July 21 - Elvis at the Astrodome

The Tupelo Production import release 'Elvis at the Astrodome' 6 CD / 1 DVD set has been released according to posts on Facebook. The set contains all shows Elvis performed at the Houston Rodeo, including previously unreleased audio and a 16-page booklet according to the publicity. 

Tracks CD 1

1. Houston radio spot 

2. Houston Air Terminal Press Conference

February 27, 1970. 2.00 pm show

3. Opening 

4. All Shook Up

5. I Got a Woman

6. Blue Suede Shoes 

7. Don’t Cry Daddy

8. Heartbreak Hotel

9. Hound Dog

10. Love Me Tender

11. One Night

12. Release Me

13. Walk a Mile In My Shoes

14. In The Ghetto

15. I Can’t Stop Loving You

16. Polk Salad Annie

17. Group Introductions

18. Suspicious Minds

19. Can’t Help Falling In Love

20. Outro

21. Houston Air Terminal Press Conference (excerpt 2)

22. Elvis receives Livestock Badge

23. Houston radio spot #2

CD 2 February 27, 1970. 7.45 pm show

1. Opening

2. All Shook Up

3. I Got a Woman

4. Blue Suede Shoes

5. Don’t Cry Daddy

6. Heartbreak Hotel

7. Hound Dog

8. Love Me Tender

9. Kentucky Rain

10. Release Me

11. Walk a Mile In My Shoes

12. In The Ghetto

13. I Can’t Stop Loving You

14. Polk Salad Annie

15. Group Introductions

16. Suspicious Minds

17. Can’t Help Falling In Love

18. Outro

CD 3 February 28, 1970. 2.00 pm show

1. Opening

2. All Shook Up

3. I Got a Woman

4. Long Tall Sally

5. Don’t Cry Daddy

6. Heartbreak Hotel

7. Hound Dog

8. Love Me Tender

9. Kentucky Rain

10. Release Me

11. Walk a Mile In My Shoes

12. In The Ghetto

13. I Can’t Stop Loving You

14. Polk Salad Annie

15. Group Introductions

16. Suspicious Minds

17. Can’t Help Falling In Love

18. Outro

19. Love Me Tender (Instrumental)

20. Show comments from fan Maria Luise Davies

CD 4  February 28, 1970. 7.45 pm show

1. Opening

2. All Shook Up

3. I Got a Woman

4. Blue Suede Shoes

5. Don’t Cry Daddy

6. Heartbreak Hotel

7. Hound Dog

8. Love Me Tender

9. Kentucky Rain

10. Release Me

11. Walk a Mile In My Shoes

12. In The Ghetto

13. I Can’t Stop Loving You

14. Polk Salad Annie

15. Group Introductions

16. Suspicious Minds

17. Can’t Help Falling In Love

18. Elvis Leaves The Stage

19. Love Me Tender (Instrumental)

CD 5 March 1, 1970. 2.00 pm show

1. Opening 

2. All Shook Up

3. I Got a Woman

4. Blue Suede Shoes

5. Elvis welcomes the audience

6. Don’t Cry Daddy

7. Heartbreak Hotel

8. Hound Dog

9. Love Me Tender

10. Kentucky Rain

11. Release Me

12. Walk a Mile In My Shoes

13. In The Ghetto

14. I Can’t Stop Loving You

15. Polk Salad Annie

16. Group Introductions

17. Suspicious Minds

18. Can’t Help Falling In Love

19. Outro 

CD 6  March 1, 1970. 7.00 pm show

1. Opening

2. Blue Suede Shoes

3. I Got a Woman

4. Long Tall Sally

5. Elvis welcomes The Astrodome

6. Don’t Cry Daddy

7. Heartbreak Hotel

8. Hound Dog

9. Love Me Tender

10. Kentucky Rain

11. Release Me

12. Walk a Mile In My Shoes

13. I Can’t Stop Loving You 

14. Polk Salad Annie

15. Group Introductions

16. Presentation of Charlie Pride (The Easy Part is Over)

17. Suspicious Minds

18. Can’t Help Falling In Love

19. Outro

20. Love Me Tender (Instrumental)

21. Houston radio spot

For more information, watch the preview video.

(Source: Kenneth Dokkeberg on Facebook / FECC)

June 19 - Une Folie Américaine

Due for release on September 08, 2022 from the French GM Editions is the 216-page book 'Elvis Presley - Une Folie Américaine' ('An American Madness') by Bertrand Dicale. More information when available. 

Description: A Southern Pentecostal, molded by a religion of paroxysm and restraint, of rigor and letting go. Modeled also by the complexes of this community of defeated Southerners who, even in post-war prosperity, they feel that they do not belong to the "good" America, which makes them feel it.

Under the influence of Colonel Parker, his legendary manager, Elvis Presley is not a typical product of American culture: he is rather a deviance, a neurosis, an exception. From its failed beginnings, through its sudden take-off in the 1950s, to the 168 concerts in one year, the story is told to us by Bertrand Dicale.

Talking Elvis

Alanna Nash and Anthony Stuchbury were guests in Vince Wright' 'Talking Elvis' podcast, and talked about the Colonel, the new 'Elvis' movie, Baz Luhrmann, Alanna's travels through writing about music, her new book and more (Elvis). A great listen.

Follow >>> this link to listen for yourself.

(Source: Amazon / Talking Elvis)

June 18 - Mid-South Coliseum Memphis 5th July 1976 Radio Broadcast

The Rox Vox record label announced the July 8, 2022 release of the double CD 'Mid-South Coliseum Memphis 5th July 1976 Radio Broadcast'. 

Publicity stated: Although he was in poor shape and nearing the end of his life, in the summer of '76 Elvis was still pulling in huge crowds and putting on rapturously received shows. Backed by his trusty band - led by the legendary James Burton's lead guitar - he appeared in his teenage hometown on July 5th. Although it was a Monday, 12,000 people turned up to hear him tear through a lengthy set featuring material from the length of his career. It’s presented in full here, together with an 8-page booklet featuring background notes and images.

Tracks: 1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (Also Sprach Zarathustra) / 2. CC Rider / 3. I've Got A Woman / 4. Love Me / 5. Fairytale / 6. You Gave Me A Mountain / 7. All Shook Up/(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / 8. And I Love You So / 9. Jailhouse Rock / 10. Fever / 11. America The Beautiful / 12. One Night / 13. That's All Right / 14. Blue Christmas/Band intro. Disc 2: 1. Early Morning Rain / 2. Band Intro/What'd I Say / 3. Johnny B. Goode/Band intro / 4. Love Letters/Band intro / 5. Hail Hail Rock 'n' Roll / 6. Hurt / 7. Hound Dog / 8. Funny How Time Slips Away / 9. Help Me / 10. How Great Thou Art / 11. Softly, As I Leave You / 12. Polk Salad Annie / 13. It's Now Or Never / 14. Can't Help Falling In Love / 15. Outro CC Rider.

Note: the "radio broadcast" addition is a ploy to be able to release this concert under European copyright law. 

Lisa Marie and Austin Butler on ABC

Lisa Marie made another post promoting the new 'Elvis' biopic, but perhaps the most important sentence was the last one. 

"Tune in to see Austin, and I do an interview together on “Exclusively Elvis," a special edition of 

ABC2020, airs Tuesday at 10/9c on ABC. I do believe that this may be my first smile in 2 years."

(Source: Amazon / Lisa Marie Presley)

June 18 - Charts June 2022 - Week 3

The weekly global Elvis Presley chart update. The publicity for the new biopic still seems to have a good effect on the (pre)sales, the first single from the 'Elvis' soundtrack entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

U.S. Billboard charts:

• Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #144 to #148.
• Billboard Top Country Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #17 to #14.
• Billboard Top Rock Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #24 to #25.
• Billboard Hot 100 chart: 'Vegas' by Doja Cat is a new entry at #75.

Official U.K. charts:

• Official Album Top 100 chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #41 to #38.
• Official Streaming Album Top 100 chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #27 to #31.
• Official Americana Album chart: 'Elvis Back in Nashville' climbed from #39 to #36.
• Official Country Compilations chart Top 20: 'From Elvis In Nashville' dropped from #12 to #18.
• Christian and Gospel Album chart: 'Lovin' Elvis' climbed from #9 to #8.
• Official DVD chart: 'Elvis - 7 Film Collection' climbed from #61 to #44.
• Official Music DVD chart: 'Elvis The Searcher' remained steady at #3.
• Official Film on Disc chart: 'Elvis - 7 Film Collection' re-entry at #44.
• Official Blu-ray chart: 'Elvis The Searcher' re-entry at #91.
• Official Music Video chart: 'Elvis The Searcher' remained steady at #3.
• Official Video chart: 'Elvis - 7 Film Collection' climbed from #98 to #55.
• Official Music Video chart: 'The Elvis Collection' re-entry at #19.
• Official Singles chart: 'Vegas' by Doja Cat climbed from #63 to #52.

Official Scottish charts:

• Official Scottish Album chart: 'The Real Elvis' climbed from #20 to #15. 

Official Irish IRMA charts:

• IRMA Album Top 100 chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' new entry at #70.

(Source: Official Charts / UK Mix Forum)

June 17 - Soundtrack CD

To celebrate the release of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis in cinemas June 24, 2022 NME are releasing a one-off special edition print issue in honor of the return of the inimitable musician on the big screen.

Publicity stated: NME turned 70 this year, and for 66 of those years we’ve been writing about Elvis Presley,” says Holly Bishop, Chief Operating & Commercial Officer of NME Networks about the long-awaited partnership. “Baz Luhrmann’s colourful and unique vision chimes perfectly with the raucous and independent spirit of NME.

So don’t forget to pick up your special Elvis Collector’s Edition of NME at tube and mainline stations, plus some HMV stores, indented record stores, and nationwide from June 16. And if you can’t wait that long, take a look at the digital magazine right >>> here. Thank you, thank you very much.

Surprise

My friend Gerrit de Jong surprised me with a great illustration for my blog (click to enlarge). 

Nice to see how Elvis still connects fans around the world (wide web). Thanks Gerrit!

You can visit Gerrit's >>> Facebook group Elvis Inside here for more artwork.  

Elvis Soundtrack CD

Following last week's announcement of the digital 36-track edition of the 'Elvis' movie soundtrack Sony Music now announced the July 29, 2022 release of the 22-track CD edition. 

Publicity stated: Elvis – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the music companion to the Warner Bros. Pictures biopic film ELVIS, from Baz Lurhmann. This critically acclaimed film stars Austin Butler as Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks as his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The soundtrack features a sampling of original songs from Elvis’s extraordinary body of work from the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, and new recordings celebrating his diverse musical influence and enduring impact on popular artists of today.

The 22 track compact disc version of ELVIS includes plenty of A-list names across the musical spectrum. Starting with Elvis himself, additional artists included here are Doja Cat, Nardo Wick, Jack White, Chris Isaak, Eminem, Swae Lee, Diplo, Kacey Musgraves, Jazmine Sullivan, Tame Impala, Stevie Nicks, and many others.

Track Listings

1. Suspicious Minds (Vocal Intro) - Elvis Presley
2. Cotton Candy Land - Stevie Nicks & Chris Isaak
3. Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS) - Doja Cat
4. The King And I - Eminem & CeeLo Green
5. Tupelo Shuffle (From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS) - Swae Lee & Diplo
6. Baby, Let's Play House - Austin Butler
7. Craw-Fever - Elvis Presley
8. Strange Things Are Happening Every Day - Yola
9. Trouble (From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS) - Austin Butler
10. Can't Help Falling in Love - Kacey Musgraves
11. I Got A Feelin' In My Body - Lenesha Randolph
12. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child - Jazmine Sullivan
13. Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix) - Elvis Presley & Tame Impala
14. Power of My Love - Elvis Presley & Jack White
15. Polk Salad Annie (Film Mix) - Elvis Presley
16. Suspicious Minds (Film Edit) - Elvis Presley
17. Burning Love (Film Mix) - Elvis Presley
18. I Got A Feelin' In My Body - Elvis Presley & Stuart Price
19. Don't Fly Away (PNAU Remix) - Elvis Presley & PNAU
20. If I Can Dream (From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS) - Måneskin
21. Suspicious Minds - Paravi
22. In the Ghetto (World Turns Remix) - Elvis Presley feat. Nardo Wick

June 16 - Agent King Sold Out!

Here is a still from the upcoming Netflix program ’Agent King' that was shared during the Annecy Festival.

Perhaps this is a sign this series will finally be released.

The Extraordinary Book on Colonel Tom Parker

Alanna Nash' book 'The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley' was re-issued. Alanna Nash shared a picture on-line that the books arrived at her doorstep.  

This edition, presented as "the legendary partnership at the heart of a major motion picture' comes with a new cover and newly written afterword by the author. 

Author Alanna Nash notes that "This new edition includes an Afterword that I think you will find fascinating. My buddy / brother Tony Stuchbury is responsible for the new material!". 

Anthony Stuchbury posted online: "I’m absolutely over the moon to have been able to provide Alanna with the information that forms the ‘afterword’ for this republished edition. If you want to try and understand what really made Elvis’ manager Col Parker tick this is the book you need to read. The research, time, money and all the travelling she did to create this masterpiece, and that’s exactly what it is, is outstanding."

Sold Out! Volume 15 Released

Volume 15 in the 'Sold Out!' Fanshot concert-footage has been released by the Pyramid import  label. 

Publicity stated: Sold Out is back, and volume 15 has just rolled off the presses. And what a humdinger of a release this 2-DVD set is, jampacked with fantastic, unreleased Elvis concert footage directly from private sources in Holland, Germany and the UK… 20 different 8mm films this time!

From the responses we get, we know that the June ’74 footage is a firm favorite with fans. Therefore, we are proud to be able to include six different films from this tour, with the longest being 30 minutes. Elvis looked dazzling on this tour, and wore some of his most iconic jumpsuits, like the American Eagle, the Rainbow and the Inca Gold Leaf. He was very playful during these shows, accepting gifts from fans, teasing bandmembers and joking with the audience. 

There’s plenty of cool moments, like him introducing himself as ‘Alvis Paisley’, or singing a snatch of ‘Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues’. What you get is the real ‘nitty gritty’ of Elvis live in ’74: great vocals, fun interaction with his audiences, looking just great and giving his all…. The iconic Elvis.  

There’s also plenty of good stuff from the final years, including close-up film from Hartford and dynamic footage from the legendary 12/28/’76 Dallas concert. And yes, it includes THAT version of ‘C.C. Rider’!

To mark the 50th anniversary of ‘Elvis On Tour’, we’ve also included rare 8mm footage from the April ’72 tour, as well as clips from the June ’72 tour. 

Three hours of rare, unreleased Elvis footage that will rock you, mastered with care, and presented as originally filmed. The pre-orders for this title are impressive, so order your copy now before it’s well and truly  “Sold Out”!

(Source: Elvis Showroom on Facebook/ Alanna Nash / Anthony Stuchbury /Various)

June 15 - The Dream Cover Star

The renewed Victrola import record label announced the July 2022 release of the 'Elvis The Dream Project' CD.

Publicity stated: Our first project is arriving! Of course it is not the usual re-release, but a fresh new project in the completely upgraded sound! All songs have been restored, remixed into stereo and we bet you will love the result!

Ann Nixon, who is a very famous Elvis fan, said it all: "Seeing and hearing Elvis live is a happening in itself. No gramophone record can reflect the sound of Elvis' voice as he sounded in the real life. The dynamic range and the power that came with his voice were never captured like people really experienced it live."

Being with Elvis in Las Vegas is like having a private concert. Nowadays there are countless recordings of Elvis' shows, and with this project we want to try to show you how it was to experience the real Elvis live in Las Vegas as had you been there in person.

We are aware of the soundboard recordings of Elvis, but quite often they are instrumentally incomplete, or the strong bass or heavy orchestra is overbearing the other instruments in the sound mix. Our dream was to restore this unique collection of live songs that Elvis performed during his Vegas years to their fullest glory. In this project we used the 1970 'On Stage' album as a template and we dreamt of what an original Elvis album would have looked like in the mid 70s. It was clearly noticeable throughout this project is how well Elvis really did sing on stage, and how immaculate the arrangements of the songs were.

That combination and Elvis' unbelievable charisma made everything sound right. Sometimes Elvis did two shows in one night in front of 2500 people during the span of one month. This would be almost the same as performing at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City during four consecutive weeks.

Our release is planned for July 2022. If you have enjoyed our previous CD issues, we believe that you will love new project as well. All selections sound fresh and lively like never before! 

Playlist:

01. If You Talk In Your Sleep (August 1974)

02. My Boy (March 1975)

03. I’m Leaving (August 1974)

04. Good Times Charlie Got The Blues (August 1974)

05. It’s Midnight ( August 1974)

06. And I Love You So (December 1975)

07. Polk Salad Annie ( December 1975)

08. Promised Land ( March 1975)

09. Trouble (September 1973)

10. Burning Love (December 1975)

11. Love Me (February 1972)

12. It’s Impossible ( February 1972)

13. Proud Mary (August 1974)

14. Down In The Alley (August 1974)

15. You’ve Lost That Feeling ( January 1974)

16. Little Darling (December 1975)

17. Big Boss Man (March 1975)

18. Hound Dog (February 1972)

19. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me (March 1975)

All selections in stereo. Recorded live at the Las Vegas Hilton: 1972,1973, 1974,1975.

Important notice: Victrola label announced a vinyl version of 'Elvis The Dream Project' in 2021, but producers decided to release expanded CD version first. The LP version will be released later this year and will include the same selection of tracks as originally announced in 2021. These tracks were mastered specially for vinyl release.

Cover Star

Elvis Presley graced the cover of the French 'American Legend' magazine (Vol. 34). Austin Butler was featured on the cover of the Italian TV Film and the Dutch Veronica Superguide and TV Krant magazines. 

(Source: various)

June 14 - Elvis' Red Records

The Friday Music record label announced the August 12, 2022 re-release of 'Elvis' Golden Records' on 180 Gr. red colored audiophile vinyl. 

Publicity stated: Elvis Aaron Presley was born during the Great Depression into a poor family in Mississippi. They moved to Memphis during the early fifties, and as a struggling young truck driver, Elvis cut some demos at Sun Studios as a gift for his beloved mother Gladys. These initial songs, of which he had only paid a few dollars to record, would become the catalyst that would kick-start the beginnings of a soon to be worldwide superstar unlike the world has ever known. The folks at RCA Victor knew that this young fellow named Elvis was destined for superstardom. They quickly bought out his contract and signed the legend to a long-term deal, and his first RCA single Heartbreak Hotel forever etched “The King Of Rock And Roll” trademark to his name. He would eventually become the most successful solo artist of all time!

From the remainder of the 1950’s, Elvis Presley would release several more hit albums, smash singles and movies before spending time in the Army. Ever proving that he was indeed on top of his game, RCA Victor awarded their superstar artist and his fans with the King’s first greatest hits collection Elvis’ Golden Records .

Featuring fourteen of his most familiar top charting hit singles Elvis’ Golden Records went on to become one of his most memorable titles in his huge arsenal of masterful rock and roll albums. Thanks to his finest rock smashes like Heartbreak Hotel , Don’t Be Cruel , Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock , this collection of Elvis Presley’s biggest hits were just what the fans were screaming for, and the entire album was built around the framework of his rocking trademark sound.

The 1958 album also was another blockbuster for The King as it topped the upper rungs of the pop charts, making this one of his biggest albums of his career as well as one of his most revered. Elvis’ Golden Records truly proved once again that his career was unlike any other in music history.

Elvis’ Golden Records also included some of his finest number one ballads like Love Me Tender and I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, plus more top rock and roll hits like Teddy Bear , Treat Me Nice and Too Much . In total, the album showcases fourteen important Elvis Presley hits recordings which have truly gone on to become definitive classics by any measure of popular music.

In honor of the Man, the Music, the Legend, the King Of Rock And Roll, Friday Music is very proud and honored to announce the first time limited Anniversary Red Vinyl Anniversary Edition 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl release of the RCA Victor classic Elvis’ Golden Records by Elvis Presley.

As another installment in our exciting Elvis Presley 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl Series, we are pleased to present this masterwork in all its high fidelity glory. Mastered impeccably and manufactured at R.T.I., Elvis’ Golden Records will be a much anticipated first time audiophile dream release for Elvis fans everywhere!

For a limited time only, we are also including a rare gatefold artwork presentation including the original 1958 artwork elements. As usual, we are also enclosing a poly bag to protect your album cover and poly sleeve to help keep your Elvis vinyl in mint shape.

Elvis Presley’s… Elvis’ Golden Records …A history making rock album from an historic legend, an original monophonic first time audiophile dream release on stellar red vinyl…awesome gatefold cover…is now an audiophile vinyl dream come true!

(Source: Amazon / Friday Music)

June 13 - Rock Legend

The French Saga Record label released the double CD and double LP sets 'Rock Legend'. 

Side A: That's All Right Mama - Good Rockin' Tonight - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone - Mystery Train - Heartbreak Hotel - One-Sided Love Affair - Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Blue Suede Shoes - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry.

Side B: Tutti Frutti - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - My Baby Left Me - Hound Dog - Don't Be Cruel - I Got A Woman - Shake, Rattle And Roll - Blue Moon.

Side C: Love Me Tender - Money Honey - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Let's Have A Party - Mean Woman Blues - Don't Leave Me Now - Jailhouse Rock - Hard Headed Woman.

Side D: Lover Doll - King Creole - Stuck On You - It's Now Or Never - Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Can't Help Falling In Love - Good Luck Charm - Return To Sender.

On the CD version CD 1 contains sides A and B, CD 2 contains sides C and D.

(Source: Pascal Matteo / Amazon Spain)

June 12 - Gabe Baltazar Died

Gabe Baltazar died on June 12, 2022, he was 92. 

In 1973, Baltazar played sax and flute in the famous "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii" concert. Gabe Baltazar played sax and flute in the famous 'Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii' satellite broadcast concert and had a close-up flute solo during 'An American Trilogy' ('Battle Hymn of the Republic'). 

(Source: ElvisMatters / Facebook Elvis in the 70's)