January 08 - Happy Birthday Proclamation

As the world celebrates the King of Rock 'n' Roll on his birthday, Memphis and Shelby County officials have also proclaimed January 8 to be Elvis Presley Day. During today's ceremony on the front lawn outside the Graceland mansion, Memphis Mayor AC Wharton and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell spoke about Elvis' lasting legacy and impact on pop culture. 


Re: Born

The Italian DJ / producer Spankox released his sixth Elvis Presley remix album. The CD in entitled "Elvis Re:Born" and contains ten remixed tracks like "Good Luck Charm", "Kiss Me Quick", "She’s Not You" and "Return To Sender". 


Tracklisting

Gotta Get Back Home Somehow (Spankox Remix), Return To Sender (Spankox Remix), Good Luck Charm (Spankox Remix), Follow That Dream (Spankox Remix), Kiss Me Quick (Spankox Remix), She's Not You (Spankox Remix), Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello (Spankox Remix), I Love You Because (Spankox Remix), I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell (Spankox Remix), (Such An) Easy Question (Spankox Remix)

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

January 07 - Obituary From Aloha

Sony Legacy formally announced the release of a deluxe 2-CD package in theis Legacy series to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the "Aloha From Hawaii" special. 

From the press-release:
The 40th anniversary of the historic one-hour satellite broadcast of Elvis Presley from the Honolulu International Center Arena in January of 1973 is now commemorated with the release of "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite: Legacy Edition." This deluxe 2-CD package will be available everywhere March 19, 2013, through RCA/Legacy, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

"Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite: Legacy Edition" marks the first time that both shows performed by Elvis, released separately in 1973 (the original double-LP Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite) and 1988 (the CD The Alternate Aloha), have been coupled together in to one package. At the same time, the show that "The Alternate Aloha" was based on has been completely remixed from the original multi-track tapes. 

Accompanying the 2-CD set will be a booklet with rare photos and a new liner notes essay written by BBC presenter, producer and musician Stuart Colman. This new Legacy Edition was produced by Rob Santos and Ernst Mikael Jørgensen, who along with Roger Semon, are the respected directors of RCA’s Elvis catalog for over two decades.  

Elvis' love for Hawaii began in March of 1961, when he raised $62,000 for the funding of the USS Arizona Memorial. In January of 1973, “Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite” was the first time that a full-length concert was broadcast around the world. It was the most expensive entertainment special at this time, costing $2.5 million, and was viewed by over 1.5 billion people. Over 6,000 fans were in attendance for both shows at the Neal Blaisdell Arena. In early 1973, Elvis Presley was performing at one of the highest peaks of his career, and "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite: Legacy Edition" is proof of this milestone.

The original broadcast of “Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite” was a second show, that started at 12:30 a.m. in Hawaii on Sunday morning, January 14, 1973. Clearly at the top of his game, Elvis delivered a 24-song show that pulled songs from every phase of his career. It was a painstaking process to develop material that did not duplicate very much of his "Live At Madison Square Garden" concerts of June 1972 (as heard on RCA/Legacy’s most recent "Prince From Another Planet" commemorative 2-CD+DVD package, released November 2012). Nor did Elvis want to duplicate very much of his then-current MGM theatrical release, "Elvis On Tour," filmed in March and April of 1972, the Golden Globe award-winning film which turned out to be the final motion picture of his lifetime.

Following the 12:30 show, at about 3:00 a.m., the ensemble regrouped to record five additional songs exclusively for the U.S. broadcast, four of which originated on Elvis’ old "Blue Hawaii" movie soundtrack of 1961: “Blue Hawaii,” “Ku-U-I-Po,” “No More,” and “Hawaiian Wedding Song.”  The fifth was Gordon Lightfoot’s “Early Morning Rain,” emblematic of the contemporary folk-rock singer-songwriter boom to which Elvis was surprisingly well attuned in the ’70s.

“Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite” was broadcast to more than 40 nations, and broke viewing records in Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Hong Kong and Australia. "Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite," the double-LP containing all 24 songs from the broadcast, was rush released to arrive in stores the first week of February in 1973. It debuted in the February 24 Billboard 200 albums chart, and sold a half-million units in its first four weeks. The single from the concert, Elvis’ version of James Taylor’s “Steamroller Blues,” debuted in April and reached the Top 20, selling in excess of 400,000 copies, and ranking #10 in Cashbox and #17 in Billboard. 

In the United States, the broadcast was in fact postponed so the performance would not conflict with MGM’s "Elvis On Tour."  When “Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite” was finally aired in the U.S. on April 4th, the Nielsen ratings had the show in 33.8% of homes and reaching 51% of those watching television. The double-LP immediately vaulted up the charts, taking the #1 spot in Billboard’s May issue. It stayed on the chart for 52 weeks, and was certified 5X Platinum by the RIAA. The album was Elvis’ first #1 since the "Roustabout" movie soundtrack from January 1965.  

It was not generally known at the time that the Friday evening (January 12th) dress rehearsal had also been recorded, as a safety backup.  Fifteen years later in June 1988 (more than a decade after Elvis’ death), the show was finally issued on CD as "The Alternate Aloha." However, to make room for three of the four Blue Hawaii songs (from the 3 a.m. session) at the end of the CD, it was necessary to omit “Johnny B. Goode,” “I Can't Stop Loving You” and the “Long Tall Sally/ Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On” medley.  "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite: Legacy Edition" now restores those tracks in the sequence where they were originally performed, and adds the four "Blue Hawaii" songs plus “Early Morning Rain” as five bonus tracks.

As Ernst Mikael Jørgensen writes in his essential research guide, Elvis Presley: A Life In Music (St. Martin’s Press, 1998), “The immense pressure of being beamed live to one billion people didn’t seem to phase Elvis a great deal; showing little evidence of nerves, he was highly focused, and he executed a flawless set that sparkled with all the flash of his image.  The unparalleled media attention and size of the audience, not to mention the worldwide number one album that followed, were perhaps the most effective statement ever engineered of one artist’s worldwide power.”

Tracks:
Disc 1: The “broadcast” [second] show recorded January 14, 1973 (originally issued February 1973, as Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite, RCA 6089):
1.Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey) - See See Rider - Burning Love - Something - You Gave Me A Mountain - Steamroller Blues - My Way - Love Me - Johnny B. Goode - It's Over - Blue Suede Shoes - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - I Can't Stop Loving You - Hound Dog - What Now My Love - Fever - Welcome To My World - Suspicious Minds - Introductions by Elvis - I'll Remember You - Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - An American Trilogy - A Big Hunk O' Love - Can't Help Falling In Love

Disc 2: The “dress rehearsal” [first] show recorded January 12, 1973 (originally issued June 1988, as The Alternate Aloha, RCA 6985):

Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey) - See See Rider - Burning Love - Something - You Gave Me A Mountain - Steamroller Blues - My Way - Love Me - It's Over - Blue Suede Shoes - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - Hound Dog - What Now My Love - Fever - Welcome To My World - Suspicious Minds - Introductions By Elvis - I'll Remember You - An American Trilogy - A Big Hunk O' Love - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Riff

Bonus Songs:
Blue Hawaii - Ku-U-I-Po - No More - Hawaiian Wedding Song - Early Morning Rain


Gloria Pall Died

Gloria Pall, whose long sexy legs were seen framing Elvis' face in the 1957 MGM film, 'Jailhouse Rock' has died age 85. She died Dec. 30 of heart failure at a Burbank hospital. Gloria Pall, was the sultry hostess of a 1950' Los Angeles TV show that was cancelled because her character's sexy poses and flirtatious comments were deemed too hot for television. She had a brief acting career which included her "sexy leg" part with Elvis in 'Jailhouse Rock'. 

(Source: EPE / Elvis Express)

January 06 - Elvis ... The End Of A Long Cold Winter

For 22 years Darwin Lamm published a quarterly magazine devoted to Elvis that focused on his music, his images and his legacy. After moving to a twice-a-year format for the past two years, Lamm, 71, is now closing "Elvis ... The Magazine." 

A year and a half ago, Lamm semiretired and moved to Palm Springs. Lamm saw Elvis perform several times, said he never actually met Elvis and he blew a chance to meet him in 1971. Lamm was in Las Vegas with some friends and was offered a chance to meet Elvis at a show but passed because all his friends wanted to tag along and it was a hassle. Lamm is working on a new series of books called "Memories of Elvis," which he said would include interviews with Elvis' friends and fellow performers.

Hot Love In A Long, Cold Winter

Out shortly is the new Straight Arrow release “Hot Love In A Long, Cold Winter”, which contains the St. Petersburg and Columbia 1977 concerts from which the Straight Arrow import label obtained the original audience recorded cassettes.

From the press-release:
The Elvis tour in February of that year was affected in various ways by the weather conditions, which sometimes resulted in delays at airports and illness among the musicians and crew members. Presley himself was in less than stellar condition, and complained of a sore throat on some nights. Elvis gained some weight since the last tour, and the manic feel of those final December nights was now gone, but from February 14, he was in good voice for all remaining shows of his tour, and he even included rarities like ‘Release Me’ and ‘Blueberry Hill’.
A large chunk of the February 14 show and 2 tracks from February 18 were released from a soundboard sources, but we feel that these audience recorded tapes makes for a more entertaining and exciting listening experience. Note: The February 18, 1977 show was released in 1992 ("Elvis Release Me In Concert") by the Peaf label, which was taken from an inferior source. If you liked our previous outing, „Chicago Double-Strike“, you will enjoy this new release, too.

Tracklist:
CD 1 / Monday, February 14, 1977, St. Petersburg.
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. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. O Sole Mio (Sherrill Nielsen) / It's Now Or Never - 08. Guadalajara (one liner) / All Shook Up - 09. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 10. And I Love You So - 11. Fever - 12. My Way - 13. Introduction of vocalists, musicians - 14. Early Mornin' Rain 15. What'd I Say - 16. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 17. Bass Solo (Blues, Jerry Scheff) - 18. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 19. Blueberry Hill (with 2 false starts) - 20. Love Letters - 21. School Day - 22. Hurt - 23. Hound Dog - 24. Can't Help Falling In Love - 25. Closing Vamp / Announcements. Approx. running time: 66:41.

CD 2 / Friday, February 18, 1977, Columbia.
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. Fairytale - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Jailhouse Rock - 08. O Sole Mio (Sherrill Nielsen) / It's Now Or Never - 09. Tryin' To Get To You - 10. Little Sister - 11. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 12. Are You Lonesome Tonight - 13. That's All Right, Mama - 14. My Way (with break) - 15. Release Me - 16. Introduction of vocalists, musicians - 17. Early Mornin' Rain - 18. What'd I Say - 19. Johnny B. Goode - 20. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 21. Bass Solo #1 (Blues, Jerry Scheff) - 22. Bass Solo #2 (Battle Of New Orleans theme, Jerry Scheff) - 23. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 24. Love Letters - 25. School Day - 26. Hurt (with reprise) - 27. Introduction of Billy Smith and Jo Smith - 28. Can't Help Falling In Love - 29. Closing Vamp / Announcements. Approx. running time: 74:57.

Collector's Edition From Sony And RCA

On Amazon two new titles from RCA / Sony Legacy appeared; the maxi vinyl release "Don't Be Cruel / Hound Dog" in a Collector's Edition and "Threads And  Grooves", also a Collector's Edition". 

(Source: ElvisMatters / FECC / Amazon)

January 05 - New Year Chart Exhibitions

A new year, new charts. For the first time in several weeks Elvis has no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. However, he still has various albums on other Billboard Charts and these are listed below.

• 'It's Christmas Time' drops from #12 to #82 on the Catalog Album Chart selling some 3,865 units. Total sales to date: 1,494,490 units. It also drops from #63 to #135 on the Physical Album Chart and from #19 to #31 on the Seasonal Album Chart.
• 'Best Of Love' rises from #92 to #84 on the Catalog Album Chart selling some 3,847 units. Total sales to date: 325,450 units. It also rises from #81 to 375 on the SMEI Album Chart.
• 'Elvis Uncovered' enters the Physical Album Chart at 3153 selling some 3,591 units. Total sales to date: 57,236 units. It also rises from#92 to #82 on the SMEI Album Chart.
• 'Elvis Christmas' drops from #52 to #55 on the Seasonal Album Chart selling some 2,261 units. Total sales to date: 633, 238 units.
• 'Elvis Classic Christmas Album' (2012 release) drops from #55 to #60 on the Seasonal Album Chart selling some 2,116 units. Total sales to date: 43,767 units.
• 'Elvis Christmas Duets' rises from #110 to #104 on the Seasonal Album Chart selling some 1,383 units. Total sales to date: 510,085 units.
• 'Blue Christmas' (Album) drops from 398 to #118 on the Seasonal Album Chart selling some 1,143 units. Total sales to date: 772,483 units.
• 'Viva Las Vegas' drops from 51 to 68 on the Top Soundtrack Album Chart selling some 973  units. Total sales to date: 46,978 units.
• 'Original Album Classics' drops from 54 to 90 on the Soundtrack Album Chart selling some 714 units. Total sales to date: 3,207 units.

European Charts

• The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilation re-entered the UK Album Charts at #147 for the week ending January 5, 2013.
• The set "Prince From Another Planet" dropped off the Wallonian Album chart in Belgium. Last week the set was listed at #162. 
• The CD "The Real... Elvis" fell of the Irish Album chart after 54 weeks on the list. Last week the CD was listed at #77.

Elvis’ Hawaii: Concerts, Movies and More! Exhibit Opens at Graceland

The “Elvis’ Hawaii: Concerts, Movies and More!” Exhibit opened on Saturday, January 5, at Graceland in Memphis.

The exhibit celebrates Elvis’ love for Hawaii and the 40th anniversary of “Aloha from Hawaii.” This is the first exhibit to explore Elvis’ connection with the islands. The exhibit will allow guests to experience Elvis’ Hawaii and see why it was one of his favorite places to vacation. The exhibit features never-before-seen footage of Elvis on the boat heading to Hawaii in 1957 and color footage of Elvis' first Hawaiian concert. 

The exhibit also brings together, for the first time, all of the jumpsuits Elvis wore during his Hawaiian concerts including both of the American Eagle jumpsuits he wore in January of 1973. Artifacts from 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. 

(Source: Brian Quinn / The King's World / EPE)

January 01 - The Top 10 Elvis News Stories Of 2012

What better to start 2013 with a look back at the past year. Troy Yeary from The Mystery Train Blog compiled his Top 10 Elvis news stories of 2012 as follow up to part 1 he did halfway 2012. And I must say, with some interesting choices! Good to see every fan has his "mystery look" on the Elvis world. Thanks for the contribution Troy!

The Top 10 Elvis News Stories Of 2012

Happy New Year everyone! Before I go any further, I want to thank Kees for offering me the opportunity to guest blog here on Elvis Day By Day.

With 2012 now in the record books, it is time for one last look back. Below are what I consider the ten best Elvis stories of the year.

#10 Presleyana VII

Music expert Jerry Osborne released his first Presleyana pricing guide back in 1980. The 2012 edition, Presleyana VII: The Elvis PresleyRecord, CD and Memorabilia Price Guide, is a 386-page hardcover. Officially-released records are the primary focus, though there is decent official CD coverage as well. I've had hours of fun flipping through this one. I even discovered that I unknowingly had three of the most valuable Elvis CDs in my collection. Presleyana VII includes over 25 full-color pages showcasing photos of records and other collectibles.

#09 Storm & Grace

Lisa Marie Presley's third album, Storm & Grace, proves to be her best release yet. My favorites on this one include "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet," "Over Me," and "Heartless," a bonus track on the deluxe edition.

#08 On Stage FTD

Sony's Follow That Dream collectors label for Elvis fans had another stellar year of releases. A real highlight of collecting FTDs in the last several years has been the Classic Album series. I consider On Stage the second-best Elvisalbum released in his lifetime, so I was thrilled when FTD gave it the 2-CD Classic Album treatment. Including the original, this marks the fourth different configuration of this album, but this reissue is worth obtaining because it includes additional tracks from his February 1970 Las Vegas engagement - many previously unreleased.

#07 Practice Makes Perfect

For those interested in studying the music of Elvis Presley, listening to the man rehearse can sometimes provide new insight. To that end, FTD offered up two different rehearsal releases in 2012. From Hawaii To Las Vegas presented a January 25, 1973, rehearsal at the Las Vegas Hilton, including two run-throughs of "Separate Ways." The 2-CD set 3000 South Paradise Road included an August 4, 1972, rehearsal at the Hilton as well as a concert from later that same season. The rehearsal included rarities such as "My Babe," "True Love Travels On A Gravel Road," and "Faded Love." In both cases, the rehearsals were captured on a private cassette recorder, but lack of sound quality should not detract from the experience for fans who enjoy digging a little deeper into the catalog.

#06 Lisa Marie's Favourite Elvis Songs
When an Elvis fan like you or me creates an Elvis playlist, it does not make the news. When your name is Lisa Marie Presley, however, things are different. LisaMarie's Favourite Elvis Songs featured 12 picks - ranging from 1960-1972, with a full two-thirds coming from the 1970s.

Sony should seriously consider hiring Lisa Marie to advise on future Elvis compilations.

1. Just Pretend (from ELVIS: Walk A Mile In My Shoes – The Essential 70s Masters)
2. Mary In The Morning (ELVIS: Walk A Mile In My Shoes – The Essential 70s Masters)
3. How Great Thou Art (Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances)
4. Polk Salad Annie (Live) [Elvis 75]
5. It’s Over (Live) [ELVIS: Walk A Mile In My Shoes - The Essential 70s Masters]
6. You Gave Me A Mountain (Live) [ELVIS: Walk A Mile In My Shoes - The Essential 70s Masters]
7. Such A Night (Elvis Is Back! [1999 edition])
8. An American Trilogy (Live) [Elvis 75]
9. I’m Leavin’ (Elvis 75: Good Rockin’ Tonight)
10. Until It’s Time For You To Go (The 50 Greatest Love Songs)
11. Ku-u-i-po (Blue Hawaii [1997 edition])
12. Kentucky Rain (The Essential Elvis Presley)

#05 From Elvis Presley Boulevard FTD

Another Classic Album release from FTD, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, proved to be one of their best yet. While some would have preferred Elvis remain stuck in 1956, his 1976 album, recorded at Graceland, proved that he was no Oldies act trying to recapture past glories.

#04 Live Wire

Certainly, the "feel-good" story of the year for Elvis fans was audio collector amberola1b's discovery of a live recording of Elvis singing "I Forgot To Remember To Forget" on the Louisiana Hayride radio program in 1955, which he briefly posted on YouTube.  Sourced from a Silvertone wire recording, the performance had never been heard by the public since the original broadcast. Compared to most of the other Hayride recordings released in the past, the audio quality was stunning. Unfortunately, though audio grabs of amberola1b's YouTube video have appeared on a couple of "gray market" releases, an official release directly sourced from the wire recording does not yet appear to be in the works.

#03 Prince From Another Planet

Sony released three different Madison Square Garden products this year, but the standout among them was the 2-CD/1-DVD boxed set PrinceFrom Another Planet. CD 1 is a 2012 mix by Michael H. Brauer of Elvis’ June 10, 1972, afternoon show at the Garden, mastered by Vic Anesini. CD 2 is a 2012 mix by Brauer of Elvis’ June 10 evening show at the Garden, mastered by Anesini. The DVD contains a new documentary (Like A Prince From Another Planet), footage from Elvis’ June 9 press conference in New York, and fan-shot 8-millimeter footage of the June 10 afternoon show.  While I personally love the new mixes, some Elvis audiophiles have found them lacking compared to the original 1972 and 1997 mixes. Clocking in at about 20 minutes, the 8-millimeter footage is fantastic for what it is - a glimpse at an Elvis show we otherwise would have never seen. During parts of the show for which there is no footage, the screen goes black while the audio continues. There are long stretches of songs with no footage at all. A better alternative should have probably been devised here, but it does not take away from a fantastic experience.

#02 Caught In A Trap

FTD's Classic Album edition of Back In Memphis wisely includes "Suspicious Minds" as a bonus track. The 2-CD set contains all eight takes of the song, including, for the first time, takes one through five. The evolution of one of his best songs is a must-listen for Elvis fans.

#01 A Boy From Tupelo FTD

Without a doubt, the number one story and release of the year is FTD's A Boy From Tupelo, the long awaited SUN project. The 11-pound book and 3-CD set catalogs Elvis' activities and career in the key years of 1953 through 1955. The enormity of this set is so overwhelming that I've yet to be able to write a proper review of it. Suffice it to say, this is one of the most important Elvis releases since 1977. This deserves a mainstream re-release of some sort by Sony in order to bring it to a wider audience than a limited run on the collectors label can achieve.

And that's the way it was!

Troy Yeary / The Mystery Train Blog

December 30 - The Best News Stories Of 2012 Part 2

Halfway through the year Troy Yeary, author of The Mystery Train Blog, and I compiled two articles with the best news stories of 2012 till then. 

Elvis Day By Day: The best newsstories 2012 Pt. 1
Mystery Train: The best newsstories 2012 Pt. 1

Now, on the verge of 2013, it is time to finish the article with the best news stories from the last six months. Let’s pick it up where we left off.

July 28: The Holy Grail

One of the best news stories of 2012 was of course the announcement of the release of “The Boy From Tupelo” by Ernst Jorgensen. July gave us the track listing and confirmation a new song entitled “Little Mama” and several new live performances of songs we only knew from studio recordings.  Three days later the box was released. Funny to see how all details were kept a secret, especially in this day and age when nothing appears to be safe. 

July 13: A Miracle


Miracles do exist; on July 13th news broke that YouTube user 'amberola1b' posted a previously unreleased Elvis Presley live recording of “I Forgot To Remember To Forget” from the Louisiana Hayride from October 1, 1955. How funny it is that after ten years of work Ernst Jorgensen finally announced the release of his body of work that a new recording surfaces. News went through the Elvis world like a wildfire. 

The song was recorded on an early Silvertone "wire" recording machine. We initially hear Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys before Horace Logan introduces Elvis, Scotty and Bill and their "modern-day type" new single, 'I Forgot To Remember To Forget'. 
The reaction from Ernst Jorgensen: "Wow – it’s unbelievably beautiful. I’m still trying to recover from the shock, Ernst"
The audio quality of the posting was very good, especially considering that it was a video recording of an antique Silvertone “wire” recording machine. It almost sounded better than the new concert we got from Ernst Jorgensen on the “A Boy From Tupelo” set. The discovery showed that miracles can still happen, who knows what is still out there … ready to be discovered. Especially because you could listen to the newly discovered song made this one of the highlights of the year for me. I enjoyed being an Elvis fan again.



Sad was that Elvis Presley Enterprises didn’t appear to be interested in this news, I mailed them several times but got no other answer than “Thank you for sending your email concerning a new live recording of Elvis. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about the new recording besides the link that you shared with me in your prior email. When looking for information concerning things such as this it would be best to contact graceland@elvis.com. Needless to say EPE never mentioned the newly discovered recording …

One day after the song appeared on-line, the owner discovered what he put on line and threatened all those linking to his video with copyright violations … Fortunately the song was bootlegged by various fan clubs and appeared on a handful of CDs so fans could enjoy this recording. An official release, apart from the “Greatest live Hits Of The 50’s” on the U.K. based Memphis Recording Service (which I expect to have used the YouTube audio) still has to see the light. 

July 6: Graceland Through The Years 1957-1977

The Boxcar Enterprises released their first book, 'Graceland Through The Years 1957-1977'. The first edition of the book, a limited edition of 2000 copies, was sold out immediately. I enjoyed reading this book very much, brought back a lot of memories of walking through the famous mansion in 2001. I still can’t believe that a book like this can be produced by a former bootlegger and EPE, sitting on a wealth of original information and memorabilia, can’t come up with a book like this; 450 pages with over 1000 photos, many never before published ... The same goes for “The Elvis Files” series, I expected EPE to publish this anthology of Elvis Presley’s live.

July 3: A Bootleggers Treasure 

Talking about bootleggers, the book “Bootleg Elvis” was released. Besides the Graceland and Tupelo books this release marks another essential book release. It documents all the vinyl bootleg releases (known to the authors) with additional background information from the original bootleggers themselves. It is not the kind of book you sit-down and read, but an essential reference and fun book to browse through every now and then. Always fun to look up the vinyl in your own collection (no I found no hidden treasure …). When will the follow-up on all bootleg CDs appear?

August 1: The Holy Grail From Another Planet

August 1, 2012 marks the release of the “Boy From Tupelo” book; an essential release for any fan who wants to now everything from the early years of Elvis Presley’s career in music. I’m still reading it and will be for some time. Thank you, thank you very much Ernst! 

Sony Legacy also spread the news on the “Prince From Another Planet” double CD / DVD set containing Elvis Presley’s legendary concert performances from Madison Square Garden. Three versions were released; one on vinyl, one double CD and one double CD with an additional DVD containing the only footage available, shot from the audience. The original album was also re-issued on vinyl by Music On Vinyl. One would expect that the CDs would be the same but somehow Sony chose that the different CD-sets would contain different remixes / remastered versions of the concerts and why not both concerts were remastered for this “definitive” release ... also, the footage on the DVD doesn’t cover the entire concert. Sony chose to show a black screen while the audio continues … why not create a mini concert with the footage available?!? 

September 18: Sheila Ryan Died

This year quite a few people from the Elvis world died this year. Some more iconic that the other, but all in some way linked to our man. Bernard Lansky who dressed him in the early days; friends like Patti Parry and Lance Legault, people he worked with professionally, or admired, like Tony Curtis, musicians, directors and concertpromotors. But one girl stood out from the rest, his last girlfriend Sheila Ryan. She passed away at the age of 59 after a battle with cancer. After Elvis and Linda Thompson broke up, he dated Sheila Ryan for a while in 1974. 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. 

October 23: Hits From The Seventies

The Follow That Dream Collectors label released the “Hits Of the 70’s” compilation. Is it a very important release? I guess not, but it does mark a new direction for the collector’s label. Could it be the bottom of the barrel is finally in sight after 100+ FTD releases? 

The CD itself got mixed reactions and reviews, mainly because it did not contain any previously unreleased material. For me personally that’s no problem, the music on this compilation is very good and I enjoyed listening to it very much. Releases like this bring back memories of discovering Elvis Presley when I was young. 

November 28: Elvis Inducted into Memphis Music Hall of Fame

Elvis Presley, among other Memphis music greats, were inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame during a musical tribute held at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis. 
Memphis is often known as the cradle for legendary musicians in blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. Until today there was no Hall Of Fame, which was new to me. Walking around Memphis and enjoying all the different links to many kinds of music this had escaped me. 

Elvis Presley has been inducted in almost any Hall Of Fame, but not in his hometown. This was corrected in an event 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 honoured were Sun Studio founder Sam Phillips, DJ Dewey Phillips, blues legends B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, and Isaac Hayes, among many others. 
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. 

November 5: Back In Memphis

The Follow That Dream label announced the release of “Back In Memphis” in their Classic Album” series. This is one of my all-time favourite albums with great recordings like “Inherit the Wind”, “Stranger in My Own Hometown” and of course the fan-favourite “Suspicious Minds” which was added as a bonus track. The additional alternate takes of these and other songs from the original album never sounded so good. 

November 26: Elvis Files Vol.1 '53-'56

Erik Lorentzen shared a preview of the first volume of his “The Elvis Files” anthology. This volume contains the years 1953 - 1956. These years turned the boy into a man and finally The King of Rock And Roll. If I think of our man images from this era come to mind. For me this is what embodies Elvis. Two volumes are still shrink-wrapped, and will probably be after I receive this volume. The first volume chronicles Elvis' rise from his pre SUN discovery to becoming the world's biggest new sensation - over more than 500 pages and 1,200 photos. Featuring all Elvis events from 1953-1956, every working moment, the early tours, the first Las Vegas trip, recording sessions, the TV shows and lots of unseen and unpublished images (according to the press-release). Originally announced for release December 2012 it will be available early 2013. 

December 21: Aloha From Hawaii – 40th Anniversary Edition

The year closes with a bang! Boxcar Enterprises announced that, in association JAT Publishing, will release a 40th Year Anniversary special book, in celebration of Elvis’ iconic "Aloha from Hawaii" titled, "Elvis – Aloha via Satellite" in February 2013.

This massive most comprehensive 450-page volume is packaged and housed the same as Boxcar’s previous outing of “Elvis Presley’s Graceland through the Years” released earlier this year. The book comprises of hundreds upon hundreds of photographs many of which have never before been seen.  Also collected here exclusively are scores of historical memorabilia and the Colonels original internal documents and scripts. According to the press release this is intended to create a time-travel experience of sorts documenting the most groundbreaking event in the annals of television history.
Unfortunately Ernst Jorgensen and Joseph Pirzada, are not on speaking terms (to put it mildly). In the spirit of Christmas it would be great of these two could come to some kind of peace and combine their efforts. That would give us fans some real great threats! 

2012 Wrap-up

So this wraps up 2012. Was it a good year? Browsing through the 290 posts I did on my ElvisDayByDay Blog I can only say it was. On only 75 days I didn’t find anything interesting to post. After years with only a few outstanding releases 2012 raised the bar on CD and book releases and vinyl made a come-back. 

I didn’t get much of the 35th anniversary celebrations, but we got “A Boy From Tupelo”, for many fans a “holy grail”, we got a lot of vinyl which appears to have made a permanent come-back, we got the “Prince From Another Planet”, a newly discovered recording of “I Forgot To Remember to Forget” that showed us that “miracles” still exist and many many import releases and a series of great book releases. While a few years ago we thought the well had run dry, I believe we may still get a few surprises in the years to come. See you around next year!

Over to you Troy, to wrap up 2012.

Kees / December 2012

December 30 - A Deranged Angel Snoopin' 'Round The New Year

The Victrola import label released the 3 CD set "Snoopin' 'Round My Door (1955 – 1977) - Elvis Revisits His Best Year 1956" The 3 discs contain alternate versions, live recordings, jam-session recordings of well known recordings. 


A Deranged Angel

Dennis van Tiel, editor of the dutch magazine Almost in Elvis, collected his work in a book. 

The dutch promo text:
"Een Verknipte Engel" (A Deranged Angel) is a bundle of stories and poems (they all were first published in the Dutch magazine "Almost in Elvis"), in which the ebullient fascination for Elvis Presley definitely dictates. The king of rock-'n-roll was not only a singer, actor or master in Kenpo karate, but also an agent in different states, healer, medicine-man, weapon expert, benefactor, mother-child, patriot and a lot more. Actually, you could say Elvis was a population group on his own. So, that's why you will 
know your self also a little bit better after reading the stories in "Een verknipte Engel". Please, step in this adventure of reading.

O, yeah, a warning upfront from the author: please don't take everything to the letter. I hope you are familiar with the concepts of irony and cynicism, before you start to read. Because, people who also read the bible are used to take a lot of words literally. Anyway, the main thing is, that there are more ways then one, that leads to expressing love and fascination for a person.


(Source: Elvis Infos / The Elvis Telegraph)

December 29 - A Date In Paradise City

Touchdown Productions announced the release of "Welcome to Paradise City", which will contain an audience recording of the concert from February 18, 1977 in Columbia, South Carolina. 

It's represented in the best possible soundquality from a newer source than what was used on the old release "Release Me" from 1992. Up above it is possibly the best concert from the first tour in 1977 and without a doubt one of best concerts he gave in 1977! according to to the press-release.

Tracklisting:
[01] Also Sprach Zarathustra [02] See See Rider [03] I Got A Woman/Amen [04] Love Me [05] Fairytale [06] You Gave Me A Mountain [07] Jailhouse Rock [08] O Sole Mio/ It's Now Or Never [09] Trying To Get To You [10] Little Sister [11] Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel [12] Are You Lonesome Tonight? [13] That's Alright Mama [14] My Way [15] Release Me [16] Band Introductions [17] Early Morning Rain [18] What'd I Say [19] Johnny B. Goode [20] Drum Solo - Ronnie Tutt [21] Drum Solo Pt.1 - Jerry Scheff [22] Drum Solo Pt.2 - Jerry Scheff [23] Piano Solo - Tony Brown [24] Love Letters [25] School's Out [26] Hurt [with reprise] [27] Can't Help Falling In Love [28] Closing Vamp


A Date With Elvis

Due out on December 31st. 2012 from the new EP Fanrecords import label is a CD entitled "A Date With Elvis" containing 37 tracks. The set contains:
- Complete unedited homerecordings (+ 4 edited versions)
- All overdubbed masters in the  best sound from the 1983 I Was The One album
- Live recordings from 1974 and  1976
- Radio  recordings

Tracklisting:
Edited Home Demos
1. Spanish Eyes **
2. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry  **
3. Baby, What You Want Me To Do  **
4. That'S All Right **


Overdubbed Masters From The I Was The One Album
5. My Baby Left Me
6. Little Sister
7. Don’t
8. Wear My Ring Around Your  Neck
9. Paralyzed
10. Baby Let's Play House
11. I Was The One
12. Rip It Up
13. Young And Beautiful
14. Ready Teddy
15. (You're So Square) Baby I Don't  Care


Jackson, Ms. September 5, 1976 (8:30 Pm) State Fair Coliseum *
16. Blue Christmas
17. Jingle Bells (Instrumental By  Band)
18. How Great Thou Art
19. Monologue
20. Can't Help Falling In  Love (Incomplete)


Las Vegas,  Nv. September 2, 1974 (12:00 Am) Hilton Hotel *
21. I Couldn'tLive Without You (Performed By Voice)

The Complete Unedited Home Demos Palm Springs, Ca. April 1974
22. Spanish Eyes
23. Young At Heart
24. Let Me Be The One


Sam Thompson's House Memphis, Tn. November 1973
25. Baby, What You Want Me To  Do
26. I'm So Lonesome I Could  Cry
27. Rocky Top (Instrumental)
28. Spanish Eyes
29. Cc Rider
30. That'S All Right Mama
31. Your Life Has Just  Begun
32. Tear Drops
33. Elvis Recites A  Poem


Radio  Recordings
34. “Hello To Hawaii” (Promo – 1956)
35. “Hello Australia” (Promo – 1959)
36. I Forgot To Remember To  Forget (Newly Found Live Recording – Probably  October 1, 1955 *)
37. “Aloha Elvis” (Interview – January 9, 1973)
*Recorded Live On Stage
**Edited For This Release – We’ve Also Included The Complete Recording.

(Source: The Elvis Telegraph / Essential Elvis)

December 28 - Forgery Chart Files

Erik Lorentzen's new 'Elvis Files Vol.1 1953 - 1956' is at the printers and will be published soon. A huge volume of 594 pages even with it trimmed down to a feasible postal weight - 1956 was a great year for Elvis. The first volume of the Elvis Files story, chronicling Elvis' rise from his pre SUN discovery to becoming the world's biggest new sensation - nearly 600 pages and 1,400 photos. Featuring All Elvis Events from 1953-1956, Every Working Moment, The Early Tours, The first Las Vegas trip, Recording Sessions, The TV Shows and lots of unseen and unpublished images according to the press release. The publication date is now scheduled for January 2013.

Content: 
- Every Working Moment
- The Early Tours
- The first Las Vegas trip
- Plenty of CANDID Moments
- All the Recording Sessions
- Elvis Interviews
- The TV Shows
- 'Love Me Tender' the first movie

Elvis Tops List Of Most-forged Celebrity Signatures
 
Elvis Presley and The Beatles top the list of most-forged celebrity signatures in 2012, with less than half of their autographs for sale certified as genuine, memorabilia authenticators PSA/DNA said on Thursday.

The King and The Fab Four British rockers, who topped the list two years ago when it was last released, joined notable figures such as former U.S. President John F. Kennedy and late pop star Michael Jackson on the list of most-forged celebrity signatures. Late American astronaut Neil Armstrong landed at No. 3 on the list, after fake Armstrong signatures rose significantly after his death in July.
Secretaries and assistants responding to huge volumes of fan mail are one reason for fake signatures floating through the marketplace, said Margaret Barrett, director of entertainment and music memorabilia at Heritage Auctions in Los Angeles. "Back in the day, the kids would write to the movie studios," Barrett said. "There was absolutely no financial gain 50 years ago and secretaries and assistants just wanted to make them happy. A lot of times people stumble upon an old box of signed photographs in grandma's attic and don't know they're forged."

Charts

• 'It's Christmas Time' drops from #65 to #88 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending January 5, 2013. It also drops from #8 to #12 on the Catalog Album Chart and from 18 to 19 on the Holiday Album Chart.
• 'The Classic Christmas Album' drops from #24 to #28 on the Country Album Chart.
• 'Blue Christmas' (Single) rises from #24 to #22 on the Holiday Airplay Chart and from 14 to 12 on the Holiday Songs Chart.
• The "Prince From Another Planet“ dropped from #115 to #162 on the Wallonian Album chart in Belgium.
• The CD "The Real … Elvis" dropped from #70 to #77 on the Irish Album chart. 

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

December 27 - Top Notch After Christmas

The CD "Top Notch Hollywood", featuring recordings from Elvis Presley at the Radio Recorders Studio, was released. It holds a variety of (un)released songs, instrumental muscat ramble, 2 #1 hits, a 1957 RCA commercial and more. 

(Source: Elvis Infos)