February 10 - Charts

The Official UK Album Charts for the week for February 10, 2017: 

• 'The Wonder Of You' dropped from #48 to #61 on the Official UK Album chart.
• 'The Platinum Collection' is a new entry at #91 on the Official UK Album chart.
• 'If I Can Dream' dropped from #78 to #100 on the Official UK Album chart.
• 'The Wonder Of You' drops from 30 to 36 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from 32 to 41 on the Album Sales Chart 
• 'If I Can Dream' drops from 41 to 53 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from 54 to 64 on the Album Sales Chart
• 'The Platinum Collection' rises from 53 to 48 on the Physical Album Chart; rises from 74 to 58 on the Album Sales Chart and rises from 16 to 11 on the Indie Albums Chart
• 'Love Me Tender' - (Elvis and Connie Francis Duet) drops from 34 to 54 on the Physical Singles Chart

European Charts

• 'The Wonder Of You' drops from #45 to #50 on the Scottish Album chart.
• 'If I Can Dream' drops from #71 to #80 on the Scottish Album chart.
• 'The Platinum Collection' rises from #75 to #45 on the Scottish Album chart.
• 'The Wonder Of You' dropped off the Irish Album chart.
• 'The Wonder Of You' climbed from #67 to #61 on the Austrian Album chart. 
• 'The Wonder Of You' drops from #82 to #86 on the Belgian Album chart.
• 'The Wonder Of You & If I Can Dream' double CD set dropped off the Belgian Album chart.
• 'Elvis Top 40' dropped to #50 on the Belgian Mid-price Album chart. 
• 'The Wonder Of You' dropped off the German Album Chart.
• 'The Wonder Of You' dropped off the Swiss Album Chart.
• The 'The Wonder Of You' dropped from #28 to #29 on the Australian Album chart. 
• The DVD 'Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More' climbed from #35 to #20 on the Australian Music DVD chart. 

Book Trouble?

Joe Tunzi's JAT Publishing announced the release of a photobook on Elvis Presley's Canadian appearances, claiming his book would coulntain pictures taken from the original negatives. The Elvis Files team had previously announced a book on this tour. On the FECC Forum Paul Sweeny, one of the authors, posted the following statement.

 

"Due to the false statements above, Erik, Jean-Marc and I were left with no choice but to clarify that we are using the original negatives and Mr. Tunzi is not. Please see the letter we received today:

Please be assured that the John Sebert images you obtained from Library and Archives Canada are from the original negatives held here in the John Sebert fonds. Mr. Sebert assigned all copyright in the images to Library and Archives Canada at the time of his deposit, therefore Library and Archives Canada owns the copyright in the images and may licence them at our discretion. Your licence to use the images remains totally valid.

We have since spoken with Mr. Tunzi of JAT publishing. He did not have copies from the original negatives. He had only prints of contact sheets. Mr. Tunzi is now well aware that the copyright on all of the images in the John Sebert fonds belongs to Library and Archives Canada.

I hope this will alleviate your concerns,

Best regards,

Nancy Fay

Gestionnaire, Services des droits d'auteur, Direction générale des services au public
Bibliothèque et Archives Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Manager, Copyright Services, Public Services Branch
Library and Archives Canada / Government of Canada"

(Source: Brian Quinn and Paul Sweeny on FECC)

February 08 - One Encore Performance with Elvis

Scheduled for release this spring, a new book publication by Joseph A. Tunzi / JAT Productions and Daryl W. Restly. The book, titled "Encore Performance Volume VI: '57 at 60 - One Night with Elvis" will feature photos of Elvis Presley, from the John Sebert collection, that were taken on April 2, 1957 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada. 

From the press-release: 
These photographs are taken from the original negative sources rather than lower quality scans you might find in other publications. Back in 2015, while JAT Productions was preparing the book, Encore Performance V: One Performance Only, Featuring Chicago '57, Tunzi acquired the original negatives from the John Sebert collection. This collection included over 300 photographs taken that evening. '57 at 60 - One Night With Elvis will retail at $39.95 plus shipping & handling and will feature roughly 250 of these images. 

Australian Concerts

Great news for Australian Elvis fans with two new shows being added to the June 2017 tour schedule, as the first shows continue to sell out. Exciting news as new shows on sale now. Tickets are on sale now for the 3rd Melbourne Show and 2nd Sydney show.
The Australian Tour dates now confirmed.

Friday 26 May 2017 – Perth Arena, Perth
Sunday 28 May 2017 – Adelaide Ent Centre, 
Thursday 1 June 2017 – Brisbane Ent Centre
Friday 2 June 2017 – ICC Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 3 June 2017 – ICC Theatre, Sydney NEW SHOW
Thursday 8 June 2017 –  Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne NEW SHOW
Friday 9 June 2017 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne SOLD OUT 

Saturday 10 June 2017 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne.

Platinum A Life In Music

Here is the - not surprising - re-issue of the "Platinum A Life In Music" 4 CD set which is due from Sony Music on March 24, 2017.

Charts

The Billboard charts for the week ending February 18, 2017. Elvis Presley has no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts

'The Wonder Of You' remains at 4 on the Classical Albums Chart
'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' remains at 8 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart; drops from 25 to 29 on the Christian And Gospel Albums Chart and drops from 26 to 28 on the Top Christian Albums Chart
'If I Can Dream' drops from 13 to 17 on the Classical Albums Chart
'Heart And Soul' drops from 17 to 22 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart
'He Touched Me: The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley' (Vols.1 & 2) rises from 8 to 3 on the Music Video Sales Chart

(Source: FECC / Amazon / Brian Quinn / Elvis Information Network)

February 07 - At the Movies

Due for release from the Real Gone Music budgetlabel on March 31, 2017 is the 4 CD Deluxe Set  set "At the Movies". 

Also due from this label on march 10, 2017 is a vinyl re-issue of "G.I. Blues".

Due from the Gaither Music Group on April 7, 2017 is the CD "Crying In The Chapel".

Due from the Masters of Music label on October 13, 2017 is the 3 CD set "Essential Original Albums". 

Tracks Elvis At The Movies CD 1:
Love Me Tender - Let Me - Poor Boy - Were Gonna Move - Were Gonna Move - Love Me Tender - Mean Woman Blues - (Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear) - Loving You - Got A Whole Lot Of Loving To Do - Lonesome Cowboy - Hot Dog - Party - Blueberry Hill - True Love - Don't Leave Me Now - Have I Told You Lately That II Love You - I Need You So

CD 2:
Party - Got A Lot O Livin To Do - Loving You - Mean Woman Blues - Jailhouse Rock - Treat Me Nice - Young And Beautiful - I Want To Be Free - Dont Leave Me Know - (Your So Square) Baby I Don't Care - Jailhouse Rock - Young And Beautiful - Young And Beautiful (Solo) - I Want To Be Free - (Your So Square) Baby I Don't Care - Treat Me Nice - King Creole - As Long As I Love You - Hard Headed Woman - Trouble - Dixieland Rock

CD 3:
Don't Ask Me Why - Lover Doll - Crawfish - Young Dreams - Steadfast Loyal And True - New Orleans - Turtles, Berries And Gumbo / Crawfish - Lover Doll - Trouble - Banana - Dixieland Rock - Young Dreams - New Orleans - King Creole - Don't Ask Me Why - As Long As I Love You (Outro) - Tonight Is Right For Love - What's She Really Like - Frankfort Special - Wooden Heart

CD 4:

G. I. Blues - Pocketful Of Rainbows - Shoppin' Around - Big Boots - Didja' Ever - Blue Suede Shoes - Doin' The Best I Can - Tonight's Alright For Love - What's She Really Like - G. I. Blues (Edit) - Doin' The Best I Can - Frankfort Special - Shoppin' Around - Tonight Is So Right For Love - Wooden Heart - Pocket Full Of Rainbows - Big Boots - Didja Ever - Flaming Star - Flaming Star (Edit) - A Cane And High Starched Collar (Edit)

(Source: Amazon)

February 04 - Long Tall Sally

Coming soon from the Ampex import-label, their first release in almost 14 years, is “Long Tall Sally” featuring the previously unreleased Dinner Show performance from January 27, 1973. This is the second show after the Aloha concert and the sound quality is very good for an audience recording. In this show, Elvis Presley starts with Long Tall Sally right after CC Rider. Nice to mention is that the photo from the original RCA album “Raised On Rock” was taking from this show too.

Tracks: 01. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider 3:07 02. Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On 2:00 03. Until It's Time For You To Go 2:35 04. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me 2:08 05. Steamroller Blues 3:18 06. You Gave Me A Mountain 3:22 07. Fever 3:24 08. Love Me 1:36 09. Blue Suede Shoes 1:15 10. Love Me Tender 2:23 11. Johnny B. Goode 2:24 12. Hound Dog 1:44 13. What Now My Love 2:59 14. Suspicious Minds 4:28 15. Band Introductions 1:50 16. I'll Remember You 2:34 17. I Can't Stop Loving You 2:35 18. An American Trilogy 4:38 19. Burning Love 3:32 20. Can't Help Falling In Love 1:39 21. Closing Vamp 0:40 

(Source: FECC)

February 03 - Charts

The Officvial UK charts for the week ending February 3, 2017:

The 'The Wonder of You' album dropped from #32 nto #48 on the Official Album chart while the 'If I Can Dream' album dropped from #65 to #78 this week on that chart.

• 'The Wonder Of You' drops from 22 to 30 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from 25 to 32 on the Album Sales Chart 
• 'If I Can Dream' rises from 42 to 41 on the Physical Album Chart and rises from 55 to 54 on the Album Sales Chart
• 'The Platinum Collection' drops from 51 to 53 on the Physical Album Chart; drops from 65 to 74 on the Album Sales Chart and drops from 11 to 16 on the Indie Albums Chart
• 'Love Me Tender' - (Elvis and Connie Francis Duet) rises from 72 to 34 on the Physical Singles Chart
• 'Noel' - a new entry at 33 on the Vinyl Singles Chart and also a new entry at 49 on the Physical Singles Chart. This EP has 4 titles and is limited edition numbered to 500 copies. 10th issue of a collection in 10 volumes, here is the vinyl devoted to Christmas titles! 

European Charts

• The 'The Wonder Of You' album drops from #25 to #45 on the Scottish Album Chart
• The 'If I Can Dream' album drops from #56 to #71 on the Scottish Album Chart
• 'The Platinum Collection' rises from #84 to #75 on the Scottish Album Chart
• The 'The Wonder Of You' album drops from #77 to #82 on the German Album Chart
• The 'The Wonder Of You' album climbed to #85 from #88 on the Irish Album Chart
• The 'The Wonder Of You' album drops to #82 on the Belgian Album Chart
• The 'The Wonder of You / If I Can Dream' double-pack climbed from #124 to #104 on the Belgian Album chart
• The 'Top 40 Elvis' compilation dropped from #24 to #39 on the Belgian Mid-proce Album chart
• The 'The Wonder Of You' album drops from #46 to #67 on the Austrian Album Chart
• The 'The Wonder Of You' album drops from #65 to #78 on the Swiss Album Chart

Charts Down Under

• The 'The King Of Rock’n’Roll' DVD dropped from #15 to #35 on the Australian Music DVD chart. 
• The 'The Wonder Of You' album dropped from #23 to #28 on the Australian Album chart. 
• The Wonder Of You' album dropped off the New Zealand Album chart. 

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

February 02 - Follow That Dream

The Follow That Dream collector's label announced the February 2017 titles; a double vinyl LP for the "Speedway" soundtrack and the re-issue of "A Date With Elvis"  in the Classic Album series. The "Speedway - The Remixed Soundtrack Masters" contains remixed stereo and mono masters.

Side 1; 01 Let Yourself Go, 02 Your Time Hasn’t Come Yet, Baby, 03 There Ain’t Nothing Like A Song (Elvis and Nancy Sinatra), 04 Who Are You? (Who Am I?), 05 Speedway, 06 He’s Your Uncle Not Your Dad, 07 Suppose

Side 2; 01 Five Sleepy Heads, 02 Goin’ Home – takes 24, 21, 03 Mine – takes 1, 2, 3, 4, 04 Western Union – take 1, 05 Suppose (Nashville master), 06 Let Yourself Go  – take 5

Side 3; 01 Your Groovy Self (master) Nancy Sinatra, 02 Your Time Hasn’t Come Yet, Baby (movie version), 03 Goin’ Home – takes 16, 23, 04 Mine – takes 8, 9, 05 Western Union – take 2, 3, 06 Let Yourself Go – take 6

Side 4; The Mono Soundtrack Masters: 01 Speedway, 02 There Ain’t Nothing Like A Song (Elvis and Nancy Sinatra), 03 Your Time Hasn’t Come Yet, Baby, 04 Who Are You? (Who Am I?), 05 He’s Your Uncle Not Your Dad, 06 Let Yourself Go, 07 Your Groovy Self (Nancy Sinatra), 08 Five Sleepy Heads*, 09 Suppose* (* Not used in the final print).

The re-issue of "A Date With Elvis" as a double CD in the Classic Album series contains contains masters, outtakes and home recordingsmade during his Army time in Germany. 

A Date With Elvis' was released in July 1959 and was the second of three compilation albums released by RCA while Elvis was serving in the U.S. Army. The aim of all three albums, apart from keeping Elvis’ name in the public eye, was to collect recordings that had only been out on 45 rpm records in order to take advantage of the fast growing Long Playing album market. This 7” digipack 2-CD set also features stereo masters and ‘fly-on-the-wall’ persona; recordings made during his Army time in Germany.  It also includes the 'Is It So Strange' Binaural session.

Disc 1 - Original Album - Side 1: Blue Moon Of Kentucky / Young And Beautiful / (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care / Milkcow Blues Boogie / Baby Let’s Play House. Side 2: Good Rockin’ Tonight / Is It So Strange / We’re Gonna Move / I Want To Be Free / I Forgot To Remember To Forget. Bonus Songs: I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine / Let Me. Stereo and Binaural: Young And Beautiful / (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care / We’re Gonna Move / I Want To Be Free (movie version, splice of takes 10, 12 & 13 - binaural master not released as such before) / I Want To Be Free (record version, splice of takes 11 & final ending take 5 - binaural master not released as such before) / Is It So Strange (take 1) / Is It So Strange (takes 2-9) / Is It So Strange (take 10) / Is It So Strange (take 11) / Is It So Strange (take 12 - original master take).

Disc 2 - Private Recordings from Germany: I’m Beginning To Forget You (1) / I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You) (ending only) / Mona Lisa / I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You) / Guitar Piece / Danny Boy (1) / Danny Boy (2) / Loving You (incomplete) / Talk / I’m Beginning To Forget You (2) / Christmas / I’m Beginning To Forget You (3) / I’m Beginning To Forget You (4) / I Asked The Lord (1 incomplete) / I Asked The Lord (2 incomplete) / Apron Strings (1) / Soldier Boy / I Asked The Lord (3 incomplete) / I Asked The Lord (4) / I Asked The Lord (5) / Earth Angel / I Will Be True / There’s No Tomorrow / I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen (slow) / Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) / Hound Dog / I Asked The Lord (6) / I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen (fast) / Apron Strings (3) / The Titles Will Tell / Send Me Some Lovin’ / The Fool (1) / The Fool (2 incomplete) / The Fool (3) / The Fool (4) / I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen (fast) / I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen (slow 1) / Apron Strings (2) / It’s Been So Long Darling.

Elvis’ Humes High School May Close

Elvis’ Humes High School is now an under-enrolled charter school and state officials will soon decide its fate. When Elvis Presley graduated from L.C. Humes High School in 1953 during the days of segregated schools, the stately red brick building was operated by the city district to serve white students in a growing area of north Memphis.
The school still operates today and is known as Humes Preparatory Academy Middle, a mostly black, state-run charter school serving a community with a shrinking population of school-age children. This week, leaders of Tennessee’s Achievement School District are expected to announce whether the historic school will remain open.
Last year the state-run school turnaround district invited other eligible charter networks to apply to step in. But only one, Memphis-based Frayser Community Schools, threw its hat in the ring. Among Frayser’s plans for Humes: a renewed focus on music. 

“It’s inspiring to know that we will be walking in the footsteps of Elvis Presley if we are able to start this program,” said Derrick Lewis, fine arts chairman for MLK College Preparatory High School, Frayser’s only current school, also in Memphis. The state-run district already plans to let at least one of its 31 Memphis schools close because of low enrollment. But the outlook at Humes is somewhat brighter with the middle school operating at 69 percent of capacity.

Whatever the decision about Humes, the school building on North Manassas Avenue will remain. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its connection to Presley, whose performance in the school talent show whetted his appetite to become an entertainer.

A historical plaque has stood in the schoolyard since 2013 to trumpet the school’s history and famous alumnus. The Humes property would return to the possession of Shelby County Schools if the ASD decides to walk away.

Colonel Parker's Home saved for future Museum

The historic Madison home once owned by Elvis Presley’s manager is being taken apart piece by piece. Brian Oxley and his crew are working on the Madison home of Colonel Tom Parker. When he learned they wanted to put a car wash up, he knew people would want to keep the history of the home. “I’ve told my team, we’re all archaeologists, ya know? This is fun, we’re looking for clues, we’re trying to match pictures with the knots on the doors, where Elvis may have stood, but I think the number one thing more than archaeologists, I’m an anthropologist, which means I’m interested in people,”

So crews are taking it apart and numbering every beam, floor board, and pine wall so it can be re-assembled somewhere else for a permanent Elvis Presley display. The famous singer would stay there when he was in Nashville.

The home has sat largely vacant since Steve North, who purchased the property and moved his law office there in the mid-1990s, retired. In 2015, it was included on the 2015 "Nashville Nine" list of the city's most-endangered historic places. Last month, news that developers wanted to open a car wash on the property made headlines nationwide.

This isn’t Oxley's first project. In recent years he purchased and restored Johnny Cash’s Bon Aqua property and the “Mama Cash House” the country star bought for his mother in Hendersonville. But now he’s switching his focus from the Man in Black to the King.

Oxley hopes to eventually reassemble the interior and include it as part of a permanent Presley display. He’s already begun delving into research about Parker’s life and work as well as the home’s famous visitors. Pointing to the wood paneling on the wall, he said, "These knots are like fingerprints. You see them in old pictures (of the house) and you can tell exactly where Elvis was standing."

(Source: The Elvis Shop London / Follow That Dream / Elvis Information Network)

February 01 - Taking Care Of Books

The Danish Elvis Presley fan club comes their first book in five years; "TCB Band, Still Taking Care of Business". The book is written by Thomas La Cour with pictures from Eddie Michel Azoulay. This is a tribute to the TCB Band, and is wonderful reading for all. 

From the description:
How would Aretha Franklin's "Respect" have sounded without The Swampers? How would Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" have sounded without Funk Brothers? How would Otis Redding's "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" have sounded without Booker T & The MG's?
How would Elvis Presley have sounded in the 1970s without the TCB Band?

There is no doubt about the fact that it was Elvis who chose the songs and it was Elvis who interpreted them. But it was his faithful backing band that created the sound in which the songs should swim. Just as the famous studio bands from Fame, Motown and STAX created the sound of a host of artists on classic recordings - including Aretha's, Stevie's and Otis'.


But where the large studio bands have been hailed with movies and books aplenty, the TCB Band is missing the biographical legacy they deserve. The musical legacy is in place and in a class of its own, but so far we have been missing the penned down epitaph, which their historical significance naturally demands.

How would ”Polk Salad Annie” have sounded without Ronnie Tutt's energetic drumming and Jerry Scheff's virtuosic bass? How would "I Just Can't Help Believin" have sounded if it had been arranged for Elvis by anyone other than Glen D. Hardin? How would the material from the 50s have sounded in the 70s without James "the master of the Telecaster" Burton's familiar twang? 

When listening to Elvis in the 70s, you're not just hearing Elvis; you're just as much hearing the TCB Band. In the almost 40 years that have passed since Elvis died, all members have remained involved in musical projects and on special occasions come together to recreate the spark we know from Hawaii, Madison Square Garden, Las Vegas and concert and studio recordings from all over the United States.

The Danish city of Randers has been a regular venue, since Henrik Knudsen (concert organizer and owner of the largest Elvis Museum outside the US) invited them over for the first time in 1999. 25 shows on Danish soil to date (plus the big screen concerts "Elvis: The Concert”), and when Glen, James and Ronnie returned at Elvis' posthumous 80th birthday in January 2015, the idea arose to photo document the show. The documentary and reportage photographer Eddie Michel Azoulay, who is also a devoted Elvis fan, was assigned with the task and when the TCB Band returned to Randers in 2016, Eddie was back with his cameras in place. Backstage. On stage. During the waiting period.

Initially, Henrik and Eddie didn't really know what the photos should be used for. Perhaps an exhibit. Perhaps a booklet, or a book. Slowly the idea took shape and the result is what you’re holding in your hand: A photo essay for and about the TCB Band. A tribute and a thank you to the band and all its living and deceased membersrs through the years – and James Burton, Glen D. Hardin and Ronnie Tutt in particular.

We owe them a heartfelt thank you, because they together with Elvis created the songs that have become such an essential a part of the soundtrack of life. And we owe them a lot of gratitude for not calling it quits a long time ago and instead keep coming back. Again and again. So that all of us who didn't get to see Elvis live, can have a musical experience that comes quite close. 

Charts

Billboard Charts For 11th February, 2017:

• Elvis Presley has no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts
• 'The Wonder Of You' remains at 4 on the Classical Albums Chart
• 'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' remains at 8 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart and is a re-entry at 25 on the Christian And Gospel Albums Chart 
• 'If I Can Dream' rises from 14 to 13 on the Classical Albums Chart
• 'Heart And Soul' rises from 25 to 17 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart
• 'He Touched Me: The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley' (Vols.1 & 2) drops from 6 to 8 on the Music Video Sales Chart

65 Greatest Hits

Due for release from EU Imports on March 17, 2017 is the 3 CD compilation "Elvis Presley - 65 Greatest Hits".

CD 1: Baby Let's Play House - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone - I Forgot To Remember To Forget - Mystery Train - Heartbreak Hotel - I Was The One - Blue Suede Shoes - Money Honey - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - My Baby Left Me - Hound Dog - Don't Be Cruel - Blue Moon - I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine - Love Me Tender - Any Way You Want Me (that's How I Will Be) - Love Me - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - Rip It Up - Paralyzed - Old Shep - Poor Boy

CD 2: Too Much - Playing For Keeps - All Shook Up - That's When Your Heartaches Begin - (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Loving You - (Let's Have A) Party - Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do - Jailhouse Rock - Treat Me Nice - Trying To Get To You - Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) - Don't - I Beg Of You - Wear My Ring Around Your Neck - Doncha' Think It's Time - Hard Headed Woman - Don't Ask Me Why - King Creole

CD 3: One Night - I Got Stung - (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I - I Need Your Love Tonight - A Big Hunk O' Love - My Wish Came True - Stuck On You - Fame And Fortune - It's Now Or Never - A Mess Of Blues - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - I Gotta Know - Surrender - Lonely Man - Wooden Heart - Flaming Star - I Feel So Bad - Wild In The Country - (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame - Little Sister - Rock-A-Hula Baby - Can't Help Falling In Love

(Source: Memphis Mansion / EM / Flaming Star / Elvis Club Berlin / Brian Quinn of FECC)

January 30 - Elvis Guitar Belongs To National Museum

The debate has been going since July 2014 but now a federal judge ruled this morning that a guitar played by Elvis Presley rightfully belongs to the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota and not a Memphis-based memorabilia collector.

The decision means that the museum will not have to turn over the guitar to collector Larry Moss, who sued both the museum and Robert Johnson, a broker who negotiated the deal that led to the museum acquiring the guitar.

Moss argued that he had a deal in 2008 with Johnson to purchase the Martin D-35 guitar, which the rock icon played on his final tour in 1977. The guitar was damaged during a show in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Presley gave it to a fan. He died six months later. But the guitar, one of several instruments negotiated between Moss and Johnson, was never delivered to Johnson. Nor did money change hands for that guitar, although Moss did pay Johnson $70,000 for two other guitars.

Based on correspondence between the two, Schreier ruled that the D-35 was one part of two separate deals negotiated between 2007 and 2010 – one for the two guitars Moss did receive and the other which included the Martin D-35 that was never completed.

The museum hoped Elvis’ broad appeal would help attract visitors. Knowing the ownership history of the objects entering Museum collections is becoming ever more vital, not only for the educational value of that information, but for legal, ethical, and moral reasons. “As a non-profit organization,” he added, “of course, we were pained by the expense required to protect this important instrument in our collection, but we’re thrilled that our further investment will allow the Elvis guitar to remain in the public’s eye at the NMM for the learning and enjoyment of our future visitors.”

(Source: Elvis Information Network)

January 29 - Picture This

Due for release from the Real Gone Music label on March 10, 2017 is the vinyl picture-disc "G.I. Blues". 

Sara Ann Patterson Died

Elvis fans will easily remember Tupelo fan Sara Ann Patterson who is seen with Elvis in the famous photos at the Tupelo showgrounds. We are sad to report that Sara Ann Patterson Gunter died a few days ago on January 29, aged 77.  Sara was born in Tupelo on April 8, l939 to pioneer Lee Countians, Sam and Lucille Garmon Patterson. She grew up in Verona, graduated from Tupelo High School in l957 and received her higher education at Mississippi University for Women and Delta State University.

Sara was an avid Elvis Presley fan. In Elvis' 1956 return to the Tupelo Fairgrounds, she got to not only meet Elvis but received a kiss on the cheek from "the King." She appeared in the definitive documentary of the singer's time in Tupelo, Elvis: "The Return to Tupelo" where she shared the excitement of her association with Elvis. She is seen giving Elvis a special hat, however Elvis then gave her back the hat before he went on stage - and she kept it all these years. 

(Source: Amazon / Elvis Information Network / Tony Stuchbury

January 27 - Sahara Tahoe

The AudiRec importlabel announced the release of "Sahara Tahoe" containing the July 31, 1971 Dinner Show performance. 

From the press-release:
AudiRec proudly presents: Sahara Tahoe – a brandnew CD which will be released February 10, 2017. This time we have decided to release the probably last “listenable” Lake Tahoe “Summer of 1971” recording from an Elvis show. Recorded with non-professional equipment by a female fan in the audience - on July 31st, 1971 at the Dinner Show - it is the first time that this concert is available on a real CD.

Elvis stint at Lake Tahoe's “Sahara Tahoe”-Hotel in the summer of 1971 is unfortunately not documented that good. But anyhow, what seems to be pretty clear from the information we found in our research is that Elvis had a really good time at this first engagement at the (compared to the Las Vegas International Hotel) smaller venue. Rex Martin´s weekly publication for the worldwide Elvis fan base was still young at that time but already delivered first hand information from fans who were at the shows at the “Sahara Tahoe”. So for instance fans were able to read astounding facts like this in Issue´s number 24 and 25: “Elvis sang Happy Birthday to a 12-year old girl and gave her a 4-LP set! He was giving away those gift sets from the stage now and then….” and “On the closing night there was a line of people the length of the hotel just waiting for news of cancellations! The showroom only holds 1200 but they squeezed 2000 in that night. They had 3 lines going in. One for Sahara people (persons staying in the hotel), one for people with reservations for the show, and one for people who didn´t have them.”

It is also interesting to learn from those magazines that beside from the “usual” set-list these additional songs have been heard by fans at at least one of the other shows: Treat Me Nice / Old Shep / Sweet Caroline / It´s Impossible / I Was The One / It´s Over / Hawaiian Wedding Song / My Babe / Help Me Make It Through The Night. Issue number 24 tells us also: “He always opened with That´s All Right Mama but changed the order of most of the rest” and “Elvis wore many white jumpsuits, plus a black and red outfit. Red jacket with black trim, black slacks, red shirt, black Onyx ring” and also “He split his pants once and was so embarrassed!”.

Oh yeah, those good old Lake Tahoe days! Well, we hope your spare time allows you to sit back, put your headphones on and listen to the Dinner Show at the “Sahara Tahoe” Hotel from July 31, 1971. It´s Lake Tahoe! It´s the Sahara Tahoe Showroom! It´s Elvis! Enjoy!

Please be aware that this new release is limited to 300 copies only! Be sure to get your copy if you are interested.

Tracks 31.07.1971 Dinner Show:
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra 02. That's All Right 03. Proud Mary 04. Jailhouse Rock 05. Love Me Tender (false start) / Ave Maria (one liner) / Love Me Tender 06. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me 07. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 08. Polk Salad Annie 09. Instrumental Intermezzo 10. Johnny B. Goode 11. Love Me 12. Blue Suede Shoes/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On/ Blue SuedeShoes/ Rip It Up/Blue Suede Shoes (medley) 13. Heartbreak Hotel 14. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) 15. One Night 16. It's Now Or Never 17. Hound Dog 18. Suspicious Minds 19. Band Introductions 20. I'm Leavin' 21. I Can't Stop Loving You 22. I John 23. The Impossible Dream 24. After-show comments by Virginia (she taped the show) 

Charts

The US Billboard Charts for the week ending February 4, 2017. Elvis Presley has no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts.

• 'The Wonder Of You' remains at 4 on the Classical Albums Chart
• 'Elvis: Ultimate Gospel' drops from 4 to 8 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart 
• 'If I Can Dream' rises from 16 to 14 on the Classical Albums Chart
• 'Heart And Soul' is a re-entry at 25 on the Country Catalog Albums Chart
• 'He Touched Me: The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley' (Vols.1 & 2) drops from 2 to 6 on the Music Video Sales Chart

UK Charts

• The Official UK Album Charts for the week ending January 27, 2017: 
• From #17 to #32 - The Wonder Of You
• From #44 to #65 - If I Can Dream
• From #86 to #89 - The Platinum Collection

Other Elvis Entries on the UK Charts - 27th January, 2017:

• 'The Wonder Of You' drops from 8 to 22 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from 12 to 25 on the Album Sales Chart 
• 'If I Can Dream' drops from 39 to 42 on the Physical Album Chart and drops from 49 to 55 on the Album Sales Chart
• 'The Platinum Collection' rises from 53 to 51 on the Physical Album Chart; rises from 67 to 65 on the Album Sales Chart and rises from 12 to 11 on the Indie Albums Chart
• 'Love Me Tender' - (Elvis and Connie Francis Duet) drops from 39 to 72 on the Physical Singles Chart
• 'The Elvis Collection' drops from 15 to 44 on the Music Video Chart

European Charts

• 'The Wonder Of You' drops from 13 to 25 on the Scottish Album Chart
• 'If I Can Dream' rises from 74 to 56 on the Scottish Album Chart
• 'The Platinum Collection' drops from 80 to 84 on the Scottish Album Chart.
• 'The Wonder Of You' dropped from #44 to #88 on the Irish Album chart. 
• 'The Wonder Of You' dropped from #76 to #77 on the German Album chart. 
• 'The Wonder Of You' dropped from #38 to #46 on the Austrian Album chart. 
• 'The Wonder Of You' dropped from #48 to #64 on the Belgian Album chart. 
• 'The Wonder Of You / If I Can Dream' double set dropped from #110 to #124 on the Belgian Album chart. 
• The Dutch 'Top 40 Elvis' compilation dropped from #15 to #24 on the Belgian Mid-price Album chart. 

Charts Down Under

• The DVD 'Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More' climbed from #32 to #15 on the Australian Music DVD chart. 
• The 'The Wonder of You' album dropped from #18 to #23 on the Australian Album chart. 
• The 'The Wonder of You' album re-entered the New Zealand Album chart at #36. 

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