Thursday, December 13, 2012

December 13 - Classic FTD Charts

The Follow That Dream Collector's label released the CDs "3000 South Paradise Road" double CD and the "Elvis Is Back" classic album on 2 discs. The vinyl re-issue of "G.I. Blues" is delayed.


24 Karat Vinyl Is Back

Analogue Productions released their editions of "Elvis Is Back!" and  "Elvis Presley - 24 Karat Hits" on  180 gramm vinyl. These two albums were re-issued as Super Audio CDs by the same label a few weeks back. 

Golden Charts

The U.S. sales for the week ending December 22, 2012. Two albums topped the 500,000 mark in sales, "Elvis Christmas Duets" and "An Afternoon In The Garden" and qualified for a RIAA Gold Record Award.
  • 'It's Christmas Time' rises from 57 to 46 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart  with sales of 15,716 units. Total sales to date: 1,460,420 units. It also rises from 7 to 6 on the Catalog Album Chart and rises from 17 to 14 on the Holiday Album Chart.
  • 'Elvis Christmas' rises from 192 to 133 on the Top 200 Album Chart with sales of 6,802 units. Total sales to date: 617, 330 units.
  • 'The Classic Christmas Album' (2012) rises from 163 to 155 on the Top 200 Album Chart with 6,041 units. Total sales to date: 28,978 units. It also remains at 19 on the Country Album Chart.
  • The following albums also appear on the Catalog Album Charts:
  • 'Blue Christmas' selling some 3,660 units. Total sales to date: 763,915 units.
  • 'Elvis Christmas Duets' selling some 2,983 units. Total sales to date: 501,801 units. This means it qualifies for a RIAA Gold Award.
  • 'Heart And Soul' selling some 2,890 units. Total sales to date: 600,266 units.
  • 'Elvis Inspirational' selling some 2,485 units. Total sales to date: 116,662 units.
  • 'An Afternoon In The Garden' selling some 2,441 units. Total sales to date: 505,415 units. This means it qualifies for a RIAA Gold Award.
  • 'Elvis Country' selling some 2,422 units. Total sales to date: 143,690 units.
  • 'Blue Christmas' remains at 13 on the Holiday Songs Chart and also remains at 23 on the Holiday Airplay Chart.
European Charts
  • The CD "The Real … Elvis" topped the 1 year mark on the Irish Album chart this week, remaining steady at #65. 
  • The "Prince From Another Planet“ set re-entered the Wallonian Album chart in Belgium at # #165 this week. 

Classic Years

The prestige budget label announced the release of the the compilation "Classic Years" with January 07, 2013 as the release-date. 

(Source: FTD / HMV / FECC / Brian Quinn / Elvis Memories / The King's World)

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

December 12 - Christmas Vinyl

This is the cover-art for the vinyl re-issue of Elvis Presley's Christmas album as it will be re-issued by the Rumble (Cargo Records) label on January 13, 2013

Tracklisting:
1. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
2. White Christmas
3. Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)
4. I'll Be Home For Christmas
5. Blue Christmas
6. Santa, Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
7. Silent Night
8. Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem
9. Treat Me Nice (Bonus)
10. My Wish Came True (Bonus)
11. Don't (Bonus)
12. I Believe
13. Tell Me Why (Bonus)
14. Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do! (Bonus)
15. All Shook Up (Bonus)
16. Mean Woman Blues (Bonus)
17. (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me)
18. I Beg Of You (Bonus)
19. That's When Your Heartaches Begin (Bonus)
20. Take My Hand, Precious Lord

Charro

The movie Charro was re-issued.

(Source: Amazon)

Monday, December 10, 2012

December 10 - DVD's


Paramount Home Entertainment will release the 8 DVD set "Elvis" January 03, 2013 in Germany. It was released in 2007 as "Elvis – 30th Anniversary DVD Collection" and contains the movies "King Creole", "G. I. Blues", "Blue Hawaii","Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Fun In Acapulco", "Roustabout", "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" and "Easy Come, Easy Go". 

(Source: The King's World)

Sunday, December 09, 2012

December 09 - Elvis In Wonderland

The Wonderland Record importlabel released a new 4 CD longbox entitled “Elvis Unedited Masters”. This release comes with a 12 pages booklet and is limited to 400 copies.

CD 1) Unedited Masters – Nashville 1970
CD 2) Unedited Masters – Nashville 1971
CD 3) Unedited Masters – Stax 1973
CD 4) Unedited Masters – Hollywood To Nashville 1972-1980


Tracklist: CD 1 (Unedited Master / Nashville 1970):

Got My Mojo Working / Keep Your Hands Off It (Unedited O.V. Master) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Unedited O.V. Master) - Just Pretend (Unedited O.V. Master) - Faded Love (Brass & Stings O.V. Master) - The Next Step Is Love (Unedited O.V. Master) - Make The World Go Away (Take 3 - O.V. / Work Part Take 1 O.V.) - I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water (Unedited Overdubbed Master) - Twenty Days And Twenty Nights (Unedited O.V. Master) - I've Lost You (Unedited O.V. Master) - I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago ((Unedited Master)) - The Sound Of Your Cry (Unedited O.V. Master) - The Fool (Unedited Undubbed Master) - Cindy, Cindy (Unedited O.V. Master) - It's Your Baby, You Rock It (Unedited Alternate Master) - Stranger In The Crowd (Unedited O.V. Master) - Mary In The Morning (Unedited O.V. Master) - This is Our Dance (Backup Vocal Overdub Master) - Only Believe (O.V. Master - Featuring Horns) - Patch It Up (Unedited Alternate Master) - The Fool (Take 1 - Different Mix )

Tracklist: CD 2 (Unedited Master) / Nashville 1971):
Help Me Make It Through The Night (Unedited Master) - Until It's Time For You To Go (Unedited O.V. Master) - Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread) (Unedited Master) - It's Still Here (Unedited) - I Will Be True (Unedited) - I'm Leavin' (Unedited O.V. Master) - We Can Make The Morning (Unedited Overdubbed Master) - It's Only Love (Unedited O.V. Master) - Love Me Love The Life I Lead (Unedited O.V. Master) - Until It's Time For You To Go (Remake - Unedited Alternate Master) - Put Your Hand In The Hand (Unedited Master) - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (O.V. Master - Different Mix) - That's What You Get (For Loving Me) (Unedited Master) - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Duet With Ginger Holiday) - Early Mornin' Rain (Take 11 - Unedited) - Amazing Grace (Take 2 - No Backing Vocals) - Miracle Of The Rosary (Unedited Undubbed Master) - I Want, I Need You, I Love You (Parts) / That's What You Get (For Loving Me) (Unknown Take)
Bonus Songs / Nashville 1970:
Patch It Up (Unedited Master) - Little Cabin On The Hill (Unedited Master) - Rags To Riches (Undubbed Master) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (No Backing Vocals O.V.)

Tracklist: CD 3 (Unedited Master) / Stax 1973):
Promised Land (Take 6 - Vocal Harmony By Elvis - Unedited) - It’s Midnight (Undubbed - Take 19) - If You Talk In Your Sleep (Unedited Master) - Thinking About You (Unedited O.V. Master) - Love Song Of The Year (Unedited O.V. Master) - Help Me (With False Start - Overdubbed Master) - My Boy (Unedited O.V. Master) - Loving Arms (With Backing Vocals - Overdubbed Master) - Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (Unedited Undubbed Master) - Talk About The Good Times (Unedited O.V. Master) - Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming (Unedited O.V. Master) - There’s A Honky Tonk Angel (Unedited O.V. Master) - If You Talk In Your Sleep (Backing Vocals Overdub) - If That Isn’t Love (Take 1)
Bonus Songs:
Blue Hawaii (Rehearsal - Incomplete) - Dialogue - Blue Hawaii / Dialogue (Take 1) - Blue Hawaii (Take 2) - Dialogue - Ku-U-I-Po (Take 1) - Dialogue / No More (Take 1) - Dialogue / Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 2) - Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 3) - Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 4) - Early Morning Rain (Take 2)

Tracklist: CD 4 (Unedited Master / Hollywood To Nashville 1972 - 1980):
Burning Love (Take 5 - 6) - For The Good Times (undubbed Master) - Fool (Take 1 - Unedited Master) - Always On My Mind (Unedited) - It's A Matter Of Time (Unedited) - Seperate Ways (Take 25 - Unedited) - Fool (Unedited - Overdubbed Master) - Always On My Mind (Unedited undubbed Master) - For Ol' Time Sake (Re-Recording 1980) - Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall (Re-Recording 1980) - Way Down ((Unedited Master)) - Pledging My Love (Unedited Master) - She Thinks I Still Care (Unedited undubbed Master) - Moody Blue (Unedited over: X-XML: Dubbed Master) - The Last Farewell (Unedited undubbed Master) - Hey Jude (Unedited - Re-Recording 1980) - She Thinks I Still Care (Unedited - Re-Recording 1980) - Fairytale (Unedited undubbed Master) - Where Do I Go From Here (Undubbed Master - Mix)

Friday, December 07, 2012

December 07 - Pot Luck CD Exhibitions

The Hallmark budgetlabel announced the release of their version of  "Pot Luck". This re-issue is due January 01, 2013.


Two New Exhibits to Open at Graceland in 2013

Throughout 2013, Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis will be honoring the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll with two new exhibits exploring various sides of Presley’s career including films, music, touring and more.

Elvis' Hawaii: Concerts, Movies and More!
“Elvis’ Hawaii: Concerts, Movies and More!” will open for the public in January in conjunction with the Elvis 2013 Birthday Celebration on January 8. The exhibit celebrates Elvis’ love for Hawaii and the 40th anniversary of “Aloha from Hawaii.” Guests will be able to experience Elvis’ Hawaii and see why it was one of his favorite places to vacation. The exhibit also features both of the American Eagle jumpsuits he wore in January of 1973. Other artifacts in the exhibit include items such as the gold lamé jacket he wore in his first Hawaiian concert in 1957, one of the tiki mugs that Col. Parker had made for promotion of “Blue Hawaii,” the crown and pendant given to Elvis during the “Aloha from Hawaii” concert,  movie memorabilia from films “Blue Hawaii” and “Paradise, Hawaiian-Style," footage from his “Aloha from Hawaii” television special, rarely-seen photos, and never-before-seen footage of Elvis’ first Hawaiian concert from the Graceland archives and more. 


Elvis: Live from Vegas
“Elvis: Live from Vegas” opens on March 1 and will allow guests to experience Las Vegas through the eyes of Elvis Presley. The exhibit will feature part of the 30-foot marquee Col. Parker had made to stand outside the New Frontier Hotel in 1957 and the first jumpsuit worn on-stage by Elvis in 1970.  Other jumpsuits featured in the exhibit include Elvis’ Leather and Chains suit worn in August of 1970,  Elvis’ three-piece Spanish Flower suit worn in 1972, and Elvis’ I Got Lucky jumpsuit that was worn in 1970. From the first time the King of Rock ‘n’ roll stepped foot on-stage in Vegas through his triumphant return in 1969 and beyond, this exhibit captures all of the excitement and energy that is Elvis in Las Vegas.

Midnight Delight 

The Touchdown import label released the CD "Midnight Delight" containing the August 19, 1975 Dinner show as recorded from the audience at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Charts
  • 'It's Christmas Time' rises from #80 to #57 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for w/e 15th December, 2012 selling some 13,150 units. Total sales to date: 1,444,704 units. It also rises from #11 to #7 on the Catalog Album Chart and drops from #15 to #17 on the Holiday Album Chart.
  • 'The Classic Christmas Album' drops from #159 to #163 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart selling some 5,375 units. Total sales to date: 22,937 units. It also rises from #22 to #19 on the Country Album Chart.
  • 'Elvis Christmas' re-enters the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart at #192 with sales of 4,767 units. Total sales to date: 610,528 units.
  • 'Blue Christmas' jumps from #15 to #13 on the Holiday Songs Chart; drops from #22 to #23 on the Holiday Airplay Chart and also appears on the Country Digital Songs Chart and Rock Digital Songs Chart both in the #30 position. It also appears at #157 on the Hot Digital Songs Chart with sales of 11,263 downloads. Total downloads to date: 476,149. 
  • The "The Real … Elvis" CD dropped from #62 to #65 on the Irish Album chart.
  • The "Prince  From Another Planet"  dropped off the Belgian Album chart and is no longer listed on any chart.
Re-issues

Just released is a limited edition import re-issue of the 1970 Camden edition of 'Elvis' Presley Christmas Album'. This release is presented in a deluxe 6 panel digipack and is limited to 500 copies. It features the original 1970 tracklisting plus 12 bonus tracks. 

From the press-release:
Elvis Presley has recently been awarded his first Diamond Award for the 1970 Camden edition of 'Elvis' Christmas Album' (CAL 2428). The original version of this album (LOC 1035) was the fourth album by Presley released in October, 1957 on RCA Victor Records and the music was recorded at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. It now certified as 3 X Platinum by the RIAA.
Elvis' Christmas Album. Camden, 1970 : 10,000,000 sales Diamond award.
The original Elvis' Christmas Album was out of print by the late 1960s. Interest in the album prompted RCA to re-release it in an altered version on its budget label RCA Camden in November, 1970. This version eliminated the four gospel tracks from the Peace in the Valley EP and added the 1966 holiday single 'If Every Day Was Like Christmas', along with the 1970 non-seasonal 'Mama Liked the Roses', issued as the flip to Elvis' top ten single 'The Wonder of You'. With ten tracks and a shorter running time, it fit the standard for the budget label issues.
The initial cover of this revised version echoed that of the 1958 reissue, except a more recent mid-60s vintage photograph with Elvis wearing a blue racing jacket with two white stripes on the left was used from the set of the 1967 movie Speedway. The album was also released in the UK with an album cover that featured Elvis' face from the 1970 Camden release in a circle in the middle surrounded in white with the title and the song selections in red. Although many, many christmas compilations were released on CD, the 1970 Camden album with it's original cover was never released on shinny silver disc. Until now.....
With it's original artwork and liner notes this is the 2012 christmas release to add to your CD collection. Besides the original album tracks we added some great bonus material, for optimal ‘christmas' pleasure!

Tracklisting:

Blue Christmas - Silent Night - White Christmas - Santa Claus Is Back In Town - I'll Be Home For Christmas - If Everyday Was Like Christmas - Here Comes Santa Claus - Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem - Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) - Mama Liked The Roses
Bonus Songs:
It Won´t Seem Like Christmas (Take 7) - If I Get Home On Christmas Day (Take 8) - Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees (Take 10) - Silver Bells - I´ll Be Home On Christmas Day (Take 8) - On A Snowy Christmas NIght - O Come All Ye Faithful (Take 1) - The First Noel (Vocal Overdub) - Merry Christmas Baby (Edited) - Mama Liked The Roses (Harmony Vocal Overdub) - Winter Wonderland (New Remastered VErsion) - The Wonderful World Of Christmas (Vocal Overdub)

That's The Way It Is : The Alternate Album 

Just released is a limited edition import re-issue of the That's The Way It Is recordings entitled "That's The Way It Is: The Alternate Album" CD presented in a deluxe 6 panel digipack.

Tracklisting:
I Just Can't Help Believin' (Rehearsal) - Twenty Days & Twenty Nights (Unedited Master) - How The Web Was Woven (Strings Overdub Master) - Patch It Up (Unedited Alternate Master) - Mary In The Morning (Overdub Master) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Unedited Brass - Strings Overdub Master) - You've Lost That Loving Feeling (Brass - Strings Overdub Master) - I´ve Lost You (Undubbed Master) - Just Pretend (Unedited Overdubbed Master) - Stranger In The Crowd (Unedited Brass & Strings Overdubbed Master) - The Next Step Is Love (Unedited Brass - Strings Overdubbed Master) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (Take 5) - I've Lost You (Brass - Strings Overdubbed Master) - Mary In The Morning (Undubbed Master - Take 5) - Stranger In The Crowd (Rehearsal) - How The Web Was Woven (Backup Vocal Overdub Master) - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Rehearsal) - The Next Step Is Love (Undubbed Master) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (Undubbed Unrepaired Master) - Just Pretend (Undubbed Master)

Inspirations Gospel Album

The 1980 K-Tel release has been re-released as a deluxe 6 panel digipack.

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 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 CD release of Inspirations is presented in a deluxe 6 panel digipack and limited to only 300 copies!

Tracklisting:
Crying In The Chapel - It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) - A Thing Called Love - Bosom Of Abraham - In My Father's House - An Evening Prayer - Amazing Grace - How Great Thou Art - Lead Me, Guide Me - The Impossible Dream - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) - I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs - I Believe In The Man In The Sky - Mansion Over The Hilltop - Padre - Where Could I Go But To The Lord - He Is My Everything - Somebody Bigger Than You And I - He Touched Me - Known Only To Him

Bonus Songs:
A Thing Called Love (Rehearsal) - Amacing Grace (Take 2 - Without Backup Vocals) - Micacle Of The Rosary (1978 Mix) - An Evening Prayer (1978 Mix) - Known Only To Him (1978 Mix) - How Great Thou Art (1978 Mix) - Miracle Of The Rosary (Take 4 - Unedited Undubbed Master)

Easy Come, Easy Go

The Camden original "Easy Come, Easy Go was re-issued as a bootleg in a deluxe 6 panel digipack.

Tracklisting:

C´mon Everybody - A Whistling Tune - I´ll Be There - I Love Only One Girl - Easy Come, Easy Go - Santa Lucia - Tonight Is So Right For Love - Guadalajara - Angel - A Little Less Conversation - Fallow That Dream - Long Legged Girl

Bonus Songs:
It Won´t Be Long (Take 5) - Night Life (Take 3 - Inklusive 'Count In') - King Of The Whole Wide World (Take 21 - Alternate Master) - Wonderful World (Take 7) - Viva Las Vegas (Take 1 + 2) - Without Love (Take 5 - Undubbed Master)

(Source: EPE / Elvis Australia / The Elvis Express)

Thursday, December 06, 2012

December 06 - Glitter Of The Night Life


The Touchdown importlabel released the CD "Glitter Of The Night Life" containing an audiencerecording of the Dinner Show from August 10, 1973 as recorded at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel on the first disc and on the second disc recordings from August 11 and 19, 1973.

(Elvis Info)

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

December 04 - #1


Topping the list for the Encyclopedia Britannica's "10 Musical Acts That Scored #1 Hits" is none other than the King of Rock 'n' Roll. In a recent article, Elvis' 1960 "It's Now or Never" album is ranked first among famous acts including The Beatles, The Supremes and more.

"Wedding Elvis’s operatic-style vocals to a snappy back-beat, “It’s Now or Never” appealed to bobbysoxers and adult easy-listening fans alike, in the process becoming one of his most enduring number-one hits." The new list looks at artists who have landed a number-one hit on Billboard's Hot 100 which is the premiere pop singles chart in the U.S. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the list includes some of the biggest pop, rock, and rhythm and blues stars of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Monday, December 03, 2012

December 03 - Unreleased Elvis For Collectors

De Agostini Publishing, in partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises, announced a new venture in the U.S. and Canada on a three-volume book and DVD set entitled "Elvis: The Official Collector’s Edition". 

From the press-release:
De Agostini Publishing, in partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises, is proud to announce the publication of "Elvis: The Official Collector’s Edition" in the U.S. and Canada. This three-volume book and DVD gift set contains never-before-seen footage of the king and is an essential purchase for all true Elvis fans.

The set includes a new 256-page full-color hardbound biography, replica artifacts and memorabilia from Elvis’ life, 10 DVDs of Elvis’ performances plus interviews, unseen footage and much more.  The deluxe hardcover book chronicles the story of Elvis’ life, from his early childhood to stardom in music and movies.  Created in collaboration with Elvis Presley Enterprises, the book paints an intimate portrait of the king of rock ’n’ roll and features hundreds of photographs from the archives of Graceland.

The accompanying artifact collection includes high-quality, life-size replicas of some of the most important private documents in Elvis’ life. These include his birth certificate, hand-written notes, original costume sketches, the first contract with Colonel Tom Parker, and many more, each item faithfully reproduced to closely match the originals stored in Graceland’s archives.

The 10-disc DVD set is a record of Elvis' finest musical performances, from his early rockabilly days to the world-spanning concerts of the 1970s. In addition, the collection includes the full-length versions of all three historic Ed Sullivan shows in which Elvis won the heart of the nation. In addition to rare historic radio interviews and press conferences, the DVDs also showcase Cinecam footage of Elvis at Graceland and on-set, some of which has never-before been released to the public.


EPE Lawyers Seeking Revenge From SONY/RCA

Elvis Presley's estate EPE is still embroiled in a long-running legal action to extract cash from RCA records in a case that alleges Elvis was "unjustly exploited by his record company". If the estate wins, a hefty percentage of any payout will go to a litigation funding business, Calunius Capital, set up by Leslie Perrin in the island of Guernsey. Two types of clients predominate, Perrin told a recent conference, "David v Goliath" claims where small firms do not have the resources to take on larger businesses, and risk averse organizations that fear pouring more money into a court case without knowing whether they will eventually win.

The Presley lawsuit, filed in August 2011, seeks more than $9m in backdated royalties and a share of future revenue – alleging a 1973 buyout agreement left the singer collecting only $10 a year for worldwide rights on each of his songs. "We are finally getting revenge for 'The King'," Perrin said. "The estate is now owned by private equity institutions. RCA is now owned by Sony. Both are based in Madison Avenue, New York, but the court case [over disputed copyright earnings] is taking place in Munich."

Presley was stationed in Germany as a soldier in the army in the late 1950s. The country is "Elvis crazy" and is responsible for 10% of the world's Elvis Presley sales, Perrin said at the time the suit was filed.The firms typically take between 25% and 35% of any settlement as their fee 

(Source: EPE / Elvis Information Network)

Friday, November 30, 2012

November 30 - Releases And Sales From The Grave

CNN Travel recently looked at the pilgrimage sites for rock 'n' rollers and named Graceland as the most commonly visited grave site around the world. 

"The original singer-songwriter heart-throb remains the King of Rock 'n' Roll, judging from the 600,000 people that visit his grave yearly." Other artists named in CNN's most popular rock star graves include Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, and AC/DC vocalist Bon Scott. 


Budget Releases

The 3CD Music Digital budget label will release the 3CD set "Return To Sender" on January 07, 2013.
The Real Gone Music budget label will release the 4 dis set "4 Classic Albums Plus Singles And EPs" on January 27, 2013.

Charts
  • The set "Prince From Another Planet" set dropped off the Billboard Album Top 200 after it's entry just one week earlier at #187. The set dropped off the Album charts in Austria, France and the Wallonian part of Belgium. In the Flemish part of Belgium the set climbed from #185 to #148. 
  • The CD "It's Christmas Time" drops from #64 to #80 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending 8th December, 2012 with sales of 15,187 units. Total sales to date: 1,431,554 units. It also drops from #5 to #11 on the Catalog Album Chart and from #14 to #15 on the Holiday Album Chart.
  • The new "The Classic Christmas Album" drops from #152 to #159 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart with sales of 8,246 units. Total sales to date: 17,272 units. It also remains at #22 on the Country Album Chart and rises from #126 to #115 on the Current Album Chart (Top 200 minus catalog albums).
  • The song "Blue Christmas" jumps from #17 to #15 on the Holiday Songs Chart and re-enters at #22 on the Holiday Airplay Chart.
  • The budget CD "The Real... Elvis" dropped from #58 to #62 on the Irisch Album chart in it's 50th week on the chart. 
FTD Top 40 November 2012

Besides The Jungle Room Sessions the full top 10 is filled with classic albums. From this year's releases From EP Boulevard and Boy From Tupelo are doing well (at #13 and #24). The current top 5 (compared to June):

1 (1) Elvis Is Back! (2005)
2 (4) The Jungle Room Sessions (2000)
3 (2) That's The Way It Is (2008)
4 (-) Promised Land (2011)
5 (3) Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) (2008)


(Source: EPE / Amazon / The King's World / Elvis Express / Elvis Telegraph)

Thursday, November 29, 2012

November 29 - A President's Day

EPE announced that the official annual Elvis Presley Fan Club Presidents’ holiday CD will include three songs this year. This highly collectible CD will include Elvis’ version of “Silent Night,” “Blue Christmas” and “Santa Claus is Back in Town.” These CDs were recently put in the mail by EPE.


Elvis Inducted into Memphis Music Hall of Fame
 
Elvis Presley, among other Memphis music greats, were inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Thursday evening during a musical tribute held at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Priscilla Presley accepted on behalf of Elvis and noted that Elvis' musical influences included several of his fellow inductees. 

"I know he would be humbled and pleased to be included in standing with them tonight at this inaugural event," said Priscilla in a video message presented during the ceremony. 

Memphis is often known as the cradle for legendary musicians in blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. Sponsored by the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the ceremony consisted of 25 inductees who maintained strong ties to the Memphis community and were pioneers in the music industry. Other Memphians honored were Sun Studio founder Sam Phillips, DJ Dewey Phillips, blues legends B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, and Isaac Hayes, among many others. 


Elvis Presley Day 

While official Washington is preoccupied with such serious matters as averting sharp tax increases and severe government spending cuts Rep. Larry Kissell (D-N.C.) is focusing his efforts on passing an official declaration to observe Jan. 8 as “Elvis Presley Day.” The resolution introduced this week is cosponsored by eight House Democrats and a lone Republican, and would recognize Presley’s birth in Tupelo, Miss. in 1935. “Elvis Presley remains one of the most famous American entertainers of all time whose influence on music and whose cultural impact continues today,” the resolution said. The legislation also notes that in addition to Presley’s vast catalogue of work — 750 songs and one billion records sold worldwide — the King of Rock and Roll also served honorably in the Army.

“Whereas Elvis Presley often shared his success with the less fortunate through benefit concerts and contributions to charity … (he also) exemplified the American dream by pulling himself up from poverty through hard work and personal talent,” the resolution said.

“Whereas in a time when the trade deficits of the United States continue to grow, the sustained export of American music and culture is a uniquely American product that can never be replaced by foreign competitors,” the resolution said.

Presley’s home Graceland is designated as a National Historic Landmark while in 1993, the Post Office issued a first class stamp featuring Presley’s likeness, and is one of the most popular stamps sold. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for consideration, but with only a few weeks left in the congressional session, it does not stand a strong chance of passage.

(Source: EPE / Elvis Matters / Elvis Information Network)