The Reel Tracks import record label released the CD 'Elvis - '68 Unleashed'.
Saturday, December 02, 2023
December 02 - New CD Unleashed
December 02 - Charts December 2023 - Week 1
In the United Kingdom most of Elvis' releases climbed on the various charts while in Ireland Elvis' music went the opposite way.
In the United States Elvis 'Elvis' Golden Records' was a one-week -only event, but the Holiday season made up for that big time, with Elvis re-entering Billboard's main Top 200 album chart.
Also, Elvis is a force to reckoned with on digital platforms looking at the 2023 statistics from Spotify.
Other charts will be updated over the weekend when the updates are published on the various chart-websites.
Official U.K. charts:
- Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #59 to #63.
- Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #51 to #48.
- Official Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #49 to #43.
- Official Country Compilations chart: 'From Elvis in Nashville' climbed from #17 to #14.
- Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' makes a re-entry at #115.
- Billboard Catalog Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' makes a re-entry at #45.
- Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #42 to #28.
- Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #47 to #36.
- Billboard Country Streaming Songs 'Blue Christmas' makes a re-entry at #16.
- Billboard Top Rock and Alternatieve Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' makes a re-entry at #23.
- Billboard Top Rock and Alternatieve Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' makes a re-entry at #48.
- Billboard Top Rock Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' makes a re-entry at #18.
- Billboard Country Holiday 100 chart: 'Blue Christmas' dropped from #18 to #20.
- Billboard Country Holiday 100 chart: 'ere Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)' dropped from #70 to #79.
- Billboard Top Holiday Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from #16 to #14.
- Billboard Holiday Streaming Songs chart: 'Blue Christmas' dropped from #18 to #19.
- Official Irish Album chart: 'ELV1S 30#1 Hits' dropped from #72 to #79.
- Official Irish Video chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #23 to #26.
Friday, December 01, 2023
December 01 - Back On Vinyl
Publicity stated: 'Back In Memphis' is the follow-up to the highly acclaimed 1969 Memphis Sessions, produced by Chips Moman. The recordings on 'Back In Memphis' are the product of the same sessions as the popular 'From Elvis In Memphis', but fans know that Back In Memphis is much more than a collection of leftovers. Elvis' rendition of Percy Mayfield 'Stranger In My Home Town' is a favorite hidden jam among Elvis aficionados.
Redshank Books published the 66-page paperback 'The Big Elvis Quiz Volume One' by Matt Shepherd.
(Source: Music On Vinyl)
Thursday, November 30, 2023
November 30 - I'll Be Home For Christmas
The Memphis Mansion record label released a CD edition of their 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' LP. As a little Christmas present, the label included a stereo version of ‘Ill Be Home For Christmas’ to this compilation.
Tracks: Treat Me Nice / Blue Christmas / My Wish Came True / White Christmas / Here Comes Santa Claus / Silent Night / 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 (Stereo Version).
(Source: Dorthe Bach Richter Larsen)
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
November 29 - For Liberace Fans Only
Publicity stated: Following the remarkable success of our 'In The Ghetto' CD, it is time to move on to yet another exciting project. Straight Arrow decided to re-release the Las Vegas, December 2nd, 1975 Opening Show, which was previously released in 1996 on 'Season's Greetings From Vegas - Christmas Opening '75' (now a very rare CD) and never re-released since then. 27 years later, Straight Arrow was fortunate enough to obtain an old audience recorded tape used for the original release and release this show again, using today’s sound restoration technology.
Elvis December 1975 engagement was meant to make up for his abbreviated Summer festival in August, cancelled just after 3 days and five shows. Starting on November 30th, for the following 3 days Elvis had stage rehearsals in the Las Vegas Hilton showroom. The only really new song added to the set list was 'America (The Beautiful)'. Bobby Hatfield from The Righteous Brothers and Elvis' old friend, the legendary Liberace attended this concert and they met with Elvis after his show. Surprisingly, Elvis performed the song 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'' for the very last time - definitely due to Bobby Hatfield's presence!
Every second of the tape was enhanced in the renowned Sound And Vision Studio to achieve the optimal listening experience. The sound was remastered to the correct speed.
This special Christmas release is presented in Deluxe digipack inspired by December '75 Las Vegas Hilton Hotel menu, accompanied with the Variety press review and liner notes. All images used for this project were taken on stage during Elvis' 1975 Las Vegas December Opening Night.
Tracklist: 01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Elvis monologue about his August hospital stay - 05. Love Me - 06. Fairytale - 07. Big Boss Man - 08. It's Midnight - 09. Early Morning Rain - 10. And I Love You So - 11. Tryin' To Get To You - 12. All Shook Up - 13. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 14. Hound Dog - 15. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - 16. Blue Christmas (with long false start) - 17. Polk Salad Annie - 18. My Boy - 19. How Great Thou Art - 20. Mystery Train / Tiger Man - 21. Softly As I Leave You (with Sherrill Nielsen) - 22. America (The Beautiful) - 23. Can't Help Falling In Love - 24. Closing Vamp.
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Review From Memphis To Tokyo

All images are presented in such a way that they are shown to their full potential. For a book with so many graphic gems like this, this is of course a must. The previews in this review don’t do the book justice.
And although a book like this has the risk to become repetitive and “boring” - meaning you start flipping through the pages instead of reading them - the wide variety and design never made me do that. But it also helped that the hefty book was too big to read in one go, the 700 pages kept me engrossed for a while. Hidden between the covers are several “easter eggs” by the authors, try to spot them!


And for the real collectors, a second edition of this single, pressend on gold colored vinyl and with a different cover, was printed as a “thank you” to those who contributed to the book. Happy hunting!
Content
Knowing the author’s pedigree from previous publications as David Ward’s ‘From Elvis in Japan: Elvis Presley Japanese LPs 1956 - 2018‘ (>>> read the review) and Dick Dekker’s ‘Bootleg Elvis’ and ‘From Memphis to Taipeh - A Reference Guide to the Colorful Magic of Elvis' Asian Vinyl’ we had high hopes, and the guys delivered, combining the best of both in this volume.
The book opens with an historical perspective of the business-side of Elvis Presley releases in Japan, the companies involved and the records themselves. This is followed by an explanation of the system the authors adopted to write the book, catalogue the records and identify the different variations and of course the typical promotional OBI’s we know from Japanese and Asian releases.
In the >>> interview I did together with Nigel Patterson of the Elvis Information Network the authors explained a little about their modus operandi and how even they learned new things writing this book. Like learning how to read and interpreted the lead-out of vinyl records in the dead wax section of the records and how they used this to identify record releases and place them on the release time-line.
Inside the book we find all the Japanese Elvis Presley vinyl, from the first 78 RPM ‘Mystery Train / I Forgot To Remember To Forget’, released April 20, 1956 to ‘The Number One Hits’ as released on vinyl on August 21, 1987. In between these the authors managed to track down and identify no less than 1,020 variants on 78, 45 and 33 RPM and in 7-inch, 10-inch and of course the 12-inch LP format.

Also interesting to see are the many promotional and demonstration records, or collectable releases like the 2006 single for ‘Love Me Tender’ - which is as rare as the 1957 original - only available as part of special promotions done in Japan.
The authors decided to list all releases format by format and in chronological order. The index for each section is in alphabetical order, a smart choice which will be appreciated by the collectors having to find their way through so many different titles.
All records present are meticulously researched with an interesting narrative, helping collectors to identify the variations they have or are looking for, and providing scholars like me with a complete overview and insight into the absolute mastery of Elvis' Japanese Vinyl.
Conclusion
‘From Memphis To Tokyo’ is an important release and a worthy addition to the Elvis Presley library as it provides the definitive record on Elvis in Japan. To be honest, there is “Too Much’ to be found on the 700 pages of this illustrated reference.
It is essential for collectors and offers an interesting, well-researched yet easily accessible introduction to the absolute mastery of Elvis' Japanese vinyl. So if, after reading this book, you think that Japanese vinyl records are your thing, here is your shopping list.
November 28 - A Shining Artistic Triumph In Dayton
An Afternoon In Dayton
Monday, November 27, 2023
November 27 - Elvis Presley: Aun Vive
Sunday, November 26, 2023
November 26 - Illustrated Unboxing Video
Synopsis: The King lives on in this stunning illustrated biography! Discover the man behind the legend in a unique format that highlights the iconic images of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. This book, printed in a square format (21 x 21 cm), presents Elvis' life and career through large-format, full-color photographs taken by renowned professional photographers.
Saturday, November 25, 2023
November 25 - High Colored Spirits In Tokyo
For the first time ever, you’ll now be able to find out when your record was pressed by looking at the information in the run-out portion of the record.
- differences in label design
- colour differences on obis and covers
- stamps on covers and labels
- record prices
- company sleeve designs
- free gifts and special offers
- Victor and RCA promo records
and many more
'From Memphis to Tokyo' is a hardcover, almost LP-size book, weighing in at no less than 4 kilos, that will answer almost everything you ever wanted to know about Elvis’ Japanese vinyl. Preorders came with free bonus 45 Rpm single.
Publicity stated: We’re always trying to give you more, so we hope this new release will be a really great update to your Elvis’ live show collection. To create another Special Collector’s Edition the 500 copies will be presented in 5 different vinyl color variations - black, blue, red, green and pink colored vinyl - all colors limited to 100 copies each, hand numbered with glossy stickers, 30 x 30 CM glossy art cards.
November 25 - Charts November 2023 - Week 3 - Updated
In the United Kingdom the 'ELVIS' soundtrack makes a re-entry on the charts.
In the United States Elvis dropped off the main Billboard Top 200 Album chart, but made a surprise return to the Country Album chart with the 'Elvis' Golden Records' LP.
In Belgium the public domain release 'Elvis The King' entered the chart.
Other charts will be updated over the weekend when the updates are published on the various chart-websites.
Official U.K. charts:
- Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #68 to #59.
- Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #52 to #51.
- Official Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack #49.
- Official Country Compilations chart: 'From Elvis in Nashville' climbed from #19 to #17.
- Official Blu-ray chart: 'ELVIS' made a re-entry at #36.
- Official DVD chart: 'ELVIS' climbed from #34 to #22.
- Official Video Chart Top 100: 'ELVIS' climbed from #40 to #30.
- Official Films On Disc chart: 'ELVIS' climbed from #26 to #21.
- Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' makes a re-entry at #42.
- Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #31 to #47.
- Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'Elvis' Golden Records' makes a re-entry at #50.
- Billboard Top Holiday Album chart: 'The Classic Christmas Album' remained steady at #16.
- Official Irish Album chart: 'ELV1S 30#1 Hits' climbed from #95 to #72.
- Official Irish Video chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #20 to #23.
- UltraTop Album chart (Flanders): 'Elvis The King' new entry at #106.
Friday, November 24, 2023
November 24 - Elvis Video news Report
Emiel Maier published his monthly Elvis Video News report again. The December 2023 edition looks back on the main news of November 2023 and more with attention for the growing concern and about the controversy the Priscilla movie generates, an inside look at the Elvis Exhibition in London, the 'Christmas at Graceland' Television Special, Elvis on Forbes' list of "Highest Paid Dead Celebrities" and much more.
November 23 - Another Biography
- What pivotal junctures in Elvis's early years shaped his musical evolution?
- How did Elvis navigate fame, personal relationships, and societal expectations?
- What revelations do intimate interviews and archival materials unveil about the private facets of Elvis's life and artistic process?
- In what ways did Elvis's influence permeate cultural expressions, extending beyond music to impact fashion, cinema, and societal norms?
- Uncover the layers of Elvis's humanity through personal anecdotes, offering profound insights into the man behind the legend.
- Illuminate the artistic alchemy that produced Elvis's timeless music, unraveling complexities through meticulously preserved archival insights.
- Engage with the visual aesthetics that encapsulated Elvis's public persona, contributing to a cultural legacy beyond musical boundaries.
- Curious to unveil the mysteries of Elvis Presley's life?
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
November 22 - Running For the Joan Deary Tapes
Monday, November 20, 2023
November 20 - An Inside Look at Elvis and the Colonel
Publicity stated: A fresh biography of legendary entertainment manager Colonel Tom Parker, with a contrarian and corrective point of view.
Colonel Tom Parker, often reviled in his time, led the strategy from the earliest days of Elvis's career. Together, they built the most legendary partnership in show business. For the first time, Colonel Parker's story is told by an insider, Greg McDonald, who worked under Parker for years. Never-before-heard stories of Parker's collaboration with Elvis reveal the man behind the legend and the strategies that made Elvis a commercial groundbreaker.
Ingrained lore has it that Parker took advantage of "poor country boy" Elvis to sign the singer who became "The King". But Elvis and the Colonel shows that Elvis was not foolish when it came to business arrangements.
This book is full of stories of innovations Parker made with his star client, including the ingenious merchandising (eg, selling both "I love Elvis" and "I hate Elvis" buttons), licensing and branding, from suits to toys, ashtrays to guitars, establishing The King as an artist-in-residence in Las Vegas and creating televised concert events, like Elvis' Christmas special.
Many of the practices Parker established are still deployed today by most major agencies. Parker's experience as a carny and an immigrant shaped his management style when he was at his peak, showing how he adapted big top practices to the big time. The heart of Elvis and the Colonel is the long, strong, warm and complex relationship between two iconic men.
(Source: Facebook Elvis Book Discussion Group / Amazon)
Review Elvis January 1957 and March 1958
Design
Both paperback books are around 200 pages, primarily filled with photographs (some colorized, some screengrabs) with additional texts explaining the events we see and several old newspaper and magazine content. Bélard chooses to add all the photos he has for a certain event or date. This means that next to images we already know, we also get many additional ones we’re not that familiar with.
The images are primarily sourced from the world wide web and vary In quality. This is in part due to the day-by-day format Bélard uses, the images have to fit the date at hand. As the author choose to do a 200-page book, we get a lot of full-page images, which doesn’t always work with the quality of the source-material.
I would present the photos and other illustrations on a smaller size. By stretching the period the book covers, the author can continue the format and sizes of his book series.
Content - Elvis January 6, 1957
The book focusses on January 6th 1957, a busy day for Elvis and pretty much everything he did that day is well known to fans. Some events still resonate today.
First on the agenda were photoshoots for the March of Dimes campaign with Joanne Wilson, New York City’s March of Dimes Poster Girl of 1956, followed by a spot for the Cancer Society.
After that we get to the main subject of the book, his third and final appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. For this final appearance Elvis was only shown “from the waist up” for his performances of ‘Hound Dog’, ‘Don’t Be Cruel’, ‘Too Much’ and ‘When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again’. The only exception was made for ‘Peace in the Valley’.
Sullivan described the censorship as a compromise to keep Presley’s young fans happy, while appeasing the parents and clergymen who labeled Presley’s dance movements as “unfavorable”, to put it mildly. But the result of this compromise was that it actually boosted Elvis’ cool, dangerous, rebellious - truly, a rock ‘n’ roll - reputation.66 years later, we’re still talking about that rebellious Elvis’ on the Ed Sullivan Show.
What also still resonates today is Russia’s aggression in Eastern Europe. During the show Ed Sullivan requested on Elvis’ behalf that the audience send donations to ease the plight of the thousands of Hungarians fleeing the Soviet Union invasion of their country.
Closing the show Sullivan complimented Elvis. Even if he had filmed him “from the waist up”, this endorsement was important for Elvis as it made him (more) acceptable for parents who were worried of his influence on their kids. Elvis’ final performance on The Ed Sullivan Show was a last stepping stone on The King’s path to worldwide fame.
This book by Paul Bélard captures it all in pictures, text and relevant newspaper and magazine clippings. Another complete time-capsule.
Content - Elvis March 14 to 31, 1958
Where the previous book brought is the launch of Elvis career, the book ‘Elvis March 14 to 31, 1958’ covers the “hand-brake” halting that rocket on his way to “where no pop star had gone before”, with his induction into the U.S. Army on March 24, 1958.
The book takes us through the days before his induction and the induction itself before Elvis was send to Fort Hood, to serve with the Second Armored Division “Hell on Wheels”.
We see Elvis riding on his motorcycle around Memphis, spending time with his girlfriend Anita Wood - they surely were a good looking couple, what if … - and saying goodbye to friends and fans. Especially for his mother Gladys, these were very sad days, she had to say goodbye to her only son.
In between the pictures Bélard makes some interesting observations for the reader. He noted: “Elvis becoming the most famous Private of the United States Army was anything but a private affair. Cameramen, photographers, and reporters followed every phase of his processing. So many pictures were taken during those days that, put all together frame by frame, one could follow Elvis’ progress almost by the minute.
It is funny to see Elvis shaking hands with Sergeant Walter Alden, the father of his last girlfriend Ginger Alden. Elvis is sworn in by Major Elbert P. Turner before he and the other recruits leave on a bus headed for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.
“I, Elvis Presley, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to all regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So, help me God.”
“Congratulations, you are now in the Army. You are all Privates. That’ is the way you will be addressed from now on. Private Presley, you will be in charge of the group.”
Here Elvis no longer belongs to his family and friends, the U.S. Army owns him now; a fresh haircut - one that made headlines around the world - confirmed this. On their way some last fans get to say goodbye to Elvis during a stopover.
It is amazing to see how many pictures Bélard found and put at the right spot on the Elvis time-line. And although some of them are just snapshots by fans and journalists following every step the new G.I. makes, some are simply gorgeous!
Conclusion
Paul Bélard published two new interesting books, illustrating the Elvis Presley time-line yet again in more detail. These books can’t be compared to the books put out by Erik Lorenzen, Pal Granlund or the late Ger Rijff, but they sell between US$50-60, sometimes less with discount on Amazon, and they fill a gap in the Elvis library documenting Elvis Presley’s history day-by-day, month-by-month and year-by-year.
The books are available on Amazon. For a signed and numbered copy, the author can be contacted at pbelard@hotmail.com