Thursday, November 28, 2024

November 28 - Elvis UK - Compact Memorabilia

British authors John Townson and Gordon Minto published ‘Elvis UK - Compact Volume 1 The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British CD Releases 1983-2005‘. This is the first volume of a new physical soft-back trilogy on Elvis Presley’s U.K. CD discography. 

Publicity stated
: This trilogy of books represents the first major attempt by anyone to chronicle in exhaustive and painstaking detail the rise of Elvis’s compact disc releases from 1983 onwards – cross-referenced where appropriate with vinyl versions. And while particularly focused on the UK, there is a huge amount of overlap with other territories which makes it of major interest to Elvis collectors throughout the world. 
 
When first published in digital form, the reviews were outstanding. Here are just a few of the comments received:  I have never seen such a detailed book’ (Bernard Roughton), ‘an amazing piece of work’, (Andy Pendl), ‘an incredible amount of detail’ (Carlos Filgueires), ‘one helluva reference book’ (Bill Bruce), ‘the amount of information is mind-blowing’ (Tony Galvin), ‘absolutely brilliant!’ (Mal Walsh), ‘oozes class, an absolute stunner!’ (Mike Reddy).

Volume 1 of this three-volume, soft-backed set (each volume published in turn over a period of several months – thus spreading the cost) is now available to order for UK£50 per book (which includes p&p costs for U.K. buyers). Please visit the author’s webshop at >>> Elvis UK Books

Apart from minor changes to the layout, the print copy editions contain exactly the same content as the downloadable, digital flip book version (entitled ‘
Elvis UK3 The Ultimate Guide To Elvis Presley’s British CD Releases 1983-2005’), first issued in early 2021. Nothing has been added; nothing omitted.

This will be a limited press run. The second and third volumes of this trilogy will be available in the early part of 2025 as separate releases to ease the cost burden for collectors. 
 
On buying the three volumes, each buyer will be sent a complimentary copy of the 23-track CD entitled ‘Beyond The Legend’, completely free of charge. 


Gold!

The single 'Can't Help Falling In Love' was awarded a Gold Certification by the BVMI for selling over 300,000 copies (physical and streams).

This marks the second certification for Elvis Presley in 2024, the previous award was for the single 'Jailhouse Rock' earlier this month.


Elvis Presley Memorabilia

Lyndell Morris shared the details of the upcoming book 'Elvis Presley Memorabilia: From Private Collections Around The World' he is writing with Stephen M. Shutts. 

Publicity stated: This limited edition collector book will feature several hundred artifacts, including personal items, pre-fame memorabilia, rare merchandise, ephemera and gifted items from Elvis Presley, that cannot be viewed at Graceland or in public museums. 

Elvis, the most recognizable personality in the world, was extremely generous during his lifetime, and as well his name and image generated mass quantities of unique memorabilia that found its way to every corner of the globe. 

'Elvis Presley Memorabilia' will showcase several hundred artifacts attributed to Elvis' iconic career that have never been viewed by the public. Learn how certain items once owned by Elvis made their way into the hands of fans worldwide. What makes Elvis memorabilia sought after, collectible and rare? Edutain yourself with the purchase of this extremely limited edition book. Only 250 collectible copies will be offered to the Elvis collector community. 

Details:
- Authors autographed, large, hardback, full color book in a protective case.
- Included will be unique token artifacts only offered with the limited production of this book.
- One free artifact authentication submission via Elvis Artifacts Authentication Services.

The book should be available Spring 2025.


More Lost Elvis Songwriter Demos

The German Bear Family record label announced the January 2025 release of 'Randy Starr: Presley Style - Lost Elvis Songwriter Demos Vol. 2'.

Publicity stated
: Randy Starr, born in 1930, celebrated his greatest successes as a songwriter with a total of 12 compositions personally selected by Elvis Presley, which became part of the soundtracks of Elvis movies. 

To give Elvis an accurate picture of the songs, Randy Starr produced highly professional recordings in top studios in New York between 1963 and 1968 with hand-picked musicians and often himself as the singer. 

In addition to songs that were written and produced for Elvis movie soundtracks, this CD provides song selections that were suggested to Elvis for recording studio albums in the seventies. 

Bear Family has released 66 of these recordings on two CD albums, 12 of which were recorded by Elvis. This CD contains 31 songs. Once again, Bear Family's focus is on high sound quality. Thus, we have employed an experienced sound engineer to master the original sources. The result is an outstanding sound!

The illustrated and extensive booklet contains detailed liner notes by British Elvis expert and collector Trevor Simpson, based on interviews he conducted with Randy Starr shortly before his death. Read all about a song proposed for the movie 'Girl Happy' and sung in the movie not by Elvis but by Nita Talbot and Shelley Fabares.

Bear Family Records dedicates the Randy Starr CDs to this extraordinary man and expert.

Tracks: Carry Town (Malcolm Dodds) - Roustabout (Malcolm Dodds) - The Road To Anywhere (Malcolm Dodds) - Girl Happy (Malcolm Dodds) - (The) Valley Of Loneliness (Randy Starr) - Frankie And Johnnie (Randy Starr) - You Want What I Want (Malcolm Dodds) - I Could Never Fall In Love (Randy Starr) - You Can't Hate Me For That (Kenny Karen & Jean Fox) - (I Was) Born To Be Free (Malcolm Dodds) - Goodnight Lovers (Kenny Karen) - Could I Fall In Love (Malcolm Dodds) - Old MacDonald (Kenny Karen) - Who Needs Money? (Kenny Karen & Randy Starr) - All It Takes (Kenny Karen) - Runaway Child (Kenny Karen) - If You Stopped Loving Me (Kenny Karen) - Speedway (Kenny Karen) - Hard-Drivin' Man (Randy Starr) - Feelin' Fine (Kenny Karen) - Somethin' Special (Kenny Karen) - (A) Step In The Right Direction (Malcolm Dodds) - Charro! (Kenny Karen - 2nd Version) - Change Of Habbit (Kenny Karen) - People In Love (Kenny Karen) - Singin' The Same Old Song (Kenny Karen) - Love Is The Name Of The Game (Kenny Karen) - There Is Only One You (Sheherazade) (Kenny Karen) - I Still Hear Cathy Crying (Bernie Knee) - When The Cheering Stops (Bernie Knee) - I've Got News For You (Mimi Roman).

(Source: Gordon Minto / Bear Family)