Keep Rollin’ On From Venus

May 24th, 2011

The guys at Venus Productions are proud to be able to keep up their image of bringing you quality products with unreleased recordings with an “out of space” sound. This time they’ll take you back to January / February 1969 to the American Sound Studios in Memphis. As a special bonus to you, they’ve also included four goodies from 1971 & 1973.

Sit back and feel the thrill of listening to unreleased versions of songs that Elvis recorded at the height of his career – And be prepared for great sound quality.

This is Special Products, Extended Play release.

Tracklisting: I’m Movin’ On (Take 2 – Jan. 15, 1969 – Brass & Backup O.V) / In The Ghetto Master (Jan. 21, 1969 – Backup O.V. – unrepaired vocal) / I’ll Be There (Take 6 - Jan. 23, 1969 – Alternate Master) / Inherit The Wind (Alternate vocal) – Jan. 21, 1969 – Strings & 1st Backup O.V. – V.O.) / After Loving You (Master - Feb. 18, 1969 - Unedited) / Any Day Now (Master - Feb. 21, 1969 – unedited & unrepaired vocal) / Mama Liked The Roses (Alternate vocal - Jan. 21, 1969 - Undubbed – V.O.) / It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’ (Master - Feb. 20, 1969 – undubbed) / You’ll Think Of Me (Take 14 - Jan. 14, 1969 - Unedited – No fade out) / Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues (Take 8 - Dec. 13, 1973 – unedited – No fade out) / Lead Me Guide Me – Master - May 17, 1971) / I ‘ve Got Confidence (Take 2 - May 18, 1971 – unedited) / Are You Sincere (Take 3 - Sept. 23, 1973 – previously unreleased – no B.V.

O.V. = overdub / V.O. = vocal overdub

26-05-2011 om 13:33 geschreven door zooroo  

26-05-2011 om 13:29 geschreven door zooroo  

Elvis in Speedway



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDbaPhkAsJQ

20-02-2011 om 18:41 geschreven door zooroo  

FTD Elvis Presley - Spring Tours ‘77 Review

By: George Nelson 

This review will be over the newly released SPRING TOURS ‘77. First off I would like to thank the FTD label for providing us with these songs. I personally think they are doing a good job.

This CD has already taken a beaten. I’ve read many of the reviews on other Elvis websites and I would just like to say WE ASKED FOR IT! The reason this label was created was to release stuff that wouldn’t have done to well on a regular release.

Then when the label releases some of these recordings a select few practically trash BMG/FTD for what they are putting out. I have not seen a good review of a FTD label CD yet. Most of the recordings are not up to parr, that’s why they are released on this label.

Don’t knock BMG / FTD for doing what we wanted. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ernst and the other people who work for BMG / FTD for there hard work and I hope you do realize that 95% of the Elvis fans appreciate the work you’re doing. Now on with the review.

First off the cover isn’t that great, but that’s nothing new. I don’t buy CD’s just for the art work in the first place. What counts is the content. The sound is excellent.

The first date featured is March 26, 1977, recorded at the University of Oklahoma Lloyd Noble Center, Noble, Oklahoma. A false start of his first release, That’s all right, kicks off this CD, then Elvis goes right into the song. I’m going to tell you, this blew me away. After listening to Elvis in concert, this version is a solid rocker. What a great job.

A semi serious Are You Lonesome Tonight? is up next. Elvis did good until he says "Do you gaze at Charlie" the he loses it for a couple of lines, but he almost gets through the spoken part. Elvis follows this up with Blue Christmas. Elvis admits that it’s not the right time of year for the song, but he did it anyway and listening to the crowd they didn’t care either. Blue Suede Shoes form this same concert appears later on in the CD and it is miles away from the 1969 version. It is not one of the best versions I’ve heard of the song.

The next Night, March 27, 1977, Taylor County Coliseum, Abilene, Texas, we hear two songs from. Elvis does Trying to get to you and messes up on the first verse but catches himself and gives a great rendition of this. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy was captured on the tape machine as well. What a great rendition of that. Even though Elvis hadn’t performed the song in quite sometime, the band, and Elvis do a wonderful job at it. I love the ending "You can bet your bottom dollar, I won’t be home no more".

We only see one song from March 28, 1977, Austin, Texas. Jailhouse Rock, done better than the version on the ELVIS IN CONCERT, CD, but still by this time Elvis should have just stopped singing this song.

The Next recording date we have is March 30, 1977 is from Alexandria, Louisiana. Fever is the only song heard from this date. This is a fair version of this song. I have a soundboard of this concert and the sound quality is about the same.

April 24, 1977, Ann Arbor, Michigan. We are treated to 5 songs from this date. An Excerpt of Blue Hawaii can be heard before Elvis says "watch the musicians panic". Then he goes into Little Sister, followed by Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel. Both songs are not that great, It sounds like Elvis is just glad to get them over with. Help Me is a great rendition. It’s probably the best version of the song I’ve heard live. Then we come to the songs that appeared on the original Moody Blue album. Unchained Melody and Little Darlin are the undubbed masters. Unchained Melody is done well until the end, where you can hear Sherrill Neilsen try to cover Elvis up, but the mic is to high in the mix.

The Next night in Saginaw, Michigan, we are treated to 2 songs. Heartbreak Hotel is almost as good as the Madison Square Garden version. My Way is also from this show and ends the CD. I’ve read that this is the version found on platinum. If the booklet of Platinum is correct then this is possible. However according to Ernst Jorgensens sessionography book My Way on the PLATINUM release is from May 02, 1977 in Chicago, This would make this version of My Way a new. The two versions do not sound all that much alike, most noticeable is the drumming on the song towards the end.

April 26, 1977 in Kalamazoo we are treated to 2 more songs. According to the "Elvis is still active in Norway" web site, the version of If you Love me (Let Me Know) is the undubbed master or the first few minutes may be spliced with the version recorded on April 25. The master is listed as being from April 25 and according to FTD the vocal is missing from the first few minutes of the song. I listened to the 2 versions and it is possible, most noticeable is the beginning, with the feedback problem. The O Sole Mio / It’s Now or Never medley is ok. I don’t know why Elvis had Sherrill Nielsen do so many solo’s on stage in the last couple of years, but It gets annoying. Elvis did a great job on It’s now or never.

We only get one track from April 27, 1977 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Polk Salad Annie, I don’t know why but I like this version. I like how the band wraps the song up. You can just picture Elvis moving to the tune. The version on Tucson ‘76 isn’t that bad either.

April 29, 1977, Duluth, Minnesota, we get 2 more songs, this time rarely sung songs. Bridge Over Troubled Water and Big Boss Man. Ok, I read on "Elvisnews.com" that Elvis raped this song. This is totally untrue. This a great version, not as good as a 1970 version, but Elvis is trying and does a fair job to it. Big Boss Man, is probably one of the highlights of this CD. It is so good. It doesn’t even sound like 1977 Elvis.

From April 30, 1977, St.Paul, Minnesota, we get Hound Dog. Hound Dog was basically a throw away by this point, I can’t really say I blame Elvis either. After the 1000 time of singing the song I’d be tired of it to.

May 02, 1977, Chicago, Illinois, Fairytale is recorded. Fairytale is another highlight of this CD. It’s probably the best live version of the song I’ve heard. I couldn’t believe it when I heard it.

May 03, 1977, Saginaw, Michigan was the last night of this tour. Elvis was pretty well disturbed by the end of this concert because his sound system went. One song from this appearance appears on this CD and that’s the medley of Mystery Train / Tiger Man. Elvis’ voice sounds weak at the beginning of this song. However it’s a nice version.

In conclusion, this ought to put to rest any thoughts that Elvis was a fat, lazy performer at the end of his career, some of these performances are way above what anyone would expect from Elvis in this period of his career.

Tracklist:

• That's All Right, Mama (1977/03/26)
• Are You Lonesome Tonight? (1977/03/26)
• Blue Christmas (1977/03/26)
• Tryin' to Get to You (1977/03/27)
• Lawdy Miss Clawdy (1977/03/27)
• Fever (1977/03/30)
• Heartbreak Hotel (1977/04/25)
• If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (1977/04/26)
• It's Now or Never (1977/04/26)
• Little Sister (1977/04/24)
• Teddy Bear (1977/04/24)
• Don't Be Cruel (1977/04/24)
• Help Me (1977/04/24)
• Blue Suede Shoes (1977/03/26)
• Hound Dog (1977/04/30)
• Jailhouse Rock (1977/03/28)
• Polk Salad Annie (1977/04/27)
• Bridge over Troubled Water (1977/04/29)
• Big Boss Man (1977/04/29)
• Fairytale (1977/05/02)
• Mystery Train (1977/05/03)
• Tiger Man (1977/05/03)
• Unchained Melody (1977/04/24)
• Little Darlin' (1977/04/24)
• My Way (1977/04/25)

19-02-2011 om 12:47 geschreven door zooroo  

'The Last Vegas Opening Night' - import CD delay: Straight Arrow label announced its 12th release near the end of December; a double CD with the famous December 2nd, 1976 Opening Night. Some fans are asking, "Why is this release delayed and will it ever see the daylight?". The answer is very simple: Straight Arrow is here to give you the best possible quality. We originally intended to use a 1978 first generation copy for this release, simply because we figured that the original tape was no longer around or could no longer be traced. But then, as the project was almost near completion, our search for the original tape finally paid off, and we got in touch with the person who recorded the concert and owns the original 120-minute master tape. The sound fidelity and overall quality of this tape is FAR superior to any copy in circulation, and unlike these copies is also 100% complete! The negotiations took some time, but we came to an agreement, and the Straight Arrow team is now working its magic on the original tape. We can assure you that you will be impressed when you hear this; one of the King’s finest ’76 concerts in a remarkably clear and dynamic sound. The person who recorded the show also wrote the liner notes, a unique eye-witness perspective from a person who was THERE and describes the show in fascinating detail.

24-01-2011 om 18:07 geschreven door zooroo  

24-01-2011 om 18:04 geschreven door zooroo  

Viva Las Vegas

Elvis Movie #15
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1964

Certainly Viva Las Vegas is one of the most remembered of Elvis Presley’s 3l theatrical films. That’s due to two factors. The first is the pairing in the lead roles of Presley and Ann-Margret, two of Hollywood’s hottest film commodities in 1964. The second is the film’s theme song, which through the years has served as the unofficial anthem of the booming entertainment center in the Nevada desert.

While not considered a critical masterpiece, Viva Las Vegas is a classic in its presentation of its two energetic, young musical stars. Everything else in the film is secondary to the screen rapport between Elvis and Ann-Margret. With camera angles accentuating the attractive physical features of both, it is difficult for the average viewer to focus on other aspects of the movie.

When reviewers considered Viva Las Vegas on its release in 1964, however, they were obliged to look beyond the film’s stars in forming their assessment. Their appraisals varied, and so the movie received mixed reviews.

Variety’s review appeared on May 20, 1964, and the New York Times printed its analysis the next day. Variety’s reviewer, identified only as “Tube,” acknowledged that the “sizzling co-star combination” guaranteed box office success for the film. On the screen, however, "Tube" judged Viva Las Vegas to be a “pretty trite and heavy-handed affair, puny in story development and distortedly preoccupied with anatomical oomph.”

The Times calls it a pleasant, musical romp

For the Times, however, Howard Thompson gave the picture a pleasant, if not glowing, review. “Coming on a balmy day, with no pretensions of art,” Thompson wrote, “’Viva Las Vegas,’ the new Elvis Presley vehicle is about as pleasant and unimportant as a banana split. And as fetching to look at, it might be added. By now, after some rocky beginnings, the Presley movie formula has leveled off to a series of musical romps that are extremely easy to take.”

The difference between the two reviewers was that Variety’s still operated under the impression that Presley should be making more serious films, while Thompson at the Times understood that Elvis and his Hollywood handlers had come to the realization that light, musical comedy was the star’s box office niche in pictures. So, while “Tube” kept looking for dramatic substance in Viva Las Vegas and found only a “hackneyed yarn,” Thompson sat back and allowed the unassuming and visual narrative to have its way with him.

“This time Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer happily teams him with Ann-Margret, a perfect musical foil with her galvanized dancing,” Thompson noted. “The story … as directed by George Sidney, tools along rosily.

“All this, from the pen of no less a writer than Sally Benson, unfolds against the stunningly picturesque background of the famed desert resort, photographed in excellent color. Miss Benson’s script snugly combs the entire area, from the neon-spangled clubs, casinos and hotels to Boulder Dam Lake. And the picture winds up with a wing-ding of an auto race across the countryside. Whatever it isn’t, ‘Viva Las Vegas’ remains friendly, wholesome and pretty as all get-out.”

Auto race one of most exciting passages ever put on film

Even “Tube,” who seemed disappointed with most of the film, was impressed with its car race sequence. “This depiction of an auto race is one of the most exciting passages of its type ever put on film,” the Variety reviewer gushed. “The driver’s eye-view position in which the audience is placed as the cars whoosh over the swoops and dips of the desert highway engenders a genuine sensation of giddiness in the spectator—much like that generated by a roller coaster ride in Cinerama.”

One puzzling element of the race sequence involves the fate of Cesare Danova, Elvis’s romantic and racing rival in the film. Danova’s character, Count Mancini, receives sympathetic play through much of the film, but when he apparently dies in a horrific crash near the story’s end, no one seems to care beyond a “that’s-a-shame” shrug from Elvis as he drives on to victory.

Elvis and Ann-Margret share musical spotlight

Of course, with two versatile musical talents available, Viva Las Vegas is packed with song and dance numbers throughout. Elvis sings seven solo tunes, and Ann-Margret performs two songs, along with showcasing her dancing talent several times. The two also combine for a vocal duet and a couple of dance numbers. It was the only time in Presley’s film career that he shared the spotlight with a performing talent of comparable ability. Reluctantly, this Elvis fan must admit that Ann-Margret held an edge over him in their musical performances in Viva Las Vegas. Choreographed dancing was never Elvis’s strength, and while he was lively enough on his feet in this film, he couldn’t quite match his co-star’s energetic dancing style.

Variety parceled out the performing kudos as follows: “Neither EP nor A-M fares too well histrionically, but then this isn’t the kind of vehicle that demands high-powered emoting … A few of the musical specialties have some merit and sparkle. The title tune gives Presley his meatiest and most commercial sounding material. His co-star’s best number, although not her most sensually torrid, is the ‘My Rival’ routine in which she laments the competition of his would-be profession. They pair up most successfully on ‘The Lady Loves Me,’ which has the earmarks of a fairly popular wax entry.”

Too much emphasis on female physical assets, says Variety

For other reasons, though, Ann-Margret received some scolding from “Tube.” He thought the starlet’s physical assets were overstressed in the film:

“Any excuse to stare at a derrierre in motion seems good enough for director George Sidney and cameraman Joseph Biroc. The provocative pulchritude of Ann-Margret and assorted other chicks and chorines makes the sexy scrutiny downright pleasurable to the male eye, but there is a certain lack of tastefulness or subtlety about the film’s obsession with peeping at anatomical contours and epidermis simply for the sake of peeping.” Of course, norms for such arousing displays in films have changed in the past 45 years. Today the worst that can be said about Ann-Margret in Viva Las Vegas is that she was just too darn cute.

Elvis and Ann-Margret shared no classic romance (at least on-screen) in Viva Las Vegas. In fact, the stubbornness of their characters was more reminiscent of a volatile teenage romance. The only real amorous stretch in the film was the day the two starry-eyed young lovers spent together flying, waterskiing, and nightclubbing. It was enough, though, to link the two young entertainers together in the public consciousness for decades to come. There will always be speculation concerning the personal relationship between Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, but Viva Las Vegas will always be ready to testify to the magic they created together on-screen back in 1964.— Alan Hanson (June 2008)

24-01-2011 om 17:51 geschreven door zooroo  

Lamar Fike overleden


Vanmorgen ontvingen we het trieste nieuws dat Lamar Fike is overleden. Lamar was het zwaargewicht binnen de Memphis Mafia. Hij verzorgde de verlichting tijdens de optredens van Elvis in de seventies. 
Omwille van zjn gewicht noemde Elvis hem "Buddah", en ook wel 'The Great Speckled Bird". Hij hing al in 1956 rond bij het huis aan Audubon Drive waar Elvis toen woonde tot Gladys hem eindelijk binnen liet. Lamar was bij Elvis tijdens zijn dienstperidode in Duitsland. Daarna bleven Elvis en Lamar close tot 1962, waarna hij manager werd van Brenda Lee. Enige tijd later vervoegde hij zich opnieuw bij de Elvisclan. Hij speelde na de dood van Elvis een wat onduidelijke (en onbegrepen) rol als raadgever bij het controversiële boek van Albert Goldman. Lamar Fike kampte al een tijdje met zijn gezondheid. Moge hij rusten in vrede, onze gedachten gaan uit naar Lamar's directe familie en vrienden.

I have the unfortunate task of officially sadly announcing the passing of Lamar Fike as authorized by his cousin Tommy McDonald who was very close to Lamar and was with him daily in his hospital room in Arlington,Texas. Lamar passed away very peacefully last night, Friday, January 21.

Lamar had been hospitalized since last October 14th and then transferred to the physical therapy wing of the hospital. Unfortunately he did not improve and was sent back to the hospital about a month ago.

Outside of Red West, Lamar was with Elvis the longest and he remained close to him until Elvis' passing. Lamar was also very close to Elvis' mother.

Lamar's wishes to be cremated will be carried out and the Brown,Owen,Brumley Funeral Home, Ft. Worth are handling his funeral. A memorial service will be held in Mart, Texas, one of Lamar's boyhood homes at a date to be announced. He was born in Cleveland,Mississippi on November 11,1935.

Those of us in the Memphis Mafia who remained his friend are greatly saddened by the loss of yet another member of our close group. May G-d Bless his Soul and may he Rest In Peace.

Marty Lacker

PS: This is the official announcement, his family has asked that it you hear anything else from anyone else do not believe it.

24-01-2011 om 16:48 geschreven door zooroo  

Speedway boek met promo cd vanaf maart leverbaar

In de loop van de maand maart verschijnt het nieuwe fotoboek van JAT: Speedway.  Wederom een hardcover boek van een honderdtal bladzijden boordevol foto's uit deze Elvisfilm met Nancy Sinatra. Als extraatje wordt er een promo-CD bijgeleverd. Zodra de prijs bekend is hoort u meer van ons. Hierboven vindt u alvast de covers.

24-01-2011 om 16:46 geschreven door zooroo  

White Knight In Vegas (5" Digipack)

We kunnen op 15 februari 2011 weer nieuwe titels van het FTD collectors label verwachten.
De titel van de eerste cd is nog niet helemaal zeker en de lay-out onder voorbehoud, maar we weten wel dat het gaat om een concert van 26 augustus 1969 uit LasVegas. De foto's van Ann Moses zijn gebruikt in de lay-out van het boekwerkje (12 paginas). Zij was correspondent voor de NME en Tiger Beat en gezegend tijdens deze magische periode uit Elvis zijn carriere aanwezig te zijn.

01 Blue Suede Shoes 3:06
(Carl Perkins)
02 I Got A Woman 2:44
(Ray Charles)
03 All Shook Up 3:50
(Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
04 Love Me Tender 3:04
(Vera Matson/Elvis Presley)
05 Jailhouse Rock / Don't Be Cruel 2:23
(Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller) / (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley)
06 Heartbreak Hotel 4:56
(Mae Boren Axton/Tommy Durden/Elvis Presley)
07 Hound Dog 1:35
(Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
08 Memories 2:42
(Billy Strange/Mac Davis)
09 My Babe 4:23
(Willie Dixon)
10 Mystery Train / Tiger Man 3:39
(Junior Parker/Sam Phillips) / (Joe Hill Louis/Sam Burns)
11 Monologue 8:39
12 Baby, What You Want Me To Do 3:29
(Jimmy Reed)
13 Runaway 2:58
(Max Crook/Del Shannon)
14 Inherit The Wind 3:06
(Eddie Rabbitt)
15 Yesterday / Hey Jude 4:35
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
16 Introductions 4:35
17 In The Ghetto 3:04
(Scott 'Mac'Davis)
18 Suspicious Minds 7:48
(Mark James)
19 Can't Help Falling In Love 2:10
(Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss)

c. It's Elvis Time

24-01-2011 om 16:45 geschreven door zooroo  

Nieuw boek Paul Lichter 


Paul Lichter kondigt zijn nieuw te verschijnen boek Elvis In Vegas aan. Paul Lichter heeft inmiddels al heel wat titels op zijn naam staan, kijkt u even mee:

24-01-2011 om 16:43 geschreven door zooroo  

 
Deze foto's werden afgelopen zondag gemaakt tijdens de gospelshow in Memphis ter gelegenheid van Elvis zijn 76ste verjaardag.

24-01-2011 om 16:39 geschreven door zooroo  

Dit keer is er in de serie van deFTD vinyl releases (180 gram 2- LP set) gekozen voor het uitbrengen van het album 'How Great Thou Art'.
Het album bevat alle originele masters en vele outtakes. Een leuk extraatje is het nummer 'Beyond The Reef'dat informeel werd opgenomen tijdens de sessies. Het betreft hier een overdubde versie.

Side 1
01. How Great Thou Art (3:02)
(Stuart K. Hine)
02. In The Garden (3:11)
(Charles A. Miles)
03. Somebody Bigger Than You And I (2:27)
(John Lange/Hy Heath/Sonny Burke)
04. Farther Along (4:06)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)
05. Stand By Me (2:29)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)
06. Without Him (2:30)
(Mylon LeFevre)
07. How Great Thou Art - takes 1 & 2 (3:30)
(Stuart K. Hine)

Side 2
01. So High (1:59)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)
02. Where Could I Go But To The Lord (3:38)
(James B. Coats)
03. By And By (1:52)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)
04. If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side (1:38)
(Henry Slaughter)
05. Run On (2:23)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)
06. Where No One Stands Alone (2:44)
(Mosie Lister)
07. Crying In The Chapel (2:28)
(Artie Glenn)
08. Somebody Bigger Than You And I
- takes 14 (fs), 15 & wp 5 (4:39)
(John Lange/Hy Heath/Sonny Burke)

 Side 3
01. Run On - takes 1 & 2 (4:52)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)
02. Stand By Me - takes 9 & 10 (4:20)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)
03. So High-  take 1 (2:15)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)
04. By And By - takes 1, 2, 3, 4 (fs), 5 & 7 (4:28)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)05. By And By - takes 8 & 9 (2:34)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)
06. Beyond The Reef (3.11)
(J. Pitman)

Side 4
01. If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side
- take 1 (1:53)
(Henry Slaughter)
02. Without Him – take 1 (3:04)
(Mylon LeFevre)
03. Somebody Bigger Than You And I
- take 12 (2:42)
(John Lange/Hy Heath/Sonny Burke)
04. In The Garden - takes 1-3 (5:02)
(Charles A. Miles)
05. Run On-  takes 3- 6 (5:02)
(Arranged by Elvis Presley)
06. Where No One Stands Alone
- takes 2, 3 & wp 5 (3.45)
(Mosie Lister)

24-01-2011 om 16:36 geschreven door zooroo  

I wanted to give you all a great big THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all that you did for my mother. Not only when she was ill, but all the support you gave her during the years of touring, as well as, listening and purchasing her music. Many of you followed her closely and she loved you for that.
 
My mother was a wonderful lady. My life with her will never be forgotten. I have watched my mom from day one of her time with Elvis and the people from Graceland, showing many people what a great entertainer should project. My mom, although had friends by her side all the way to the end, always understood our special relationship. I will always love and respect my mother for who she is and what she became. Her grandson had the opportunity to sit with his Grandmother long before she became too ill  and shared with her his aspirations to follow her entertainment footsteps.
 
Thank you all for the respect while the family was grieving and we appreciate your well wishes and condolences. I have included the memorial information below and would love to hear from you or see you there.
 
For people who cannot make it to the memorial, we will be taking all emails and posting them at the memorial for people to read. We may even read a few there.

Sincerely,
Martin Smith
  
Myrna's Memorial:
First Christian Church of North Hollywood
4390 Colfax Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91604
818-763-8218
(please send flowers directly to the church)
Please RSVP at myrnasmemorial@hotmail.com
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00PM
Date: 1/29/2011
Refreshment will follow.
We appreciate the fans that had done so much for Myrna and a special thank you to Carole Drexler who has been a valuable friend of the family.
Bron:EIN

24-01-2011 om 16:35 geschreven door zooroo  

By: Elvis Australia
Source: Sony
January 19, 2011 - 4:55:27 PM
Elvis CD News,Elvis News,EP

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Sony Music will release Elvis Is Back!: Legacy Edition (2-CD) on March 1st. This is an odd but interesting release as it combines both Elvis' classic album, Elvis Is Back with his second, non movie, secular album released after he returned from the army, Something For Everybody. This upgraded CD features the original LP tracks as well as the 12 songs chosen for singles for each respective album, and every track is sublime. Both CDs highlight how the addition of the single releases (It's Now Or Never, A Mess Of Blues, Are You Lonesome Tonight? and His Latest Flame, Little Sister, Good Luck Charm) of the time would have benefited each album if some or all had been added. It was customary to not include singles on albums.

Rave Review From Rolling Stone For Elvis Is Back!

Currently available are the two albums in the FTD Classic Album series, for the serious fan they contain not only the album tracks and singles but also many out-takes (usually referred to as alternate takes) as Elvis went through the recording process. These offer a glimpse into how Elvis recorded, and indeed produced his albums and songs, it is often a delight to listen to Elvis talk or joke between takes and often you can find an alternate take that you really love that is just special to listen to. These are for the real fans out there!

Buy Elvis Is Back! Legacy Edition

Pre-order this Sony legacy Edition now, or buy the two Special Edition albums as below ....

Buy Elvis Is Back! FTD 2 CD Special Edition
Buy Something For Everybody FTD 2 CD Special Edition

Make Me Know It
Fever
The Girl Of My Best Friend
I Will Be Home Again
Dirty, Dirty Feeling
Thrill Of Your Love
Soldier Boy
Such A Night
It Feels So Right
The Girl Next Door Went A'Walking
Like A Baby
Reconsider Baby
Stuck On You
Fame And Fortune
It's Now Or Never
A Mess Of Blues
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
I Gotta Know
Surrender

There's Always Me
Give Me The Right
It's A Sin
Sentimental Me
Starting Today
Gently
I'm Coming Home
In Your Arms
Put The Blame On Me
Judy
I Want You With Me
I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell
I Feel So Bad
(Marie's The Name Of) His Latest Flame
Little Sister
Good Luck Charm
Anything That's Part Of You

Elvis Is Back! ..... Elvis returned to Nashville's Studio B on March 20^th 1960, just 15 days after coming home from his army stint for Uncle Sam. Elvis had been away from the music scene for nearly 2 years and the charts were no longer full of the excitement of fifties Rock 'n' Roll but had given way to a smoother sixties sound. Elvis knew too well that just one year out of the music business can kill your career and, although he had made some home recordings while in Germany, Elvis hadn't recorded in a Studio since June 1958!

While 1968 is named as Elvis' 'Comeback' nothing could have been more important than this 1960 session & no one could have been more concerned than Elvis himself. Would he still be as important to his teenage fans now that he was 25 years old? Could he still select suitable hit material in this new decade?

Would his new sound even be relevant?

Of course, Elvis always rose to a challenge and tended to produce his best work under pressure. When the session finished there could be no doubt that from his explosive first recording 'Make Me Know It' to the very last moment, as dawn was breaking, 'Reconsider Baby' this might be the best music that Elvis would ever produce. In an amazing two nights work Elvis recorded eighteen classic tracks including seven Gold records! When the LP was originally released surprisingly it did not sell as well as expected, and GI Blues would sadly do better. However, had it included the mega-selling Hit singles recorded at the same session (Stuck On You, It's Now or Never, Are You Lonesome Tonight) there is no doubt that it would have sold multi-millions.

Now, at last, this upgraded CD features the original LP tracks as well as the 12 songs (Stuck On You, Fame And Fortune, It's Now Or Never, A Mess Of Blues, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, I Gotta Know, Surrender and I Feel So Bad, (Marie's The Name Of) His Latest Flame, Little Sister, Good Luck Charm, Anything That's Part Of You) chosen for singles for each respective album, and every track is sublime.

From the exciting feel of Elvis blasting away that Army despondency on his first recording 'Make Me Know It', to the beautiful pop of 'Girl of My Best Friend' & 'A Mess Of Blues', the pure musical genius of the blues of 'Like a Baby' & 'It Feels So Right' along with the emotion in the ballad 'Soldier Boy' - Elvis covered every musical style.

While the Gold singles are well-known, two LP tracks also stand out as some of Elvis' most important recordings of all-time. 'Reconsider Baby', recorded in one magnificent live-take, captures Elvis as he is consumed in the passion of the music and working with such a great band. The wailing sax of Boots Randolph combined with Elvis' intense vocal is hard to beat. Similarly Elvis' growling moan of 'Such A Night' pushed this lightweight Drifters' song into another league all together. Here the new idea of using dual drummers (Buddy Harman & DJ Fontana) never would be bettered, helping urge Elvis an awe-inspiring performance. While Elvis was never recognised as a song-writer, his all-important contribution as an arranger/producer is perfectly demonstrated here. Elvis' whoop of joy at the end really says it all!

This was a very different sound to the Elvis of the fifties, smoother, more mature and with a new beauty and strength to his voice. This was a powerful statement that no one could deny – 'Elvis Is Back!'

There are three Elvis albums that every fan should own. 'Elvis Presley' his essential first LP, 'From Elvis In Memphis' the 1969 comeback LP, and 'Elvis Is Back'. The importance of these 3 LPs cannot be overstated.

Zo zal de verpakking eruit zien van de komende "Legacy" RCA release "Elvis Is Back", die eind februari verschijnt.  Eerdere releases waren "On Stage" en "From Elvis In Memphis". De tracklisting publiceerden we al eerder op deze site.

24-01-2011 om 00:00 geschreven door zooroo  

Miner's Memphis visit worthy of the King

MEMPHIS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Chilean miner Edison Pena, the Elvis fan trapped underground for months, gets a chance to visit his idol's haunts and celebrate his birthday next week.

Graceland spokesman Kevin Kern said Pena will get "the King-sized Elvis visit" with a private tour of Elvis' Memphis home, airplanes and car museum, The Commercial Appeal reported Friday.

Graceland collaborated with the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Tupelo, Miss., Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Peabody Hotel, Delta Air Lines and American Dream Safari for Pena's visit.

Plans call for Pena to cut the giant cake on Graceland's front lawn on the Jan. 8 observance of what would have been Elvis' 76th birthday, which the miner says is just fine.

"I'm not a greedy person," Pena said. "I'm a person who receives gifts that life has given me."

Pena's Memphis visit also includes attending practice of the Memphis Grizzlies professional basketball team with a chance to meet Spanish-speaking players Marc Gasol of Barcelona and Greivis Vasquez of Caracas, Venezuela, The Commercial Appeal said. He will be honorary duckmaster at The Peabody before attending an Elvis-themed Memphis Grizzlies-Utah Jazz game.

He also will have a private recording session at Sun Studio before attending the Elvis Birthday Pops concert by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

While in Elvis's hometown of Tupelo Jan. 9, Pena will receive the key to the city and visit the Tupelo Hardware Store where Elvis got his first guitar.

01-01-2011 om 13:01 geschreven door zooroo  

It's Elvis Time,

Elvis Christmas Party Den Haag 

Afgelopen zaterdagavond kreeg een totaal andere wending dan wat wij van te voren hadden kunnen verwachten. Op vrijdag 17 december is hemel en aarde bewogen om te proberen Jenson Bloomer met zijn Mondo Carne band vanuit Engeland naar Nederland te laten vliegen, maar niets mocht baten. Alle vluchten werden gecancelled. Vlak daarna kwam de volgende domper: de geluidtechnicus belde af, hij zag het niet zitten om te komen. Op de ochtend van de meeting belde tot overmaat van ramp ook nog eens de band 'Profile' af. Dit alles vanwege het slechte weer.
Gelukkig hebben we een aantal zeer efficiente medewerkers en met zijn allen hebben we naar onze smaak alsnog het publiek gegeven waar ze voor kwamen: Een spetterende Christmas Party.
Mijn speciale dank gaat daarom uit naar: Rogier van Luyken, Eric en Anneke van Rooy, Lore Audio ( het geluidsbedrijf dat ons op het allerlaatste moment nog de helpende hand kwam bieden), de band met bandleden van The Clarks.
Over de hele avond gezien gaat de grootste lof voor improvisatie en prestatie uit naar Mark Elbers. Zonder enige voorbereiding heeft hij een waanzinnige show neer gezet, zowel solo als een geweldige finale met The Elvis Imperials. Jenson Bloomer onze lead vocalist werd op deze manier op een zeer waardige manier vervangen.

De Elvis Imperials waren werkelijk groots. Muzikaal gezien briljant! De nieuwe leden van The Imperials doen niets af aan hun voorgangers, wat een oorstrelende mix van stemmen. Terry Blackwood en Joe Moscheo waren beiden onder de indruk van het Nederlandse publiek en het enthousiasme waar ze mee zijn ontvangen.

Dank aan iedereen die heeft meegewerkt en deze avond hebben mogelijk gemaakt. En dank aan iedereen die ondanks het slechte weer is gekomen, het bewijst maar weer eens hoe loyaal Elvis fans zijn aan hun held! We mochten na afloop veel enthousiaste reacties ontvangen, waar we natuurlijk enorm blij mee zijn.
Uiteraard komt er een uitgebreid verslag in magazine 265.

Thank you Jenson and Monde Carno band for trying to come over, we are really sorry you missed the show but we appreciate you TCB-ing for Elvis.

With special thanks to Joe, Terry, Royce and Darryl. You did a show we will never forget!

Bovenstaand ziet u foto's van informele momenten, soundcheck en de show

Vriendelijke groet/Kind regards
Freia Roos

AMERICAN TRILOGY (CLICK)

The Elvis Imperials in Nederland!

Eindelijk! Na maanden voorbereiden zijn ze in Nederland. Rond 19.15 uur landde het vliegtuig met aan boord The Elvis Imperials. Ze gaven direct aan dat ze enorm uitkijken naar hun optreden van aanstaande zaterdag in Den Haag. Voor dit unieke evenement zijn nog wat kaarten te koop aan de zaal. Wees er snel bij want: "op is op". Op bovenstaande foto ziet u The Elvis Imperials bij hun aankomst op Schiphol. 


Ik was aanwezig op deze avond. Ik dank het bestuur voor hun inzet om er toch nog wat van te maken. Tot een volgende elvis meeting. - Zooroo.

26-12-2010 om 10:57 geschreven door zooroo  

26-12-2010 om 10:41 geschreven door zooroo  

From It's Elvis Time,

Myrna Smith overleden

Het zat er al een poosje aan te komen, maar helaas moeten wij op deze eerste kerstdag aan u meedelen dat Myrna Smith van ons is heen gegaan. 
Alweer een grote klap in de Elvis wereld, na het kort geleden overlijden van Sherrill Nielsen.
Myrna is geruime tijd ziek geweest, zoals wij eerder vermeldden. Myrna was dol op haar muziek en fans. Zij stond van 1969 t/m 1977 met Elvis op het podium als backing vocal. Op 20 oktober 2002 kwam Myrna voor de eerste keer naar Nederland tijdens een Elvis meeting in Dordrecht, zij verzorgde daar samen met de overige "Sweets" en "The Imperials" de backing vocals van Jenson Bloomer. De dag daarvoor zong zij in Belgie bij de fanclub Elvis Presley Society.
Zij heeft tot op het laatste moment hoop gehouden te herstellen om vervolgens weer te kunnen toeren. Helaas, dit mocht niet zo zijn.....Rust in vrede Myrna.

I Saw her in Dordrecht oktober 2002. R.I.P. Myrna. (zooroo)

Zangeres Myrna Smith (69) overleden

ROTTERDAM - Zangeres Myrna Smith is op kerstavond op 69-jarige leeftijd overleden in een ziekenhuis van Los Angeles. De zangeres was een van de originele leden van The Sweet Inspirations, die in de jaren zeventig als achtergrondkoor van Elvis Presley dienden.

Smith leed al geruime tijd aan een vermoeiende nierziekte, laat de officiële Nederlandse fanclub Elvis Matters weten. Presley vroeg The Sweet Inspirations voor zijn grote comeback in Las Vegas, nadat ze in 1968 een grote hit scoorden met het nummer Sweet Inspiration.
 
Een jaar eerder verzorgde de groep de achtergrondzang bij de hit Brown Eyed Girl, van Van Morrison. In 1994 kwamen The Sweet Inspirations opnieuw bij elkaar en in 2004 zongen zij als achtergrondkoor bij enkele nummers van The Killers.
 
Myrna Smith sloot zich in 1965 aan bij de groep die werd in opgericht door Cissy Houston, de moeder van Whitney Houston. Hierna maakte Smith carrière als liedjesschrijver, voor onder anderen de ex-Beach Boy Carl Wilson. In februari trokken The Sweet Inspirations nog door Europa met de videoproductie Elvis: The Concert, dat ook in een uitverkocht Ahoy speelde.
 
Myrna Smith, die voor haar carrière een tijdlang als leerkracht werkte, liep in maart een longontsteking op waarna haar gezondheid hard achteruit ging. Een beroerte en nierfalen zorgden ervoor dat Smith sinds oktober aan haar bed was gekluisterd. (NOVUM/BVDL)

26-12-2010 om 00:00 geschreven door zooroo  

Elvis Christmas Party


             

Elvis Christmas Party gaat door!

Tussen de vele sneeuwbuien door is het team van It's Elvis Time druk bezig met de laatste voorbereidingen voor de Elvis Christmas Party in Den Haag. The Elvis Imperials en It's Elvis Time kijken er naar uit u vandaag te mogen begroeten in Den Haag. De zaal is ook met het openbaar vervoer heel makkelijk bereikbaar (neem vanaf Station Den Haag Centraal tram 3 richting Loosduinen, uitstappen halte Mozartlaan).

The Elvis Imperials in Nederland!

Eindelijk! Na maanden voorbereiden zijn ze in Nederland. Rond 19.15 uur landde het vliegtuig met aan boord The Elvis Imperials. Ze gaven direct aan dat ze enorm uitkijken naar hun optreden van aanstaande zaterdag in Den Haag. Voor dit unieke evenement zijn nog wat kaarten te koop aan de zaal. Wees er snel bij want: "op is op". Op bovenstaande foto ziet u The Elvis Imperials bij hun aankomst op Schiphol. 

18-12-2010 om 15:54 geschreven door zooroo