The Danish Memphis Mansion released 'The Danish Singles Collection Volume One + Two' on CD. These albums were previously available on (colored) vinyl and picture discs.
Tracks: Wear My Ring Around Your Neck / Doncha' Think It’s Time / I Want To Be Free / Baby I Don’t Care / Hard Headed Woman / Don’t Ask Me Why / Love Me Tender / Any Way You Want Me / Tutti Frutti / I Want You I Need You I Love You / One Night / I Got Stung / 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 / That’s All Right / You’re a Heartbreaker / Jailhouse Rock / Treat Me Nice / Stuck On You / Fame And Fortune.
Volume 53 of the Vintage Rock magazine features an article on 'Elvis Presley - His Landmark Stadium Rock Concert'.
The Swedish Nya Tider magazine featured an article on Richard Zoglin's 2019 book 'Elvis in Vegas'.
Betty Amos Died
Musician, singer and writer Betty Amos died. She was 87.
Amos appeared with Elvis in the Louisiana Hayride and even borrowed her guitar to him so he could perform at the City Auditorium, Clarksdale, Mississippi. The picture, dated March 10, 1955, shows Elvis playing Betty Amos' guitar
(Source: Memphis Mansion / Elvis Club Berlin / Stefan Petterson / Various)
The Danish Memphis Mansion announced the release of the LP 'Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) - The Christmas Sessions'. The album, limited to 300 copies, comes on colored vinyl, and should be available, just in time for Christmas. As a bonus it comes with two postcards.
The LP was compiled and mastered by Anthony Stuchbury.
Tracks Side A: Treat Me Nice / Blue Christmas / My Wish Came True / White Christmas / Here Comes Santa Claus / Silent Night
Side B: Don’t / O Little Town of Bethlehem / Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) / Santa Claus Is Back In Town / I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Recorded September 5 - 7 1957).
Kelly Mass published her 24-page book(let) 'Elvis Presley: His Music, His Life, His Moves, and His Death'.
Synopsis: Elvis Presley is the famous singer who caused so much controversy that he was hated and loved among most of the American people. His sexual moves, his novel way of putting songs together… there was just something about him that attracted the ladies and the media attention at the same time.
Elvis didn’t grow up with wealth and fame. In a way, you could say he was living the American dream. However, he was kind of a bad boy as well, facing legal troubles, broken relationships and drug abuse. His death was lamented by many but his music lived on. Explore the era and methods of Elvis with us in this concise book/biography about his life.
The Jazz Track Record label announced the November 26, 2021 re-release of the 2017 'Million Dollar Quartet' album on 180 Gr. colored vinyl.
The Sonic Swagger of Elvis Presley
McFarland & Co Inc announced the January 17, 2022 release of the 238-page book 'The Sonic Swagger of Elvis Presley: A Critical History of the Early Recordings' by Gary Parker.
Synopsis:
Elvis Presley's clever manipulation of his numerous interests remains one of the music world's great marvels. His synthesis of country, rhythm & blues and gospel created an inventive mixture of hair-raising rock & roll and balladry, with one foot in delta muck and the other in a country hoedown.
This history focuses squarely on the music of Presley's groundbreaking early years and includes a comprehensive analysis of every Presley recording session from the 1950s. Chapters deftly illustrate how Presley, and his musical compatriots Scotty Moore and Bill Black, fused two distinctly American musical forms - country and blues - to form what would come to be known as rockabilly. Also detailed is Presley's influence on music and how his contributions are still celebrated today.
The Danish Memphis Mansion announced the release of a second print of Paul F. Belard's 2020 book 'Elvis, Firearm & Weapon Collector'. This book should be out next week.
Description: Elvis always loved firearms, a fascination most kids have playing cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians. It started very early in his life. He was in the ROTC, the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in high school. In 1956, he was given a .410 gauge Winchester shotgun for skeet shooting by a friend in Biloxi. While in the Army, he earned Sharpshooter badges for the .45 caliber pistol and M1 rifle, as well as a Marksman badge for the M
2 carbine. Add to this the fact that he was from the South, where guns are an integral part of the culture.
In the early years at Graceland, he was known to keep a Colt .45 automatic for protection. There, he set up a shooting gallery there for target practice. He regularly carried a gun (or guns) throughout the rest of his life, and encouraged the members of his entourage to arm themselves. From 1964, his official appointment as a Shelby County Deputy Sheriff made it legal for Elvis to carry arms. By the late 1960s, he was often armed even while on stage.
His interest became an obsession in the early 1970s. During this period, he stepped up his purchasing of guns, sometimes buying dozens at a time. He kept some and gave others to friends and even strangers.
This mania may be traced to the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968; the Manson murders which happened not far from his home in Los Angeles in 1969; and the death threats he received in Las Vegas in 1970. The latter really got to him.
Joe Carr from the FECC fan site noted: “It’s no coincidence that he stopped riding horses around this time on the Graceland lawn and never again did he walk through the audience in Vegas, while his obsession with firearms grew even bigger. Nor did he meet fans at the gate of his homes as he did in the late 1960s.”
Many people, wealthy and otherwise, have gun collections, particularly ex-military. It is by no means “weird”. Elvis was rich enough to satisfy his every whim. He also felt he needed protection.
This book only deals with a fraction of the 300 or so of the firearms and weapons which he collected or bought as presents, quite a few of which have sold at auction since he passed away.
The Pyramid import label announced volume 9 in their 'Sold Out' 8mm fan footage DVD series and gave a heads-up for volume 10 which is preparing for lift-off according to the press release.
From the press release: Elvis Presley genuinely loved his fans. And it went beyond the usual ‘appreciate that you like my work’ type of admiration. It was a real love affair that went both ways. It was always fun to see that special connection during shows, and on our latest release, there are plenty of those special ‘Elvis moments’. During one of the shows on Sold Out volume 9, Elvis receives a ‘kissing permit’ from a fan. His reaction is classic Elvis! In another clip, the stage gets stormed by excited women, including one in a bikini, and it takes the full force of the Memphis Mafia to help Elvis out of that situation! And in yet another clip, he receives a poster of the classic Tampa ’55 publicity shot, and he laughingly says, “I was a spastic weirdo back then!”. Classic Elvis moments that put a smile on your face.
And once again there’s plenty of superb footage that remind us of his greatness as a live performer. Chicago ’72 really captures the electricity and excitement of Elvis on stage - with a sensational karate demonstration to boot. The fantastic Baltimore footage is some of the best from the November ’71 tour, and it now comes with newly added, superior sound. You will love this!!
Liner notes were written by Trevor Cajiao, editor of the ‘Elvis – The Man And His Music’ magazine.
Christmas
The Waxtime In Color record label released 'Elvis' Christmas Album' on white colored vinyl.
Music On Vinyl reissued the 1974 'Good Times' on 180 Gr. vinyl, housed in a gate-fold cover.
Paul F. Belard published his new 222-page photo biography 'Elvis June 56' which is due later this year.
Synopsis: The 1956 juggernaut is picking up strength during this month. On the 3rd, Elvis gave a concert in Oakland. The next day, he flew to Los Angeles to rehearse his second ap pearance on the Milton Berle show which took place on the 5th. Elvis’ legendary rendition of “Hound Dog” delighted the fans, and enraged the crit ics. One described his exhibition as “tinged with the kind of animalism that should be confined to dives and bordellos.” Another explained with a hint of racism that Elvis “makes up for vocal shortcomings with the weirdest and plainly sugges tive animation short of an aborigine’s mating dance.” The reaction of the Catholic church was predictable. In an article titled “Beware of Elvis Presley”, it wrote: “If the agencies (TV and others) would stop handling such nauseating stuff, all the Presleys of our land would soon be swallowed up in the oblivion they deserve.” It did not happen! Concerts followed through the 10th.
.. The following day, Elvis was back in Memphis. On the 16th, he appeared on Wink Martindale’s “Dance Party” show on WHBQ TV. He did not sing, but promoted the July 4 charity show in Memphis.
On Tuesday, June 19, Elvis attended “colored night” celebrating Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. By choosing to attend the black-only event in one of the most racially divided cities in America, he demonstrated his close affinity with African-Americans. It led local newspapers to report that Elvis had violated segregation laws when he attended the Memphis Fair grounds amusement park on ‘“colored night” only.
On the 21st, he embarked on a 7-day tour of Georgia, North and South Carolina. The month culminated with a rehearsal for his appearance on the Steve Allen show, which would take place on July 1st, and a concert in Richmond on the last day of the month.
Moore was an American session musician, orchestra leader and bassist who was a member of the Nashville A-Team during the 1950s and 1960s. He performed on over 17,000 documented recording sessions, backing popular acts such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Quincy Jones, and many others.
Bob Moore was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007.
In 1958, he played on his first of many sessions with Elvis Presley on hits like 'I Got Stung', 'A Big Hunk of Love, 'A Fool Such As I', 'Wooden Heart', 'Stuck on You', 'His Latest Flame', 'Fever', 'It’s Now Or Never', 'Surrender', 'Viva Las Vegas' and 'Guitar Man', close to 250 songs in total. His last work with Elvis was in 1968, before Elvis left for Las Vegas. He also played with Elvis on the 1961 Hawaiian benefit.
In an interview with the Art of Slap Bass website he remembered working with Elvis.
"Elvis was a nice guy. Elvis called me ‘King.’ It was his ‘buddy’ name for me. This was, of course, long before he came to be referred to as ‘The King.’ Elvis was a good person. A genuine, likeable person. He had a beautiful voice. He was very serious about his music. Dedicated. But not a boring stick in the mud.
We always laughed and had a good time in the studio. Elvis loved hanging with the guys and being part of the creative process. Looking back, I’m sure those years were the happiest years of Elvis’ life. It hurts me deeply to know his life ended so tragically."
The Golden Globes Records import label released the double LP ‘Elvis On Tour - April 14, 1972 Greensboro, North Carolina’ on and on blue colored vinyl.
Publicity stated: Golden Globe Records presents their third deluxe 2-LP set containing the fantastic April 14, 1972 show recorded in Greensboro, North Carolina. In total 4 shows were recorded for the Golden Globe winning motion picture ‘Elvis On Tour’. The Greensboro show is the third show that was recorded for the award winning documentary and is also the third one issued in this Elvis On Tour Series.
This Limited Edition double LP is the very first proper high quality outing of this show on vinyl. Presented in a beautiful deluxe gatefold cover containing 2 high quality 180 Gr. colored vinyl albums and a bonus CD.
Side A: Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - Proud Mary - Never Been To Spain - You Gave Me A Mountain - Until It’s Time For You To Go
Side B: Polk Salad Annie - Love Me - All Shook Up - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Hound Dog - Heartbreak Hotel - A Big Hunk O’Love - Bridge Over Troubled Water
Side C: Suspicious Minds - Love Me Tender - Introductions By Elvis - For The Good Times - An American Trilogy
Side D: Burning Love - Release Me - Funny How Time Slips Away - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp
Bonus Songs - 05.04.1972 Rehearsal Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York: Instrumental (# 2) - Burning Love - Hound Dog - Bridge Over Troubled Water - A Big Hunk O’Love - I Can’t Stop Loving You
CD: Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See 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 - Heartbreak Hotel - A Big Hunk O’Love - Bridge Over Troubled Water - Suspicious Minds - Love Me Tender - Introductions By Elvis - For The Good Times - An American Trilogy - Burning Love - Release Me - Funny How Time Slips Away - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp
Bonus Songs - 05.04.1972 Rehearsal Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York: Instrumental (# 2) - Burning Love - Hound Dog - Bridge Over Troubled Water - A Big Hunk O’Love - I Can’t Stop Loving You
Collected Works Vol. 2 and 3
The Redemption import label released the box sets ‘Collected Works Vol. 2 (3-CD-set) and volume 3 (2-DVD / DVD-set)’.
Publicity for volume 2 – July / August 1970 stated: It’s 1970 and it’s the start of a new Vegas season. Again the record company is present to record the first shows of what is often referred to as Elvis’ “Summer Festival 1970”. The recordings were meant for both the release of a documentary filmed by MGM and the accompanying soundtrack. But not only the record company had tapes rolling during the shows and the rehearsals. Also MGM did some so called camera recordings. This set presents you some of these important recordings. Often more complete or unique compared to the recordings made by RCA.
Especially the July 14 rehearsal recordings contain some not to be missed essential recordings. Most likely only MGM has recorded this rehearsal. On this set you are able to hear some of these recordings not issued at all or not issued in their entirety on any other release to date. For example Elvis and the band are listening to the acetates of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, and according to Elvis it would be “a hell of a production on stage”. In which he was right. Besides some essential conversations the performances are very powerful and a great example of Elvis’ vocal abilities.
Also presented here are some essential uncut and unedited recordings from the July 15 rehearsal. The recordings presented here are a great addition to the brilliant 50th anniversary release. None of these recordings are sourced from this release and all recordings are uncut, unedited, and remastered using the latest technology for your listening pleasure. The final MGM recordings were made on August 14, during the midnight show and also these recordings are featured on this set.
As a bonus this set includes the complete soundtrack (on 2 CDs) with all its overdubs and edits as can be heard in the original 1970 theatrical version. Unique mono mixes from 1970.
CD 1: Words (14.07.1970) - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (#1 - 14.07.1970) - Polk Salad Annie (14.07.1970) - Sweet Caroline Intro / Words (14.07.1970) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (Acetates - 14.07.1970) - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (#2 - 14.07.1970) - The Next Step Is Love (#1 - 14.07.1970) - The Next Step Is Love (#2 - 14.07.1970) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (Acetate Playback - 14.07.1970) - The Next Step Is Love (Acetate Playback - 14.07.1970) - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Acetate Playback - 14.07.1970) - I’ve Lost You (With Reprise - 15.07.1970) - It’s Your Baby You Rock It (15.07.1970) - Cryin’ Time (15.07.1970) - Ghost Riders In The Sky / Surrender (15.07.1970) - Runaway (15.07.1970) - It’s Now Or Never / Danny Boy (15.07.1970) - Peter Gunn Theme (15.07.1970) - Roll Out The Barrel / Warner Bros Theme / I Could Have Danced All Night / Danny Boy (15.07.1970) - Such A Night (29.07.1970) - Talking About Glen D. Being Late (14.07.1970) - Eating And Chatting (14.07.1970)
CD 2: Words (14.07.1970) - The Next Step Is Love (Acetate Playback And Rehearsal - 14.07.1970) - Cryin’ Time (15.07.1970) - That’s All Right (#2 - 15.07.1970) - Little Sister (29.07.1970) - What’d I Say / Stranger In The Crowd (29.07.1970) - How The Web Was Woven (15.07.1970) - I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (29.07.1970) - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me 29.07.1970) - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (Acetate Playback With "The Sweet Inspirations" - 04.08.1970) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (04.08.1970) - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (07.08.1970) - Mary In The Morning (07.08.1970) - Polk Salad Annie (07.08.1970) - Alex Shoofey Talks (07.08.1970) - That’s All Right (10.08.1970) - Mystery Train / Tiger Man (12.08.1970 MS) - I’ve Lost You (12.08.1970 DS) - Patch It Up(12.08.1970 DS) - Monologue (12.08.1970 DS) - Love Me Tender (12.08.1970 DS) - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin' (11.08.1970 DS)
Bonus Material Complete Versions: That’s All Right (#2 - 15.07.1970) - Little Sister / Get Back (29.07.1970) - What’d I Say (29.07.1970) - Stranger In The Crowd (29.07.1970) - How The Web Was Woven (15.07.1970)
CD 3: Sweet Caroline (12.08.1970 MS) - I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (11.08.1970 DS) - Tiger Man (12.08.1970 MS) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (11.08.1970 DS) - Heartbreak Hotel (12.08.1970 MS) - One Night (12.08.1970 MS) - Blue Suede Shoes (12.08.1970 MS) - All Shook Up (12.08.1970 MS) - Polk Salad Annie (12.08.1970 MS) - Musical Intermezzo (12.08.1970 MS) - Suspicious Minds (12.08.1970 MS) - Can’t Help Falling In Love (12.08.1970 MS) - Closing Vamp (12.08.1970 MS)
Bonus Material Complete Versions: You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (29.07.1970) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (04.08.1970) - Mary In The Morning (#1 - 07.08.1970) - Mary In The Morning (#2 - 07.08.1970)
MGM Camera Recordings - 14.08.1970: Polk Salad Annie - All Shook Up (Incomplete) - Blue Suede Shoes - One Night - Opening Vamp / That’s All Right (Incomplete) - Love Me Tender (Incomplete) - Suspicious Minds (Incomplete) - Can’t Help Falling In Love (Incomplete)
Publicity for Volume 3 - August 1970 Rehearsals stated: Volume 3 in the ‘Collected Works’ series presents you some fantastic recordings from August 1970. Just as with the tracks on volume 2 these recordings are an addition to the brilliant 50th anniversary release. There should be no need to re-release the same recordings presented on that release. The tracks selected for this set are either unreleased or not issued the way they are presented here. That means more complete, uncut and unedited.
For the first time, you can hear the rehearsals of the backing vocalists singing along with acetates during the August 4 rehearsal. Also, all uncut and unedited versions of the August 7 rehearsal are included. For example, you can hear Elvis suggests to Dennis Sanders (as a joke we hope) to hang Lamar from the balcony, which got a big laugh from the insiders present. Again the recordings that are officially released are left out to avoid offering the same material over and over again.
The official release of the August 10 rehearsal has been a big subject of discussion. Unfortunately the songs are not recorded in their entirety. On the official releases these recordings have been made complete for listening pleasure. Although the results were pretty good, the necessary editing resulted in parts of the original recordings being cut. Here we present you the original rehearsal as recorded on august 10 1970. These recordings are remastered and speed corrected using the latest technology, with great result.
As a bonus this deluxe package contains the ‘Lost Performances’ on DVD (for the first time!). This fan favorite has not been released on DVD until now. This limited edition (including 16 page booklet) is now available.
Felton Jarvis With Millie Kirkham, The Sweet Inspirations & The Imperials: You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (04.08.1970) - Twenty Days And Twenty Nights (04.08.1970)
Uncut Rehearsal Part: Conversation About Gigi And Bitsy Mott (04.08.1970) - Conversation (07.08.1970) - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (07.08.1970) - Conversation (07.08.1970) - The Next Step Is Love (Incomplete - 07.08.1970) - Oh Happy Day (# 1 - Incomplete 07.08.1970) / Oh Happy Day (# 2 - 07.08.1970) - Fooling Around (07.08.1970) - I’ve Lost You (Incomplete - 07.08.1970)
Uncut Rehearsal Part in Stereo: Winding Down / Oh Happy Day (07.08.1970) - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (#1 - 10.08.1970) - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (#1 - 10.08.1970) - Polk Salad Annie (#1 - 10.08.1970) - I’ve Lost You (#1 - 10.08.1970) - I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (10.08.1970) - Something (10.08.1970) - Sweet Caroline (10.08.1970) - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (#2 - 10.08.1970) - Polk Salad Annie (#2 - 10.08.1970) - I’ve Lost You (#2 - 10.08.1970) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (10.08.1970) - Patch It Up (10.08.1970) - Can’t Help Falling In Love (10.08.1970) - Oh Happy Day (#1) / Oh Happy Day (#2 - 07.08.1970) - I’ve Lost You (Incomplete - 07.08.1970)
Bonus: Dressing Room Conversations (10.08.1970) - Dressing Room Conversations (10.08.1970) - I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (10.08.1970) - Backstage Conversations (10.08.1970) - Backstage Conversations / Oh Happy Day (10.08.1970) - Backstage Right Before "The Opening Show" (10.08.1970) - That’s All Right (10.08.1970 OS)
DVD: The Lost Performances
Early in 1986, during a routine inspection of the underground vaults at the MGM/Turner library in Kansas, a pallet loaded with cans was discovered. The cans contained numerous original negative trims and outtakes from ‘That’s The Way It Is’ and ‘Elvis On Tour’, which have now been edited together to create this fabulous compilation, a must for fans and collectors.
The Memphis Recording Service released the third installment in their ‘Las Vegas International Presents’ series; 'Las Vegas International Presents Elvis - September 1970'.
This volume features the previously unreleased September 2, 1970 Dinner Show performance on the first disc and the last rehearsals from August 10, 1970, recorded the afternoon before the Opening Show later that night.
Design
The design is exactly the same as the previous volumes; a carboard digi-pack with a 40-page booklet containing a short to-the-point introduction and mainly great pictures of Elvis rehearsing and on stage. Nothing on the concert recording and the mixing of the mono to stereo. As this is a selling-point, some additional info would interest collectors.
Content
CD 1: September 2, 1970 Dinner Show
Where we thought there was not much good quality material left to be discovered, MRS presents us the second unreleased soundboard show of this year (next to 'Kansas City '74 Revisited' from the Millbranch Record label). Like the previous volume, also mixed from mono to stereo. The audio-quality is good, you get a nice stereo experience and you hear the individual instruments. Some fans and sound experts will probably have a different opinion or prefer to listen to the original mono version.
The only minor is the hiss that is clearly audible when Elvis talks. You hear it so clearly as it has been removed using some compression on the silent bits. But it is not disturbing and the audio-engineer kept as much of the original audio as possible not mixing it out completely.
The September 2nd show itself is very entertaining with Elvis freed of the camera’s following him around. He was very wound-up and fools around a bit too much in between some entertaining performances. But breaking up songs, making a lot of jokes - including some nasty and off color ones - affects some performances too.
We can expect he messes up ‘Love Me Tender’, but spoiling songs like ‘I’ve Lost You’ and ‘I Just Can’t Help Believing’ shouting to the light men or Charlie Hodge isn’t something I’d expect. And it is a pity because when he puts his back behind it, Elvis easily delivers fine versions of these songs. But we're listening to Elvis mid 1970, so most performances are solid. The highlights of this disc are ‘You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin", ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and ‘Suspicious minds’.
Great drumming by Ronnie Tutt on 'Polk Salad Annie', it sounds like a tommy gun chasing Annie off. Perhaps daddy is showing off as his kids are in the audience. His drumming sounds lighter than usual throughout the show. A funny lyric-change is Elvis singing “Suck a little Volkswagen” … probably a left-over from his army years in Germany.
Overall it almost sounds like Elvis and the band, freed from the camera’s, performed this show for themselves, getting the constrains of the camera's out of their system. Regardless of all the goofing around, jokes and false starts our man was really on top of his game in 1970 and easily got away with it and the audience seemed to enjoy it.
CD 2 August 10, 1970 Rehearsals
The main part of these rehearsals was previously released by the Follow That Dream label on the (for some fans) controversial ‘Stage Rehearsal’ CD in 2011. Controversial because the label decided to repair the missing beginning of the songs by using live versions trying to create a complete listening experience. For some reason the record company pressed the “record” button after the song’s opening bars when they made these recordings … were they trying to save some tape? The repairs never bothered me on the FTD CD as I prefer the complete listening experience.
Remastering the tracks the MRS-label got rid of most of the applause and audience reactions, choosing a different path than the FTD-label. Listening to these rehearsals without the audience I almost missed them as you kind-of know when the audience responds on these songs we’ve heard live so very often.
These recordings sound good overall. The only “error” is that some commends made in the background during some rehearsals sound a little bit like an echo.
These twelve rehearsal songs are fun to listen to as a set, but nothing we haven’t heard before. The best performances are ‘You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’ and of course ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling’, these great performances stand out from the rest. And fortunately we get two rehearsals of both!
Added to the August 10th rehearsals are more rehearsals from August 4th and 7th 1970. Nice additions, but not as solid as the November 10th rehearsals. ‘Something” is such a beautiful song, it deserves a serious approach, which it doesn't get and “Don’t Cry Daddy” becomes “Don’t Cry Fatty", which is fun once.
Conclusion
Two entertaining discs featuring a pretty loose Elvis live on stage and a more focused Elvis rehearsing for those concerts. Usually it is the other way around.
Some fans make a big fuss about the conversion of the original mono version to stereo, but hey, we’re getting a previously unreleased soundboard of Elvis in his prime in good audio quality, something many fans have been moaning about, so just sit back and enjoy the show!
The Miracle Surface record label announced the release of the 18-track alternate takes compilation CD 'The Rhythm and Blues Album' last June with the release set August 2021. This release has been postponed, no new release-date available yet.
Tracks: Tomorrow Night - Little Mama (05.03.1955 Louisiana Hayride) - Milcow Blues Boogie (Longer Fade) - When It Rains, It Realy Pours - My Baby Left Me (Longer Fade) - Anyplace Is Paradise Master - A Mess O' Blues (Take 1) - Such A Night (Take 4) - I Feel So Bad (Take 1) - Ain't That Loving You Baby (Alternate Take) - Mean Woman Blues - Tell Me Why - It Feels So Right (Take 3) - Reconsider Baby - Beach Boy Blues (Take 1) - So Glad You're Mine - I Need You So - Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do (Slow Version).
Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
Rolling Stone magazine compiled another debate-triggering list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. There are some truly sublime and life-changing artists featured in their Top Ten - but unbelievably Elvis Presley is missing.
Apparently 'Dreams' by Fleetwood Mac and 'Hey Ya!' by Outkast are much greater songs than Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Jailhouse Rock, Suspicious Minds and That's All Right!
Interestingly Rolling Stone magazine reviewed 'Dreams' when first relased by Fleetwood Mac on their 1977 album as.. "'Dreams' is a nice but fairly lightweight tune, and Nicks nasal singing is the only weak vocal on the record." How hilarious is that.
Aretha Franklin with her fantastic take on Otis Redding's 'Respect' is voted the 'greatest song of all time'. Public Enemy's 'Fight The Power' apparently not worthy of the top 300 back in the previous 2004 list is now voted #2. Sam Cooke's brilliant 'A Change Is Gonna Come' is third.
The Top Ten:
Respect - Aretha Franklin (2004 position #5)
Fight The Power - Public Enemy (#322)
A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke (#12)
Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan (#1)
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana (#9)
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye (#4)
Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles (#76)
Get Ur Freak On - Missy Elliott (N/A)
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac (N/A)
Hey Ya! - Outkast (#180)
The latest version of the top 500 is notable for the top three acts all African American, all singing songs of respect, revolution, and rights. Maybe the list reflects more of the U.S. political situation in 2021 than the best, most creative, music of all-time
Sadly Elvis is one of the biggest losers in the 2021 list. In 2004 he had 11 entries, the 2021 list features just three by the King, with Hound Dog being the only song in the 2004 top 30 to not appear in the 2021 list. In 2004 'Hound Dog' was at #19 and 'Heartbreak Hotel' at 45.
This year's placings #70 - 'Suspicious Minds', #216 - 'Jailhouse Rock', #347 - 'Heartbreak Hotel' at 319 is Big Mama Thornton and the original 'Hound Dog'
In 2021 The Beatles go from 23 entries to 12, The Rolling Stones from 14 to seven, Bob Dylan from 12 to seven.
Also worth discussing the following songs from the 2004 Top Ten that dropped out in 2021: Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones, Imagine - John Lennon, Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys, Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry, Hey Jude - The Beatles and What'd I Say - Ray Charles.
Longtime fan and Elvis collector David Ward published the book ‘Elvis In Japan: Japanese LPs 1956 – 2018’ as an e-book. Time for a closer look at Elvis releases from the land of the rising sun.
Design
‘Elvis In Japan’ appears to be written as a physical book but comes as a digital book in PDF-format, 28 MB in size. The choice for this format has advantages, but also some disadvantages.
It is a standard format and easily readable on many devices. Navigation is easy but basic. From the index you go to the LP-page with one click of the mouse, and you can jump to the same album in other sections. For further navigation you need to use the tools available in your PDF-reader. But in this format you lose the advantages of a real digital book like the ‘Elvis UK’ books, released earlier this year, that used flip-book technology offering a menu and more navigation and search features beneficial for these kind of reference books.
The book is structured in various logical chapters. Opening with some introduction on various aspects of Elvis’ Japanese releases, the LPs are presented in chronological order and organized in various categories and series.
The page-design is well structured too, although the author deviates from his own design on certain pages, but that is in part due to the extra illustrations for variations of that album. Most collectors probably prefer to see the all artwork and labels in once glance.
The resolution of the illustrations is good when just reading the book, but collectors may want to zoom in on the little details that differentiate the various editions of a certain title. Perhaps it is an option to distribute this eBook in a higher resolution.
Although the book is presented full-color, featuring hundreds of color photos, the presentation could have been a bit brighter. As these books do hold some nice Japanese eye-candy a few full page illustrations, advertisements or other memorabilia would have been nice. Otherwise you start scrolling through the pages when you are not a collector trying to identify some of the Japanese items from your collection.
Content
The author explained the reason for writing this book: "“Why do I need this book? I can get this information on the web, can’t I?” you might be asking yourself. While a lot of information on Elvis’ Japanese LPs is now available on the internet, it is not possible to find all the information in this book on one website.
In 1987, a Japanese Elvis Discography was published, containing color photographs of nearly every one of his record releases: LPs, EPs and singles. While I have spent many enjoyable hours thumbing through that book, it is far from perfect.” My goal with this book is to pick up where the Japanese Elvis Discography left off, although I have limited the book to LPs only."
An ambitious endeavor, but I must say that David Ward published an interesting read. Limiting himself to Long Play albums only, he presents every LP releases between 1956 and 2018, over 400 albums in total.
The author did his research and is clear about the information presented, you will find information on every pressing of every album known to the author. He has lived in Japan for approximately twenty years, so should be knowledgeable about the main subject of this book.
In the introduction ward sets the scene listing all the titles, information on the pressing of Elvis records, the typical Japanese Obi’s, cover-art, labels, pricing and more. The author distinguishes the mono and stereo versions, but didn’t add a chapter on the audio-quality of the Japanese releases. This would have been interesting as many audiophile fans prefer the Japanese releases for their audio-quality.
To rate the various pressings and editions he introduced his own 5-step ranking system (R5 being very rare, R1 being very common in Japan) which helps collectors appreciate the items in their collection.
Looking at the content - and not being an expert - the book holds a complete overview of Japanese releases. Each album is presented with pictures of the front and back cover-art, tracklisting, serial numbers for the various pressings and notes detailing all aspects of the album.
The text is very informative and David has a pleasant writing style. You see he is knowledgeable and enthusiastic at the same time. And with so much details available many will learn something new browsing these pages, and be triggered to do some further research of their own.
A really interesting chapter is the one on the “Obi’s”, a typical feature of Japanese releases. Like the hype-stickers – to which you can compare them - on the U.S. releases, these are part of the magic for collectors of material from the country of the rising sun. And this book features plenty of them, including the additional details and translations. It may be a wonder so many survived. The same goes for the bonus-posters presented in between the records. This chapter will certainly interest collectors worldwide.
Living in Europe I particularly enjoyed the typical Japanese covers like the ‘Top 10’ and ‘Rock Elvis Rock’ LPs featuring Elvis on the cover but also other artist on the LP, ‘Elvis’ Christmas Album’, the classic ‘Loving You’, ‘A Date With Elvis’, ‘Something For Everybody’ and exclusive Japanese releases like the 'Rock‘n Roll Album' with odd artwork, the 'Presley Golden Hymn' album comprising the 'His Hand in Mine' and 'How Great Thou Art' albums and the 'BIG 20' in-store promo LP, .
Looking from a fan’s perspective, the Japanese fans were treated better than others with gate-fold sleeves, calendars, additional lyric sheets and posters. Most of them featured in this book and great to discover scrolling through these pages. Interesting to see that where the Japanese singles often featured new cover-art, the design of the LPs remains close to the original U.S. editions.
The book ends with some funny translation errors made because the transcriber lacked knowledge of the English language or simply couldn’t understand Elvis as he sung too fast, slurred the words or pronounced them in a certain way to create a certain effect. On the transcription of ‘Polk Salad Annie’: “Down in Louisiana / Where the alligators go to some meeting” the author noted: “So that’s why they get so snappy around people – they’re late for the Alligator AGM.”
Conclusion
The book obviously is a labor of love and it looks like the author succeeded in the ambitious endeavor he set for himself making this is the first English book covering all the Japanese LPs in detail. Collectors will appreciate the wealth of information compiled on these pages as it is a good and up-to-date reference. David Ward found and organized probably most of the material available with some real gems as the chapter on the Obi’s.
And being a reference, it is a pity it is available as a digital book only. The author stated that printing and shipping was expensive from Japan, perhaps using print-on-demand, like Amazon offers, can be an option for fans who prefer a physical copy, as the book deserves a spot on the bookshelf of Elvis collectors.
Let's hope David Ward will do another volume of Elvis' singles and EPs.
More information
Here is a preview of the book by author David Ward.
The book is available on-line from the autor at >>> Payhip for US$ 10.-
The World War II Foundation held a world premiere for its newest production, 'Elvis and the USS Arizona' and honored the late Sen. John Warner at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. this past week. Warner received the foundation’s Senator Bob Dole World War II Leadership Award,
The film, produced by Tim Gray and narrated by Jim Nantz with Kyle Chandler, will air on public televisions this fall. It recounts the contribution made by the wildly popular performer, Elvis Presley, and his sold-out performance on March 25, 1961, at Bloch Arena on Naval Station Pearl Harbor to raise money to complete the USS Arizona Memorial.
The Elvis Presley benefit raised over $60,000 for the USS Arizona Memorial and brought awareness of the fundraising effort. The memorial was completed and officially dedicated in 1962. Presley would visit the Arizona Memorial every time he performed in Hawaii.
Today, the USS Arizona Memorial is the most visited location in Hawaii, thanks in large part to Elvis Presley.
The mission of the nonprofit World War II Foundation is to tell the personal stories of those who were swept up in the most devastating conflict known to man and make these films accessible for free to students, educators, classrooms and the global public.
The new Alhecode Records import label announced the release of ‘Elvis: The 1968 Tv Special Recordings I & II’ and ‘Elvis: July/August 1970 - The Rehearsals I & II‘. Both sets are fan only releases, include a booklet with photos and recording information and are produced in limited quantities.
Publicity stated: Alhecode Records presents ‘Elvis: The 1968 TV Special Recordings Volume 1 and 2’, a great collection of alternate recordings from the legendary TV special.
None of these recordings are included on official CDs (like on the official 1968 Comeback boxset), so these are a great addition to make your collection complete. All recordings are presented in the best possible sound! For the first time together on 2 great albums;, outtakes, instrumental versions and radio spots.
Volume 1
Trouble (Opening Section #1 / Vocal Overdub, Take 1 & 2) - Intro / Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / One Night (6:00pm Show) - Trouble / Guitar Man (Take 1 & 2 - 8:00pm Show) - Trouble (Supper Club / Vocal Overdub - Take 1) - Guitar Man (Road 2 / Vocal Overdub - Take 1 & 2) - Let Yourself Go (“Guitar Man’s Evil” Section 2 - Take 2 & 3) - Let Yourself Go (“Guitar Man’s Evil” Section 2 - Take 4) - It Hurts Me (“Escape” Section 4 - Take 2, 3, 4 & 6) - Guitar Man (“Escape” Section 1 - Take 3 & 4) - Guitar Man (“Escape” Section 1 - Take 6, 7 & 8) - Let Yourself Go (Closing Instrumental) - Calliope Carnival (“Escape” Section 1- Take 1) - Calliope Carnival (“Escape” Section 1 - Take 2) - It Hurts Me (“After Karate” Section 1 - Take 1, 2, 4 & 5) - Saved (Take 6) - Trouble / Guitar Man (“Guitar Man” Opening - Take 2 & 3) - It Hurts Me (“Amusement Pier” / Vocal Overdub - Take 1 & 2) - Electronic Karate (Instrumental - Take 17) - The Scratch (Instrumental) - If I Can Dream 06/23 (Dubdown / Instrumental) - A Little Less Conversation (Dubdown / Instrumental) - Dialogue (Informal Recording)
Volume 2
Little Egypt / Trouble (Nightclub / Vocal Overdub - Take 1) - Little Egypt / Trouble (Nightclub / Vocal Overdub - Take 2) - Trouble (Discotheque / Vocal Overdub - Take 1 & 2) - Guitar Man (Road #3 / Vocal Overdub - Take 1, 2 & 3) - Guitar Man (Road #3 / Vocal Overdub - Take 4, 5 & 6) - It Hurts Me (“Amusement Pier” / Vocal Overdub - Take 3) - It Hurts Me (“Amusement Pier” / Vocal Overdub - Take 4) - Uh, Uh, Uh (Not Used) - Trouble (Supper Club / Vocal Overdub - Take 2 & 3) - Little Egypt / Trouble (Nightclub / Vocal Overdub - Take 3) - It Hurts Me (“Amusement Pier” / Vocal Overdub - Take 5) - It Hurts Me 06/27 (“Amusement Pier” / Vocal Overdub - Take 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10) - Trouble (Opening Section #1 / Vocal Overdub - Take 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7) - Guitar Man (Alley / Vocal Overdub - Take 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6) - If I Can Dream (TV Soundtrack Version - Take 1 & 2) - Musicians Warming Up - Singer Presents Elvis (#1 - Commercial) - Singer Presents Elvis (#2 - Commercial)
Elvis: July / August 1970 - The Rehearsals I & II
Two other great releases from Alhecode Records! On these 2 releases you'll find unedited rehearsals from July and August 1970. Many edits were done for official release so we've included all these recordings in their unedited form on 2 volumes.
Volume 1 includes all available recordings from the August 7 rehearsal (even some parts for the first time on CD) plus two recordings from July 14, 1970. Volume 2 includes rehearsals from July 14th, 15th and August 4th and 10th 1970. And on both CDs an original TTWII radio spot.
Volume 1
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (#1 - Intro / Elvis Entering The Showroom) - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (#2) - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - The Next Step Is Love - Twenty Days And Twenty Nights - Polk Salad Annie - Oh Happy Day - I’ve Lost You - Mary In The Morning (#1) - Mary In The Morning (#2) - Sweet Caroline - Words - Patch It Up - Dialogue / Oh Happy Day - Talks (14.07.1970) - Elvis Talking And Eating / Mary In The Morning (One Line) - 14.07.1970) - ‘That’s The Way It Is’ Radio Spot
Volume 2
That’s All Right (15.07.1970) - Something (04.08.1970) - Elvis Talks With The Sweet Inspirations (04.08.1970) - Words (14.07.1970) - Love Me (15.07.1970) - I Got My Mojo Working (15.07.1970) - I’ve Lost You(15.07.1970) - I’ve Lost You (Reprise - 15.07.1970) - Talks / Bridge Over Troubled Water(14.07.1970) - Sweet Caroline / Words(14.07.1970) - It’s Your Baby, You Rock It (Few Lines - 15.07.1970) - Crying Time(15.07.1970) - Ghost Riders In The Sky / Surrender (One Line - 15.07.1970) - Runaway(15.07.1970) - It’s Now Or Never(15.07.1970) - Peter Gunn (Instrumental - 15.07.1970) - Instrumentals: Roll Out The Barrel / That’s All Folks (Warner Bros Theme) / I Could Have Danced All Night / Danny Boy(15.07.1970) - Polk Salad Annie (#1 - 10.08.1970) - Polk Salad Annie (#2 - 10.07.1970) - I’ve Lost You (10.07.1970) - ‘That’s The Way It Is’ Radio Spot
