September 05 - No German Vinyl For God And Country

The re-release of the album "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden" will also be released on a double vinyl album. 

From the press-release:

Elvis performs four sold out shows on June 9, 10 & 11, 1972 at Madison Square Garden – the first artist to sell out 4 consecutive MSG shows! RCA recorded both June 10th shows in preparation for releasing a live album just eight days after Elvis departs New York. The album was eventually drawn from his 8:30 p.m. performance and was titled "Elvis As Recorded Live at Madison Square Garden"

Elvis' engagement at MSG marked the first time Elvis performed in front of a live audience in New York since appearances in 1956 and 1957 on the Dorsey Brothers, Steven Allen and Ed Sullivan shows.

The MSG box office success from Elvis' appearance is further proof that the public had long awaited his return to New York - a fourth show was added on Sunday, June 11, due to the first three shows instantly selling out.

John Lennon, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel were all in attendance. "Like A Prince From Another Planet" was an NY Times headline following the show.

Elvis Sammlung #18

Volume 18 in the German "Elvis Sammlung" was released by De'Agostini and EPE in Germany. This volume contain s the DVD "Clambake", a magazine, memorabilia reproductions and a mini-poster for the classic movie "Loving You". 

Not For God And Country

The Dutch import label 3764 BLVD Publishing, (formally Gravel Road Music) announced the release of "For God And Country" containing the 1961 concert. The set was due in various versions, on CD, vinyl and with additional memorabilia (reproductions). 


Joe South Died

Songwriter and Performer Joe South died, he was 72. Elvis Presley recorded his song "Walk A Mile In My Shoes“. His 1971 composition "Rose Garden“, as performed by Lynn Anderson was his biggest hit. Joe South has won several Grammy-awards and is a member of the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame.

(Source: EPE / The King's World / ElvisMatters)

September 04 - CD Collage

Artists Mirco Pagano and Moreno De Turco are celebrating the king's music with a new collage made up of Elvis' classic album covers. According to the Daily Mail, the pair pieced together 6,500 Elvis CD covers to create the iconic image of the rock 'n' roll legend. 
The artists created an entire collection of legendary musicians to highlight the damage caused by music piracy. The duo's piracy collection was on display in an exhibition in Milan.
"Piracy, like a virus, infects and destroys the music from the inside and prevents the artists from succeeding and become idols like they did in the past," said De Turco. 

(Source: EPE)

September 02 - Charts From The Seventies

After last week's new entry at #4 the Australian fan compilation "Elvis By Request" droppped to #9 on the Australian Album chart. 

The CD is available from >> Elvis Australia.

In the U.S. no album made enough sales to enter one of the many sales or airplay chart from Billboard.
The French fan compilation "Elvis - La Collection RTL" climbed from last week's new entry at #98 to #15 this week in the Wallonian part of Belgium. 
The 20-CD box set "20 Original Albums" is a new entry on the album charts at #54 in the Netherlands. In Sweden this box entered the Album Charts #43.
In Germany that box-set fell off the charts (last week it was listed at #84). The RCA budget compilation "The Real ... Elvis" climbed from #25 to #17 in Ireland.

Hits Of The 70's?

The latest edition of the UK - usually well informed - magazine The Man And His Music reports that the Follow that Dream collector's label is planning to release an expanded revised version of the 1974 UK only release "Hits Of the Seventies". The original 12 track LP included many songs only available in the 
UK on singles (I'm Leavin', Rags To Riches", "Always On My Mind, etc). The album only charted at #30 in 1977, after Elvis' death but in 1974 it failed to chart.

(Source: Elvis Australia / The King's World / Elvis Express)

September 01 - It's Not As Good As It Gets Today

Smith & Co announced the release of the double CD 'Rock 'n Roll Only: Just About As Good As It Gets!' with September 28, 2012 as the release-date.


Hal David Died

American songwriter Hal David has passed at age 91. He was blessed with a great career as the man penned hits such as "What The World Needs Now (Is Love, Sweet Love)" and "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head". Elvis recorded 2 of his compositions, "Home Is Where The Heart Is" and "A Whistling Tune".

Another One From Wertheimer

The German publisher Taschen announced the release of the Alfred Wertheimer book "Alfred Wertheimer, Elvis And The Birth Of Rock And Roll".

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / ElvisMatters)

August 31 - Goodbye Elvis

Last night, August 31st was the final performance of Cirque-du-Soliel's brilliant Viva ELVIS show at the Aria Casino in Las Vegas. The show will be replaced in November by an updated and modified version of Zarakana (which had its premiere at Radio City in New York). 

Robert Diamond from the influential Theatre website BroadwayWorld.com noted, "To say that I'm shocked the show is closing would be an understatement.
There's nothing like a great Cirque experience that makes us all look upon the stage with childlike wonder at the feats of the human body, the artistry and the magic. What made Viva ELVIS special, and akin to their Beatles Love show is that it also layered in the music and the great story of the one-of-a-kind American icon. There never will be another like Elvis Presley, and there likely will never be a Cirque experience quite like Viva ELVIS either, so here's hoping that the show winds up touring or landing elsewhere. Out here - we were all shook up."

(Source: Elvis Information Network)

August 30 - A Bright Flaming Concert Book

Released in Italy is the book "Elvis in Concert 1945/1977" from long time Elvis Presley Club of Italy’s President, Sebastiano Cecere. 

From the press release:
This astonishing book (800 pages) collates all worldwide available information regarding Elvis’ live activities since his childhood experiences (when he use to visit Tupelo’s own radio station) to his very last gig in Indianapolis in 1977. Never before (worldwide) has such amount of information been collected in one single book (usually ‘in concert’ books only deal with the Seventies), with unreleased information never available before, regarding his very first appearances and concerts. Here you will find for the first time ever, the whole story of Elvis and the Hugh Jarrett Singers, including the only available professional picture of the group with Elvis himself (took backstage and never published before). The book is in Italian but you won’t need to speak and read Italian to be able to enjoy the “heart” of this labor of love. For each concert you will find all available details, including cities, venues, audience, gross receipt, play lists (many of them unreleased), musicians (for the very first time the most accurate Imperials line up, discussed directly with group leader Joe Moscheo), press review and discographies (official, FTD and independent labels) and all available album/CD release information, both official and unofficial.
Do you know who James “Mississippi Slim” Ausborn was, and which influence he had in Elvis childhood musical culture and skill development? Do you know what does it say the Morse code at the beginning of the “Aloha from Hawaii” concert? Do you want to know all the details of the 1957 tours? Did you know that when Jean Marc Gargiulo (president of “Treat Me Nice – Les Amis D’Elvis” fan club) met Elvis in 1969 in Las Vegas, Elvis himself was so worried about Jean Marc’s financial commitment to fly in USA (back then it was not so common…) that he asked him if he needed some money? Do you know that beside normal 45 and 33 rpm record releases, in the seventies there has also been a live extended play record release?

Bright Light City

The third release on the new Convair import label brings us a rare recording of a great live performance Elvis did at the Las Vegas International Hotel on August 12, 1969 (Dinner Show). Recorded by a fan in the audience this release is for the collectors. Accompanied by a 20 page booklet telling interesting facts about Elvis´ return to live performances after almost nine years in words and pictures. This release is limited to 300 copies.

Tracklisting: 
Orchestra Intro - Opening Vamp / Blue Suede Shoes - I Got A Woman - All Shook Up - Love Me Tender - Jailhouse Rock / Don´t Be Cruel - Heartbreak Hotel - Hound Dog - Memories - Mystery Train / Tiger Man - Monologue - Baby What You Want Me to Do - Runaway - Are You Lonesome Tonight - Yesterday / Hey Jude - Band Introductions - In The Ghetto - Suspicious Minds - What´D I Say - Can´t Help Falling In Love
Bonus:
Ronnie Tutt spricht über seine Zeit (1969) mit Elvis als dessen Drummer

Flaming Star

Volume 71 0f the Norwegian Flaming Star fan-club magazine comes with a free CD with recordings from 1960 and 1961. 

Tracklisting:
1. Flaming Star – 2:29 (Sid Wayne / Sherman Edwards) 2. Summer Kisses, Winter Tears – 2:20 (Fred Wise / Ben Weisman / Jack Lloyd) 3. Wild in the Country – 1:55 (Hugo Peretti / Luigi Creatore / George Weiss) 4. Lonely Man – 2:46 (Bennie Benjamin / Sol Marcus) 5. I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell – 1:37 (Fred Wise / Ben Weisman) 6. Surrender – 1:53 (Doc Pomus / Mort Shuman) 7. (Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame – 2:09 (Doc Pomus / Mort Shuman) 8. Little Sister – 2:33 (Doc Pomus / Mort Shuman)

A New Movie


BiteSize Entertainment options Elvis Presley project. The film will be called Growing Up Graceland based on David E Stanley and Dr David Gruder’s book Conversations With The King: Journals Of A Young Apprentice.
The movie will follow Stanley's 17-year relationship with Presley, who happened to be his stepbrother and mentor. Stanley moved to Graceland when he was just four years old, and grew up to be a personal aide to The King. The film is also said to have a spiritual slant, as it delves into the big questions that Elvis was asking before he passed away in 1977.
Most of the films about Elvis made after his death have been small made-for-TV projects, so it will be interesting to see if BiteSize can create something a bit more high profile to tell this story.

900

This post marks the 900th post on this blog; only 100 to go for post #1000.

(Source: FECC / Flaming Star)

August 28 - A Blues Journey Shared

Elvis Presley's former hairdresser and friend will release a DVD entitled "Elvis And Larry - A Journey Shared" in September 2012. 

From the website:
This powerful DVD was filmed at Elvis and Priscilla's Honeymoon House in Palm Springs, California. Larry Geller takes you on a journey into the heart and soul of Elvis in their most intimate conversations. No matter how much you may already know of Elvis, you will come away feeling that you know him far better for having experienced... “Elvis and Larry: A Journey Shared.”

Larry Geller was much more than Elvis Presley’s personal hairstylist.  He was one of his closest and most trusted friends - in many ways his spiritual mentor.  What Larry shares of Elvis here may shock some people.  It will certainly surprise you.  Because what you will discover is an essential Elvis that was so personal, he never publicly let it out in words, only through his music.  Yet the purity and authenticity of the experiences Larry brings to light will absolutely convince you that you have at last met the real Elvis.
Larry will take you into Elvis’ private rooms at Graceland and his other homes, in hotel suites, backstage and in his plane “Lisa Marie.”  He will reveal to you the heart and soul of Elvis in their most intimate conversations. No matter how much you may already know of Elvis, you will come away feeling that you know him far better for having experienced “Elvis and Larry: A Journey Shared.”

Elvis Sings The Blues

The bootleg re-issue of the "Elvis Sings The Blues" was released in a limited edition digipack of 500 copies. 

Chart Down Under

The New Zealand edition of "I Am An Elvis Fan" climbed from last week's new entry at #10 to #7 this week. 

In Italy the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" entered the Album chart at #68. 

(Source: Elvis And Larry / Elvis Info / The King's World)

August 26 - Amore Elvis Gold

The Audionics import label released the double CD "Autumn Gold" containing the complete South Bend, Indiana show from October 1st, 1974.

From the pressrelease:
Audionics will release new 2-CD set in early August: "Autumn Gold." It will include the complete South Bend, Indiana show from October 1st, 1974 and a generous chunk of the famous August 16, 1974 RCA Hollywood rehearsal in a totally different sound - binaural stereo, as it was originally recorded.
The South Bend date was originally issued in 2003 by Follow That Dream, but "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and some stage dialogue were omitted, and the closing vamp was clipped.
Though Elvis’ personal problems were affecting some of his shows around this time, he seemed to be in fine fettle in South Bend. Overall, this show presents a solid and pleasing performance by Elvis, and though it has been released before, we can now enjoy a more complete and -- most importantly - sonically superior recording of this concert!
The August 16, 1974 rehearsal surfaced on bootleg compact disc in 1995, then officially fourteen years later on Follow That Dream. For the first time, Audionics presents these songs as originally recorded, in binaural stereo; and the sound is better than ever before. Unfortunately, the entire tape is unavailable, but all the essential performances are here. It is a real pleasure to listen tracks like "Softly As I Leave You" and "Twelfth Of Never" in binaural form.
"Autumn Gold" is presented in a great-looking 2-disc digipak with a 20-page  booklet filled with photographs taken that night in South Bend and at additional live shows and candids from March, August and October 1974.
All these recordings have been carefully engineered to be presented in the best possible sound.

Tracklisting:
CD 1 / Tuesday, October 1, 1974: University of Notre Dame, Evening Show
01. C. C. Rider - 02. I Got A Woman / Amen - 03. Love Me - 04. It's Midnight - 05. Big Boss Man - 06. Fever - 07. Love Me Tender - 08. Hound Dog - 09. Heartbreak Hotel - 10. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 11. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 12. Introduction of vocalists, musicians - 13. Guitar Solo (James Burton) - 14. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 15. Bass Solo (Duke Bardwell) - 16. Introduction of orchestra - 17. Orchestra Solo (Joe Guercio Orchestra) - 18. Lawdy Miss Clawdy - 19. All Shook Up - 20. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 21. Killing Me Softly with His Song (Voice) - 22. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 23. It's Now Or Never - 24. You Gave Me A Mountain - 25. Johnny B. Goode - 26. Hawaiian Wedding Song - 27. Steamroller Blues - 28. Can't Help Falling In Love - 29. Closing Vamp, Announcements (Al Dvorin).

CD 2 / Friday, August 16, 1974: RCA Hollywood
01. Promised Land - 02. Down In The Alley - 03. It's Midnight - 04. Your Love's Been A Long Time Coming - 05. Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues - 06. Softly As I Leave You - 07. I'm Leavin' - 08. Proud Mary - 09. If You Talk In Your Sleep - 10. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) #2 - 11. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) #3 - 12. Twelfth Of Never - 13. Faded Love - 14. Just Pretend.

Amore, Elvis!

The Straight Arrow importlabel released the double CD-set "Amore Elvis" in their Special Products series. The set contains the Saturday, March 29, 1975 Dinner and Midnight Shows as recorded from the audience at the Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, NV

From the pressrelease:
Straight Arrow is continuing their collector's series of 2 shows from one evening, released in a single package. This time the producers have chosen two excellent performances from Saturday, March 29, 1975 at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Elvis returned to Nevada in very good form when compared to his final shows of 1974. He included several cuts from soon-to-be-released "TODAY" album rather than some of his  usual oldies.  Presley's shows were shorter than his previous Vegas visit in August and September because he kept banter to a minimum.
On this collection there are worthy performances of "And I Love You So", "It's Midnight", "Big Boss Man", "Burning Love" and the powerful "My Boy".  There are also some rarities, like a one-liner of "Rip It Up", "Tiger Man" not performed as a medley with "Mystery Train," and "Hawaiian Wedding Song" sung exclusively by Sherrill Nielsen.
As fans have come to expect, the tapes are of very good quality, sourced from early generation copies of original cassettes recorded by the same fan. The double digipak contains liner notes and is filled with photos from the March-April 1975 engagement. As usual, these recordings have been carefully engineered to be presented in the best possible sound.

Tracklisting:
CD 1 / Saturday, March 29, 1975 Dinner Show:
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. And I Love You So - 07. Big Boss Man - 08. It's Midnight - 09. Burning Love / That's Amore (excerpt) - 10. Introduction of vocalists, musicians - 11. What'd I Say (James Burton) - 12. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 13. Bass Solo (Duke Bardwell) - 14. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - 15. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) - 16. School Day - 17. My Boy (with break) - 18. I'll Remember You - 19. When It's My Time (J.D. Sumner & the Stamps) - 20. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 21. Hawaiian Wedding Song (Sherrill Nielsen) - 22. Hound Dog - 23. Can't Help Falling In Love - 24. Closing Vamp.

CD 2 / Saturday, March 29, 1975 Midnight Show:
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. Rip It Up (one-liner) - 04. I Got A Woman / Amen / Promised Land (one liner) - 05. Love Me - 06. If You Love Me (Let Me Know)  - 07. And I Love You So - 08. Big Boss Man (with false start) - 09. It's Midnight - 10. Burning Love - 11. Introduction of vocalists, musicians - 12. What'd I Say (James Burton) - 13. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 14. Bass Solo (Duke Bardwell) - 15. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - 16. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) - 17. School Day - 18. Introduction of Billy Swan / I Can Help (one-liner) - 19. My Boy - 20. I'll Remember You - 21. My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me (Kathy Westmoreland) - 22. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 23. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - 24. Tiger Man - 25. Can't Help Falling In Love - 26. Closing Vamp / Announcements / Fan comments.


British Auction In September
 
The British Auction House 'Omega Auctions' will try to sell about 65 Elvis related items. The catalogue gets lots of media attention because of one particular item: Elvis' underpants from a 1977 concert. Further more, they'll hope to get about £25.000 for Elvis' 1957 bible. 


(Source: e-mail / ElvisMatters)

August 25 - Charts

The Australian release "Elvis By Request" debuted at #4 on ARIA Album chart in Australia. This is the equal highest chart position of any release since "ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits" (2002) 10 years ago. Three albums, "Elvis: 2nd To None" (2003), "Elvis: The King" (2007) and "The Romantic" (1994) reached No. 4 however not on debut. "From The Heart" peaked at No. 5 in 1992 and "Presley: All Time Greatest Hits" at No. 7 the previous year. "Elvis Presley: 50 Australian Top Ten Hits 1956-1977" debuted at No. 9 in January 2010. 

The "Elvis By Request" album contains the 40 favourite Elvis songs as voted for by his Australian fans. To debut at No. 4 is a most remarkable achievement particularly at this time of year. While the album has benefited from some very clever marketing from Sony Music (with more to come), all the promotion in the world won't sell a turkey, so clearly the concept has appealed as we expected it would. So with a great concept, title, cover art, fan picked track listing and the massive media coverage of the release on August 16 we have Elvis riding high on the charts once more.

The CD is available from >> Elvis Australia.

Charts Worldwide

• The New Zealand fan compilation "I Am An Elvis Fan" entered the Album Chart at #10.
• The "20 Original Albums - The Perfect Elvis Presley Collection" fell of the German Album chart after the new-entry at #42 this week. "I Am An Elvis Fan" didn't sell enough copies to enter the chart. 
• The French fan compilation "Elvis - RTL La Collection" entered the Belgian Album chart in the Wallonian part oft he country while the CD did't chart in France. 
• In Ireland the BMG budget compilation "The Real ... Elvis" dropped from #20 to #25 on the Album charts. 

U.S. Charts

The following albums appeared on the Billboard Current Physical Album Chart for w/e 1st September, 2012:

• 'I Am An Elvis Fan' selling some 2368 units. Total sales to date: 8,040 units.
• 'Elvis Uncovered' selling some 1915 units. Total sales to date: 17,152 units.
• The following album appeared on the Top Soundtrack Album Chart:
• 'Viva Las Vegas' selling some 948 units. Total sales to date: 32,505 units.

The following albums appeared on the Top Catalog Album Chart:

• 'Heart And Soul' selling some 1,854 units. Total sales to date: 577,829 units.
• 'Elvis: The Very Best Of Love' selling some 1,766 units. Total sales to date: 290,284 units.
• 'The Essential Elvis' selling some 1,535 units. Total sales to date: 462,367 units. As this is a 2CD album with playing time over 100 minutes, it counts for double sales under RIAA rules and therefore for their purposes has sold 924,734 units.
• 'An Afternoon In The Garden' selling some 1,500 units. Total sales to date: 485,391 units.

The following albums appeared on the Catalog Physical Album Chart:

• 'Elvis Country' (Compilation) selling some 1,212 units. Total sales to date: 125,460 units.
• 'Elvis Rock' selling some 979 units. Total sales to date: 178,734 units.
• 'Elvis Inspirational' selling some 971 units. Total sales to date: 99,302 units.

The following appeared on the Billboard Seasonal Album Chart:

• 'Elvis Christmas' selling some 30 units. Total sales to date: 599,703 units.
• 'Elvis Christmas Duets' selling some 29 units. Total sales to date: 490,291 units.

(Source: FECC / Elvis Australia / Elvis Information Network / The King's World)

August 24 - Unedited Releases

The new volume in the "Unedited Masters" series sub-titled "Hollywood To Nashville 1972-1980" was released by the Venus import label. According to their flyer this is the best of that series with several "firsts" such as the overdubbed version of "It's A Matter Of Time" taken directly from studio tape instead of a scratchy acetate, an X-rated ending of "the first take" of "Fool", first release of the 1980 re-recording of "For Ol' Times Sake" which is one of their best re-recording but still unreleased to this day. 


This Is ... Elvis Presley – The Greatest Hits

Die 2012 re-issue of the 2002 compilation "Elvis 30 #1 Hits" in the "This Is ..." series. 


(Source: e-mail / Elvis Today)