May 28 - Atomic Powered Notebook

John Heath (from the EAP Society) started an online notebook for analysis and appreciation of the music of the Atomic Age (and beyond) titled 'Atomic Wax'. 

Publicity for the first one-hour show stated:  In this episode of Atomic Wax, we look at the evidence surrounding the recording of Elvis Presley's first personal demo for the Memphis Recording Service, 'My Happiness', explode most of the popular theories about when it was recorded, and try to use context clues to discover the REAL recording date.  What we find is surprising!  

Also, be sure to keep an eye on the EAP Society channel for an upcoming follow up video where Jamie Kelley and I discuss what happened to the 'My Happiness' acetate after Elvis walked out of the studio with it - it's a story with a lot of mystery!

(Source: John Heath)

May 25 - Elvis - From Memphis to Hollywood to Update

Danish author Stig Ulrichsen announced the Fall 2025 release of a third, updated version of Alanna Nash and Alan Fortas' book 'Elvis - From Memphis to Hollywood', which was originally released in 1992 and republished in 2008. 

Ulrichsen posted on Facebook: I am extremely happy and proud to share that I have just signed a book publishing contract with my good friend, award-winning author and journalist Alanna Nash and Miles Fortas - son of Alan Fortas, who was a good friend of Elvis Presley and worked closely with him for 12 years.

In the fall of 2025, our new and updated version of the long-awaited book "Elvis - From Memphis to Hollywood" will be published by my publisher Nunatak, originally written by Alanna and based on Alan Fortas' own experiences.

The original edition is almost impossible to reproduce today - and it is priced at around US$130, if you are lucky. Therefore, it is a great honor to bring this great story back to Elvis fans all over the world.

Look forward to an exciting reissue filled with photos, updated stories and a love for music history that only a few like Alanna can convey.

Alanna has received numerous awards for her work, including the CMA Media Achievement Award, Belmont Book Award, and the Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism. She is one of the most respected writers in the field of music journalism, so it is a special honor to work with her on this reissue. More information coming soon - stay tuned!

(Source: Anthony Stuchbury)

May 24 - Charts May 2025 - Week 4 (Updated)

Elvis' presence on the U.K. charts stalled this week. 

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation lost the one spot it had won last week on the Official Album chart, dropping to No. 62 again. while the album remained steady at No. 50 on the Streaming Album chart. 

The 'Elvis at the Movies' DVD set fell off the Music Video chart. 

(Source: Billboard / Official Chart Company / UK Mix Forum) 

May 24 - Congratulations

Priscilla Presley celebrates her 80th birthday today, congratulations!

Her granddaughter Riley Keough posted: "HBD queen" she wrote alongside a vintage photo of her grandmother in the 1960s posing in the driver’s seat of a car.

In four months Priscilla will publish her second memoir 'Softly, As I Leave You', covering the years after het divorce from Elvis Presley. 

Publicity states: The long-awaited memoir by Priscilla Presley chronicling her difficult, inspiring journey beyond the walls of Graceland and behind the elegant image the world sees.

Priscilla Presley's divorce from Elvis left his fans incredulous. How could she leave the man every woman wanted? From the outside, life in Elvis's mansion looked glamorous and enviable, and in many respects, it was. But inside the mansion, her husband was constantly surrounded by a male entourage while at the gates, lines of beautiful women waited hopefully for an audience with the King. From the time she was seventeen years-old, that life was all Priscilla had known. During her ten years with Elvis, it became painfully apparent that she had no idea who she was outside Elvis's world. The only way to find herself was to leave that world and seek a new life of her own, because leaving was the only way to survive, for herself and for her daughter.

'Softly, As I Leave You', is the deeply personal story of what Priscilla lost and what she found when she walked away from the man she loved. Despite the legal separation, their love for one another transformed into a touching and tender dynamic that endured until Elvis's untimely death four years later. Shattered by Elvis's passing, she had to reinvent herself a second time as the single mother of a talented, often headstrong daughter who never really recovered from her father's death. Priscilla's dedication to motherhood was enriched by the birth of her second child, and she gradually found her footing as a businesswoman, actress, designer, and legislative advocate. She transformed Graceland into an international destination and helped guide the development of Elvis Presley Enterprises. But the unexpected, shattering loss of three immediate family members years later brought Priscilla to her knees. She shares her journey with a quiet dignity that will comfort and reassure anyone who has suffered - and survived - seemingly unbearable loss.

A passionate, compassionate, and inspiring story of finding your place in the world, 'Softly, As I Leave You', is a sweet Southern melody that will take the reader with Priscilla on her long road home.

The book is available for pre-order from >>> Amazon (associate link).

May 23 - Alien at Graceland

Stitch, the co-star of 'Lilo and Stitch' visited Graceland earlier today. The lovable renegade alien, who happens to love the music of Elvis Presley, arrived at the gates to Graceland Mansion in a pink convertible before going across the street to view the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s jumpsuits and pink Cadillac at Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex. 

The 2025 remake, scored again by Alan Silvestri, features many of the same classic songs from the original 2002 version: 'Devil in Disguise', 'Hound Dog' and 'Heartbreak Hotel', along with a new cover of 'Burning Love' produced by Bruno Mars and performed by Nyjah Music and Zyah Rhythm.

A special screening of the film is scheduled to take place this evening at the theater at Graceland’s resort hotel, The Guest House at Graceland.

The live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, 'Lilo and Stitch' premiered May 17, 2025 in the United States and hit the movie theaters on May 23rd.

Memorial Day Weekend

Also at Graceland, for the Memorial Day Weekend, Graceland will honor Elvis Presley's U.S. Army service (1958-1960) with special tours of Graceland Mansion. Private Presley Graceland Tours, offered for the first time to Graceland visitors, will run from May 23 to 26, daily between 2 PM and 4 PM.

The tours will feature live guides throughout the mansion sharing stories of his military service and how Graceland was a part of the journey - from receiving his draft notice during Christmas 1957 to his homecoming press conference in his father's office. Special artifact displays commemorating his time in the U.S. Army will also be featured throughout the mansion during the weekend.  

  

At Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex, located across the street from the mansion, guests will also be able to visit our Private Presley exhibit, a permanent exhibit that expands on the story of Elvis’ military service through photos, videos and additional artifacts. 

For more details, visit the >>> Graceland website.

The Definitive Vinyl Artwork of Elvis Presley, Vol. 2

Joseph Tunzi's book 'The Definitive Vinyl Artwork of Elvis Presley, Vol. 2: The Back Covers' should be available from June 5, 2025. The book was originally scheduled to be releases in February this year.

Publicity stated: This is a follow up to The Definitive Vinyl Artwork, which focused on all front cover artwork and photographs that were part of 45 RPM singles, extended play and long play albums.

This new volume takes you on a journey of those same albums, focusing this time, on back cover  artwork. Also featured on the 200-plus pages are over 800 rare photos, including the original photos (not altered), documents, letters, rejected artwork which contains some fascinating covers not used or modified by RCA and much more! 

Note: The back covers were included in the first volume, for 45 singles only. The price-tag for the book is between US$146 to US$195.00.

Congratulations

Elvis' former girlfriend Linda Thompson celebrates her 75th birthday, congratulations!

(Source: Graceland / Remind / Bear Family)

May 22 - The Million Dollar Quartet and the Challenges of Oral Testimony

Steven K. Rogstad published his 72-page paperback 'The Million Dollar Quartet and the Challenges of Oral Testimony'.

Description: An event like it had never happened before. The probability of it ever occurring again remains slim to none. It was a brief episode in the origins of rock and roll music that has achieved mythical proportions and inspired a major Broadway musical that continues to tour the United States to large audiences. Some events occur as a result of a collision of unforeseen or spontaneous circumstances, which preclude them from being repeated or chronicled. 

When something fun or exciting happens extemporaneously, the people involved rarely notice that what is taking place may be significant or worthy of remembrance. What they do recall afterwards - especially if it has been clothed in historical significance - is often filtered through the distorted lens of time and influenced by their role in it. This story is about such an occurrence, when four young recording artists - Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley - grouped around a piano and sang themselves into music history.

It started when Elvis Presley unexpectedly walked into the recording studio at Sun Records in Memphis and sat down on a bench in front of a piano, playing and singing “Blueberry Hill.” He caught the attention of his friends Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash, who also happened to be in the room and began harmonizing with him on a few gospel songs. Then Jerry Lee Lewis appeared and joined the trio, adding his high vocals to more songs Elvis was in the mood to sing. Perkins would later describe the group as “scooting around the piano” with his band “kinda knocking along.” 

As Presley played the piano and sang lead for the quartet, a technician eventually turned on a taping machine, while someone else called a local newspaper for a reporter and a photographer to capture the event for posterity. A few hours later the impromptu jam session was over and the group went their separate ways. But a few photographs had been taken and numerous songs had been recorded. It would be the only time the four men would ever sing together as a quartet. “It could have happened only at Sun Records,” one music historian has determined, “and probably only in Memphis….”

You can check this out yourself, the book is available through >>> Amazon (associate link).

(Source: Elvis Information Network)

Review - Jailhouse Rock LP

Just three weeks ago, I received the 2025 Danish reissue of the ‘Girls! Girls! Girls!’ soundtrack LP, retitled ‘Piger! Piger! Piger!’ from the Danish Memphis Mansion record label. And now the producers take us to South Africa with their reissue of the only original full 33 RPM LP release of the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ soundtrack album.

 

The warden threw a party in the county jail, and you’re all invited, according to the press release. Let’s give this album a spin and see if it is a criminally good release … or if the producers need to be sent to jail for messing with a classic!

 

Design

 

Where the design of the ‘Piger! Piger! Piger!’ soundtrack was a variation of the original LP, the design for this new release follows the label’s 2023 design for their version of the ‘Blue Hawaii’ soundtrack.

 

And I can only say that designer Søren Karstensen deserves a “get out of jail free” card again. The gatefold cover is a beauty! He turned well-known photographic elements from the movie into drawings which together form an attractive and well-balanced picture.

 

Inside is a coffee table with pictures from the movie and a copy of The Middlehaven Herald newspaper containing the liner notes and recording information. 

The record label deserves a mention too, it is a lock, with the spindle of the record player “unlocking” your music. A great detail that shows that illustrates the dedication from the label to deliver a top-notch album.

The album comes on red-colored vinyl and transparent pink marble-colored vinyl. And because I already saw a translucent yellow-colored vinyl test pressing, I expect that variation to pop up soon too. As for the vinyl itself, Nordsø Records knows their vinyl, and they delivered again. 

 

Content

 

The musical part of the LP is newly created Stereo Mixes by the label’s favorite engineer, Anthony Stuchbury. We have praised his mixes plenty of times, and he doesn’t disappoint here either. In part, that's because the album contains mixes previously available on his ‘Essential 50’s Master’s box set, released here by “popular demand,” but also because he has added some nice surprises for the audio freaks out there.

 

New here is the Stereo Version of the Movie Version of ‘Treat Me Nice’, and as technology evolves, Stuchbury has created new mixes of ‘Baby I Don’t Care’ and ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’. 

The latter is the engineer’s favorite because, for the first time, he was able to do what until now only Peter Jackson’s team (that worked on the Beatles' material) was able to do, separate the acoustic guitar so it can really shine. Compared to ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ - kind-of the same type of song - it is indeed higher in the mix, so you can hear that he had more instruments to play with. 

Overall it is an album that demand to be played loud! So, here too, no reason to send someone to jail.

 

The Verdict

 

Warden Henrik Knudsen, the “executive producer” of this ‘Jailhouse Rock’ party album, delivered together with his team. This is a great-looking and great-sounding LP of the soundtrack that should have been released back in 1958; it would have been a classic album in 50’s Rock and Roll history. 

Fortunately, that has been corrected 2025 style, with a touch of authenticity in both the design and the presentation of the upgraded audio. So if you always wanted to add a full 'Jailhouse Rock' album to your collection, this edition is certainly worth considering. 

The album is available from the >>> Memphis Mansion webshop. 

May 21 - Teasing Some More

It looks like Baz Luhrmann is starting the "buzz" for his new Elvis Presley in Concert (working title 'EPiC') movie. Today he posted another teaser: "Midweek sneak-peek from the workspace ... 👀".

King Creole Teaser

Anthony Stuchbury announced the release of a 10-inch vinyl edition of 'King Creole' on the French RDM-Edition. The release-date is to follow later.

He stated: This new Mono II Stereo 'King Creole' movie soundtrack release is remixed and sequenced to better represent the movie itself. Also included are the movie versions of five songs which haven’t officially been available elsewhere. 

This release is 45 percent previously unreleased on any of the productions I’ve produced in collaboration with David Parker and RDM-Edition, and it is RDM’s very first Elvis vinyl release!

It’s been a very rough ride to get this release to this point, but let me give major credit to David Parker for his outstanding patience and artwork creation. Just look at it, in fact you did, before you even read this, and it really caught your eye, didn’t it?

Side 1: 01 Turtles, Berries and Gumbo - King Creole instrumental - Crawfish - Movie Version / 02 Steadfast, Loyal and True - Undubbed Movie Edit / 03 Lover Doll - Movie Version / 04 Trouble / 05 Dixieland Rock.

Side 2: 01 Young Dreams / 02 New Orleans - Movie Version / 03 Hard Headed Woman / 04 King Creole - Movie Version / 05 Don't Ask Me Why / 06 As Long As I Have You. 

(Source: Baz Luhrman / Anthony Stuchbury)

May 20 - The Harum Scarum Sessions

The Follow That Dream collectors label announced the June 2025 release of the 'Harum Scarum Sessions' triple CD-set. 

Publicity stated: FTD is pleased to announce the release of 'The Harum Scarum Sessions – the 60th Anniversary Edition!'

Newly mixed and mastered by Sebastian Jeansson and Vic Anesini, the masters and outtakes now offer far superior audio to the original 1965 soundtrack album. For purists, the original Masters are also featured on Disc 3.

As always, the set is packaged in a beautifully designed 8-inch digipack with a booklet containing the backstory on the sessions, recording information and rare photos, memorabilia and documents from the sessions.

Tracks CD 1 - Remixed Masters: Harem Holiday - My Desert Serenade - Go East, Young Man - Mirage - Kismet - Shake That Tambourine - Hey Little Girl - Golden Coins - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) - Animal Instinct - Wisdom Of The Ages.

Outtakes: Shake That Tambourine (Take 2001 - 2008) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2009 - 2011) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2012 - 2017) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2018 - 2019) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2020 - 2024) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2025) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2026 - 2027)

CD 2 - Outtakes: Shake That Tambourine (Take 2028 - 2032) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2033) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2034 - 2040) - Shake That Tambourine (Take 2041) - Shake That Tambourine (Splice Of Take 2041 And 2027 / Master) - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) (Take 2042) - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) (Take 2043 - 2044) - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) (Take 2045) - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) (Splice Of Take 2044 And 2045 / Master) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2046 - 2048) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2049 - 2051) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2052) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2053) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2054 - 2055) - My Desert Serenade (Take 2056 - 2057 / Master) - Wisdom Of The Ages (Take 2058 - 2059) - Wisdom Of The Ages (Take 2060) - Wisdom Of The Ages (Take 2061) - Wisdom Of The Ages (Take 2062 / Master) - Kismet (Take 2063 - 64) - Kismet (Take 2065 - 2067 / Master) - Hey Little Girl (Take 2068 - 2069) - Hey Little Girl (Take 2070) - Hey Little Girl (Take 2071 - 2072 / Master) - Golden Coins (Take 2073 - 2076) - Golden Coins (Take 2077 - 2078) - Golden Coins (Take 2079 - 2080).

CD 3 - Outtakes: Golden Coins (Take 2081 - 2082) - Golden Coins (Take 2083) - Golden Coins (Take 2084 - 2088) - Golden Coins (Splice Of Take 2088 And 2083 / Master) - Animal Instinct (Take 2089 - 2091) - Animal Instinct (Take 2092) - Animal Instinct (Take 2093) - Animal Instinct (Take 2094 / Master) - Harem Holiday (Take 2095 - 2096) - Harem Holiday (Vocal Replacement Of 2096 / Unedited Master) - Go East, Young Man (Track: Take 2097 - 2098) - Go East, Young Man (Track: Take 2099) - Go East, Young Man (Vocal Overdub To Take 2099 / Master) - Mirage (Track: Take 2100 - 2104) - Mirage (Vocal Overdub To 2104 / Master).

Original 1965 Stereo Album Masters: Harem Holiday - My Desert Serenade - Go East, Young Man - Mirage - Kismet - Shake That Tambourine - Hey Little Girl - Golden Coins - So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) - Animal Instinct - Wisdom Of The Ages.

Regarding the tracklisting, the Elvis Information Network noted: This  sessions set includes 30 previously unreleased Outtakes of 'Shake That Tambourine', 6 new outtakes of 'My Desert Serenade', 4 new (previously available on bootleg) of 'Wisdom Of The Ages', 4 new (previously available on bootleg) 'Kismet', 1 of 'Hey Little Girl', 12 unreleased 'Golden Coins' Outtakes and one  of 'Animal Instinct'. The vast majority of these Outtakes are, of course, False Starts. 

Additionally, the set contains the backing tracks for 'Go East, Young Man' and 'Mirage'.

The new set is available for pre-order from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop.

(Pascal Matteo / Now Dig This / Elvis Information Network / Pascal Matteo / Memphis Mansion)

May 19 - Elvis Site Off-line (Updated)

Many fans were inconvenienced this weekend because some key Elvis websites were inaccessible: the For Elvis Collector's website and Forum, the Phoenix Elvis Forum, Keith Flynn's Elvis site and the London Elvis shop.

The server hosting these sites has been compromised due to "external infringement", but webmaster Jordan Richie hopes the make the sites available within a week in the worst case scenario.

Update: Keith's Elvis Pages are available again at a new url >>> www.keithflynn.uk. Please update your bookmarks and feel free to share this new link with others who may be looking for it. All content has been safely moved over.

The webmaster of the For Elvis CD Collectors Only website and forum informed visitors that they are working on building a new and improved version.

Teaser

Director Baz Luhrmann has Elvis on his mind as he revealed a never-before-seen color photograph of Elvis Presley, showcasing him in his iconic gold lamé jacket, likely from his historic concert on November 10, 1957, at Honolulu Stadium in Hawaii.

The event drew over 14,000 enthusiastic fans as Elvis performed twice that day, at 3:00 PM and 8:15 PM, dressed in his signature golden jacket, black shirt, and black trousers. He was joined on stage by his band and vocal group The Jordanaires.

Luhrmann posted on Facebook: "Staring at this screen day and night, can't wait to share it with you!!"

(Source: Jordan Richie / Baz Luhrmann)

May 17 - Norwegian Vinyl

The two debut releases on Erik Lorentzen's new TCB Records record label are finally being pressed according to pictures found on Facebook. 

The albums were first announced almost 10 months ago, but still have May 2025 as the release date on Lorenzen's website. Part of the delay was caused by the bankruptcy of the pressing plant.

Live in Concert - March 16th and 17th 1974 Mid-South Coliseum' and 'Live in Concert - March 14th and 19th 1974 Murfreesboro' contain newly created Stereo mixes of these concerts, pressed on black, white and blue splattered vinyl, housed in two separate sleeves per title, with and additional 45 RPM bonus single.

(Source: Patrick Van de Walle on Facebook)

May 17 - Charts May 2025 - Week 3 (Updated)

Elvis seems to have found his way up the charts again in the United Kingdom, but he is still not back on the U.S. Billboard charts.

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation won one spot on the Official Album chart this week, climbing to No. 61. The album gained four places on the countries' Streaming Album chart and climbed to No. 50. 

Last week the 'Elvis at the Movies' DVD-set re-entered the Music DVD chart at No. 34, replacing 'Elvis - The King of Rock and Roll' DVD which fell off the chart. This week it is the other way around with 'Elvis at the Movies' made another re-entry at No. 36 on the chart, replacing 'Elvis - The King of Rock and Roll'. 

(Source: Billboard / Official Chart Company / UK Mix Forum) 

May 16 - Jailhouse Rock

The warden threw a party in the county jail, and you’re all invited! The Danish Memphis Mansion record label released the LP 'Jailhouse Rock'. 

You can listen to a preview and interview with Anthony Stuchbury on Matt Shepherd's >>> Golden Years radio show.

Publicity stated: Based on the original South African release, the only place in the world that released a 'Jailhouse Rock' long playing 33 RPM album in 1958, this new Memphis Mansion LP pays tribute to that classic album. 

This 2025 edition comes on red colored vinyl (300 copies) and transparent pink marble colored vinyl (100 copies), housed in a gatefold sleeve, and features newly created Stereo Mixes by Anthony Stuchbury of the original tracks and several bonus tracks, including the Stereo debut of the movie version of ‘Treat Me Nice’. This LP is limited to 300 copies worldwide. The label also has a small number of "test pressings" available for fans, on black, on transparent pink marble and translucent yellow colored vinyl. 

Tracks side A: Jailhouse Rock / Young and Beautiful / I Want To Be Free / Baby I Don't Care / Don't Leave Me Now / Treat Me Nice.

Side B: I Beg of You / Don't / Playing For Keeps / Shake, Rattle and Roll / Good Rockin' Tonight / I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine / Treat Me Nice (Bonus Movie Stereo Version).

The album is available soon from the >>> Memphis Mansion webshop. For the test-pressings you can contact producer Henrik Knudsen by >>> mail. 

Anthony Stuchbury posted on Facebook: "Throughout Elvis’ career you’d see Colonel Parker using phrases like ‘By Request’ and ‘By Popular Demand!’ 

With that it mind I’m going to explain that I’ve recently completed a couple of projects that I had no intention of moving forward with, until now.

People have asked, people have pestered, so there is clearly a demand for them. So, now, by request and by popular demand, here is the first of them."

(Source: Henrik Knudsen / Anthony Stuchbury)

May 15 - Fans and Fences

Graceland erected a new fence around the Official Historic Marker outside Graceland to prevent vandalism (by fans). The marker tells the story of Elvis Presley and his estate, and is part of a network of historic plaques across Memphis, highlighting sites of local and national significance.

The fence serves one clear purpose: preventing vandalism. Over the years, despite the marker’s historical and informational value, some fans have covered it with names, messages, and other writings, much like the longstanding tradition of signing the Graceland wall itself. However, the marker was never intended to be defaced.

Earlier attempts to protect it included placing a plexiglass shield in front of the board, but that did little to deter persistent fans from leaving their marks. As a result, the marker frequently appeared cluttered with graffiti, treated in a way many would deem disrespectful. Though it undergoes professional cleaning several times a year, the effects are always temporary.

The 'Elvis Aaron Presley' marker '4E 77' was put there by the Shelby Council Tennessee Historical Commission.

It states: "Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935, the son of Vernon and Gladys Presley. He moved to Memphis in 1948. Soon after signing a contract with Sun Records in 1954 he achieved tremendous popularity. His musical and acting career in records, movies, television, and concerts made him one of the most successful and outstanding entertainers in the world. He died on August 16, 1977, and is buried here at his Memphis home, Graceland."

Note: The new fence is a fixture to the iconic wall, next to the world-famous Music Gates, taking away some of the original appearance of the famous wall. Wouldn't it have been much simpler to place the historical marker behind the wall? 

(Source: Various)

May 14 - Elvis Forever

The Rockin' bear record label released the picture disc compilation 'Forever'. It features "Elvis" on the front and on the back. 

Publicity stated: There's something electric about hearing these live cuts pressed onto a lovely glossy picture disc. It's not just nostalgia, it's the grit and spontaneity of a performer who, even in the twilight of his career - these were recorded in 1974 and 1976 - could still bring a room to its knees. The energy is raw, the crowd reactions are real and the band behind him lock and step. These versions feel lived-in. 

'Steamroller Blues' grinds forward with swagger, while 'Trying to Get to You' and 'You Gave Me a Mountain' cut deep with emotional weight. 'Hound Dog' still hits like a shot of adrenaline. The medley of 'Teddy Bear' and 'Don't Be Cruel' feels tossed off in the best way, like a quick smile to the audience before getting serious again. 

A snapshot of a performer still capable of surprises, even years past his peak chart dominance. For fans of the man's live sound, this one's a keeper.

(Source: Juno)

May 12 - Delayed

The Follow That Dream collectors label have announced that the upcoming release of 'Girl Happy' Special Vinyl Edition' has been delayed due to "production issues." This is the second delay for this album.

This delay also affects the 2025 re-issues of 'Elvis: The Last Tours Vol. 1' and 'The Blue Hawaii Sessions'.

The release date for all three titles has now been bumped to June 2025. The 'Elvis ’57: The Final Fifties Tours' deluxe book will be published first.

The 'Girl Happy' 2-LP set can be pre-ordered from the >>> Elvis Matters webshop here.

The 'Elvis ’57: The Final Fifties Tours' book can be pre-ordered from the >>> Elvis Matters webshop here. 

(FTD / Elvis Information Network)

May 10 - Charts May 2025 - Week 2 (Updated)

At the start of the new month Elvis dropped on the main album U.K. charts, but debuts on the Independent album chart. He is still not back on the U.S. Billboard charts.

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation recovered from last week's loss and climbed 3 places to No. 62. on the Official Album chart. On the Streaming Album chart the album won 1 spot and climbed to No. 54.

The 'Elvis at the Houston Astrodome' album dropped off the Independent Album chart after last week's debut at No. 50.

The 'Elvis at the Movies' DVD-set re-entered the Music DVD chart at No. 34, replacing 'Elvis - The King of Rock and Roll' DVD which fell off the chart again after last week's reentry at No. 34. 

(Source: Billboard / Official Chart Company / UK Mix Forum) 

May 10 - Lonely Blue Boy From Italy

The Satnin Music record label released the CD 'Lonely Blue Boy' as a "Bennies Fifties Exclusive".  

Tracks on the CD: Danny (Acetate, With Count-In) - Turtles, Berries And Gumbo (Full Version, Blanche Thomas On “Turtles”) - King Creole (Main Title - Instrumental With Orchestra) - Crawfish (Elvis & Kitty White - Full Version Without Fadeout /Alternative Mix) - Hard Headed Woman (Slate / Take 10 - Master) - Trouble (Slate / Take 5 - Master) - New Orleans (Slate / Take 5 - Master) - King Creole (Slate / Take 18 - First Version) - Dixieland Rock (Slate / Take 14 - Master) - King Creole (Slate / Take 13 - Revised Version) - Lover Doll (Take 7 - Undubbed / Unedited Master) - As Long As I Have You (Take 10 - Master) - Young Dreams (Take 8 - Master) - Don’t Ask Me Why (Take 12 - Master) - Steadfast Loyal And True (Slate / Take 16)

Bonus Songs: Danny (Demo) - Lonely Blue Boy (Conway Twitty) - Danny (Saint Louis) - Teenage Radio Spot

The CD is available exclusively from the >>> Bennies Fifties webshop.

Italian Update

Marco Durzu updated the English and Italian editions of his book 'Elvis Presley Songs' to version 1.5. 

The book presents an alphabetically ordered list of 998 songs associated with Elvis Presley. Songs he recorded, performed, or rehearsed between 1944 and 1977.

In addition to confirmed recordings, the list features songs rumored to have been rehearsed or recorded by Elvis, as well as those intended for his August 1977 tour. It also includes performances by members of his band and backing vocalists, such as Kathy Westmoreland, Sherrill Nielsen, The Stamps Quartet, and Voice, at concerts and rehearsals from 1968 to 1977.

(Source: Jaap Melessen / Elvis Information Network

Review - From Florida to Hawaii

Following RCA’s ‘Summer Vacation Special’ marketing, the French RDM-Edition released the Spring compilation 'From Florida To Hawaii' featuring music from the upbeat ‘Follow That Dream’ and ‘Girls! Girls! Girls!’ soundtrack albums. Is it a good teaser for Summer 2025?

 

Piers Beagley of the >>> Elvis Information Network, and Elvis Day By Day’s Kees Mouwen got together from Australia and The Netherlands, to discuss what makes this 2025 remaster of these two soundtracks worth buying. 
 
Piers: There is an explanation as to why so many of Elvis’ movie soundtracks lacked real production values.
 
The easiest way to produce film soundtracks with the early sixties 3-track tape recorders was to record the musicians on the left channel, Elvis’ vocal center channel, and backing vocals on the right channel. For the film studios there was always the orchestra, as well as “crowd interactions” to be overdubbed to create the final cinema soundtrack so it was much easier for Paramount (or MGM) to fade down the musicians, or the backing vocals as required if they were isolated on three separate channels. 
 
However to cut a properly balanced RCA stereo soundtrack LP it would make more sense to spread the various musicians across the whole stereo spectrum. Elvis’ wonderful Nashville 1960 stereo recordings by Bill Porter for the ‘Elvis Is Back’ sessions demonstrated how well Elvis’ music could be produced for stereo release. There were even some stereo 45 RPMs released at the time. 
 
So for Elvis’ movie productions it would have been far better to record on one 3-track tape recorder with isolated musicians for Paramount production, and on a second three-track tape recorder for a properly mixed stereo RCA release.
 
However this was not the case for Elvis' movie soundtracks where Col Parker saved money by making the movie studios pay for the recording sessions. It would only be afterwards that MGM or Paramount would then hand-over their soundtrack tapes to RCA to be finalized for album release. 
 
This is also why so many of Elvis’ soundtrack session tapes have been lost since they were owned by the studios not by RCA. Adding to our woes, the tapes would often be lesser generation taped copies that were handed over to RCA making them sound even worse. 
 
Of course to create a quality RCA Master, Parker would have had to pay extra for Bill Porter to be present at the soundtrack sessions plus an extra tape-recorder and also double the magnetic tape. Cheapo Parker would never do that, for him it was always profit over quality. Thus we are left with all too many terribly mixed Elvis soundtrack releases.  The recent FTD ‘Girl Happy Sessions’ demonstrated what a terrible job MGM did in recording Elvis’ soundtrack session.
 
On this RDM-Edition release Anthony Stuchbury has thankfully done his best to rectify Paramount’s poor production job on Elvis’ ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ session.
 
Design
 

The picture for the cover is well chosen, it shows Elvis looking very relaxed and happy in his denim jeans while the delightfully colorful CD shows Elvis wondering if his dream of being a dramatic actor has already slipped away!
 
The liner notes by David Parker set the musical context for the songs and the versions that were released, and why they have been upgraded for this CD. 
 
Context
 
Elvis’ incredible workload at the time is explained: "Keep a-moving, move along" the opening lines to the title song of the Mirisch Company feature 'Follow That Dream' could easily have been Elvis Presley's mantra back in the early sixties. When Elvis started work on the film in July 1961, just 15 months had passed since his highly anticipated discharge from the U.S. Army back in March 1960, and during that time, he had already completed two Paramount musicals and two dramatic features for 20th Century Fox, released two soundtrack albums, two studio collections, his first long playing gospel title, and a host of smash hit single sides.
 
The Colonel's blueprint for Elvis' post army career had seen him make the seamless transition from “Rock and Roll rebel” to “all round family entertainer.” There is also a nod to the fact that while Elvis’ soundtracks initially did well in the charts (‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ out-sold ‘Pot Luck’) three movies a year was actually a lamentable plan.
 
“Hindsight tells us that the constant reliance on this tried and tested formula would ultimately lead to diminishing returns, whilst Elvis’ status as one of Rock and Roll’s prime movers would be all but lost until the filming of the NBC TV Special in 1968.”
 
 
Content Follow That Dream
 
Kees: In the past year, we have had various releases claiming to contain either the “original” ‘Follow That Dream’ Stereo Masters or newly created “True Living Stereo Mixes.” The first were quickly exposed as fake, the latter sounded great, but to these ears, have now been surpassed in audio presentation by the new Mono II Stereo mixes on this silver disc.

Although the MRS label vinyl/CD ‘Follow That Dream’ EP rightfully received a positive review, this new outing of the soundtrack music matches the authentic (Mono) sound we know from the available Stereo Outtakes. The songs simply sound more natural compared to the MRS edition. 
 
Piers: In the case of the ‘Follow That Dream’ Bill Porter July 1961 Nashville session the problem is that the well-recorded stereo ‘Masters’ were cut out of the session tapes and lost. For these tracks Anthony Stuchbury has cleverly matched the musicians’ placement to the original ‘Follow That Dream’ session tapes. I particularly enjoyed hearing Bob Moore’s defined bouncy double-bass lines and Hank Garland’s guitar work in this stereo mix.
 
For me when comparing the MRS and RDM versions I think the bristling clear percussion of the MRS version reminds me of my sixties 45rpms whereas the RDM version is subtler, sounding more similar to an original album release.  
 
Kees: Stuchbury has also managed to create a clear separation between the drum kit in the middle and the other instruments on the left, which allows the Jordanaires on the right to shine beautifully. Listen to ‘Sound Advice’ and ‘I Don’t Wanna Be Tied’ and you will hear the guitar on the right instead of the middle, where they should be, and as they are on this new CD.
 
Content Girls! Girls! Girls!
 
Piers: The original FTD classic soundtrack release back in 2007 actually disappointed me a little because there were so few lost outtakes found and the masters were still the same rather flat stereo-mix. Musicians left, Elvis center, backing-vocals right. Like many I had been hoping for better sounding ‘Return To Sender’, ‘Girls! Girls! Girls!’ and ‘Because Of Love’ outtakes.
 
But while RDM-Edition record label have no outtakes of these songs on offer, there is a real joy in at last hearing this album in stunning 2025 remastered stereo.
 

Although the material supplied was very movie-orientated the musicians including Barney Kessel and Tiny Timbrell on guitar, Ray Siegel on bass plus Hal Blaine on percussion were star Hollywood performers who, on the original release, were all mixed down onto the one audio channel. Not forgetting the other musicians Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, Bernie Mattinson, Dudley Brooks and Boots Randolph.
 
Kees: ‘Girls! Girls! Girls!’ was originally released in both Mono and Stereo. Many of the releases we have come to accept as “original”, were actually shaped by the technical limitations or creative decisions of the time. These choices were made by the artist, the producer, or the engineer, all aiming for a specific sound. 
 
Updating the mix for 2025 Stuchbury has used his skills and the craftsmanship familiar from his previous 50’s work. The rhythm section is now placed behind Elvis, resulting in a balanced and immersive audio presentation in which the drums serve as the foundation for the other instruments supporting the vocals.
 
Piers: And what joy it is as ‘Girls! Girls! Girls!’ is an immediate blast. Hal Blaine’s tight percussion kicks off in the center while the dual guitars of Barney Kessel and Tiny Timbrell are nice and clear on the left channel. Listen to the middle-break with Blaine’s tight cymbals driving Boots Randolph’s sax solo (right) and lovely clear Ray Siegel bass and guitars. This section was always rather flat on the album whereas now Hal Blaine’s snare riff really flashes.
 
And this is the case with most of the album. By separating out the rhythm section to fill the center along with Elvis’ lead vocal it opens up the left and right channels for the other musicians who were previously blended together.
 
‘I Don’t Wanna Be Tied’ similarly has a better hard-focused rhythm section and the mix also elevates Dudley Brooks’ lovely rolling piano (right channel) and there’s some fabulous tic-tac guitar groove going on that I had never noticed before (check at 0:45). While I always considered this song a typical “movie faux-rocker” there’s more going on from the musicians than I had originally thought.
 
Another joy of hearing these new “Stereo” mixes is when they allow you to spot mistakes you’ve never noticed before. Here when the band stops (at 1:48) for the “blues ending”, you can now easily hear Dudley Brooks accidentally keep going for a couple of notes! This was obviously not bad enough to warrant another take but it’s these little discoveries that make these newly updated remasters so enjoyable.
 
‘Where Do You Come From’ sounds beautiful with Elvis’ vocal neatly focused (as if he is singing in your ear) plus delightful Ray Siegel bass-work.
 
‘I Don’t Want To’ was previously a rather muddy mix whereas here (guitars left, piano right, rhythm center middle) all the players are no longer hidden. The percussion, acoustic guitar and piano, which were all lost in the original mix, are now clear.
 
‘We’ll Be Together’ this was a fascinating Spanish-influenced track that was added to the soundtrack after ‘Mama’ (also composed by Charles O'Curran / Dudley Brooks) was not considered strong enough for release. It was recorded in May 1962, two months after the main session. The backing-vocals by The Amigos were oddly placed left channel on the original version whereas now they are right-channel with the dueling flamenco guitars sounding brilliant. Elvis sings in Spanish on the chorus and rather well too! I for one would have been happy if they had dumped the rather routine ‘World’s Fair’ movie that followed and gone straight to ‘Fun In Acapulco.’ 
 
The old-fashioned ‘A Boy Like Me’ benefits from the clarity of the percussion (celeste, chimes and bongos) and power of Elvis’ vocal but it was always soundtrack-filler. ‘
 
‘Earth Boy’ required for the “Chinese” section of the movie sounds very odd 62 years later when we hear Elvis singing a bad Chin-glish lyric. This stereo mix however gives you a chance to enjoy the walking-bass and odd oriental percussion.
 
Kees: You are right that in today's world composers wouldn't write lyrics as heard on 'Earth Boy' and ... and let's be honest, while possibly acceptable in 1962 they sound ridiculous now. And even in a movie about Elvis as fisherman, what is it with him singing songs about shrimps all in his movies?!?
 
The fabulous ‘Return To Sender’ remix had been posted on YouTube so we knew how good this would sound. Fans can thank God for Elvis mono singles as the stereo album mix was appallingly weak with all the musicians mixed to the left channel. Now the centered rhythm section really drives the song with a really tight Hal Blaine percussion and a deep Ray Siegel bass. Boots Randolph’s sax is left channel with subtle Tiny Timbrell guitar on the right channel. It all sounds so smooth and with the required stereo punch.
 
Kees: It’s notable that in some cases Stuchbury diverged from the general mix to create a more balanced sound, for instance on ‘Return To Sender’ where Boots Randolph’s saxophone can now be heard on the left. Moving that instrument to the middle or right side would have left the left channel uncomfortably empty. This is the kind of nuanced decision-making involved in creating a pleasant and well-balanced listening experience. While some of this is certainly subjective, I for one, think these mixes really work. 
 
‘Because Of Love’ remix benefits from the delightful driving bass-line while Elvis’ vocal is so clear, soaring above as the Jordanaires harmonies. U.K. rocker Billy Fury spent a day on the set of Girls! Girls! Girls! and sneakily decided to record his own version of ‘Because of Love’ which would become a Top 20 UK single before Elvis’ album was even released! 
 

While not strong enough for a classic Elvis ‘A-Side’ ‘Because Of Love’, with its Latino feel, was far better than the usual soundtrack filler. Composer Ruth Batchelor also supplied Elvis with ‘King of the Whole Wide World’, ‘Thanks to the Rolling Sea’ and ‘Where Do You Come From?’.
 
With the soundtrack already having a Latino and Chinese inspiration ‘Thanks to the Rolling Sea’ then added the Sea-Shanty ambiance. A lesser album-filler, this version really benefits from the boosted centered percussion and clear guitars.
 
‘Song Of The Shrimp’ while often flagged as one of Elvis’ worst soundtrack songs, on this RDM release with the calypso vibe nicely emphasized with the bongos, clap-sticks and marimba no longer compressed onto the one left channel, it is actually quite fun.
 
‘The Walls Have Ears’ was previously released with all the instruments compressed onto the left channel, but sounds much better now with centered percussion, very fine Spanish guitar work and clicking castanets. Take 12 was the Master and even with the trite lyrics Elvis sounds far more involved than you would imagine... “So come on baby... Don’t fight tonight, just dim the lights.”
 
‘We’re Coming In Loaded’ building up from the delightful boat-engine bass-riff this lightweight song has a surprisingly fine gospel feel. Written by the great Otis Blackwell / Winfield Scott it’s a shame that it runs only 90 seconds. Elvis sounds committed and with the percussion and tambourine nicely centered and funky guitar left channel, this new mix has an ever better groove emphasizing the Jordanaires call and response. A delight.
 
Kees: I rarely hear anything strange on these new mixes but here the instruments sound louder when the backing vocals join in. On checking the original version I realized that this change in volume was also present. Still, I wouldn't have minded a small correction on this new mix as it doesn’t sound quite right.
 
 
The last ‘bonus track’ is a previously unreleased recording of the Dainty Little Moonbeams End Title. This version includes a female harmony not heard before. It runs 2.20 compared to the FTD alternate release of 1.57 and includes two extra choruses that were edited out of the final cut. A lovely bonus for collectors.  
 
Kees: Listen to it closely and you will hear tape splices - present in the original source provided by Keith Flynn - which were actually used in the film.   
 
Conclusion
 
Once again RDM have released a real collectable and fun summer compilation featuring remixes of two previously dull soundtrack releases in a new updated Stereo audio mix.
 
The concept of creating a more colorful presentation within the stereo spectrum is more than an audible improvement. This may very well be the next step in presenting Elvis’ music in a new – and for the purists among us, alternative – way.
 
RCA have similarly been doing recent “remixes” with the Nashville sessions and MEMPHIS box-sets that go back to how Elvis recorded them in the studio. However on this release Anthony Stuchbury has kept to the original recordings as they were released back in the day, and purely opened up the dull mono/Paramount mixes to create new STEREO versions that really sparkle. We have moved from Mono to Stereo to Stereo Remixing, with A.I. and craftsmanship breathing new life into Elvis’ music.
 
We can see why this set was quickly Sold Out and immediately re-printed as it is an audible delight and includes the dynamic mixes that Cheapo Parker, or RCA , should have no doubt paid for in the first place.  

    
The CD is available from the >>> Bennies Fifties webshop. Go >>> here to RDM to order only 16.20€ (with 40% off) and check the STEREO audio samples.