May 20 - The Elvis Presley Bootleg Connection

The German Bear Family record label announced the release of volume 3 in the 'The Elvis Presley Connection' series. It features "36 Roots And Covers Of Elvis Presley" and comes with a 36-page booklet. Total playing time approx. 75 minutes.

Third compilation on Bear Family Records® offering original recordings that inspired Elvis, plus rare cover versions of famous Elvis tunes - including some from the UK - and quite a few on CD for the first time.

This edition focuses on songs Elvis recorded between 1962 and '66.

In addition to commercial releases, the CD album provides several demo recordings by Don Robertson and Otis Blackwell, among others.

Cover versions or the original version of songs from Elvis movies, like a Spanish version of Guadalajara from 1949 - sung by Elvis in the 1963 movie 'Acapulco'.

The full color booklet includes rare photos and memorabilia as well as liner notes by German Presley expert Helmut Radermacher!

The third part of our Elvis story

Where did Elvis Presley take his inspirations from? That' s the main question behind the concept for this now third compilation. Elvis' music, his live performances, his Hollywood movies: All of this was unique and influenced generations of musicians. Surprisingly, his influence on the music world of the 1960s hardly diminished, despite the Beatles and Rolling Stones. At the same time, Elvis Presley himself was influenced by other musicians, as this compilation shows! The third edition is dedicated to his creative period from 1962 to 1966, cover versions and originals in chronological order, as Elvis recorded them at the time.

Rarities, demos, film songs

Some of the often rare recordings appear for the first time on CD! We found rare versions of Elvis songs by Rikki Henderson, Les Carle or Wayne Harris on British and American low budget labels. Famous colleagues from R&B (The Coasters, The Clovers, LaVern Baker and Clyde McPhatter), Country Music (Marty Robbins, The Browns) and Rock 'n' Roll (Jerry Lee Lewis, Terry Stafford, The Chavis Brothers and the Elvis-like vocal wonder Ral Donner) are also featured. In addition to rare cover versions by the likes of Skip Arne and The Dukes, a number of rare demos are included that were recorded exclusively for Elvis at the time and are accordingly revealing. Some of them were written explicitly for the soundtracks of his films and recorded by Don Robertson or Otis Blackwell, a.o. 

The CD includes a 36-page full color booklet with many rare pictures and illustrations, as well as an accompanying essay for each song, written by German Elvis Presley expert Helmut Radermacher.

 Sixties and Seventies Boots

Several new Elvis import titles were announced. From the Petticoat import label we got 'It's The Elvis Sound of the Sixties 1966 - 1969' and from an unknown label the 'The 1971 Soundboard Collection and More Vol. 1'.

Publicity stated: 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 180 grams virgin vinyl pressing is now available in red or blue vinyl. 

Don't miss out on this wonderful limited edition album. A must have and a great spinner for sure! 

Tracklisting Side A: Fools Fall In Love (Take 4) - Love Letters (Take 2) - Run On (Take 2) - Tomorrow Is A Long Time (Take 2) - Never Say Yes (Take 1 & 2) - The Girl I Never Loved (Take 10 & 11) - Let Yourself Go (Take 5)

Side B: You’ll Never Walk Alone (Take 2) - Rubberneckin’ (Take 1 & 2) - Edge Of Reality (Take 8 / Unedited Master - Vocal & Choir Mix) - I’ll Be There (Take 3 - Undubbed Master) - If I Can Dream (Take 4) - Kentucky Rain (Take 9) - Clean Up Your Own Backyard (Take 6 - Undubbed Master)

The 1971 Soundboard Collection and More Vol. 1 4LP + 3CD Set

This comprehensive deluxe set contains 4 soundboard  recordings recorded during Elvis his first Vegas season of 1971.  The first Vegas season of 1971 started on January 26 and finished February 23.

During these shows Elvis sang some of the tracks from the just released  “Elvis Country” album. Examples are  “Make The World Go Away” ”There Goes My Everything” and “Snowbird”. 

Another example of one of the highlights is the only known live version of the (back in the day)  new song ”only believe”. A studio version would be released in June 1971 on the “Love Letters From Elvis” album, but the song was recorded a year earlier. All shows are remastered and presented in mono just as they were recorded. The fully packed bonus disc included in this set contains no less than 23 rare and official unreleased versions of studio tracks recorded in 1971. Sit back and enjoy Elvis in 1971. 

Available in Red or Blue vinyl. Strictly limited edition.

Tracks LP 1 - Side A - January 26, 1971 Opening Show:

Also Sprach Zarathustra - That’s All Right - Mystery Train / Tiger Man - Elvis Talks - Love Me Tender - Johnny B. Goode - Introductions - The Wonder Of You - Introduction Of Hal Wallis - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Make The World Go Away - Something

Side B - 1971 - Studio Highlights:

Early Mornin’ Rain (Vibes Overdub Master) - That’s What You Get For Lovin’ Me (Take 10 - Unedited) - Help Me Make It Through The Night (Unedited Overdubbed  Master) - Until It’s Time For You To Go (Unedited Overdubbed Master) - Will Be True (Unedited Master) - It’s Still Here (Unedited Master - Extra Dialogue) - I’m Leavin’ (Unedited Overdubbed Master)

LP 2 - Side C - January 27, 1971 Midnight Show:

Also Sprach Zarathustra - That’s All Right - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - Love Me Tender - There Goes My Everything - Sweet Caroline - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ - Polk Salad Annie - Coming Home Baby (Instrumental) - Only Believe

Side D: How Great Thou Art - Introductions - Johnny B. Goode - The Wonder Of You - Something - Make The World Go Away - Love Me - One Night - Blue Suede Shoes - Hound Dog - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Duet With Ginger Holladay - 26.01.1971 OS)

LP 3 - Side E - January 28, 1971 Dinner Show:

You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - Love Me Tender - Sweet Caroline - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions - Johnny B. Goode - Introductions (#2) - Something - Release Me - Love Me - Blue Suede Shoes - Hound Dog

Side F: It’s Now Or Never - Suspicious Minds - The Impossible Dream

Bonus Songs: We Can Make The Morning (Unedited Overdubbed Master) - It’s Only Love (Unedited Overdubbed Master) - Love Me, Love The Life I Lead (Unedited Overdubbed Master) - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Unedited Overdubbed Maste)

LP 4 - Side G - January 28, 1971 Midnight Show:

Also Sprach Zarathustra - That’s All Right - I Got A Woman - Love Me Tender - Elvis Talks - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - Sweet Caroline - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions - Johnny B. Goode - Introductions

Side H: Something - Introductions - The Wonder Of You - Heartbreak Hotel - Blue Suede Shoes - Hound Dog - One Night - Teddy Bear - Suspicious Minds - Coming Home Baby (Instrumental) - The Impossible Dream - Closing Vamp

CD 1 - January 26, 1971 Opening Show:

Also Sprach Zarathustra - That’s All Right - Mystery Train / Tiger Man - Elvis Talks - Love Me Tender - Johnny B. Goode - Introductions - The Wonder Of You - Introduction Of Hal Wallis - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Make The World Go Away - Something

January 27, 1971 Midnight Show: Also Sprach Zarathustra - That’s All Right  - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - Love Me Tender - There Goes My Everything - Sweet Caroline - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ - Polk Salad Annie - Coming Home Baby (Instrumental) - Only Believe - Elvis Talks - How Great Thou Art - Introductions - Johnny B. Goode - The Wonder Of You - Something - Make The World Go Away - Love Me - One Night - Blue Suede Shoes - Hound Dog

Bonus Songs: Johnny B. Goode (Unfixed - January 26 - 1971 Opening Show)

CD 2 - January 28, 1971 Dinner Show: You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - Love Me Tender - Sweet Caroline - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions - Johnny B. Goode - Introductions (#2) - Something - Release Me - Love Me - Blue Suede Shoes - Hound Dog - It’s Now Or Never - Suspicious Minds - The Impossible Dream

January 28, 1971 Midnight Show: Also Sprach Zarathustra - That’s All Right - I Got A Woman - Love Me Tender - Elvis Talks - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - Sweet Caroline - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions - Johnny B. Goode - Introductions - Something - Introductions - The Wonder Of You - Heartbreak Hotel - Blue Suede Shoes - Hound Dog - One Night - Teddy Bear - Suspicious Minds - Coming Home Baby (Instrumental) - The Impossible Dream - Closing Vamp (26.01.1971 OS)

CD 3 - January 29, 1971 Dinner Show:

Also Sprach Zarathustra - That’s All Right - I Got A Woman - Love Me Tender - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - Sweet Caroline - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions - Johnny B. Goode - Introductions - Something - Heartbreak Hotel - Blue Suede Shoes - Teddy Bear - Hound Dog - Snowbird - The Impossible Dream

(Source: Bear Family / Elvis Club Berlin / Various)