June 18 - Wanna Be King

Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann has been tapped to direct the flick, and Toy Story 4 star Tom Hanks will play the Heartbreak Hotel hitmaker’s longtime manager Colonel Tom Parker in the movie. Further details for the film have yet to be announced.

Appearing on Australian morning talk show Studio 10 on Tuesday, 37-year-old Adam Lambert threw his name into the hat, and confirmed he’s interested in the role following the success of recent musical biopics "Rocketman" and "Bohemian Rhapsody", based on the lives of Elton John and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury respectively.

“I hear that there’s an Elvis one in the works,” Adam said at the prospect of playing the King of Rock and Roll. “I have been compared to him quite a bit. I got to do this tribute thing that has a recreation of his comeback special.”

“I got the lip, the lip goes up,” he said, going on to imitate Elvis’ thick southern accent. The "Whataya Want From Me" hitmaker then turned to the camera and smiled: “Audition me, come on.”

(Source: World Entertainment News Network)

June 17 - Live 1969 Box Set

Here is the complete “Elvis Presley - Live 1969” 11 CD box set which is due from Sony Legacy August 9, 2019. The 11 CDs come housed in 2 separate media carriers (one holding 6 discs, the other holding 5 discs) and a 52-page  smyth-sewn book, all contained in a double-walled board  slipcase.

Description “Live 1969”:
Limited 11CD box set with 52 page book full of rare photos and memorabilia! One show entirely unreleased! Complete Newly Mixed and Mastered Shows! Celebrate the 50th Anniversary Of Elvis' Triumphant Return To The Stage. 

"I missed the closeness of a live audience. So just as soon as I got out of the movie contracts, I started to do live performances again. " Elvis Presley First chronicled in part on the album "Elvis In Person At The International Hotel" 50 years ago, "Live 1969" showcases this incredibly, important phase in Elvis' career in definitive detail his first live shows following his triumphant, 1968 comeback for NBC after an 8 year absence from playing live.

This box set features 11 complete sets from the first of his many engagements at The International Hotel (several of which are released in full for the first time, with one show entirely unreleased), allowing fans a more definitive picture of The King's glorious return to the concert stage. 

52-page book includes rare photos, memorabilia and an oral history by Ken Sharp curated from historic interviews with Elvis, Colonel Tom Park, Tom Jones, Jerry Schilling, James Burton, Cissy Houston, Terry Blackwood, George Klein, Fats Domino and more.

Description “Live at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV August 26, 1969” 2 LP:

"I was missing the contact with a live audience," Elvis says in this show, and at every show during his first engagement at The International Hotel in Las Vegas. Apart from two shows in 1961 and the recent TV show, Elvis hadn’t performed on stage for 11 years. After years of increasingly worse movies and diminishing record sales, Elvis had just managed to turn his career around with his 1968 TV special. The show had aired on December 3, 1968, and it was a surprising reminder to the world of just how magnetic a performer Elvis Presley still was. 

Just weeks later Elvis recorded more than 30 songs in Memphis, some of the best work of his career, and the return to live performances on July 31, 1969 was the third step of his resurrection as an artist. The entire four-week engagement was sold out, and fans and critics were ecstatic. The New York Times wrote "...Elvis Presley came to this place and provided an unbelievable exercise in pure, exciting rock 'n' roll." There was a wild, almost manic, energy to the performances, displaying a burning desire from Elvis and his band to show the full potential of their abilities. 

This show demonstrates all the charm and charisma of Elvis and his great, new band, combining repertoire of mainly blues-tinged rock 'n' roll, with a few beautiful ballads and his two, new, hit singles, "In The Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds." Recorded at the 2,000-seater showroom of the International, the intimate setting also gave Elvis the opportunity to talk to his audience, cracking jokes and telling a 10 minute story of his career, giving a rare insight to an otherwise very private man.

(Source: Amazon / UEPS)

June 16 - From Elvis In Memphis Book

It's been a long time coming, but finally, Elvis is to be featured as part of Bloomsbury's highly successful 33 1/3 book series of insightful examinations of classic albums. There have been more than 130 books (so far) in the series including such classic albums as "Low" (David Bowie), "Electric Ladyland" (Jimi Hendrix), "Let It Be" (The Beatles), "Exile on Main Street" (The Rolling Stones), "Pet Sounds" (The Beach Boys), and "Dusty in Memphis" (Dusty Springfield).

Penning the upcoming release of "From Elvis in Memphis" is Eric Wolfson. The author said: "Despite Elvis's towering influence on rock and roll as well as the fact that well over 130 "33 1/3" titles have been released, this will be the first volume about an Elvis album. I am very excited and honored to be able to write this and have been hard at work researching and writing about what I consider to be Elvis's studio masterpiece". The book "From Elvis in Memphis" is due for release in the second quarter of 2020. 

(Source: Elvis Information Network / Eric Wolfson)

June 14 - FTD Volume 2 (Updated 18/06)

Due for release from the new MTP import label is their second release; “6363 Sunset - Volume 2” containing outtakes and rehearsals recorded at RCA's Hollywood from 1972, 1974 and 1975. 

From the press-release:
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - we all remember the "good old days" when FTD released their first releases like "The Jungle Room Sessions", "Fame and Fortune" and "Out in Hollywood". Those CDs were in our players for weeks, due to all the unreleased stuff, great sound quality and last but not least the fact there were a lot of complete outtakes never heard before. After a while, although the releases were still fantastic, we got more and more CDs with lots of outtakes from the same songs, great for collecting, but listening pleasure was a bit less fun... 

The second release from MTP records is out now and will be another fan favorite! Included are some very hard to find outtakes and rehearsals recorded at RCA's Hollywood, California studios. This time, not only do we get tracks from '72 and '75 since there are also some essential tracks from the August 16, 1974 rehearsal, where Elvis made a completely new line up for his upcoming engagement. Also included are some rare string overdubbed versions from the May 8, 1972 session. This new release is as good as the first and is "Meant to be Played"

Tracklist: Separate Ways (Take 4,13 - Spliced With Take 21) - Where Do I Go From Here (Take 2) - Burning Love (Rehearsal #2 - 31.03.1972) - For the Good Times (Take 4 - 30.03.1972) - Proud Mary (Rehearsal #2 - 31.03.1972) - Never Been To Spain (Rehearsal #2 - 31.03.1972) - It's A Matter of Time (Brass & Strings Overdubs - 08.05.1972) - Fool (Brass & Strings Overdubs - 08.05.1972) - If You Love Me Let Me Know (#3 - 16.08.1974) - Faded Love (16.08.1974) - Just Pretend (16.08.1974) - Twelfth of Never (16.08.1974) - Softly, As I Leave You (#2 - 16.08.1974) - Fairytale (Take 2) - I Can Help (Take 1, 2) - Susan When She Tried (Take 3) - Tiger Man (Take 1 - Jam) - Pieces Of My Life (Take 1) - Woman Without Love (Take 1 - Undubbed Master) - Always On My Mind (Brass & Strings Overdubs - 08.05.1972).

Blue Vinyl

Released by the WaxTime label is a blue vinyl re-issue of the classic "Blue Hawaii" soundtrack album. 

Tracks: 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

Chart Update

The weekly Elvis Presley chart updates from around the world. Elvis makes a strong comeback on the US Billboard charts, so much he re-entered the Artist Top 100 chart. 

US Billboard charts:

• US Billboard Top Country Albums: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry at #40.
• US Billboard Country Album Sales: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special” climbed from #31 to #26.
• US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” re-entry at #18.
• US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart: “Heart and Soul” re-entry at #21.
• US Billboard Country Catalog Album chart: “The Essential Elvis Presley” re-entry at #24.
• US billboard Top Christian Albums: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” dropped from #23 to #25.
• US Billboard Christian Album Sales: “Where No One Stands Alone” climbed from #40 to #39.
• US Billboard Soundtrack Album Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special” re-entry at #21.
• US Billboard Artist Top 100 chart: Elvis Presley re-entry at #92.

Official UK charts:

• Official UK Streaming Album chart: “The 50 Greatest hits” dropped from #89 to #90. 
• Official UK Christian and Gospel Album chart: "Where No One Stands Alone" climbed from #19 to #9.
• Official UK Music DVD chart: "Elvis The Searcher" dropped from #3 to #4.
• Official UK Music DVD chart: "Elvis Lives - Live from Memphis" dropped off the chart from last week's #43 spot.

Official Scottish charts:

• Official Scottish Album chart: “Elvis at the Movies - 60 Essential Recordings” dropped from #65 to #72. 

Irish IRMA chart:

• Official Irish IRMA Music DVD chart: “Elvis The Searcher” dropped from #1 to #4.

Australian ARIA charts

• Australian ARIA charts: “’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)” dropped from. #4 to #5.

(Source: Elvis Information Network / UK Mix / Billboard hard / Official Chart Company / IRMA / ARIA)

June 13 - Elvis Sessions From Clambake

Due for release from the Victrola import label is the 3 CD set "Elvis Sessions From Clambake".

From the press-release:
Victrola is proud to present an ultimate 3 CD-set of Elvis’ “Clambake” sessions. It is called simply “Elvis Sessions From Clambake” and all these recordings including the masters came from the same 1989 DAT source tapes just as our very successful 2018 “Avventura in Oriente” 3 CD release. We have decided to give that album a worthy follow up! What makes this new release special? Most tracks have been released before, but never before in such pristine quality.

Clambake the movie was definitely not Elvis’ finest moment but the soundtrack from 1967 does have some noteworthy songs. Elvis was tired of making the same movies again and again and it's around this time that they had to force him to come to the studio.

Elvis was looking for new challenges, as can be heard in the famous “Guitar Man” sessions. Victrola team is happy to bring you a lot of material with several unreleased outtakes of these sessions including stereo takes which were previously only available in mono.

Also presented here for the very first time are the “U. S. Male” outtakes which have only been released on an old CD called “Going Home” which was heavily noise reduced, resulting in a very unnatural, artificial sound. Finally, we present this session material the right way! For the first time also, we release the stereo versions of the home recordings of “500 Miles” and “Blowing In The Wind”!

All tracks have been digitally restored and mastered in a renowned sound studio. This 3CD-set is presented in a stunning looking digipack. Do not miss your opportunity to obtain an ultimate “Clambake” release from Victrola label! If you enjoyed our “Adventure in Oriente”, then we are absolutely sure that you will love our new 3 CD-set too!

Tracklist  CD 1: Clambake (Master) - Hey, Hey, Hey (Master) - How Can You Lose What You Never Had (Master) - You Don't Know Me (Master) - The Girl I Never Loved (Master) - Guitar Man (Unedited Master) - Big Boss Man (Master) - Who Needs Money (Master) - A House That Has Everything (Master) - Confidence (Master) - Just Call Me Lonesome (Master) - Singing Tree (Master) - Clambake (Demo - Glen Campbell) - How Can You Lose What You Never Had (Demo - Glen Campbell) - Clambake (An Alternate Song - Unused Demo - Winfield Scott) - Guitar Man (Take 1 - 5) - You Don't Know Me (Movie Version - Take 1 - 3) - A House That Has Everything (Take 2 & 3) - The Girl I Never Loved (Take 4 & 5) - Singing Tree (Take 1) - You Don't Know Me  (Movie Version - Take 7 & 10) - Big Boss Man (Take 1 & 2) - Just Call Me Lonesome (Take 4)

CD 2: Clambake (Bluesy Reprise, Take 3) - You Don't Know Me (Movie Version - Take 12 & 13) - How Can You Lose What You Never Had (Take 1 & 2) - Big Boss Man (Take 3 - 9) - Guitar Man (Take 6 - 9) - Just Call Me Lonesome (Take 5 & 6) - Singing Tree (Take 2 - 4) - You Don't Know Me (Movie Version - Take 18) - Clambake (Vocal Overdub - Take 1 - 3B) - Hey, Hey, Hey (Take 3 - 6) - The Girl I Never Loved (Take 8, 10 & 11) - How Can You Lose What You Never Had (Take 3) - Singing Tree (Remake - Take 1 - 3) - Guitar Man (Take 10 & 11) - Hey, Hey, Hey (Take 7 & 8) - Clambake (Take 5) - U. S. Male (Take 1 - LFS) - The Prisoners Song (Jam) - Hi-Heel Sneakers (Take 1 - LFS) - You Don't Know Me (Remake, Take 1) - Clambake Movie Trailer - Clambake Radio Commercial

CD 3: U.S. Male (Take 2 - 2 FS + LFS) - Stay Away (Guitar Overdub Jerry Reed - Take 1) - Hi-Heel Sneakers (Take 5) - You Don't Know Me (Remake - Take 2) - Mine (Take 1 - 3) - U. S. Male (Take 3 & 4) - Hi-Heel Sneakers (Take 6 & 7) - Stay Away (Guitar Overdub Jerry Reed - Take 2) - Mine (Take 4 - Complete) - A House That Has Everything (Take 4 - 6) - U. S. Male (Take 5 - 7) - Hi-Heel Sneakers (Unedited Master) - Mine (Unused Instrumental Version - Take 5 - 7) - U. S. Male (Take 8 - 10) - Stay Away (Movie Version) - Who Needs Money (Movie Version) - Confidence (Movie Version) - The Girl I Never Loved (Movie Version) - You Don’t Know Me (Movie Version) - U. S. Male (Take 11 - Complete) - Mine (Take 8 & 9) - Mine (Take 13) - 500 Miles (Stereo Version - Home-Recordings)

June 09 - Auction Items

The popular Gotta Have Rock'n'Roll Auction next month July 17 - 26, 2019 will have two Elvis highlights in their offers. First up for sale is Elvis' "Speedway Guitar" a Fender Coronado II. 

Item two is a rare Elvis 1972 IC Costume Jacket with gold lame accented pockets, wide lapels and standing collar on stage in Las Vegas mid 1972. At this point, Presley favored two-piece suits worn with matching capes accented in patterned or colour linings and a variety of different colored shirts. 

It was originally obtained by Dr Bill Chandler when Elvis tossed it into the audience at a show at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1972. The jacket had stayed in the Chandler family as a treasured heirloom until he decided to sell it back in 2015 when it made nearly $60,000 at auction.

(Source: Elvis Information Network)

June 07 - Weekly Chart Update (Updated 10/06)

Released by the Wagram label is the vinyl compilation "Jailhouse Rock" that comes with an additional tote Bag.

Charts

It doesn't happen too often, a week without Elvis Presley news, but here are the charts for this week with a new #1 for the King!

US Billboard charts:

• US Billboard Country Album Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special” dropped from #25 to #31.
• US Billboard Top Christian Album chart: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” climbed from #25 to #23.
• US Billboard Christian Album Sales chart: “ Where No One Stands Alone” dropped from #22 to #40.
• US Country Catalog charts: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” dropped off the chart from last week’s #18 spot.
• US Country Catalog charts: “Heart and Soul” dropped off the chart from last week’s #21 spot.
• Soundtrack Albums Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special (Soundtrack)” dropped off the chart from last week’s #20 spot.

Official Uk charts:

• Official UK Streaming Album chart: “The 50 Greatest Hits” dropped from #82 to #89.
• Official UK Christian and Gospel Album chart: "Where No One Stands Alone" dropped from #13 to #19.
• Official UK Music DVD chart: "Elvis The Searcher" remained steady at #3.
• Official UK Music DVD chart: "Elvis Lives - Live from Memphis" dropped from #23 to #43.

Official Scottish charts

• Official Scottish Album chart: “Elvis at the Movies - 60 Essential Recordings” dropped from #63 to #65. 
• Official Scottish Album chart: “The Real … Elvis” dropped off the chart from last week’s #96 spot.

Irish IRMA chart:

• Official Irish IRMA Music DVD chart: “Elvis - The Searcher” climbed back to #1 from last week’s #2 spot.

Australian ARIA charts:

• Australian ARIA Music DVD chart: "'68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)" remained steady at #4. 

Graceland Celebrates 37 Years as Iconic Tour Destinations

Elvis Presley’s Graceland opened for public tours on June 7, 1982, and since that day over 20 million people have visited the mansion, known as the second most recognized home in the United States (after the White House). 

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

May 31 - Weekly Chart Update (Updated 04/06)

The official Elvis Presley You Tube channel reached one million subscribers today since the start on September 22, 2005. 
They posted a fitting "1 Million Subscribers Can't Be Wrong" and "Thank you, thank you very much". 

Charts

The global Elvis Presley chart updates:

US Billboard charts:

• US Country Album Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special (Soundtrack)” dropped from #20 to #25.
• US Country Catalog charts: “Elvis: Ultimate Gospel” dropped from #15 to #18.
• US Country Catalog charts: “Heart and Soul” climbed from #23 to 21.
• Country Album Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special (Soundtrack)” dropped from #20 to #25.
• Top Christian Albums chart: “Elvis - Ultimate Gospel” climbed from #26 to #25.
• Christian Albums Sales chart: “Where No One Stands Alone” remained steady at #22.
• Soundtrack Albums Sales chart: “The Best Of The '68 Comeback Special (Soundtrack)” dropped from #16 to #20.

Official UK charts:

• Official UK Streaming Album chart: "The 50 Greatest Hits" climbed from #90 to #82.
• Official UK Christian and Gospel Album chart: "Where No One Stands Alone" climbed from #15 to #13. 
• Official UK Music DVD chart: "Elvis The Searcher" dropped from #2 to #3.
• Official UK Music DVD chart: "Elvis Lives - Live in Memphis" climbed from #39 to #23. 

Official Scottish charts:

• Official Scottish Album chart: "Elvis at the Movies - 60 Essential Recordings" dropped from #61 to #63.
• Official Scottish Album chart: "The Real ... Elvis" dropped from #74 to #96.

Official Irish charts:

• Official Irish Irma Music DVD chart: "Elvis - The Searcher" dropped from #1 to #2.

Australian ARIA charts:

• Australian ARIA Music DVD chart: "'68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition)" dropped from #3 to #4.
• Australian ARIA Music DVD chart: "The King of Rock and Roll" dropped off the chart after last week's re-entry at #35.

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

May 30 - Two New Straight Arrow Releases

Due for release rom the Straight Arrow import-label are “Elvis - Kentucky Rain” containing the previously unreleased February 22, 1970 Midnight show and “Like A Greek God” containing the partially unreleased August 4, 1970 Midnight show performances. Both albums are audience-recordings.

From the press-release:

Elvis - Kentucky Rain: This year, the “Straight Arrow” label team promises to focus especially on the concert years 1969-1972. After the great success of our 1969 release, titled "Elvis - Strike Like Lightning!", we're back again – this time with two great releases from 1970! The first CD is titled "Kentucky Rain". The February 22nd, 1970 midnight show is a previously unreleased concert, taken directly from an original audience recorded master tape. This concert was never available in good sound quality thus far (note: in 2007, the "SR" label released a so-called February 22nd, 1970 midnight show on the “Rock In Black" double cd, but this show was wrongly dated and in fact it was the February 23rd, 1970 dinner show!)

The February 22nd, 1970 midnight show recording is slightly incomplete, missing the last song "can't help falling in love", so we have included this song in the same good sound, as taken from the February 20th, 1970 dinner show, to make the concert "complete" for listeners' comfort.

As usual, this release is presented in a de-luxe 6-panel digipack, with a collection of photos taken in Las Vegas, NV, February 1970 and a press review.

Tracks: 01. Opening Vamp - 02. All Shook Up - 03. I Got A Woman - 04. Long Tall Sally - 05. Don't Cry Daddy - 06. Hound Dog - 07. Monologue - 08. Love Me Tender (With False Start) - 09. Kentucky Rain - 10. Let It Be Me - 11. I Can't Stop Loving You - 12. Walk A Mile In My Shoes (False Start Only) - 13. C. C. Rider - 14. Sweet Caroline - 15. Polk Salad Annie - 16. Introductions Of Singers, Musicians, Orchestra - 17. Suspicious Minds - 18. Introduction Of Roy Orbison - 19. Can't Help Falling In Love. 
Track 19 Taken From February 20th, 1970 Dinner Show.

Our second release is titled "Like A Greek God": The September 4th, 1970 midnight show is a previously unreleased concert, taken from an original audience recorded tape. In 2005, the "memory records" label used 6 tracks from this tape as a bonus for "The Midnight Hour" CD. Unfortunately, the August 4th, 1970 midnight show recording is incomplete, missing the last 3 songs. We have decided to add the same songs as taken from the September 5th, 1970 midnight show to make the show "complete" for listeners' comfort.

The September 7th, 1970 closing night was released by the "SR" label in 2008 in very poor, muffled sound, taken from a degraded x-generation copy (the "September Nights" CD). Once again we have used an original master tape and restored it to crisp, clear perfection. Elvis' crazy closing night performance never sounded better - until now!

Both concerts presented on this release were recorded by same person. This release is presented in a de-luxe 8-panel digipak, with a collection of photos taken in Las Vegas, NV, August 1970 and a press review.

Tracks CD 1 (04.09.1970 M/S): 01. Orchestra Intro (Ending Only) / Opening Vamp - 02. That's All Right - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Monologue / La Bamba (One Line) / I Walk The Line (One Line) - 05. Love Me Tender (With False Start) - 06. I've Lost You - 07. I Just Can't Help Believin' - 08. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - 09. Polk Salad Annie - 10. Crying Time (One Verse) - 11. Introductions Of Singers, Musicians, Orchestra - 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. Introductions Cont'd / Playing With Laughing Box - 14. Introduction Of Trini Lopez, Paul Anka / My Way (One Line) - 15. The Wonder Of You - 16. Heartbreak Hotel (False Starts Only) - 17. One Night (With False Start) - 18. Blue Suede Shoes - 19. Hound Dog - 20. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 21. Can't Help Falling In Love - 22. Closing Vamp. 
Track 18 spliced with 05.09.1970 Midnight Show.
Tracks 19-22 taken from 05.09.1970 Midnight Show. 

Tracks CD 2 (07.09.1970 C/S): 01. Orchestra Intro - 02. Opening Vamp - 03. That's All Right - 04. I Got A Woman / Amen - 05. Monologue / I Walk The Line (One Line) - 06. Love Me Tender (False Start Only) - 07. I've Lost You - 08. I Just Can't Help Believin' - 09. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - 10. Polk Salad Annie - 11. Introductions Of Singers, Musicians, Orchestra / Bob Dylan Impersonations - 12. Introduction Of Shirley Bassey, Actor James Shigeta ("Paradise Hawaiian Style") - 13. Introduction Of Colonel Tom Parker, Vernon Presley, Priscilla Presley - 14. Heartbreak Hotel (Only 4 Funny False Starts) - 15. Blue Suede Shoes / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Blue Suede Shoes - 16. Introduction Of Sound Engineer Bill Porter, Felton Jarvis, Light Man - 17. All Shook Up (With False Start) - 18. Hound Dog (With 2 False Starts) - 19. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love (With 2 False Starts) - 21. Closing Vamp.

Every second of these concerts was digitally restored, every click or disturbing clap in quiet songs manually removed, every drop-out or damaged place fixed to achieve optimal listening pleasure. What we plan to release the next time? Perhaps some unreleased concerts from 1971-1972, definitely not from 1976-1977 :-). Stay tuned! 

In regard to the "cover-art". On the FECC forum the previous designer Night Rider posted: "Like all design work done for customers... many do turn out the way you would like them to be... but some end up being more what the customer wants than you'd want yourself... on occasions I would be disappointed with the final outcome... but was happy with 90% of what I did for the label.
As for the new designs... totally agree that they suck... but as I haven't been paid for the last work I did for him... 8 months ago... with no reason or even contact of any sort... I won't be doing anymore for Straight Arrow. Sad to say that there are some real dicks about... and the guy who releases these falls very much into that category".

Preview Elvis Now In Person 1969 Hardcover Book

Here is a preview of the upcoming hardcover book “Elvis Now In Person 1969” by Erik Lorentzen. This Deluxe Hardcover Book contains 400-pages packed with rare and unseen shots taken during the period of July 31 and August 28, 1969. It includes photographs from the construction of the International Hotel, the famous press conference and the shows themselves. 

(Source: Various)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 29 - Loving Gold Vinyl

Due for release from the Friday Music label on July 19, 2019 is the "Loving You" soundtrack. This re-issue comes as a Limited Anniversary Edition on translucent gold audiophile 180 gram vinyl packed in a gatefold cover. The audio is masters by Joe Regasso at the Friday Music Studio's. 

Side 1: Mean Woman Blues / Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Loving You / Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do! / Lonesome Cowboy / Hot Dog / Party.
Side 2: Blueberry Hill / True Love / Don't Leave Me Now / Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? / I Need You So.

From the press-release:

Elvis Aaron Presley was born during the great depression into a poor family in Mississippi. They moved to Memphis during the early fifties, and as a struggling young truck driver, he cut some demos at Sun Studios as a gift for his beloved mother Gladys. These initial songs would become the catalyst that would kick-start the beginnings of a soon to be worldwide superstar unlike the world has ever known.

The folks at RCA Victor knew that this young fellow named Elvis was destined for super stardom. They quickly bought out his contract and signed the legend to a long term deal. In 1957 after two chart topping albums and a bevy of number one singles, more incredible fame followed as the "Loving You" motion picture starring Elvis Presley became a box office smash.

The "Loving You" soundtrack album also was a blockbuster as it topped the charts for over two months, making this his third smash number one album. "Loving You" truly proved once again that his career was unlike any other in music history.

The chart topping album takes off with two smashes in a row, the classic rocker "Mean Woman Blues" and the chart topping single "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear." It also includes the wonderful title track "Loving You" and the stellar balladry of "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You."

The LP also features a nice helping of solid interpretations of Elvis’ own favorites like the Fats Domino classic "Blueberry Hill "and the timeless Cole Porter hit "True Love." In total, the album showcases twelve important Elvis Presley recordings which have truly gone on to become international classics.

In honor of the Man, the Music, the Legend, the King Of Rock And Roll, Friday Music is very pleased to announce the first time 180 Gram Audiophile Translucent Gold Vinyl release of the RCA Victor classic "Loving You" by Elvis Presley.

As another installment in our exciting Elvis Presley 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl Series, we are very pleased to present this super limited edition masterwork in all its high fidelity glory. Mastered impeccably by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios and manufactured at R.T.I., "Loving You" will be a much anticipated audiophile dream release for Elvis fans everywhere!

For this exclusive presentation, we are also including a striking gatefold album cover which includes the groundbreaking original LP cover elements as well as more rare visuals from this historic Elvis Presley movie and platinum plus soundtrack.

We are also enclosing a poly bag to protect your album cover and poly lined inner sleeve to help keep your Elvis vinyl in mint shape.

Elvis Presley’s... "Loving You" ...A history making rock album from a historic legend, an original mono audiophile dream release...first time super limited edition translucent gold vinyl......From your friends at Friday Music...

Stay tuned for more Elvis Presley original RCA Records audiophile recordings from Friday Music.

(Source: Friday Music)