot Dog - Party - Blueberry Hill - True Love - Don't Leave Me Now - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You - I Need You So

CD 2: Party - Got A Lot O Livin' To Do - Loving You - Mean Woman Blues - Jailhouse Rock - Treat Me Nice - Young And Beautiful - I Want To Be Free - Don't Leave Me Now - (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care - Jailhouse Rock - Young And Beautiful (Solo) - Young And Beautiful - I Want To Be Free - (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care - Treat Me Nice - King Creole - As Long As I Love You - Hard Headed Woman - Trouble - Dixieland Rock

CD 3: Don't Ask Me Why - Lover Doll - Crawfish - Young Dreams - Steadfast Loyal And True - New Orleans - Turtles, Berries And Gumbo / Crawfish - Lover Doll - Trouble - Banana - Dixieland Rock - Young Dreams - New Orleans - King Creole - Don't Ask Me Why - As Long As I Have You / Outro - Tonight Is So Right For Love - What's She Really Like - Frankfort Special - Wooden Heart

CD 4: G.I. Blues  Pocketful Of Rainbows - Shoppin' Around - Big Boots - Didja' Ever - Blue Suede Shoes - Doin' The Best I Can - Tonight's Alright For Love - What's She Really Like - G. I. Blues - Doin' The Best I Can - Frankfort Special - Shoppin' Around  Tonight Is So Right For Love - Wooden Heart - Pocketful Of Rainbows - Big Boots - Didja Ever - Flaming Star - Flaming Star - A Cane And High Starched Collar

Tracks Volume 2 - CD 1: Wild In The Country - I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell - Wild In The Country - I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell - In My Way - Husky Dusky Day (With Hope Lange) - Wild In The Country (End Titles) - Blue Hawaii - Almost Always True - Aloha-Oe - No More - Can't Help Falling In Love - Rock-A-Hula Baby - Moonlight Swim - Ku-U-I-Po (Hawaiian Sweet Heart) - Ito Eats - Slicin' Sand - Hawaiian Sunset - Beach Boy Blues - Island Of Love - Hawaiian Wedding Song

CD 2: Blue Hawaii - Almost Always True - Aloha-Oe - No More - Can't Help Falling In Love - Rock-A-Hula Baby - Moonlight Swim - Ku-U-I-Po (Hawaiian Sweetheart) - Ito Eats - Slicin' Sand - Hawaiian Sunset - Beach Boy Blues - Island Of Love - Hawaiian Wedding Song - Follow That Dream - Angel - What A Wonderful Life - I'm Not The Marrying Kind - What A Wonderful Life - I'm Not The Marrying Kind

CD 3: Sound Advice - On Top Of Old Smokey - Follow That Dream - Angel - Angel (Instrumental) - King Of The Whole Wide World - This Is Living - Riding The Rainbow - Home Is Where The Heart Is - I Got Lucky - Whistling Tune - King Of The Whole Wide World - This Is Living - Riding The Rainbow - Home Is Where The Heart Is - I Got Lucky - A Whistling Tune - Girls Girls Girls - I Don't Wanna Be Tied - Where Do You Come From - I Don't Want To

CD 4: We'll Be Together - A Boy Like Me, A Girl Like You - Earth Boy - Return To Sender - Because Of Love - Thanks To The Rolling Sea - Song Of The Shrimp - Walls Have Ears - We're Comin' In Loaded - Girls Girls Girls - I Don't Wanna Be Tied - We'll Be Together - A Boy Like Me, A Girl Like You - Earth Boy - Return To Sender - Because Of Love - Thanks To The Rolling Sea - Song Of The Shrimp - Walls Have Ears - We're Comin' In Loaded - Dainty Little Moonbeams / Girls Girls Girls

New Gospel Album?

Jim Murray talked about a new Sony project that will be out during Elvis week. He says that he recorded new backing vocals for three original Elvis recordings, together with other members of the Imperials and the Stamps. The songs are "So High", “Run On” and “Bosom Of Abraham”. He added that Lisa Marie is very involved in the project, and that she called Jim personally the other day to thank him for his involvement.

For the Good Times

The “For The Good Times” double CD from the Redemption import-label has been released. This comes as a deluxe digi-pack and contains all the performances from the 1972 “On Tour” movie in their entirety. As a bonus the set comes with April 5, 1972 Buffalo rehearsal. 


(Source: Amazon / Deelen / Elvis Aktuell)