October 05 - Weekend Charts

On the Irish Album chart the "The Real... Elvis" budget compilation from Sony climbed from #34 to #28. The French compilation "La Collection RTL"  dropped from #18 to #24 on the French Compilation album chart while it dropped out of the Flemish Album Chart in Belgium. 

In it's seventh week on the Australian Album Charts, the "Elvis By Request: The Australian Edition CD" has dropped from #66 to #72.

(Source: The King's World / Elvis Australia)

October 04 - That's The Way To Rehearse

A new import label announced the release of the 4 CD, 2 DVD and 5 LP vinyl set "Elvis Presley - That's The Way To Rehearse" containing the rehearsals from the RCA studio's from July 1970.

The five LP's contain recordings from the MGM Studios, Stage 1 at Culver City, California, USA, July 15, 1970. The four CDs contain recordings from the MGM Studios, stage 1, Culver City, California, USA, July 15, 1970 with rehearsals from July 24, 1970 at RCA Studios, Hollywood, USA.

The DVD's contain:
August 10, 1970 opening show
August 11, 1970 dinner show
August 11, 1970 midnight show
August 14, 1970 midnight show
August 15, 1970 dinner show
August 12, 1970 dinner show
August 12, 1970 midnight show
August 13, 1970 dinner show
Rehearsal recording for MGM : that’s the way it is
July 14, 1970, MGM stage 1, culver city, ca
July 15, 1970, MGM stage 1, culver city, ca
July 29, 1970, MGM stage 1, culver city, ca
August 4th, 1970, the International Hotel’s convention center
August 7, 1970, the International Hotel’s showroom

The Elvis Files 2013

Here is the promo-poster for the new volumes 6 and 7 in "The Elvis Files" which will be released in 2013. These volumes cover the years 1971 - 1977.

(Source: FECC)

October 03 - Happy And Sad Updates

After a couple of very rough weeks, finally good news regarding John Wilkinson's health. When his wife Terry got back from the hospital, she told ElvisMatters that John is looking better every day, and that he wanted to thank everyone for the cards and prayers that helped him get through every day and work harder to get out of there and get home. 

Remember Sheila

This is the 'rememberance letter' that was handed out to everyone attending the funeral of Sheila Ryan. Elvis and Sheila dated for a while, and in the studio - right before "And I Love You So", he can be heard saying, "Come here Sheila, let me sing for you". Sheila died the day after her 60th birthday, on September 18.

Elvis-Sammler-Edition


Volume 20 in the "Elvis-Sammler-Edition" from De'Agostini and EPE was released. This volume contains the DVD "Follow That Dream", memorabilia reproductions, a magazine and a mini-poster for the movie "Girls! Girls! Girls!". 

(Source: ElvisMatters / De'Agostini)

October 02 - Cover-Art By Request

In it's sixth week on the Australian Album Charts, the "Elvis By Request: The Australian Edition" CD has dropped from # 42 to # 66. 

Elvis' Christmas Album + His Hand in Mine

This is the cover-art for the Hoodoo Records budget release "Elvis' Christmas Album + His Hand In Mine" which is due October 22, 2012. 

The Classic Christmas Album


RCA / Legacy released the 2012 Christmas compilation "The Classic Christmas Album" containing classic recordings and some of the recent Christmas Duets.

Hot Clip Preview

This is a preview for volume 6 in the "Hot Shots And Cool Clips" DVD from JAT Publishing. This DVD is packed in a reproduction of Elvis Presley's rare 1975 Hilton showroom menu on October 30. The DVD contains footage of Elvis in Las Vegas 1972, Kansas City 1972, Chicago afternoon show 1972, St. Louis 1973 (no Elvis singing though)

(Source: Elvis Australia / Amazon / FECC)

October 01 - Stronger Than Vinyl

The release "Stronger Than Pride" from the new VV import label was released. 

From the press-release:
Stronger than Pride, that is the first release of the new label “VV”, after 40 years….. if we look closely at the first Vegas act of 1972, in spite his personal problems or thanks to these we can see that Elvis concentrates on the music to produce great shows. The in-between song chat and banter have gone and each number is delivered promptly without even a pause for applause. The 'new' songs introduced do reflect the mood of the man and for sure the rocking days are over but the rendition of the early seventies repertoire is solid and sung with great ability. The Elvis show is short, 45-50 minutes and is basic with little variation in the tracklisting, this theme is continued throughout, always including the new repertoire. Here We present Elvis to the end of the season the closing night the afternoon show.

There are no surprises in the tracklisting but the show is extremely solid and good, almost supernatural if we consider, it comes after one month of daily routine. The sound is good and powerful it comes directly from the original tape, the mix is rough giving us the possibility to listen very clear all the band in action. This vinyl pressing include a bonus cd, where you have the possibility to listen the same concert + the six “news” songs from the opening night in this way you can compare too the evolution of Elvis’ performing during the season. The LP 140 vinyl gram is a limited edition hand numbered 500 copies . It comes with an inside high quality glossy paper booklet of four LP sized. We hope you can enjoy this our first product in the way to give life to more of his kind in next future.

LP February 23 DS unreleased live audience recording 
Running time  45,00 Minutes 
Side A 
01.2001 Theme 02.C C Rider 03.Proud Mary 04.Never Been To Spain 05.You Gave Me A Mountain 06.Until It’s Time For You To Go 07.Polk Salad Annie 08.Love Me 09.All Shook Up 
Side B 
01.Teddy Bear /Don’t Be Cruel 02.Hound Dog 03.A Big Hunk O’ Love 04.Help Me Make It Through The Night 05.Suspicious Minds 06.Band Introductions 07.An American Trilogy 08.Can’t Help Falling In Love 09.Closing Vamp

Bonus CD running time 73 Minutes 
01.2001 Theme 02.C C Rider 03.Proud Mary 04.Never Been To Spain 05.You Gave Me A Mountain 06.Until It’s Time For You To Go 07.Polk Salad Annie 08.Love Me 09.All Shook Up 10.Teddy Bear /Don’t Be Cruel 11.Hound Dog 12.A Big Hunk O’ Love 13.Help Me Make It Through The Night 14.Suspicious Minds 15.Band Introductions 16.An American Trilogy 17.Can’t Help Falling In Love 18.Closing Vamp 19*.Never Been To Spain 20*.You Gave Me A Mountain 21*.Until It’s Time For You To Go 22*.A Big Hunk O’ Love 23*.An American Trilogy 24*.I’ll Remember You 25+.It’s Impossible 26+.The Impossible Dream 27°.It’s Over *January 26 opening night + February 16ms°February 17 ds
Tracks previously released soundboard recording.

(Source: FECC)

September 28 - Lil' Chart Record

As most fans know, the legal heirs of Elvis Presley lost a lawsuit in Germany claiming a fortune from Sony Music Entertainment Germany for what they called the "exploitation of Elvis Presley's greatest hits". The Judge hearing the case in the Munich court threw out the claim by Elvis Presley Enterprises for a share of the record company's profits over the past 40 years & disagreed. EPE decided to appeal. The new chapter of the Legal battle is set for January 17th when a second court will judge the claim.

Charts

The CD "La Collection RTL" dropped from #56 to #94 on the album chart in the French Speaking part of the country. On the French Compilation Album chart this album dropped three spots to #18. 
The CD "The Real... Elvis" dropped one spot from #33 to #34 on the Irish Album chart. 


Lil' Record


The self-proclaimed “best rapper alive” can lay claim to a new mantle: Bigger than Elvis. Lil Wayne has surpassed Elvis Presley’s record of appearances on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, the magazine announced Thursday. The King of Rock and Roll held the record with 108 songs on the chart from its launch in 1958 to 2003. But with Lil Wayne’s appearance as a featured artist on the Game’s new jam, “Celebration,” the hip-hop star now has 109 songs on the list. Still, Billboard noted that Lil Wayne’s meteoric rise in the record books is in part due to rappers’ tendency to share credit on tracks. Weezy is not listed as the lead artist on the majority of his tracks — unlike Presley who was the marquee singer on all of his songs. In an apples to apples comparison, The King still rules; Lil Wayne has just 42 singles on which he’s the main man, though not including his self-aggrandizing “Best Rapper Alive.” 30 hits by Elvis Presley were not included on the Billboard list as they charted before 1958.

(Source: ElvisMatters / The King's World / NY Daily News)

September 27 - Elvis Murdered By A Prince

A new book focuses on one question: Who Murdered Elvis? From the press release: Presley's father knew he was murdered, but his cries for an investigation were blocked by every level of the government - why? On November 20th, 2008, two years after the government rejected reopening the Presley case with concrete evidence, Elvis researcher Jared Parker was brutally murdered. Parker was going to expose newly uncovered letters written by Elvis implicating Mob and FBI operatives who were threatening his life. Who's behind the cover up?


Prince From Another Date 

Amazon announce that the much anticipated SONY/Legacy CD/DVD release, 'Prince From Another Planet', is to be delayed from it's original October 30th release date until the new date of November 12.

(Source: ElvisMatters / Amazon)

September 24 - Greatest Escape

One lucky fan got hold of a copy of the "Greatest Live Hits Of The Fifties"  from the UK based Memphis Recording Service (which escaped early). The CD is due October 22, 2012. 

(Source: FECC)

September 21 - Gospel Chart Records Ties

In the French-speaking part of Belgium the "Elvis La Collection RTL" dropped from #32 to #56 on the Album chart. The CD dropped from #14 to #15 on the French Compilation Album chart. 

In it's fifth week on the Australian Album Charts, the "Elvis By Request: The Australian Edition" CD has dropped from #33 to #42. 

The CD "The Real... Elvis" remains steay on the irish album charts at #33 in it's 40th week on the chart. 

Classic Inspirations

the Bothsides importlabel announced the release of the original 1980 K-Tel release on CD, a limited edition of 300 copies. 

From the press-release:
Back in the early 1980s the K-Tel label released some great Elvis compilation albums. All their releases were advertised on radio and TV, so the impact was huge. Most of the albums became gold or platinum award winning albums. With these great albums  many fans were first introduced to the wonderful music of Elvis Presley. 

The 1980 gospel album ‘Inspirations, is, perhaps, the most successful K-tel album that was released at the time. With it’s beautiful painted cover and excellent tracklist, this is one of the best Elvis gospel compilation albums ever released.
And now, 32 years after it’s release, it’s finally available on silver pressed CD, for all the fans who will treasure their first memory of Elvis’ music, and for those who, simply, want a great Elvis gospel album! The new Bothsides importlabel, presents the original album including 7 great bonus tracks. All bonus tracks (alternate takes) are edited, so now you can hear them for the first time without false starts, studio chat etc. Just the complete takes.
This great CD comes in a 4 page booklet with original sleeve notes. This is a fantastic CD for the cold and long winter nights or the upcoming Christmas season. This Is A Strictly Limited Edition Release Of Only 300 Copies!  

Tracklsiting:

1. Crying In The Chapel, 2. It Is No Secret (what God Can Do), 3. A Thing Called Love, 4. Bosom Of Abraham, 5. In My Father's House, 6. An Evening Prayer 7. Amazing Grace, 8. How Great Thou Art, 9. Lead Me, Guide Me, 10. The Impossible Dream, 11. There'll Be Peace In The Valley For Me, 12. I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs, 13. I Believe In The Man In The Sky, 14. Mansion Over The Hill Top, 15. Padre 16. Where Could I Go To But To The Lord, 17. He Is My Everything,18. Somebody Bigger Than You And I, 19. He Touched Me, 20. Known Only To Him, 21. Milky White Way (take 3), 22. Run On (take 2), 23. Stand By Me (take 7), 24. We Call On Him (take 8), 25. So High (take 1), 26. Without Him (take 8), 27. You’ll Never Walk Alone (take 1),

Lil Wayne Enjoys A Feat Previously Fit For Only A King

As he debuts as a guest (with 2 Chainz) on Juicy J's "Bandz a Make Her Dance," the Billboard Hot 100's top debut at No. 71, the rapper ties Elvis Presley for the most Hot 100 appearances - 108 - among men. The pair trails only the "Glee" cast's 204 visits for the most among all acts since the chart launched the week of Aug. 4, 1958. 
Among solo males, Lil Wayne and Presley rank above James Brown, who's third with 91 Hot 100 hits. Ray Charles places fourth with 74 entries, followed by Elton John (67). Elvis Presley's pre-1958 hits were not included in these totals.

New book by Ginger Alden
 
Ginger Alden, Elvis' girlfriend at the time of his death is currently in the process of writing her memoirs about her life and her short relationship with the King of Rock 'N' Roll. The book is expected next year. 

(Source: The King's World / Elvis Information network / Billboard / Elvis Australia / ElvisMatters)

September 20 - Roll Over!

The Straight Arrow importlabel announced the release of the CD "Wednesday Night Roll Over!" containing an audience recording of the the March 26, 1976 midnight show.

From the press release:
It’s All About Elvis! A week into his March-April engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton, Elvis continued to offer generally dynamic performances, filled with good humour and a sense of fun. A good deal of the set from the midnight show on March 26, 1975 incorporated songs from his sessions at RCA Hollywood from earlier that month, all of which would appear on the Elvis Today album. Three-quarters of his two most recent singles received an airing as well, with ‘Promised Land’ sounding frisky indeed. The often-lengthy, angry and too-revealing monologues from the previous summer in Las Vegas were now gone.
On this set is a superb-quality off-line recording of the entire show, and it’s a delight. There are commendable performances of 'I’ll Remember You’ (with a quick one-liner of Dionne Warwick’s 1967 hit ‘Alfie’ at the start), 'It's Midnight' (with a funny false start), 'Big Boss Man', ‘And I Love You So', 'Burning Love' and his current top-twenty RCA single, the dramatic 'My Boy.’ Elvis even throws in the seldomly performed ‘Until It’s Time For You To Go.’ Wednesday’s child might have been full of woe, but Wednesday night’s gig at the Hilton is full of go-go-go!

As fans have come to expect, this recording is of very good quality, sourced from an early generation copy of the original cassette. It was recorded by the same fan who taped shows used for our previous release, "Amore, Elvis". The digipak contains excellent liner notes and is filled with photos from the March-April 1975 engagement. As usual, these recordings have been carefully engineered to be presented in the best possible sound. If you have enjoyed "Amore, Elvis", you will love "wednessday Night Roll Over"! That’s a guarantee, baby! 

Tracklisting: 
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. And I Love You So - 07. Big Boss Man - 08. It's Midnight (with false start) - 09. Promised Land - 10. Fairytale (with false start) - 11. Introduction of vocalists, musicians - 12. What'd I Say (James Burton) - 13. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 14. Bass Solo (Duke Bardwell) - 15. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) - 16. Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) - 17. School Day - 18. My Boy - 19. I'll Remember You - 20. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 21. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 22. Until It's Time For You To Go - 23. Burning Love - 24. Steamroller Blues - 25. Can't Help Falling In Love - 26. Closing Vamp / Announcements. 

(Source: FECC)