Due for release from Gerald Duckworth & Co Ltd. on July 17, 2014 is the 336 page book "Elvis Has Left The Building: The Day The King Died" by Dylan Jones
From the publisher:
"The King departed this world during the month of punk rocks apotheosis. Punk had set out to destroy Elvis, or at least everything he came to represent, but never got the chance. Elvis destroyed himself before anyone else could.
Nearly forty years after his death, rocks ultimate legend and prototype just wont go away and his influence and legacy are to be found not just in music today, but the world over. Elvis Presley has permeated the modern world in ways that are bizarre and inexplicable: a pop icon while he was alive, he has become almost a religious icon in death, a modern-day martyr crucified on the wheel of drugs, celebrity culture, junk food and sex.
In Elvis Has Left the Building, Dylan Jones takes us back to those heady days around the time of his death and the rise of punk. He evokes the hysteria and devotion of The Kings numerous disciples and imitators, offering a uniquely insightful commentary on Elviss life, times and outrageous demise. This is a fresh account, written with the authors customary panache, recounting how Elvis single-handedly changed the course of popular music and culture, and what his death meant and still means to us today."
Charts
The album "The Nation's Favourite Elvis Songs" drops from #98 to #146 on this week's Official Top 200 UK Album Chart.
Elvis Presley had no entries on the US Billboard Charts for the week ending March 8, 2014.
Praise To The King
The SR Records import release "Praise To The King", containing an audience recording of the August 23, 1971 Midnight Show was released. The first 100 CDs came with an bonus card. As usually from this label, this CD comes in a deluxe digipack, containing a collection of live photographs from the season and informative newspaper clips.
From the press-release:
"Praise to the King" featuring the unreleased show from Las Vegas August 23, 1971 Midnight Show. After a long research finally we located a good tape that gives us the possibility to produce another show from Elvis fifth season.
As everybody knows SR concentrates its work on early 70's live period of Elvis' activity, trying to produce always unreleased shows with Elvis at the top of his possibilities. In this our new release, we are proud to present the complete show from August 23th midnight performance of the fifth Elvis’ historical Vegas season.
The midnight show from August 23th, as presented on this CD, no surprises in the tracklist, but the show is extremely solid and good, Elvis sings all the best from the previous seasons including is new single I’m leaving. The sound is good and powerful you can hear clear all the instruments in particular the incredible job on the drums made from Ronnie Tutt. Elvis' performance on these early season nights is superb as he is still performing to the best of his ability. Although he delivers short shows they are delivered in a very intense, crisp and fresh manner that cannot be denied. Elvis was on stage to have fun and demonstrated this during the older, classic numbers, but songs such as 'Proud Mary, Polk Salad Annie' and 'Sweet Caroline' never sounded better. As Bonus we add the best of the Afternoon show in the way to give you a full day and a full 80 minutes of cd. Talking of best song the version of Proud Mary delivered from Elvis and the band is incredible surely the highest moment of the night.
This recording come from an early generation copy of the master tape, the sound quality is good considering the early season. We have on our hands the original mono tape of extremely good quality enabling us to carry out simple re-mastering work, concentrating on the reduction of noise overall at the high frequencies, trying to achieve a more clear sound and of Elvis, keeping a rough mix with some hissing on the high frequencies, but with a great definition to the background music, incredible clear in spite the limitation of an audience recording..
(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Brian Quinn / FECC / Elvis On CD)
Coming out soon is the new Straight Arrow's double feature CD release entitled "Sin City's Hottest Ticket", featuring the August 23, 1973 Dinner and Midnight performances. Both shows are taken from original „booth recordings“, taped by the same person who recorded previous Straight Arrow’s release, "Endless Summer Festivall".
From the press-release:
The sound quality is far superior to the usual audience recordings. Ask your local dealer for samples! Following the great success of the ‘Aloha’ special, Elvis was more in demand than ever, and he was truly the hottest ticket in town. Las Vegas hotels at the time routinely booked their shows 20% over room capacity, because they knew that normally many of those who ordered tickets would not turn up for the shows. In Elvis’ case this caused problems, because virtually everybody who ordered tickets did show up!
In private, Elvis was fighting his personal demons at the time, including a severe Demerol addiction, but on stage he was delivering the goods. Perhaps his delivery was not quite as tight as at earlier Vegas engagements, but he was in good voice and genuinly seemed to enjoy the interaction with the fans. The shows presented here are two solid, engaging performances with plenty of highlights, including a gorgeous ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ and a rare-for-this-engagement one to last performance of ‘Something’.
It should be noted that neither of these superb-quality, off-line concert recordings have been previously issued. The August 23, 1973 Dinner show is completely new, even to die-hard Elvis fans. This concert was never in circulation, in any form.
Tracks: CD1 - Thursday, August 23, 1973 Dinner Show
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. You Gave Me A Mountain - 06. Blue Suede Shoes - 07. Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Your Mama Don't Dance / Flip Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog - 08. Love Me Tender (with false start) - 09. Fever - 10. How Great Thou Art - 11. Suspicious Minds - 12. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 13. My Boy - 14. Release Me - 15. Something - 16. An American Trilogy - 17. A Big Hunk O'Love - 18. Can't Help Falling In Love - 19. Closing Vamp / Announcements.
Tracks: CD2 - Thursday, August 23, 1973 Midnight Show
01. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 02. I Got A Woman / Amen - 03. Love Me - 04. Steamroller Blues - 05. You Gave Me A Mountain - 06. Blue Suede Shoes - 07. Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Your Mama Don't Dance / Flip Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog - 08. Love Me Tender - 09. Fever - 10. What Now My Love - 11. Suspicious Minds - 12. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 13. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (with false start) - 14. An American Trilogy - 15. Release Me - 16. Mystery Train / Tiger Man - 17. Can't Help Falling In Love - 18. Closing Vamp.
Collecting Elvis
Volume 57 in the German "Elvis Sammlung" series will be released March 5, 2014 by De'Agostini and EPE. This volume contains a magazine, memorabilia reproductions, a christmas card and a mini fan-poster.
TouchDown Mix-up
According to a posting on the FECC forum there was a mix-up in the production of the latest Touchdown Productions importrelease of "Back On Track In Vegas" and "At Dinner In Vegas". Both CDs have been produced with the labels mixed up. The '72 show is on the '74 disc and vice versa. Apparently the label is aware of the mixup and are producing the correct discs and will be sent out to replace the wrongly printed ones.
Octagon Shaped Vinyl
The Octagon shaped vinyl release containing the SUN singles by Elvis Presley was postponed util end March by the UK based Art Of Music Records label.
Tracks:
1. That’s Alright 2. Blue Moon Of Kentucky 3. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine 4. Good Rockin’ Tonight 5. Milkcow Blues 6. You’re A Heartbreaker 7. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone 8. Baby Let’s Play House 9. Mystery Train 10. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
(Source: FECC / Elvis Sammlung)
The three LP box "3 Classic Albums" was released by the UK based Art Of Music Records"and the German based H’Art labels. The box contains the classic albums "Elvis Presley", "Elvis" and "King Creole" packed in a box featuring Elvis Presley in his Ford Thunderbird on the set of his first movie "Love Me Tender".
(Source: Amazon / The King's World)
A new vinyl album is on its way, a re-production of the collectable South African release "Elvis And Janis".
From the press-release:
This 10” album was inspired by the now legendary 1957 “Elvis And Janis” South African album, “Janis And Elvis - The RCA Victor Singles 1956-1958” features 12 original RCA Victor recordings from Janis Martin aka “The Female Elvis” and Elvis Presley (3 x Janis Martin 45s A&B sides and 3 x Elvis Presley 45s A&B sides). The short two year window from 1956 to 1958 was extremely significant to both artists, both kick started their RCA recording careers in 1956 and by 1958 both artists were forced to take a break from the recording studios, in Elvis’ case he was drafted into the Army and regrettably for Janis her contract was ended by RCA. The similarities didn’t end there either both artists resumed their recording careers in 1960, with Elvis famously returning to the studio and Janis recording two 45s for the Belgian record label, Palette. The 45s featured in this collection are raw slices of prime Rock n Roll cooked to perfection by RCAs fine production teams… meaty goodies indeed, served up on a sizzling 10” platter!
• Limited Edition only 500 pressed
• Deluxe 10” vinyl collector’s edition
• Original 45 rpm label shots
• Liner notes
• Includes “My Boy Elvis” by Janis Martin
• Contains 12 original RCA VICTOR recordings by Janis Martin and Elvis Presley
Side 1; 1] Money Honey (RCA VICTOR A Side 47-6641) 1956 Elvis Presley, 2] Will You, Willyum (RCA VICTOR B Side 57-6491) 1956 Janis Martin, 3] One-Sided Love Affair (RCA VICTOR B Side 47-6641) 1956 Elvis Presley, 4] Little Bit (RCA VICTOR B Side 47-6652) 1956 Janis Martin, 5] One Night (RCA VICTOR A Side 47-7410) 1958 Elvis Presley, 6] Drugstore Rock And Roll (RCA VICTOR A Side 57-6491) 1956 Janis Martin.
Side 2; 1] My Boy Elvis (RCA VICTOR A Side 47-6652) 1956 Janis Martin, 2] I Got Stung (RCA VICTOR B Side 47-7410) 1958 Elvis Presley, 3] Good Love (RCA VICTOR B Side 47-7184) 1958 Janis Martin, 4] Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (RCA VICTOR A Side 47-7240) 1958 Elvis Presley, 5] Cracker Jack (RCA VICTOR A Side 47-7184) 1958 Janis Martin, 6] Doncha' Think It's Time (RCA VICTOR B Side 47-7240) 1958 Elvis Presley
(Source: ElvisMatters)
Elvis Presley's Graceland Celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll with New Exhibit Titled "60 Years of Elvis".
From the EPE site:
On July 5, 1954, a delivery truck driver named Elvis Presley walked into Sun Studio in Memphis and recorded “That’s All Right” with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips played the song on July 8 on WHBQ radio and the switchboard lit up. Rock ‘n’ roll was born and the music world changed forever.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Elvis' first recordings at Sun Studio, Elvis Presley’s Graceland is planning a variety of activities, starting with a new exhibit at Graceland entitled “60 Years of Elvis.” The new “60 Years of Elvis” exhibit will be open from now until February of 2015.
This exciting, new exhibit is now open as part of the VIP tour experience. Guests will explore the birth of rock ‘n’ roll music in July of 1954 and journey through the transformation of the would-be King of Rock ‘n’ Roll from delivery truck driver to world-wide singing sensation and star of the silver screen.
Rare artifacts displayed in the new “60 Years of Elvis” exhibit include: Elvis’ personal “That’s All Right” 45 rpm record; a pay stub from his early days as a driver for Crown Electric; telegrams home to his parents during his first few days on tour; an original script from “Jailhouse Rock”; his 1955 RCA Records contract; Elvis’ last GRAMMY® Award for his Gospel hit “How Great Thou Art,” along with the jumpsuit he wore on stage that night; Elvis’ wardrobe from “Viva Las Vegas”; and the award presented to Graceland and the Presley family upon Elvis’ induction into the inaugural class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Return To Sender?
Elvis Presley postage stamp to be reissued along with James Brown, Jim Morrison, Sam Cooke & many more. Sometimes, when things leak out from the U.S. government, the news isn't good. In the case of the recent leak of future postage stamps, the result is a celebration of the music icons who will be saluted in the coming years.
The Washington Post linked to a document that they received that includes the current plans from the "Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee." On that list are numerous upcoming commemorative stamps saluting music icons from pop, rock, R&B and country.
There is a bit of confusion over the status of an upcoming Elvis Presley release. According to the article in the Post, the post office will be reissuing the Presley stamp from 1993 which is the best selling stamp in the country's history; however, the leaked list shows it as a new issue and not in the reprint column. We'll have to wait until next year to see whether we get 50's Elvis, 70's Elvis or something in-between.
(Source: EPE / ElvisMatters)
The classic "Elvis' Gold Records Vol.2" album will be re-issued on vinyl once more. This edition is due on April 15, 2014 from the MIS label.
(Source: Amazon)
The Original Recordings Group re-issued the classic “Elvis’ Golden Records, Vol. 3” on 180 gram vinyl, in a limited edition of 2500 copies.
Charts
Elvis Presley had no entries on the US Billboard Charts for the week ending March 1, 2014.
(Amazon / Brian Quinn / FECC)
Authentic Brands Group, which controls licensing and merchandising rights for Elvis Presley, on Tuesday announced a new prepaid debit card featuring the King of Rock and Roll. New York-based Authentic Brands is partnering with debit card provider Card.com to offer branded Visa debit cards that feature photos of Elvis. Note however that these 12 new cards are available in the US for US citizens only.
(Source: ElvisMatters)
Due from the MKR importlabel is the vinyl / CD set "Hometown Memphis". The set contains live performances, recorded in Elvis Presley's hometown Memphis from 1974 and 1976 on six LP's and four CDs. It is limited to 500 individualy numbered copies.
Collecting Elvis
Volume 56 in the German "Elvis Sammlung" was released by De'Agostini. This edition contains the usual magazine, memorabilia reproductions and a mini-poster from the movie "Blue Hawaii".
Elvis - The King Remembered
Released today is the DVD "Elvis - The King Remembered".
(Source: Music Of Elvis Presley / Elvis Sammlung)
The DVD “Elvis Presley - The King 30 Succes” will be released by DMS on February 24, 2014. The disc has a running time of 60 minutes. More information when available.
(Source: Elvis Club Berlin)
