New Items finally arrive

I got my latest order in today from Shop Elvis. The fallowing is a list of the items I got.

FTD-Studio B Outtakes 1961-1964
FTD 2 disc classic album, Something For Everybody
FTD 2 disc classic album, 50 Million Elvis Fans Cant Be Wrong
FTD book/CD, Flashback
That's All Right CD single

I am super excited and should have a few thoughts on them as I get to listen to them. So far I have only got to listen to a little of the Studio B outtakes. From what I have heard though. it is outstanding. I have a feeling this might be on of my favorite CD's ever!

This puts my Elvis CD collection up to 131.

DOLL OF THE WEEK

Judy Tyler appeared with Elvis in the movie Jailhouse Rock. She was a model in her younger days and also danced at the Copa. She played on the Howdy Doody show for a time. She was getting into movies and had done a few when she landed the role in Jailhouse Rock. I thought she was a pretty good actress from what I have seen of her. She is very pleasing to the eyes as well. She is one the more naturally beautiful ladies in any of Elvis' movies in my opinion. Shortly after Jailhouse Rock was finished she and her husband was driving from LA to New York when they got in a car accident. He would die that night, and she would pass away the next morning. Elvis was said to be very fond of Judy. Right after her death Elvis spoke out about and said he could never watch this movie because it would be too painful. He never did watch it from what I understand.

The King Cobra and I

I few years ago I remember running across a show on the Animal Planet about cobras. I have always been fascinated about them and decided to watch. Turns out the expert the show was about was a avid Elvis fan. Below is a description of the show courtesy of the Animal planet website.

As long as a giraffe is tall, able to rear its head to the height of a man and deadly enough to kill an elephant with a single bite, the king cobra is truly the "king of the serpents." On this Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom special, join dynamic American herpetologist and Elvis fanatic Romulus Whitaker on a quest to protect this highly endangered and much-feared snake.
A world authority on Indian snakes, Romulus searches the jungles of southern India for the perfect place to build the world's first king cobra sanctuary — but first he must find a mate for his largest snake, Elvis.
The task is wrought with danger as Romulus, though allergic to antivenin, rescues a large female from a home in an Indian village. The female snake, aptly named Priscilla, ultimately breeds with Elvis. In time, their offspring are released into the remote jungle that Romulus has selected as the home for a new generation of kings.
Featuring classic songs by Elvis Presley, this film provides unique insight into the lives of these deadly yet secretive creatures through the eyes of a man who has a passionate desire to save them.

This show was awesome. The guy was doing a good thing in saving and trying to protect these interesting snakes. I remember several songs being played during the show but I know Mystery Train was played. I wish this show would air again. I would love to see the two massive cobras again. I thought it was really cool he named them after Elvis and Priscilla. I do remember the snake Elvis was very big, as big a cobra as I have ever seen. I have always wanted one of these snakes but I can't see it ever happening.

Vince's Random Song

Im a huge fan of Del Shannon's "Runaway" and I ran across this slideshow of pics from Elvis' 69' vegas shows while he sings "Runaway" CHECK IT OUT!!

Elvis At The International

This album was recorded on August 23, 1969 at the midnight show in Las Vegas. Very similar to the "All Shook Up" album, Elvis is still not fully in his comfort zone from his hiatus from live performances during the 60's. I had read in an article that the opening night album (which is only available by bootleg only) was so long because he would pretty much tell his whole life story, that the International asked Elvis to cut down the time of his shows. So on this album Elvis has a complete 10 minute rant on crickets, woolly boogers and how he hated to film some of his movies. The cover of this album which is available on FTD records, is the coolest cover I've seen. I know the picture is way over used but it showed the new Elvis in action. New energy, new sound, but same favorites are on this album. Surprisingly I loved the Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel medley, normally I don't like the classics in the later years but he pulled these two off quite well. What really struck me as a cool song live was "Reconsider Baby" the way he sang that sounded almost as good as the original version, I was yelling. My two least favorite songs on the album were "What I'D Say" and "Yesterday/Hey Jude". In my opinion Elvis really sang "What'd I Say" too hard causing him to sound like it took way too much out of him and as for "Yesterday/Hey Jude", I just don't like anything associated with the Beatles. This album has really good sound quality and is very entertaining. Definitely in my top 5 Vegas shows.

Parker movie to be made.

The fallowing was took from ElvisNews.com.

Producers David Permut and Steve Binder have acquired screen rights to Alanna Nash's 2003 book "The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley." Permut and Binder will develop a feature titled "The Colonel" based on the book about the man with shadowy origins who reinvented himself as the Svengali behind the world's most famous entertainer.Parker started his showbiz career as a hustler on the carnival circuit before promoting Minnie Pearl and Eddy Arnold. Parker built Presley into a global music and film star -- and took 50% of the spoils.Nash dug deeply into Parker's origins in the expose. While Parker always claimed to be American, Nash uncovered a past life in the Netherlands that included his possible involvement in the bludgeoning death of a female acquaintance. Though that murder remains unsolved, Permut said the event may factor into the script because it's one explanation of why Parker left abruptly for America and rarely ventured outside the U.S. Presley famously never went on a European tour because Parker didn't want to go there.Permut said he and Binder (who produced Presley's 1968 comeback TV special) set up the project after hiring a writer and director. Steve Longi will be co-producer.

I think this might be pretty neat to see something about the Tom Parker. However I wish it was a fair interpretation and they don't just make this about him being low,a crook, blah blah blah. I don't think it is any secret Binder didn't like Parker. I don't share the same opinon of most Presley fans who think Parker was the devil who led Elvis to hell and all that nonsense. This movie will be interesting though.

Vince's Flippy Five

1. What A Wonderful Life
2. Pocket Full Of Rainbows
3. Feels So Right
4. I Gotta Know
5. Can't Help Falling In Love

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Elvis in 1974.

Mike's Top 5

My top five for the week.

1.Love Me
2.All Shook Up
3.I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine
4.Stuck On You
5.Girl Happy

POLL RESULTS

Looks like the other option took it for which character would you most want to be. I was surprised Ross did not get any votes. He has to be the coolest one just behind Mike Edwards.

Baby Let's Play House to be released

The italian DJ Spankox, who remixed Elvis' classic "Baby Let's Play House" has been invited to Elvis Week 2008 by EPE a guest speaker at the Elvis Insiders Conference. SONY BMG will release his remix single May 27, 2008; a special limited edition CD single of the re-mix will be available exclusively at Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis and online at Shop Elvis.

I personally think this is great. Some people go on and on about how much they hate the remixes. I don't like them near as much as the originals, but if done right they serve a great purpose. I think they open up Elvis to new people. As long as they don't kill the original work, then it is alright. If they start going overboard and releasing stuff rapidly and it is not done right, I am going to have a problem. I can't believe I would ever like any remix done with Baby Let's Play House. As I stated in a previous post some time back, I actually like this pretty good. I am interested to see what Spankox will have to say at the conference.

An Instant Classic.....A look at Jailhouse Rock(part2)

I am finally back to finish my thoughts on Jailhouse Rock. This movie seems to have been perfect for Elvis. It came about at just the right time. It served notice this guy could cut it in Hollywood. First lets start with the story. The script is pretty good. No it is not the best one he was a part of in my opinion. Though overall I thought it fit. I would have had to wonder, how many times can we see this story about the young guy discovering his musical talent and making it big? Well three times in a row in the 50's and it paid off. The reason it did was because of the great music and the fact Elvis was actually becoming a good actor. The character is really nothing like the 22 year old boy who was playing him. Vince Everette was a tough guy who had a soft side, but really wanted to put out that vibe that he was not to be messed with. It is one of Elvis' coolest characters. Elvis has a pretty good cast to work with as well. I don't think it was as solid as the cast in King Creole, but it was still solid. I love Judy Tyler in the role of Peggy Van Alden. She and Elvis worked well together. She was a very pretty lady and seemed very talented. It is such a tragedy the way her life ended. The music was very good in the movie. Jailhouse Rock was an instant classic and defines the Rock and Roll side of Elvis to many people. It is one of the songs a lot of the general public thinks of when they thinks of Elvis. My personal favorite from the movie is (You're So Square)Baby I Don't Care. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote some great music for the film.The wardrobe it also far out. I love Elvis' style from the 50's and it is reflected in this movie. I don't know if Elvis ever looked cooler then in the scene by the pool.
We all know the story about Elvis swallowing a tooth cap during production of the movie. He was rushed the hospital. It was a pretty serious deal, though Elvis made it through it alright. The most interesting part of the film to me is the Jailhouse Rock production number. It is without a doubt Elvis' best number on film, and was said to be his favorite. I believe it is the best production number from any movie ever, period. Alex Romero was the choreographer for the movie. Most people think Elvis came up with the dance, but this is false. Romero came up with something in the style of Fred Astaire. Elvis was not feeling it, and frankly couldn't have made it work. Romero asked Elvis to perform some of his songs and move like he did on stage, He left that night with some ideas, and had a new number by the next morning. Elvis still did not have an easy time with it. There is a great story about Elvis working on it and finally getting it. I should put it in here, but I am not. I might save that for another day. Romero and Presley sure came up with something special. Interestingly enough they would work together one more time years later. That would be in the 1967 movie, Clambake. That is one of the more odd things ever to me. Are two movies more on the opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to Elvis? Clambake is a personal favorite of mine, but the none of the musical numbers are really that great to most people. Even though Hey Hey Hey is pretty key. Sorry, I have got off on a Clambake ramble now. Easy thing for me to do.
Jailhouse Rock is a classic, which ranks as some of Elvis' best work. I personally think it is one of his best movies along with King Creole and Wild In The Country. It is also on of my favorite movies. It does not top It Happened At The Worlds Fair, but it is probably a close second. I will discuss the music of this movie in the near future. I am going to finish this off with a clip from the movie. This is my favorite movie. The songs is cool. Elvis looks far out in his duds, and the whole vibe just rocks. This inspired me to go out and by a damn sweater just like his!