Wednesday, August 31, 2022

August 31 - The Story of Elvis

Published in Australia (finally) is the 130-page glossy magazine 'The Story of Elvis', subtitled "Explore the Rise and Fall of the Undisputed King of Rock 'n' Roll". The magazine is nicely designed and informative with hundreds of images.

This magazine was originally published in April 2022 on the other side of the globe.

Description: Forty-five years after the premature death of Elvis Presley, still the biggest-selling musical artist in history according to several metrics, millions of us are still fascinated by him. Why is this? 

Well, consider this. Elvis was born in an environment of extreme poverty that would seem completely alien to most of us in 2022. With zero privilege and only his natural talent to sustain him, he rose to the status of global superstar by his mid-twenties, when the world lay at his feet. 

What could possibly go wrong? Only everything, it turned out. Dogged by a laughably bad film career, emasculated by national service in the US Army and unlucky in love, Elvis found himself on a destructive path that ultimately led to his self-destruction at the age of only 42. 

Along the way, he morphed from the ultimate rockabilly bad boy into a harmless family favourite, and finally into a doomed shadow of his glorious former self. This is why we love reading about Elvis, as you’re about to do in this new and essential analysis of his life. How and why did he throw it all away? The lessons here are that talent and charisma will take you a long way, but too much money and existential futility will take you all the way back again… all the way to the end of Lonely Street, in fact. 

Enjoy the Story of Elvis. There will never be another musician like him. Celebrate his life with us.

(Source: Elvis Information Network / Magazine Direct)

Sunday, August 28, 2022

August 28 - Murders Not Solved Yet?

Dean Street Press announced the October 3, 2022 re-release of Daniel Klein's Elvis themed murder mysteries: 'Kill Me Tender', 'Blue Suede Clues', 'Viva Las Vengeance' and 'Such Vicious Minds'. These books were originally released between 2000 and 2004.

(Source: Amazon Italy)





Saturday, August 27, 2022

August 27 - Elvis On Flexi

The Danish Memphis Mansion published the 4th edition of their revamped 'Elvis Unlimited' magazine with articles on Elvis in Miami, the Million Dollar Quartet and "Who The Heck Is Vince Everette? It also comes with a flexi-disc containing the Extended Vocal Mix of ‘Loving You’. 

This version was created by Anthony Stuchbury who posted on Facebook: "The version utilized for this was the opening movie orchestral version. Sadly that version only has one verse of Elvis singing before going completely instrumental, but not anymore.

I identified the take used in the movie opening and added a second verse from the studio take over the orchestra. There was a little speed correction, a minor unheard edit, and a good level / balance required to make it work, but now we have it. Another piece of collectible flexi - fun."

(Source: Memphis Mansion / Anthony Stuchbury)

August 27 - Charts August 2022 - Week 4 (Updated)

The weekly global Elvis Presley chart update. Elvis Presley found his way up on the Billboard charts in the United States, but it looks like our man's albums have peaked in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe as most albums drop on the various charts. 

A nice exception in the United Kingdom is the 2020 'From Elvis in Nashville' album. This compilation still sells on the Official U.K. Country Compilations Album chart. 

Another exception is Austria where the 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' made the "biggest gain" in chart places of all album in the Top 75 this week. 

Evidently, the Baz Luhrmann-directed Elvis Presley biopic, 'ELVIS', can't help but be a box office success. After grossing another 1.9 million overseas, bringing the film's worldwide total to 276.7 million. This weekend, the movie scored another US$ 1.9 million from 64 markets overseas. This brings Elvis to an international box office total of US$ 129.3 million, which has made up around 46 of the film’s total gross. 

Seeing as the film is now available as PVOD on multiple streaming services, the 'ELVIS' movie will begin streaming on HBO Max on Friday, September 2, 2022. The massive success of 'ELVIS' meant that it was the first 2022 Warner Bros movie not released on HBO Max within 45 days of its theatrical release. In 2021 Warner Bros released all its films on HBO Max the same day as theaters while in 2022 they all had a 45-day theatrical exclusive window before hitting HBO Max. Once again in 2022, 'ELVIS' is a first.

Additional music and movie chart positions will be updated when new positions become available over the weekend.


U.S. Billboard charts:

  • Billboard Top 200 chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #61 to #54.
  • Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #65 to #44.
  • Billboard Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack remained at #2.
  • Billboard Soundtrack Album Sales chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #52 to #59.
  • Billboard Top Album Sales chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #96 to #75.
  • Billboard Top Album Sales chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' is a re-entry at #95.
  • Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #13 to #8.
  • Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #11 to #10.
  • Billboard Top Rock Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #10 to #09. 
  • Billboard Top Rock Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits climbed from #11 to #7.
  • Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart: 'Can't Help Falling In Love' climbed from #20 to #13.
  • Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart: 'Suspicious Minds' climbed from #22 to #10.
  • Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart: 'Unchained Melody' (Film Mix) is a re-entry at #22. 
  • Billboard Top Christian Album chart: 'Elvis Ultimate Gospel' is a re-entry at #45.
  • Billboard Catalog Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #42 to #30.  
  • Billboard Catalog Albums chart: 'The Essential Elvis Presley' is a re-entry at #47. 
  • Billboard Top Current Album Sales chart: 'ELV1S' Soundtrack album dropped from #35 to #37. 
  • Billboard Top Country Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #9 to #7.
  • Billboard Artist chart: 'Elvis Presley' is listed at 61.

Billboard Canadian charts:

  • Billboard Canadian Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #49 to #47.
  • Billboard Canadian Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #56 to #49.

   


Official U.K. charts:

  • Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #7 to #11. 
  • Official Compilation Albums chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #11 to #19.
  • Official Album Download charts: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #22 to #38. 
  • Official Album Download charts: 'The 50 Greatest Hits' climbed from #29 to #28. 
  • Official Album Download charts: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #30 to #34. 
  • Official Albums Sales chart: 'The Real Elvis' dropped from #8 to #19.
  • Official Album Sales Top 100 chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #50 to #62.  
  • Official Album Sales Top 100 chart: 'The 50 Greatest Hits' dropped from #69 to #96.
  • Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #5 to #6. 
  • Official Physical Albums chart: 'The Real Elvis' dropped from #8 to #17.
  • Official Physical Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #75 to #87.
  • Official Albums Sales chart: 'The Real Elvis' re-entry at #8.
  • Official Album Sales Top 100 chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #82 to #50.  
  • Official Album Sales Top 100 chart: 'The 50 Greatest Hits' is a re-entry at #69.
  • Official Soundtrack Album 100 chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #1 to #2. 
  • Official Americana Album chart: 'Elvis Back In Nashville' dropped from #20 to #26.
  • Official Country Compilations chart Top 20: 'From Elvis In Nashville' climbed from #12 to #8.
  • Official Christian and Gospel Album chart: 'Where No One Stands Alone' dropped from #15 to #18.
  • Official Singles Sales chart: 'If I Can Dream' dropped from#67 to #86.
  • Official Singles Sales chart: 'Suspicious Minds' dropped from #73 to #99.
  • Official Singles Download chart: 'If I Can Dream' dropped from #67 to #84.
  • Official Singles Download chart: 'Suspicious Minds' dropped from #73 to #96.
  • Official DVD Top 100 chart: 'Elvis 7-Films Collection' dropped from #76 to #97.
  • Official Music DVD Top 100 chart: 'Elvis The Searcher' dropped from #2 to #3. 
  • Official Music DVD Top 100 chart: 'The Elvis Collection' re-entry at #12.  
Official Scottish charts:

  • Official Album chart: 'The Real Elvis' dropped from #9 to #18.
  • Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits climbed from #62 to #46.

Official Irish IRMA charts:

  • Official Irish Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' remained steady at #10.
  • Official Irish Album chart: 'The Real Elvis' is a re-entry at #59.
  • Official Irish Music DVD chart: 'The Elvis Collection' is a re-entry at #4.
Official Frech SNEP charts:
  • Official French Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #77 to #92.
Belgian UltraTop charts:
  • UltraTop Album chart (Flanders): 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #94 to #148.
  • UltraTop Album chart (Wallonia): 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #57 to #124.
Austrian charts
  • Austrian Album Top 75 chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #61 to #25.

(Source: Official Charts / UK Mix Forum / IRMA / MTV / ARIA / Billboard / Martin / MTV / Collider / Elvis Information Network)

Friday, August 26, 2022

August 26 - For the U.K. Elvis Collectors

The 366-page hardback book 'The Elvis Collector / UK Memorabilia 1956-1977' by Harry Carrigan has been released. The cover was updated from the original announcement.

Description: This is the first detailed guide to the subject of Elvis Presley memorabilia issued in the U.K. between 1956 and August 1977. This guide is the second of three volumes which aim to document all the known items in each of the subject areas covered. 

The first volume (printed in 2021) detailed all the known Elvis film memorabilia. This second volume looks at various memorabilia and the third volume (due to print in 2023) will predominately look at newspapers, comics, magazines and books. 

This guide has over 1,500 images looking at: Anabas badges, Cards, Photo-cards  and Postcards, The Elvis Express, Elvis Monthly, International Elvis Presley Appreciation Society, Jewelry, Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain, Record Shop and Promotional Items, Selcol Toy Instruments, Song and Music Sheets and Books. 


Buyer Beware

Under the names Thrilling Studio, Urban Studio, Delight Studio, Hanging Studio, Twitch Gallery, Ezreal Gallery,  Jhin Gallery, Jinx Gallery and Kaisa Gallery 9 'Elvis Presley Photobook: The Best Pictures Of Elvis Presley For Relaxation' were published on Amazon. 

Description: This ultimate fan book will be a perfect gift idea for fans of all ages. Let's look back and recall every shade with Elvis Presley photos, from young and carefree, sexy and serious, glamorous.

Note: these so called books contain a selection of the same set of pictures on just 34 pages. Buyer beware.


Elvis Presley News Report 2022

Emiel Maier posted his September 2022 Elvis Presley news report, looking back at August 2022 with coverage of the new 'On Tour' box-set, Lansky Brothers and Priscilla's fail during Elvis Week 2022).




(Source: The Elvis Shop London / Emiel Maier)


Thursday, August 25, 2022

August 25 - Possible FTD Re-issues

Due to significant demand from fans and dealers, the Follow That Dream collectors label is investigating the viability of possibility to re-press several titles in their 'Session' series. 

Optional titles are the 'Viva Las Vegas', 'American Sound', 'Elvis is Back', 'Something for Everybody', 'Pot Luck' and 'Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite' session releases. 

(Source: Robert Frieser)



Wednesday, August 24, 2022

August 24 - Elvis and Me

Priscilla Presley announced on Facebook that the audio and e-book editions of her memoir 'Elvis and Me' have been released by Blackstone Publishing.

She posted: "The audiobook is narrated by me, and I hope you will enjoy listening to my story of life and love with Elvis".


Elvis For Christmas

Due for re-release on October 28, 2022 from the Vinyl Passion record label is the LP 'Songs for Christmas'. The 12-track compilation, pressed on 180 Gr. Snowy White colored vinyl features the usual Christmas and Gospel standards. 

Tracks: Santa Claus Is Back In Town / White Christmas / Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Lane) / I'll Be Home For Christmas / Blue Christmas / Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) / O Little Town Of Bethlehem / Silent Night / (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) / I Believe / Take My Hand, Precious Lord / It Is No Secret (What God Can Do).


Grands Hommes

Released in France by Le Journaux is the magazine 'Elvis Presley' in the 'Grands Hommes' series. 

(Priscilla Presley in Facebook / Sounds / Pascal Matteo)





 

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

August 23 - The King of the Camera's

Due for release from Paramount Pictures on November 15, 2022 is the 4K Ultra HD Edition of the 1961 classic 'Blue Hawaii'. It comes as a two-disc set with a region free 4K Ultra HD and a region A Blu-ray disc (regions B, C untested). 
Technical specs: Video Codec: HEVC / H.265 Resolution: Native 4K (2160p) HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10 Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Information on the audio and subtitles are not available yet.  


Elvis - King of Rock 'n' Roll

Due for release On October 21, 2022 from the TV Jewels label is the DVD 'Elvis - King of Rock 'n' Roll - The Complete 13 Part Series'.

Content
: Elvis, 18 years old, records 'My Happiness' at the Memphis Sun Studios. He pays four dollars for it and gives the record to his mother for her birthday. 

Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records, brings Elvis to the studio and records 'That's Alright (Mama)' with him. The song is a hit on all radio stations. 

The sudden fame hits Elvis totally unexpectedly, the girls applaud him and he is confronted with all the aspects of fame. 

The series was co-produced by his ex-wife Priscilla Beaulieu Presley.


Lights! Camera! Elvis! Collection

Also due from Paramount on November 11, 2022 is the re-release of 8-DVD set 'Lights! Camera! Elvis! Collection'

The set contains the movies 'King Creole', 'G. I. Blues', 'Blue Hawaii', 'Roustabout', 'Girls! Girls! Girls!', 'Fun In Acapulco', 'Easy Come, Easy Go' and 'Paradise Hawiian Style'.


More Elvis Quotes

Mr. Gerald Myers published his 24-booklet 'Elvis Presley Quotes'. 

(Source: TV Jewels / Elvis Club Berlin / Blu-ray.com / Amazon)




Monday, August 22, 2022

Review All the King’s Records Vol. 2

The beauty of our hobby is that Elvis is everywhere and - 45 years after his death - still connects fans around the world. All with their own appreciation and perspective on the King’s work and legacy. For this review we go to Poland. 

Mariusz OgiegÅ‚o published the second volume of ‘Elvis Wszystkie PÅ‚yty Króla’ (‘All the King’s Records’) completing the two volume analysis of Elvis Presley’s record releases from 1956 to 1977. Volume 1 covered 1956 to 1965, this volume covers the remaining years 1966 to 1977. 

 

Design

 

The cover of this Polish book is simple yet effective, although a few Elvis record covers would reflect the content even more. The book comes as an A5-sized 500-page paperback book on quality paper, and is completely black and white. 

 

The lay-out and typography are easy on the eye, and again, a few more illustrations (each chapter has just one illustration of the album it covers, would give the reader a moment to pause reading as the pages are full text. 

 

OgiegÅ‚o’s writing style is entertaining and the use of quotes makes the text lively. This keeps you engrossed throughout. The references clearly show the author did his homework preparing the essays. Sources used are the standard reference books by Ernst Jorgensen, Peter Guralnick, Collin Escott, Richard Peters and others, but also interesting to see OgiegÅ‚o including Leszek Strzeszewski from his home country. Other sources used to tell the story are session documentation and interviews with musicians, producers, Memphis Mafia members and Elvis’ ex-wife and ex-girlfriends. 

 

Besides the analysis of the album, each chapter contains the tracks, an overview of the musicians involved and the official releases of the album. 

 

Content

 

As Elvis was / is not as popular in Poland as in other countries, Mariusz OgiegÅ‚o’s goal was to present Elvis Presley’s musical achievements in the most accessible and interesting way possible. The result: almost 1,000 pages packed in two volumes of ‘All the King’s Records’.

 

This second volume continues where the first book ended, 1966. It covers all of Elvis’ LP’s as they were released during his lifetime. Each chapter opens by setting the scene for the recording of the material on the album at hand, going behind -the-scenes of all the albums and the songs on it. Each album gets its own chapter, which reads as a short essay. This second volume contains 30 chapters, the two volumes combined feature 57 chapters combined.

 

Each chapter opens with a description of the historical context and the state of Elvis’ career at the time. Also added are the business deals the Colonel had made with RCA, the deals regarding which songs to record and how Elvis tried to find and record material he really liked, which becomes more evident in the last albums he recorded.

 

Starting with the  making-of the Grammy-winning album 'How Great Thou Art', to the set of the 1968 NBC TV Special and also to the auditoriums of the biggest concert halls in the United States in Las Vegas, New York, Hawaii and Memphis, where Elvis triumphed after he returned to live preforming in 1969. The story ends behind the walls of Graceland, in the room now known as the Jungle Room, where Presley made his last ever studio recordings. 

 

The author tracked down the performances which inspired Elvis and the origins of some of the songs performed to the earliest roots sometimes over 120 years back in time. As a fan it is always interesting to read when and where Elvis picked up a song, who inspired him and how he used all that inspiration to record his own interpretation of the songs involved. When he liked a song, like religious material, a few takes were enough to record a satisfying master, but when his heart wasn’t in it … he really had to work to get a take good enough to release. Mariusz OgiegÅ‚o captured the making-of-the-albums in an entertaining and well researched way. That’s exactly what makes books like these such a great read. 

 

1966 is an interesting moment in Elvis career - stuck in Hollywood and mediocre soundtracks as his main releases - and in music history with the British invasion, Jimmy Hendrix and other new artists changing the musical scene some ten years after Elvis got everyone “all shook up” with his new style. And now it happened to him. 


Not really wanting to be a Rock and Roll performer anymore, he more and more wanted to follow his musical heart. Going behind the making-of the albums from 1966 t0 1977 you really see the change and you see Elvis making more decisions on his own. He recorded his second gospel album, went his own way with Steve Binder in 1968 for the TV special, recorded in more country-like material in Nashville, went on tour making and made some great live albums before he got bored and uninterested in music and recording.

 

On the opening album 'How Great Thou Art' the author notes: “The prospect of recording a new album of sacred music breathed new creative energy into Presley, which he seemed to have lost in recent years. The opportunity to work on material far more ambitious than frivolous beach songs sung to stripped-down girls, children, dogs or shrimp unleashed a long-overdue enthusiasm that had already been partially observed by those working with him on the soundtrack to the comedy ‘Spinout’ in February 1966”. 

 

Elvis recorded ‘How Great Thou Art’ with much enthusiasm, but didn’t sell as well as hoped when originally released. Over the years it proved to be a steady seller and classic for many fans and gospel performers. Even the critics liked it and it won Elvis a Grammy. So he did do something right following his heart in 1966. Placed in a line-up of albums, you tend to look differently at titles you know so well. 

 

But at the end of his career, the enthusiasm and energy Elvis showed on ‘How Great Thou Art’ was gone and our man had lost interest in recording new material. Things got worse and worse and his recording career ended in his own “Jungle Room”. Larry Strickland from The Stamps remembered "There were also a lot of potted plants everywhere. It was not an ideal place for recording". Commends like this make great reading. 

 

But even an uninspired and uninterested Elvis managed to get a few songs on tape which even pleased the music critics. But he also recorded some great songs, like ‘Way Down and of course ‘Hurt’, which became a concert classic, and even an hit on the British Isles. The ballad by Jimmy Crane and Al Jacobs gave him the opportunity to sing his way out.... To throw out the emotions that were haggling with him and, in addition, to present to the audience the powerful scale of his voice. "I'm hurt. I think you lied to me. I'm hurt and I feel it deep inside."

 

Ten of the songs recorded “at home” filled the album ‘From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee’ which was released in mid-May 1976. And although Elvis wasn’t able to really put his heart into it, the cover featured a few words handwritten by Elvis: "I sincerely hope you enjoy my new album released by RCA. With best wishes, Elvis Presley." Reading these words again 50 years later, with today's knowledge, they have a different meaning. Reading the book, you know why. 

 

And let’s not forget ‘Moody Blue’ which became the title of his last album. That great song was released as a single with ‘She Thinks I Still Care’ on the reverse side on November 29 1976. Both were warmly received, by Elvis fans and critics alike. On February 19, 1977 the single became Elvis' last number one country music hit during his lifetime. 

 

But a few songs on tape was not enough for Felton Jarvis, who was facing a much more serious problem - how to acquire the missing material for his next album. So following the idea of sending the RCA mobile studio to Elvis’ mansion, he send the RCA remote sound truck on tour, after the singer in the hope to record a few new live performances to  supplement the new LP. 

 

Among the recorded songs were an emotional rendition of ‘Unchained Melody’ an upbeat ‘If You Love Me, Let Me Know’ (a hit by Olivia Newton John) and ‘Little Darlin'’, a hit from the late 1950s by the group The Diamonds. Combined these home-recordings and live performances, made the album we know so well.

 

As OgiegÅ‚o sticks to the facts, “food for thoughts” so to say, you can draw your own conclusions while reading the book and listening to the songs. 

 

Conclusion

 

The book makes excellent reading while revisiting some of the original Elvis albums once more. OgiegÅ‚o takes you by the hand for the sessions that gave us these original albums. With some of the complete sessions now available from the Follow That Dream collectors label, the essays in this book provide a well-researched and entertaining background to the  music. 

 

A few more illustrations would certainly have enriched the book in terms of content and perhaps made it look a bit more attractive, but since the author has self-published the book, I understand the reluctance in terms of illustrations, and when you consider this book as a reference, you don't miss them.


The book is available from the author at >>> My Books

Sunday, August 21, 2022

Review The Airplanes and The King

Halfway 2021 Robert van Beek approached Erik Lorentzen with the idea to do an English version of Carlos Verranti’s ‘Los Aviones Y El Rey’ book. 

Lorentzen agreed, on the condition that it would be done in the style of his “Elvis Files” books. This meant blowing up a 200-page to a 400-page book. 

The question remains, “does size matter”? 


 

Design

 

Over the last 15 years most Elvis fans reading this review have either seen, read or bought one of Lorentzen’s many Elvis Presley books, and know what an “Elvis Files” style book looks like. This edition of Verranti’s original will fit in nicely with the other KJ Consulting books you may have in your collection. 

 

But it is also nice to see that some of the original design-elements of the original - which had a fresh design that fitted nicely with the theme of the book - found a place in this re-issue. 

The cover, the schematic drawings of the planes, the use and presentation of photos and other paperwork, but also little details like plane icons on each page. This book doesn’t suffer from the unnecessary design elements featured in some of this publisher’s other books, I  think it is one of the better designed books from this publisher.


O.K., there are a few little design-flaws as pictures used in the original are presented with a frame, and many of the new pictures aren’t, so you can spot some of the additions quickly, but the many additional pictures make up for that. Besides this, I didn’t spot any other major errors. 

 

Content

 

The combination of “Elvis” and “airplanes” may not be of every fan’s interest, but the two come together instantly when I write the words “The Lisa Marie” or “The Hound Dog II”. So there is some logic to write about these subjects. 


In my review of the first edition of this book I complimented the author for his in-depth research and even more for succeeding to present the vast amount of technical and logistical information in the proper historical context and at the same time offering an entertaining read. 

 

Reading this “upgrade” the original conclusion still stands and the additions add extra context to the story. Where the original book took us from plane to plane and from airfield to airport, this edition also takes the reader to the actual destinations like concerts, movie locations and so on. Completing the picture with many new narratives, details and (background) illustrations.  

 

Also added - and more easily readable in English - are the many stories of Elvis “on the road”, or should I say “in the air”. I never realized that his fear of flying, after incidents in 1956 and 1971, contributed to the ambition to own his own plane(s) and crew he could rely on. And perhaps is also helped that in between he played the role of a pilot in the movies ‘It Happened at the World's Fair’ and ‘Paradise, Hawaiian Style’, earning his “Hollywood Wings”.

 

Oh God, thy sky is so great, and my plane is so small!” - Elvis Presley

 

Being Dutch, I enjoyed reading that Elvis even flew a Fairchild 228, originally a Dutch a Fokker 28 and a Fokker F27 Friendship in 1971. There are more links to Holland than that Colonel.

 

On a critical note, fulfilling Lorentzen’s demand that this book should be an “Elvis Files” book, part of the additional content can be considered extra (unnecessary) luggage. Flying to a movie-set or concert the not all additional promotional images or shots of Elvis on stage are necessary. The same goes for re-printing the letter Elvis wrote to Nixon on his famous visit to the President on six pages. We’ve all seen those before. Moving the planes to Graceland in 1984 and showing a (great!) fifties image of Elvis in front of Graceland? 

 

You can argue that the book is very complete, and perhaps more better to read and comprehend as a stand-alone, but an appendix of screencaps of all footage of Elvis boarding planes or the evolution of airplanes integrated with the Elvis Presley timeline is stretching it too much for me. Here the format dictated the content.

  

Conclusion

 

Carlos Verranti stated that this is how he originally wanted to write the book. And I can understand it, presented like this, and thanks to Robert van Beek and Erik Lorentzen’s photo library, the book is (very) complete.

 

The authors must be complimented for their research and presenting the story of Elvis and (his) planes in meticulous detail. The expanded edition is an enjoyable read and a real upgrade from the original. So yes, size does matter as the extra content and illustrations show. 

 

This is a book that should have been written years ago, perhaps even by Graceland as the two planes opposite Elvis’ mansion are a real tourist attraction, but I’m glad it has been done now by someone who know what he’s writing about. I for one am glad that there is an English version documenting this part of the Elvis Presley story.

 

After books on Elvis cars, houses, movies, concerts, (girl)friends, horses and … this is the definitive record on The King and His Planes. 

 

Note: this review is an addition to the review of the original 2021 book >>> ‘Los Aviones Y El Rey’.


You can order it from Carlos Varrenti at his >>> Airplanes & The King website or though the >>> Elvis Files website

Saturday, August 20, 2022

August 20 - Charts August 2022 - Week 3 (Updated)

The weekly global Elvis Presley chart update. Elvis Presley climbed quite a few spots on the U.K. charts, dropped a few spots on the U.S. Billboard charts. 

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' proves to be a steady seller, next to the 'ELVIS' biopic soundtrack. Even the budget release 'The Real Elvis' re-entered the Official U.K. album charts. 

In the Netherlands and in Germany a classic box made a re-entry on the vinyl charts. Overall Elvis returned to quite a few charts worldwide.

Collider reported: Director Baz Luhrmann still has the moves. His first film in nearly a decade - the Elvis Presley biopic Elvis - is continuing to perform at the box office, despite having landed on PVOD this past week. Elvis topped the charts on all five major platforms - Vudu, Google Play, iTunes, YouTube and Amazon - and dropped just 34% in North American theaters, taking its running total to a little over US$141 million.

With the film's release to VOD and the long summer movie season coming to a close, it looks like Baz Luhrmann's over-the-top Elvis biopic is sailing into the sunset. Luhrmann's Elvis took in $2 million dollars from the 68 overseas territories in which the film is still in theaters. That is a 35 percent holdover drop from the previous week as the King's summer outing winds down, having arrived on PVOD earlier this month. This week's box office brings the running international total for the film to a whopping $125 million dollars, with a worldwide box office of $269.7 million dollars.

U.S. Billboard charts:

  • Billboard Top 200 chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #26 to #61.
  • Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #64 to #65.
  • Billboard Soundtrack Album Sales chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #1 to #2.
  • Billboard Top Album Sales chart: 'ELV1S' Soundtrack album dropped from #9 to #59.
  • Billboard Top Album Sales chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #95 to #96.
  • Billboard Top Current Album Sales chart: 'ELV1S' Soundtrack album dropped from #9 to #35. 
  • Billboard Catalog Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #15 to #13. 
  • Billboard Top Country Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' remained steady at #9.
  • Billboard Top Rock Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #6 to #10. 
  • Billboard Top Rock Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits climbed from #13 to #11.
  • Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart: 'Can't Help Falling In Love' is a re-entry at #20.
  • Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales chart: 'Suspicious Minds' is a re-entry at #22.

Billboard Canadian charts:

  • Billboard Canadian Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #32 to #49.
  • Billboard Canadian Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #55 to #56.

   


Official U.K. charts:

  • Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #12 to #7. 
  • Official Album chart: 'The Real Elvis' re-entry at #78. 
  • Official Compilation Albums chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #17 to #11.
  • Official Albums Sales chart: 'The Real Elvis' re-entry at #8.
  • Official Album Sales Top 100 chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #82 to #50.  
  • Official Album Sales Top 100 chart: 'The 50 Greatest Hits' is a re-entry at #69.
  • Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #11 to #5. 
  • Official Physical Albums chart: 'The Real Elvis' re-entry at #8.
  • Official Physical Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' re-entry at #75.
  • Official Soundtrack Album 100 chart: 'ELVIS' remained steady at #1. 
  • Official Americana Album chart: 'Elvis Back In Nashville' climbed from #24 to #20.
  • Official Country Compilations chart Top 20: 'From Elvis In Nashville' dropped from #8 to #12.
  • Official Christian and Gospel Album chart: 'Where No One Stands Alone' is a re-entry at #15.
  • Official Download Albums chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #26 to #22.
  • Official Download Album chart: 'The 50 Greatest Hits' climbed from #48 to #29.
  • Official Download Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #41 to #31. 
  • Official Singles Sales chart: 'If I Can Dream' re-entry at #67.
  • Official Singles Sales chart: 'Suspicious Minds' re-entry at #73.
  • Official Singles Download chart: 'If I Can Dream' re-entry at #67.
  • Official Singles Download chart: 'Suspicious Minds' re-entry at #73.
  • Official Video Top 100 chart: 'Elvis 7-Films Collection' dropped from #72 to #93.
  • Official DVD Top 100 chart: 'Elvis 7-Films Collection' dropped from #58 to #76.
  • Official Music DVD Top 100 chart: 'Elvis The Searcher' remained steady at #2. 
  • Official Music DVD Top 100 chart: 'Elvis The King of Rock and Roll' dropped from #13 to #30.  
Official Scottish charts:

  • Official Album chart: 'The Real Elvis' climbed from #13 to #09.

Official Irish charts:

  • Official Irish Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #15 to #10.
  • Official Irish Single Top 100 chart: 'Burning Love' re-entry at #95.

Australian ARIA charts:

  • ARIA Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #14 to #24.
Official Dutch charts:
  • Dutch Vinyl Top 33 chart: 'Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 1' (2022 Gold Colored Vinyl Edition) is a new entry at #5.
German charts:
  • German Album Top 100 chart: Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits' (2022 Gold Colored Vinyl Edition) is new entry at #72.
  • German Album Top 100 chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #93 to #85.
Official Swiss charts:
  • Swiss Album Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #81 to #75.
Belgian Ultratop charts:
  • Ultratop Album Top 200 chart (Flanders): 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #183 to #94.
  • Ultratop Album Top 200 chart (Flanders): 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' re-entry at #173.
  • Ultratop Album Top 200 chart (Wallonia): 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #150 to #57.
French SNEP charts:
  • SNEP Album Top 100 chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #76 to #77.

(Source: Official Charts / UK Mix Forum / IRMA / MTV / ARIA / Billboard / Martin / MTV / Collider)

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

August 17 - Tapes on Vinyl

The Blue Day record label announced the March 10, 2023 release of 'The Elvis Tapes' LP. More information when available. 

Another Biography "Book"

Robert Kim published the 31-page paperback 'Elvis Presley: King of Rock and Roll'. The booklet covers Elvis' biography, a timeline and his death and legacy. 

Elvis: The Roots of Rock Music

The 114-page book 'The Genesis of Elvis: The Roots of Rock Music' by Bart van Eikema Hommes (Author), Eliza Tracey (Editor) was re-issued as a hardback and paper by the authors. The book was previously publishing in Dutch a few years ago.

Synopsis: This biography aims to uncover Elvis’s cultural roots and identify the sources he drew from on the path to his world-changing sound. The musical history surrounding the pop icon is excessive and this book takes an analytical approach to try and shed some light on Elvis’s world. Where did he live and which churches and schools did he attend with his friends? Which artists and radio stations influenced him at an impressionable age? Where did he perform in the early days and first commit his voice to the eternal grooves of vinyl? All these questions and more must be asked to begin to understand Presley’s sound and it’s invaluable influence on Rock and Roll. As John Lennon once put it: “Before Elvis there was nothing!”

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Plastic Head / Amazon)