June 11 - Weekend Charts

The CD "If I Can Dream" re-entered the Belgian UltraPop Album charts at #193. 
The CD "If I Can Dream" climbed from #72 to #65 on the Official UK Physical Sales Album chart. 
The CD "If I Can Dream" climbed from #88 to #55 on the Official UK Sales Album chart. 

(Source: FECC)

June 10 - Way Down in the Jungle Room

The Elvis Presley Fan Club of India mentioned on Facebook the release of “Way Down in the Jungle Room” by Sony Legacy this August. This will be a 2 CD set featuring the masters and alternate takes of the songs from the last recording session. The album is also available for streaming on the iHeart.com website which lists the tracks below. 

CD 1: 01. Way Down 02. She Thinks I Still Care 03. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall 04. Pledging My Love 05. For The Heart 06. Love Coming Down 07. He'll Have To Go 08. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain 09. Hurt 10. Never Again 11. Danny Boy 12. Solitaire 13. Moody Blue 14. It's Easy For You 15. I'll Never Fall In Love Again 16. The Last Farewell

CD 2: 01. Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall (Take 1) 02. She Thinks I Still Care (Take 10) 03. The Last Farewell (Take 2) 04. Solitaire (Take 7) 05. I'll Never Fall In Love Again (Take 5) 06. Moody Blue (Take 1) 07. For The Heart (Take 1) 08. Hurt (Take 3) 09. Danny Boy (Take 9) 10. Never Again (Take 9) 11. Love Coming Down (Take 3) 12. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (Take 4) 13. She Thinks I Still Care (Take 2) 14. It's Easy For You (Take 1) 15. Way Down (Take 2) 16. Pledging My Love (Take 3) 17. For The Heart (Take 4)

(Source: FECC / Elvis Fan Club of India / iHeart)

June 09 - Country Vinyl

This is the cover-art for the new LP "23 Country Hits" which is due August 2016 from the Vinyl Passion label. The album contains songs from the European Public domain year.

Tracks: 1. Baby Let's Play House 2. I Forgot To Remember To Forget 3. Mystery Train 4. Heartbreak Hotel 5. I Was The One 6. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You 7. My Baby Left Me 8. Hound Dog 9. Don't Be Cruel 10. Love Me Tender 11. Love Me 12. Too Much 13. Playing For Keeps 14. All Shook Up 15. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 16. Mean Woman Blues 17. Loving You 18. Jailhouse Rock 19. Treat Me Nice 20. Don't 21. I Beg Of You 22. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck 23. Hard Headed Woman

(Source: The King's World)

June 08 -Signature Vinyl

The French collector's label "Signature Collection" will release 10 different themed vinyl extended plays as limited vinyl editions of 500 copies. The vinyl comes with an additional CD. The first title has been released "Elvis Presley - Rock & Roll". 

Tracks Rock & Roll: Shake Rattle & Roll / I Need Your Love Tonight / Such A Night / I'm Coming Home.

Other titles are: The Signature Collection 2 – Classique, The Signature Collection 3 – Films,  The Signature Collection 4 – Live, The Signature Collection 5 – Ballades, The Signature Collection 6 – Blues, The Signature Collection 7 – Gospel, The Signature Collection 8 – Sun, The Signature Collection 9 – Country and finally in December 2016 The Signature Collection 10 – Noel.

(Source: UEPS) 

June 07 - Being Elvis

Due for release from Liverlight on December 6, 2016 is the book "Being Elvis" by Autor Ray. 

From the publisher:
"What was it like to be Elvis Presley? What did it feel like when impossible fame made him its prisoner?

As the world's first rock star there was no one to tell him what to expect, no one with whom he could share the burden of being himself - of being Elvis. On the outside he was all charm, sex appeal, outrageously confident on stage and stunningly gifted in the recording studio.

To his fans he seemed to have it all. He was Elvis. With his voice and style influencing succeeding generations of musicians, he should have been free to sing any song he liked, to star in any film he was offered, and to tour in any country he chose. But he wasn't free. The circumstances of his poor beginnings in the American South, which, as he blended gospel music with black rhythm and blues and white country songs, helped him create rock and roll, had left him with a lifelong vulnerability.

Made rich and famous beyond his wildest imaginings when he mortgaged his talent to the machinations of his manager, 'Colonel' Tom Parker, there would be an inevitable price to pay. Though he daydreamed of becoming a serious film actor, instead he grew to despise his own movies and many of the songs he had to sing in them. He could have rebelled.

But he didn't. Why? In the Seventies, as the hits rolled in again, and millions of fans saw him in a second career as he sang his way across America, he talked of wanting to tour the world. But he never did. What was stopping him? "Being Elvis" takes a clear-eyed look at the most-loved entertainer ever, and finds an unusual boy with a dazzling talent who grew up to change popular culture; a man who sold a billion records and had more hits than any other singer, but who became trapped by his own frailties in the loneliness of fame."

US Charts

The "If I Can Dream" CD dropped from #4 to #6 on the Billboard Classical Albums chart for the week ending June 18,2016. 

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / FECC)

Advertisement: Elvis On Television

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary Year of Elvis' first appearance on national television, this limited edition 400-page hard cover book (with slipcase), is a comprehensive illustration of Elvis Presley's early television appearances. 

From his first national introduction on the Dorsey Brothers 'Stage Show' in January 1956, through his appearances on other TV shows hosted by famous celebrities such as Milton Berle, Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan (including the infamous 'from the waist up' show in January 1957), this book goes well behind the scenes of each show documenting his arrival, the rehearsals and the shows themselves, all the way through to Elvis' post-army appearance on 'The Frank Sinatra-Timex Show' in May 1960. It was to be his last television appearance for eight years. 

Supported by a fully comprehensive text, collected here are scores of historical documents, memorabilia and hundreds of rare photographs - many of which have never before been published. This book will captivate the reader throughout, and is the most detailed document on the history of 'Elvis on Television' from 1956-60.

June 06 - French Vinyl

Released by the French Socadisc Distribution label are six vinyl titles. some released earloier by the Dutch Vinyl Pasion label. The albums are "Number One Hits", "Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires: Gospel Time", "Blue Hawaii", "Elvis Rocks On", "Elvis In Love" and "Elvis Sings Songs From His Movies". The first three are single albums, the last three are double albums. 

(Source: Amazon)

June 04 - Inside Graceland

Volume 6 of the "Elvis: The Official Collector's Edition" magazine, entitled "Inside Graceland", has been released. V

Description:
Elvis Presley, the only official magazine dedicated to The King of Rock & Roll, is proud to announce Inside Graceland, the next in a series of exclusive looks at the life of American music’s most iconic personality. In this one-of-a-kind, glossy special issue, Priscilla Presley, the person who knew Elvis best, guides you on a photographic tour of the place he called home: Graceland. Come inside the famous, music-note-adorned gates and enjoy an exclusive look at the most famous estate in the world, from the "jungle room" to the stables to the items left all over the house just as Elvis had them. This unique opportunity for Elvis fans and collectors should not be missed. 

(Source: FECC / On Newsstands Now)

June 03 - Hilton Showroom Volume 4

AudiRec proudly presents "Elvis - Hilton Showroom Volume 4". It includes an audience recording of the complete and so far unreleased performance from March 31, 1975 (Dinner Show) at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. The sound on this new CD is probably the best from all volumes of the series so far according to the press-release.

From the AudioRec label: 
So here we go with a really interesting show in really good sound. From the reports we have on hand (mainly from our personal archives of original “Elvis News Service Weekly” magazines) it shows that Elvis seemed a bit uncomfortable with the audience on this Monday evening. One fan from the US even commented “Elvis came out rarin' to go and was hit right at the beginning by the coldest, deadest audience we have ever seen in Vegas”. Well, since you now have the complete performance on CD just judge yourself! Fans of our series know what to expect, not only from listening but also from reading in the usual high quality booklet that is included with first-hand information from what was going on at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas in March of 1975.

Please be aware that this new release is limited to 300 copies only! Be sure to get your copy if you are interested. Once you have it in your hands, we hope your spare time will allow you to sit back, put your headphones on, flip through the accompanied 16-page booklet and listen to the show from March 31, 1975. It´s Las Vegas! It´s the Hilton Hotel Showroom! It´s ELVIS! Enjoy!

Tracks 31.03.1975 Dinner Show:
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra 02. C .C. Rider 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) 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 09. Burning Love 10. Band Introductions 11. What'd I Say (James Burton) 12. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) 13. Bass Solo (Duke Bardwell) 14. Piano Solo (Glen D. Hardin) 15. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) 16. School Day 17. My Boy 18. I'll Remember You 19. Let Me Be There 20. My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me (Kathy Westmoreland) 21. Hound Dog 22. Can't Help Falling In Love 23. Closing Vamp.

Muhammad Ali Died

Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer who proclaimed himself "The Greatest" and was among the most famous and beloved athletes on the planet, died Friday in Arizona, a family spokesman said.

Ali had been at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center in Scottsdale since Thursday with what spokesman Bob Gunnell had described as a respiratory issue.

"After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," Gunnell said in a statement. "The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support and asks for privacy at this time."

Elvis and Mohammad Ali shared mutual respect. February 14, Elvis presents Muhammad Ali, training for his February 14 title defence against Joe Bugner, with a robe emblazoned 'The People's Choice'. Ali thanked Elvis for the robe and went directly to the Las Vegas Convention Center to beat Joe Bugner. Ali did not wear the new robe for the fight, but on March 31, 1974, Ali entered the ring at the Sports Arena in San Diego California, proudly wearing the new robe before fighting Ken Norton. The television commentator for the fight said 'That robe was given by Elvis Presley at his last fight in Las Vegas. It cost around $3000.00 and it's Ali's pride and joy.

In the words of Muhammad Ali: "People don't realize what they had till it's gone. Like President Kennedy, there was no one like him, the Beatles, and my man Elvis Presley. I was the Elvis of boxing".

(Source: e-mail)

June 02 - Yellow Vinyl Auction

The Rockwell Record title "Didja' Ever - 1960" has been re-released once more. This time as a limited edition 150 numbered copies on yellow vinyl. The album features classic Elvis recordings from 1960.

Tracks side A: Tonight Is So Right For Love / G.I. Blues / Didja' Ever / Doin' The Best I Can / Shoppin' Around / What's She Really Like
Side B: Wooden Heart / Blue Suede Shoes / Big Boots / Frankfort Special / Pocketful Of Rainbows / Tonight's All Right For Love


Elvis' White Piano For Sale

Elvis Presley's beloved white Knabe Grand Piano and bench as featured in his music room at Graceland from 1957 to 1969. 

Here we are present an elegant musical instrument, with wonderful provenance back to the 1930s, which was an emotionally-charged prized possession of the King himself: a Wm. Knabe & Co. grand piano, serial number 70545, refinished in white with gold trim per Elvis' personal specifications and under his direct supervision in 1957. It is sold with the original white vinyl-cushioned bench on gold-colored metal legs as selected by Elvis to accompany the piano to his new home at Graceland. Included with this lot are letters of authenticity from Ron Blackwood, George Klein, Ted Sturges and C. B. Colthard, each attesting to a portion of the intriguing background of this fascinating piece of musical history.

On June 25 it will be offered at an auction by Heritage Auctions, and it is expected that it will raise more than $ 600,000. Last year, after all, the 'gold-plated' piano was sold in November for more than 600,000 dollars. The starting bid for which the piano is offered is put at $ 300,000.

(Source: Elvis Telegraph / Heritage Auctions)