September 01 - ELVIS UK 78 Released

Authors John Townson and Gordon Minto published their 228-page book 'ELVIS UK 78 r.p.m. The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British 78s 1956-1960'. 

 

Publicity stated: This soft-backed, newly-written, 228-page book, follows on from our highly successful previous publications in the 'Elvis UK' series, each of them acclaimed and much sought-after by collectors, and provides the ultimate guide to Elvis’s 78 RPM releases issued in the U.K. between 1956-1960.  
 
This new volume re-examines in scrupulous detail - and extends considerably - information relating to 78rpm releases included in our original book 'Elvis UK', published in 1987.
 
It includes a history of both the HMV and RCA releases, and also provides a context for the 1950s pop scene. The book details the history of 78 RPM releases in the U.K. generally, their popularity and importance as well as chronicling their subsequent (and rapid) fall from favor.

The book discusses each 78rpm release individually, offering a detailed and forensic commentary on every release, while the extensive text is amply illustrated with scans of every known label and sleeve variation, relevant photographs, and scans of contemporaneous newspaper and magazine articles and adverts. It is extensively illustrated in full colour throughout, including a variety of images of Elvis himself and much more. 

The book is available exclusively from the author's >>> Elvis UK Books webshop for just UKP 30. 

Golden Boy Elvis

The 3rd Golden Boy Elvis magazine for 2024 will be out mid-September. This edition contains in-depth reviews of the FTD 5-CD-set 'Guitar Man', SONY's 5-CD-set 'Memphis' and the 'Memphis Blues' box from the German Bear Family. 

In the series "Authentic Elvis – The Story of a Style Icon," continues with its fifth installment. 

The vinyl lovers will get their money's worth with 'The Elvis Records from Europe', which not only provides detailed descriptions of Elvis releases on but also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the "record network". The 'Rillen Revue Remake,' series continues with the single "I Got Lucky / Girls! Girls! Girls!'. And much more. 

For more information, visit the >>> Golden Boy Elvis website. 

Colored Vinyl

The DOL budget record label re-issued Elvis debut album on green colored vinyl and the 'Blue Hawaii' soundtrack on blue colored vinyl. 

Description on 'Elvis': It's hard to find a more iconic album. This is Elvis Presley's first album and already one of the first albums in the history of rock (before, the genre was mainly consumed through singles). The album cover says it all about Elvis (the beauty, the energy) and would later be frequently imitated. 

For the future "King," it marks the turning point between his rockabilly beginnings at Sun Records and a new life as a living legend. The tracklisting captures this moment: you hear songs recorded over the span of a year, first at Sun Records, then for RCA, his new label. There's no real artistic coherence, but genius is everywhere, from the stripped-down ballads ("Blue Moon"), rock reminiscent of his Sun Records days ("Blue Suede Shoes"), to barely whitewashed rhythm 'n' blues ("Money Honey") ... Plus, this reissue includes the masterpiece "Heartbreak Hotel," which wasn’t on the original 1956 album.

Publicity for 'Blue Hawaii' stated: Between 1956 and 1969, Elvis appeared in no fewer than thirty films. Despite their varying quality, often leaning toward B-movies, some stood out, like *Blue Hawaii*. In the film, the singer plays a young heartthrob who, after returning from military service, wants to escape the family business he’s expected to take over. 

The movie’s soundtrack lives up to the hype. The ballads are to die for: 'Blue Hawaii', 'Hawaiian Sunset', and especially the timeless 'Can’t Help Falling in Love'; sweet pop gems like 'Moonlight Swim'; Rock 'n' Roll with 'Almost Always True' or 'Rock-A-Hula Baby'. All set against a backdrop of warm sand, rolling waves, and swaying palm trees. The result? Over five months at the top of the U.S. Billboard charts, and a prime spot on any respectable summer music playlist.

(Sources: Gordon Minto / Golden Boy Elvis)