Sony released a second preview of the upcoming 'Memphis' box set, the undubbed version of 'In The Ghetto' in a new mix by Matt Ross-Spang.
Long Beach Rehearsal and Studio Sessions
The Paradise Road import record label announced the release of the 2-CD-set 'Long Beach, California' featuring two live shows, recorded live at the Long Beach Arena, November 14 and 15, 1972. Also announced was the double CD 'Always On My Mind - Elvis March / April 1972 Rehearsal and Studio Sessions'.
Both shows are good sounding audience recordings, but especially the sound of the November 15, 1972 show is very clear. This is the best show of the two and what makes this show extra special is that Elvis' daughter is attending an Elvis show for the first time! It is clear that Elvis is proud that Lisa is present at this show. On this day he also gives her a concert scarf signed with a special message. You'll find a photo of this scarf inside the 12-page CD booklet.
As a special bonus we've included the presentation of the USS Potomac to Danny Thomas, a recording from February 14, 1964 - now in upgraded sound quality.
This double album is a great document from Elvis in Long Beach, including great live songs like 'One Night, 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me', 'Little Sister / Get Back', 'The Wonder Of You', and many others. Two complete shows, 58 tracks, including some pre-show recordings and fan comments from the November 15, 1972 show.
CD 1 - Recorded at the Long Beach Arena, Long Beach CA. November 14 1972 (8:30 pm): Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Elvis Talks - Until It’s Time For You To Go - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - Polk Salad Annie - Love Me - All Shook Up - Heartbreak Hotel - Blue Suede Shoes - One Night - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Hound Dog - Love Me Tender - Little Sister / Get Back - How Great Thou Art - Suspicious Minds - Band introductions - Burning Love - Funny How Time Slips Away - You Gave Me A Mountain - Fever - A Big Hunk O’ Love - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp.
Bonus: Presentation Of The USS Potomac To Danny Thomas (14.02.1964)
CD 2: Recorded at the Long Beach Arena, Long Beach CA. November 15 1972 (8:30 pm): Announcer - Warming Up Music - Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Elvis Talks - Until It’s Time For You To Go - You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me - Polk Salad Annie - Musical intermezzo / Elvis Talks - Love Me - All Shook Up - Heartbreak Hotel - Blue Suede Shoes - The Wonder Of You - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Little Sister / Get Back - Hound Dog - I’ll Remember You - How Great Thou Art - Suspicious Minds - Band Introductions - Burning Love - Fever - Elvis Talks About HIs Daughter Lisa Marie - You Gave Me A Mountain - Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp - Announcer - Spectators Reaction.
Sold!
Elvis Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes" have sold for more than US$150,000, slightly below the auction house estimate between $126,000 and $151,000.. The iconic item from the King of Rock 'n' Roll's wardrobe was bought by an American collector based in California as part of an auction by Henry Aldridge and Son.
"The price for me reflects the importance of such an iconic object," auctioneer Andrew Aldridge told CBS News. "When you think of Elvis, you probably think of upturned collars, Las Vegas and blue suede shoes."
Presley bought the famous footwear soon after the release of his cover of 'Blue Suede Shoes' which was originally by Carl Perkins. He donned the famed footwear throughout the 1950s, including during that infamous performance when he sang “Hound Dog” to an actual hound dog on early television.
“They are as iconic as they can be,” said the auctioneer Andrew Aldridge of Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire, England. “Blue suede shoes, hound dogs, these are things that you think of immediately when you talk about Elvis Presley, they almost transcend popular culture”.
Nearly 50 years after his death, the King of Rock 'n' Roll still looms large as one of the Greatest Artist of All Time. The sale of the shoes "reflects the iconic nature and the enduring fascination in Elvis", said Aldridge.
Always On My Mind
On this album you'll find rehearsals from March 30, 31 and April 5 1972. Many of these rehearsals have now been officially released, but not all of them. This release is a collection of officially unreleased songs from these rehearsals as well as various uncut versions where you'll hear just a little more of what happens before and after the song.
CD 1: Burning Love (Rehearsal 1) - Burning Love (Rehearsal 2) - Burning Love (Rehearsal 3) - Sweet, Sweet Spirit (Few Lines) - Time Has Made A Change In Me - I Should Have Been Crucified - The Lighthouse - Steal Away / When It’s My Time - Sweet, Sweet Spirit - For The Good Times (Rehearsal 2) - For The Good Times (Rehearsal 4) / Anytime You’re Feeling Lonely (1 Line) - I Need Your Lovin’ (Part) / A Big Hunk O'Love (Part) - Rehearsing - Studio Talk / I’m Leavin’ (Part) - Warming Up - Burning Love - Funny How Time Slips Away (Unedited) - Studio Talk / For The Good Times - The Lighthouse (Part) - I, John - I Need Your Lovin' (Part) / Talking - For The Good Times / Baby What You Want Me To Do (Part) - How The Web Was Woven (Part) - Separate Ways
CD 2: A Big Hunk O'Love (Unedited Rehearsal) - You Gave Me A Mountain / Studio Talk - Always On My Mind (Unedited Rehearsal) - Always On My Mind (Unedited Overdubbed Master) - Fool (Unedited Overdubbed Master) - It’s A Matter Of Time (Unedited Overdubbed Master) - Burning Love (Take 5) - Burning Love (Take 6) - For The Good Times (Undubbed Master) - Always On My Mind (Undubbed Master) - Burning Love (Undubbed Unedited Master) - Fool (Undubbed Master) - Always On My Mind (Unedited Take 3) - Separate Ways (Unedited Overdubbed Master)
All tracks recorded in March and April 1972.
Elvis July News Report
Emiel Maier published his July 2024 Elvis Video News Report video with news on the upcoming ‘Elvis Memphis’ 5-CD box set, Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis concert film, Lisa Marie's upcoming book, a closer look at FTD’s new ‘Celluloid Sell Out’ book and much more news items.
Virtual Update
From a press release from Elvis Evolution: Layered Reality, creators of the forthcoming immersive experience ‘Elvis Evolution’, sign strategic partnership with Technicolor Group, home of The Mill Technicolor Group’s The Mill will first be tasked to create the most realistic and authentic Elvis using AI.
The agreement will see The Mill partner on multiple projects with Layered Reality, including using AI technology to create the most realistic and authentic version of Elvis, led by Layered Reality’s newly expanded in-house studio team. Layered Reality Studios has recently welcomed world-class talent to bring back the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Simon Reveley, Head of Layered Reality Studio says “The Mill has a history of being pioneers, innovators and world class artists. We’re thrilled to work with them, utilising the latest in Artificial Intelligence to deliver more for our audiences. The integration of AI into The Mill’s arsenal of world class VFX tools, in the hands of their global network of award-winning artists, will help us deliver truly magical moments; the kind of moments that take your breath away.”
Mark Benson, President, The Mill says “We are very excited about the potential for our partnership with Layered Reality and helping to put Elvis back in the building. We are tasked with bringing Elvis back digitally by collecting and ingesting images and film archive clips to train AI models on Elvis’s face so we can recreate famous Elvis live performances. The Mill’s outstanding creative and tech talent will once again push the boundaries of what is possible, to deliver an extraordinary, authentic and thrilling theatrical event.”
In January this year Layered Reality announced they had secured the global licensing rights to create ‘Elvis Evolution’ from the owners of Elvis’ estate Authentic Brands Group. The immersive experience will bring the global musical icon back through the power of AI, augmented reality, live theatre and multi-sensory effects in a celebration of his life and legacy. Tickets go on sale later this year and ‘Elvis Evolution’ is due to open in Spring 2025.
Andrew McGuinness, Founder and CEO of Layered Reality says “Securing the best talent and partners is crucial for us to deliver outstanding immersive experiences. The Mill has an unrivaled pedigree in creating extraordinary digital effects spanning back to one of the earliest examples of icon replacement which won them a BAFTA for their work on Gladiator, our talented new in-house team, means we are confident of delivering a superlative immersive experience for Elvis fans everywhere.”
Background Information 'Memphis' Box-set
Memphis is a comprehensive collection that takes listeners through the many recordings Elvis had done while in Memphis - from his songs at SUN Records, to his American Studio and Stax sessions, through to his 1974 hometown show and finally, his last recordings in Graceland.
With the exception of the Sun recordings, all tracks on ‘Memphis’ were newly mixed by four-time Gramma-winner Matt Ross-Spang at Southern Grooves in Memphis, with overdubs stripped away - leaving the listener with only what Elvis heard live in the studio. With this intimacy, new revelations abound - from Elvis’ intuitive chemistry with “The Memphis Boys” at American, to the subtle way he builds his vocal phrasing around his backing singers in the Stax sessions, or the palpable joy he brings to his final sessions in the Jungle Room. Through it all, the listener is standing next to Elvis - hearing exactly what he is hearing.
This 5-CD collection of Elvis’ songs over the years features 111 tracks, 88 of which are newly mixed versions of the select recordings, pure and without overdubs. More information on this 111-track set when available.
The set is available on CD from >>> Amazon.
The set is available on LP from >>> Amazon.
(Associate links).
CD 1: That's All Right - 2 Blue Moon Of Kentucky - I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine - Good Rockin' Tonight - Milkcow Blues Boogie - You're A Heartbreaker - Baby, Let's Play House - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone - I Forgot To Remember To Forge - Mystery Train - I Love You Because - Just Because - Trying To Get To You - I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin') - Blue Moon (Take 9/M) - Harbor Lights - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (Slow Version) - When It Rains, It Really Pours - Tomorrow Night - My Happiness - That's When Your Heartaches Begin - I'll Never Stand In Your Way - It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You.
CD 2: In The Ghetto - Suspicious Minds - Don't Cry Daddy - Kentucky Rain - Mama Liked The Roses - Do You Know Who I Am - You'll Think of Me - True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - Long Black Limousine - After Loving You - I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - From A Jack To A King - Without Love (There Is Nothing) - Medley: It's My Way / This Time / I Can't Stop Loving You - It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin' - I'm Movin' On - Power Of My Love - Stranger In My Own Home Town - Wearin' That Loved On Look - Any Day Now - Only The Strong Survive - Gentle On My Mind - The Fair's Moving On - Hey Jude.
CD 3: Promised Land - Raised On Rock - I've Got A Thing About You Baby - If You Talk In Your Sleep - My Boy - Spanish Eyes - Help Me - I Got A Feelin' In My Body - It's Midnight - Find Out What's Happening - If You Don't Come Back - For Ol' Times Sake - Just A Little Bit - Talk About The Good Times - Loving Arms - You Asked Me To - Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues - Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming - There's A Honky Tonk Angel (Who Will Take Me Back In) - Take Good Care Of Her - She Wears My Ring - If That Isn't Love - Three Corn Patches.
CD 5: Hurt - Never Again - Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain - Danny Boy - The Last Farewell - For The Heart - Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall - Solitaire - Love Coming Down - I'll Never Fall In Love Again - Moody Blue - She Thinks I Still Care - Way Down - He'll Have To Go - Pledging My Love.
Graceland will release an exclusive ruby red colored edition too, limited to 1,000 copies. Publicity for this version stated: This Graceland Exclusive red vinyl 2-LP highlight collection of songs, taken from the comprehensive Memphis release, features newly mixed versions of select recordings, pure and without overdubs. Taking listeners through the many recordings Elvis had done while in Memphis, this 2 LP set collects songs recorded at SUN Records, American Studio and Stax sessions, his 1974 hometown show and his last recordings in Graceland.
The set is available on CD from >>> Amazon.
The set is available on LP from >>> Amazon.
(Associate links).
Side B - American '69: In The Ghetto - You'll Think Of Me - Don´t Cry Daddy - I´m Movin´ On - Any Day Now - Suspicious Minds.
Side D - Graceland '76: For The Heart - Hurt - Way Down - Danny Boy - Moody Blue - How Great Thou Art (20.03.1974 - Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN).
RCA / Legacy released a preview of the new set on YouTube. Losten to 'Polk Salad Annie' (Live at Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN - March 20, 1974).
In the 'Behind The Box' video Matt Ross-Spang, Robert Gordon and Ernst Jørgensen discuss ‘Memphis’ and its significance.
(Source: Sony Music / YouTube / FECC / The Elvis Travel Service / Strictly UK)