Elvis Day By Day

May 21 - Elvis And Ali For Sale?

2013-05-21T22:28:00.002+02:00

Elvis Presley’ Graceland mansion and rights to the images of Elvis and Muhammad Ali are on the market with a possible price tag of more than $200m, people familiar with the process said.

Three people familiar with the process said Core Media Group, the entertainment group behind TV-programmes such as American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, has begun approaching potential bidders from Asia, Europe and the US for Elvis Presley Enterprises and Muhammad Ali Enterprises.

Core, known as CKx before Apollo Global Management bought it for $509m in 2011, has appointed The Raine Group, a New York merchant bank, to review strategic alternatives, two of these people said.

It is testing the market but could keep both if it is unhappy with the offers it receives, they said, but Core hopes to focus on producing content for television and digital outlets. Core and Raine declined to comment.

More than 35 years after Presley’s death and 32 years after Ali’s retirement, the two assets generate revenues of about $60m a year and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of about $23m, according to a briefing document sent to potential bidders.

Despite the 38 per cent ebitda margin, a record of stable, predictable cash flows and a history of revenue raising Elvis re-releases, people familiar with the Presley estate see significant potential for expansion if a buyer is willing to invest.

Possible investments include an Elvis-themed hotel near Graceland in Memphis, a stage show in an Asian casino hub such as Macau, and digital and social media expansion. People familiar with the estate add that per capita spending by Graceland’s 550,000 annual visitors is relatively low and could be improved. The Presley family, represented by the singer’s daughter, Lisa Marie, retained 15 per cent of the company when it sold the remainder to Robert Sillerman’s CKx for about $100m in 2004. The Ali family owns 20 per cent of Muhammad Ali Enterprises.

The unusual combination of brand management rights for two of the 20th century’s most recognisable brands with a tourist destination that has become a place of pilgrimage for many music fans is likely to attract a diverse set of buyers.

These could include music and live entertainment companies and executives, developers, wealthy fans and local Memphis businesspeople. Elvis Presley Enterprises includes: More than 110,000 pieces of memorabilia, including 3,000 pieces of clothing and 30 vehicles; royalties from 24 films; and copyrights and royalties for 1,150 songs.

Muhammed Ali Enterprises controls: 11,000 images, 50 hours of footage from the boxer’s life and career, and 5,000 pieces of memorabilia.

Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings division holds the rights to all Presley’s master recordings, and has overseen several reissues, including plans to release a deluxe edition of “Elvis at Stax” in August.

Core considered a bid for Endemol before the European television production company’s owners put sale talks on hold. A successful sale could raise proceeds for a renewed attempt to buy Endemol or other production businesses.

(Source: EvisMatters)

May 20 - Blues From St. Louis

2013-05-20T20:36:00.001+02:00

The E.P. Collector label announced the release of "St. Louis Blues" containing an audience-recording of the the March 22, 1976 closing show recorded live in the Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri. The CD contains several bonus-songs from Johnson City, March 19, 1976. The running time is 51:34 for the main show and 28:05 for the bonus selections.

From the press-release:
Expected soon is new CD entitled ”St. Louis Blues” (label E.P. Collector, EPC 2013-01) recorded from the audience at the St. Louis, March 22, 1976 tour closing show. It was last Elvis show during his lifetime, reviewed in ”Rolling Stone” #213. Some of Elvis stable musicians were replaced and the result was surprisingly fresh sound with keyboards more prominent. Among the highlights are ”Let Me Be There” (performed for very last time), ”Steamroller Blues”, ”Polk Salad Annie”, ”Hurt” and ”America (The Beautiful)”. Since the show is rather short, producers decided to add 9 solid bonus tracks from Johnson City, March 19, 1976 show.

This previously unreleased recording was taken from a 1st generation copy of the original audience recorded tape and the sound - though not perfect - is far better than any other known version of this show. The CD is packaged in nicely designed digipak with collection of March 22, 1976 photos.

Tracks:
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra, 02. C. C. Rider, 03. I Got A Woman / Amen, 04. Love Me, 05. Let Me Be There (performed last time) 06. You Gave Me A Mountain, 07. Steamroller Blues 08. All Shook Up, 09. medley: Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel, 10. Heartbreak Hotel, 11. Love Me Tender, 12. Polk Salad Annie, 13. Band Introductions, 14. What'd I Say (James Burton), 15. Drum Solo (Larry Londin), 16. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff), 17. Piano Solo (Shane Keister), 18. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs), 19. School Day, 20. And I Love You So, 21. Hurt, 22. Hound Dog, 23. America (The Beautiful), 24. Funny How Time Slips Away, 25. Can't Help Falling In Love, 26. Closing Vamp.
Bonus (Johnson City, March 19, 1976):
27. Love Me, 28. You Gave Me A Mountain, 29. Let Me Be There (with false start), 30. Steamroller Blues, 31. All Shook Up, 32. medley: Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel, 33. Heartbreak Hotel, 34. Love Me Tender, 35. Polk Salad Annie (with false start).

(Source: FECC)

May 18 - Details June 2013 Follow That Dream Releases

2013-05-18T08:29:00.000+02:00

EPE posted the details on the June 2013 releases from the Follow That Dream collectors label. The details:

Hot August Night

FTD’s next must-have release includes the complete live recording from the midnight show, August 25, 1969. Presented in 7" format with a 12-page 4-color booklet. This album was recorded live on stage at The International Hotel in Las Vegas.

Tracks:
01 Blue Suede Shoes 2:25, 02 I Got A Woman 2:43, 03 All Shook Up 1:54, 04 Monologue 1:14, 05 Love Me Tender 2:28, 05 Jailhouse Rock / Don't Be Cruel 3:05, 06 Heartbreak Hotel 2:22, 07 Hound Dog 4:48, 08 I Can’t Stop Loving You 2:37, 09 My Babe 2:28, 10 Mystery Train / Tiger Man 4:24, 11 Life Story 8:39, 12 Baby, What You Want Me To Do 2:00, 13 Runaway 2:19, 14 Are You Losesome Tonight? 3:04, 15 Words 2:42, 16 Yesterday / Hey Jude 5:58, 17 Introductions 4:39, 18 In The Ghetto 2:48, 19 Suspicious Minds 7:20, 20 What’d I Say 3:49, 21 Can’t Help Falling In Love 2:11

Elvis Presley Sold Out!

FTD is proud to announce "Elvis Presley - Sold Out!" featuring the March and June concerts of 1974 from Tulsa, AZ and Cleveland,OH. Prepared and researched for FTD by Robert Frieser / Hans Slebos ('Forty Eight Hours To Memphis' and '3000 South Paradise Road') this release will be presented in 7" format accompanied by 16-page 4-color booklet and extensive liner notes. Recorded June 21, 1974 at Convention Center Public Hall, Cleveland. Ohio. Track 21 was recorded June 17, 1974, at Louisiana State University Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Tracks:

DISC 1 (March 1, 1974 Tulsa Oklahoma); 01) Also Sprach Zarathustra 1:19, 02) See See Rider 3:21, 03) I Got A Woman/Amen 3:05, 04) Love Me 1:38, 05) Trying To Get To You 2:13, 06) Sweet Caroline 2:33, 07) Love Me Tender 1:44, 08) Johnny B. Goode 1:49, 09) Hound Dog 1:10, 10) Fever 2:58, 11) Polk Salad Annie 3:19, 12) Why Me Lord? 3:01, 13) Suspicious Minds 3:28, 14) Introductions by Elvis 1:28, 15) I Can't Stop Loving You 2:26, 16) Help Me 2:41, 17) American Trilogy 4:00, 18) Let Me Be There 4:04, 19) Funny How Time Slips Away 2:42, 20) Can't Help Falling In Love 1:39, 21) Closing Vamp 0:49, 22) Announcements 0:39

DISC 2 (June 21, 1974 Cleveland. Ohio); 1) See See Rider 3:51, 2) I Got A Woman /Amen 5:33, 3) Love Me 2:03, 4) Trying To Get To You 2:06, 5) All Shook Up 1:11, 6) Love Me Tender 1:41, 7) Hound Dog 1:23, 8) Fever 3:13, 9) Polk Salad Annie 4:58, 10) Why Me Lord 2:58, 11) You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me 2:08, 12) Suspicious Minds 3:52, 13) Introductions 3:17, 14) I Can’t Stop Loving You 2:50, 15) Help Me 2:50, 16) Bridge Over troubled Water 4:12, 17) Let Me Be There 5:04, 18) Funny How Time Slips Away 2:50, 19) Big Boss Man 3:21, 20) Can’t Help Fallling In Love 1:45, BONUS SONG (June17, 1974 Baton Rouge, Louisiana); 21) Turn Around, Look At Me (four lines only) 0:35

Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis (2LP)

FTD's next vinyl release features, for the first time on this format, the complete concert recorded on March 20,1974 in Memphis Tennessee. Please note, all future vinyl releases will feature poly-lined plain inner bags instead of printed card. This will provide better lifetime protection.

Vinyl cutting by Abbey Road Stusios
DMM Copper Mastering
180 Grams heavyweight vinyl
Strictly limited pressing
Currently available on CD as FTD

Tracks:
Also Sprach Zarathustra
See See Rider
I Got A Woman/Amen
Love Me
Trying To Get To You
All Shook Up
Steamroller Blues
Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel
Love Me Tender
Medley: Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On/Mama Don’t Dance/Flip, Flop And Fly/Jailhouse Rock/Hound Dog
Fever
Polk Salad Annie
Why Me Lord?
How Great Thou Art
Suspicious Minds
Introductions by Elvis
Blueberry Hill/I Can’t Stop Loving You
Help Me
American Trilogy
Let Me Be There
My Baby Left Me
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Funny How Time Slips Away
Can’t Help Falling In Love
Closing Vamp

Charts

The CD "ELV1S 30 # 1 Hits“ re-entered the Irish Album charts at #76 this week.
On the Australian Music DVD charts the DVD "Elvis The King Of Rock And Roll" slipped from #28 to #38.
The CD "Viva Elvis – The Album", the soundtrack for the Cirque Du Soleil show with the same title dropped from#81 to #85.

(Source: EPE / The King's World / ARIA)

May 17 - ELV1S Greatest Re-issues

2013-05-17T21:10:00.004+02:00

ParkLane Books will re-issue the 64 page book "Elvis Presley In Words And Pictures" once more on August 1, 2013. Included in this gift pack are 6 10 x 8 prints.

From the publisher:
Celebrate the life, loves and extraordinary times of the greatest rock 'n' roller of them all. There will never be another performer quite like Elvis Presley and this wonderful tribute in words and pictures, looks back at the life of the most successful recording artist of all time, bringing the sights and sounds of his incredible story to vivid life.

ELV1S Greatest Re-issues

Sony Legacy will re-issue the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" and "Elvis Second To None" on June 1, 2013.

Elvis Presley, Special Three Disc Collection

The U.K. based Quantum Leap Group will release the 3 DVD set "Elvis Presley, Special Three Disc Collection" on May 27, 2013.

Elvis Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite

The Music On Vinyl label re-issued "Aloha From Hawaii" as a four LP vinyl set, 180g vinyl, with a gatefold cover containing the Aloha From Hawaii concert, rehearsal and five bonus tracks recorded for the US broadcast. The audio was remastered and liner notes are rewritten.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Elvis Info's / Amazon)

May 16 - The Elvis '62 Sessions Handbook

2013-05-16T21:18:00.001+02:00

The Complete 62 Sessions

The Chrome Dreams budget label continues their "sessions" series of Elvis Presley royalty free catalogue with "The Complete '62 Sessions".

Colorized Elvis

The Mischief label will release Elvis Presley's debut album on "splatter" coloured vinyl. This limited edition of 500 copies is due June 20, 2013.

Side A:
Blue Suede Shoes - I'm Counting On You - I Got A Woman - One-Sided Love Affair - I Love You Because - Just Because
Side B:
Tutti Frutti - Tryin' To Get To You - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You) - I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin') - Blue Moon - Money Honey

Everything You Need To Know About Elvis Presley

The book "The Elvis Presley Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About Elvis Presley" by Emily Smith will will be published by Emereo Publishing. More information when available.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Amazon)

May 15 - Collecting Elvis Vinyl In Richmond

2013-05-15T19:32:00.000+02:00

Volume 36 in the German "Elvis Sammlung" series was released by De'Agostini. This edition contains the movie "Elvis: The Great Performances, Vol. 1", a magazine, memorabelia-reproductions, miniposter of "Tickle Me" and more.

From Richmond To Greensboro

The second release from the new Rock Legends label will be "From Richmond To Greensboro".

From the press-release:
Those two shows were released several years ago in wonderful sound quality but are now hard-to-find , especially the Richmond one. The sound of the Greensboro concert is the same as originally released on Madison, however we found a better source for the Richmond gig that sounds much better now, smoother with a wider dynamic range. This is two shows from a great tour presented in a beautiful full color digipack with photographs from both performances. It will be available soon so if you missed either one of them, this is your chance to own them. This new double set will be a very limited edition.

Track list:
Richmond, VA April 10, 1972 E.S.
1 Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra 2 C.C. Rider 3 Proud Mary 4 Never Been To Spain 5 You Gave Me A Mountain 6 Until it's Time For You To Go 7 Polk Salad Annie 8 Love Me 9 All Shook Up 10 Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel 11 Heartbreak Hotel 12 Hound Dog 13 Bridge Over Troubled Water 14 Love Me Tender 15 It's Over 16 Suspicious Minds 17 Introductions of the band, vocalists, orchestra 18 For The Good Times 19 I Can't Stop Loving You 20 An American Trilogy 21 Lawdy, Miss Clawdy ( incomplete ) 22 Funny How Time Slips Away 23 Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing vamp

Greensboro, NC April 14, 1972 E.S.
1 Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra 2 C.C. Rider 3 Proud Mary 4 Never Been To Spain 5 You Gave Me A Mountain 6 Until it's Time For You To Go 7 Polk Salad Annie 8 Love Me 9 All Shook Up 10 Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel 11 Hound Dog 12 Heartbreak Hotel 13 A Big Hunk 'O Love 14 Bridge Over Troubled Water 15 Suspicious Minds 16 Love Me Tender 17 Introductions of the band, vocalists, orchestra 18 For The Good Times 19 An American Trilogy 20 Burning Love 21 Release Me 22 Funny How Time Slips Away 23 Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing vamp

Watch out very soon for "Mood Swings" on Rock Legends featuring the infamous Closing show of September 2, 1974 recorded from the soundboard in Las Vegas, NV. The sound quality will be a major improvement over the first issue. Another high quality digipak double set coming from Rock Legends you won't want to miss.

Moody Blue

The Friday Music label re-issued "Moody Blue" on 180g vinyl.

Side 1: Unchained Melody - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - Little Darlin’ - He’ll Have to Go - Let Me Be There
Side B:Way Down - Pledging My Love - Moody Blue - She Thinks I Still Care - It’s Easy for You

(Source: Elvis Sammlung / FECC / Elvis Infos)

May 13 - FTD June Titles Announced

2013-05-13T21:22:00.000+02:00

The Follow That Dream Collector's label released some basic info about the upcoming releases, planned for June 2013. At this time, there is no cover art available and this is all the info they announced at this time:

Elvis Presley - Sold Out! (2-CD)
Prepared and researched for FTD by Robert Frieser / Hans Slebos ( 'Forty Eight Hours To Memphis' and '3000 South Paradise Road'), this release will be presented in 7" format accompanied by 16-page 4-color booklet and extensive liner notes.

Hot August Night (1-CD)
Includes the complete live recording from the midnight show on August 25, 1969. This will be presented in 7" format with a 12-page 4-color booklet.

Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis (2-LP Vinyl Limited Edition)
FTD's next vinyl release features, for the first time on this format, the complete concert recorded on March 20, 1974, in Memphis, Tennessee. This will be issued on 180gram vinyl.

Best of British - The HMV Years" (Book)
Due to popular demand, FTD is pleased to announce a limited reprint of The Best of British - The HMV Years.

(Source: EPE)

May 12 - Weekend Chart Releases

2013-05-12T22:12:00.000+02:00

The classic album "Elvis’ Gold Records, Vol. 2" was re-issued in the "Platinum Collection" series in Switzerland and Italy.

The album "Stereo ’57 – Essential Elvis, Vol. 2" was re-issued on Super Audio CD (SACD) by Analogue Productions. This album was also re-issued on vinyl.

Irish Charts
The CD "Elvis – 30 # 1 Hits“ fell of the Irish Album charts.

Australian Charts
The DVD "Elvis: The King Of Rock 'N' Roll" dropped from #21 to #28.

UK Chart
The soundtrack CD "Viva Elvis – The Album" for the Cirque Du Soleil show dropped from #70 to #81.

New Elvis magazine

The Portuguese Official Elvis Fan Club "Burning Star" presents the first regular Elvis magazine written in portuguese! The fan club used to send a newsletter which was a photocopy. The magazine has 40 pages in colour, written in portuguese, with articles on Elvis, dozens of photos, news and a contest in every edition to win Elvis' prizes. This magazine is sent to fan club members but can also be bought by fan from all over the world.

(Source: The King's World / ARIA / Elvis Info's / Burning Star)

May 10 - Elvis Golden Vinyl

2013-05-10T20:55:00.002+02:00

The Friday Music label announced the re-issue of "Elvis' Golden Records" on a limited edition 180 gram audiophile vinyl edition with a gatefold cover. The disc is due June 25, 2013.

From Amazon:
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, Elvis cut some demos at Sun Studios as a gift for his beloved mother Gladys. These initial songs, of which he had only paid a few dollars to record, 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 superstardom. They quickly bought out his contract and signed the legend to a long-term deal, and his first RCA single Heartbreak Hotel forever etched The King Of Rock And Roll trademark to his name. He would eventually become the most successful solo artist of all time!
From the remainder of the 1950 s, Elvis Presley would release several more hit albums, smash singles and movies before spending time in the Army. Ever proving that he was indeed on top of his game, RCA Victor awarded their superstar artist and his fans with the King s first greatest hits collection Elvis Golden Records.

Featuring fourteen of his most familiar top charting hit singles Elvis Golden Records went on to become one of his most memorable titles in his huge arsenal of masterful rock and roll albums.
Thanks to his finest rock smashes like Heartbreak Hotel, Don t Be Cruel, Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock, this collection of Elvis Presley s biggest hits were just what the fans were screaming for, and the entire album was built around the framework of his rocking trademark sound. The 1958 album also was another blockbuster for The King as it topped the upper rungs of the pop charts, making this one of his biggest albums of his career as well as one of his most revered. Elvis Golden Records truly proved once again that his career was unlike any other in music history.

Elvis Golden Records also included some of his finest number one ballads like Love Me Tender and I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, plus more top rock and roll hits like Teddy Bear, Treat Me Nice and Too Much. In total, the album showcases fourteen important Elvis Presley hits recordings which have truly gone on to become definitive classics by any measure of popular music.

In honor of the Man, the Music, the Legend, the King Of Rock And Roll, Friday Music is very proud and honored to announce the first time limited 55th Anniversary Edition 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl release of the RCA Victor classic Elvis Golden Records by Elvis Presley.

As an eighth installment in our exciting Elvis Presley 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl Series, we are pleased to present this masterwork in all its high fidelity glory. Mastered impeccably from by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios and manufactured at R.T.I., Elvis Golden Records will be a much anticipated first time audiophile dream release for Elvis fans everywhere!

For a limited time only, we are also including a rare first time gatefold artwork presentation including the original 1958 artwork elements. As usual, we are also enclosing a poly bag to protect your album cover and poly lined sleeve to help keep your Elvis vinyl in mint shape.

Elvis Presley's Elvis Golden Records
A history making rock album from an historic legend, an original monophonic first time audiophile dream release... first time gatefold cover...is now an audiophile vinyl dream come true...From your friends at Friday Music...Stay tuned for more Elvis Presley original RCA Record audiophile recordings from Friday Music.

(Source: Amazon)

May 09 - Only Believe! More Details Elvis At Stax

2013-05-09T12:05:00.000+02:00

The Gravel Road Music import label released the CD "Only Believe!" containing the January 27, 1971 midnight show, as recorded at the main showroom of the International Hotel.

Details Elvis At Stax

On the Elvis The Music website the details of the upcoming "Elvis At Stax - 40th Anniversary" were published.

From the site:
Elvis At Stax - Deluxe Edition: chronicles the 40th Anniversary of Elvis' historic hometown studio sessions of July and December 1973. Deluxe 3-CD Box Set marks the first gathering of 28 masters and 27 outtakes in one comprehensive package.

The last major studio sessions in the career of Elvis Presley have finally been gathered together for the first time in one comprehensive package, as Elvis At Stax - Deluxe Edition. The deluxe 3-CD box set, a 40th anniversary chronicle of a dozen nights that Presley spent at Stax Recording Studios in his hometown of Memphis in July and December 1973.

Elvis At Stax - Deluxe Edition bristles with energy and dynamism. The proof is in the six consecutive singles that the Stax sessions produced, all of which skirted the Top 40 from 1973 to 1975. In effect, they rivaled some of the hottest streaks that Presley had charted a decade earlier.

The Stax singles still resonate today:

"Raised On Rock" b/w "For Ol' Time Sake" (Hot 100 #41, country #42);
"I've Got A Thing About You Baby" b/w "Take Good Care Of Her" (Hot 100 #39, country #4);
"Promised Land" b/w "It's Midnight" (Hot 100 #14, country #9);
"If You Talk In Your Sleep" b/w "Help Me" (Hot 100 #17, country #6);
"My Boy" b/w Thinking About You (Hot 100 #20, country #14); and
"Mr. Songman" (B-side of "T-R-O-U-B-L-E," Hot 100 #35, country #11).
"I Got A Feelin' In My Body" (recorded at Stax, catalog RCA PB-11679), was reissued as a posthumous single by RCA Records in 1979.

The historical significance of Presley’s work at Stax is appreciated by such music scholars as Peter Guralnick, the award-winning author of Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley (1994) and Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley (1999); and producer Ernst Mikael Jørgensen, respected director of RCA’s Presley catalog for over two decades, and author of the critical research guide, Elvis Presley: A Life In Music (St. Martin’s Press, 1998).

Jørgensen has long been concerned with doing justice to the Stax sessions, which were never acknowledged by the artist's record label RCA as a unified whole. Instead, as with most of Presley's studio work in his second decade as a recording artist, the tracks were scattered onto LPs and intermingled with material recorded in Nashville and Hollywood. The bulk of the Stax cuts showed up on Raised On Rock/For Ol’ Times Sake (1973), Good Times (1974), and Promised Land (1975). For Elvis At Stax, many of the outtakes originated on the CD-era reissues of those three albums on Jørgensen’s and co-director Roger Semon's own label, Follow That Dream (FTD) Records. Elvis At Stax was produced by Jørgensen, Semon, and Rob Santos of Legacy A&R.

Taking up the cause for is another scholar and aficionado of the artist, award-winning resident Memphis journalist Robert Gordon, who has written an in-depth, day-by-day (i.e. night-by-night) liner notes essay for the box set. Previously, Gordon and his wife Tara McAdams (author of The Elvis Handbook, 2004) co-wrote the liner notes essay for RCA/Legacy's From Elvis In Memphis: Legacy Edition (2009). In addition to major biographies of Muddy Waters and Jerry Lee Lewis, Gordon is the author of two important Elvis Presley studies, The King on the Road: Elvis Live on Tour 1954 to 1977 (St. Martin’s, 1996) and The Elvis Treasures (Random House, 2002). Gordon has also written two books on the Memphis music scene, the acclaimed It Came from Memphis (Faber & Faber, 1995, foreword penned by Peter Guralnick) and the upcoming Respect Yourself: Stax Records and the Soul Explosion (Bloomsbury USA, set for publication in November 2013).

Etched in music history, 1973 was a crucial watershed year for Presley, in the wake of his return to extended concert touring in 1972, after 12 years away from the stage and 27 movies in Hollywood. His New York City concert debut was emblematic of an exciting new chapter in his career. It was chronicled last year on the RCA/Legacy deluxe 2-CD+DVD box set, Prince From Another Planet: Elvis As Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden / 40th Anniversary Edition, which captured an afternoon and an evening concert staged on June 10, 1972. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker, sought a world-class mega-event to underscore the touring, which led to the one-hour global satellite broadcast from the Honolulu International Center Arena on January 14, 1973, viewed by over one billion people around the world. That, too, was recently chronicled on the RCA/Legacy double-disc set issued this past March, Aloha From Hawaii: Legacy Edition.

The highs of 1972-’73 led Presley and Colonel Parker to accept RCA’s $5.4 million offer for an outright transfer of Presley's complete back catalog. He wanted a new start, new control, and a new publishing company. But the RCA deal also called for his return to the studio and a promise for him to deliver 24 new masters, i.e. two new singles (four songs), a new pop LP (ten songs), and a new gospel LP (ten songs).

Four years earlier, in 1969, Presley had made his Memphis recording return (after a 13-year absence) at Chips Moman’s American Studios. These triumphantly successful sessions had yielded a year-long string of ‘comeback’ hit singles: “In the Ghetto” (#3), “Suspicious Minds” (#1), “Don’t Cry Daddy” (#6), and “Kentucky Rain” (#16), the last such string of major consecutive hits in his life. But by 1973, American had closed up shop, and most of its musicians had relocated to Nashville. However, Stax Studios, the launching pad of such greats as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Booker T. and The MGs, and Isaac Hayes was still thriving at its original 926 E. McLemore Avenue space. In fact, Isaac Hayes relinquished his studio time to accommodate Presley. Ironically, less than two years later in 1975, the Stax offices would also be closed.

Presley spent 12 days at Stax in 1973 (July 21-25 and December 10-16), and the rollercoaster ride of those sessions is meticulously detailed in Gordon’s liner notes. Elvis At Stax neatly compartmentalizes the results:

Disc 1: The R&B and Country Sessions – The Outtakes: 17 tracks
Disc 2: Part 1 – The Pop Sessions – The Outtakes: 10 tracks
Disc 2: Part 2 – The July 1973 Masters: four single sides and six album tracks, and
Disc 3: The December 1973 Masters: seven single sides and 11 album tracks.

Tracklistings:

Disc 1: The R&B and Country Sessions – The Outtakes: Selections – 1. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body - take 1 (I) • 2. Find Out What’s Happening - takes 8-7 (B) • 3. Promised Land - take 4 (I) • 4. For Ol’ Times Sake - take 4 (I) • 5. I’ve Got A Thing About You, Babe - take 14 (I) • 6. It’s Midnight - take 7 (F) • 7. If You Talk In Your Sleep - take 5 (J) • 8. Loving Arms - take 2 (I) • 9. You Asked Me To - take 3A (F) • 10. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues - take 8 (I) • 11. Talk About The Good Times - take 3 (I) • 12. There’s A Honky Tonk Angel - take 1 (I) • 13. She Wears My Ring - take 8 (I) • 14. Three Corn Patches - take 14 (I) • 15. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body - take 4 (J) • 16. If You Don’t Come Back - take 3 (I) • 17. Promised Land - take 5 (H).

Disc 2: Part 1 – The Pop Sessions – The Outtakes: Selections – 1. Mr. Songman - take 2 (F) • 2. Your Love’s Been A Long time Coming - take 4 (I) • 3. Spanish Eyes - take 2 (I) • 4. Take Good Care Of Her - takes 1,2,3 (D) • 5. It’s Diff’rent Now (unfinished recording) (G) • 6. Thinking About You - take 4 (I) • 7. My Boy - take 1 (D) • 8. Girl Of Mine - take 9 (I) • 9. Love Song Of The Year - take 1 (F) • 10. If That Isn’t Love - take 1 (I) • Part 2 – The July 1973 Masters: • 11. Raised On Rock (Hot 100 #41, country #42) (A) • 12. For Ol’ Time Sake (charts same as track 11) (A) • 13. I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby (Hot 100 #39, country #4) (C) • 14. Take Good Care Of Her (charts same as track 13) (C) • 15. If You Don’t Come Back (A) • 16. Three Corn Patches (A) • 17. Girl Of Mine (A) • 18. Just A Little Bit (A) • 19. Find Out What’s Happening (A) • 20. Sweet Angeline (A) .

Disc 3: The December 1973 Masters: Selections – 1. Promised Land (Hot 100 #14, country #9) (E) • 2. It’s Midnight (charts same as track 1) (E) • 3. If You Talk In Your Sleep (Hot 100 #17, country #6) (E) • 4. Help Me (charts same as track 3) (E) • 5. My Boy (Hot 100 #20, country #14) (C) • 6. Thinking About You (charts same as track 5) (E) • 7. Mr. Songman (Hot 100 #35, country #11) (E) • 8. I Got A Feelin’ In My Body (C) • 9. Loving Arms (C) • 10. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (C) • 11. You Asked Me To (E) • 12. There’s A Honky Tonk Angel (Who Will Take Me Back In) (E) • 13. Talk About The Good Times (C) • 14. She Wears My Ring (C) • 15. Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming (E) • 16. Love Song Of The Year (E) • 17. Spanish Eyes (C) • 18. If That Isn’t Love (C).

Album source index:

A – From Raised On Rock/For Ol’ Times Sake LP (RCA APL1-0388, released October 1973)
B – From Raised on Rock CD (FTD 86971 28432, released July 2007)
C – From Good Times LP (RCA CPL1-0475, released March 1974)
D – From Good Times CD (FTD 50602 09750 0 3, released December 2012)
E – From Promised Land LP (RCA APL1-0873, released January 1975)
F – From Promised Land CD (FTD 50602 09750 1 9, released December 2011)
G – From Walk a Mile in My Shoes – The Essential ’70s Masters 5-CD box set (RCA 7863-66670-2, released October 1995)
H – From Platinum - A Life In Music 4-CD box set (RCA 67469, released July 1997)
I – From Rhythm and Country CD (RCA 07863-67672-2, released August 1998)
J – From Today, Tomorrow and Forever 4-CD box set (RCA 07863-65115-2, released June 2002)

(Source: Elvis On CD / Amazon)

May 08 - Carol Butler Died

2013-05-08T22:33:00.000+02:00

Carol Butler lost her fight against cancer shortly after midnight on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Carol Butler was an employee of Elvis Presley Enterprises at Graceland, as the Vice President of Worldwide Licensing, for 18 years before she started her own business.

(Source: Various)

May 07 - Home Movie Of Elvis At Stax

2013-05-07T20:15:00.001+02:00

Sony Legacy will release a single and 3CD set entitled "Elvis At Stax - 40th Anniversary" on August 16, 2013. The set should contain all of the King's Stax tracks, both the songs and outtakes, no other information available yet.

Home Movies - Volume 1 - The Fifties

Coming soon from the Roar Productions importlabel is a new DVD release entitled "Home Movies - Volume 1 - The Fifties".

From the press release:
Coming soon on DVD is a new DVD series release with Elvis home movies with rare and unseen private footage. For the very first time this 3 DVD set focuses on Elvis, The Man, Off Stage through 3 decades. See Elvis through intimates' moments surrounded by family or friends, through events that marked his life.
These 3 volumes will help you discover Elvis life via rare and unreleased digitally remastered footage.

The 50's:
Rediscover the teenage Elvis at Audubon drive, Graceland, Forth Worth and Biloxi with his first girlfriends; June Juanico, Anita Wood, Dorothy Harmony and his friends, Eddie Fadal, Red West, George Klein, Lamar Fike, Marty Lacker and Elvis' parents (Gladys and Vernon).

(Source: Amazon / ElvisMatters / FECC)

May 06 - Elvis - The Original Illustrated Album Re-issues

2013-05-06T22:07:00.000+02:00

Sony Legacy will release two new box-sets in their "Original Album Classics" series. The first box contains the albums "Blue Hawaii", "Pot Luck", Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Fun In Acapulco" and "Viva Las Vegas". This set is due June 25, 2013.

The second set, due on the same date, contains the albums "Elvis Presley", Elvis", "Loving You", "Elvis Is Back" and "G.I. Blues".

Elvis

The book / CD combo "Elvis" will be re-issued by Chartwell Books on May 15, 2013. The book comes with a CD containing SUN recordings.

Elvis - An Illustrated History

The book "Elvis - An Illustrated History" by Sandra Forty will be re-issued by BookSales on June 1, 2013.

(Source: Amazon / Elvis Club Berlin)

May 05 - Blu-ray Auction Results

2013-05-05T20:27:00.000+02:00

On Amazon the classic movie "Love Me Tender" is available for pre-order on blu-ray. The movie should be available August 2, 2013.

Moviegoers were introduced to Elvis Presley in this film set

during the dying hours of the Civil War. Elvis sings four songs, including the title song. The year is 1865, and the three Confederate Reno brothers don't know the war has ended.

They manage to steal a Union Army payroll, and head for
home with the money. While Vance (Richard Egan) can think only of the love of his life, Cathy (Debra Paget), it turns out that the brothers have been reported dead, and Cathy has married their youngest brother Clint (Elvis Presley). Vance accepts this until he learns that Cathy still
loves him. To complicate things, the U.S. Army knows of the brothers' theft and is hunting them down.

Aspect Ratio(s): 2.35:1
Audio Formats: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 - English DTS-HD MA 1.0 - Spanish Dolby Digital 1.0
Subtitles/Captions: English - French - Spanish

Bonus Features:
* Audio Commentary By Noted Elvis Historian Jerry Schilling
* Elvis Hits Hollywood
* The Colonel & The King
* Love Me Tender: The Birth & Boom Of The Elvis Hit
* Love Me Tender: The Soundtrack

Gotta Have Auctions

Results from the recent "Gotta Have Rock & Roll" auction that ended last night, where there were some nice prices paid for exclusive Elvis owned memorabilia.

Among the list of sales were

Elvis Presley's Signed & Inscribed Personal RCA TV That he shot with his gun. Final Bid:$14,495 Estimate:$11000 - $14000
Elvis Presley owned and worn leather indian jacket and pants. Final Bid: $8,054
Elvis Presley owned and worn custom made brown suede long coat. Final Bid: $12,543
Elvis Presley owned and worn patchwork leather boots. Final Bid: $4,000 (Below Right)
Elvis Presley owned and worn suede shearling coat. Final Bid: $7,078
Elvis Presley 1950's owned And worn black leather kidney belt with silver studs and conchos. Final Bid: $6,912

(Source: Elvis Information Network / Amazon)

May 04 - The Very Best ... Of Wertheimer

2013-05-04T21:55:00.002+02:00

The Wagram budget label will release a five disc compilation simply entitled "Elvis - The Very Best Of" on June 10, 2013.

Unpublished Shots From New Wertheimer Book

Here are some amazing shots, some previously unpublished, from the new Taschen publication, 'Elvis and the Birth of Rock and Roll'. This 418 page book will probably be one of the most expensive Elvis Presley books, retailing around 500 Euro.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Andy Dumas / FECC / Elvis My Happiness Website)

May 03 - Lucky Import Charts

2013-05-03T20:42:00.004+02:00

Elvis Presley had no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending May 11, 2013. The following albums appeared on the Catalog Album Chart:

'An Afternoon In The Garden' drops from 61 to 69 selling some 2,164 units. Total sales to date: 547,859 units. It also rises from 140 to 133 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 2,160 units. Total physical sales to date: 546,867 units. It also drops from 70 to 77 on the SMEI (Sony Music Entertainment International) Album Chart.
'Heart And Soul' drops from 80 to 85 selling some 1,997 units. Total sales to date: 639,984 units. It also rises from 152 to 142 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 1,996 units. Total physical sales to date: 639,416 units. It also drops to 18 on the Country Catalog Album Chart and rises from 90 to 86 on the SMEI (Sony Music Entertainment International) Album Chart.
'Elvis Country' (Compilation) rises from 132 to 130 selling some 1,686 units. Total sales to date: 178,309 units. It also appears at 178 on the Physical Album Chart at 178 selling some 1,683 units. Total physical sales to date: 177,254 units.
'The Very Best Of Love' rises from 199 to 150 selling some 1,598 units. Total sales to date: 355,085 units. It also appears at 199 on the Physical Album Chart.
'Elvis Inspirational' (Compilation) rises from 183 to 175 selling some 1,473 units. Total sales to date: 152,271 units.
'Viva Las Vegas' rises from 77 to 69 on the Top Soundtrack Album Chart selling some 363 units. Total sales to date: 56,485 units.
'He Touched Me' (Vol.1) (DVD) appears at 20 on the Music Videos Chart selling some 423 units. Total sales to date: 218,927 units.

Irish Charts

The CD "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" dropped from #66 to #70 on the Irish Album charts.

UK Charts

The "Viva Elvis - The Album" soundtrack from the Cirque De Soleil show climbed from #92 to #70 on the UK Album Chart.

Australian Charts

The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More“ climbed from #24 to #21 on the Austrialian Music DVD chart.

Imports Released

The Victrola label import release "Flesh, Blood And Bone", that revisits Elvis Presley's golden years 1957 and 1958, was released. Also released by an unknown label is another re-issue of the Camden release "I Got Lucky" with almost 20 additional bonustracks.

(Source: FECC / Brian Quinn / IRMA /Elvis On CD)

May 02 - Follow That Holy Blues Vinyl

2013-05-02T20:07:00.000+02:00

The Follow That Dream releases found their way to the fans. Here are the covers of the FTD re-issues of "Stay Away Joe" and "From Elvis In Memphis".

7-Blues EP

The Real Gone Music budget label announced the release of "7-Blues EP" on vinyl. This release is due May 27, 2013.

Side A: Blue Moon - Blue Moon Of Kentucky
Side B: Blue Suede Shoes - Blue Hawaii

The Ear of the Heart

Elvis' 1957 "Loving You" film co-star, Dolores Hart is releasing her book. The book is titled, "The Ear of the Heart: An Actress' Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows", and it is authored by Mother Dolores Hart and her co-author, Richard DeNeut. The 480 page book will be officially released on May 7th 2013 and it is being published by Ignatius Press.

Book description from Amazon:
Dolores Hart stunned Hollywood in 1963, when after ten highly successful feature films, she chose to enter a contemplative monastery. Now, fifty years later, Mother Dolores gives this fascinating account of her life, with co-author and life-long friend, Richard DeNeut. Dolores was a bright and beautiful college student when she made her film debut with Elvis Presley in Paramount's 1957 Loving You. She acted in nine more movies with other big stars such as Montgomery Clift, Anthony Quinn and Myrna Loy. She also gave a Tony-nominated performance in the Broadway play The Pleasure of His Company and appeared in two television shows, including The Virginian. A new chapter in her life occurred while playing Saint Clare in the movie Francis of Assisi, which was filmed on location in Italy."

Born Dolores Hicks to a complicated and colorful Chicago family, Mother Hart has travelled a charmed yet challenging road in her journey toward God, serenity and, yes, love. She entered the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Conn., at the peak of her career, not in order to leave the glamorous world of acting she had dreamed of since childhood, but in order to answer a mysterious summons she heard with the "ear of the heart". While contracted for another film and engaged to be married, she gave up everything to become a bride of Christ. Lavishly illustrated with 64 pages of photos.

(Source: Elvis On CD / Amazon)

May 01 - A Warm Preview From Hawaii

2013-05-01T16:52:00.002+02:00

Here is a preview of the upcoming "Elvis - Aloha Via Satellite" book from Joseph Pirzada which will be published through Boxcar label. The book is still scheduled for release in at the start of June. Click on the picture for a bigger (pre)view.

Keeping Them Warm

After taking a break, The Venus import label released the "Keeping Them Warm".

From the press-release:
We kick off with the first volume of a new series of CD/Book combos on our sub-label: VAR – Venus Ambient Recordings.

Presented as a hardcover book measuring 18x18cm, our first combo – Keeping Them Warm – contains 135 pages and is filled to the brim with pictures from the August/September 1972 Vegas season plus there’s a bonus section about the April 1972 tour, there will be many pictures you’ve never seen before.

The concert itself is the unreleased August 22, 1972 Midnight Show, presented in our usual Outer Space sound quality. Forget what’s been released by now from -so called- booth tapes. Even a Sound Board -where most of the action is missing- will have a hard time to compete. Now you can capture the atmosphere of an Elvis show as if you are present.

Stay tuned for our next volume in the Unedited Masters series plus another project of DVD/Book combos and don’t forget, if it sounds like from outer space, you can be sure it’s from Venus. Please note that this is a very limited release!

A Date With Elvis

Friday Music announced the release of a limited edition vinyl re-issue of "A Date With Elvis" on 180 gram vinyl on June 24, 2013.

Collecting Elvis

Volume 35 in the German "Elvis Sammlung" was released De Agostini. This volume contains the DVD with Frank Sinatra's "Welcome Home Elvis Show", a 28 page booklet, memorabilia reproductions and more.

(Source: Boxcar / FECC / De Agostini)

April 29 - Walk A Mile In My Audiostory

2013-04-29T08:21:00.000+02:00

The 5 CD box "Elvis - Walk A Mile In My Shoes" will be re-issued on May 14, 2013 in Italy with an additional DVD. The content of the DVD is yet unknown.

Elvis Die Audiostory

Bastei Lübbe will release the CD "ELVIS - Die Audiostory" on November 22, 2013in Germany. The audiobook s written and narrated by Michael Herden.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin)

April 28 - Better Than Ever On The Charts

2013-04-28T20:32:00.001+02:00

The VV import label announced the release of their third release "Better Than Ever!" containing both the complete live soundboard recording on January 26th 1970 Las Vegas opening show and the complete unreleased live audience recording from Houston on February 28, 1970 Afternoon Show ..

From the press-release:
To be released shortly (late May) on the VV label will be their third release entitled "Better Than Ever!" featuring both the complete live soundboard recording on January 26th 1970 Las Vegas opening show and the complete unreleased live audience recording from Houston on February 28, 1970 Afternoon Show. After the success of the first two releases We decided: first to improve the product and second, keeping the same formula to give you more...

The producers are aware of the fact that the opening night show, as one of the best Elvis Presley concerts ever, has been previously released in different imports. But Here we give you the chance to listen to the show in its entirety for the first time in a double high valued collector vinyl set, 45 rpm speed. The second show, the Houston unreleased February 28nd afternoon show, presents Elvis at the pick of his possibility, although not new to tape collectors, will not have been heard in this quality before. This release is taken directly from a first generation tape and has been professionally remastered to a high standard producing an excellent audio quality. Elvis at Houston is pure dynamite , delivering a great performance that compares with the opening night in terms of quality, giving to this release the status of “unique”.

’Better than Ever” wants to give you a unique perspective of the man and his music during this February 1970. The Vegas second season allows Elvis, after paying his debt to the golden past in the ’69 season, to demonstrate his true abilities. We see the best of Elvis in songs that will become the fulcrum of the Elvis show until 1972 Here you can hear the complete opening night. Houston three days later only from the end of the Vegas season, for Elvis the very first opportunity to face a real audience from his comeback to live scenes. The result six supernatural shows with record attendance set in the Saturday evening show… the rest his history, Here you can hear the complete February 28nd afternoon show.

About the Vegas opening night has been already said a lot a words, so We like spend some words on the Houston show here presented… Elvis performed accompanied from the band only a solid and rough show singing the best of the previous Las Vegas Season, in spite the short show ( about 44 minutes) and the bad acoustic this show as the title suggest Better than Ever directly from Houston Chronicle review can be reasonably to be included in one of best shows ever!!!

The double LP set, 140 Gr. vinyl at 45 RPM for a better higher resolution for a better high resolution sound, it never sounded better! It is a limited hand numbered edition of 500 copies. It comes with an three fold 300 gram high quality glossy sleeve both sides printed, giving an unique view. The sleeve will be accompanied Newspapers clips and with many photographs of the Elvis different suits wore in February. Both the vinyl disc will have for the first time of the label, glossy full colour paper sleeve, including high quality photos with track listing. The CD with the Houston show, will be accompanied with slim four panel digipack.

We hope you can enjoy this third product in the way to give life to more of his kind in next future.

LP January 26, 1970 Opening NightLive soundboard recording, running time 57 minutes.

Side A
* 01.Opening Vamp 02.All Shook Up 03.That’s All Right 04.Proud Mary 05.Don’t Cry Daddy 06.Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel

Side B*
07.Long Tall Sally 08.Let It Be Me 09.I Can’t Stop Loving You 10.Walk a Mile In My Shoes/In The Ghetto

Side C*
11.True Love Travels On A Gravel Road 12.Sweet Caroline 13.Polk Salad Annie

Side D*
14.Introductions 15.Kentucky Rain 16.Suspicious Minds 17.Can’t Help Falling In Love
*Tracks previously released soundboard recording

CD Houston February 28th , 1970 afternoon show complete unreleased show
Live Audience recording, running time 44 min.

01. Intro 02. All Shook Up 03. I Got A Woman 04. Long Tall Sally 05. Don’t Cry Daddy 06. Heartbreak Hotel 07. Hound Dog 08. Love Me Tender 09. Kentucky Rain 10. Release Me 11. Walk A Mile In My Shoes / In The Ghetto 12. I Can’t Stop Loving You 13. Polk Salad Annie 14. Band Introductions 15. Suspicious Minds 16. Can’t Help Falling In Love 17. Love Me Tender(instrumental) .

Australian Chart

The compilation DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" climbed from #29 to #24 on the Australian Music DVD chart.

UK Chart

The CD "Viva Elvis" re-entered the UK Album chart at #92.

(Source: FECC /The King's World)

April 26 - Live Setlist From Dixie

2013-04-26T20:31:00.000+02:00

RCA International (Sony Music) announced the re-release of "Setlist: The Very Best Of Elvis Presley - Live". The disc will be re-issued May 24, 2013.

Tracks:
That’s All Right (13.08.1970) – Blue Suede Shoes (22.08.1969) – All Shook Up – (22.08.1969) - Love Me Tender (22.08.1969) - Jailhouse Rock / Don’t Be Cruel (22.08.1969) - Heartbreak Hotel (22.08.1969) - Hound Dog (22.08.1969) - Are You Lonesome Tonight? (22.08.1969) - The Wonder Of You (13.08.1970) - An American Trilogy (14.01.1973) - Burning Love (14.01.1973) - In The Ghetto (22.08.1969) - Suspicious Minds (22.08.1969) - Can’t Help Falling In Love (22.08.1969)

To Live And Die In Dixie

The Straight Arrow import label announced the release of the CD "To Live And Die In Dixie" containing an audience-recording of the Dinner and midnightshow performances from the February 19, 1972.

The press-release:
Coming out soon is the new Straight Arrow's double-digipak release "TTo Live And Die In Dixie", featuring the February 19, 1972 Dinner and Midnight performances. This 6th Las Vegas season has been somewhat overlooked by bootleggers, mainly due to the below-par sound quality of the audience recorded tapes available. The last few years, the Straight Arrow team has been looking for good sounding amateur recordings from this particular season, and we are pleased to announced that we finally succeeded in locating two very good tapes obtained directly from the person who recorded them.

Most of the fans know that this is the engagement where Priscilla told Elvis that she was leaving him. Very little else seems to stand out for the casual observer. In many ways that's a pity, because this engagement is crucial on a number of levels. Firstly, because it represented a return to form. The early '72 Vegas shows surprised both the critics and fans because of Elvis' serious commitment to his music and his no-nonsense delivery. These shows marked also the first time that he performed the now-legendary "Theme 2001" / "C. C. Rider" opening, plus he also introduces various new songs to the show that are now widely considered as his finest show additions from the 70s, including "A Big Hunk O‘Love", "You Gave Me A Mountain", "Never Been To Spain", "I’ll Remember You" and "An American Trilogy". Actually, the best-ever versions of "Trilogy" are from this engagement!

As a bonus, we added the only known live-performance of "I'm Leaving It All Up To You" from the February 10th, 1972 Midnight show.

Both shows are strong and focused and they give the listener a good impression of Elvis' renewed interest in his music and his stage performances. These concerts are previously unreleased and they are presented in their complete form and in the best possible sound quality.

Tracks:
CD 1 / Saturday, February 19, 1972 Dinner Show 01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 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. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 11. Hound Dog - 12. A Big Hunk O'Love - 13. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 14. Suspicious Minds - 15. Introduction of singers, musicians, orchestra - 16. Introduction of LA radio DJ Robert W. Morgan - 17. An American Trilogy - 18. Can't Help Falling In Love - 19. Closing Vamp.

CD 2 / Saturday, February 19, 1972 Midnight Show 01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 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. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 11. Hound Dog - 12. A Big Hunk O'Love - 13. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 14. Suspicious Minds - 15. Introduction of singers, musicians, orchestra - 16. Introduction of actor Chill Wills - 17. An American Trilogy - 18. Can't Help Falling In Love - 19. Closing Vamp.

Bonus (February 10, 1972 Midnight Show): 20. I'm Leaving It All Up To You

US Charts

Elvis had no albums on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for the week ending May 4, 2013. The following albums appeared on the Catalog Album Chart:

'An Afternoon In The Garden' rises from 70 to 61 selling some 2,148 units. Total sales to date: 545,695 units. It also drops from 127 to 140 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 2,147units. Total physical sales to date: 544,707 units. It also rises from 72 to 70 on the SMEI Album Chart.
'Heart And Soul' drops from 65 to 80 selling some 1,971 units. Total sales to date: 637,987 units. It also drops from 126 to 152 on the Physical Album Chart selling some 1,969 units. Total physical sales to date: 637,420 units. It also drops to 15 on the Country Catalog Album Chart and drops from 71 to 90 on the SMEI (Sony Music Entertainment International) Album Chart.
'Elvis Country' (Compilation) rises from 154 to 132 selling some 1,602 units. Total sales to date: 176,623 units.
'Elvis Inspirational' (Compilation) drops from 137 to 182 selling some 1,405 units. Total sales to date: 150,798 units.
'The Very Best Of Love' drops from 157 to 198 selling some 1,342 units. Total sales to date: 353,487 units.
'Viva Las Vegas' drops from 76 to 77 on the Top Soundtrack Album Chart selling some 357 units. Total sales to date: 56,122 units.

Irisch Charts

The CD "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" climbed from #75 to #66 on the Irish Album chart while the CD "The Real ... Elvis" dropped off that chart.

Vinyl Delay

The SACD re-issue of "Stereo '57 (Essential Elvis Volume 2)" on the Analogue Productions label has been postponed to May 3, 2013.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Amazon / FECC / Elvis Memories / Elvis Infos)

April 25 - UK Favorites

2013-04-25T20:22:00.000+02:00

Shiver, the factual arm of ITV Studios UK, has been commissioned by ITV to produce The Nation's Favourite Elvis Song, a 90-minute prime-time special focused on the top 20 songs by the King of Rock 'n' Roll. The production, which will air later in the year, features commentary from Priscilla Presley as well as a number of producers and musicians. No date has yet been given.

Mark Robinson, the creative director of Shiver, commented: "Our Nation's Favourite. format has celebrated some of the greatest acts in popular music, but none bigger than the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself. This special tells the fascinating stories behind Elvis' best known songs, in the words of the people who knew him best, climaxing with the revelation of The Nation's Favourite Elvis Song."

Phil Savill, the director of marketing for CMG/Sony Music, added: "I am delighted that ITV have chosen to celebrate the marvellous music of Elvis Presley with The Nation's Favourite Elvis Song ITV special. He is arguably still the Nation's Favourite recording artist and we are delighted that ITV will be counting down through his 20 most popular tunes to reveal The Nation's Favourite Elvis Song."

(Source: Brian Quinn / Elvis Telegraph)

April 24 - Greatest FTD Hits

2013-04-24T19:46:00.000+02:00

Another budget compilation with an original title is due July 3, 2013; "Elvis Presley - The Greatest Hits".

Tracks:
I Wash The One - Blue Suede Shoes - Tutti Frutti - Maybellene - Long Tall Sally - Lonesome Cowboy - Party - All Shook Up - Hot Dog - Heartbreak Hotel - Poor Boy - Shake, Ratle & Roll - Let Me - Loving You - Blue Moon Of kentuky - Ready Teddy - Lawdy MIss Clawdy - Treat Me Nice - Money Honey - Hound Dog

Follow That Dream Released

The Follow That Dream label released CD "Stay Away, Joe", the double CD "From Elvis In Memphis", the vinyl re-issue of "On Stage – February, 1970" and the book / CD package "Summer Of ’61". The latter is a coproduction with the Norwegian Flaming Star fan club. The new "collectables" should be on their way to the dealers according to The King's World. No confirmation yet on the exact content of the CD / DVD that comes with the book.

Elvis Presley Enterprises Partners with March of Dimes for 75th Anniversary

As part of the 75th Anniversary, Elvis Presley Enterprises is teaming up with a charity close to Elvis' heart. The Memphis March for Babies will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Shelby Farms at 8:00 a.m. Among thousands of attendees, will be Mary Kosloski, an original poster child for March of Dimes pictured in the photo above with Elvis on the foyer steps of Graceland. Learn more about walking in your own community by clicking here.

Kosloski will be attending the 2013 Memphis March for Babies where many of these famous photos of Elvis supporting the March of Dimes will be showcased in the 75th Anniversary Tent. During her visit to Memphis, Kosloski will be recreating her famous 1957 pose on the interior staircase of Graceland.

There are at least 20 other photos of Elvis Presley in the March of Dimes Archives photography collection. These include photos of Elvis with national poster child Mary Kosloski and other polio sufferers, both children and adults. In 2004, a German author, Andreas Roth, licensed eight of these photos taken on December 9, 1958, for "The Ultimate Elvis in Munich Book," which has been called one of the finest intensive pictorial studies of Elvis. The author used the March of Dimes photographs of Elvis and Robert Marquette, a six-year-old American boy disabled by polio as evidence of his strong commitment to the mission of the March of Dimes.

Elvis Presley actively supported the March of Dimes in the 1950s to promote polio vaccination among teenagers after the Salk polio vaccine was licensed for use in 1955. A key March of Dimes photo depicts Elvis Presley receiving his own polio vaccination from Dr. Harold Fuerst on October 28, 1956, with New York City Health Commissioner Leona Baumgartner. Elvis agreed to this photo opportunity to support the March of Dimes Teens Against Polio (TAP) publicity efforts.

The photo of Presley, Fuerst, and Baumgartner is one of the truly iconic publicity shots in the photography collection of the March of Dimes Archives. That it was taken on October 28, 1956, the date of Elvis Presley's second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, is especially remarkable. The March of Dimes distributed the photo to over 600 Elvis fan clubs across the nation to encourage teen-age polio immunization, calling Elvis Presley “the Pied Piper of modern youth.” Though the photo pre-dates March of Dimes involvement in the problem of prematurity, Leona Baumgartner, as New York City Commissioner of Health, had earlier helped to establish a network of premature infant centers and local transport for premature infants in New York City in the 1940s. The photo thus bridges the evolution of the March of Dimes mission “from polio to prematurity” in an unforeseen but powerful way.

Elvis Presley’s appearances on this show were enormously important in the explosive popularity of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s. The photo was used successfully to encourage teenagers to get their polio vaccinations during the period of intensive public education about the polio vaccine from 1955 to 1962. A related March of Dimes polio vaccine brochure was titled "You Can't Rock 'n Roll with Polio," used in the Teens Against Polio program.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. Its mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary. The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to end polio in the United States and it succeeded. Babies born today continue to receive the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines and benefit from many March of Dimes supported breakthroughs, such as treatments for premature infants and for children with birth defects.

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / The King's World / EPE)

April 23 - Only Believe!

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The Gravel Road import label announced the release of the CD "Only Believe!" containing the January 21, 1971 Midnight Show.

From the press release:
Elvis Presley, unquestionably the most popular entertainer to ever appear on the famed Las Vegas Strip, returns to the main showroom of the International Hotel! With the limited Album “Snowboard Revisited" we started off with the first of three shows from 1971 January – February Las Vegas season.

With great pleasure we announce the second show “Only Believe”. This is a fantastic show of January 27, 1971 Midnight. If you enjoyed “Snowboard Revisited”, you’ll going to love the cd “Only Believe!” for sure! It took 18 years to come up with a fully re-mastered audio and deluxe artwork with plenty photos and liner notes of January 1971. All housed in a modern seventies styled package. We guarantee, you’ll hear details not heard before!

With the research we figured out that it is very likely that only “Suspicious Minds” and “The Impossible Dream” were not recorded. Because of the energy of the show, the show of 28th of January Midnight was the best choice to restore it to a complete show. We took these songs and edited them to make them fit the show. This is a limited edition and will match the previous release.

Top Single Seller

Here's an updated look at the acts with the most Top 40 Billboard chart titles dating since the Hot 100's Aug. 4, 1958, launch. Elvis is still #1 even though this does not include Elvis' massive 1956 and 1957 chart successes.

1. Elvis Presley - 80
2. Lil Wayne - 61
3. Elton John - 57
4. "Glee" Cast - 51
5. The Beatles - 50
6. Madonna - 49
7. Stevie Wonder - 46
8. James Brown - 44
9. Aretha Franklin - 43
10. Marvin Gaye - 41
10. The Rolling Stones - 41
10. Taylor Swift. - 41

(Source: FECC)

April 21 - My Memories Of Elvis

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Here's a book just released and new to our eyes. Life long fan Jo Anne Truiett Phillips saw Elvis 11 times between August 1955 and March 1977. She has written a book for her grand kids called "My Memories of Elvis", and because of the many great comments that the book and personal stories received, the book has been made available to the general public.

(Source: ElvisMatters)