Saturday, November 30, 2019

November 30 - Elvis In Arkansas

Due for release December 01, 2019 is the book "Elvis In Arkansas" by Joe Walker. 

From his website:

When he set out to write "Elvis in Arkansas," author Joe Walker chose to focus on the historical Elvis and how those early times in Arkansas impacted his career. 

During those earliest days, as Elvis' father, Vernon Presley, would recall, the state played an important role in his son's early career: "[Elvis] started out in '55 playing locally, you know, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi." To many, Elvis Presley came out of nowhere, emerging that hot July night at Sun Records, recording "That's All Right." And even there, Arkansas had an impact, with a small radio station in northeast Arkansas being one of the very first ever to play an Elvis Presley record. 


And if Memphis, Tennessee was the cornerstone of Elvis Presley's career, then Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas were the bricks that completed the foundation of Rock ‘n Roll. And not just for Elvis. Sun Record artists Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Charlie Rich just to name a few all had their start in the juke joints and high school gymnasiums across the Ark-La-Tex. 


"Elvis in Arkansas" offers a fresh perspective on those early days when Elvis and his bandmates, Scotty Moore and Bill Black first ventured west out of Memphis with the trio criss-crossing the Ark-La-Tex, performing in hundreds of shows across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. And when they weren't playing a show in Arkansas, they were driving back and forth across the state weekly, sometimes eating at a local diner, or visiting friends they had made along the way. 



You'll read the stories from those who were there, not realizing they were witnessing the birth of Rock 'n Roll. For them, they were witnessing something, they just weren't sure what. 

Among the stories you'll read are the night Elvis' original pink Cadillac burned alongside an Arkansas highway, the Arkansas gymnasium floor that collapsed while Elvis was performing, Elvis being thrown out of an Arkansas club by a Catholic priest for signing a girl's thigh, Elvis' fear of flying caused his plane nearly crashing over western Arkansas, Elvis being Inducted into an Arkansas college fraternity, Elvis singing  "Heartbreak Hotel" live for the very first time  (which happened in an Arkansas night club), The night in Little Rock where Gladys and Vernon Presley met Colonel Parker for the very first time, Elvis singing before a crowd of only twelve people at an Arkansas show, Elvis' attempt at purchasing a 14,000 acre duck hunting farming operation in Arkansas and the  auto accident where the authorities wouldn't take his check because they had no idea who Elvis Presley was.


In Joe Walker's book, "Elvis in Arkansas," you'll travel with Elvis across Arkansas and experience the birth of Rock 'n Roll through eyewitness accounts of the people who were there as well as never before published photographs. 

Joan Staley Dies

Actress Joan Staley has died. According to her family, Staley passed away on Sunday due to heart failure at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia, California. She was 79 years old.


In 1964, Staley snagged one of her most well-known roles by starring as the girlfriend of Elvis Presley's character in the movie Roustabout. A particularly memorable scene called for Staley to slap Elvis across the face, and according to the actress, the slap we see in the movie is completely real. "I asked him if he wanted me to pull up," Staley previously claimed in the 2001 book Fantasy Femmes of Sixties Cinema. She adds: "He said, 'No.' I said, 'Are you sure? I could leave a welt.' He replied, 'That's OK.' So I belted him. That slap you hear in the film was not put in afterward - that was the slap."

(Source: Elvis In Arkansas / Movieweb)

Friday, November 29, 2019

November 29 - Charts November Week 5

The weekly Elvis Presley global chart update. Elvis Presley's Christmas albums are the big sellers this week. 

US Billboard chart:
  • US Billboard Top 200 Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” dropped from #154 to #175.
  • US Billboard Top 200 Album chart: “It’s Christmas Time” re-entry #185
  • US Billboard Top Album Sales chart: “It’s Christmas Time” climbed from #64 to 47.
  • US Billboard Top Album Sales chart: “The Classic Christmas Album” climbed from #68 to #47.
  • US Billboard Catalog Album Sales: “It’s Christmas Time” climbed from #16 to #12.
  • US Billboard Catalog Album Sales chart: “The Classic Christmas Album” climbed from #17 to #14.
  • US Billboard Top Holiday Album chart: “It’s Christmas Time” climbed from #15 to #13. 
  • US Billboard Top Holiday Album chart: “The Classic Christmas Album” climbed from #31 to #30. 
  • US Billboard Holiday Album Sales chart: “It’s Christmas Time” climbed from #9 to #6.
  • US Billboard Holiday Album Sales chart: “The Classic Album Chart” from #10 to #7. 
  • US Billboard Digital Song Sales chart: “Blue Christmas” dropped from #23 to #24. 
  • US Billboard Top Christian Albums chart: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” climbed from #47 to #34.
  • US Billboard Christian Album Sales chart: “Where No One Stands Alone” dropped from #24 to #26.
  • US Billboard Top Rock Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” dropped from #20 to #21. 
  • US Billboard Top Country Albums: “The Essential Elvis Presley” dropped from #15 to #18.
  • US Billboard Top Country Albums chart: “It’s Christmas Time” climbed from #32 to #20.
  • US Billboard Country Catalog Albums: “It’s Christmas Time” remained steady at #1.
  • US Billboard Country Catalog Albums chart: “The Classic Christmas Album” remained steady at #2.
  • US Billboard Country Catalog Albums chart: “Merry Christmas … Love Elvis” climbed from #20 to #14. 
  • US Billboard Country Catalog Albums chart: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” re-entry at #22. 
  • US Billboard Artist Top 100: Elvis Presley climbed from #53 to #48.
Official UK charts:
  • Official UK Streaming Album chart: “The 50 Greatest Hits” climbed from #75 to #72. 
  • Official UK Physical Album chart: “Christmas with Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic orchestra” re-entry #93.
  • Official UK Christian and Gospel Album chart: “Where No One Stands Alone” climbed from #17 to #14. 
  • Official UK Music DVD chart: “The Elvis Collection” dropped from #13 to #14. 
  • Official UK Music DVD chart: “Elvis The Searcher” climbed from #29 to #26.
Official Scottish charts:
  • Official Scottish Album chart: “Christmas Peace” dropped off the chart after last week’s re-entry #98.
  • Official Scottish Album chart: "Christmas - Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic orchestra" off the chart after last week’s re-entry at #99.
Official Irish charts:
  • Irish IRMA Music DVD chart: “Elvis The Searcher” dropped from #3 to #4. 
Official Australian charts:
  • Australian ARIA Music DVD chart: “'68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)” climbed from #30 to #10. 
(Source: UK Mix / Billboard / Official Chart Company / IRMA / ARIA)

November 29 - Cat King at the American Sound Studio

The Sony Legacy Black Friday Record Store Day LP ''American Sound 1969” has been released. This is a limited release of 4000 copies worldwide, officially "exclusively" available through Indie record stores.

From the press-release

1969 was a pivotal year for Elvis Presley. Fresh from the success of the ’68 Comeback Special, a revitalized Elvis headed to American Sound Studios with producer Chips Moman and a crack group of local session musicians. From these sessions came From Elvis In Memphis, one of the most beloved LPs of his career, plus the seminal hits “Suspicious Minds” (his 18th and final No. 1 hit) and “In The Ghetto”. American Sound Sessions 1969, features rare and unreleased outtakes from these legendary sessions available for the first time on vinyl.

Cat King

An unofficial press report surfaced claiming that the working title for Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie is “Kat King”. According to Luhrmann, it won't be a conventional biopic “Rather than a ‘biopic,’ I see it as a canvas. It’s hugely ambitious, but I want to cover his whole life, many aspects of which will be truly surprising.” 

Filming will commence in February 2020 for a 17 week period at Village Roadshow Studios near Queensland in Australia (there's been no mention of location shooting yet). 

Luhrmann has recently been at the old RCA Studio A in Nashville working on the score for the film with Grammy award winning producer Dave Cobb. Cobb produced part of the soundtrack for “A Star Is Born” and albums for Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson.

Christmas


Released by the Reel to Reel label is volume 8 in “The Original U.S. EP Collection” featuring the original EPs “Elvis Sings Christmas Songs" and “Christmas with Elvis”. It comes as a limited edition on red vinyl and as a picture disc. 

The Rock Box

Laser Media released the 3-CD set “The Rock Box” featuring "classic radio broadcasts" according to the cover. 

Elvis Presley was Rock & Roll’s first real star and one of the most important cultural forces in history. He may not have invented the idiom but Elvis helped to establish the form, and his sound was so fresh – mixing up R&B, gospel, blues, and country with a natural sexuality. From the mid-50’s the world saw Presley spread his hip-thrusting performance style, much to the ire of conservatives. This excellent 3-disc-set contains more than 35 dance-floor classics by the King of Rock & Roll, taped during the peak of his career. The collection showcases Elvis’ most memorable upbeat numbers, compiled here to keep you dancing.

The CD contains soundboard recordings from the June 29, 1974 Evening Show as recorded in Kansas City, MO. and the March 17, 1976, Evening Show as recorded at  Johnson City, TN.

The Best of the New Recordings

The Good Music label released the CD "The best of the New Recordings". 

From the press release:
Enjoy these 23 new versions of Elvis classics as updated by some of today's best, big league musicians from around the world! The masters have been remixed and enhanced by tasteful musical embellishments, while still preserving the artistic integrity of the original performances.

Elvis is in the vocal spotlight for improved sound. The clarity and "presence" of his voice is stunning!


Unlike other recent symphonic orchestrations (on other labels) that have competed with or even distracted from Elvis's lead vocals -- or have been overly fanciful and haven't matched the mood or nuances of his songs -- the superb renditions contained on ELVIS: THE BEST OF THE NEW RECORDINGS achieve the perfect balance. The thrilling new tracks on this exciting CD bring Elvis into the 21st century as never before!

(Source: FECC / Amazon / Elvis On CD / Good Music)

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

November 27 - Danish Single Collection Vol. 2

Due for release from the Danish Memphis Mansion label is volume 2 in their "Danish Single Collection" series. The LP comes as a limited edition of 100 copies on green vinyl and a limited edition of 300 copies on white vinyl.

Side A: A Fool Such As I / I Need Your Love Tonight / That’s When Your Heartaches Begin / All Shook Up / A Big Hunk O’ Love / My Wish Came True
Side B: That’s All Right / You’re a Heartbreaker / Jailhouse Rock / Treat Me Nice / Stuck On You / Fame And Fortune.

(Source: email / Memphis Mansion)

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

November 26 - The Record Store Import Way

The Petticoat Records import-label released the LP “The Elvis Presley Way”. 

From the press-release: Petticoat records is back! This time with a fantastic vinyl album full of late-sixties classics. This high quality album (including bonus CD) featuring 14 rare and hard to find alternate versions of these classics is now available. Great stuff: beautiful ballads as well as some great rockers! And as always housed in a stunning full color sleeve suitable for framing! This high quality vinyl pressing is now available in very limited gold and clear vinyl.

Side:  A Little Less Conversation – Unedited Single Master / Mine – Take 4 / Guitar Man – Take 9 / Let Yourself Go – Take 6 / We Call On Him – Take 2 / Just Call Me Lonesome – Take 4 / Too Much Monkey Business - Take 10
Side B: You Don’t Know Me – Take 2 / Big Boss Man – Take 9 / Almost In Love – Single Master / Hi-Heel Sneakers – Take 5 / Edge Of Reality – Take 3 / Goin’ Home – Take 29 / U.S. Male – Take 10

California Ballads 1960 - 1968

Released as a follow up to the “Hollywood Ballads” in the “Ballads” series is the installment “California Ballads”. It is housed in a 6-panel digi-pack. 


Tracks: Wild In The Country – Take 11 / Lonely Man – Take 3 / Island Of Love – Take 8 / Hawaiian Wedding Song – Take 1 /  A Whistling Tune – Stereo Master / I’m Falling In Love Tonight – Take 4 / Relax – Take 7 / Anyone (Could Fall In Love Tonight) – Alternate Master / Cross My Heart, Hope To Die – Take 11 / Kismet – Take 2 / So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) – Take 1 / Beginner’s Luck – Original Album Mix / Please Don’t Stop Loving Me – Take 3 / Sand Castles – Take 1 / This Is My Heaven – Take 7 / All That I Am – Take 2 / Suppose – Long Version / Almost In Love – Vocal Overdub / Let’s Forget About The Stars – Vocal Overdub / It Hurts Me – 1968 Master.

Christmas with Elvis

Released by the U.K. Trapeze / Acrobat Music label is the 12-track CD “Christmas with Elvis Presley”.  



Unboxing American Sound 1969

Here is the first unboxing video of the ''American Sound 1969” Sony Legacy Black Friday Record Store Day release. 



(Source: FECC / The In Groove)

Monday, November 25, 2019

November 25 - Elvis UK Tour Kicked Off

The Elvis Greatest Hits UK Tour kicked off at the Manchester Arena. The show features Elvis Presley on the big screen joined by The Royal Philharmonic Orchtestra and the TCB Band on stage with appearances by Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling.  

The other stops in the six-date arena tour are Cardiff Motorpoint Arena (November 26th), Birmingham Resorts Arena (November 27th), Sheffield Arena (November 28th), Glasgow Hydro (November 29th), before a huge finale at London’s The O2 on December 1st 2019. 

(Source: Various)

Sunday, November 24, 2019

November 24 - Christmas (and more) With Elvis

Released by Walmart Canada / Simply Media is the Christmas CD “Christmas With Elvis”. It contains eight Christmas songs. Four Gospel Songs and Twelve greatest hits, both rockers and ballads. 

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 / Silent Night / O’Little Town of Bethlehem / Peace In The Valley / I Believe / Take My Hand Precious Lord / It’s No Secret (What God Can Do) / Heartbreak Hotel / Love Me Tender / Blue Moon / Wooden Heart / She’s Not You / I Want You I Need You I Love You / As Long As I Have You / Can’t Help Falling In Love / I Need Your Love Tonight / Love Me / Loving You / Stuck On You.

Robert F.X. Sillerman Died

Robert F.X. Sillerman, the New York entertainment businessman who consolidated a series of companies and helped form the modern concert industry, died of a respiratory illness, Billboard reported. He was 71. 


In 2005 Sillerman he purchased stakes in the estates of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali and others which he lated sold.

It was in February 2005 when, in a shock move, 85% of EPE was sold to Robert Sillerman's company. At the time CKX hoped that modern technology was the way to bring a refresh of the ELVIS brand ("VIVA Elvis" in Las Vegas, Hologram Elvis in American idol etc) and pump up the income of EPE. It was only six years later in May 2011 that CKX sold out to Apollo Global Management when Sillerman's original dream collapsed and his operation was sold for about $511 million.

At the time the sale of Graceland / EPE was the biggest news story to hit the Elvis world since the opening of Graceland to the public on 7 June 1982.

Here then are the terms of the deal between Sillerman and Lisa Presley: CKX paid $114 million for an 85% interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises; Lisa retains the other 15%. Lisa received $50 million in cash, plus $26 million in CKX common and preferred stock. Another $25 million from CKX went to pay off EPE debt. And $6.5 million went to Priscilla Presley for use of the family name—even though Sillerman wasn’t legally obligated to pay her anything, since Priscilla and Elvis were divorced, and Elvis’s estate went to Lisa Marie. 

(Source: FECC / Barry McLean / Los Angeles Times / Fortune / Elvis Information Network)

Friday, November 22, 2019

November 23 - Graceland First in Line for Best Holiday Tour?

Ever wondered how Thomas Jefferson spent his holidays or what a Gilded Age Christmas tree might have looked like? 20 historic houses, hand picked by 10Best Local Experts from around the country, pull out all the stops for their holiday tours. Elvis' Graceland Mansion is among the nominees. 

The nomination notes: Graceland is one of the most-visited private homes in the nation. Every year, more than 600,000 people go to Elvis Presley’s former estate in Memphis. The Christmas season at Graceland kicks off with a lighting ceremony mid-November, after which visitors can tour the home decorated for the season with traditional lights, a live-size nativity scene and Santa. Presley family Christmas artifacts are on display during this special time of year.

You can Vote once per day for your favorite historic home tour now through Monday, December 2 at noon ET. The 10 winning home tours, as determined by your vote, will be announced on Friday, December 13th 2019.

You can vote here: vote for Graceland.

First In Line Vol.2 Out Now


The MfX import-label released “First In Line Vol. 2” in in three editions, each in several variations, and a limited edition test-pressing. 

The Standard Edition comes on black, red, white and blue vinyl, 100 copies each. The sleeve holds the LP, two CDs and a double sided 60 x 30 cm poster. 

The Limited Boxed Edition that comes in two variations of 30 copies each. Both come in a different box, with a different color vinyl, sticker, T-shirt and art-cards with the details of the CDs and a certificate. 

The Double CD Edition in two editions of 50 copies. Two CDs housed in a long-box digi-pack with a 4-page foldout booklet and 50 x 26 cm poster, each edition has its own poster. 

And finally a test-pressing box set. This last edition is limited to 10 copies. The LP-sized box contains the double LP on black vinyl, exclusive stickers, t-shirt (size L) and a certificate. 

(Source: Graceland / USA Today / FECC)

November 22 - Charts November Week 4

The weekly global Elvis Presley chart update. Elvis Presley held on to the #1 and #2 spots on the US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart and made re-entry on several charts with “The Essential Elvis Presley” compilation. 

US Billboard charts:
  • US Billboard Album Top 200 chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry at #154.
  • US Billboard Top Album Sales chart: “It’s Christmas Time” climbed from #99 to #64.
  • US Billboard Top Album Sales chart: “The Classic Christmas Album” re-entry at #68.
  • US Billboard Catalog Albums chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry #49.
  • US Billboard Catalog Album Sales chart: “It’s Christmas Time” climbed from #24 to #16.
  • US Billboard Catalog Album Sales chart: “The Classic Christmas Album” climbed from #31 to #17. 
  • US Billboard Top Country Album charts: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry #15
  • US Billboard Top Country Album charts: “It’s Christmas Time” re-entry #32
  • US Billboard Country Albums Sales chart: “Elvis: International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada August 26, 1969” dropped from #46 to #49. 
  • US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart: “It’s Christmas Time” remained steady at #1.
  • US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart: “The Classic Christmas Album” remained steady at #2.
  • US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry at #17.
  • US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart: “Merry Christmas, Love Elvis” re-entry at #20.
  • US Billboard Top Country Albums chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry at #15.
  • US Billboard Top Rock Albums chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry at #20.
  • US Billboard Top Christian Album chart: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” dropped from #45 to #47. 
  • US Billboard Christian Album Sales chart: “Where No One Stands Alone” climbed from #45 to #24.
  • US Billboard Top Holiday Album chart: “It’s Christmas Time” dropped from #12 to #15. 
  • US Billboard Top Holiday Album chart: “The Classic Christmas Album” dropped from #25 to #31.
  • US billboard Holiday Album Sales chart: “It’s Christmas Time” dropped from #7 to #9. 
  • US Billboard Holiday Album Sales chart: “The Classic Christmas Album” dropped from #8 to #10.
  • US Billboard Holiday Digital Song Sales: “Blue Christmas” climbed from #24 to #23.
Official UK charts: 
  • Official UK Streaming Album chart: “The 50 Greatest Hits” re-entry at #75.
  • Official UK Physical Album chart: "Christmas - Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic orchestra" dropped off the chart from last week’s  re-entry #93.
  • Official UK Christian and Gospel Album chart: “Where No One Stands Alone” climbed from #18 to #17. 
  • Official UK Music DVD chart: “The Elvis Collection” dropped from #11 to #13. 
  • Official UK Music DVD chart: “Elvis The Searcher” dropped from #26 to #29. 
Official Scottish charts:
  • Official Scottish Album chart: “Christmas Peace” re-entry #98.
  • Official Scottish Album chart: "Christmas - Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic orchestra" re-entry at #99.
  • Official Scottish Album charts: "Elvis at the Movies - 60 Essential Recordings" dropped off the chart after last week’s re-entry at #88.
Official Irish charts: 
  • Irish IRMA Music DVD chart: “Elvis The Searcher” re-entry at #3
Official Australian Charts:
  • Australian ARIA Music DVD chart: “'68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)” dropped from #10 to #30.
(Source: UK Mix / Billboard / Official Chart Company / IRMA / ARIA)

November 22 - Viva Elvis In Back

The Follow That Dream book / CD set “The Making of Viva Las Vegas” and the 4-CD “Elvis is Back Sessions” set have been released. 

The “Elvis is Back Sessions” set celebrates the 60th Anniversary year of these recordings, hailed by many as Elvis’ finest recordings. For the first time all the songs are available in their original recording sequence. Included are all the RCA outtakes and masters. The release includes a deluxe 28-page booklet and sound carrier adorned with, beautiful portraits, rare photos, insightful essay, recording data and classic memorabilia.

David English and Pal Granlund wrote the ultimate background story into how the fabulous musical starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret was created. This hard back 400-page book gives a fascinating insight from script to screen. The book contains 250 recently discovered images including wardrobe stills, memo’s, contracts and pages from director George Sidney’s personal script and
soundtrack recording session documents. Also features memories from the cast and crew, the shooting schedule, filming dates and locations.


The audio, packed on 3 CDs, features the first official release of the original soundtrack in mono, the original conceived 1963 studio album and as a bonus it contains songs from the soundtrack and newly discovered songwriters' demos. 

Dancin’ Elvis

Released in the HooDoo Records “digi-pack” series is the 32 track compilation “Dancin’ Elvis”. This title is also available as a 20-track LP. 

From the press-release: This excellent CD contains 32 dance floor classics by the King of Rock ’N’ Roll, taped during the peak of his career, between 1954 and 1962. The collection showcases Elvis' most memorable upbeat numbers, compiled here to keep you dancing. The power of Elvis' infectious sound can be heard on such superb songs as “Jailhouse Rock”, “King Creole”, “Girl Next Door Went A-Walking”, “All Shook Up”, “Shake, Rattle and Roll”, and many others. Also featured here are lesser-known numbers which are just as enjoyable as the classics mentioned above, like the splendid “I Don't Wanna Be Tied”, “Trouble”, and “We're Comin' in Loaded”. Besides being widely regarded as some of the finest songs of Elvis Presley's discography, these remastered gems are among the greatest recordings in Rock ’N’ Roll history.

The Elvis Movie

The STAR import-label announced the release of "The Elvis Movie" starring Kurt Russel with the soundtrack of Elvis Presley, pressed on a dual-layered DVD. 


From the press-release:
It's the same story but the performances have made an incredible upgrade! STAR keeps surprising fans worldwide, this time they have chosen something "risky" but they deliver once more! They have replaced Ronnie MdDowell's soundtrack with the only soundtrack that should have been there in the first place, Elvis!

Lots more music is included and the whole film has a more modern touch then before and can now compete with blockbusters like "Walk the Line" and "Great Balls of Fire". Rare live versions and outtakes were handpicked to find the best matching songs for the scenes. 

Kurt Russels "playbacking" looks much more natural and real then before, and how cool it is to hear Dewey Philips announce Elvis on the air, or to hear "The Blackwood Brothers" at the funeral of Elvis his mother Gladys.

For a short preview be sure to check out this link:




The soundtrack: 
Mystery Train / Good Rockin' Tonight / Old Shep / My Happiness / That's All Right / Blue Moon of Kentucky / Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Long Tall Sally / Heartbreak Hotel / Poor Boy / Rip It Up / Anyway You Want Me / Silent Night / I Got Stung / Peace in the Valley / Rock Of Ages / Tutti Frutti / Are You Lonesome Tonight? / How Great Thou Art / A Fool Such As I / Pledging My Love / Mine / Bosom of Abraham / Until It's Time for You to Go / Suspicious Minds / Separate Ways / Blue Suede Shoes / The Wonder of You / An American Trilogy.
Bonustrack: Such A Night

Vegas Throat

The CMT import-label returns with a follow up to last years release "I'm Evil"; "Vegas Throat - Live Chronicles Volume Two". Again a cooperation with the STAR import-label. This CD comes housed in a six panel digipack and is limited to 500 copies

From the press-release:


Every Elvis fan of course will know that this year marked the 50th anniversary of Elvis returning to the stage. An amazing 11 disc boxset was released and although it is a must, it is most likely it will be played often because most shows are pretty much the same as the one before. 

CMT / STAR have made an outstanding "Ultimate" release which includes all the songs (29 tracks!) from the shows in one performance! A lot of time and effort went into the editing to make it sound like one complete show. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is my first live appearance in nine years. It is very dry in Las Vegas and singers have what they call a Vegas Throat".

Tracklisting:Blue Suede Shoes (22.08.1969 M/S) - I Got A Woman (22.08.1969 M/S) - All Shook Up (21.08.1969 M/S) - Inherit The Wind (26.08.1969 D/S) - Rubberneckin' (26.08.1969 M/S) . I Can't Stop Loving You (24.08.1969 D/S) - Johnny B. Goode (24.08.1969 D/S) - Love Me Tender (24.08.1969 D/S) - Jailhouse Rock / Don't Be Cruel (24.08.1969 D/S) - Hound Dog (22.08.1969 D/S) - Heartbreak Hotel (24.08.1969 D/S) - Baby What Do You Want Me To Do (24.08.1969 M/S) - Loving You / Reconsider Baby (23.08.1969 M/S) - Surrender / Runaway (21.08.1969 M/S) - Funny How Time Slips Away (22.08.1969 M/S) - Are You Lonesome Tonight? (21.08.1969 M/S) - Words (24.08.1969 M/S) - Yesterday / Hey Jude  (24.08.1969 M/S - Edit) - In The Ghetto (25.08.1969 D/S) - Memories (22.08.1969 M/S) - This Is The Story (26.08.1969 M/S) - My Babe (22.08.1969 M/S) - Suspicious Minds (26.08.1969 M/S - Edit) - What'd I Say (22.08.1969 D/S - Edit) - Can't Help Falling in Love (24.08.1969 D/S)

Where the Heart Is


The Vinyl Passion label released the LP "Where the Heart Is - Selected Ballads", a collection of twenty-two of Elvis' heartfelt ballads recorded in the fifties dealing with love. From the very early 'Love Me Tender' to the 'Kid Galahad' movie ballad 'Home Is Where The Heart Is', this whole collection just shines. No one could sing a romantic song as The King. There are some excellent rarer songs here like 'Doin' The Best I Can', 'Young And Beautiful' and of course the Top Ten hits 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You', 'Love Me', 'Don't and 'Can't Help Falling in Love' as well as such Presley standards as 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?'

(Source: UEPS / Amazon / FECC)

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

November 20 - The Movie Catalog

Bob Pakes, author of the "The EPE Catalog" book will release a new book entitled "The Movie Catalog".  

The 490-page book covers Elvis Presley's first four movies (1956 - 1958) with the focus on movie memorabilia from across the world. 
The book, currently near completion, contains over 2200 images of rare movieposteres, lobby cards, press-books, advertisements and around 800 promotional pictures for the movies "Love Me Tender", "Loving You", "Jailhouse Rock" and "King Creole". All with additional background information.

50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong

Due for release from Sony Legacy on January 31st 2020 is the LP "50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong"

(Source: Elvis Matters / Fan Shop)

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

November 19 - Teddybear Knockout

The E.P. Collector import-label announced two new albums; "Love My Teddy Bear Tender", recorded live at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV, September 3rd 1971, Dinner show and "Knoxville Knockout" recorded live at the UOT Stokely Arena, Knoxville, TN, April 8th 1972 Evening show. 

From the press-release:



Recorded live at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV, September 3rd, 1971, Dinner show While some of Elvis import labels are just re-releasing previously issued and repackaged stuff, the always reliable E. P. Collector label is always looking for something new to release. We are always reaching out to people in order to find new material, and if it's interesting, we will purchase it, even if the sound is not studio perfect. In recent months we were in touch with a couple of fans who recorded a number of interesting concerts, which now enables us to release two more surprises.

The first new release is titled "Love My Teddy Bear Tender" and it brings us the Las Vegas, September 3rd, 1971 Dinner show. You'll have to forgive us for the somewhat clumsy title, but maybe you'll understand when we tell you that it contains a sensational concert rarity! During this concert, he sings "Love Me Tender" to the tune of "Teddy Bear"!! He only did this once, during this concert, and now for the first time you can hear this amazing discovery!!! Who would think that we would still be getting surprises like this in 2019?! 


Concert recordings from '71 are hard to come by these days, especially unreleased ones. During this season, Elvis was on fire, and his setlist was varied and strong. Near the end of the engagement, his shows were a bit looser, and this one is a real delight. This concert recording is a completely new show, even for the hardcore fans. The audio was mastered from an original audience recorded cassette tape. This CD is packaged in a nicely designed digipack with a press review and a collection of images taken in Las Vegas, NV, in August / September 1971.


Tracklist: Orchestra Intro - Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Theme) - That’s All Right - I Got A Woman - Proud Mary - Sweet Caroline - Polk Salad Annie - Instrumental Intermezzo - Johnny B. Goode - It's Impossible (With False Start) - Love Me - Blue Suede Shoes / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - Heartbreak Hotel - Love Me Tender (Sung To Teddy Bear Tune) - Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - Hound Dog - Suspicious Minds - Band Introductions - I'm Leavin' - Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Can't Help Falling In Love (With False Start) - Closing Vamp 


Knoxville Knockout



Our second new CD is titled "Knoxville Knockout". Just as our first release, the Knoxville, TN, April 8, 1972 8:30 pm evening show is previously unreleased and moreover, it is completely a new show for all Elvis die-hard fans: again, never before in circulation, in any form! Interestingly enough, RCA was there to record, but their tape recorder malfunctioned. Now you can finally hear what RCA tried to record!

This concert is taken from a recently discovered original audience recorded cassette tape. Unfortunately, "An American Trilogy" is incomplete, and it is possible that there's is one song missing, just before the "Can't Help Falling In Love" finale. 


As we've come to expect from the April '72 shows, Elvis is in excellent form. And what a rare treat to finally get an audience recorded tape from this highly regarded tour! Elvis is firing on all cylinders. He knocks "How Great Thou Art" out of the ballpark. Wow, just wow!


As usual, this CD is packaged in a nicely designed digipack with excerpts from a local press review and a collection of images taken on tour in April, 1972, including a couple of real, very rare Knoxville show shots.


Tracklist: Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Theme) - C. C. Rider - Proud Mary - Never Been To Spain - You Gave Me A Mountain - Until It's Time For You To Go - Polk Salad Annie - Love Me - All Shook Up - Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - Hound Dog - Love Me Tender (With Break) - How Great Thou Art - I Can't Stop Loving You (With Reprise) - For The Good Times - Suspicious Minds - Band Introductions - An American Trilogy (Incomplete) - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp


Firing On All Cylinders



The Straight Arrow import-label announced the release of the double CD "Firing On All Cylinders" contains the previously August 7th 1972 Midnight Show and the September 4th 1972 Closing Show. This release is presented in a de-luxe 8-panel digi-pack, with a collection of photos taken in Las Vegas, NV, on August 8th 1972 (Dinner Show), September 3rd 1972 (3 AM Show) and September 4th 1972 (Closing shows).


Every second of these concerts was digitally restored, every click or disturbing clap in quiet songs manually removed, every drop-out or damaged place fixed to achieve optimal listening pleasure. The next "Straight Arrow" releases in early 2020 will be excellent shows from 1971, 1972 and 1974 according to the press-release.

From the press-release:

Between 2007 and 2017, Straight Arrow released no less than 10 concerts from Elvis' 1972 Summer Festival, on 8 individual releases. More than any other label. In recent times we've also released a lot of stuff from the final years, but last year we made the commitment to focus on the 1969 - 1972 period, arguably his best concert years. Recently we were able to obtain two excellent vintage tapes from Elvis' 1972 Summer Season, and it is with some pride that we now present these.

This release is titled "Firing On All Cylinders" and Elvis truly did during this engagement. The first show is from August 7th 1972 and this is the show where he performed "Steamroller Blues" for the first time. The second show is Closing Night from September 4th 1972 and it can easily be called the best show of the entire season. 


It's a nice surprise that we are able to include some of the warm-up acts, including Jackie Kahanes's set, as well as the Sweet Inspiration set. These ladies were smoking hot, and it's easy to hear why they were considered to me amongst the best female soul groups in the business. As you probably know, they used to work together with Aretha, and The Sweet Inspirations' performance of her hits is one of the highlights on this disc. We believe that the inclusion of the opening acts will give you a unique perspective of what it was like to experience one of Elvis' Las Vegas concerts during this period in time.


The August 7th, 1972 Midnight Show is a previously unreleased concert, taken from a newly obtained original audience recorded tape in surprisingly good quality. This specific tape has not been available previously. There is another recording of this show in circulation on CDR, but the sound quality of that one is poor.


The September 4th 1972 Closing show was released by some no-name label back in 2005, from an incomplete source and in very hissy sound ("Walk That Lonesome Road" CD - with the missing song being "A Big Hunk O'Love"). We have found an alternate source, an original tape which includes the main part of the pre-program by The Sweet Inspirations as well as comedian Jackie Kahane. For the first time we present this great closing show in its complete form, and in the best possible sound quality! 


CD 1 - 07.08.1972 M/S:
Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - Proud Mary - Until It's Time For You To Go - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Polk Salad Annie - Instrumental Intermezzo - What Now My Love (With False Start) - Fever - Love Me - Blue Suede Shoes - One Night - Little Sister / Get Back - Heartbreak Hotel - Hound Dog - Steamroller Blues - Suspicious Minds - Introductions Of Singers, Musicians, Orchestra - My Way - A Big Hunk O'Love - I Can't Stop Loving You - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp / Announcements

Bonus Track:
Jackie Kahane Comedy Sketch (04.24.1972 Closing Show)

CD 2 - 04.09.1972 C/S:
Sweet Inspirations "Aretha Franklin Medley" (Chain of Fools / Respect / (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / I Say A Little Prayer / The House That Jack Built)

The Elvis Presley Show:
Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - C. C. Rider - Johnny B. Goode - Until It's Time For You To Go - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (With False Start) - Polk Salad Annie - Instrumental Intermezzo - What Now My Love - Fever - Love Me - Blue Suede Shoes - Heartbreak Hotel - All Shook Up - Ave Maria (One Line) - Hound Dog - I'll Remember You - Walk That Lonesome Road (J. D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet) - Suspicious Minds - Introductions Of Singers, Musicians, Orchestra - Introductions Of Bobby Darin & Colonel Tom Parker - My Way - A Big Hunk O'Love - You Gave Me A Mountain - Mystery Train / Tiger Man - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp / Announcements

The Guitar Player Worth A Damn



Coming this week from Venus Productions is volume 4 in their “The King in Motion” series, a hardcover book with 1 DVD and 2 CDs entitled “The Guitar Player Worth A Damn” featuring out-takes from “Elvis On Tour” in “better than ever quality”.  The 200-page book contains unreleased photos and insightful liner-notes. 


The set also contains the previously unreleased April 14th 1972 Afternoon Show as recorded in Greensboro and the April 9th 1972 Hampton Roads show presented in a brand new alternate mix.

Track listing DVD: Intro - Johnny B. Goode (Rehearsal) / Always On My Mind (Rehearsal) / Big Hunk O’ Love (Rehearsal) / Burning Love (Rehearsal) / Heartbreak Hotel (Rehearsal) / Hound Dog (Rehearsal) / I, John (Rehearsal) / Bosom Of Abraham (Rehearsal) / Mystery Train (Montage) / Interviews / Backstage / Also Sprach Zarathustra / See See Rider (April 18, 1972) / Love Me (April 9, 1972 ES) / Until It’s Time For You To Go (April 14, 1972) / Release Me (April 14, 1972) / A Big Hunk ‘O Love (April 14, 1972) / Burning Love (April 14, 1972) / For The Good Times (April 9, 1972 ES) / How Great Thou Art (April 9, 1972 ES) / Bridge Over Troubled Water (April 14, 1972) / Funny How Time Slips Away (April 14, 1972) / An American Trilogy (April 14, 1972) / Can’t Help Falling In Love (April 9, 1972) / Closing Vamp / Announcements / For The Good Times - End Credits
Bonus: Interview With George Klein / Interview With Vernon Presley / Interview With Elvis - Bonus / Rehearsal, April 5, 1972.

Track listing CD 1 – Greensboro, April 14, 1972
01 Also Sprach Zarathustra / 02 See See Rider / 03 Proud Mary / 04 Never Been To Spain / 05 You Gave Me A Mountain / 06 Until It’s Time For You To Go / 07 Polk Salad Annie / 08 Love Me / 09 All Shook Up / 10 Teddy Bear - Don’t Be Cruel / 11 Hound Dog / 12 Heartbreak Hotel / 13 A Big Hunk O’ Love / 14 Bridge Over Troubled Water / 15 Suspicious Minds / 16 Love Me Tender / 17 Band Introductions / 18 For The Good Times / 19 American Trilogy / 20 Burning Love / 21 Release Me / 22 Funny How Time Slips Away / 23 Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp

Track listing CD 2 – Hampton Roads AS, April 9, 1972 (previously unreleased):
01 Also Sprach Zarathustra / 02 See See Rider / 03 Proud Mary / 04 Never Been To Spain / 05 You Gave Me A Mountain / 06 Until It’s Time For You To Go / 07 Polk Salad Annie / 08 Love Me / 09 All Shook Up / 10 Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel / 11 Jailhouse Rock / 12 One Night / 13 Hound Dog / 14 Help Me Make It Through The Night / 15 Bridge Over Troubled Water / 16 Love Me Tender (+ 1 false start) / 17 Suspicious Minds / 18 Band Introductions / 19 An American Trilogy / 20 Heartbreak Hotel / 21 For The Good Times / 22 How Great Thou Art / 23 Lawdy Miss Clawdy (incomplete) / 24 A Big Hunk Of Love / 25 Funny How Time Slips Away / 26 Can’t Help Falling In Love /Closing Vamp




(Source: FECC)