Sony Legacy released 'And I Love You So' Take 2 as another preview of the upcoming 'Sunset Boulevard' set.
'Sunset Boulevard' is a comprehensive 5-CD collection spotlighting Elvis' recording sessions and rehearsals at RCA's historic Sunset Boulevard Studio. Spanning 1970 to 1975, it features Elvis recording for the first time with his legendary touring band, ultimately spawning the hits 'Burning Love', 'Always On My Mind' (1972) and 'T-R-O-U-B-L-E' (1975) from the 'TODAY' album.
This special edition also includes 3 discs of rehearsals from 1970 and 1974 that capture both serious and light-hearted moments from Elvis in the studio. 'Sunset Boulevard' features 89 tracks, 34 of which are newly mixed versions, pure and without overdubs.
The set is available for pre-order from >>> Amazon (associate link) on CD and vinyl.
The Colonel and the Preview
Talking about previews, the Elvis Archival Preservation Society got their hands on an early copy of Peter Guralnick's 'The Colonel And The King' book, and Jamie Kelley and John Michael Heath shared their first impressions after reading it.
The Countdown is Over
The Elvis Evolution immersive experience opened after a nearly 8 month delay. The Layered Reality Elvis Presley immersive experience in London (UK) which would 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.
The experience finale was Elvis’ iconic ’68 special performance that captures the drama and triumph of what is described by many as the ‘greatest rock performance of all time’.
Layered Reality stated that through a partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises and Authentic Brands Group, the custodians of the Elvis Presley estate, the production team has been granted access to thousands of Elvis’s personal photos and hours of the star’s home-video archive, using state of the art technology to bring the musical icon to life.
Note: Layered Reality founder and CEO Andrew McGuinness stated in January 2024: "And the end of this experience is a real crescendo where you'll see a life-size Elvis in AI performing some of his biggest hits". But that unique experience was silently removed from the show after one of the partners went bankrupt. This was reflected in the first reviews.
Audience members were told to expect a virtual Elvis similar to digital concerts staged by other heritage acts. On site, however, the experience relied on pre edited video projected onto a screen. No holographic figure appeared, and live musicians mimed to backing tracks, prompting disappointment and in some performances audible booing. The production spans multiple themed rooms where visitors move through Presley’s life story before ending in a 1960s style bar. Fans have vented frustration online, describing the event as overpriced and technically underwhelming, noting that many musical sequences could be found for free on public video platforms.
Press coverage has been divided. Some reviewers describe the show as slick but eye wateringly expensive, praising scenic detail yet warning that the high price is likely to deter many fans. Others rank the event among the year’s most disappointing immersive launches.
'Amber Peake reviews the 'Elvis Evolution' for >>> London World: The King of Rock and Roll did not enter the building'.
London welcomed a new experience dedicated to the King of rock n’ roll this week as Elvis Evolution has officially opened its doors at the ExCeL’s waterfront in London, and it wasn’t quite what we were expecting.
Sandwiched between the Friends and Squid Game experiences, the new Elvis Presley themed attraction promises to transport fans through key moments of his life and career.
The new experience centres around Elvis' iconic '68 special performance and all the backstage drama that led up to his now career defining show.
Guests are transported back to the 60s as soon as they enter the venue as you start off in a retro themed diner where you can grab a burger or a milkshake before entering the experience. The attraction then begins ‘backstage at the NBC studios’ just hours before Elvis’ comeback show takes place. Greeted by studio staff you are chosen to be the live audience for the performance.
Elvis’ childhood friend Sam Bell soon bursts in as he asks to see ‘EP’ before the show starts. But after being rejected by studio staff, he then reminisces about growing up with Elvis in Tupelo and invites the audience to take a journey back to their carefree days as kids.
Guiding you aboard a train to Elvis’ hometown, Sam starts to describe Elvis' early life and his rise to fame. Although the whole scene felt a bit confusing as one minute you were immersed in a train ride with your seats simulating the jolty tracks and the next was a monologue from Sam about his life growing apart from Elvis.
While it was interesting to learn about their friendship, it felt like Elvis’ story ended up becoming a bit overshadowed by Sam’s by the end of the scene.
The experience has an interval of sorts based at the Blue Hawaii bar themed on Elvis’ classic 1961 movie before the second half starts as you’re guided through Elvis’ backstage NBC dressing room before taking a seat in the studio for his performance.
For the attraction Elvis’ dressing room has been meticulously recreated for fans to explore. But you don't have much time to look around as you are led into the NBC studio for the performance to begin.
The experience does have immersive elements like Elvis’ cologne being pumped throughout for fans to smell and the different sets to explore but the cherry on top would of course have been to see a hologram performance.
That being said, it feels like the attraction is more directed to the new generation of Elvis fans who are perhaps not too familiar with his early life or rise to fame.
Online Elvis Evolution responded to a fan who was not happy with her "immersive experience": "The first announcement about the show was made back in January 2024, before tickets were on sale and while the creative direction was still evolving. As with many complex productions, our concept developed significantly from those early stages. While we explored various technologies, we ultimately chose not to replicate Elvis’ irreplaceable performances, and instead crafted an experience where the story leads the technology, not the other way around. We cannot wait for you to see it!"
From the outset of development, we made a deliberate decision to explore the most powerful and authentic ways to tell Elvis’ story. This major scale production brings together a cast of 28 performers and over 300 skilled professionals across design, production, and visual effects.
Elvis Evolution is a multisensory experience, where technology plays a powerful supporting role, but the show doesn’t attempt to recreate Elvis’ performances. Instead, it joyfully celebrates the ones he gave us. We’re incredibly proud of what’s been created, and of how it’s reconnecting people with Elvis in new and meaningful ways.”
A spokesperson for Layered Reality said to the BBC: "A small number of people have pointed out that they were expecting a hologram concert, due to the initial announcement made in January 2024. As with many complex productions that are two years in the making, the concept developed from those early stages, and this was made clear when tickets went on sale in October 2024.
"We ultimately took the creative decision not to mimic Elvis's performances. Those moments proved to be too iconic and irreplaceable. Instead, we use AI to upscale archive footage and in moments we know happened but where no footage existed, offering a new lens into his world."
On Sunday, some of the shows were cancelled for "security reasons" after an attendee was carried out by several security members during the interval. In a video posted on social media, an older man can be seen being lifted by security staff and taken out of the room after he had expressed his disappointment with the show he experienced and things got out of hand.
"The elderly gentleman then said ‘this is b*****ks' - at which point they turned all the lights up and got the security from the Excel to come in.
Shocking video shows the elderly man being carried out of the building by his arms and legs as onlookers pleaded with four burly guards to leave him alone.
Layered Reality told the BBC that the man "became verbally aggressive towards our staff and despite being politely asked to stop, the behaviour escalated, with the guest explicitly stating his intention to continue making threats towards our staff and performers."
Security removed him from the event after he refused to leave the venue.
"Staff had no choice but to carry him out so the show could continue but because of the uproar it became too heated and the mood wasn't right to continue the show," one attendee told the BBC.
Behind the scenes, twenty three performers have written to producers alleging that hourly rates began at UK£13.50 with unpredictable call times that made it impossible to accept other work. Rehearsals were reportedly cut short or cancelled at little notice while cast members were expected to keep weekdays clear in case they were summoned. The letter lists demands for a guaranteed weekly minimum, clearer scheduling, paid breaks, and travel reimbursement that align with Equity guidelines. Some performers say shifting technical specifications forced repeated re blocking and last minute costume alterations, adding pressure to an already tight schedule.
Although several artists describe the atmosphere as toxic, others insist the working conditions match industry norms for large immersive productions. One actor says management increased minimum pay after initial complaints and maintained open lines of communication through dedicated welfare staff.
For now, the King’s latest revival in London struggles to meet its royal billing, caught between the lofty expectations of a tech savvy audience and the practical challenges of bringing a digital legend to life on a conventional stage.