This limited-edition 10-inch pairs two holiday classics from Elvis’ legendary 1957 Christmas sessions: 'Blue Christmas' and 'Santa Claus Is Back in Town' on blue colored vinyl.
Description: In 1957, Elvis Presley recorded these two songs during the landmark sessions that produced Elvis’ Christmas Album.
“Blue Christmas” is one of Elvis’ most iconic and enduring holiday songs. Written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson and first recorded in 1948, the song became iconic when Elvis gave it his signature sound, complete with Millie Kirkham’s ghostly “woo-wee-woo” backing and The Jordanaires’ classic harmonies.
Though released on the 1957 album, “Blue Christmas” wasn’t issued as a commercial single until 1964, where it quickly became a hit. Its performance in the 1968 “Comeback Special” is the only known video footage of Elvis singing a Christmas song.
The flip side “Santa Claus is Back in Town” is a bluesy holiday track written for Elvis by legendary songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The song delivered a new kind of Christmas spirit – one that was cool, rebellious, and unmistakably Elvis.
Together, these two tracks capture the spirit of a 1957 Christmas – a year that gave us Elvis’ first holiday album, his first Christmas at Graceland, and a musical legacy that still echoes every December.
Together, these two tracks capture the spirit of a 1957 Christmas – a year that gave us Elvis’ first holiday album, his first Christmas at Graceland, and a musical legacy that still echoes every December.
"Blue Christmas/Santa Claus is Back In Town" is the third release in the limited-edition 10" collector's vinyl series exclusively available from Graceland. the first in the series, a 70th-anniversary celebration of Elvis' breakout hit "That's All Right" completely sold-out during pre-order, the second release, which commemorates the 65th anniversary of Elvis' triumphant return to the spotlight after two years of service in the U.S. Army is still available.
Graceland inducted The Imperials into their Graceland Hall of Fame or Graceland Legends.
Terry Blackwood posted on Facebook: It was such an honor to be included in that group of singers who backed Elvis so my years ago.
Elvis Updates from Graceland
Elvis Presley Enterprises managing partner Joel Weinshanker delivered some news during this year's "Conversations on Elvis" event at Graceland. The take-a-ways are:
Even Baz Luhrmann sent a playful video message from a scoring session, joking: "I am not caught in a trap. I'm here recording music for an epic [documentary] where Elvis sings and tells his story like never before."
The documentary was financed by Sony Music in partnership with EPE, and the team is committed to a proper theatrical release. As Weinshanker put it: "It needs to be seen in theaters." They're aiming for a release around Elvis's birthday in January 2026, with streaming availability and "an extended version on physical media, likely a Blu-ray" to follow.
He emphasized that beyond the film itself, there are "hundreds of hours that exist beyond that. It's a real treasure trove that's going to help [Graceland] as an institution know more and understand more about Elvis."
Hologram Show on the Horizon
Elvis fans have another reason to get excited - an Elvis hologram concert experience is getting closer to reality! Weinshanker revealed that EPE is making significant progress on what he described as "an Elvis hologram show, a concert performance, utilizing the best technology." When asked about the timeline, he said: "It's getting close."
The project aims to honor Elvis's innovative spirit, with Weinshanker noting that Elvis "was a first adapter. He wanted all the [latest] technology, he wanted all these things." He believes that when fans finally see the hologram show, they'll "know that Elvis was the greatest performer of the 20th century."
Big Plans for the 50th Anniversary
Perhaps most intriguingly, all these projects are part of what Weinshanker called a larger "march towards 2027" - the 50th anniversary of Elvis's passing. He promised that fans will see significant changes at Graceland, saying: "It's a lot of work, but going into '27, you're going to see a lot of new things at Graceland. You're going to see that we're really going to represent for the 50th anniversary, and we're going to make Elvis proud."
The event took place during Elvis Week at Graceland on August 15th, as part of the "Conversations on Elvis" series where Weinshanker delivered what host Tom Brown described as his annual "State of Elvis" address.
With a groundbreaking documentary, innovative hologram technology, and major plans for 2027, it's an incredibly exciting time to be an Elvis fan. The King's legacy continues to find new ways to captivate audiences nearly five decades after his passing!
Import Vinyl
Three new vinyl import titles have been released: the 2-LP / CD set ‘I Just Can’t Help Believin’ - An Afternoon In Culver City’, the LP / CD combo ‘The Best Of Seventyone’ and the ‘Elvis Summer Festival’ LP.
MGM filmed the rehearsal to be used in the 'That's The Way It Is' movie, which followed Elvis both on and off stage during the summer of 1970. In numerous aspects, this rehearsal is extraordinary. Elvis was in a great mood, and the selection of songs is rather distinctive. Songs such as ‘I Was The One,’ ‘Baby Let’s Play House,’ and ‘A Fool Such As I’ are just a few of the numerous rare tracks performed in this rehearsal. These songs were completely absent from the live performances filmed for the motion picture ‘That’s The Way It Is’.
Certain songs were never played live by Elvis following his final public show in 1961 and some were never played live at all. Seven songs from this rehearsal were included in the original 1970 cinema version of ‘That’s The Way It Is.’ It is merely speculation as to why no additional performances were included in the ‘Special Edition 50th Anniversary Version’ released in 2020.
This very limited edition is now available on orange or on white colored vinyl, each including a bonus CD.
Side A: 01. Don’t It Make You Wanna Go Home * / 02. Something / 03. Words / Don’t It Make You Wanna Go Home * / 04. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ / 05. Little Sister (False Start And Complete) - Get Back
Side B: 01 . I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water / 02. I Was The One / 03. Cattle Call / 04. Baby Let’s Play House / 05. Don’t / 06. Money Honey / Hard Headed Woman * / 07. (Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I / 08. Froggy Went A-Courtin’
Side C: 01. Such A Night (Edited For Listening Pleasure) / 02. It’s Now Or Never / Are You Horny Tonight? * / 03. What’d I Say / The Lord’s Prayer / 04. My Country Tis’ Of Thee (Edited For Listening Pleasure) / 05. Hava Nagilah ** / 06. My Baby Left Me
Side D: 01. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (With Reprise) / 02. Just Pretend * - Stranger In The Crowd – Ending /
Bonus Material: 03. That’s All Right Mama (July 15, 1970) Slow Version **/*** / 04. Cotton Fields (July 15, 1970) ** / 05. Alla En El Rancho Grande (July 15 1970) ** / 06. How The Web Was Woven (July 15, 1970) Off Mic ** / 07. Mary In The Morning (August 7, 1970) Funny Version **
* One Liner / ** Mono Source / *** Contains Imperfections
CD: 01. Talking / Don’t It Make You Wanna Go Home * / 02. Something – Talking / 03. Words - Don’t It Make You Wanna Go Home * / 04. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ / 05. Little Sister (False Start And Complete) - Get Back / 06. Band Rehearsal - Rehearsing The Ending Of Get Back / 07 . I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water / 08. I Was The One / 09. Cattle Call / 10. Baby Let’s Play House / 11. Don’t / 12. Money Honey / Hard Headed Woman * / 13. (Now And Then There’s) Fool Such As I / 14. Froggy Went A-Courtin’ / Viva Las Vegas * / 15. Such A Night ** / 16. It’s Now Or Never / Are You Horny Tonight? * / 17. What’d I Say - The Lord’s Prayer / 18. My Country Tis’ Of Thee ** / 19. Hava Nagilah ** / 20. My Baby Left Me / 21. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (With Reprise) / 22. Just Pretend * - Stranger In The Crowd - Ending
Bonus: 23. Such A Night (edited for listening pleasure)
* one liner / ** contains imperfections
Elvis spent more than 10 days in the studio during this year. In 1971, 3 original albums were released. ‘Elvis Country’, ‘Love Letters’ and ‘The Wonderful World Of Christmas’. Only the latter featured songs recorded in 1971. Recordings for the first two albums were done in 1970.
Most recordings made in 1971 ended up (besides on the Christmas Album) on the 1972 album release of 'Elvis Now' and 'He Touched Me' and on the 1973 album release of 'Elvis' (aka the 'Fool' album).
This high-quality 180 grams virgin vinyl pressing is now available in orange or yellow vinyl.
And as always housed in a stunning full color sleeve suitable for framing! Don't miss out on this wonderful limited edition album. Of course, a bonus CD featuring all tracks is included.
Tracklisting side A: I'm Leavin' (Unedited Master) / Amazing Grace (Take 2) / Early Morning Rain (Take 11) / It's Still Here (Take 5) / (That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me / The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Different Mix) / Bosom Of Abraham (Take 4) / Help Me Make It Through The Night (Take 7).
Side B: Don't Think Twice, It's All Right (Edit Version) / He Touched Me (Take 2) / Until It's Time For You To Go (Unedited Master) / Fools Rush In (Take 6) / An Evening Prayer (Take 8) / Put Your Hand In The Hand (Unedited Master) / I Will Be True ((Take 2) / It's Only Love (Unedited Master) / Reach Out To Jesus (Take 9).
Tracklist CD: I'm Leavin' (Unedited Master) / Amazing Grace (Take 2) / Early Morning Rain (Take 11) / It's Still Here (Take 5) / (That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me / The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Different Mix) / Bosom Of Abraham (Take 4) / Help Me Make It Through The Night (Take 7) / Don't Think Twice, It's All Right (Edit Version) / He Touched Me (Take 2) / Until It's Time For You To Go (Unedited Master) / Fools Rush In (Take 6) / An Evening Prayer (Take 8) / Put Your Hand In The Hand (Unedited Master) / I Will Be True ((Take 2) / It's Only Love (Unedited Master) / Reach Out To Jesus (Take 9).
This is the first release on the new Polkadot record label.
Tracklisting side A: Fountain Of Love (Take 6) / For The Millionth And The Last Time (Take 7) / Slicin' Sand (Take 10) / Sand Castles (Take 1) / Riding The Rainbow (Stereo Master) / I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here (Take 13) / Wonderful World (Take 6) / Night Rider (Take 5) / Island Of Love (Take 8) / Kiss Me Quick (Take 6)
Side B: Take Me To The Fair (Take 7) / No More (Take 9) / Home Is Where The Heart Is (Take 14) / You'll Be Gone (Take 4) / Mexico (Take 6) Where Do You Come From From ?(Take 13) / Rock-A-Hula Baby (Take 3) / Happy Ending (Take 9) / What A Wonderful Life (Take 6) / (Marie’s The Name Of) His Latest Flame (Take 3).
Remembering Elvis Radio
To mark the month of Elvis' passing, Matt Shepherd brings you three Elvis mini specials. The first focusses on tracks Elvis recorded in the 50s. There's also music from Scotty Moore's album - 'The Guitar That Changed The World'.
Go to >>> Soundcloud to enjoy the show.
Also, look out for mini 60s and 70s Elvis Specials to come during August.
Watch the Vigil
Graceland invites you to join them in honoring Elvis Presley in a moment of touching remembrance with the annual Candlelight Vigil, the cornerstone event of Elvis Week. Tonight — August 15 at 8:30 PM (Central Time) held at the Gates of Graceland.
For those unable to attend in person, we’re pleased to offer a >>> live stream of the opening ceremony and procession so you can be part of this celebration from anywhere.
Light a candle in your home, join us virtually, and let’s come together in remembrance of the king.
Once the event concludes a you can watch the Vigil though >>> this new link.
(Source: Pascal Matteo / Graceland / Terry Blackwood / Various)