June 06 - The King of Vinyl Bling

Paul Belard published his new 220-page photo-journal titled 'Elvis The King of Bling Vol. 1'. 

Following on from his popular two volumes of 'Elvis The King of the Rings', this new book focuses on Elvis' broader collection of jewelry (bling). 

The book description: "In an article in The New York Times Magazine published on August 8, 2023, titled A Brief History of Bling, the author argued that the story of hip-hop could be told “through the stunning and surreal evolution of the jewelry the artists wear.”

According to him, “The word bling, which entered common parlance at the turn of the century, conjures specific sights: small flotillas of twinkling diamonds, gold layered literally to the teeth, watches so gem-encrusted they barely tick.” He adds that, “One beguiling trick of hip-hop production, whether it’s expensive or ersatz, elegant or gaudy, is to convey musically what jewelry signifies visually.”

It is indeed a brief history of bling because Elvis’ name is not even mentioned! Had the word “bling” been in use in the 20th century, Elvis would have outshone the hip-hop genre. Anyone who has seen some of the bling worn by the rappers can credibly say that, compared to Elvis, they are mere amateurs."

Elvis King of Bling Vol. 1 contains 220 pages and is fully illustrated in color. It is available from Amazon sites.

The book is available from >>> Amazon (affiliate link)

New Vinyl

The Elvis One import record label released three new LPs. On their main label two recent CDs get a vinyl copy; ‘Legendary Elvis’ on Pink Neon colored vinyl and '70... 72... 73... Fragments - The Rehearsal Tapes’ on red colored vinyl. These are the first two vinyl releases from the Elvis One label. 

On their Paradise Road Records sub-label the LP ‘Elvis - From RCA To Stax’ was released on yellow colored vinyl. This album includes recordings from RCA's Studio B in Nashville and the Stax Studio in Memphis. “A very nice 70's vinyl compilation with many outtakes for the first time on vinyl” and "all releases have a limited availability" according to the publicity text.

Tracks Side 1 ‘Legendary’: 

1. Radio spot for April 8, 1956 show Coliseum, Denver, CO.

2. Radio spot for June 3, 1956 show Auditorium Arena, Oakland, CA.

3. (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care Track, master take 16, 05/03/57

4. (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care 1st vocal overdub / vocal only / edited, 05/03/57

5. Treat Me Nice Undubbed movie master, 05/03/57

6. Let Me Track, master take 2, 09/04/56

7. Let Me Take 3 / vocal only, 09/05/56

8. We’re Gonna Move Backup vocal overdubs, 08/24/56

9. Shake, Rattle And Roll Edited undubbed master, 02/03/56

10. Ron Ross WOWO radio interview 11/22/56

11. Lover Doll Solo version / EP master, 01/16/58

Side 2:

1. Steadfast, Loyal And True Solo version, 02/11/58

2. Steadfast, Loyal And True Overdubbed, 06/19/58

3. Doncha’ Think It’s Time Single master, 02/01/58

4. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck Undubbed master, 02/01/58

5. Is It So Strange Undubbed master / mono, 01/19/57

6. Is It So Strange Repair / backup vocal overdub, 01/19/57

7. Love Me Tender radio spot #1

8. Love Me Tender radio spot #2

9. Love Me Tender radio spot #3

10. Love Me Tender radio spot #4

11. Love Me Tender radio spot #5

12. Love Me Tender radio spot #6

13. Love Me Tender radio spot #7

14. King Creole radio spot #1

15. King Creole radio spot #2

16. King Creole radio spot #3

17. King Creole “Teenage” radio spot

18. King Creole “Star Dramatic” radio spot

19. WBAP interview, Fort Worth, TX. 01/11/58

Side 1: 1/2/4/6-10 and Side 2: 5/7-19 previously unreleased by Elvis’ record company. Most tracks for the first time on vinyl. 

Tracks Side A  '70... 72... 73... Fragments - The Rehearsal Tapes’: Big Hunk O’ Love - I’m Leaving It All Up To You - Faded Love - Oh Happy Day (Ending Only) * - (Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I - Froggy Went A-Courtin’ (Unedited) * - Such A Night * - Johnny B. Goode - The Lord’s Prayer (Unedited) * - Burning Love (Ending Only) - I’ve Got To Go * - Blueberry Hill

Side B: I’ve Got To Go - Portrait Of My Love * - “Roll Out The Barrel” * - Something - Blue Suede Shoes - Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On - Polk Salad Annie (#1 - Unedited) * - I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry - Burning Love - Talking / Oh Happy Day (One Line) *

* Previously unreleased by Elvis’ record company. Most tracks for the first time on vinyl. 

Tracks Side A Elvis – From RCA to STAX: Padre (Take 9) - Stranger IN The Crowd (Rehearsal / Take 7) - Life - (Rehearsal / Take 1) - Heart Of Rome (Overdub, Take 3) - Heart Of Rome (Overdub, Work Part Take 1) - Sylvia (Take 5 & 6) - Make The World Go Away (Overdub, Work Part Take 1) - Tomorrow Never Comes (Take 13 / Ending Only) - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Duet With Ginger Holladay) - Sylvia (Take 7)

Side B: Life (Take 17) - Life (Take 18 & 19) - If I Get Home On Christmas Day (Take 6) - If I Get Home On Christmas Day (Take 7) - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Duet With Temple Riser) - I Got A Feeling In My Body (Rehearsal) - If You Don´t Come Back (Take 4) - There´s A Honky Tonk Angel (Take 2) - Promised Land (Take 1)Padre (Take 9)

(Source: Nigel Patterson / FECC / Pascal Matteo)