December 10 - Elvis Sold Out! 1968 Through 1971

The SR / VV and MxF import label(s) released two new limited vinyl / CD / DVD box-sets titled ‘Through 1970‘ and ‘Elvis Special 1971’. Like previous releases from these labels, the sets come in different variations. 

From the press release: ‘Through 1970’ presents Elvis at the top of his abilities. Meet our man during Closing Night February 23, 1970 as recorded in Las Vegas. Presented as a double picture-disc LP, housed in a new gate-fold sleeve (made in two variations). 

Added to this are the CD ‘Patch It Up’, featuring the best studio session of the seventies - taken from acetate sources - and a CD containing an ambience recording of a concert recorded September 1970 in Tampa. Both CDs come in a digi-pack, the first with a bonus poster, the second with a bonus card. 

Also added to this set are stickers, an exclusive 20 x 30 cm wooden panel with an Elvis print in two variations, and a certificate.  This set is limited to 12 copies in total. 

The ‘Elvis Special 1971’ focusses on 1971. It comes housed in a 21 x 21 cm digi-pack holding the original ‘Country Hero” EP containing four tracks from February 1971, the CD ‘Trying To Get To Memphis’ containing the August 16, 1971 performance and a DVD-R focusing on Elvis‘ November 1971 tour with material from Dallas and Kansas City. 

To top it off, this set contains an exclusive forex panel in two variations and a certificate. This set is limited to 20 copies in total.

Paradise Road (Re)Releases

The Paradise Road Records import label announced the release of three new CDs: CD re-issues of their LPs ‘Elvis 68/69 Sessions’ and ‘February, 1970 - On Stage - The Alternate Recordings’ and the new title ‘Closing Night - International Hotel - September 7, 1970’.

From the press release: Paradise Road Records presents by special request, the CD edition of the ultra-rare ‘Elvis 68/69 Sessions’ LP which “sold out” within a few minutes after its initial announcement. 

The CD edition contains the tracks from the original LP plus more outtakes from 1969 and a 20+ minutes band rehearsal 'Come Out, Come Out (wherever You are)' a bonus tracks. 

All in great sound quality, and with the original vinyl artwork.

June 1968: Musicians Warming Up - Trouble / Guitar Man (Take 2 & 3) - Let Yourself Go (Section 2, Take 3) - Let Yourself Go (Section 2, Take 4) - Guitar Man (Section 1 Escape, Take 3 & 4) - Guitar Man (Section 1 Escape, Take 6 - 8) - It Hurts Me (Section 4 Escape, Take 3) - Saved (Take 6)

March 7, 1968: A Little Less Conversation - If I Can Dream

January / February 1969: True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (Take 3) - Power Of My Love (Rehearsal + Take 2) - Only The Strong Survive (Rehearsal + Take 2 & 3) - From A Jack To A King (Take 4) - Only The Strong Survive (Take 6) - Wearin’ That Loved On Look (Take 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 11)

Bonus Songs - January / February 1969: Only The Strong Survive (Take 4 & 5) - Only The Strong Survive (Take 7) - Only The Strong Survive (Take 9) - Do You Know Who I Am? (Take 2) - If I’m A Fool For Loving You (Take 4 & 5) - Long Black Limousine (Take 4) - Come Out, Come Out (Wherever You Are) - 20 Minutes Band Rehearsal

Details ‘February, 1970 - On Stage - The Alternate Recordings’: Also re-issued on CD by popular demand is ‘February, 1970 - On Stage - The Alternate Recordings’, which also sold out immediately  after its initial release.  The CD edition contains the original vinyl tracks with additional great and rare live recordings! The first 6 selections taken from the original soundboard tape, all other tracks taken directly from fan audience recordings.

All performances have been remastered and the original LP art-work was used for this CD.

Soundboard: Polk Salad Annie (16.02.1970 MS) - Buzzing Bees And Bacon (Monologue - 19.02.1970 DS) - I Can’t Stop Loving You (19.02.1970 DS) - Don’t Cry Daddy (19.02.1970 DS) - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (19.02.1970 DS) - Let It Be Me (19.02.1970 DS)

Audience Recording: See See Rider (05.02.DS) - Kentucky Rain (03.02.1970 DS) - In The Ghetto (05.02.1970 DS) - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel (05.02.1970 DS) - Let It Be Me (03.02.1970 DS) - Introduction Of Roy Orbison (22.02.1970 MS) - When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano (One Line - 05.02.1970 DS) - Suspicious Minds (20.02.1970 MS) - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel (03.02.1970 DS)

Details: Closing Night - International Hotel - September 7, 1970: This album contains the Closing Show September 7, 1970 as recorded in Las Vegas. This show contains a lot of fun moments and some nice rarities and many false starts like the 'Blue Suede Shoes / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Blue Suede Shoes' medley and Bob Dylan impersonations! 

As a bonus this album contains tracks from the September 4, 1970 show, including the one-liners 'La Bamba' and 'My Way' and also a short version of 'Crying Time'. These are great and rare audience recordings! The CD also contains some backstage recordings from August 10, 1970 which were recorded, and partly used in, the movie 'Elvis: That's The Way It Is'.

All performances have been remastered and are presented in the best possible sound.

 07.09.1970 CS:

Orchestra Intro - Opening Vamp - That’s All Right - I Got A Woman / Amen / I Got A Woman - Monologue / I Walk The Line (Excerpt) - Love Me Tender (False Start Only) - I’ve Lost You - I Just Can’t Help Believin’ - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling - Polk Salad Annie - Band Introductions / Bob Dylan Impersonations - Celebrity Introductions - Manager And Relatives Introductions - Heartbreak Hotel (4 False Starts Only) - Blue Suede Shoes / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Blue Suede Shoes - Introductions Of Sound Engineer And Light Man - All Shook Up (With False Start) - Hound Dog (With 2 False Starts) - Bridge Over Troubled Water - Can’t Help Falling In Love (With 2 False Starts) - Closing Vamp

Bonus Songs - 04.09.1970 MS: Monologue / La Bamba - Introduction Of Paul Anka / My Way - Crying Time

Backstage - 10.08.1970: Reading Telegrams (5.1) - Reading Telegrams (6.3) - Rehearsing ‘I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (8.8) - After Show Party

Sold Out! Out

The Pyramid import label isn't sold out yet, the label released volume 11 in their 'Sold Out!' series. 

Publicity stated: 'Sold Out – volume 11' is on its way, and it’s a killer! Filled to the brim with fantastic Elvis 8mm footage!

Relive the magic of The King in concert with this incredible 3 hour collection of rare and unreleased private footage, now available for the first time.

Lovingly restored from HQ transfers… And bound to become a true collectors item.

Not Sold Out!

Bidding closed for some interesting Elvis Presley items in the Gotta have Rock and Roll 'The Rock and Roll Pop Culture' auction that ran from December 1 - 10, 2021. 

The first highlights was the Sun Records’ studio piano - the iconic “Million Dollar Quartet Piano”. A vintage 1949 Wurlitzer spinet with serial number 387912 that was played by a stellar rock and roll list of “who’s who” including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ike Turner, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Charlie Rich and many more. The piano has a rock and roll jukebox list of credits and is featured on many of Memphis’ 1950’s Sun Records classics. 

The estimate was US$800,000 - US$1,000,000, but the item did not receive one bid.

Elvis played the piano on the “Million Dollar Quartet Session” in December of 1956 with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins – with Elvis playing piano on a majority of the 46 songs including, “Love Me Tender”, “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Paralyzed.” Jerry Lee Lewis played it on 5 of the Million Dollar Quartet songs including “End of the Road” and “Crazy Arms”. The 1956 session was released by Sony BMG in 1990 – “The Million Dollar Quartet” – with 46 songs. This is the only piano played by both Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. Jerry Lee Lewis also played it on his biggest hits, “Great Balls of Fire”, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”, and all of the songs he recorded at Sun Records. 

A 1954 Sun Records contract signed by Elvis Presley and Sam Philips. The estimate was US$100,000 - US$150,000, but the contract sold for US$52,000. 

This is the Elvis Presley and Sam Phillips signed November 15, 1954 Sun Records recording contract - Elvis' third oldest recording contract with Sun Records. The contract has been beautifully signed by both in black ink. This Memphis Federation of Musicians contract between Elvis Presley and Sun Record Company, Inc. is for his recording of "Good Rockin' Tonight" and "Milkcow Blues Boogie". The contract, which has been part of Sam Phillips personal collection since the day it was signed, also has resided at the venerable Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for 35 years. Very good condition. Comes with a letter of authenticity from Sam Phillips. a James Spence Authentication (JSA) letter of authenticity, and a Gotta Have Rock & Roll Certificate of Authenticity.

The first RCA Records contract. Dated November 21, 1955, Elvis has signed the contract in blue ballpoint pen. Also signed by his parents Vernon and his mother (signing "Mrs. Vernon Presley"), in blue ballpoint pen. A two-sided original contract, Elvis and his parents have also initialed the front in blue ballpoint. 

The estimate was US$150,000 - US$20,000, it sold for US$10,000. 

Less than half of the items listed like original SUN singles, acetates Gold Record Awards, jewelry, memorabilia, pictures and clothing received bids and were sold, most of the time the price remained close to the minimum estimate. 

(Source Pascal Matteo on Facebook / FECC / Gotta Have Rock and Roll)