Design
The covers of the Extended Plays are true reproductions of the originals, up to the RCA logo and absence of references to the V.P.I. record label itself. The labels on the discs – available on black, transparent, red, yellow, orange and blue-green colored vinyl, each color limited to 200 copies each – have an original look, but differ from the originals. The design of the Christmas EP almost mimics the first ‘Elvis Golden Hits’ LP, but with a Holiday twist, until now I never noticed that.
Le Cavalier Du Crépuscule
‘Le Cavalier Du Crépuscule’ was originally released in 1956 in France, with various re-issues in the fifties and sixties and now even into the 21st. century. The French EP contains the same 4 songs as its American counterpart.
The four songs were recorded at Fox Stage One in Hollywood, at three sessions on August 24, September 4, and October 1, 1956. The title song was released as a single in the U.S. on September 14, 1956, and went to No. 1 on the singles chart. The EP version entered both the album and singles charts with sales of over 600,000 copies.
With ‘Love me Tender’, the title song from his first movie, Elvis probably hit bull’s eye with the ladies young and old, making a cross-over to the parents of the kids who until then were the ones buying his records. Adding the country themed songs, he may have lured in their husbands in too.
I must say, playing this song from an old-school 45 RPM single does add something to the experience of Elvis’ music.
Noel Avec Elvis
The second single in this batch is the Christmas EP ‘Noel Avec Elvis’. This EP was first released in 1961 with several re-releases into the sixties. And here I am, playing a new colorful version in March 2024, sixty years later. A classic indeed!
The timing of the release of this 45 RPM may be a bit off in March, but to my surprise I enjoyed playing these seasonal songs this time of the year. Perhaps that is just proof of the quality of the recordings made by Elvis.
Listen to his interpretation of ‘White Christmas’, sorry Irving Berlin, you were so wrong trying to have the song, and the entire album, banned from radio airplay! Or Elvis singing of hope and faith on ‘I Believe’, still sounding powerful and relevant today! And of course ‘Blue Christmas’, with Millie Kirkham lending her signature soprano vocals to this classic.
I’m sure I’ll give this Extended Play at the end of the year.
Conclusion
Again, two fun novelty records from France, fun to add to the collection as a colorful alternative for the originals.
The singles >>> 'Le Cavalier Du Crépuscule' and >>> 'Noël Avec Elvis' are available from the Culture Factory website.