June 10 - Running To The End

The SR import record label announced the June 2023 release of the LP / DVD set 'Running To The End'.

Publicity stated: To be released at the end of June, Running To The End (SR Records) will focus on Elvis’ March 1976 tour, featuring the evening show from March 20th, 1976, previously unreleased on vinyl and taken directly from the original high-quality tape.

The March 20 Midnight Show was previously released on cd but this is the first time on vinyl format with an incredibly superior sound. The vinyl will be accompanied by a DVD with a complete show using different footage coming from the March tour. A Must have!

The SR intention is to present Elvis at the peak of his possibility and without any doubt Elvis’ first 1976 tour although not in the best shape presents him at the top of his possibilities, delivering great shows. If Rock is an attitude, then the man still has it. The performances are very good and Charlotte's show is surely the best of the tour.

Elvis sings and is still very active on the stage He performs all the songs to the maximum of his possibilities, presenting all the best of his repertoire from the previous years combined with the last 1976 two new songs like Hurt and Anthem America ranging in all musical genres as only he can do.
               
We are happy to be able to associate great performance with great audio quality and overall a great bonus DVD in order to be able to obtain a result that you can enjoy too. 

The show is great and now consists of a solid collection of great-quality songs all well-performed. The range of Elvis’ performance is very wide we go from the rocking with the two classic 'Polk Salad Annie' and 'Burning Love', the bluesy 'Steamroller Blues' to the dramatic last single 'Hurt', without forgetting the anthem 'America', the gospel song 'How Great Thou Art' and the autobiographical 'You Gave Me a Mountain' ending with the story of his life in 'Fairytale'. 

However, talking about the best song we like to say that the rockin’ side is still present in Elvis, and 'Polk Salad Annie' never sounded better: both Elvis and the band are pushing strong with Elvis’ swaying arms and karate kicks in complete control of the music.  

This new SR Special Products release comes housed in a single sleeve that holds the 150 Gr LP and bonus DVD. To make this a real collectable, the 350 copies will be presented with 6 different vinyl color variations with exclusive bonus material per color. All the copies will come with a glossy sticker, are hand numbered and individually sealed. 

• 200 copies on black vinyl with an 30 x 30 cm glossy art card.
• 100 copies on blue colored vinyl with an 60 x 60 cm poster.
• 50 copies on red colored vinyl with an 20-page A4-sized booklet. 
• 50 copies on yellow colored vinyl with an 60 x 60 cm poster, a card 29 x 21 cm (both exclusive for this edition) and a 20-page Aa4 sized booklet on the March tour.
• 50 copies on orange colored vinyl with an 60 x 60 cm poster, a card 29 x 21 cm (both exclusive for this edition) and a 20-page Aa4 sized booklet on the March tour. 

The label also released "Test Pressing" edition in two variations, limited to 6 copies each. It comes with an exclusive gatefold cover and forex panel, both in 2 variations and a certificate of authenticity.

LP: Recorded Live Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte NV March 20th 1976:

Side A: Amen - Love Me - Let Me Be There - You Gave Me  A Mountain 05. Steamroller Blues - All Shook Up - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Hound Dog - Heartbreak Hotel - Polk Salad Annie.

Side B: And I Love You So - Hurt - Burning Love - America - Funny How Time Slips Away - Fairytale - How Great Thou Art - Can‘t Help Falling Love - Closing Vamp - Elvis Has Left The Building.

Bonus DVD (60 minutes, region free): a complete show using restored unreleased footage from Johnson City, Charlotte, Cincinnati and St. Louis dubbed with the original soundboard audio. 

Note: this concert was previously released as 'Running For President'.

(Source: FECC)

June 10 - Charts June 2023 - Week 2

The weekly global Elvis Presley chart update. In both the United States and the United Kingdom there is little movement on the Billboard and Official charts with the exception of the 'ELVIS' soundtrack which makes a big jump in the U.K. And Elvis now has 3 DVDs listed on the British Music DVD chart.

Additional charts will be updated over the weekend when the listings become available.

U.S. Billboard charts:

• Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' climbed from #174 to #170. 
• Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #27 to #29. 
• Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' remained steady at #40.  

Official U.K. charts:

• Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #42 to #46. 
• Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #33 to #34. 
• Official Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack climbed from #46 to #27. 
• Official Country Compilations chart: 'From Elvis in Nashville' climbed from #18 to #10.  
• Official Americana Album chart: 'Elvis: Back In Nashville' re-entry at #40.
• Official Film chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #32 to #33.  

• Official Video Chart Top 100: 'ELVIS' dropped from #11 to #13. 
• Official DVD chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #10 to #11.
• Official Blu-ray chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #25 to #27. 
• Official Films On Disc chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #9 to #11.  
• Official Music DVD chart: 'Elvis The Searcher' is a re-entry at #26. 
• Official Music DVD chart: 'The King of Rock and Roll' is a re-entry at #37.
• Official Music DVD chart: 'The Complete Elvis Presley dropped from #31 to #39.

Irish IRMA charts:

• Official Irish Album chart: 'ELV1S 30#1 Hits' climbed from #58 to #50. 
• Official Irish Video chart: 'ELVIS' remained steady at #11. 

(Source: Official Chart Company / UK Mix Forum / Billboard / IRMA)

June 09 - Elvis German EP's Record Guide

Due for release in July 2023 is a Limited English edition of the 'Elvis German EP's Record Guide' by Zimmerman and Zimmerman. 

Publicity stated: This A4-sized book is a must for any collector of German vinyl EPs. It features all German EPs, supplemented with US-Army releases and year-cover editions with additional descriptions and information. This new edition was updated with 2 Extended Play releases. 

The first German edition was released in 2022 and completely sold in just a few days.

Elvis 81

The Belgian / Dutch ElvisMatters fan club published volume 81 of their magazine, which comes with a CD for Gold members. The content of the CD matches that of the magazine. 

Mama (Connie Francis) / Mama (Connie Francis, live May, 1966) / Don't Be Cruel (Connie Francis) / I'll Remember You (Connie Francis | Elvis Presley) / Mystery Train - Tiger Man (Elvis live, September 8, 1976) / Fairytake (Elvis live, September 8, 1976) / An Evening Prayer / I Believe In The Man In The Sky / Larry Geller talks about Elvis / My Way (Elvis live, June 1977)

(Source: UEPS / Matters)

June 08 - Aloha and More (Updated)

RCA Records and Legacy Recordings celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Elvis Presley's monumental 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite Worldwide Broadcast' and  top-selling double album with the release of a Definitive Deluxe Edition on Friday, August 11, 2023

Publicity stated: RCA Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release the definitive 50th anniversary edition of Elvis Presley's monumental Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite record-setting global concert telecast/double live album on Friday, August 11.

The 50th anniversary edition of Elvis Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite - newly remixed and remastered for the occasion - will be available in a 3CD plus Blu-ray combined package as well as in 2-LP and digital configurations.

For a first taste of the RCA/Legacy 50th anniversary edition of Aloha from Hawaii, check out Elvis' sizzling live interpretation of James Taylor's "Steamroller Blues" on DSPs today >>> listen here.

Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis will present 'Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii 50th Anniversary Concert' on August 16, 2023 as part of Elvis Week 2023. In addition, earlier that day, Sony will present a free Aloha from Hawaii Q&A and Listening Event at the Guest House Theater at 1:00 pm. Tickets for the concert and free listening event are available at ElvisWeek.com.

Recorded live on January 12 and 14, 1973 at the Honolulu International Center Arena (capacity approximately 6000) and beamed into an estimated billion-plus television sets around the world, 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' made a new kind of broadcast history as Elvis and emerging global satellite technology instantaneously connected a major artist with his audience in previously unprecedented numbers. 

Initially, Elvis' January 14th concert was telecast live via satellite to viewers in Asia and Oceania and presented with a delay in January in Europe. Needing to avoid a programming conflict with Super Bowl VII while also acknowledging that the film 'Elvis on Tour' was enjoying an actively successful run in U.S. movie theaters, NBC decided to air their ninety-minute version of 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' (featuring bonus performances recorded for the stateside broadcast) on April 4, 1973. 'Aloha from Hawaii' became NBC's highest-rated program of the year.

Feeling the heat from the 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' global telecast, RCA Records fast-tracked a companion double album soundtrack into production with first pressings hitting US stores on February 4, 1973. The album was Elvis' first #1 in years, peaking at #1 on the Billboard pop and country charts, becoming the fastest-selling chart-topping album of Elvis' career.

The 50th anniversary edition of 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' is produced by Ernst Jørgensen and newly mixed by Grammy Award-winning recording engineer Matt-Ross Spang. The set includes the original concert, rehearsal show and unique after-show recordings and rehearsals including 'Blue Hawaii', 'Hawaiian Wedding Song', 'No More' and 'Early Morning Rain'. 

The deluxe set includes a 28-page booklet featuring in-depth liner notes penned by lifelong Elvis fan/respected music critic Randy Lewis, rare photos and memorabilia from the event, and the first-ever visual release of 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' on Blu-ray.

'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' is the apogee of an astounding career trajectory that began with Elvis' return to live performance in 1968 with an electrifying "comeback" television special that restored him to pop dominance after a seven year hiatus from the concert stage. By 1973, Elvis was a living legend whose status as the world's first atomic-powered singer in the 1950s had evolved into movie stardom before his return to live performance generated a new iconography of Elvis. His watershed global telecast was the first full-length concert by any musician to be beamed around the world over communications satellites newly orbiting the earth in ever increasing numbers. A half century later, the live album and concert film from that performance are perhaps the most revelatory documents of the live shows that Elvis poured so much of his heart and soul into during the 1970s.

The 50th anniversary edition of 'Elvis Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' presents, for the first time in one authorized package, the entirety of the original January 14, 1973 performance, the previous night's dress rehearsal with a live audience (recorded in case of technical mishaps during the satellite transmission), several bonus tracks inserted into the U.S. broadcast of the event and a Blu-ray transfer of the concert film.

Archival producer Ernst Mikael Jørgensen and Memphis-based recording engineer Matt Ross-Spang have fully remixed the album from the original 16-track live recordings - first captured on tape by esteemed mobile engineer Wally Heider and newly digitized for this release with audiophile 24-bit, 192 KHz transfers - to bring fans a fresh listen to what, for many, is the most treasured performance of Elvis' latter-day years on the road. "To me," Jørgensen said, "that is the biggest thing: [this album] never sounded this good and Elvis never sounded this good."

In the four and a half years between the '68 special and 'Aloha from Hawaii', Elvis woodshedded his act with a rigorous series of more than 500 live performances in which he re-asserted the role he'd established in the '50s as one of the most electrifying performers of his generation.

Both in Las Vegas and on tour to various parts of the United States, Presley refined and expanded his mastery of musical interpretation of songs long associated with him, while also putting his distinctive stamp on classic and more recent material first popularized by artists as beloved as The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, James Taylor, Hank Williams, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Jim Reeves and Hawaii's own Kuiokalani "Kui" Lee.

The 'Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' program was produced and directed by television veteran Marty Pasetta, who'd done specials for Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Glen Campbell and had experience in Hawaii with Don Ho. Pasetta employed split screen techniques and quick cuts to mirror the energy Elvis & Co. put out on stage. The telecast also regularly offered extreme close-ups bringing viewers into contact with Elvis with an intimacy that even those in the audience didn't have.

The tracklist:

CD 1 - Live at The Honolulu International Center, Hawaii January 14, 1973.

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 / Long Tall Sally - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / An American Trilogy / A Big Hunk O' Love / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp 

CD 2 - Live at The Honolulu International Center, Hawaii January 12, 1973: 

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.

CD 3 - Bonus Songs: Blue Hawaii (Rehearsal, Takes 1-2) / Ku-U-I-Po (Rehearsal) / Ku-U-I-Po (Take 1) / Ku-U-I-Po (Take 2 - Incomplete) / Ku-U-I-Po (Take 3 - Incomplete) / Ku-U-I-Po (Take 4) / No More (Take 1 - Incomplete) / No More (Take 2 - Rehearsal) / No More (Take 3) / No More (Take 4) / Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 1) / Hawaiian Wedding Song (Rehearsal) / Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 2) / Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 3) / Early Morning Rain (Take 1) / Early Morning Rain (Take 2).

Disc 1: Recorded live at the Honolulu International Center Arena January 14, 1973, 12:30 AM.

Disc 2: Recorded live at the Honolulu International Center Arena, January 12, 1973, 9:00 PM.

Disc 3: Recorded without an audience at the Honolulu International Center Arena, January 14, 1973, 3:00 AM, as special bonus songs for the U.S.

70th Anniversary of Elvis' Sun Records Sessions

Celebrate the first recording session of Elvis Presley, the French RDM French Edition record label announced the release of the CD-single 'My Happiness / That's When Your Heartaches Begin' and the CD '70th Anniversary of Elvis' Sun Records Sessions'.

Description CD-single: On July 18, 1953 Elvis Presley, then 18 years old, made his first amateur recording for four dollars on a 78 RPM acetate disc. The songs he recorded were 'My Happiness' on the A-side and 'That's When Your Heartaches Begin' on the flip-side. It was a birthday present fore his mother. 

The recording took place in Memphis at the famous SUN Studio Records of Sam Phillips. Elvis gave this unique recording to his mother, Gladys, for her birthday. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of this historic recording, the French RDM Edition will release remastered versions of these two songs on a CD-single.

Description CD: Between 1953 and 1955, Elvis Presley recorded 24 songs at SUN Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. These recordings, which would become the foundations of Rock and Roll music, reflect a wide variety of styles: blues, rhythm & blues, gospel, country & western, hillbilly, rockabilly and bluegrass. 

From the 24 songs recorded, 22 have survived, the tapes for the songs 'Satisfied' and 'I Got a Woman' have been lost. 10 tracks were released by SUN as a single between 1954 and 1955: 'That's All Right' / 'Blue Moon of Kentucky' on 04/19/1954, 'Good Rockin' Tonight' / 'I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine' on 09/25/1954, 'Milkcow Blues Boogie' / 'You're a Heartbreaker' on 12/28/1954, 'Baby Let's Play House' / 'I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone' on 04/10/1955, 'I Forgot to Remember to Forget' and 'Mystery Train' on 08/06/1955. 
With the exception of the first four songs (self-financed demos by Elvis), all songs were produced by Sam Phillips and featured Scotty Moore on guitar and Bill Black on bass. 

On December 4, 1956, a year after leaving Sun for RCA, Elvis visited the Sun Studio. The afternoon turns into a jam session with Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. The four artists simply sing songs they had in mind. About 40 titles were recorded on tape that day. This mythical session would be nicknamed 'The Million Dollar Session'. 

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Elvis Presley's first recording of 'My Happiness' on July 18, 1953, RDM Edition releases this CD containing 22 recordings from the SUN Records Sessions, including the 4 recordings self-financed by Elvis and of the 18 official SUN Records recordings. As a bonus we included 2 tracks from the 'Million Dollar Session'.

Viva Elvis 3

The Japanese Shinko Music Mook announced the June 29, 2023 release of the third volume in their 'The Rockabilly! Presents: Viva Elvis' magazine series. 

This 144-page edition includes the articles on the full story of the second golden age of 'Elvis On Stage', revive the myth, a look at the 50th anniversary 'Aloha From Hawaii' concert, the five greatest hero's in Elvis films, Elvis chainsaw art, Elvis Meets Nixon, songwriter duo's Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and the creators of Rock 'n' Roll Jerry Lieber & Mike Stoller, backing vocalists The Jordanaires and more.

Best Of 12-inch

The Memphis Mansion announced the release of a Limited Edition of 100 copies of their upcoming stereo re-issue of the original mono HMV 10-inch LP 'The Best of Elvis'. 

It comes as a green colored 12-inch LP.

This was never meant to be released as a 12 inch LP, the plant that cut the stamper made a mistake. Rather than just scrap and waste the stamper the label decided to get 100 pressed. 

The labels were not complete at the time hence the white label edition. 

(Source: Pascal Matteo / Amazon / Elvis Club Berlin / FECC / Qo Buz / MM / Elvis The Music)

50 Years Later The Legend Continues: Elvis 2022

50 years later, the legend continues :-) Did you get your copy of the 2022 Elvis Presley yearbook? 

'Elvis Day By Day 2022 - The Year In Review' holds  420 pages with everything Elvis Presley from 2022, including 50+ reviews of the main book, music (official and bootleg releases on digital, CD and vinyl) and movie releases and interviews.

A few reactions to the book: 

"Objectively speaking, I can say with confidence that this 2022 edition is highly recommended and that Kees has once again delivered a marvelous piece of work!" Rogier Luyken (It's Elvis Time magazine, Holland).

"Kees’ books are ones that one will go back to regularly, if only to be reminded that Elvis’ legacy is not moribund. Their pages are proof that indeed it is alive and well." Elvis biographer Paul Belard (USA).

"The author provided solid commentary or in-depth reviews for some of these releases, so that I - and every other reader of this book - knows which release is worth getting and which ones to avoid." Mariusz Ogiegło, author and webmaster (Poland).

"What is particularly pleasant, as I also know from working with him, is that Kees always maintains the necessary objectivity. Even for fans who are well informed this is exciting, because you may not always share the same opinion or have reservations about a release, but here you get to read perspectives from him and other fans, authors and Elvis experts that shed a different light on some releases." Michael Sander (Germany).

"The book is over 400 pages and it includes also interviews with Alanna Nash among others which I extremely enjoyed. It's also nice that, while reading the reviews, you find yourself agreeing or not agreeing and realizing that it's always about taste. And in my taste, this book is absolutely positive." Gerrit de Jager, designer, (Holland)

"Just to let you know the books arrived yesterday and all i can say is WOW! When I eventually opened the packages (initially thought it was the new ‘On Tour’ set) I had a quick flick through or so I thought! I was literally still reading it going back and forth over the pages 2 hours later! I don't know where the time went but that shows me what an enjoyable and great product it is." Adrian Tedeschi (United Kingdom).

You can find all the info, previews, reviews and more at: https://www.poplartunes.com/books-store.

You can also check your local Amazon:

• Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3wgoIlu
• Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3whzeIW
• Amazon Germany: https://amzn.to/3iRinK4

June 06 - From the Chicago Ghetto to Hawaii

The Straight Arrow import record label released the CD 'In The Ghetto', featuring the Friday, February 19th 1971 Midnight Show as recorded from the audience at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

Publicity stated: Straight Arrow is very pleased to bring you, as a first for the label, concert from January / February 1971 season: The Las Vegas February 19, 1971 Midnight Show.

This concert was previously released 13 years ago in very bad sound quality on the 'Setting The Season' double CD.

Straight Arrow was fortunate enough to obtain recently recovered 1st generation copy of the original reel to reel audience-recorded tape of this show, coming from collection of British fan Rex Martin. This historic concert was never before available in good sound quality - until now! Every second was enhanced to achieve the optimal listening experience. The sound was remastered to the correct speed. If you have enjoyed our previous 1971 CDs, we believe that you will love this one as well. 

Presented in the usual Straight Arrow fashion with the top notch digipak including the photos of Elvis in Las Vegas 1971 and local press reviews, this new release is another beauty that you must not miss! The Straight Arrow team is always looking for new, unreleased audience-taped shows and for better quality versions of the previously released recordings. If you have such unique tapes, even damaged or broken, do not hesitate to contact us through your local dealer! 

Tracks: 1. Rex Martin comment - 02. Opening Vamp / That's All Right - 03. I Got A Woman - 04. Can't Help Falling In Love - 05. Sweet Caroline - 06. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - 07. Polk Salad Annie - 08. Johnny B. Goode - 09. Something - 10. How Great Thou Art - 11. Mystery Train / Tiger Man - 12. Love Me - 13. Don't Be Cruel - 14. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 15. Blue Suede Shoes - 16. Heartbreak Hotel - 17. Little Sister / Get Back - 18. It's Now Or Never - 19. Hound Dog - 20. Suspicious Minds - 21. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 22. Lawdy Miss Clawdy - 23. Help Me Make It Through The Night - 24. There Goes My Everything - 25. Just Pretend - 26. In The Ghetto - 27. Also Sprach Zarathustra - 28. Snowbird - 29. The Impossible Dream - 30. Closing Vamp. 

Elvis Encore Performance

JAT Publishing released the 92-page book 'Elvis Encore Performance Volume 7 Chicago Blues' by editor Joseph A.Tunzi and illustrator John M .Heath according to Amazon. 

Description: Elvis Presley Live in concert at the Chicago Stadium on June 17th Evening Show Performance. Rare photos highlight this one of a kind performance. It includes and outstanding text that takes you center  front row.

The King taking charge even in front of the camera a must see book.

Blue Hawaii

Due for release from the Greyscale record label on July 14, 2023 is the double CD 'Blue Hawaii'. 

Publicity stated: A slice of frothy escapist fun from 1961, Blue Hawaii rode a wave of fan excitement all the way to No.2 in the US box office. But while the movie may not have tested Elvis Presley's acting skills, it featured one of his most popular soundtracks. 

A U.S. and U.K. No.1 that became the second-highest-selling soundtrack album of the 60s (second only to 'West Side Story'), the 'Blue Hawaii' album included the fan favourite title track and 'Rock-A-Hula Baby', plus Elvis' definitive version of 'Can't Help Falling In Love'. 

Offering a glimpse at the inner workings of The King's court, this two-disc edition comes with reams of rarities and studio outtakes, including movie edits and work-in-progress recordings, including an impossible-to-refuse 12 alternate versions of 'Can't Help Falling In Love'.

CD 1: Blue Hawaii / Almost Always True / Aloha Oe / No More / Can't Help Falling In Love / Rock-A-Hula Baby / Moonlight Swim / Ku-U-I-Po / Ito Eats / Slicin' Sand / Hawaiian Sunset / Beach Boy Blues / Island of Love / Hawaiian Wedding Song / Steppin' Out of Line (Movie Version) / Beach Boy Blues (Movie Version) / Can't Help Falling in Love (Movie Version) / Moonlight Swim (Undubbed Master) / Steppin' Out of Line (Record Version) / Blue Hawaii (Takes 1,2,3) / Almost Always True (Take 3) / Aloha Oe (Section 2, Take 1) / No More (Take 7) / Can't Help Falling in Love (Take 13) / Rock-A-Hula Baby (Takes 1,2,3) / Moonlight Swim (Take 2) / Ku-U-I-Po (Take 1) / It Eats (Takes 1,2) / Slicin' Sand (Takes 1,2,3) / Hawaiian Sunset (Take 1) / Island of Love (Take 8) / Hawaiian Wedding Song (Take 1)

CD 2: Hawaiian Sunset (Take 2) / Hawaiian Sunset (Take 6,3) / Aloha Oe (Section 2, Take 6) / Aloha Oe (Section 2, Takes 7/5) / Ku-U-I-Po ( Takes 2,4,5) / Ku-I-Po (Takes 6,7) / No More (Takes 1,2,4,8) / No More (Takes 11,15 - Insert Ending) / Slicin' Sand (Take 4) / Slicin' Sand (Takes 5,6,7) / Slicin' Sand (Takes, 8,13,15,16,14) / Blue Hawaii (Takes 4,5,6) / Ito Eats (Takes 4,6,5) / Island of Love (Takes 1,2,4,6) / Island of Love (Takes 7,9) / Steppin' Out of Line (Movie Version Takes 4,5,7/8) / Steppin' Out of Line (Record Version, Takes 10,11,16,15) / Steppin' Out of Line | Almost Always True (Takes 2,4,5) / Almost Always True (Takes 7,6) / Moonlight Swim (Takes 1,4) / Can't help Falling in Love (Takes 14,15,16) / Can't Help Falling In Love (Takes 17,19,20,21,22,24) / Can't Help Falling In Love (Takes 25,26).

Note: The Elvis Information Network noted that this seems to be a direct copy of the 2009 Follow That Dream collectors label release 'Blue Hawaii' (Classic Album series).

(Source: Elvis On CD / Amazon)

June 04 - James Is Back! (Updated)

After a period of serious illness James Burton is back on his feet, and back on stage with the 'James Burton & Friends’ show at the London Palladium.

Joining hom on stage were Sir Brian May, Van Morrison, Ron Wood, Albert Lee and other star names. Jerry Scheff's son Jason was present too. Brian May has posted some photos of rehearsals for this show. Great to see James Burton back at it.

(Source: London Palladium / James Burton / Brian May / Ton Bergmans / Matt Lee)

June 03 - Hawaii 1973

The U.K. based CoDa record label announced the June 30, 2023 release of 'Hawaii 1973', a Limited Edition LP on red colored vinyl. This album, featuring an edited version of the “Aloha From Hawaii’ concert, is limited to just 500 copies. 

Publicity stated: The stellar live performance featured on this album is a moment of brilliance. This is the soundtrack of the satellite broadcast of Elvis’ concert special from the Honolulu International Center, Hawaii, on 14 January 1973. 

This was arguably his final moment of genius. The broadcast was seen by approximately 1.3 billion people in 36 countries and remains a fan favourite that clearly demonstrates the talent and charisma of the man they call ‘The King’ – Elvis Presley. 

Side One: See See Rider / Burnin’ Love / Something / My Way / Love Me / Johnny B. Goode / Blue Suede Shoes / I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry. 

Side Two: I Can’t Stop Loving You / Hound Dog / Fever / Suspicious Minds / Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin’ / American Trilogy / Big Hunk O’ Love / Can’t Help Falling in Love. 

(Facebook / Pascal Matteo / Coda)

June 03 - Charts June 2023 - Week 1 (Updated)

The weekly global Elvis Presley chart update. In both the United States and the United Kingdom there is little movement on the Billboard and Official charts. 

Additional charts will be updated over the weekend when the listings become available.

U.S. Billboard charts:

• Billboard Top 200 Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #162 to #174.
• Billboard Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack' dropped from #23 to #25. 
• Billboard Top Country Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #26 to #27. 
• Billboard Top Rock and Alternative Albums chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #36 to #40. 

Official U.K. charts:

• Official Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' dropped from #40 to #42. 
• Official Streaming Album chart: 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' remained steady at #33. 
• Official Soundtrack Album chart: 'ELVIS' Soundtrack dropped from #29 to #46.  
• Official Country Compilations chart: 'From Elvis in Nashville' dropped from #12 to #18.  
• Official Americana Album chart: 'Elvis: Back In Nashville' re-entry at #40.
• Official Film chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #29 to #32.  
• Official Video Chart Top 100: 'ELVIS' climbed from #14 to #11. 
• Official DVD chart: 'ELVIS' remained steady at #10. 
• Official Blu-ray chart: 'ELVIS' dropped from #24 to #25. 
• Official Films On Disc chart: 'ELVIS' climbed from #11 to #9.  
• Official Music DVD chart: 'The Complete Story' dropped from #10 to #31. 

Irish IRMA charts:

• Official Irish Album chart: 'ELV1S 30#1 Hits' dropped from #56 to #58.
• Official Irish Video chart: 'ELVIS' climbed from #17 to #11. 

(Source: Official Chart Company / UK Mix Forum / Billboard / IRMA)

June 01 - Vinyl Any Color You Want It (Updated)

The French LMLR / V.P.I. record label released colored vinyl re-issues of the 7-inch singles ‘Any Way You Want Me’ (South Africa) and ‘Kid Galahad’ (Peru). 

The artwork was provided by The Elvis Shop London. All singles are limited to a one-time-run of 200 copies.

‘Any Way You Want Me’ will be available on off white, silver, red and black colored vinyl. ‘Kid Galahad’ comes on clear, red, off-white, gold and blue colored vinyl.

Cynthia Weil Died

Songwriter Cynthia Weil, who put words to 'That ‘Lovin’ Feeling’, died. She was 82. R.I.P.

She wrote most of her work with her husband Barry Mann. The Grammy Award winning couple were invited into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Elvis Presley performed and recorded her songs 'You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling' and 'I Just Can't Help Believin'' in Las Vegas for the 'That's The Way It is' LP in 1970.

And Then There Was A Printer

The 400-page hardcover book ‘And Then There Was Elvis’, containing the richly illustrated memoirs of superfan Virginia Coons, is now at the printers according to an update from Erik Lorenzen.

From the press-release: Virginia Coons was a super-fan. Her interest in Elvis Presley started with his breakthrough in the mid-fifties, and continued up to her very last day. Over the years she met up with Elvis many times. 

Coons served as a direct link between fans in America, England and the rest of Europe, making sure that the latest LP and single releases found their way overseas. Not only did she have contact with Elvis, but also with everyone close to him including Priscilla, Colonel Parker's office and RCA. 

Virginia Coon's memories were curated by her daughter, Elaine Christan, into this 400-page hardback book. Anyone who reads The Elvis Files magazine will be familiar with Virginia Coons. And now, all her personal memories and stories, illustrated with many high resolution photos and candid pictures from Erik Lorentzen's collection came together in this memoir by Elaine Christan and Virginia Coons, 'And Then There Was Elvis - A Superfan's Adventures in the Elvis World'. It hold so many fun-to-read stories, its incredible.

(Source: Culture Factory / NY Times / KJ Consulting)