May 05 - James Burton Back On Stage and More

It appears that Elvis' former lead guitarist is (almost) back after a period of serious health problems! The Londen Palladium announced the one night only event 'James Burton and Friends' on June 4, 2023. 

Description: “Play it James”. Legendary rock and roll guitarist James Burton, who will be instantly recognisable to Elvis Presley fans around the world, is to make a rare return to London for a special one-night-only concert event.

One of the most recognised musicians to emerge during North America’s burgeoning rock and roll, rockabilly and country music eras, Burton’s name has since been attached to such legendary artists as George Harrison, Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, The Everly Brothers, John Denver, Emmylou Harris, and Merle Haggard, and on 1000s of recordings.  His innovative use of banjo strings on his guitar in the 1950s to bend and stretch notes, coupled with his unique ‘chicken pickin’ playing style revolutionised rock, country and pop guitar and continues to inspire and influence artists across all generations to this day.

He holds a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted by long time fan and friend Keith Richards in 2001, and has also been recognised by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

It should come as little surprise then that Burton’s London appearance on 4 June has drawn the participation of many of his fellow musician and artist admirers from around the world. Joining Burton in this special one-off event are Sir Brian May, Van Morrison, Albert Lee, and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, with more surprise guests to be announced.
Musical Director Leo Green, along with the Leo Green Orchestra – a fantastic ensemble of topflight musicians and singers, form the supporting cast for this unique event.

Gold Record Award

Elvis Presley picked up his 7th British Phonographic Award for 2023 with a Gold Single Award for 'Hound Dog' for selling over 400,000 copies (streams plus digital downloads plus physical sales) since March 6, 2005. 

Hang Loose - Elvis Live From Hawaii

The STAR import record label released the DVD 'Hang Loose - Elvis Live From Hawaii, January 12, 1973'. 

Description: At the start of this year STAR released the now near to sold out "Elvis From Hawaii". The DVD included all available camera angles combined with new sound and is to date the best version out there.

Now the rehearsal concert has been giving the same treatment, with remastered sound and for the first time ever it includes multiple angles of the show. 

Next to the complete live concert it also includes the interview Elvis gave on his arrival on Honolulu to Tom Moffat and some other nice surprises like "The Story behind Burning Love" and clips for "Proud Mary" (Official Clip) "I've Got A Feeling In My Body" (Elvis arrives on Hawaii) and more! 

This region free factory pressed DVD is limited to 500 copies and will most likely sell out before the summer. 

Main Show: Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey) 1:08 / See See Rider 3:01 / Burning Love 3:03 / Something 2:25 / You Gave Me A Mountain 3:18 / Steamroller Blues 3:15 / My Way 4:13 / Love Me 1:43 / It’s Over 2:12 / Blue Suede Shoes 1:23 / I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry 2:08 / Hound Dog 0:59 / What Now My Love 3:18 / Fever 2:35 / Welcome To My World 1:58 / Suspicious Minds 4:00 / Introductions by Elvis 2:24 / I’ll Remember You 2:37 / An American Trilogy 4:26 / A Big Hunk O’ Love 2:44 / Can’t Help Falling In Love 1:41 / Closing Vamp 1:56.

From Memphis To Nashville

The STAR record label also released the Deluxe Digipack 'From Memphis To Nashville - Essential Fifties Splices Volume Two'.
Publicity stated: The series next volume of the fifties, this time songs from 1953 - 1958. It starts off with some Sun recordings and most sound very different than released before. 

The 'Acetate Medley' has been compiled from the first 4 tracks Elvis recorded for private use, "Just listen to his voice ladies and gentlemen". 'Blue Moon of Kentucky' starts off with the slow version and then gets really going once the Master kicks in. 'You're A Hearbreaker' has been edited the intro is different and it really sounds as if we have an Alternate Take.

Just for fun, 'Trying To Get To You' has been sped up and sounds like an attempt Elvis could have done. 'Tomorrow Night' starts of with the original recording and the later 1965 overdubb blends in very nicely, at this moment we leave Memphis and arrive in Nashville. 'I Was the One' has been spliced with all available takes and you can hear Elvis trying out different approaches to the lyrics.

'Ain't That Loving You Baby' was first released in 1985 but here we have the remastered version not released officially yet. Fans of this series know what to expect and will be happy with the new release.

Tracks: That’s All Right - Spliced take 1,2,3,4 / Acetate Medley / Blue Moon of Kentucky - Alternate Master / Harbor Lights - Spliced take 1,5,4,7,7,4 / You’re A Heartbreaker - Alternate Master / I’ll Never Let You Go - Spliced take / I Don’t Care If the Sun Don’t Shine  - Spliced take 2,3,1 / I Love You Because - Spliced take 1,4,2,3,5 / I Forgot to Remember to Forget - Alternate Master / I’m Left, You’re Right, My Baby’s Gone / Blue Moon - Alternate Master / Mystery Train - Alternate Master / Trying To Get To You - Fast version / Tomorrow Night - Spliced Sun - RCA / Heartbreak Hotel - Spliced take 6,5,6,4 / I Was the One - Spliced take  1,2A,3A,3B,UT,2B,7A,7B / I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - Spliced take 15,4 / Ain’t That Loving You Baby - Fast Version Remastered /A Big Hunk O’ Love - Spliced take 1,2,4,3,4,1 / I Got Stung - Spliced take 2,3,8,22.

Elvis Country On Stage
The Meant to be Played import record label released the CD 'Elvis Country On Stage'.

Publicity stated: It's been a long time since their last release, but it was worth the wait! The series delivers discs not for collecting, but (meant to be) playing. Although most die hard fans will have most (all) of the tracks included, it is a very good collection of Country songs done live and one you will be playing more than once.

As a bonus, you get some stage rehearsals from 1973 as well as the last country song Elvis ever performed; 'I Really Don't Want To Know', taken from his last concert. 'Blue Moon of Kentucky' was the first country song Elvis performed live.
The artwork has a nice touch resembling a cool mixture from 'Elvis Country' and 'On Stage' resulting in 'Elvis Country On Stage'.
Tracks: Snowbird - January 29, 1971 (DS) / Blue Moon of Kentucky - October 16, 1954 / A Fool Such As I - March 25, 1961 / I Can’t Stop Loving You - January 27, 1974 / Help Me Make it Through the Night - September 3, 1973 (CS) / Faded Love - May 13, 1973 (MS) / Kentucky Rain - February 23, 1970 (CS) / True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - January 26, 1970 / When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - June 27, 1968 - (8PM) / For the Good Times - August 12, 1972 (MS) / If You Love Me (let me know) - January 10, 1974 / There Goes My Everything - January 27, 1971 (OS) / Fairytale - June 10, 1975 / Don’t Cry Daddy - February 23, 1970 (CS) / Green, Green Grass of Home - March 22, 1975 / Moody Blue - February 21, 1977 / Make the World Go Away - January 27, 1971 (OS) / Let Me Be There - March 1, 1974 / Release Me - June 1, 1975 (AS) / It’s Midnight - March 28, 1974 (MS) / You Gave Me A Mountain - September 6, 1976 / Funny How Time Slips Away - November 11, 1971.

Bonus Tracks: Welcome to My World* / I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry* / Separate Ways* / I Really Don’t Want To Know - June 26, 1977 (* Stage Rehearsals, January 25, 1973).

The Album Mono Masters

The Dutch Elvis Corner Elvis Shop released a give-a-way CD titled 'Blue Hawaii - The Album Mono Masters' as a freebie to customers who buy the FTD 'The Making of Blue Hawaii'. The CD, released on the Radio Recorders record label, comes housed in a paper sleeve.

Tracks: Blue Hawaii - Almost Always True - Aloha Oe - No More - Can't Help Falling In Love - Rock-A-Hula Baby - Moonlight Swim - Ku-U-I-Po - Ito Eats - Slicin' Sand - Hawaiian Sunset - Beach Boy Blues - Island Of Love - Hawaiian Wedding Song - Steppin' Out Of Line.

(Source: James Burton on Facebook / FECC / STAR / Elvis Corner / B.P.I. / Elvis On CD)