April 19 - Charlie, Bring Me The Request Box

Out shortly will be Straight Arrow's 5-CD box release "Charlie, Bring Me The Request Box" (SA/SB 2016-01-02), featuring the complete Elvis Presley August 1975 Summer Festival. It was shortest ever Elvis Las Vegas season – after just 5 concerts, the rest of the season was cancelled due to health issues.

From the press-release:
Compared with the previous June/ July 1975 tours, Elvis was a bit heavier and regardless of the problems that were plaguing him at the time, he was in an amicable mood, and his playfulness and warmth resulted in many delightful moments during these shows. Not only that, but he also continued with the ‘request box’ idea which he’d started in Ashville, NC about a month earlier. Fans were able to write their requests on a piece of paper and put them in a request box (actually a champagne bucket). During the shows Elvis would sometimes grab a couple of pieces of paper and select a song from those. This resulted in various true live rarities being performed, such as “Crying In the Chapel”, “Loving You” and “Young And Beautiful”. Some songs were performed for the last time ever: “Green Green Grass Of Home”, “T.R.O.U.B.L.E.” and “Suspicious Minds”. After 2 days it was clear that Elvis was not well enough to fulfill the season. He appeared exhausted and prior to the August 20th, 1975 Midnight show, the decision was made to cancel the rest of the season.

Through the last 25 years, the August 18th-20th, 1975 shows were released on various bootleg CDs of variable quality and completeness. For the last couple of years, the Straight Arrow team has been looking for the best sounding audience recorded tapes available, to make this new release the ultimate August 1975 ‘Request Shows’ box. In nearly all cases we were able to work from the original cassettes, thus providing us with the best conditions to give you the best release possible. As you can expect from Straight Arrow, each single show was individually restored from scratch -- this was definitely no quick „copy & paste“ job, as by certain other labels! Every second was faithfully enhanced to achieve optimal listening pleasure. Ask your local dealer for samples to judge for yourself!

Presented with usual Straight Arrow's high standard, every disc is placed in an individual cardboard sleeve and there is a topnotch 16-page booklet too, with many on- and off-stage photos taken in Las Vegas between August 18th and 20th, 1975. To make this release even more definitive, various memorabilia items and historical concert reviews, as published by Rex Martin in „Worldwide Elvis Service News Weekly“ are reprinted as well as various newspaper articles, all related to this season, its cancellation and Elvis’ subsequent hospitalization.

Those five shows sound better than ever and for the first time as complete as possible! This new release is a labor of love, it is a gem of a release that you can’t afford to miss!

Tracklists: CD1: Monday, August 18th, 1975 Opening Show:

01. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 02. I Got A Woman / Amen - 03. Love Me - 04. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 05. Blue Suede Shoes (by request) - 06. Suspicious Minds (by request) - 07. My Boy (by request) - 08. Heartbreak Hotel - 09. Polk Salad Annie - 10. Introductions of singers, musicians - 11. Johnny B. Goode - 12. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 13. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 14. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - 15. School Day - 16. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. - 17. The Wonder Of You - 18. Why Me Lord - 19. How Great Thou Art - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love - 21. Closing Vamp.

Jumpsuit: Gypsy
Running time: 56:15

CD2: Tuesday, August 19th, 1975 Dinner Show:

01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Blue Suede Shoes (by request) - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. It's Now Or Never - 07. My Boy (by request) - 08. Love Me - 09. Loving You (by request) - 10. Suspicious Minds (by request, performed last time ever) - 11. Introduction of Vernon Presley / Introductions of singers, musicians - 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 14. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 15. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - 16. School Day #1 - 17. School Day #2 - 18. Introduction of Neil Sedaka - 19. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. - 20. Why Me Lord - 21. How Great Thou Art - 22. Let Me Be There - 23. Crying In The Chapel (by request, performed 1st time) - 24. Can't Help Falling In Love - 25. Closing Vamp.

Jumpsuit: Gypsy
Running time: 62:22

CD3: Tuesday, August 19th, 1975 Midnight Show:

01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. Elvis talks - bathroom story - 04. Blue Suede Shoes - 05. Young And Beautiful - 06. Are You Lonesome Tonight (by request) - 07. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 08. Softly As I Leave You (by request, with Sherrill Nielsen) - 09. It's Now Or Never (by request) - 10. Polk Salad Annie - 11. Introductions of singers, musicians - 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 14. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 15. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - 16. School Day - 17. Introduction of Vernon Presley - 18. Introduction of Righteous Brothers / You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (excerpt) - 19. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. (with false start) - 20. Why Me Lord - 21. Love Me Tender (by request) - 22. All Shook Up - 23. Love Me - 24. Hound Dog / Are You Sincere (excerpt) / Hound Dog (by request) - 25. My Boy (by request) - 26. Can't Help Falling In Love (with false start) - 27. Closing Vamp.

Jumpsuit: Black & White "Penguin"
Running time: 62:07

CD4: Wednesday, August 20th, 1975 Dinner Show:

01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Hound Dog (by request) - 05. It's Now Or Never (by request) - 06. And I Love You So (with false start) - 07. Blue Suede Shoes - 08. Green Green Grass Of Home (by request, performed last time ever) - 09. Fairytale - 10. Softly As I Leave You (with Sherrill Nielsen) - 11. Introductions of singers, musicians - 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 14. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 15. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - 16. School Day - 17. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. - 18. Why Me Lord - 19. Until It's Time For You To Go (by request) - 20. Burning Love - 21. Can't Help Falling In Love - 22. Closing Vamp.

Jumpsuit: Aztec
Running time: 53:25

CD5: Wednesday, August 20th, 1975 Midnight / Closing Show:

01. Opening Vamp / That's All Right / C. C. Rider / That's All Right - 02. I Got A Woman / Amen - 03. Fever (by request) - 04. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 05. Until It's Time For You To Go (by request) - 06. Softly As I Leave You (with Sherrill Nielsen) - 07. Burning Love - 08. Introductions of singers, musicians - 09. Happy Birthday to James Burton - 10. Johnny B. Goode (James Burton, instrumental) - 11. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 12. Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 13. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - 14. School Day - 15. Introduction of The Carpenters - 16. T.R.O.U.B.L.E. (performed last time ever) - 17. It's Now Or Never (by request) - 18. Why Me Lord - 19. Let Me Be There - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love - 21. Closing Vamp.

Jumpsuit: Gypsy
Running time: 46:36

FTD are re-pressing the following 'Sold Out' Titles

FTD are pleased to announce that the following items are being re-pressed. It's hoped that some will be available for the new release ship out.

• FTD 94 Elvis (Fool)
• FTD 125 Elvis (2nd Album)
• FTD 131 Flaming Star
• FTD 134 King Creole
• FTD 137 Live A Little, Love A Little
• FTD 122 The On Stage Season
• FTD 119 Sold Out
• FTD 120 Hot August Night
• FTD 128 The Return To Vegas

All catalogue vinyl is sold out with the exception of the latest release, FTD 312 "He Touched Me : The Recording Sessions".

(Source: FECC / FTD)

April 18 - Follow Those Releases

The Follow That Dream collectors label announced three new titles. A double CD edition of the classic "ELVIS - The Original Soundtrack From His NBC-TV Special", a double CD set entitled "Las Vegas 1975" containing the March 22 and April 1,1975 Midnight show and bonus songs from the March 30, and March 31, 1975 Midnight shows and finally a clear vinyl album "King Creole - The Monitor Mono Mixes" as a limited edition of 3000 copies.

Tracks disc 1: “ELVIS - The Original Soundtrack From His NBC-TV Special”:
Original Album: 01 Trouble / Guitar Man (3:28) June 22 & 30, 1968 02 Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (14:45) - June 27, 1968. 8 PM show Baby, What You Want Me To Do - June 27, 1968. 6 PM show Dialogue; Medley: Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / All Shook Up - June 29, 1968. 6 PM show Can’t Help Falling In Love - June 29, 1968. 6 PM show Jailhouse Rock - June 29, 1968. 8 PM show Dialogue; Love Me Tender - June 29, 1968. 8 PM show 03 Dialogue; Where Could I Go But To The Lord / Up Above My Head / Saved (7:35) - June 21 & 22, 1968 04 Dialogue; Blue Christmas (5:34) - June 27, 1968. 8 PM show Dialogue; One Night - June 27, 1968. 6 PM show 05 Memories (3:20) - June 23, 1968 06 Medley: Nothingville / Dialogue; Big Boss Man / Guitar Man / Little Egypt / Trouble / Guitar Man (6:44) - June 20, 21 & 30, 1968 07 If I Can Dream (3:26) - June 23, 1968 

Bonus Cuts:  08 It Hurts Me (splice/edit of part 1 – take 7, part 2 – take 7 & part 1 – take 6) (2:33) - June 20 & 21, 1968 09 Let Yourself Go (splice/edit of part 1 – take 1 & part 2 – take 2) (2:38) - June 20, 1968 10 Memories (stereo master) (3:09) - June 23, 1968 11 If I Can Dream (stereo master) (3:13) - June 23, 1968 12 That’s All Right (3:10) - June 27, 1968. 8 PM show 13 Love Me (2:38) - June 27, 1968. 8 PM show 14 Baby, What You Want Me To Do (1:48) - June 27, 1968. 6 PM show 15 Are You Lonesome Tonight? (3:38) - June 27, 1968. 8 PM show 16 Blue Suede Shoes (1:45) - June 27, 1968. 8 PM show 17 Trying To Get To You (3:00) - June 27, 1968. 8 PM show 18 Tiger Man (2:44) - June 27, 1968. 8 PM show 19 Let Yourself Go (closing instrumental) (1:09) - June 23, 1968 

Disc 2: The Wrecking Crew Sessions Road medley Outtakes - June 20-21, 1968: 
01 Nothingville (Guitar Man's Evil #1) - take 1* (1:16) 02 Nothingville (Guitar Man's Evil #1) - takes 5 & 6 (2:15) 03 Guitar Man (Guitar Man's Evil #1) - take 10/M (1:02) 04 Let Yourself Go, part 1 (Guitar Man's Evil #2) - takes 5 & 6 (2:40) 05 Let Yourself Go, part 1 (Guitar Man's Evil #2) - take 7/M (2:17) 06 Let Yourself Go, part 2 (Guitar Man's Evil #3) - take 6 (1:32) 07 Let Yourself Go, part 2 (Guitar Man's Evil #3) - take 7/M (1:35) 08 Guitar Man (Escape #1, fast) - takes 1, 2 & 5 (2:48) 09 Guitar Man (Escape #1, remake) - takes 6 & 7/M (1:27) 10 Big Boss Man (Escape #3) - take 1* (1:17) 11 Big Boss Man (Escape #3) - take 2 (1:40) 12 It Hurts Me, part 1 (Escape #4) - take 1* (1:48) 13 It Hurts Me, part 1 (Escape #4) - take 5 (1:58) 14 It Hurts Me, part 2 (After Karate #1) - take 3 (1:08) 15 Guitar Man (After Karate #2) - take 1 (0:51) 16 Little Egypt (After Karate #2) - take 6* (1:25) 17 Little Egypt (After Karate #2) - take 8 (1:28) 18 Trouble / Guitar Man (After Karate #3) - take 2 (3:02) 

Gospel Medley Outtakes – June 21-22, 1968: 19 Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child / Where Could I Go But To The Lord (Gospel #1) - rehearsal & take 1 (5:24) 20 Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child / Where Could I Go But To The Lord (Gospel #1) - take 4 (3:25) 21 Up Above My Head / I Found That Light / Saved (Gospel #2) - takes 4* & 7 (3:39) 22 Saved (Gospel #3) - take 1 (4:26) 23 Saved (Gospel #3) - takes 2* & 4 (4:34) 24 Saved - splice of takes 6 & 5/M (rough mix) (4:22) OUTTAKES – June 23, 1968: 25 Trouble / Guitar Man (Opening) - take 1 (3:54) 26 Trouble / Guitar Man (Opening) - takes 6 & 7 (5:31) 27 If I Can Dream - take 1 (3:14) 28 If I Can Dream - takes 2*, 3 & 4 (4:24) 29 Memories - takes 3* & 4/v.o. #1 (3:46) 30 Let Yourself Go (closing instrumental) - take 1* (1:13) *Previously unreleased.

Tracks Las Vegas 1975: 
Disc 1: March 22, Midnight show 01 Also Sprach Zarathustra 1:10 02 See See Rider 3:41 03 I Got A Woman / Amen 5:39 04 Love Me 2:17 05 If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 2:56 06 And I Love You So 3:30 07 Big Boss Man 2:33 08 It’s Midnight 3:02 09 Promised Land 2:52 10 Green, Green Grass Of Home 3:40 11 Fairytale 3:28 12 Introductions 8:19 13 My Boy 3:47 14 I'll Remember You 2:29 15 Let Me Be There 3:30 16 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel 2:03 17 Hound Dog 1:56 18 You’re The Reason I’m Living 2:38 19 Can’t Help Falling In Love 1:40 20 Closing Vamp 0:55 BONUS SONGS 21 Sweet Caroline (March 30, Midnight show) 2:47 22 Funny How Time Slips Away (March 30, Midnight show) 2:35 23 Fairytale (March 31, Midnight show) 3:20 24 Burning Love (March 31, Midnight show) 2:58

Disc 2: April 1, Dinner show 01 Also Sprach Zarathustra 1:06 02 See See Rider 3:39 03 Love Me 2:16 04 If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 2:55 05 And I Love You So 3:28 06 Big Boss Man 2:37 07 The Wonder Of You 1:52 08 Burning Love 3:25 09 Introductions 7:53 10 My Boy 4:01 11 I'll Remember You 2:30 12 Let Me Be There 3:15 13 How Great Thou Art 3:05 14 Hound Dog 1:32 15 Fairytale 3:30 16 Can’t Help Falling In Love 1:40 17 Closing Vamp 0:34 “I Got A Woman / Amen” is missing on the original source tape Recorded at the Las Vegas Hilton showroom, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tracks King Creole - The Monitor Mono Mixes:
Side 1 01: King Creole (main title - instrumental – take 8 - master) (1:47) 02: Don’t Ask Me Why (take 12 - master) (2:14) 03: Hard Headed Woman (take 10 - master) (2:02) 04: As Long As I Have You (take - 10 master) (2:00) 05: King Creole (revised version - take 13 - master) (2:17) 06: Lover Doll (take 7 - unedited / undubbed master) (2:23) 07: Dixieland Rock (take 14 - master) (1:59) 08: Muskrat Ramble (instrumental) (1:27) 09: Steadfast, Loyal And True (first version - take 6) (1:42) Bonus Song 10: Danny (1:52) 

Side 2 01: New Orleans (take 5 - master) (2:08) 02: Young Dreams (take 8 - master) (2:30) 03: King Creole (first version - take 3) (2.11) 04: As Long As I Have You (long version - take 8) (1:32) 05: Trouble (take 5 - master) (2:30) 06: Crawfish (take 7 - unedited master) (2.53) 07: King Creole (first version - take 18) (2:23) 08: Steadfast, Loyal And True (undubbed record master) (1:15) 09: Lover Doll (master/Jordanaires overdub) (2:12).

(Source: The Elvis Shop London)

April 17 - 50.000.000 Vinyl Fans Can´t Be Wrong

The Vinyl Lovers Record label re-issued the classic "50.000.000 Elvis Fans Can´t Be Wrong" album on vinyl. 

Side 1: 1. I Need Your Love Tonight 2. Don’t 3. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck 4. My Wish Came True 5. I Got Stung
Side 2: 1. One Night 2. A Big Hunk O’ Love 3. I Beg Of You 4. (Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I 5. Doncha’ Think It’s Time.

175 Moments Magazine
 
As an additional annex today of the local newspaper Commercial Appeal of Memphis, readers could enjoy the new "175 Moments Magazine". On the cover is a picture of Elvis from 1971.


Read about the iconic entertainer, the civil rights leader and the local boy who made very good in the special 175Moments magazine that is an extraordinary glimpse into 175 years of life in Memphis. Readers can find many photos and details about various events and events like the first BBQ winner in Memphis, the introduction of Justin Timberlake (also from Memphis) into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, Isaac Hayes who won an Oscar, and much more.

(Source: Elvis Aktuell / Elvis Matters)

April 16 - Record Store Day

April 16 2016 marks Record Store Day 2016. For this day Sony released "Elvis Presley - I'm Leavin': Elvis Folk - Country" a compilation album that brings together the very best recordings of Elvis Presley's work in the Folk and Country genres from 1966—1973. 

The memphis Recording Service released Elvis Presley's’ entire live concert performance recordings from 1954 – 1961 on 3 exclusive double LP vinyl’s, each with a 24-page deluxe gatefold sleeves. The albums are "Live In The 50’s - The Complete Tour Recordings", "The Complete Louisiana Hayride Archives 1954 – 1956" and "Such A Night In Pearl Harbor". 

The French V.P.I. label released the double LP "Le Retour D'Elvis / His Hand In Mine" in a limited edition of 1000 copies on colored vinyl. 

(Source: Sony / Amazon)

April 15 - Final Preview

Here are a few previews of the final installment of the "Elvis Files" biography series. Volume 8 covers the final years 1976-1977, the continuous energy-draining treadmill of tours, the final recording sessions and the last CBS TV Special. 

Lime Rockers 

The UK based Rockwell Records re-released their "Rockers" compilation once more, this time on transparant lime colored vinyl. It is limited to 120 numbered copies. 

Silver Award

The 1998 re-release of the "Aloha From Hawaii" album was awarded a Silver Award by the U.K. based BPI.

(Source: Elvis Information Network)

April 14 - Still Wielding The Old Magic On The Charts

The VV Records import-release "Still Wielding The Old Magic" box-set has been released. 

The set contains a double LP with the remastered April 10, 1972 show as recorded in Richmond, a CD containing the previously unreleased show as recorded on April 5, 1972 in Buffalo and a DVD with the remastered show from April 9, 1972 as filmed in Hampton. 

US Charts

• Elvis Presley has no entries on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending April 23, 2016.
• The "If I Can Dream" CD remains at #4 on the Classical Album Chart.

UK Charts

• The "If I Can Dream" CD dropped from #37 to #40 on the Official UK Album chart for the week ending April 15, 2016.
• "If I Can Dream" rises from #34 to #30 on the Album Sales Chart and rises from #25 to #23 on the Physical Album Chart.
• "The Nations Favourite Elvis Songs" is a re-entry at #97 on the Physical Album Chart.
• The "If I Can Dream / Bridge Over Troubled Water" single re-entered the Official UK Vinyl Single chart at #31.
• The "If I Can Dream / Bridge Over Troubled Water" single re-entered the Official UK Physical Single chart at #43.

European Charts

• The "The Nations Favourite Elvis Songs" is a re-entry at #99 on the Scottish Album Chart.
• "If I Can Dream" rises from #36 to #32 on the Scottish Album Chart.
• "If I Can Dream" dropped from #80 to #90 on the Irish Album Chart.

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

April 13 - More Vinyl And CD's

Due for release from the MGM label is the 3 CD set "The Rock'n' Roll Years".

Due for release on June 24, 2016 from Membran Media is the 10 CD set "Milestones of A Legend".

Due for release from the Sound Factory label on July 15, 2016 is the vinyl LP "23 Country Hits".

(Source: Amazon)

April 12 - Things To Do Before You Die

Elvis Presley's Graceland is one of many to-do's on Thrillist's The Great American Bucket List "50 Things To Do in the U.S. Before You Die". About visiting the South of the US Thrillist says: "Eat a PB & banana toastie at Graceland. Revere The King in all his glory with his favorite meal at his massive estate in Memphis. (Not that he's really dead, of course.)"

The list includes everything from catching a Broadway show in New York City to driving from Miami to Key West to attending Summerfest. Visiting Graceland is one of several things to do in the Southern states, which also includes visiting New Orleans' French Quarter and seeing cities like Austin, Texas.

The link tot the list,

Vintage Elvis

On April 12 the CD 'Vintage Elvis" was released. 


CD: Hound Dog - Reddy Teddy - Heartbreak Hotel - Don´t Be Cruel - Return To Sender - Blue Suede Shoes - Jailhouse Rock - I Got A Woman - It´s Now Or Never - All Shook Up - Devil In Desguise - Tutti Frutti - Stuck On You - Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Bossa Nova Baby

(Source: EPE / Thrillist)

April 11 - The 25th Movie Album

The One label released the CD "The Elvis Movie Album: Volume 1 - Original Movie Masters" in their "Bootleg Series". It contains 34 masters from Elvis Presley as original released in mono on his albums, EP’s and singles from 1956 to 1962. Many of the later released versions on CD are different to the versions as original released, like the master of “I Want To Break Free” (as appeared on the “Jailhouse Rock” EP), “Dixieland Rock” (as appeared on the “King Creole” EP), the extended master of “Tonight’s All Right For Love” (released on a German vinyl single), the album master of “Didja’ Ever”, and the original mono masters of “A Whistling Tune”, “Home Is Where The Heart Is”, “I Got Lucky” and “King Of The Whole Wide World” (as appeared on the “Kid Galahad” EP). All these songs as original released, including all Elvis’ movie songs released on singles from 1956 to 1962 now for the first time together on one great new CD.

Tracks: Love Me Tender (Single Master) - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear (Single Master) - Loving You (Single Master) - Jailhouse Rock (Single Master) - Treat Me Nice (Single Master) - I Want To Be Free (EP Master) - Lover Doll (EP Master) - Dixieland Rock (EP Master) - Hard Headed Woman (Single Master) - G. I. Blues (Album Master) - Wooden Heart (German Single Master) - Tonight's All Right For Love (German Single Master) - Didja' Ever (Album Master) - Flaming Star (EP Master) - Summer Kisses, Winter Tears (EP Master) - Wild In The Country (Single Master) - Lonely Man (Single Master) - Can't Help Falling In Love (Single Master) - Rock-A-Hula Baby (Single Master) - Follow That Dream (EP Master) - Angel (EP Master) - What A Wonderful Life (EP Master)  - I'm Not The Marrying Kind (EP Master) - King Of The Whole Wide World (EP Master) - This Is Living (EP Master) - Riding The Rainbow (EP Master) - Home Is Where The Heart Is (EP Master) - I Got Lucky (EP Master) - A Whistling Tune (EP Master) - Return To Sender (Single Master) - Where Do You Come From? (Single Master)

Bonus Songs: Didja' Ever (Replaced Album Master) - Tonight's All Right For Love (Original Length Master) - Lover Doll (Album Master)

Elvis 25

A new title in the "Bootleg Series" from the One label is the CD "Elvis 25" which comes both as a single and double CD edition.  The Deluxe Edition contains all masters from March 20-21 and April 3-5 1960 in original mono and stereo sound. As well as outtakes and alternate versions from these legendary studio sessions plus Elvis at “The Frank Sinatra – Timex Show” March 26, 1960, including Elvis’ duet with Frank Sinatra “Witchcraft / Love Me Tender” (unedited – with reprise.) Also including is a 16 pages booklet with photos and recording information.

Tracks: CD 1 - The Stereo Masters: Make Me Know It - Soldier Boy - Stuck On You - Fame And Fortune - A Mess Of Blues - It Feels So Right - Fever - Like A Baby - It's Now Or Never - The Girl Of My Best Friend - Dirty, Dirty Feeling - Thrill Of Your Love - I Gotta Know - Such A Night - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Girl Next Door Went A' Walking - I Will Be Home Again - Reconsider Baby

The Outtakes: Soldier Boy (Take 11) - It's Now Or Never (Undubbed Master) - Fame And Fortune (Take 1) - Fame And Fortune (Take 3 - Including False Start - Fame And Fortune (Take 6) - Fame And Fortune (Take 7 - Including False Start - Fame And Fortune (Take 8) - Fame And Fortune (Take 9) - Fame And Fortune (Take 10 - Unfaded) - Fame And Fortune (Take 11) - Fame And Fortune (Take 12) - Fame And Fortune (Take 14)

CD 2 - The Mono Masters: Make Me Know It - Soldier Boy - Stuck On You - Fame And Fortune - A Mess Of Blues - It Feels So Right - Fever - Like A Baby - It's Now Or Never - The Girl Of My Best Friend - Dirty, Dirty Feeling - Thrill Of Your Love - I Gotta Know - Such A Night - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Girl Next Door Went A' Walking - I Will Be Home Again - Reconsider Baby

The Outtakes: Like A Baby (Take 5) - Make Me Know It (Take 2) - Make Me Know It (Take 8) - Make Me Know It (Take 14) - Make Me Know It (Take 16)

Bonus Songs: Dirty, Dirty Feeling ('Tickle Me' Movie Version) - I Gotta Know (Without Backing Vocals As Released By Mistake On 'Elvis Forever II' 1st Press.) - Such A Night (Without Backing Vocals As Released By Mistake On 'Elvis Forever II' 1st Press.)

ABC's "The Frank Sinatra - Timex Show": Introduction - It's Very Nice To Go Trav'ling - Frank Sinatra Speaks - Fame And Fortune - Stuck On You - Frank Sinatra Speaks - Witchcraft / Love Me Tender (including reprise).

Tracks single CD edition:
The Stereo Masters: Make Me Know It - Soldier Boy - Stuck On You - Fame And Fortune - A Mess Of Blues - It Feels So Right - Fever - Like A Baby - It's Now Or Never - The Girl Of My Best Friend - Dirty, Dirty Feeling - Thrill Of Your Love - I Gotta Know - Such A Night - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Girl Next Door Went A' Walking - I Will Be Home Again - Reconsider Baby

The Mono Singles: Stuck On You - Fame And Fortune - A Mess Of Blues - The Girl Of My Best Friend - It's Now Or Never - Make Me Know It - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - I Gotta Know

ABC's "The Frank Sinatra - Timex Show": Witchcraft / Love Me Tender (including reprise).

Elvis and Priscilla on cover Closer Weekly

In the magazine are the "so-called" details about the life of Elvis and Priscilla when they lived together at Graceland were revealed. Some of her closest friends would have told the details of the marriage and life on Graceland as parents, and how the fairytale ended up. And as an extra in the magazine 'Their Final Conversation' was published.

(Source: FECC / Elvis Aktuell / Elvis Club Berlin / Elvis Matters)

April 08 - Definitive Rare Elvis Mono Collection

The 4 CD set “Elvis – Definitive Rare Elvis Live Collection” is due from the Rock 'n' Roll Majesty import-label. It is a mix of Elvis Presley live rarities on 2 Soundboard CD’s plus 2 CDs with audience-recordings. The box, that comes with a small booklet, in limited to 400 copies. 

Elvis In Mono Released 

Out now from the Venus import-label is the LP sized box "Elvis In Mono". The first images appeared on eBay. 

From the press-release: 
Mono is how most listeners first heard Elvis in the 1950s and 1960s, when it was the predominant audio format. Until 1968, each Elvis album was given a unique mono and stereo mix, but Elvis always regarded the mono mix as primary. This was also true for singles. Up until affordable home stereo systems in the late 1960s, the record industry always regarded stereo as secondary, going back to its debut in the late 1950's. Mono singles, EPs and LPs were the standard for retail and radio. Simply put, mono had all of the sound mixed in a single channel and was meant to be listened to on a turntable with a built-in speaker, a car radio, or a stand-alone AM radio receiver. The goal was to create mono master takes with as much clarity and power as possible. 

When EMI released mono-masters of the Beatles in 2009, they received rave reviews. Left out in the cold were Elvis’ loyal fans. Somehow, Sony didn’t see a reason why they might want the pleasure of listening to his original mono mixes. So when we first heard about the existence of the original mono master tapes of Elvis’ hit singles, it was an easy decision to make these available to the fans in a five-disc collection. Elvis' acclaimed mono tracks have been newly-mastered for CD, using the best digital technology. Hours were dedicated to concentrated listening, fastidiously comparing these master tapes with mint, mono first pressings. The result is a perfect reproduction of Elvis' original mono vinyl sound. 

Elvis Aloha Guitar in Julien's Auction 

Having failed to sell at the last Graceland auction, Elvis' Aloha guitar in the key item in the Music Icons auction event to take place at Hard Rock Cafe New York on Saturday, May 21, 2016. The Music Icons auction will include over 85 items from the life and career of Elvis Presley. The major items include 

Elvis' Gibson Dove guitar that he used at "Aloha" has a starting bid of $100,000. 
In 1969, Vernon Presley went to Guitar City, near Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, to purchase a guitar as a gift for his son. Vernon requested several custom adjustments to personalize the guitar for Elvis, including changing the finish of the guitar to ebony, reported to be chosen to represent Elvis’ recently earned black belt in karate, and the stunning acanthus script inlay of "Elvis Presley" on the fingerboard. Elvis began using the guitar in 1971 and is photographed performing with it often between 1971 and 1973, including, most famously, during Presley’s televised and broadcasted Aloha From Hawaii concert. The story ends in generosity when, in 1975, at a concert in Asheville, North Carolina, Presley gave the guitar to audience member Mike Harris. Estimate: $200,000- $300,000, Starting: $100,000 - 

Elvis' "First" Piano. 
A Stroud upright piano circa 1911 with a maple bridge, spruce soundboard, and maple and mahogany back. The piano has a mirrored panel on the back. Serial number 28059. The piano and bench were purchased by Elvis Presley at the age of 20 from O.K. Houck Piano Company Inc. in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 30, 1955 for $281.75. Presley paid $50 up front and financed the remaining portion over the next 11 months. This was the first piano Presley ever purchased. Presley purchased another piano in the 1960s and moved this Stroud upright to Joe Esposito's room in Graceland, later gifting it to his cook, Christine Strickland. After Strickland's passing, the piano was sold to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum in July 1992. Estimate: $200,000 - $300,000, 

Elvis Presley silver leather jacket. 
This was painted with multicolor flame, rainbow, star designs and a hawk across the back. The jacket was made by East West Musical Instruments Co. of San Francisco. The jacket, circa 1974, has a black collar and yoke with zipper closure at front. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Ginger Alden stating that Presley gave the jacket to her while at Graceland in 1977. Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000

Elvis Presley 1953 Martin 00-21 acoustic guitar given to Jack Lord. 
Presley and the Hawaii 5 - 0 star met in 1973 while Lord was visiting Hawaii for Elvis' Aloha from Hawaii concert special. Lord invited Presley to his home in Kahala after the special. The pair became fast friends and immediately started exchanging gifts. Presley invited the Lords to Las Vegas the following month. Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000

(Source: Elvis Information Network / FECC / eBay / Juliens)