December 23 - It's Elvis Time

Just in time for Christmas, the Dutch It's Elvis Time fanclub published the December 2025 edition of their self-titled magazine. 

The full color 50-page magazine is filled with articles on Aaron Schroeder' in the magazine's 'Elvis Sings ....' series. This marks the last article written by the late Trevor Simpson. 'Saint Elvis' investigates the origin of Elvis' name and '1971 - The impossible Dream' goes behind the scenes of Elvis 1971 Vegas engagement.

The review section covers volume 3 of FTD's 'The Last Tours' while the main feature of this edition is an extended interview with Mandi Miller. Fan club president Eric van Rooij caught up with Sandi and asked the questions. 

No news this time, but enough for a pleasant read during the Holiday season. 

Want to become a member of It's Elvis Time? You can! Click >>> here to apply for membership.

(Source: It's Elvis Time)

December 21 - EPiC Soundtrack

Available from Amazon as a digital pre-order is the 27-track soundtrack for 'EPiC: Elvis presley In Concert'. The album should be available February 20, 2026. 

The album is available from >>> Amazon (associate link).

Update December 22: However there has been no official SONY / EPE announcement yet, and at the moment the Amazon post has been removed.

Tracks: Can't Help Falling In Love (EPiC Intro) - Also Sprach Zarathustra / An American Trilogy (EPiC Version - Elvis Presley and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) - That's All Right (EPiC Version) - Tiger Man (EPiC Version) - Wearin' That Night Life Look (Elvis Presley and Jamieson Shaw) - Hound Dog (EPiC Version) - Polk Salad Annie (EPiC Version) - You've Lost That Loving Feeling (EPiC Version) - Little Sister / Get Back (EPiC Version) - Burning Love (EPiC Version - Elvis Presley and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) - Never Been To Spain (EPiC Version) - Love Me (Jamieson Shaw Remix - Elvis Presley and Jamieson Shaw) - I Can't Stop Loving You (EPiC Version) - Are You Lonesome Tonight? (EPiC Version) - Always On My Mind (Omer Fedi Remix - Elvis Presley and Omer Fedi) - How Great Thou Art (EPiC Version) - Oh Happy Day (EPiC Version) - A Big Hunk O' Love (EPiC Version) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (EPiC Version) - In the Ghetto (Jamieson Shaw Remix - Elvis Presley and Jamieson Shaw) - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (EPiC Version) - Suspicious Minds (EPiC Version) - Bring The Curtain Down (EPiC Outro) - Can't Help Falling In Love (EPiC Version) - American David (EPiC Version - Bono and Elliott Wheeler) - A Change Of Reality (Do You Miss Me?) (Elvis Presley and Jamieson Shaw) - Don't Fly Away (PNAU Remix - Elvis Presley and PNAU)

(Source: Franz Nubel / Amazon)

December 20 - Elvis Collected On Vinyl and CD

Elvis Presley Enterprises / Graceland sent out their annual Fan Club Presidents Christmas card / CD. 

The 2025 edition is titled 'Elvis Sings' and features the songs 'The Wonderful World of Christmas', 'Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees' and 'Winter Wonderland'. Added to the CD is a personal message from EPE, Graceland and the Presley family.

Elvis Collected

The Vinyl Champ budget record label released the 19-track compilation LP 'Elvis Collected' as a "Limited Edition on colored vinyl" according to the hype sticker. 

It is available only at physical Lidl shops in the Netherlands.

(Source: Pascal Matteo / Lidl)

December 20 - Charts December 2025 - Week 3 - Updated

Elvis Presley is one of a handful of musical acts who passed away decades ago who manage to return to the charts every December thanks to the holiday music they recorded during their lifetime. On this week's chart he is listed with eight different titles.

Official U.K. charts

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation slipped from No. 92 to No. 95 on the Official U.K. Album Top 100, and dropped seven places, from No. 74 to No. 81, on the nation's Chart Update chart.

On the Official U.K. Streaming chart the compilation bounced back up and climbed five places from No. 80 to No. 75.  

The song 'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 68 to No. 65 on the U.K. Single Top 100. It rose from No. 56 to No. 48 on the Official Streaming chart, from No. 54 to No. 48 on the Audio Streaming chart and from No. 59 to No. 55 on the Chart Update chart.

'The Complete Story' re-enters the Official Music Video chart at No. 36.

U.S. Billboard charts

On the U.S. Billboard charts Elvis is finding listed higher than on the U.K. charts.

'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 31 to No. 29 on the Billboard's Main Hot 100 single chart. On the Global Top 200 chart the song climbed from No. 60 to No. 44, on the Holiday 100 chart it dropped from No. 21 to No. 22 while it remained steady at No. 24 on the Top Streaming Songs chart. On Billboard's Country Streaming Songs chart the classic remained steady at No. 4 while in re-entered the Rock Digital Song chart at No. 11. 

'Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)' re-entered the Holiday 100 chart at No. 96, but on the Holiday Streaming Songs chart it lost one spot and fell to No. 21. The single jumped from No. 60 to No. 44 on the Global Top 200 chart.

'O Little Town of Bethlehem' climbed from No. 20 to No. 16 on the Christian Streaming Songs chart this week.

'The Classic Christmas Album' gained another 12 spots on the main Billboard 200 chart, climbing from No. 55 to No. 43 this week. On the Top Streaming Albums chart to album climbed from No. 44 to No. 36. On the Catalog Album chart the compilation remained steady at No. 20. The album entered the Top 10 of Billboards Top Country Albums chart, climbing from No. 10 to No. 8, while 'The Essential Elvis Presley' climbed from No. 46 to No. 44 on that chart.

On the Top Rock and Alternative Albums chart 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from No. 9 to No. 5 while it climbed up the Top 10 of the Top Rock Album chart from No. 7 to No. 5. this week. On the Top Holiday Album chart the compilation remained steady at No. 16. The album climbed from No. 60 to No. 44 on Billboard's Global Top 200 Album chart. 

On the Artists chart Elvis Presley climbed from No. 73 to No. 25 this week. 

To be updated: 'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entered Billboard's Top Streaming chart at No. 44. 'Blue Christmas' just missed out on becoming a No. 1 hit again on the Rock Streaming Songs tally, as Billboard has classified it as a rock tune. 

Canadian Billboard Charts

On Billboard's Canadian Hot 100 chart, 'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 24 to No. 20 while 'The Classic Christmas Album' rose from No. 52 to No. 36 on the Canadian Album Top 100 chart.

Irish Charts

'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 95 to No. 81 on the Irish IRMA single Top 100 chart.

Dutch Charts

On the Dutch Singles Top 100 chart 'Blue Christmas' made jumped from No. 92 to No. 67. 'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entered the Dutch Album Top 100 at No. 86.

Swedish Charts

'Elvis' Christmas Album' gained nine places on the Swedish album chart and climbed from No. 49 No. 40. 'Blue Christmas' re-entred the Swedish Single Top 100 at No. 89.

Norwegian Charts

'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entered the Norwegian Top Lista chart at No. 86. 

Swiss Charts

'Blue Christmas' re-entered the Swiss Single Chart at No. 97 this year. 

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

Review Elvis Religion and Spirituality

In the unceasing stream of books about Elvis, I as an "Elvis minister" (I incorporate Elvis' spiritual journey into religious services) always have a special eye for books or chapters that deal with the spiritual side of Elvis. For many people who don't know that much about Elvis, it's still a surprise that Elvis was religious. 

Recently, I was alerted that 'Elvis Religion and Spirituality as Seen Through His Possessions' had been published. I immediately ordered and read it!

By Fred Omvlee, Elvis Minister.

Design

The 322-page book is in a fairly large format and paperback. I don't think a hardcover version is available. That's a shame, because my book is already starting to get dog-eared because I leaf through it a lot. 

It's a gold mine for the fan interested in Elvis' personal items related to religion, which is a niche, of course. The fact that many of Elvis' religious objects take the form of a ring, pendant, or other jewelry makes the appeal greater for more fans. 

The book is 50/50 percent text and images, detailing Elvis spiritual journey through Elvis personal possessions, books with personal notes, original articles, jewelry and more. Bélard did his research and for man of the pieces of jewelry he found a photograph of Elvis wearing it.

I have one small critical point: some photos could have been sharper, in my opinion. Sometimes the text printed on them is less easily readable.

Content

As Paul Bélard writes in the foreword, the book doesn't claim to be a thorough study of Elvis' religiosity. Instead, it focuses on the outward manifestations that reflect his inner needs. And that's where the strength and the poignancy lie. Just as in my Elvis church services I like to show a photo of a Bible verse where Elvis wrote: "In the Lord I place my trust, He will guide me." I find the personal messages he wrote in books - for himself or for others - deeply moving. 

I also find the first object touching: a small painting of Jesus that he bought for his parents in 1956. They hung it in their bedroom. 

When Elvis was asked in an interview in 1956 which of the gifts he had given to his parents meant the most to him he answered. “The picture of Jesus I bought them when I was 15. I was working as a usher at that time and saved up a week’s pay to get it for them. It cost me US$15 and now it hangs in my parents bedroom.”

Elvis' entire quest through Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, and Sri Daya Mata is fascinating. It all comes up in this book. However, this isn't a book to read all at once. Every two pages describe a different item, which makes it more of a browsing book to pick up again and again. 

For me, an index would be handy to quickly look something up again. But for the fan interested in Elvis' faith, it's a gold mine!

Conclusion

It should be clear: this is a book for the specialized Elvis fan who already has just about everything about Elvis on the shelf but specifically wants to know more about Elvis' religious possessions. 

As a theologian and Elvis minister, I say: this calls for even more depth. This is just the beginning of a deeper knowledge of Elvis' thinking and believing.

You can vist Fred Omvlee's website at >>> www.ElvisKapel.nl (in Dutch)

Buy the book

The book is available from >>> Amazon (associate link). For a signed edition you can contact Paul Belard by email at >>> pbelard@hotmail.com

December 19 - Elvis: Up Close Video

The Blue-line / Rockin' Bear record label released the LP 'The Rock N' Roots Of Elvis Presley' as a Limited Edition on blue colored vinyl. 

Publicity stated: Superb vinyl record album from the king of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley, recorded live in 1974 and 1976. This LP features the songs 'Love Me Tender', 'Steamroller Blues', 'Teddy Bear' - 'Don't Be Cruel' and many more.

Side A:

01. All Shook Up

02. Why Me Lord

03. Love Me Tender

04. Hound Dog

05. Fever

06. Suspicious Minds

07. I Cant Stop Loving You

08. Bridge Over Troubled Water

Side B:

09. CC Rider

10. Cant Help Falling In Love

11. Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel

12. Big Boss Man

13. You Gave Me A Mountain

14. Trying To Get To You

15. Hurt

16. Steamroller Blues

Close-Up

Graceland has released a new episode of their exclusive video series. 'Elvis: Up Close' offers fans a seasonal glimpse into Elvis’ life as a father.

This episode features Lisa Marie’s Toys, a collection of childhood items Elvis gave to his daughter in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Displayed each holiday season in the Jungle Room, the toys are arranged as if Santa has just paid a visit, reflecting the warmth and care Elvis brought to Christmas at Graceland.

(Source: Graceland)

December 18 - EPiC Poster

Baz Luhrmann posted an 'EPiC' poster for the 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' movie which will hit theaters February 2026. 

Description: Elvis Presley like never before. Featuring long-lost footage discovered by Academy Award-nominated Baz Luhrmann, 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' is a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience. One week IMAX exclusive starts February 20, 2026 and in theaters worldwide on February 27th. 

Click on the image to enlarge.

 

(Source: Baz Luhrmann)

December 17 - Elvis #90 in Tupelo

The Belgian / Dutch ElvisMatters fanclub published Volume 90 of their 'ELVIS' magazine. This edition comes with an Exclusive Christmas single for the club's members. 

The 7-inch vinyl single features two classics from 1957: 'Santa Claus Is Back in Town' coupled with 'Santa, Bring My Baby Back (To Me)'. Both tracks have been reworked with special 3D-mono mastering, giving them a fresh, clear and surprisingly modern sound, without losing the timeless character of the original 1957 recordings. 

The full-color A4-sized magazine features background articles on the late Bill Morris, 'Elvis Presley in Concert', Elvis' bass-player Jerry Scheff, Christmas at Graceland 1957 and reviews of the books 'Elvis, We Were There!' and 'Softly, As I Leave You'. Also added to the magazine (for the club's Gold members) is a CD with music related to the articles and Christmas theme of the magazine. 

Visit the fan-club's website >>> here to join ElvisMatters for more information. 

City of Tupelo to buy Tupelo Hardware Store

The city of Tupelo announced that it will purchase the historic store where Elvis Presley bought his first guitar The store, which was founded in 1926 by George H. Booth, is set to close at the end of the year. 

The City of Tupelo has entered into an agreement with the Booth family to purchase Tupelo Hardware Company. The contract includes the purchase of buildings one and two, as well as the parking lot on Court Street directly behind building one.

“Tupelo Hardware Company is an important part of Tupelo’s history,” said Mayor Todd Jordan. “The opportunity to acquire these historic buildings ensures that Tupelo’s story will continue to unfold and that citizens and visitors from around the world will always be able to walk through the doors at 114 West Main Street.”

Tupelo Hardware Company, founded in 1926 by George H. Booth, is an integral part of Elvis Presley’s Tupelo story and is a primary point of origin for visitors to Tupelo, both domestically and internationally. The store is best known for selling Elvis his first guitar. It is the most authentic experience as it relates to Elvis in the city, next to the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum.

“This purchase offers us the tremendous opportunity to save a historic building in Downtown Tupelo, but more importantly, it enables us to preserve a piece of American history and continue to share the story of Elvis’ famous purchase with visitors to Tupelo,” said Stephanie Coomer, Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director.

The Tupelo City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to purchase two of the three buildings and the parking lot that house Tupelo Hardware.

The council made their vote after a brief executive session. “It was a quicker decision than we wanted to make, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau to continue the story that has been told over the years,” said Tupelo Mayor Todd Jordan.

(Source: ElvisMatters / DJournal / My Tupelo)

December 16 - Elvis In Concert Delayed

The Gravel Road import record label announced that the 'Elvis In Concert' album will be postponed to January 2026. 

The label stated that the master created by the pressing plant didn't meet the quality level the Gravel Road label wants to give to Elvis fans. Therefore, a new master has to be created and approved before the records can be pressed. Due to the holiday season, causing an extra delay, the release of this set has been postponed to January 2026.

The LP is available for pre-order from the >>> Bennies webshop.

(Source: Gravel Road)

Review - Blue Moon 2025 Remix Single

Released by the French RDM-Edition record label is the single ‘Blue Moon’, but with a twist.

 Design
 
You can’t really go wrong with a William Speer photo, and this 1955 photograph perfectly matches the recordings on the vinyl and silver disc. The designer did slip up with the “crescent moon” instead of the “blue moon” on the cover.
 

The single is available in four versions; a two-track clear vinyl version and a two-track CD single from RDM-Edition, and a two-track pink-colored Bennies Fifties Exclusive vinyl version and a Bennies Fifties Exclusive CD single with a bonus track. 

Besides the different track list and color vinyl, there are no other differences.

 
Content

The SUN title track was first released by RCA, two years after Elvis recorded it. Alan Hanson wrote: “As a teenager in Memphis, Elvis probably heard multiple recordings of the song on the radio. He obviously liked the pop ballad, as, according to biographer Peter Guralnick, Elvis was already singing the song when he first hooked up with Sun Records in 1954. In fact, Guralnick believes that Elvis, Scotty Moore, and Bill Black tried to record it in July 1954 as a possible flip slide to ‘That’s All Right’. 

On August 19th they did record it. Guralnick wrote: “On August 19, 1954 they spent hours doing take after take of ‘Blue Moon,’ in an eerie, clippity-clop version that resembled a cross between Slim Whitman’s ‘Indian Love Call’ and some of the falsetto flights of the R&B ‘bird’ groups (the Orioles, the Ravens, the Larks). 

After it was all over, Sam wasn’t satisfied that they had anything worth releasing, but he never uttered a word of demurral for fear of discouraging the unfettered freshness and enthusiasm of the singer.”

 
Music historian Colin Escott commented on Elvis’ interpretation of this 1934 song: “Elvis skips the bridge and the final verse that contains the happy ending, neatly transforming the 32-bar pop classic into an eerie 16-bar blues.” The original lyrics describe a man whose longing for love is finally rewarded. 

Elvis used only two opening stanzas, repeating and separating them with ‘falsetto moans’ according to Alan Hanson. These additions emphasize the different outcome Elvis gave to the song, singing “Blue moon, without a love of my own.” You could say that the man from Lorenz Hart’s original lyrics is alone in a ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ or a ‘Lonesome Town,’ like the 1958 Ricky Nelson classic.

 
And that is exactly what audio engineer Anthony Stuchbury delivered on this 2025 remix of ‘Blue Moon’. He took Elvis’ voice and laid that over Ricky’s guitar, and placed the Jordanaires - who backed Nelson on this recording - in the background. Oddly enough, all elements fit in perfectly together, adding even more melancholy. 
 

To me it sounds like this performance was recorded with Elvis, Ricky, and the Jordanaires in the studio, with the new stereo presentation opening the song even more, giving the melancholy room to breathe. The result is an even more haunting presentation of Elvis’ discarded SUN recording.
 
Some readers will probably say that Elvis’ recording shouldn’t be touched, but you could also say that Elvis, the Blue Moon Boys, and Sam Phillips didn’t really see the value of their recording, and RCA discovered it by accident on the tapes they received from SUN Records as part of the deal they had struck to buy Elvis’ contract. I, for one, really liked it as a different interpretation of this song, enriching the Elvis library.

You can listen to short previews on the >>> RDM-Edition website. 
 

The Dutch Bennies Fifties Retro Store released an Exclusive Bennies Fifties Edition, which contains Elvis singing ‘Blue Moon’ a cappella, showcasing Elvis’ unique voice in its purest form, even as untrained as he was, nervous at his second recording session. 

What a pleasure to be able to listen to our man like this. The whining and wailing between the lyrics sound quite surreal, and so much different from other songs he recorded at SUN. This song is only available on the Bennies Fifties Exclusive CD single.

Going into all this detail on ‘Blue Moon’, we’d almost forget about the flip side of the single, which features an Improved Mono II Stereo Mix of Roy Brown’s ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’. 

Stuchbury keeps improving his technique and presents an impressive mix that presents the original SUN sound we know and love, but with modern punch and detail, taking it into the 21st century. This song never rocked like this, making this two-track single a really strong and enjoyable set. I, for one, kept flipping it around.
 
Conclusion
 
Yes, experiments like this could very well go very wrong, but Stuchbury’s craftsmanship delivered a seamless new mix of ‘Blue Moon’ that really works, and a rockin’ ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’ that never rocked like this. Sony, are you paying attention to this man’s work?
 
All four versions of this single are available from >>> Bennies Fifties.

December 14 - Golden Boy's FTD's Released

According to updates on The King's Realm Forum, Facebook and the Bear Family shop the December Follow That Dream releases arrived with the first dealers and lucky fans. 

The Follow That Dream collectors label, in cooperation with the Norwegian Flaming Star fan club released their December 2025 release the Deluxe box-set ‘The Making of G.I. Blues’ by David English and Pål Granlund. 

The box-set can be ordered from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop.

Publicity stated: FTD books is pleased to announce the release of ‘The Making Of G.I. Blues’ this 65th Anniversary Commemorative Edition is packaged in an individually numbered Deluxe collector's slipcase.

Book 1 - The Movie The Making Of G.I. Blues - The Movie: a 384-page hardback coffee table style Deluxe book, containing many newly discovered photographs, details on deleted scenes, pages from the script, the shooting schedule, memos, contracts, as well as memories from the cast and crew.

 

Book 2 – The Music: a 84-page book of photos, documents and detailed session information.

Additionally the set contains 5 CDs featuring for the first time, the complete Elvis Presley soundtrack recording sessions, from the original 3-track tapes to stereo, sequenced in recording order. 

Also included is Special Collector’s vinyl 33 RPM, compact double EP with a picture sleeve. All housed in a Deluxe, individually (sticker) numbered slipcase.

CD 1: G.I. Blues - The Masters:

Tonight Is So Right For Love - What’s She Really Like - Frankfort Special - Wooden Heart - G. I. Blues - Pocketful Of Rainbows - Shoppin’ Around - Big Boots - Didja’ Ever - Blue Suede Shoes  - Doin’ The Best I Can - Tonight’s All Right For Love

April 27, 1960 - Sunset & Vine, Hollywood:

Shoppin’ Around (Instrumental, AO Take 1 - 2) - Shoppin’ Around (Instrumental, AO Take 3 / Master - From Acetate) - Shoppin’ Around (Instrumental, AO Take 4) - Shoppin’ Around (First version, BO Take 1) - Shoppin’ Around (First Version, BO Take 2 - 4) - Shoppin’ Around (First Version, BO Take 5) - Shoppin’ Around (First Version, BO Take 6 - 10) - Shoppin’ Around (First Version, BO Take 11) - Shoppin’ Around (First Version, BO Take 14 / Master - From Acetate)

CD 2: G.I. Blues - April 27, 1960 - Sunset and Vine, Hollywood:

Didja’ Ever (CO Take 1) - Didja’ Ever (CO Take 2 / Original Master) - Didja’ Ever (Splice Of CO Take 1 & 2 / Substituted Album Master) - Doin’ The Best I Can (DO Take 1 - 3) - Doin’ The Best I Can (DO Take 4 - 7) - Doin’ The Best I Can (DO Take 8 - 9) - Doin’ The Best I Can (DO Take 10 - 12) - Doin’ The Best I Can (DO Take 13 / Master) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 1) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 2 - 4) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 5) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 6) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 7) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 8 - 10, Insert) - G. I. Blues (Splice Of EO Take 7 & 10 / Master) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 1 - 2) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 3) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 4) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 5 - 7) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 1 - 3) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 4 - 5)

* Take 2 used on first pressing of soundtrack.
Also on exported album master (UK, Germany etc.).

CD 3: G.I. Blues - April 27, 1960 - Sunset and Vine, Hollywood:

Frankfort Special (Fast Version, HO Take 1 - 2) - Frankfort Special (Fast Version, HO Take 3 - 5) - Frankfort Special (Fast Version, HO Take 6 - 7) - Frankfort Special (Fast Version, HO Take 8) - Frankfort Special (Fast Version, HO Take 9 - 13) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 8) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 9) - . Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 10 - 11 / Master)

April 28, 1960 - Sunset & Vine, Hollywood:

Whistling Blues (Instrumental, JO Take 2 / Master) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (Instrumental, KO Take 1 - 4 / Master) - Wooden Heart (Gramafunken Version, Instrumental, LO Take 1 - 2 / Master) - Big Boots (Fast Version, M1O Take 1 - 2) - Big Boots (Fast Version, M1O Take 3) - Big Boots (Fast Version, M1O Take 4) - Big Boots (Fast Version, M1O Take 5) - Big Boots (Fast Version, M1O Take 6 - 7 / Master) - Big Boots (Slow Version, MO Take 1) - Big Boots (Slow Version, MO Take 2 - 3) - Big Boots (Slow Version, MO Take 4) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 6 - 7) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 8 - 11) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 12 - 13) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 14 - 16)

CD 4: G.I. Blues - April 28, 1960 - Sunset and Vine, Hollywood:

What’s She Really Like (GO Take 17 - 19) - What’s She Really Like (insert, GO Take 20 - 22) - What’s She Really Like (Splice Of GO Take 19 & 22 Insert / Master) - Pocketful of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 1 - 2) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 3) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 4 - 7) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 8) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 9) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 10) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 11 - 12) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 13 - 14) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 15 - 16) - Blue Suede Shoes (PO Take 1 / Master) - Wooden Heart (QO Take 1) - Wooden Heart (QO Take 2 - 4 / Master) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 17) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 18 - 20) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 21 - 25) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 26 - 28)

CD 5: G.I. Blues - May 6, 1960 - Radio Recorders, Hollywood:

Big Boots (Fast Version, Remake, M1O-X Take 1) - Big Boots (Fast Version, Remake, M1O-X Take 2) - Shoppin’ Around (Remake, BO-X Take 1 - 2) - Shoppin’ Around (Remake, BO-X Take 3 - 5) - Shoppin’ Around (Remake, BO-X Take 6 - 7 / Master) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Remake, NO-X Take 1 - 2 / Master) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Remake, NO-X Take 3) - Frankfort Special (Remake, HO-X Take 1 - 5) - Frankfort Special (Remake, HO-X Take 6 - 8) - Frankfort Special (Remake, HO-X Take 9 - 10 / Master) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 1) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 2 - 5) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 6) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 7 - 8) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 9 - 10) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 11 - 12) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 14 - 15) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 16 - 17) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (Insert, R2O Take 1 - 2) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (Composite Of R1O Take 10 & R2O Take 2 / Master) - Big Boots (Slow Version, Remake, MO-X Take 1 - 6) - Big Boots (Slow Version, Insert, M2O-X Take 1 - 4) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (“Tales From The Vienna Woods”, Instrumental, RO Take 1 - 4) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (“Tales From The Vienna Woods”, Instrumental, RO Take 5 / Master) - Big Boots (SO Take 3, Composite Of MO Take 4 & M2O-X Take 4 / Master)

Mastered by Sebastian Jeansson, mixed from 3-track to stereo by Vic Anesini with Sebastian Jeansson. Original engineers: Thorne Nogar and Al Schmitt. Produced by Ernst Mikael Jørgensen.

Note: There are no new Out-takes in this release, only new instrumental versions:

April 27, 1960 - Sunset and Vine, Hollywood:

- Shoppin' Around - Instrumental, AO Take 1 (FS), 2 (FS)

- Shoppin' Around - Instrumental, AO Take 3 / Master (Acetate)

April 28, 1960 - Sunset and Vine, Hollywood:

- Tonight Is So Right For Love - Instrumental, KO Take 1 (FS), 2 (FS), 3 (FS)

- Wooden Heart - Gramafunken Version, Instrumental, LO Take 1 (FS)

May 6, 1960 - Radio Recorders, Hollywood:

- Tonight’s All Right For Love ('Tales From The Vienna Woods') -Instrumental, RO Take 1 (FS), 2 (FS), 3 (FS), 4 (complete)

The Bear Family has this LP listed as in stock. 

Publicity stated: The 'Good Times - The Outtakes' is a special ‘numbered’ Limited 2-LP Edition of 3,500 copies on Ocean Blue colored vinyl.

FTD Vinyl’s first release in August, 2010 arrived long before the great vinyl revival of many years later. Due to the format’s modest sales back then, long-deleted FTD titles are now commanding high prices online and at record fairs.

To accommodate new vinyl collectors who missed out on some of these rare Elvis releases, FTD plans to reissue several key in-demand titles, starting with 'Good Times - The Outtakes'. 

Previously issued in August 2010, this collectible numbered edition’s new cover design is inspired by the 45 RPM single 'I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby'.

The LP is available from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop.

Side 1: Take Good Care of Her - rehearsal and take 1 / Loving Arms - take 1 and rehearsal / I Got a Feelin' in My Body - take 1 / If That Isn't Love - take 1 / She Wears My Ring - take 8 / I've Got a Thing about You, Baby - take 1 / My Boy - take 1 Elvis Presley

Side 2: Talk about the Good Times - take 3 / Spanish Eyes - takes 1, 2 / Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues - takes 7, 8 / I Got a Feelin' in My Body - take 4 / I've Got a Thing about You, Baby - take 14 / My Boy - take 2 / Take Good Care of Her - take 4.

Side 3: I've Got a Thing about You, Baby - takes 6, 8, 10, 11 / Loving Arms - take 2 / I Got a Feelin' in My Body - take 2 / Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues - takes 1, 4, 6 / Take Good Care of Her - takes 2, 3 / Spanish Eyes - take 4 (undubbed master).

Side 4: Talk about the Good Times - takes 1, 2 / Talk about the Good Times - take 4 (undubbed master) / She Wears My Ring - takes 1 - 7 / I Got a Feelin' in My Body - take 7 / My Boy - take 3 (undubbed master) / Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues - take 9 (unedited undubbed master) / If That Isn't Love - splice of takes 5 (LFS) and 7.

* Previously released in 2009 as 'Good Times – The Outtakes' (506020-975011)

The 'G.I. Blues' box-set can be ordered from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop.

The LP is available from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop.

Golden Boy Elvis No. 4 / 2025

Golden Boy magazine #4/2025 has been published. This last volume for 2025 is currently being shipped and will arrive at readers' homes within the next few days.

Publicity stated: It's that time of year again to look back and pause for a moment. Elvis would have turned 90 this year. We've received many new releases from FTD and Sony / RCA, and, even though the film didn't make it to the general public this year, 'EPiC' has been completed. So, for us fans, there's plenty of material to enjoy, and we can be more than satisfied.

This full color A4-sized magazine features articles on 'The Last Tours Vol. 3', the friendship between Elvis and Liberace and how Elvis ultimately came to own his famous gold lamé suit, celebrating The King in Bad Nauheim with Charles Stone, Priscilla Presley's 'Softly As I Leave You', 'Tracing the Past in Florida' on the original filming locations of the movie 'Follow That Dream' and much more to keep you entertained during the Christmas holidays. 

The Golden Boy Elvis magazine is available as a single issue or as an annual subscription (the latter includes the digital supplement GBE Mailer as a bonus).

EAP Society Off-line

The Elvis Archival Preservation Society's YouTube Channel was removed and terminated on December 13 for a violation of YouTube's Terms of Service. Jamie Kelley has been actively trying to resolve the issue and bring the channel back, but at this time it is unclear what the concrete reasons are, how long this will take or what the outcome will be.

The EAP Society is now looking to distribute its contents through multiple other platforms such as Spotify in order to not be overly dependent on a single platform.

In the meantime, most of the video content (from late 2022 and 2023 onwards) can still be found on Patreon using the >>> url: https://www.patreon.com/eapsociety and fans around the world are invited to join. However, Patreon is paywalled.

For those who don't know the EAP Society, their goals are ambitious and more paying members means a higher likelihood and quicker route to actual release of relevant new audio content and imagery.

• Finding and acquiring unheard/unseen Elvis recordings and media for preservation (they have info on more than a few now)
• When possible, releasing said media through official channels
• Licensing album/session/etc releases from Sony
• Building easy‑to‑follow tools and databases for new fans
• Creating documentaries on a wide range of Elvis topics, including interviews from people who were there
• Producing research and photo books on a wide range of Elvis topics
• Promoting a greater understanding of Elvis Presley, his art, and the people around him
• Producing more live events that are as affordable as possible for fans, in keeping with what Elvis did with his shows
• Expanding the EAP Society set for larger projects and group‑discussion episodes
• Finding new/creative/refreshing ways to introduce Elvis to more people

(Source: The King's Realm Forum / Facebook / Bear Family / EAP Soiety)

December 13 - Charts December 2025 - Week 2

Elvis Presley is one of a handful of musical acts who passed away decades ago who manage to return to the Billboard charts every December thanks to the holiday music they recorded during their lifetime. Hugh McIntyre ranked Elvis' U.S. sales for Forbes this week.

Presley’s 'Blue Christmas' stands out among the many, many holiday cuts, as it is not nearly as jolly as the majority of popular tunes in the field, and his 'The Classic Christmas Album' becomes a winner again as the weather turns cold.

Presley sees both of those titles return to multiple Billboard charts this week, and another lesser-known recording also finds its way back to one roster as Americans get back into the holiday spirit and turn their attention to Presley’s catalog yet again.

Official U.K. charts

The compilation slipped from No. 91 to No. 92 on the Official U.K. Album Top 100, but gained ten spots on the U.K. Chart Update chart, climbing from No. 84 to No. 74. 

On the Official U.K. Streaming chart the 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation slipped from No. 67 to No. 80.  

The song 'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 76 to No. 68 on the  U.K. Single Top 100, from No. 62 to No. 56 on the Official Streaming chart and from No. 56 to No. 54 on the Audio Streaming chart and from No. 70 to No. 59 on the Chart Update chart

'The King of Rock and Roll' DVD fell off the Music Video chart after last week's re-entry at No. 48.

U.S. Billboard charts

'Blue Christmas' jumped from No. 50 to No. 31 on the Hot 100 this week, the list of the most consumed songs in the U.S. On the Top Streaming Songs chart, the song made a re-entry at No. 24. On Billboard Country Streaming Songs chart the classic rose to No. 4. 

On the Holiday 100 chart to song climbed from No. 22 to No. 21 and on the Holiday Streaming Songs charts it climbed from No. 21 to No. 20. The single returned to the Global Top 200 chart at No. 60 this week.

'Blue Christmas' just missed out on becoming a No. 1 hit again on the Rock Streaming Songs tally, as Billboard has classified it as a rock tune. It jumped from No. 5 to the runner-up spot on the list of the most successful rock songs on streaming platforms. This time around, Presley is blocked by another seasonal favorite, 'Run Rudolph Run' by Chuck Berry.On the Country Streaming Songs chart 'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 11 to No.4.  

While most people are pressing play on 'Blue Christmas,' the song 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' broke onto the Christian Streaming Songs chart at No. 20 this week.

'The Classic Christmas Album' rocked-up no less than 103 places on the main Billboard 200 chart, climbing from No. 158 to No. 55 this week. Luminate reported that the album shifted another 17,050 equivalent units between streams and sales. That is up 78 percent from the period prior, when 'The Classic Christmas Album' could not quite manage 10,000 copies.

The album re-entered at No. 60 on Billboard's Global Top 200 Album chart, at No. 44 on the Top Streaming Albums chart, at No. 20 on the Catalog Album chart. The album  surged from No. 26 to No. 10 on Billboards Top Country Albums chart while 'The Essential Elvis Presley' slipped from No. 42 to No. 46 on that chart. 

On the Top Rock and Alternative Albums chart the album climbed from No. 34 to No. 9 while it re-entered the Top Rock Album chart at No. 7 this week. The album re-entered Billboard's Top Streaming chart at No. 44 this week.On the Top Holiday Album chart the compilation lost one spot and dropped to No. 16.

On the Artists chart Elvis Presley climbed from No. 95 to No. 73 this week. 

Canadian Billboard Charts

On Billboard's Canadian Hot 100 chart, 'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 37 to No. 24 while 'The Classic Christmas Album' re-entered the Canadian Album Top 100 chart at No. 52.

Irish Charts

'Blue Christmas' re-entered the Irish IRMA single Top 100 chart at No. On the Irish IRMA charts at No. 95.

Dutch Charts

On the Dutch Singles Top 100 chart 'Blue Christmas' made a re-entry at No. 92. 

Swedish Charts

'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entered the Swedish album chart at No. 49.

(Source: Billboard / Official Chart Company / UK Mix Forum / Hugh McIntyre for Forbes)

Review - We Were There

Just in time for Christmas, Dutch Elvis fan Erik van den Berg, published one of the more insightful and entertaining books of the year, capturing the story of Dutch and other European Elvis fans, realizing their dream of seeing Elvis live in concert in the seventies.

 
Design
 
The 124-page hardcover book can best be described as a travelogue or scrapbook, filled to the brim with personal memorabilia from the scrapbooks and photo albums of fans crossing the Atlantic to see their hero. 
 

Where we usually see the memorabilia from Elvis or RCA's side, we now see the memorabilia from a fan's perspective. And let's be honest, fans visiting Memphis and Graceland after 1977 saved their receipts, paperwork and entry-tickets to Graceland. Here we get the "real deal" from the seventies.
 
The visual part of the book is impressive with literally hundreds of color and black and white  photos, many very rare and of historic importance. Presented as a beautifully illustrated scrapbook, with the story of the Elvis fans visiting Elvis - including plenty of relevant information on the context - intertwined on the 120 colorful pages. The design is featured throughout the book, making it a feast for the eye.
 
Erik van den Berg's writing style takes you by the hand, following in the footsteps of those lucky fans who made the trip across the Atlantic to see Elvis live in concert. He provides a frame in which the memories, memorabilia and photographs tell the original story. Together they provide a strong graphic narrative. 

The author opens the book from the perspective of a fan, standing in line before the doors of the Hilton Showroom open, cash in his hand for the Maître d' to get a good seat and then … no spoilers, but you really get the feeling you’re standing there next to him in line for a dream come true. 
 
Fortunately the author took care of business and started to chase the lucky few who had realized his dream, and this book captures the stuff that dreams are made of in words and images.

Content
 
Following a short introduction on Elvis 50's and 60's career to set the scene, the story really picks up for Dutch Elvis fans after the 1968 Comeback Special, as it was a turning-point in Elvis' career because it brought him back to live performing. Where until then Dutch fans were mostly treated to corny movies, this showed them "Elvis the performer". The soundtrack of the TV Special, the 'On Stage' live album that followed a year later, and 'Elvis: That's The Way it Is' movie and album further build the idea to go and see their hero live in concert.
 
When the biggest Dutch newspaper announced in 1971 that Elvis might be coming to Europe fans thought that their dream would come true. Unfortunately, as we all know, this tour never came to fruition, and fans "had to do" with the 'Elvis on Tour' movie and of course the 'Aloha via Satellite' TV-Special.
 
Obviously, this was not enough for part of the fanbase, so if Elvis wasn't coming to Europe, Europe was coming to Elvis! This book covers the trips made by fans from 1973 to 1977.
 

One of these fans who made the trip in 1973 was photographer Laurens van Houten, who published the book 'Caught In A Trap,' based on the pictures he made for this trip. Unfortunately, none of his concert picture are featured in this book.
 
Next to the main story as told by the author, quotes from fans make the reader really part of the group, and we follow them on their trip through the U.S. From a 2025 perspective, it is fun to read that fans from Europe who now visit the U.S., still make the same journey, visiting places like Nashville, Tupelo, Las Vegas, Hollywood and of course Memphis. On these pages the fans tell their story, making it fun and real.
 
In Memphis these fans were able to visit Elvis' Graceland Mansion, and wander through the garden, visiting Vernon's office, the pool and Meditation garden. The book shows some great photographs from the mansion while Elvis still lived there.
 
Interesting to read that these fan's dream almost became a nightmare when the Hilton cancelled all their reservations because these fans "weren't gamblers, so they wouldn't spent enough money" for the Hilton standard ... This perfectly illustrates why the Hilton booked Elvis, he was a cash-machine for them. 

Fortunately Todd Slaughter, from the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of the U.K. came to the rescue on this joint English / Dutch trip, and made sure that the fans got to see their hero, but they all had to use a fake name to get it in ...
 
Following the 1973 trip, the book does the same for the trips organized in 1974, ending up in the audience - front row! - of the infamous September 2, 1974 Closing Show during which Elvis lost his cool, sharing his feelings with the audience: "Don't get offended, ladies and gentlemen, I'm talking to someone else. If I find or hear the person who said that about me, I'm going to break their goddamn neck, you filthy bastard! ... That's dangerous... I'll rip your goddamn tongue out by the roots!". This concert was released November 2025 by the Memphis Recording Service record label.
 

Also fun to read is this fan's experience: "In 1974, I was standing with other Dutch people at the Hilton Hotel when we saw the Colonel walk by. A man from the group approached him and asked if we could just speak Dutch. The Colonel responded (in English) with a sullen look and said, "I think you know a little bit too much, son..."

He also told the Dutch group that they had to report to the showroom door that same evening. With this announcement, the Colonel left the group for his office. Later that evening, the group reported to the showroom doors. We were allowed to sit right at the front of the showroom without a tip!"

In 1975 tragedy struck for both Elvis and his fans, he fell ill, and the concerts were cancelled … the dream became a nightmare. 

Something that surprised me was the story shared by Marco van der Meij: "Elvis performed a total of five shows, but on the night of Wednesday, August 20th, to Thursday, August 21st, Elvis collapsed in his private suite on the 30th floor.
 
Remarkably, Elvis, who normally chats with his musicians after a performance, was left quite alone this time. His musicians were all celebrating James Burton's birthday party that evening. His two private physicians, including Dr. George Nichopoulos, who had accompanied Elvis constantly since arriving in Vegas, decided to cancel all performances and fly Elvis back to Memphis. Via Graceland, Elvis was admitted to Baptist Memorial Hospital at 7:00 a.m. that morning.

With Elvis absent, the Hilton looked macabre. Dozens of taxis whisked away the hastily departing hotel guests. No one hesitated. A complete exodus of Elvis fans from all over the world. To my great luck, Elvis's shocked musicians stayed another day at the Hilton. Thus, I was fortunate enough to be introduced, through my hostess, to Jackie Kahane, the man who makes the "jokes" before the Elvis show and parades through the Hilton to attract attention.
 
He also introduced me to most of the Stamps, a group of incredibly nice guys, all of whom were somewhat distraught, processing Elvis's absence. J.D. Summer was in the worst shape. He had drowned his sorrows in a good number of drinks and now, barefoot, socks and boots in hand, hairs across his forehead, entered the elevator. A bleary-eyed look and a limp hand, holding the new $45,000 ring Elvis had recently given him. A kind of boil you can pop off. He then sought solace with a private concert and flirting with a blonde in the same elevator. The next day, he walked with another hottie for support ..."
 
I never saw this grey gospel singer as such a womanizer ... personal stories and experiences from fans illustrate the beauty of this book.
 

One of these fans who made the trip in 1973 was a young Ger Rijff, who, years later, would publish some of the most highly praised Elvis books (at the time) and some of the best Elvis bootlegs on vinyl and CD.
 
Other stories gave the fans who missed out on seeing Elvis in person a glimpse of hope: "We were invited by Kathy Westmoreland to her room for a quiet chat. Kathy sings backup for Elvis and is known as a beautiful young woman with the high-pitched voice. Kathy told us: "Believe me, we're all eager to go to Europe. Elvis himself is increasingly eager to go. I have a feeling it'll happen in the next two years."

Elvis didn't do a Vegas engagement in 1977, so in cooperation with Colonel Parker's office, the fan club organizing this year's trip across the Atlantic for European fans made arrangement to visit Elvis' shows on June 25th in Cincinnati, and on June 26th in Indianapolis. We now know that these would be Elvis' last two shows. Some of the Dutch fans were filmed for the CBS TV Special that would eventually aired after Elvis' untimely demise on August 16, 1977.
 

We all know about his heartfelt (and painful to watch) rendition of 'Unchained Melody' accompanying himself on the piano ... There probably isn't an Elvis fan in the world who doesn't get goosebumps on his or her arms watching this performance, but being in the audience during this special moment was even more overwhelming ... the Elvis dream ended there.

The book ends with a "photobook" showing fan shots of Elvis in concert, not the kind of material we know from photographers like Keith Alverson or the aforementioned van Houten, but simply precious memories by fans who dared to take a picture, and the memories of a Belgian fan who saw Elvis 26 times over the years, met him and got a kiss. Something a lot of female fans will be jealous of.

 
Conclusion
 
This book truly is a dream-catcher, perfectly capturing the experience of those lucky enough to make the trip to see their hero. The visual element is bring to life the book’s narrative, providing a wonderful photographic record of seeing Elvis live on stage in the late seventies from a fan’s perspective, reflecting the energy and excitement of those who were there.

At the same time, it serves as a beautifully illustrated time-capsule for those of us who weren't there. This is what fantasies are made of, and it's wonderful to see this chapter of the Dutch Elvis story documented so elegantly.
 
Compared to other books with memories by fans - like the '200 Concerts' book published January 2025, that only contained one picture on the cover - this richly illustrated book deserves a wide audience as the story it tells will appeal to fans from Europe and other parts of the world.

The book is available from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop with an exclusive bonus DVD titled 'We're From Europe And Going To See Elvis'.

Description: the DVD 'We're From Europe And Going To See Elvis' is a 36-minute mini-documentary features never-before-seen 8mm footage of a group of European fans who traveled to America in the summer of 1973 to see Elvis perform live in Las Vegas. 

The film features unique private recordings from Memphis and Vegas, offering a rare glimpse into how these fans lived their dream, in color, full of emotion, and straight from the 1970s.

The DVD perfectly complements Erik van den Berg's book, which recounts the adventures of these fans and is richly filled with photos, letters, and documents from the same period.

You can read an interview with >>> Erik van den Berg here. 

This book is also available from the >>> Bennies Fifties webshop.