April 19 - Elvis Seventy Three

The ReelTrax import record label announced the release of the double CD set 'Elvis Seventy Three' featuring the August 7, 1973 Midnight Show, and September 3, 1973 Closing Show performances.

Publicity stated: ReelTrax is back with another great 2-CD release, actually the first one in 2024! After the great success of our recent vinyl release ''68 Unleashed' which has sold out very quickly we now present a completely new CD project!

'Elvis Seventy Three' is a 2-disc set with two complete shows from Elvis' August 1973 engagement at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas: On the first disc of this set you will be able to step back in time with Elvis Presley’s Closing Night performance from September 3, 1973. For the first time, experience this iconic show which easily can be seen as one of the most unusual performances of Elvis´ career in correct speed and superior sound quality, thanks to a meticulous Matrix Mix of soundboard and audience recordings. 

This new mix reveals intricacies and audience interactions previously unheard, capturing the King of Rock and Roll in his element. 

The Closing Night concert is renowned for its humorous touch, for instance, when Elvis had a toy monkey on his back (all through the first two songs of the show) while being carried on stage on the back of Lamar Fike. Or when a red velvet bed had been placed on stage during the show with Elvis sitting on it while singing 'What Now My Love' and pretending to "search" for his love in the bed. And finally when he totally mixed up the music and lyrics of 'Suspicious Minds' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', probably just because he wanted to fool his musicians (we called that 'Suspicious Bridge' and gave it its own track on the CD). 

But the concert is also known for its heartfelt and rare performances like 'Help Me Make It Through The Night', 'Softly As I Leave You' and a fantastic 'How Great Thou Art' with multiple reprises, among others. 

Additionally, to make sure the content of this CD is 100% the “real” Closing Night show we did not use the first 6 songs from the soundboard of the dinner show of the same date (which has been done this way before on an earlier release of the show), but chose to include them from an ambiance recording which has been made at Closing Night. It’s a pity that those first six songs have not been recorded on soundboard back in 1973.

CD 2 presents the Midnight Show from August 7, 1973, sourced from an ambiance recording which offers a very good sound. Elvis himself mentioned during the concert that he and his band were enjoying their time on stage, which led him to extend his performance, adding a personal touch to this memorable evening. 

One of only two versions of 'Funny How Time Slips Away', sung during the August 1973 season, and 'Faded Love', performed live for its fourth and final time are real highlights. 

But actually the set-lists of both shows in this 2-CD set contrast the energy from the beginning to the end of Elvis’s stint, highlighting both his serious and playful side on stage. The show on CD 2 has previously been released at a wrong speed on ‘Top Acts in Vegas’ 28 years ago. This corrected version now allows fans to hear Elvis as he truly sounded, making it a pivotal release for collectors and new fans alike. 

Enhance your Elvis collection with this definitive edition, featuring no less than a variety of 9 bonus tracks that underscore rare moments and the fun Elvis had during the Las Vegas Summer season of 1973.

CD 1: September 3, 1973 – Closing Show, Las Vegas Hilton Hotel (Matrix Recording*)

1. See See Rider

2. I Got A Woman - Amen

3. Love Me

4. Steamroller Blues

5. You Gave Me A Mountain

6. Trouble

7. Rock Medley

8. Love Me Tender

9. Fever

10. What Now My Love

11. Suspicious Bridge

12. Bridge Over Troubled Water

13. Suspicious Minds

14. Introductions of Band & Celebrities

15. My Boy

16. I Can’t Stop Loving You

17. An American Trilogy

18. A Big Hunk O Love

19. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

20. Mystery Train - Tiger Man

21. How Great Thou Art (two reprises)

22. Help Me Make It Through The Night

23. Softly As I Leave You

24. Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

*Tracks 1 to 6 were sourced from an ambiance recording, as these songs were not on the soundboard tape

CD 2: August 7, 1973 – Midnight Show, Las Vegas Hilton Hotel (Ambiance Recording)

1. Also Sprach Zarathustra

2. See See Rider

3. I Got A Woman - Amen

4. Love Me

5. Steamroller Blues

6. You Gave Me A Mountain

7. Trouble

8. Blue Suede Shoes

9. Rock Medley

10. Love Me Tender

11. Fever

12. Bridge Over Troubled Water (two false starts)

13. Suspicious Minds

14. Introductions

15. My Boy

16. I Can’t Stop Loving You

17. An American Trilogy

18. Release Me

19. Mystery Train - Tiger Man

20. Funny How Time Slips Away

21. Faded Love

22. Can’t Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

Bonus tracks:

23. Make The World Go Away (August 8, 1973 MS)

24. Tiger Man (August 11, 1973 MS)

25. Crying Time (August 12, 1973 MS)

26. Amazing Grace (August 14, 1973 DS)

27. Something (August 23, 1973 DS)

28. It’s A Matter Of Time (August 25, 1973 MS)

29. Johnny B. Goode (August 26, 1973 MS)

30. My Boy (False Start) - Release Me - My Boy (August 28, 1973 MS)

31. You Gave Me A Mountain (September 2, 1973 DS)

(Source: Reel Trax)

April 18 - Studio Memories 1973

Hot on the heels of the 'Live Anthology 1973, featuring live highlights recorded during shows at the Las Vegas Hilton and Dell Webb’s Sahara in 1973 follows the double LP 'Studio Anthology 1973'. 

This set, housed in a Deluxe Gatefold sleeve and available on 180 Gr. blue, red or clear colored vinyl, contains 25 tracks recorded in the studio in 1973. The set also includes the music on a bonus CD. 

Publicity stated: Now available is this double vinyl album full of studio highlights recorded during 1973. 25 great tracks including highlights like 'My Boy', 'Promised Land' and 'Spanish Eyes'. 

All tracks are painstakingly remastered. This fantastic double album is presented as a deluxe gatefold album and available in red / blue or clear vinyl. This strictly limited edition vinyl release also includes a bonus CD featuring the LP tracks.

Side A: You Asked Me To (Take 2a, Unfaded) - Promised Land (Take 1) - It’s Midnight (Take 10 With Backing Vocals) - Are You Sincere (Take 1) - Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (Take 8, Unfaded) - If That Isn’t Love (Take 1) - If That Isn’t Love (Rehearsal & Take 2).

Side B: If You Don’t Come Back (Take 4) - I Got A Feelin' In My Body (Rehearsal Before Take 2) - I Got A Feelin' In My Body (Take 6 & 7) - Three Corn Patches (Take 2, Unfaded) - It’s Midnight (Take 11) - Thinking About You (Rehearsal & Complete Take 4).

LP 2 - Side C: Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming (Take 4, Unedited) - I Miss You (Take 10) - There’s A Honky Tonk Angel (Take 1 - 3) - Sweet Angeline (Vocal Overdub To Track) - My Boy (Take 3, Undubbed Master).

Side D: Love Song Of The Year (Undubbed Master) - Talk About The Good Times (Unedited Master) - Spanish Eyes (Take 4, Undubbed Master) - If You Talk In Your Sleep (Take 9, Unedited Undubbed Master) - Promised Land (Harmony Vocal Overdub) - Help Me (False Start & Take 1, Undubbed Master) - It’s Different Now (Rehearsal).

CD: You Asked Me To (Take 2a, Unfaded) - Promised Land (Take 1) - It’s Midnight (Take 10 With Backing Vocals) - Are You Sincere (Take 1) - Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (Take 8, Unfaded) - If That Isn’t Love (Take 1) - If That Isn’t Love (Rehearsal & Take 2) - If You Don’t Come Back (Take 4) - I Got A Feelin’ In My Body (Rehearsal Before Take 2) - I Got A Feelin' In My Body (Take 6 & 7) - Three Corn Patches (Take 2, Unfaded) - It’s Midnight (Take 11) - Thinking About You (Rehearsal & Complete Take 4) - Your Love’s Been A Long Time Coming (Take 4, Unedited) - I Miss You (Take 10) - There’s A Honky Tonk Angel (Take 1 - 3) - Sweet Angeline (Vocal Overdub To Track) - My Boy (Take 3, Undubbed Master) - Love Song Of The Year (Undubbed Master) - Talk About The Good Times (Unedited Master) - Spanish Eyes (Take 4, Undubbed Master) - If You Talk In Your Sleep (Take 9, Unedited Undubbed Master) - Promised Land (Harmony Vocal Overdub) - Help Me (False Start & Take 1, Undubbed Master) - It’s Different Now (Rehearsal).

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Glen D. Hardin, Elvis' former piano player and arranger (1970 - 1976). Today Glenn celebrates that he is 85 years young.

On Facebook Hardin posted: "Thank you for the many birthday wishes! 85 and still rockin' and rolling, a little bit. Thank you! I'm in Milan with many wonderful friends and incredibly grateful today. 🙏 ❤️"

Memories of Vinyl

Due for release soon on green or clear vinyl is the LP / 2-CD-set 'Our Memories of Elvis Volume 3', marking the vinyl debut of this title. The LP contains 14 songs, the CDs 36 songs.

Publicity stated: After the untimely death of Elvis in August 1977 Elvis' record company quickly reissued a big part of the Elvis catalogue on vinyl. The demand was obviously huge and the staff had to work overtime. The last album released during Elvis’ lifetime was ‘Moody Blue’. 

Between all reissues, ‘Elvis in Concert’ (the last “planned” Elvis album) was released. The double album was awarded Gold and Platinum in October 1977. 

After ‘Elvis in Concert’ a lot of compilations and special product albums were released, but Joan Deary definitely felt the fans were in need for something special. She released ‘a legendary performer volume 3’ containing some unreleased tracks. 

Shortly after 'A Legendary Performer' she produced the excellent release ‘Our Memories Of Elvis’ in February 1979. The album claimed to contain tracks without additional accompaniment, but for real the album featured stripped down versions, not the undubbed masters that the fans thought they were listening to. Although not being as big of a seller as expected, the album has always been a fan favorite and paved the road for a 'volume 2' and for later releases like the ‘Elvis Aaron Presley’ box set and ‘Greatest Hits Volume 1’. A volume 3 of 'Our Memories Of Elvis' was planned but never realized, until now! 

This release includes two bonus CDs, containing the LP tracks and many bonus tracks. This is the pure Elvis!

Side A: Hurt - If You Don’t Come Back - It’s A Matter Of Time - Woman Without Love - Sweet Angeline - Shake A Hand - The Last Farewell

Side B: Promised Land - Heart Of Rome - When I’m Over You - For Ol’ Times Sake - Mr. Songman - Moody Blue - If That Isn’t Love

CD 1: Hurt - If You Don’t Come Back - It’s A Matter Of Time - Woman Without Love - Sweet Angeline - Shake A Hand - The Last Farewell - Promised Land - Heart Of Rome - When I’m Over You - For Ol’ Times Sake - Mr. Songman - Moody Blue - If That Isn’t Love (Undubbed Master) - Fool - Raised On Rock - Pledging My Love - Love Coming Down.

All selections are original stripped down versions except 'If That Isn’t Love' (original undubbed master).

CD 2: Shake A Hand - Pledging My Love - Woman Without Love - It’s A Matter Of   - Sweet Angeline - Promised Land - Heart Of Rome - If You Don’t Come Back (Rough Masters) - Love Coming Down - For Ol’ Times Sake (Rough Masters) - The Last Farewell - Mr. Songman - Raised On Rock (Rough Masters) - Fool - When I’m Over You - Moody Blue (No Backing Vocals) - Moody Blue - Hurt.

Hurt All selections are the original Undubbed Masters with live backing vocals except 8,10 & 13 which are Rough Masters.

Note: The Victrola import record label released 'Our Memories of Elvis Vol. 1 and 2' and 'Our Memories of Elvis Vol. 3 - Unfinished Business' in 2010 and the Follow That Dream Collectors label released 'Our Memories of Elvis Vol. 1 - 3' in 2012. The same songs - with the exception 'If That Isn't Love' which was never part of the project, but the information on the exact versions can not yet be determined on the information from the press release. 

(Source: Facebook / Elvis Club Berlin)

April 17 - Rock Chansons

Released in France is the Chanson music magazine #5 featuring Elvis on the cover with inside an article on Rock music in the sixties. 

(Source: Journaux / Facebook)

April 16 - Delayed and Earlier Than Expected

Elvis' former guitar player and bandleader James Burton announced that he had to delay the upcoming  Reunion Festival 

He posted on Facebook: Due to recent developments we are postponing the James Burton International Guitar Festival scheduled for August to a later date. Thank you for your patience and loyalty to the James Burton Foundation.

Note: Following questions from fans regarding the cause of the delay, the James' wife stated: "This is because of practical matters! All is well with James!"

I'm Counting On Them

The first lucky fans received their copies of the French Record Store Day releases 'I'm Counting On Them' and 'Elvis Styles'.

Details 'I'm Counting On Them': This album brings together two singer-songwriters, both pianists, who made a remarkable contribution to the work and career of the King. While Otis Blackwell excelled in rock 'n' roll, of which he was one of the great craftsmen (providing Elvis with no less than three number 1 hits), Don Robertson, on the other hand, was a master in the art of the ballad (several of his compositions would appear on the B-sides of successful singles). Two exceptional artists who deserve a place in the Music Pantheon! 

The LP is available from the >>> V.P.I online store here.

Details 'Elvis Styles': In 1960, the renowned composer Leonard Bernstein said, "Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force of the 20th century... He introduced rhythm into everything and changed it all—music, language, clothes. It's an entirely new social revolution from which the '60s emerged." And it's true that Elvis could sing anything! This triple album features no less than 54 tracks, the majority of which are alternate versions. A unique compilation, never before realized, that is truly exceptional, showcasing the various facets of the artist.

The LP is available from the >>> V.P.I online store here.

Both CDs are also available in CD editions.

Closed

Memphis’ Humes school, Elvis Presley’s alma mater, is closing after yearslong turnaround attempt.

Humes Middle School in North Memphis will close its doors at the end of this school year. The school will return to the control of the Memphis Shelby-County district.

The last-minute decision to close the nearly 100-year-old building, where a young Elvis Presley attended high school, marks a change in plans since the fall.

The school has been struggling with low enrollment for a long time. Students are transferred to Booker T. Washington, a school for grades 6 - 12, three miles away in South Memphis.

In Elvis's time this school was called "Humes High".

(Source: James Burton / Sonia Garmin on Facebook / UEPS)

April 15 - Votes and Books

Graceland announced that the voting for the 2024 Elvis Fan Choice Awards is now officially open! Fans can their votes for their favorite Elvis movies, songs, and more in 26 exciting categories!

Publicity stated: From the best Elvis movie to the ultimate Elvis song of all time, this is your chance to have your say and celebrate the king! Plus, if you have a favorite that's not on the list, don't worry you can write in your vote!

Winners will be revealed on August 14 during Elvis Week 2024 at Graceland as fans gather for an evening of glitz and glamour at the Graceland Soundstage! Voting ends April 24, so be sure to cast your at: Surveymonkey.com/r/fanchoice


More Portraits

The Elvis Files team announced that the book 'Elvis Portraits The Fifties', volume 2 in the '1935 A Life In Photos 1977' is currently at the printers. The book should be out June 2024.

Publicity stated: 'Portraits 50's', as the title suggests, provides a hardcover photobook with 400 pages printed on glossy paper with the best and most beautiful moments of Elvis in the fifties. I am a fan of this period and I can say with great confidence that the selected photos are extremely beautiful. Many unseen images of Presley at his best.

We are currently working hard on a second project that runs parallel to the 'Portraits' book, but it is too early to share all the details yet. All I can say is that this will be a masterpiece. It stands out like a Picasso or even a Rembrandt in the world of Elvis collectors memorabilia.

(Source: Graceland / Elvis Files)