October 17 - Elvis April May '59

Visual Elvis biographer Paul Belard published another volume in his ongoing biography series through Linden Press, this time focusing on the months April and May 1959. 

The description for the 218-page softcover reads: Early in March 1959, while serving in Germany, Elvis bought a guitar and rented a piano and relaxed at home while on leave, playing both instruments, listening to records and reading fan mail. On April 10, in celebration of the eighteenth anniversary of the 3rd Armored Division, an open house took place at his base. He was involved in guiding visitors. 

Early in May, an extensive photo shoot took place in Frankfurt. Several of the pictures will be used on forthcoming record sleeves. Close to 220 pages, the book is chock-full of rare and not so rare pictures, all of them retracing his life during these two months.

The book, and all other volumes in this series, are available from >>> Amazon (associate link) or directly from the author. You can >>> contact him here by mail.

Die letzten Geheimnisse der Presleys

The October 17th edition of the German Stern magazine features Elvis, his daughter and his granddaughter on the cover. Inside the article 'The Last Secrets of the Presley's', an interview with Riley Keough and more.

(Source: Paul Belard / Amazon/ Elvis Club Berlin / Stern)

October 16 - Ooh Las Vegas

The Millbranch Music import record label announced the release of the CD and DVD set 'Ooh Las Vegas' featuring a soundbooth recording of the February 11, 1973 Midnight Show performance is Las Vegas and previously unreleased video footage on DVD. 

Publicity stated: Millbranch Music is back with a very strong CD and DVD combo containing unreleased “Soundbooth” Audio and Video (in unbelievable, simply stunning quality)! And we are completely focused on Elvis' first “After Aloha from Hawaii” Las Vegas engagement in early 1973!

'Ooh Las Vegas' is a CD and a DVD in a deluxe 2-panel Digi-Pack. We are delighted to be able to present a completely new show on CD (February 11th, 1973 - Midnight Show). Recorded by UK's super fan Rex Martin, we are able to fill another hole in all our collections of Elvis´ Las Vegas concert legacy! 

And we are lucky for sure, since this recording - taken from the original cassette tape - presents an absolutely complete show in stunning “Soundbooth” quality. Starting with music from Joe Guercio's Orchestra about half a minute before the 'Also Sprach Zarthustra' Intro begins, you can even hear a couple of female voices greeting Rex Martin (and a little bit of conversation between them). He clearly had already built up and running his recording devices (both audio and video). Then there is the complete show until the very end, when you hear the announcer talk about the souvenir stand in the lobby. It doesn't get much better!

The DVD presents Millbranch's typical premium quality approach. You'll get more than 90 minutes of Video material, also including a great documentary about Elvis' early 1973 appearances, with both information and entertainment. But most of all you will get unreleased Video! See extremely rare footage in stunning quality with Elvis appearing in his Blue Pinwheel suit! And so much more! Quality wise this DVD easily represents the best picture quality of any Las Vegas 8mm footage that has been seen before.

CD: Orchestra Introduction / Also Sprach Zarathustra - See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me Tender - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Steamroller Blues - You Gave Me A Mountain - Fever - Love Me - Blue Suede Shoes - Heartbreak Hotel - Johnny B. Goode - Hound Dog - What Now My Love - Suspicious Minds - Introductions - Introduction Of Jack Lord / Hawaii Five-O Theme - I'll Remember You - I Can't Stop Loving You - An American Trilogy - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp / Announcements

The CD is available from >>> Bennies Fifties.

DVD:

1. An American Trilogy (different Camera angles) – January 12, 1973
2. Ooh Las Vegas (Documentary)
3. Elvis At The Hilton (8 mm footage with sound) – February 10, 1973 MS
4. Elvis At The Hilton (8 mm footage with sound) – February 12, 1973 DS
5. Elvis At The Hilton (8 mm footage with sound) – February 15, 1973 DS
6. Elvis At The Hilton (8 mm footage with sound) – February 17, 1973 DS
7. Elvis At The Hilton (8 mm footage with sound) – February 17, 1973 MS
8. Elvis At The Hilton (8 mm footage with sound) – February 18, 1973 MS
9. Elvis At The Hilton (8 mm footage with sound) – February 20, 1973 MS

70th Anniversary

The Elvis' Angels Fan Club will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Elvis' debut on the Louisiana Hayride radio program with a short ceremony on the steps of the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.

On October 16, 1954, 19-year-old Elvis Presley made his first appearance on the Louisiana Hayride. The show was broadcast live every Saturday night from the Auditorium in downtown Shreveport and was heard throughout much of the southern and western United States. This performance certainly helped Elvis Presley's career.

The ceremony will include a proclamation from Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux declaring October 16 "Elvis Presley Day."

At 7:30 p.m., a program honoring Elvis will be held on the Louisiana Grandstand.

(Source: Millbranch / UEPS / Schreveport Times)

September 14 - Elvis Vinyl

This coming Saturday Dutch fans can by a previously unannounced Elvis LP at the Lidl supermarket. Also available is a budget 5-CD-set, released last year. 

On Elvis Club Berlin more details were posted: The LP is titled 'Elvis Presley - Live Radio Broadcast' (also known as 'Elvis Presley - Live In Las Vegas 1970') from 2023. 

Tracklist January 26, 1970 Opening Show: All Shook Up - That's All Right - Proud Mary - Don't Cry Daddy - Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - Long Tall Sally - Let It Be Me - I Can't Stop Loving You - Walk A Mile In My Shoes - In The Ghetto - True Love Travels On A Gravel Road - Sweet Caroline - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions By Elvis - Kentucky Rain - Suspicious Minds - Can't Help Falling In Love.

(Source: Facebook / Elvis Club Berlin)

October 12 - Kissin' Cousins From New Zealand

Due for release from an unknown record label are Limited Edition colored vinyl re-issues of the New Zealand Christmas EP's volumes 1 and 2 as first released in 1957.

Publicity stated: Although in small amounts, New Zealand did their own exclusive cover of the 1957 Christmas album and for approx. 4 years in a row used the same cover. They never released a Christmas LP until the mid 60's, when all they did was copy the USA sleeves. Why on earth did they not release theirs using their original sleeve? 

Well, here is what could have been, using just the eight Christmas songs in pristine sound and true Mono.  

Volume 1 - Side A: Santa Claus Is Back In Town - Here Comes Santa Claus.
Side B: White Christmas - I'll Be Home For Christmas.

Volume 2 - Side A: White Christmas  - I'll Be Home For Christmas.

Side B: Blue Christmas - Silent Night.

Kissin' Cousins 60th Anniversary Edition 

 

The Infinity import record label released the follow up to the 'Roustabout - 60th Anniversary' CD: 'Kissin' Cousins - 60th Anniversary Edition'. 

Publicity stated: At Infinity Records, we are proud to present a limited 2-CD edition of the 'Kissin' Cousins' soundtrack to celebrate the incredible talent involved in these sessions. Often overlooked, the music features members of the legendary Nashville A-Team, along with long-time contributors to Elvis's sound, including Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, and the sensational Boots Randolph.

These discs contain rare, previously unreleased RCA masters in both stereo and mono, making them a must-hear for fans! The sound quality is exceptional, prompting curiosity as to why these tracks were discarded. Don’t miss the stunning 'Anyone (Could Fall in Love With You)' and the lively 'Smoky Mountain Boy', among other highlights. 

Additionally, we've included a selection of movie outtakes featuring rare and unreleased movie masters sourced from acetate and "track" recordings intended for Elvis's vocal overdubs. This collection showcases the extraordinary work of the musicians, along with a demo of 'Kissin' Cousins' by Malcolm Dodd, complemented by the session of 'Echoes of Love'.

Despite a dip in material quality, 'Kissin' Cousins', still achieved a respectable No. 11 spot on the Variety National Box Office Chart, while its soundtrack reached No. 6 on the Billboard Top LPs Chart.

CD 1: Kissin' Cousins (No. 2) - Smokey Mountain Boy - There's Gold In The Mountains - One Boy, Two Little Girls - Catchin' On Fast - Tender Feeling - Anyone (Could Fall In Love With You) - Barefoot Ballad -  Once Is Enough - Kissin' Cousins - Echoes Of Love - (It's A) Long Lonely Highway - Kissin' Cousins (Hillbilly Vocal Overdub) -  Catchin' On Fast (Unedited Master) - Kissin' Cousins (Regular Vocal Overdub) - (It's A) Long Lonely Highway (Take 1, Single Master) - There's Gold In The Mountains (Track, Take 1 - 2) - Echoes Of Love (Take 1) - Kissin' Cousins (End Title - Movie Master) - Barefoot Ballad (Movie Master) - Once Is Enough (Movie Master) - Smokey Mountain Boy (Movie Master) - There's Gold In The Mountains (Movie Master)

CD 2: Tender Feeling (Vocal Overdub, Take 1) - One Boy, Two Little Girls (Track, Take 2) - Echoes Of Love (Take 2, 3) - Once Is Enough (Track, Take 1) - Echoes Of Love (Take 4 - 7) - Echoes Of Love (Take 8, Alternate Master) - Tender Feeling (Track, Take 1) - Kissin' Cousins (Unedited Master) - Echoes Of Love (Take 9) - Kissin' Cousins (No. 2, Track, Take 1) - Pappy, Won't You Please Come Home (Sung By Dolores Edgin) - Anyone Could Fall In Love With You (Track, Take 4) - Kissin' Cousins (No. 2) - Smokey Mountain Boy - There's Gold In The Mountains - One Boy, Two Little Girls - Catchin' On Fast - Tender Feeling - Anyone (Could Fall In Love With You) - Barefoot Ballad - Once Is Enough - Kissin' Cousins - Echoes Of Love - (It's A) Long Lonely Highway - Kissin' Cousins (Demo by Michael Dodd)

(Source: Chris Giles / Pascal Matteo)

Elvis Fans for Elvis Fans

Our fellow Elvis Presley fan Jean Francois Jubinville, needs our help. He is facing health problems. And as a person with a heart condition, he has repeated fainting spells, which has considerably affected his quality of life. He can no longer go to the supermarket or do his shopping (or to the record store for an Elvis release) like he could before.

To improve his mobility and regain some autonomy, he needs a four-wheeled scooter. This equipment will allow him to move around safely and resume daily activities that he miss so much.

Unfortunately, the cost of a quadricycle is high, and therefor he is asking for our help to raise the necessary funds. Every contribution, however small, will be a great help.

You can visit his >>> Go Fund Me page and help a fellow fan. 

Thank you, thank you very much!

Review The Follow That Dream Sessions (Updated)

Hot on the heels of their ‘King Creole’ LP, the Miracle Surface import label has released another alternate take soundtrack set, ‘Follow That Dream - The Complete Sessions’. More importantly, the label claims this CD contains the Master Takes in real stereo. Until now, the stereo versions of these Masters were thought to be lost, Ernst Jorgensen only recovered the empty tape-box.

 
Are we in for a unique listening experience, or is it too good to be true (stereo)?


Design

The design of this CD is appealing, thanks to the classic look and typography on the front and the film-reel design on the back. 

The 8-page booklet is filled with illustrations and liner notes detailing the movie and the songs from the soundtrack. However, next to the very small font size, one thing is missing: the details of the DAT tape the label found and used for this album. The disc itself is a golden CD, a nice extra from the label. 

 
Content
 
The main reason to buy this CD is the real stereo version of the Master recordings, which are supposed to make their debut here! We already had the Outtakes in Stereo, but unfortunately, I don’t believe these are the missing Stereo Masters. Sorry for the spoiler.
 
Listening to the CD - which presents the songs as a session, complete with chatter and count-ins, some new to me - it becomes obvious that the material comes from various sources. There’s simply too much variation in audio quality between the Alternate Takes and the so-called ‘Stereo Masters’, as well as between the different songs recorded during the same session. The audio presentation isn’t consistent. Here are some examples to illustrate this:
 
On ‘Follow That Dream’, the piano moves from the left in the Outtakes to the center in the Master. In the Extended Version of the song, which is included as a bonus, the backing vocals shift to the left.
 
The sound of the Alternate and Master Takes differs too much for them to come from the same tape. It’s possible that the DAT tape the producers found contained only the Outtakes, and they added the Masters to create a complete session. However, the information provided doesn’t clarify this. It appears that the count-ins before the Masters, and a short False Start before 'Sound Advice' are in new to this set. It doen have the complete session running at the correct speed for the first time, where it was running slightly too fast on 'Keep Following That Dream' and the Memory (Czech fan club) CD. On those CDs, the tapes used had the count-ins for the masters, along with the masters, all cut from the session tape, which is what existed in RCA's vaults at that time, but here even those count-ins are here. So the producers did find something new. 

For the Masters the producers stated online: "I can tell you that the Masters are not DES created. The sessions is taken from a DAT tape. A copy of the tape. With some bits not on the bootlegs and die is right speed. The Masters we have taken from a real tape. But in not a good shape. We have tried to  clean it. It was  unbalanced in quality." 

Note: Picture from producers. William is the first name of Owen Bradley. Together with Chet Atkins and Harold Bradley he founded the RCA Studio A in Nashville. Owen Bradley was associated with what was known in Nashville as the A-Team. Members included Harold Bradley, Grady Martin, Bob Moore, Hank Garland, and Buddy Harman. Bob Moore, Hank Garland, and Buddy Harman were all at the "Follow That Dream Session.

That said, the Outtakes do sound like they came from a DAT tape; the sound and feel are similar to several import releases from years ago that featured Outtakes from various studio and soundtrack sessions, like ‘The Pot Luck Sessions Volume 1’ (Bella Records, 2004, the same label that did a ‘Follow That Dream Sessions’ CD in 1993, but which can’t match the audio on this new CD) or ‘Avventura In Oriente’ (Victorola, 2018). Therefore, it’s possible the producers of this CD found a DAT tape containing transfers of the Outtakes - without the Master Takes - that somehow escaped the RCA, BMG, Sony vaults back in the day.
 

On ‘I'm Not the Marrying Kind’, you can hear digital artifacts or an echo on Elvis' voice, something that can happen when using Digitally Extracted Stereo technology (DES). Just like in the title song, the piano moves from the left to the center in the Master after the Alternate takes.
 
From the ‘Angel’ session, Take 3 seems to be missing, but that’s not an error here; it simply wasn’t announced during the original recording session. However, some songs do contain errors, such as brief skips. For example, listen to take 3 of ‘Follow That Dream’ or take 6 of ‘What a Wonderful Life’.

The Master of 'What A Wonderful Life' (Take 7) used on this release does not match the Master as released originally in the Mono version we know. On that Master, at two minutes in, Elvis sings "I’ve got neighbours, I’ve got friends, (just about) anywhere the rainbow ends". If you listen to the lyrics you'll hear that "just about" is missing on this release. And before the fade Elvis sings "it’s a crazy life" that is also missing here. On the fade out, here he sings "oh what a life" on the original Mono Master he doesn’t.

Keith Flynn concluded: Apart from the False Start before the Master of 'Sound Advice', which they stated in the blurb for the CD, and the take announcements, we also now get a new False Start before the Master of 'I'm Not The Marrying Kind' and we get the complete Take 7 of 'What A Wonderful Life', and it now confirms that the Master we know was a splice of Takes 7 and 6.

This alone would have been a great selling point for the CD, if the producers had even realized what they had!

The word "six" before the Master of 'Follow That Dream' has been spliced in from another take. Sounds like the word "six" from Take 6 of "What A Wonderful Life".

 
It’s possible that the producers used the recently created Stereo Masters by the Memphis Recording Service (‘Follow That Dream’ CD / vinyl EP, 2024) for this release, as we hear a knocking sound in the intro that only appears there. The acoustic guitar in ‘Sound Advice’ also moves around, although it should remain centered as it was during the original session. For comparison, listen to the outtakes of ‘Follow That Dream’ on the FTD collector’s label.
 
Conclusion
 
So yes, the publicity was too good to be “Real Stereo”, unfortunately. However, the compilation itself is a complete package, and both looks and sounds good. And without realizing it, the producers gave us the complete Take 7 of 'What A Wonderful Life'! 

The lingering question remains: “Who recorded what on the DAT tape that the label found, and what did the label do (or not do) with these recordings?”

 
Thanks to Rogier van Luyken for the input and investigative work for this review. 

The CD can be ordered by mail from the >>> Miracle Surface. 

October 12 - Charts October 2024 - Week 2

Another slow week for Elvis in the U.S. with Elvis' releases pretty much at the same positions as last week, in Greece Elvis' lost more than just a few places unfortunately. 

Official U.K. charts:

• Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped 3 spots, from No. 54 to No. 57. 
• Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' remained steady at No. 44.
• Official Physical Singles chart: 'Welcome Home Elvis' dropped over 17 places, off the chart from last week's placing at No. 83. 
• Official Music Video chart: 'The King of Rock and Roll' fell of the chart after last week's re-entry at No. 30.

Irish IRMA charts: 

• Official Irish Album chart: 'ELV1S 30#1 Hits' climbed 4 places, from No. 81 to No. 77. 

Billboard charts:   

• Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped 8 places to No 191.  
• Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped 1 spot to No. 34.  
• Billboard Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' remained steady at No. 45. 

October 12, 2002, twenty five years after Elvis’ passing the 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' album entered the Billboard album chart. And in 2024, the album is stil present.

Greek charts:

• Greek IPFI Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped off the Top 75 chart from last week's No. 45 position.

Extra charts this week, for the Lisa Marie Presley biography. On Amazon's Best Sellers Rank the book is: 

• # 1 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
• # 1 in Love & Loss
• # 1 and #2 in Memoirs (Books)
• # 1 #2 and and #3 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies

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

October 11 - Elvis On Record 2 Released

Paul Alner's 692-page hardcover book 'Elvis On Record Volume 2' has been released. 

This second book in the series - volume 1 was released earlier this year - covers the U.K. Releases from 1966 to 1981.

The book is available through >>> Elvis 4 Sale. 

(Paul Alner on Facebook)

October 10 - Welcome The King To The Rodeo

Just released by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo import record label is the Limited Edition LP / CD set '38th Annual Houston Livestock Welcomes The King To The Rodeo'. This combo package contains a remastered version of the audience recording of the March 1, 1970 7 PM Show and is limited to 125 copies. 

Publicity stated: Experience the magic as Elvis delivers an unforgettable, electrifying performance in one of the most iconic concerts. Feel the energy, hear the hits, and witness history in the making at the biggest show in Texas. Remastered audience recording to achieve the best sound for this unique show that marked the closing of Elvis’ performances at the Houston Astrodome in 1970.

Side A: Opening - Blue Suede Shoes / I Got a Woman / Long Tall Sally / Elvis welcomes the audience / Don’t Cry Daddy / Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / Love Me Tender / Kentucky Rain / Release Me

Side B: Walk a Mile In My Shoes / I Can’t Stop Loving You / Polk Salad Annie / Group Introductions / Suspicious Minds / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Outro / Love Me Tender (Instrumental).

Rejects Volume 1 - 1954 - 1959

On the back of their recent 'Follow That Dream - The Complete Sessions' CD the Miracle Surface import record label announced the release of the LP 'Rejects Volume 1 - 1954 - 1959' as "coming soon", but no this year. More information when available. 

(Source: FECC / Miracle Surface)

Review Love Me Tender and Corazón de Madera 45's

Two new novelty re-issue 45’s from France, or should I say Belgium and Spain?

Continuing their worldwide hit-single and Extended Play re-issues, the French V.P.I. record label has re-issued a collectible single from Belgium: ‘Love Me Tender.’ And collectible it certainly is when I look at the £475 price tag at the Elvis Shop London.

Design

This single comes as close to the original 1957 version as it gets. If you pick the black version, the only difference is the color of the label on the vinyl; everything else is a 1-to-1 reproduction. There isn’t even a reference to the V.P.I. label, just RCA and Disel, the company that pressed the Belgian singles.

For fun, I picked the yellow vinyl, matching the font color on the cover. Housed in a cardboard cover and white paper inner sleeve, the label paid attention to the details.

Content

Elvis’ first movie didn’t get a full soundtrack album, just the four songs from the movie on single and Extended Play. Based on the ‘Aura Lee’ Civil War ballad, ‘Love Me Tender’ was a fan favorite from day one and topped the charts worldwide shortly after its release in 1956. Let’s be honest, following Elvis’ version, many covers followed, but few could stand in the shadow of his performance.

Being the “Rock and Roll rebel,” this song must have won over some of his female fans’ mothers, while the more upbeat country-themed songs like ‘Let Me,’ ‘Poor Boy,’ and ‘We’re Gonna Move’ probably appealed to the girls' fathers, making Elvis a household name.

Corazón de Madera

Together with the single above, we got a Spanish version of ‘Wooden Heart,’ titled ‘Corazón de Madera,’ from 1962. This marks the second re-issue of this song, following the release of the 1961 edition last year.

Design

When I reviewed that single, my only remark was that the label could have gone back to the first of the five different releases of this single as issued by RCA Spain in 1961 and 1962, but the label went the other way, picking the fifth version.

Looking at the design of this single, it surprised me how modern it looked, especially when compared to the other four editions, which have a typical sixties or even 1957 LP design. 

Again, it’s a faithful reproduction, with only the catalogue number missing from the front. And if I have to be critical, the images could have been a bit sharper, but if that’s all I can find to critique…

Content

As for the music, I gave the B-side a few more spins than the title track, which is too folky for my taste. It always surprised me what a big hit ‘Wooden Heart’ was on this side of the Atlantic so shortly after the war. For the color, I picked the red vinyl, again, matching the cover.

Conclusion

These novelty records are fun additions to any collection and will look great playing on your record player or jukebox. I’m curious to see if the label will eventually release all the variations of the ‘Wooden Heart’ single to complete the collection.

Availability

You can order >>> 'Love Me Tender' and >>> 'Corazón de Madera' from the French V.P.I. web-shop or from Bennies Fifties, >>> 'Love Me Tender' and >>> 'Corazon de Madera' .

If you like these re-issues, the label has already announced the November 15, 2024 release of the >>> U.S. ‘Peace in The Valley’ EP and the >>> Italian ‘Il Re Del Rock & Roll’ single. I’m especially looking forward to the latter, as the cover is in my Top 5 all-time favorite designs.