November 16 - A Presidential Blue Christmas At Stax

Elvis Presley was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom today in a special ceremony at the White House. The posthumous award bestowed by the President is — along with the Congressional Gold Medal — the highest civilian award in the United States. It recognizes those people who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The medal was established by President Truman in 1945 to recognize notable service in the war. In 1963, President Kennedy reintroduced it as an honor for distinguished civilian service in peacetime.

According to a statement from the White House: “Elvis Presley defined American culture to billions of adoring fans around the world. Elvis fused gospel, country, and rhythm and blues to create a sound all his own, selling more than a billion records. Elvis also served nearly 6 years in the United States Army, humbly accepting the call to serve despite his fame.  He later starred in 31 films, drew record-breaking audiences to his shows, sent television ratings soaring, and earned 14 GRAMMY Award nominations.  He ultimately won 3 GRAMMY Awards for his gospel music.  Elvis Presley remains an enduring American icon 4 decades after his death.”

Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland accepted the award. “On behalf of the Presley family, Elvis’ friends and millions of fans, it will be a great honor to accept this award. Elvis loved his country, served proudly in the U.S. Army and would no doubt consider this one of the great honors of his life,” stated Soden. “We look forward to displaying it proudly at Graceland so the millions of visitors from around the world will be able to see it up close."

The badge of the Presidential Medal of Freedom is in the form of a golden star with white enamel, with a red enamel pentagon behind it; the central disc bears thirteen gold stars on a blue enamel background (taken from the Great Seal of the United States) within a golden ring. Golden American bald eagles with spread wings stand between the points of the star. It is worn around the neck on a blue ribbon with white edge stripes.

Priscilla wasn't at the White House ceremony, instead she was with Michael Bublé as he feted at the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Canadian crooner was introduced by two of his close industry friends, Priscilla Presley and record producer David Foster - and the emotional day saw him tear up as he accepted the honour.

Priscilla was on hand to witness Buble receive the 2,650th star along the iconic strip in Los Angeles. Fans will recall the 43-year-old singer actually released a duet with the “King of Rock and Roll” in 2015. A rework of Elvis 1960 classic ‘Fever’ was described by Buble at the time as the highlight of his career. Meanwhile, Presley said her late ex-husband would have loved Buble’s voice and music.

Billy Smith, Elvis’ first cousin, on the recent Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony. 

I been thinking for hours if I wanted to say anything or not about the President’s Medal of Freedom to Elvis. Well the more I thought about it the more pissed off I got. I remember how proud he was of the Ten Outstanding Men of the Year Award he got and his Federal badge. If Elvis were here to receive this honor it would have been the most cherished of all to him. I don't think it was appropriate that Jack Soden who, as far as I know never knew Elvis, was sent to accept the award on his behalf.

"It seems to me that this was more important than all the ribbon cutting events, birthday celebrations, and on and on events that his daughter and his grandchildren or his ex-wife are always able to attend. I find it very, very, disrespectful that none of them could find the time to attend this great honor for Elvis. In my opinion, there is no excuse! If this offends anyone so be it, I just had to speak my mind.
Billy Smith"

To those who are unfamiliar with Billy, he grew up with Elvis in Tupelo, Mississippi and along with the Presley’s, moved to Memphis in 1948. Billy was there from the beginning of Elvis’ meteoric rise to fame in 1956 and played racquetball with him on August 16, 1977, the day Elvis died. During the last two years of Elvis’ life, no one spent more time with or was closer to him than his cousin Billy.

Tupelo Mayor Reflects On Elvis Medal Of Freedom: 

The music of Tupelo’s most famous son Elvis Presley filled the White House as President Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the singer. The posthumous award recognized Elvis for contributions he made to the United States and was presented at a ceremony last Friday.
Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton attended the ceremony representing Elvis Presley’s hometown. “Such a tremendous honor and I was proud to be able, as mayor of Tupelo to be there at the White House on such a special occasion. That was a special moment and something Elvis fans all around the world can celebrate,” Mayor Shelton said.

Blue Hawaii

Due for release on June 21, 2019 from the Waxtime In Color label is a vinyl re-issue of the "Blue Hawaii" soundtrack. 

Stax Power

The CMT import-label announced the release of "Stax Power". The label stays close to their "Spliced Take" concept on this new release, although this is an album which stands on its own.

While editing this album they have made all songs "blending in" so you will get the feeling as if you are in the actual session with no pauses. All tracks from the "Stax Sessions" have been included in this double CD set.

One of the highlights is a breathtaking version of "Sweet Angeline" which has a longer intro and an instrumental break featuring Kathy Westmoreland, 
Other must haves are longer intro's for "Just A Little Bit" and "I Got A Feeling in My Body" and a new ending for "It's Midnight". Rehearsals go straight into the songs, and there are some funny portions mixed in.

CD1: July 1973: You Don’t Come Back (Spliced takes 1, 2 & 5) / It’s Different Now (Rehearsal) / Three Corn Patches (Spliced takes 5, 6 &10) / Take Good Care of Her (FS Take 3a) / Find Out What’s Happening (Spliced take 1, 2, 4 & 5) / I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby (Spliced takes 6, 7, 11, 14 & 11) / Just A Little Bit (Spliced takes 1 & 2) / Raised On Rock (Take 10 – rough mix) / For Ole Time Sake (Spliced takes 6 & 4) / Girl of Mine (Spliced take 1 & 6) / Sweet Angeline (Alternate Master) / I Miss You (Spliced takes 12 & 10) / Are You Sincere (Spliced takes 2 & 1). September 1973: Good, Bad But Beautiful (Instrumental track) / Colour My Rainbow (Instrumental track) / The Wonders You Perform (Instrumental track)

CD2: December 1973: I’ve Got A Feeling in My Body (Spliced takes 1 & 4) / It’s Midnight (Spliced takes 7, 11, 9 & 9) / You Asked Me To (Spliced takes 1, 2A, 3B, 2A & 3B) / If You Talk In Your Sleep (Spliced takes 5 & 6) / Mr. Songman (Spliced takes 3, 5 & 2) / Thinking About You (Spliced take 4 / rehearsal) / Love Song Of The Year (Spliced takes 6 & 7) / Help Me (FS Take 1) / My Boy (Spliced takes 1 & 2) / Loving Arms (Spliced take 2 / rehearsal) / Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (Spliced takes 4 & 6) / Talk About The Good Times (Spliced takes 1, 2 & 3) / Promised Land (Spliced takes 3, 4 & 5) / Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming (Spliced takes 8 & 10) / There’s A Honky Tonk Angel (Spliced takes 5, 3 & 8) / If That Isn’t Love (Spliced takes 6 & 7) / Spanish Eyes Spliced takes 3 & 2) / She Wears My Ring (Spliced funny portions / Take 8 )

Winter Wonderland

A second new CMT import-release, in cooperation with the Star label is "Winter Wonderland". This spliced take special is another release in this series and needs no further introduction.

One thing the label wants to mention is the newly created "harmony" version of "The Wonderful World of Christmas", although there are no outtakes available the CMT team managed to make a very different sounding track, where
even the vocal ending is far different to the master take. Also just listen to the newly overdubbed version of "Merry Christmas Baby" which has been re-created from three different overdub versions.

O Come, All Ye Faithful (Spliced take 2 – Alternate edit) / The First Noel (Spliced dubbed / Overdubbed) / On A Snowy Christmas Night (Spliced dubbed / Overdubbed / Winter Wonderland (Alternate Master) / The Wonderful World of Christmas (Spliced ‘Harmony’ master) / It Won’t Seem Like Christmas (Spliced takes 4, 5, 6 & 5) / I’ll Be Home on Christmas Day (Spliced takes 2 & 3) / If I Get Home On Christmas Day (FS Spliced takes 1, 3, 1 & 3) / Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees (Spliced takes 6, 8 & 3) / Merry Christmas, Baby (Spliced overdubbed master) / Silver Bells (Spliced Rehearsal / Take 1) / I’ll Be Home on Christmas Day (Remake – Spliced takes 1, 1 & 2)

(Source: Amazon / FECC / Graceland / AP)