October 12 - Kissin' Cousins From New Zealand

Due for release from an unknown record label are Limited Edition colored vinyl re-issues of the New Zealand Christmas EP's volumes 1 and 2 as first released in 1957.

Publicity stated: Although in small amounts, New Zealand did their own exclusive cover of the 1957 Christmas album and for approx. 4 years in a row used the same cover. They never released a Christmas LP until the mid 60's, when all they did was copy the USA sleeves. Why on earth did they not release theirs using their original sleeve? 

Well, here is what could have been, using just the eight Christmas songs in pristine sound and true Mono.  

Volume 1 - Side A: Santa Claus Is Back In Town - Here Comes Santa Claus.
Side B: White Christmas - I'll Be Home For Christmas.

Volume 2 - Side A: White Christmas  - I'll Be Home For Christmas.

Side B: Blue Christmas - Silent Night.

Kissin' Cousins 60th Anniversary Edition 

 

The Infinity import record label released the follow up to the 'Roustabout - 60th Anniversary' CD: 'Kissin' Cousins - 60th Anniversary Edition'. 

Publicity stated: At Infinity Records, we are proud to present a limited 2-CD edition of the 'Kissin' Cousins' soundtrack to celebrate the incredible talent involved in these sessions. Often overlooked, the music features members of the legendary Nashville A-Team, along with long-time contributors to Elvis's sound, including Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, and the sensational Boots Randolph.

These discs contain rare, previously unreleased RCA masters in both stereo and mono, making them a must-hear for fans! The sound quality is exceptional, prompting curiosity as to why these tracks were discarded. Don’t miss the stunning 'Anyone (Could Fall in Love With You)' and the lively 'Smoky Mountain Boy', among other highlights. 

Additionally, we've included a selection of movie outtakes featuring rare and unreleased movie masters sourced from acetate and "track" recordings intended for Elvis's vocal overdubs. This collection showcases the extraordinary work of the musicians, along with a demo of 'Kissin' Cousins' by Malcolm Dodd, complemented by the session of 'Echoes of Love'.

Despite a dip in material quality, 'Kissin' Cousins', still achieved a respectable No. 11 spot on the Variety National Box Office Chart, while its soundtrack reached No. 6 on the Billboard Top LPs Chart.

CD 1: Kissin' Cousins (No. 2) - Smokey Mountain Boy - There's Gold In The Mountains - One Boy, Two Little Girls - Catchin' On Fast - Tender Feeling - Anyone (Could Fall In Love With You) - Barefoot Ballad -  Once Is Enough - Kissin' Cousins - Echoes Of Love - (It's A) Long Lonely Highway - Kissin' Cousins (Hillbilly Vocal Overdub) -  Catchin' On Fast (Unedited Master) - Kissin' Cousins (Regular Vocal Overdub) - (It's A) Long Lonely Highway (Take 1, Single Master) - There's Gold In The Mountains (Track, Take 1 - 2) - Echoes Of Love (Take 1) - Kissin' Cousins (End Title - Movie Master) - Barefoot Ballad (Movie Master) - Once Is Enough (Movie Master) - Smokey Mountain Boy (Movie Master) - There's Gold In The Mountains (Movie Master)

CD 2: Tender Feeling (Vocal Overdub, Take 1) - One Boy, Two Little Girls (Track, Take 2) - Echoes Of Love (Take 2, 3) - Once Is Enough (Track, Take 1) - Echoes Of Love (Take 4 - 7) - Echoes Of Love (Take 8, Alternate Master) - Tender Feeling (Track, Take 1) - Kissin' Cousins (Unedited Master) - Echoes Of Love (Take 9) - Kissin' Cousins (No. 2, Track, Take 1) - Pappy, Won't You Please Come Home (Sung By Dolores Edgin) - Anyone Could Fall In Love With You (Track, Take 4) - Kissin' Cousins (No. 2) - Smokey Mountain Boy - There's Gold In The Mountains - One Boy, Two Little Girls - Catchin' On Fast - Tender Feeling - Anyone (Could Fall In Love With You) - Barefoot Ballad - Once Is Enough - Kissin' Cousins - Echoes Of Love - (It's A) Long Lonely Highway - Kissin' Cousins (Demo by Michael Dodd)

(Source: Chris Giles / Pascal Matteo)