July 09 - At The Printer

The first volume of the 'Strictly Elvis' photobook by author Erik Lorentzen en photographer Alverson is at the printer. The book contains around 1400 pictures from the years 1973 until 1975 and is due August 2017. A second volume is set for publication in 2018.

Charts

The 'Ultimate Gospel' compilation climbed from #30 to #22 on the Billboard Christian Album chart. 
The 'The Wonder Of You' album remained steady at #5 on the Billboard Classical Album chart. 
The 'Elvis – The Platinum Collection' dropped from #89 to #98 on the Official UK Album chart. 

(Source: EM / The King's World)

July 08 - The Elvis Exhibit Has Left The Westgate Hotel

A company that used space at the Westgate for an Elvis Presley exhibit must pay the Las Vegas resort more than $2.2 million for defaulting on a lease, the resort’s chief operating officer said this week.

A court-appointed arbitrator in California ruled that Joel Weinshanker’s company, Exhibit A Circle, a Delaware limited liability company, owed the resort for 28,000 square feet of exhibit space that held 350 historical artifacts, including The King’s first gold album and his high school yearbooks.

“We are disappointed that the Elvis legacy had to be dragged through this court case, but we’re very happy with the outcome,” Westgate COO Mark Waltrip told the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Friday. “Hopefully the Elvis fans will understand we’re doing everything we can to protect Elvis’ legacy, but there are some things we can’t control.” Weinshanker’s Las Vegas attorney, Ogonna Brown, could not be reached for comment.

The artifacts came into the Westgate’s possession after it signed an agreement in late 2014 to host “Graceland Presents Elvis: The Exhibition — The Show — The Experience.” The Westgate closed the exhibit within a year after Weinshanker threatened to default on the lease. But a lawsuit filed in early 2016 by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc., which is licensed by the Delaware LLC, over ownership of the artifacts is ongoing in Clark County District Court. That suit was put on hold while the arbitrator ruled on the rent money.

“It’s a significant step that an independent judge reviewed all the facts and came to the conclusion that Joel Weinshanker purposely defaulted on a lease and owes us money,” Waltrip said of this week’s ruling. “We want to get paid what is due to us, and we want to make sure that the Elvis artifacts are protected and given to the proper home.”

Other artifacts loaned to Exhibit A Circle for the Las Vegas display include Elvis’ 1957 Harley Davidson motorcycle, a 1962 Lincoln Continental, jewelry and the first outfit worn onstage for Elvis’ first concert at the International Hotel in 1969.

A dispute over ownership of Elvis Presley artifacts remains unresolved in the midst of a legal battle in Clark County District Court. But an arbitrator in California recently ruled that the company that defaulted on a lease for an exhibit at the Westgate resort must pay more than $2.2 million.

“At the end of the day, Elvis lived in our hotel for 10 years and is a major part of the Las Vegas landscape,” said Mark Waltrip, the Westgate’s chief operating officer.

New Elvis / RPO 2017 Christmas Album

Producer Don Reedman is currently working at Studio 2 in Abbey Road Studios, London – along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – recording new tracks for Elvis’ and Roy Orbinson’s Christmas releases. Just as Elvis himself did when recording seasonal tracks in the summertime, they had a Christmas tree and colourful lighting set up to help them get in the mood.

(Source: Las Vegas Review Journal / Essential Elvis)

July 07 - Elvis Presley 40. Todestag Special Edition

Released by the German Soulfood Music Distribution Gmbh is the DVD “Elvis Presley 40.Todestag Special Edition”.

(Source: Amazon)

July 06 - Follow That Release

The June / July Follow That Dream releases are out. A single CD of the 'Roustabout' soundtrack in the Classic Album series, 'Start Spreading The News - Elvis At Madison Square Garden' book and CD, a 2 LP Limited Edition of 'Too Much Monkey Business'.

On 'Roustabout':
We’ve had original soundtrack recordings by Elvis in the past and we needn’t dwell on their great success, but the new “Roustabout” album is undoubtedly on of the finest we’ve had! “It’s A Wonderful World” and “Big Love Big Heartache” are delivered smoothly to a smooth Latin-flavored accompaniment. Moist of the tunes however, are the hard-rocker variety, especially “Hard Knocks and “There’s A Brand New Day On The Horizon.” For a special gas, check out the lyrics on “Little Egypt” and “Poison Ivy League.” We’ve got great music, a great cover, the movie tie-in, advertising and promotion support.  53 years later, FTD is pleased to announce the long awaited “Classic Album” version of “Roustabout”. Reaching #1 on Billboard in February 1965, it would Elvis’ last chart topping album until “Aloha From Elvis Via Satellite” in 1973. Packaged in 7” format with a full color 16-page memorabilia booklet, it contains previously unreleased material and the recently discovered “I’m A Roustabout” track.    

On 'Start Spreading The News':
Details 'Start Spreading The News - Elvis At Madison Square Garden', book and CD. The Ultimate book about Elvis’ appearances in the Big Apple, June 1972. It comes with a CD of the concert on June 9, 1972.

On 'Too Much Monkey Business':
Based on the original 1981 “Guitar Man” album, FTD Vinyl’s new release contains all the tracks featured on the FTD CD release from 2000. The 2-LP features full overdub session data insert. Pressed on 180 Gram heavyweight vinyl, it’s availability is strictly limited as all previous releases.    

(Source: Follow That Dream)

July 04 - Japanese Elvis Collectors Seen In Kalamazoo

Expected soon from the E. P. Collector label is another release; "Breaking News - Elvis Seen In Kalamazoo, Michigan!"

From the press-release:
Our new CD is titled "Breaking News - Elvis Seen In Kalamazoo, Michigan!" (label E. P. Collector, catalogue number EPC 2017-12) recorded live from the audience in Kalamazoo, MI, April 26th, 1977.
Among the concert highlights are ”Big Boss Man“, „Heartbreak Hotel“, ”And I Love You So”, ”My Way” and “Early Morning Rain”.
This is a previously unreleased recording, taken from a 1st generation copy of an original audience recorded master cassette tape. Portions of the Kalamazoo concert were released from a soundboard tape previously, but this show has never been available on CD in its entirety before. You may ask your supplier for samples.

The CD is packaged in a nicely designed digipak filled with a concert review from the local press and a collection of images taken on April 26th, 1977 in Kalamazoo, MI. If you have enjoyed our May 1977 release called "Road To Nowhere" then you will surely enjoy our latest release, too.

Tracklist:
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Theme) - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. medley: I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. Fairytale (part only) - 06. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 07. You Gave Me A Mountain - 08. Jailhouse Rock - 09. medley: O Sole Mio (Sherrill Nielsen / It's Now Or Never - 10. Big Boss Man - 11. Heartbreak Hotel - 12. Blue Suede Shoes - 13. And I Love You So (with false start) - 14. My Way - 15. Band Introductions - 16. Early Mornin' Rain - 17. What'd I Say - 18. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 19. Bass Solo (Battle Of New Orleans - Jerry Scheff) - 20. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 21. Electric Piano Solo (Bobby Ogdin) - 22. School Day - 23. My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me (Kathy Westmoreland) - 24. Danny Boy (Sherrill Nielsen) - 25. Walk With Me (Sherrill Nielsen) - 26. Hound Dog - 27. Can't Help Falling In Love - 28. Closing Vamp & Announcements.

Everybody Let's Rock - From Japan With Love Vol. 3

Expected soon from the E. P. Collector label is the double CD "Everybody Let's Rock". 

From the press-release:
Recorded live from the audience in Las Vegas, NV, August 5th, 1972, D/S and M/S, this 2CD-set is subtitled "From Japan With Love Vol. 3" because it was recorded by a member of a Japanese fan club. 

The Las Vegas, August 5th, 1972 Dinner show was first released in 2008 on the CD "Directly From The 1972 Elvis Summer Festival". This earlier CD was taken from different, inferior source tape. Our new recording is of much better sound quality. The Las Vegas, August 5th, 1972 Midnight show is previously unreleased.

There is no need to discuss the fact that ALL shows from August/September 1972 are excellent! Natural highlights are especially ballads like "What Now My Love", ''An American Trilogy", "My Way" or "For The Good Times" and rock’n’rolls like „A Big Hunk O’Love” or "Johnny B. Goode" One song from Midnight show stands out: a cool, one-off of "Jailhouse Rock"! Needless to say that this is a rarity for 1972, and what a great version it is too - it easily beats all other 70's versions.

Both concerts are taken from a recently found first generation copies of original audience recorded cassette tapes. They were never before available in listenable sound, until now! You may ask your supplier for samples.

This CD is packaged in a nicely designed double digipak with great collection of quality images taken in August 1972. We are planning another CD taken from those "Japanese" tapes. So stay tuned! 

Tracks CD 1: 
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Theme) - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. Proud Mary - 04. Never Been To Spain - 05. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - 06. Polk Salad Annie - 07. What Now My Love - 08. Fever - 09. Love Me - 10. medley: Little Sister / Get Back - 11. A Big Hunk O'Love - 12. The Wonder Of You - 13. Hound Dog - 14. Blue Suede Shoes - 15. My Way - 16. Suspicious Minds - 17. Band Introductions - 18. Introduction of actor and comedian Dick Shawn - 19. An American Trilogy - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love - 21. Closing Vamp.

Tracks CD 2: 
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Theme) - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. Proud Mary - 04. Never Been To Spain - 05. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - 06. Polk Salad Annie - 07. What Now My Love - 08. Fever - 09. Carry Me Back To Old Virginia (one liner) / Love Me - 10. medley: Little Sister / Get Back - 11. Blue Suede Shoes - 12. The Wonder Of You - 13. Hound Dog - 14. Jailhouse Rock - 15. Heartbreak Hotel - 16. A Big Hunk O'Love (with false start) - 17. For The Good Times - 18. My Way - 19. Suspicious Minds - 20. Band Introductions - 21. Johnny B. Goode - 22. Band Introductions continues - 23. An American Trilogy - 24. Can't Help Falling In Love - 25. Closing Vamp. 

Presleyana VIII


Due later this year from Jerry Osborne is the book 'Presleyana VIII'. The book should currenbtly be in the finanl stages. 

(Source: FECC)

July 01 - Spliced Takes Nashville Revisited

Another volume in the 'Spliced Takes' series has been announced by the STAR / CMT import label entitled 'Spliced Takes Nashville Revisited'. They created more 'new' tracks with newly spliced takes. 

From the press-release:
Another "must have" release in this great series, this time even more edits / splices were done to make an exceptional album, where tracks sound so much different then what is out there, no fake overdubs, but some tracks have been overdubed, using snippets from the actual "recording sessions" 

Devil In Disguise for example does not fade out, but has a great new ending, including two guitar solos. 
Gold In The Mountains has been overdubbed with a more fuller drumbeat on some parts, and has been extended. 
Like A Baby "you do the intro" Elvis said during the session, but here, we have Elvis himself playing it, and on the end, the guitar has been included once more.
Dirty, Dirty Feeling sounds so much different since lots of parts from the session have been included, and it's Elvis who does the ending "Gone..." instead of Ray Walker.
Stranger In The Crowd , no complete outtake of this song excists, here we get an extended "rehearsal" version, which sound wonderful
It Ain't No Big Thing,  again our man does the intro, and a very different version is made.
I'll Never Know here outtakes are combined with the master overdubs.
On the first "Nashville" most tracks were from the sixties. Here we get a good portion of seventies selections, and well as a fifties track, all recorded in Nashville.

Tracks:
Devil in Disguise - Alternate Master - Please Don't Drag That String Around - Spliced take 3,4,5,5  - Gold in the Mountains - Spliced overdubbed master - Like A Baby - Alternate Master - Soldier Boy - Spliced take 2,7 - Thrill of Your Love - Spliced take fs,2,1,3,1 - I Got Stung - Spliced take 18,20 - She's Not You - Spliced take 3/WP 5 (overdub) - Put the Blame on Me - Spliced take fs,fs,fs,2  - Dirty, Dirty Feeling - Alternate Master - Kiss Me Quick - Spliced take 5,6 - Western Union - Spliced take 2,3,1,2 - His Latest Flame - Spliced take 10,12 - By and By - Spliced take 1,3,4 - Joshua Fit the Battle - Spliced take 3,2 - I Believe in the Man in the Sky - Spliced take 3,4,1 - Big Boss Man - Spliced take 5,9 - It Ain't No Big Thing - Spliced take 1,2,6 - Just Pretend - Spliced take 1,2 - Stranger in the Crowd - Spliced Rehearsal - Cindy Cindy 1,2,1,1 - Heart of Rome - Spliced take 3/ workpart 1 - I'll Never Know - Alternate "Overdubbed" Master - It Hurts Me - Spliced take 3,4,5 - I John - Spliced take 1,1,2 - Padre - Spliced take 8,11 (undubbed) - Amazing Grace - Spliced take 1,2 - In The Garden - Spliced Take 2,3 - Early Morning Rain - Alternate Master - Until It's Time For You To Go - Spliced take  7,8

Chart

• The 3CD Box 'Elvis – The Platinum Collection’ climbed from #96 to #89 on the Official UK Album chart. 
• The 6 DVD Box 'The Elvis Collection'  dropped from #9 to #19 on the UK Music DVD chart.  
• The DVD 'Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More' dropped from #13 to #30 on the Australian Music DVD chart. 
• The 'Ultimate Gospel' compilation climbed from #30 to #22 on the Billboard Christian Album chart. 
• the 'The Wonder Of You' album remained steady at #5 on the Billboard Classical Album chart. 

(Source: The Music of Elvis Presley / The King's World)

June 30 - A King In The Making

Due for (re)release from Chartwell Books on October 17, 2017 is the book 'A King In The Making' by Alfred Wertheimer and Peter Guralnick. The book is a hardcover with 224 pages. 

Synopsis:

Alfred Wertheimer was born in Germany in 1930, came to America and settled in Brooklyn as a young boy. He took an early interest in architecture and design, which led him to Cooper Union, from which he graduated in 1951. In the spring of 1956, a series of commercial assignments for RCA Records led to a shoot of a newly signed singer named Elvis Presley. Instantly impressed, Wertheimer devoted four months of his own time to intensely shadow the young star. The result would be the most intimate and candid look at the future legend ever recorded. 

Peter Guralnick is an award-winning biographer of Elvis Presley and author of Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love. A music critic, screenwriter, and historian of American popular music, he is also the author of Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke.

Elvis at Madison Square Garden

The upcoming Follow That Dream cooperation with the Norwegian Flaming Star fan-club ’Elvis at Madison Square Garden’ is back from the printers. The book covers the three concerts by Elvis Presley at Madison Square Garden New York from June 09 to June 11, 1972. The book comes with a CD of the June 9th. 8.30 pm show. 

Elvis - All American Boy

The Elvis One compilation of alternate takes ‚All American Boy’ is out. It contains tracks from the year 1953 until 1960. 

(Source: FECC / Amazon / Flaming Star / Elvis Aktuell)

June 29 - Rolling Stone Collector

Elvis Presley is featured on the cover of the UK Record Collector magazine featuring the theme 'how to collect records properly'.  

The August edition of the German Rolling Stone Magazine features Elvis Presley on the cover and a big article inside on the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. This magazine comes with a vinyl SUN single featuring the tracks 'Good Rockin’ Tonight' and 'Blue Moon'. 

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Record Collector Magazine / Rolling Stone Magazine)

June 28 - Love Me Tender

One of Elvis Presley's biggest hits is the latest song to be turned into a picture book, and part of an effort to introduce the King to a new generation. Dial Books for Young Readers told The Associated Press on Wednesday that a book based on "Love Me Tender" is coming out November 13, 2017. It will be illustrated by Stephanie Graegin and include an endnote by Presley's widow, Priscilla Presley. 

Dial Books is calling the new release "a heartwarming ode" to the parent-child bond. Presley died 40 years ago this summer, and representatives for his estate are planning a merchandise program for infants and toddlers. 

Elvis Presley - 40 Years On

Due for release from the SM originals label on August 11, 2017 is the sixty track  double CD 'Elvis Presley - 40 Years On'.

(Source: FECC / EM /  Amazon)

June 27 - Elvis Presley Manager Biopic The Colonel in Development

In September of this year, Marvel Comics begins to paint the close ties between music lovers and comic readers by publishing five comics under the name of Marvel Rock. A unique and limited collection, each giving tribute to a classic rock band or artist. One of the covers for Mighty Thor is based on the very first album, Elvis Presley, which released RCA in March '56.

Greatest Alternate Hits

Due for release on August 9, 2017 from the French VPI label is the vinyl double album '40th Anniversary  Best of Singles A & B' containing 32 hits in alternate versions. This release comes on 180 Gr. vinyl and is limited to 1000 copies. 

Vinyl No. 1 - Side A: I Got A Woman (Alternate Take) - Heartbreak Hotel (Take 5) - Shake, Rattle And Roll (Take 8) - I Want You, I Need You, I Love You (Take 15) - One Night Of Sin - Jailhouse Rock (Take 5) - King Creole (Take 18) - A Big Hunk O´ Love (Take 3)

Side B: A Fool Such As I (Take 8) - Stuck On You (Take 1) - I Feel So Bad (Take 1) - His Latest Flame (Take 2) - Can´t Help Falling In Love (Take 13) - Good Luck Charm (Take 1) - She´s Not You (Take 2) - One Broken Heart For Sale (Take 1)

Vinyl No. 2 - Side A: Blue Moon (Take  5) - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Take 12) - I Was The One (Take 7A) - I Beg Of You (Take 12) - That´s When Your Heartaches Begin (Take 6) - Loving You ( (Take 8 - Fast Version) - Treat Me Nice (Take 19 - Film Version) - Doncha´ Think It´s Time (Take 39)

Side B: I Need Your Love Tonight (Take 10) - Ain´t That Loving You Baby (Take 11) - I Got Stung (Take 16) - A Mess Of Blues (Take 1) - Fame And Fortune (Take 5) - Rock-A-Hula Baby (Take 3) - Little Sister (Take 3) - Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello (Take 1)

Elvis Presley Manager Biopic The Colonel in Development 

Spencer Proffer, Steve Binder, and Joe Berlinger are developing a feature film about Elvis Presley’s manger Colonel Tom Parker. Production is slated for early 2018. Parker, who died in 1997 at age 87, arrived in America as a 20-year old undocumented Dutch immigrant, and took great pains to hide his past. Before leaving Holland, he might have committed murder. 

The screenplay will be based on Alanna Nash’s book, “The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley,” published by Simon & Schuster and one of four Presley books she authored. The team will work from an outline developed by Nash and Berlinger, and Nash will co-write the screenplay. Parker became Presley’s manager in 1956 shortly before the singer broke out with the single “Heartbreak Hotel.” He remained the manager until Presley’s death in 1977.  

“I have wanted to work with Joe for years, given his unique filmmaker’s eye toward marrying music-anchored stories with dramatic storytelling,” said Proffer. “Given that I am a big fan of his Metallica and Paul Simon films, plus Joe’s award-winning crime documentaries, he became my first choice to direct this evergreen and important film. Parker’s story has such a dark edge, and this is precisely why Berlinger’s combo of crime and music documentaries lends the perfect tone for the film.” 

Binder’s credits include producing and directing the 1968 NBC special “Elvis.” “I look forward to working with Spencer, Joe, and Alanna on the making of this film. The Colonel’s ‘real’ story has never been told, and I promise it will have you on the edge of your seat. I was there and I knew the Colonel. 

Move over P.T. Barnum, the ride is about to begin!” Berlinger was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary for 2011’s “Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory” and has received seven Emmy nominations. His credits include “Brother’s Keeper,” “Metallica: Some King of Monster,” “Crude,” “Under African Skies,” and “Intent to Destroy.” “Throughout my career I have tackled unexpected and surprising stories, going beyond the easy headline to get to the truth of the real story,” Berlinger said. “And in ‘The Colonel,’ I see the same exciting opportunity.” Berlinger is currently in pre-production for the feature film “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” a Ted Bundy biopic starring Zac Efron. 

Elvis: Las Vegas April - May 1956

There is a new book out by Paul Berlard entitled 'Elvis: Las Vegas April - May 1956'. The book is a soft cover and has 235 pages. 

Synopsis:
On April 23, 1956. Elvis and his band - Scotty Moore, Bill Black and DJ. Fontana - began a two week engagement at the New Frontier Hotel in Los Vegas. Freddy Martin and his orchestra had been scheduled for a while, as was comedian Shecky Green. Elvis was a belated added attraction.

He was referred to as the "Atomic Powered Singer", since Nevada was where the first atomic bombs were developed. Elvis' manager probably thought the name would be catchy? What he had not figured on was how an older nightclub crowd react to Elvis.

It has been widely reported that Elvis bombed in Las Vegas, even that his contract was canceled after a week. That the middle-aged audience that could afford to visit Las Vegas at the time reacted coolly to Elvis is true enough, but his contract was never broken. Elvis dutifully soldiered on for the contracted two weeks, closing with his last performance on May 6, 1956.

It was Elvis' manager who bombed, proving early on that he had no clue about what made Elvis so popular. "Heartbreak Hotel" was a number one hit, his first album Elvis Presley was on its way to becoming a million seller. Still what escaped Parker was the reality that the single and the album were not bought by the people who come to see an orchestra playing tunes from the Broadway show 'Oklahoma' or a comedian's shlick.

(Source: Variety / UEPS / Elvis Express / EM)