Saturday, May 09, 2015

May 09 - Ol' Snake Hips Is In Town!

The Straight Arrow import-label announced the release of the double CD set "Ol' Snake Hips Is In Town" from the Rick Rennie master tapes vol. 5, containing the Fridau August 21, 1971 Dinner and midnight show peformances as recorded from the audience at the Las vegas International Hotel. 

Press release from „The Rick Rennie master tapes“ Vol. 5:
Friday, August 21st, 1970 Dinner & Midnight Shows, Las Vegas International Hotel, Las Vegas, NV Label: Straight Arrow Special Products SA/SP 2015-32-02 Coming out soon is the 5th volume of Straight Arrow's „The Rick Rennie master tapes“ series - a double-digipak CD release, called "Ol' Snake Hips Is In Town!", featuring the August 21st, 1970 Las Vegas dinner and midnight shows.

Of the six shows that Rick recorded during this engagement, the shows on August 21st, 1970 were his favorite. The shows captured here represent Elvis at his zenith. His enthusiasm for performing live in front of an audience is so obvious, and his powerful charisma shines brighter than ever. Interestingly, he performs 'Tiger Man' as stand-alone versions here, and introduces it as his "second record" in a very matter-of-fact way. He also sings a snatch of the Buck Owens classic 'Crying Time', which really makes you wish that he'd recorded a proper version of it.

The August 21st, 1970 Dinner show was first released in 1998 („From Vegas To Macon") and reissued in 2011 („August Reloaded"“). The August 21st, 1970 Midnight show was first released in 2001 („You've Lost `That Lovin' Feelin''“) and was never re-released - until now.

As with every Straight Arrow’s upgrade, this beautifully designed double-digipak edition is limited to 500 copies. If you enjoyed previous volumes of the „From the Rick Rennie Master Tapes“ series, you cannot go wrong with "Ol' Snake Hips Is In Town!". If you're a fan who only wants his finest shows - get it. If you're a fan who's not too well -versed on audience recordings - make sure that this one is your first purchase. If you are a collector who knows Straight Arrow and appreciates what the label stands for - then getting this new release is your # 1 priority. Another true gem from the label that cares. Tracklist:

Tracks CD1 – Friday, August 21, 1970 Dinner Show:
01. Opening Vamp - 02. That's All Right - 03. I Got A Woman - 04. Tiger Man - 05. Monologue - 06. Love Me Tender (with false start) - 07. I Just Can't Help Believin' - 08. Sweet Caroline - 09. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - 10. Polk Salad Annie - 11. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. Happy Birthday to James Burton - 14. Introductions cont'd - 15. Introduction of Neil Diamond / Holly Holy (excerpt) - 16. Introduction of Elvis' grandmother Minnie Mae - 17. The Wonder Of You - 18. Heartbreak Hotel (with 2 false starts) - 19. One Night - 20. All Shook Up (false start only) / Blue Suede Shoes (with false start) / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - 21. Hound Dog - 22. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 23. Suspicious Minds - 24. Can't Help Falling In Love - 25. Closing Vamp.

Tracks CD2 – Friday, August 21, 1970 Midnight Show:
01. Opening Vamp - 02. That's All Right - 03. I Got A Woman / Ave Maria (excerpt) - 04. Tiger Man - 05. Monologue - 06. Love Me Tender (with false start) - 07. I've Lost You - 08. Cryin' Time (with false start) - 09. I Just Can't Help Believin' - 10. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (with false start) - 11. Polk Salad Annie - 12. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 13. Johnny B. Goode - 14. Introductions cont'd - 15. Introduction of actor Henry Silva, comedian Jack E. Leonard, comedian Rusty Warren - 16. The Wonder Of You - 17. Along Came Jones (excerpt) - 18. Heartbreak Hotel (with 2 false starts) - 19. One Night - 20. All Shook Up (2 false starts only) / Blue Suede Shoes / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On - 21. Hound Dog - 22. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 23. Suspicious Minds - 24. Can't Help Falling In Love - 25. Closing Vamp. 

Elvis inducted in R&B Music Hall of Fame
 
The Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame & Museum will host its 3rd annual Induction Ceremony in the city of Clarksdale, Mississippi on June 6, 2015 at the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium.

The Red Carpet will start at 5:00 p.m. and the induction ceremony will start at 6:00 p.m.

LaMont “ShowBoat” Robinson, founder of the project, said “We are so proud to be bringing the Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame and Museum to Clarksdale, and this induction ceremony is going to honor the greats of Rhythm & Blues in the place where American popular music was born.”


The 2015 class of inductees includes Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Millie Jackson, Bobby Rush, The Bar-Kay’s, Sam and Dave, Al Bell, Ike Turner, The Mad Lads, Stax Records, Dorothy Moore, Muddy Waters, Denise LaSalle, Little Junior Parker and WDIA radio station.

Elvis Presley – Elvis In Love

The Vinyl Passion double album vinyl release "Elvis Presley – Elvis In Love" is out.  

Side A: Can´t Help Falling In Love – Hawaiian Wedding Song – Fame And Fortune – A Big Hunk O` Love – Don´t Ask Me Why – Such A Night – Don´t – (Now And Then There´s) A Fool Such AS I – Have I Told You Lately That I Love You – Good Luck Charm
Side B: Are You Lonesome Tonight – Surrender – It´s Now Or Never – I Want You, I Need You, I Love You – Loving You – Love Me – Baby Let´s Play House – Blue Hawaii – Wooden Heart – Any Way You Want Me
Side C: (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear – She´s Not You – As Long As I Have You – The Girl Of My Best Friend – I Love You Because – I Need You Love Tonight – The Thrill Of Your Love – That´s Someone You Never Forget – Fever – Doin´ The Best I Can
Side D: Love Me Tender – True Love – I Was The One – Pocketful Of Rainbows – Stuck On You – Young And Beautiful – One Night – That´s When Your Heartaches Begin – Wear My Ring Around Your Neck – Anyplace In Paradise

(Source: FECC / ElvisMatters / Elvis Memories)