October 28 - It The Movies Inside Graceland

The Danish Memphis Mansion updated their 2007 book 'Inside Graceland' by Megan Murphy, Henrik Knudsen and Soren Karstensen. This second edition is a Danish 100-page hardcover book with an updated design featuring photos from the Sherif Hanna collection. It should be available in 14 days. 

In the Movies: Elvis Presley

G2 Entertainment released a paperback version of Timothy Knight's 'In the Movies: Elvis Presley' in Europe. 

Synopsis: Although he starred in 31 films and was ranked a top-10 box office draw for six consecutive years, Elvis Presley has never gotten his full due from film critics and historians, who often dismiss him as a singer, moonlighting on the silver screen, rather than a bona fide movie star. Yet the Tupelo, Mississippi, native known as "The King" enjoyed far greater success on-screen than any rock and roll star who followed his lead to Hollywood. 

Perhaps if he had ignored the Svengali-esque counsel of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and continued starring in dramatic, commercially risky films, instead of formulaic musical comedies, Presley might have become as electrifying an actor as he was a performer. 

But for most of his 13-year film career, Presley starred in light-hearted escapist fare that left many critics cold. That said, the best of these musical comedies -- Blue Hawaii(1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962) and Viva Las Vegas (1964) -- are infectiously entertaining popcorn films, brimming with catchy songs and exuberant energy. Only the most hardened curmudgeon can resist Presley's sizzling duet with Ann- Margret in Viva Las Vegas. Or his easygoing rapport with Shelley Fabares in Clambake (1967), one of three films he made with the actress he called his favourite leading lady.

Billy Joe Shaver Died

Billy Joe Shaver, the Texas singer-songwriter who was a key player in the Outlaw Country movement, died. He was 81.

Elvis Presley recorded 'You Ask Me To', written by Billy Joe Shaver and Waylon Jennings as the closing song on his 1975 'Promised Land' album. It also appeared with an alternate arrangement on Elvis' posthumous 1981 'Guitar Man' album.

Tinseltown Troubadour Vol. 2 Released

The new release 'Tinseltown Troubadour vol. 2' has been released. 

From the press release: 'Tinseltown Troubadour vol. 2' is yet another wild 'n' crazy joyride through Elvis' movie years! This new release offers a fresh take on Elvis' movie output through the use of alternate takes, movie versions, film dialogue and movie promos. Highlights include an alternate, more rockin' version of 'It Won't Be Long' with just bass, drums & guitar, which gives the song a new lease of life, and there's also that delicious, über-cool movie version of 'C'mon Everybody', now in better sound than before.

As with volume one, all songs are presented in dynamic mono, which makes everything sound ballsier than before, much like the jukeboxes of the time.

Packaged in beautiful digipacks with rare color pix, 'Tinseltown Troubadour vol. 2' is a smooth-groovin', fast-movin', hip-shakin', shagadelic collection of Elvis Movie Magic that you just gotta have!

(Source: Amazon / Memphis Mansion / Conqueroo / Elvis Information Network)