October 02 - Cover-Art By Request

In it's sixth week on the Australian Album Charts, the "Elvis By Request: The Australian Edition" CD has dropped from # 42 to # 66. 

Elvis' Christmas Album + His Hand in Mine

This is the cover-art for the Hoodoo Records budget release "Elvis' Christmas Album + His Hand In Mine" which is due October 22, 2012. 

The Classic Christmas Album


RCA / Legacy released the 2012 Christmas compilation "The Classic Christmas Album" containing classic recordings and some of the recent Christmas Duets.

Hot Clip Preview

This is a preview for volume 6 in the "Hot Shots And Cool Clips" DVD from JAT Publishing. This DVD is packed in a reproduction of Elvis Presley's rare 1975 Hilton showroom menu on October 30. The DVD contains footage of Elvis in Las Vegas 1972, Kansas City 1972, Chicago afternoon show 1972, St. Louis 1973 (no Elvis singing though)

(Source: Elvis Australia / Amazon / FECC)

October 01 - Stronger Than Vinyl

The release "Stronger Than Pride" from the new VV import label was released. 

From the press-release:
Stronger than Pride, that is the first release of the new label “VV”, after 40 years….. if we look closely at the first Vegas act of 1972, in spite his personal problems or thanks to these we can see that Elvis concentrates on the music to produce great shows. The in-between song chat and banter have gone and each number is delivered promptly without even a pause for applause. The 'new' songs introduced do reflect the mood of the man and for sure the rocking days are over but the rendition of the early seventies repertoire is solid and sung with great ability. The Elvis show is short, 45-50 minutes and is basic with little variation in the tracklisting, this theme is continued throughout, always including the new repertoire. Here We present Elvis to the end of the season the closing night the afternoon show.

There are no surprises in the tracklisting but the show is extremely solid and good, almost supernatural if we consider, it comes after one month of daily routine. The sound is good and powerful it comes directly from the original tape, the mix is rough giving us the possibility to listen very clear all the band in action. This vinyl pressing include a bonus cd, where you have the possibility to listen the same concert + the six “news” songs from the opening night in this way you can compare too the evolution of Elvis’ performing during the season. The LP 140 vinyl gram is a limited edition hand numbered 500 copies . It comes with an inside high quality glossy paper booklet of four LP sized. We hope you can enjoy this our first product in the way to give life to more of his kind in next future.

LP February 23 DS unreleased live audience recording 
Running time  45,00 Minutes 
Side A 
01.2001 Theme 02.C C Rider 03.Proud Mary 04.Never Been To Spain 05.You Gave Me A Mountain 06.Until It’s Time For You To Go 07.Polk Salad Annie 08.Love Me 09.All Shook Up 
Side B 
01.Teddy Bear /Don’t Be Cruel 02.Hound Dog 03.A Big Hunk O’ Love 04.Help Me Make It Through The Night 05.Suspicious Minds 06.Band Introductions 07.An American Trilogy 08.Can’t Help Falling In Love 09.Closing Vamp

Bonus CD running time 73 Minutes 
01.2001 Theme 02.C C Rider 03.Proud Mary 04.Never Been To Spain 05.You Gave Me A Mountain 06.Until It’s Time For You To Go 07.Polk Salad Annie 08.Love Me 09.All Shook Up 10.Teddy Bear /Don’t Be Cruel 11.Hound Dog 12.A Big Hunk O’ Love 13.Help Me Make It Through The Night 14.Suspicious Minds 15.Band Introductions 16.An American Trilogy 17.Can’t Help Falling In Love 18.Closing Vamp 19*.Never Been To Spain 20*.You Gave Me A Mountain 21*.Until It’s Time For You To Go 22*.A Big Hunk O’ Love 23*.An American Trilogy 24*.I’ll Remember You 25+.It’s Impossible 26+.The Impossible Dream 27°.It’s Over *January 26 opening night + February 16ms°February 17 ds
Tracks previously released soundboard recording.

(Source: FECC)

September 28 - Lil' Chart Record

As most fans know, the legal heirs of Elvis Presley lost a lawsuit in Germany claiming a fortune from Sony Music Entertainment Germany for what they called the "exploitation of Elvis Presley's greatest hits". The Judge hearing the case in the Munich court threw out the claim by Elvis Presley Enterprises for a share of the record company's profits over the past 40 years & disagreed. EPE decided to appeal. The new chapter of the Legal battle is set for January 17th when a second court will judge the claim.

Charts

The CD "La Collection RTL" dropped from #56 to #94 on the album chart in the French Speaking part of the country. On the French Compilation Album chart this album dropped three spots to #18. 
The CD "The Real... Elvis" dropped one spot from #33 to #34 on the Irish Album chart. 


Lil' Record


The self-proclaimed “best rapper alive” can lay claim to a new mantle: Bigger than Elvis. Lil Wayne has surpassed Elvis Presley’s record of appearances on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, the magazine announced Thursday. The King of Rock and Roll held the record with 108 songs on the chart from its launch in 1958 to 2003. But with Lil Wayne’s appearance as a featured artist on the Game’s new jam, “Celebration,” the hip-hop star now has 109 songs on the list. Still, Billboard noted that Lil Wayne’s meteoric rise in the record books is in part due to rappers’ tendency to share credit on tracks. Weezy is not listed as the lead artist on the majority of his tracks — unlike Presley who was the marquee singer on all of his songs. In an apples to apples comparison, The King still rules; Lil Wayne has just 42 singles on which he’s the main man, though not including his self-aggrandizing “Best Rapper Alive.” 30 hits by Elvis Presley were not included on the Billboard list as they charted before 1958.

(Source: ElvisMatters / The King's World / NY Daily News)

September 27 - Elvis Murdered By A Prince

A new book focuses on one question: Who Murdered Elvis? From the press release: Presley's father knew he was murdered, but his cries for an investigation were blocked by every level of the government - why? On November 20th, 2008, two years after the government rejected reopening the Presley case with concrete evidence, Elvis researcher Jared Parker was brutally murdered. Parker was going to expose newly uncovered letters written by Elvis implicating Mob and FBI operatives who were threatening his life. Who's behind the cover up?


Prince From Another Date 

Amazon announce that the much anticipated SONY/Legacy CD/DVD release, 'Prince From Another Planet', is to be delayed from it's original October 30th release date until the new date of November 12.

(Source: ElvisMatters / Amazon)

September 24 - Greatest Escape

One lucky fan got hold of a copy of the "Greatest Live Hits Of The Fifties"  from the UK based Memphis Recording Service (which escaped early). The CD is due October 22, 2012. 

(Source: FECC)

September 21 - Gospel Chart Records Ties

In the French-speaking part of Belgium the "Elvis La Collection RTL" dropped from #32 to #56 on the Album chart. The CD dropped from #14 to #15 on the French Compilation Album chart. 

In it's fifth week on the Australian Album Charts, the "Elvis By Request: The Australian Edition" CD has dropped from #33 to #42. 

The CD "The Real... Elvis" remains steay on the irish album charts at #33 in it's 40th week on the chart. 

Classic Inspirations

the Bothsides importlabel announced the release of the original 1980 K-Tel release on CD, a limited edition of 300 copies. 

From the press-release:
Back in the early 1980s the K-Tel label released some great Elvis compilation albums. All their releases were advertised on radio and TV, so the impact was huge. Most of the albums became gold or platinum award winning albums. With these great albums  many fans were first introduced to the wonderful music of Elvis Presley. 

The 1980 gospel album ‘Inspirations, is, perhaps, the most successful K-tel album that was released at the time. With it’s beautiful painted cover and excellent tracklist, this is one of the best Elvis gospel compilation albums ever released.
And now, 32 years after it’s release, it’s finally available on silver pressed CD, for all the fans who will treasure their first memory of Elvis’ music, and for those who, simply, want a great Elvis gospel album! The new Bothsides importlabel, presents the original album including 7 great bonus tracks. All bonus tracks (alternate takes) are edited, so now you can hear them for the first time without false starts, studio chat etc. Just the complete takes.
This great CD comes in a 4 page booklet with original sleeve notes. This is a fantastic CD for the cold and long winter nights or the upcoming Christmas season. This Is A Strictly Limited Edition Release Of Only 300 Copies!  

Tracklsiting:

1. Crying In The Chapel, 2. It Is No Secret (what God Can Do), 3. A Thing Called Love, 4. Bosom Of Abraham, 5. In My Father's House, 6. An Evening Prayer 7. Amazing Grace, 8. How Great Thou Art, 9. Lead Me, Guide Me, 10. The Impossible Dream, 11. There'll Be Peace In The Valley For Me, 12. I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs, 13. I Believe In The Man In The Sky, 14. Mansion Over The Hill Top, 15. Padre 16. Where Could I Go To But To The Lord, 17. He Is My Everything,18. Somebody Bigger Than You And I, 19. He Touched Me, 20. Known Only To Him, 21. Milky White Way (take 3), 22. Run On (take 2), 23. Stand By Me (take 7), 24. We Call On Him (take 8), 25. So High (take 1), 26. Without Him (take 8), 27. You’ll Never Walk Alone (take 1),

Lil Wayne Enjoys A Feat Previously Fit For Only A King

As he debuts as a guest (with 2 Chainz) on Juicy J's "Bandz a Make Her Dance," the Billboard Hot 100's top debut at No. 71, the rapper ties Elvis Presley for the most Hot 100 appearances - 108 - among men. The pair trails only the "Glee" cast's 204 visits for the most among all acts since the chart launched the week of Aug. 4, 1958. 
Among solo males, Lil Wayne and Presley rank above James Brown, who's third with 91 Hot 100 hits. Ray Charles places fourth with 74 entries, followed by Elton John (67). Elvis Presley's pre-1958 hits were not included in these totals.

New book by Ginger Alden
 
Ginger Alden, Elvis' girlfriend at the time of his death is currently in the process of writing her memoirs about her life and her short relationship with the King of Rock 'N' Roll. The book is expected next year. 

(Source: The King's World / Elvis Information network / Billboard / Elvis Australia / ElvisMatters)

September 20 - Roll Over!

The Straight Arrow importlabel announced the release of the CD "Wednesday Night Roll Over!" containing an audience recording of the the March 26, 1976 midnight show.

From the press release:
It’s All About Elvis! A week into his March-April engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton, Elvis continued to offer generally dynamic performances, filled with good humour and a sense of fun. A good deal of the set from the midnight show on March 26, 1975 incorporated songs from his sessions at RCA Hollywood from earlier that month, all of which would appear on the Elvis Today album. Three-quarters of his two most recent singles received an airing as well, with ‘Promised Land’ sounding frisky indeed. The often-lengthy, angry and too-revealing monologues from the previous summer in Las Vegas were now gone.
On this set is a superb-quality off-line recording of the entire show, and it’s a delight. There are commendable performances of 'I’ll Remember You’ (with a quick one-liner of Dionne Warwick’s 1967 hit ‘Alfie’ at the start), 'It's Midnight' (with a funny false start), 'Big Boss Man', ‘And I Love You So', 'Burning Love' and his current top-twenty RCA single, the dramatic 'My Boy.’ Elvis even throws in the seldomly performed ‘Until It’s Time For You To Go.’ Wednesday’s child might have been full of woe, but Wednesday night’s gig at the Hilton is full of go-go-go!

As fans have come to expect, this recording is of very good quality, sourced from an early generation copy of the original cassette. It was recorded by the same fan who taped shows used for our previous release, "Amore, Elvis". The digipak contains excellent 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. If you have enjoyed "Amore, Elvis", you will love "wednessday Night Roll Over"! That’s a guarantee, baby! 

Tracklisting: 
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 (with false start) - 09. Promised Land - 10. Fairytale (with false start) - 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 & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) - 17. School Day - 18. My Boy - 19. I'll Remember You - 20. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 21. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 22. Until It's Time For You To Go - 23. Burning Love - 24. Steamroller Blues - 25. Can't Help Falling In Love - 26. Closing Vamp / Announcements. 

(Source: FECC)

September 19 - Collecting Elvis Bootlegs

Volume 19 in the "Elvis Sammlung" series by De Agostini  and EPE was released in Germany. This volume contains the DVD "Wild In The Country", a magazine, memorabilia reproductions and a mini poster of the movie 'Blue Hawaii'. 


Bright Light City

The third release on the new label Convair importlabel was released. It contains  a rare audience-recording of a great live performance Elvis did at the Las Vegas International Hotel on August 12, 1969 (Dinner Show) and is limited to 300 copies only. 

(Source: The King's World / e-mail)

September 18 - Follow That Memory Clips

JAT Publishing announced the rush-release of volume 6 of the "Elvis Hot Shots And Cool Clips" series. This volume will be housed inside of the legendary rare 1975 Hilton Showroom Menu. The DVD will include Las Vegas 1972, Kansas City 1972, Chicago 1972, afternoon show and more. There is no audio of Elvis with the footage.

Sheila Ryan Died

Elvis's girlfriend Sheila Ryan passed away at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer. Kathy Westmoreland and Larry Geller confirmed the news. After Elvis and Linda Thompson broke up, he dated Sheila Ryan for a while in 1974. After that relationship, Sheila was married for a couple of years with Hollywood actor James Caan. Elvis and Sheila met each other in Las Vegas. Elvis performed 'And I Love You So' many times during his concerts and dedicated it to Sheila.

"So many losses recently in the Elvis world. I remember Sheila very well. She was very pretty, very sweet. My heart goes out to her family and friends", 

Larry Geller

"Sadly, just receive the news that Sheila Ryan Caan has passed away. You will be missed Sheila", 

Kathy Westmoreland

Follow That Dream 2012 Releases

In a couple of weeks, we can expect 3 new titles from the FTD label. The next two titles will come out in the 7” 2CD series: ‘From Elvis Presley Boulevard’ and ‘Hits of the 70’s’. The vinyl range will be expanded with ‘Elvis Country’. 

The titles for the three last releases of the year, due in December, are announced: In the 5” series the 2CD ‘August ‘72’ (working title) with the dinner concert from Aug 12 and the rehearsals for that concert engagement. The 7” series will bring the classic album ‘Back in Memphis’ and the vinyl lovers can look out for "G.I. Blues".

FTD Deletes ...

The release "A Boy From Tupelo", the monster project about the Sun years, was only released 6 weeks ago, but the stock with FTD is now completely sould out. Further more, FTD announces that the following titles will be deleted from their catalogue:

- Burbank 68 (5”)
- It’s Midnight (5”)
- Closing Night (5”)
- Rockin’ Across Texas (5”)
- Tickle Me (7”)
- Blue Hawaii (Vinyl)
- Standing Room Only (Vinyl)
- Good Times (Vinyl)
- Jailhouse Rock (Vinyl)
- Elvis Is Back (Vinyl)


Tracklisting Elvis Country:

Side 1
01. Snowbird takes 4,5
02. Tomorrow Never Comes take 11
03. Whole Lot-ta Shakin’ Goin’ On  (rough mix with horns)
04. Funny How Time Slips Away (undubbed rough mix)
05. I Really Don’t Want To Know (undubbed  rough mix)
Side 2
06. There Goes My Everything take 1
07. It’s Your Baby, You Rock It (alternate master)
08. Faded Love take 3 (alternate master)
09. I Washed My Hands In  Muddy Water (undubbed rough mix
10. Make The World Go Away take 1*  (undubbed rough mix) 
Side 3
01. I Didn’t Make It On Playing Guitar (studio jam)
02. Where Did They Go, Lord take 1
03. The Fool – take 1
04. Faded Love (Country version)
05. Little Cabin On The Hill take 1
06. A Hundred Years From Now – take 2
07. Snowbird (rehearsal and take 1)
08. I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago (master) 
Side 4
01. Snowbird – takes 4,5 
02. Tomorrow Never Comes take 2
03. Faded Love takes 2,1*  (undubbed rough mix) 
04. The Next Step Is Love* (undubbed rough mix)
05.  Where Did They Go, Lord takes 2,3
06.  When I’m Over You*  (undubbed rough mix) 

Tracklisting Hits Of The 70's:

Disc 1

ORIGINAL ALBUM – SIDE 1

01. The Wonder Of You

02. I’m Leavin’

03. Burning Love 

04. Always On My Mind 

05. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ 

06. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me 

ORIGINAL ALBUM – SIDE 2

07. There Goes My Everything

08. Rags To Riches

09. Until It’s Time For You To Go 

10. Kentucky Rain

11. I’ve Lost You

12. An American Trilogy 

BONUS A SIDES

13. Don’t Cry Daddy

14. Polk Salad Annie

15. Fool

16. Take Good Care Of Her

17. If You Talk In Your Sleep

18. My Boy

19. Promised Land 

20. T-R-O-U-B-L-E 

21. Green, Green Grass Of Home 

22. Hurt 

23. Moody Blue 

24. Way Down

Disc 2

THE  ‘B’ SIDES – SIDE 1

01. Mama Liked The 

02. Heart Of Rome 

03. It’s A Matter Of Time 

04. Separate Ways 

05. How The Web Was Woven

06. Patch It Up

THE ‘B’ SIDES – SIDE 2

07. I Really Don’t Want To Know 

08. Where Did They Go, Lord

09. We Can Make The Morning

10. My Little 

11. The Next Step Is Love

12. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

BONUS ‘B’ SIDES

13. Rubberneckin'

14. See See Rider

15. Steamroller Blues

16. I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby

17. Help Me 

18. Loving Arms 

19. It’s Midnight 

20. Mr. Songman 

21. Thinking About You

22. For The Heart

23. She Thinks I Still Care 

24. Pledging My Love 

BONUS TRACK

25. My Way 

Tracklisting From Elvis Presley Boulevard:

DISC 1

THE ORIGINAL ALBUM

01 Hurt

02 Never Again

03 Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain

04 Danny Boy

05 The Last Farewell

06 For The Heart

07  Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall

08 Solitaire

09 Love Coming Down

10 I’ll Never Fall In Love Again

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS: THE ALTERNATE ALBUM

11 Hurt – takes 1,2

12 Never Again – take 11

13 Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain – take 4

14 Danny Boy – take 9

15 The Last Farewell – take 3 + ending of take 2

16 For The Heart – take 1

17 Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall – take 6

18 Solitaire – take 3

19 Love Coming Down – take 3

20 I’ll Never Fall In Love Again – takes 4,5

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS: THE ALTERNATE SINGLE

21 For The Heart – takes 3B, 4B, 5B

22 Hurt- composite of takes 4 & 3

DISC 2

SESSIONS: THE MAKING OF

01. For The Heart – takes 2,3

02. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall – take 1

03. I’ll Never Fall In Love Again – takes 1,3

04. Hurt – take 3

05. The Last Farewell – take 1

06. The Last Farewell – take 2

07. Never Again – takes 2,3 & 9 )

08. For The Heart – take 4A

09. Danny Boy – takes 6,7

10. Danny Boy – take 8

11. Love Coming Down – take 4

12. Blue Eyes In The Rain – takes 1,2

13. Solitaire – takes 5,7

14. Hurt – takes 6,5

15. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall – takes 3-5

16. For The Heart – take 5A

17. The Last Farewell – take 4,  master rough mix

18. I’ll Never Fall In Love Again – master rough mix

19. Never Again –master remix

20. Danny Boy – master rough remix

(Source: FECC / Elvis Matters)

September 16 - Tumbling Down The Charts

The Australian fan compilation "Elvis By Request" tumbled down the ARIA Album Chart from #14 to #33 this week. 

The 2011 Sony budget compilation "The Real ... Elvis" drops one spot from #32 to #33 this week.

The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation fell off the Italian Album charts from last week's #89 spot. 

The fan compilation "I'm An Elvis Fan – A Collection Of Songs Chosen By His New Zealand Fans" dropped from #9 to #33 on the album chart.

(Source: Elvis InfoNet / The King's World)