New book coming soon

I just ordered the book "Not So Quiet On The Set: My Life In Movies During Hollywood's Macho Era". It is about Robert E. Relyea who made movies with Elvis, John Wayne, and many other stars. He talks about his time on Jailhouse Rock and Kid Galahad as well as many other movies he was involved in. I am excited to get this book because I want to hear about Jailhouse Rock. When I get it and read it all I will post my thoughts on here.

FLASHBACK

I am going to discuss one of my latest additions to my collection. Flashback is a book with many never before seen photos with a CD of outtake from 1958-1958. The book is from the people at FTD so it is top notch all the way. Sherif Hanna and Ernst Jorgensen has done a great job with this project. First off lets talk about the book. I enjoy seeing any new pictures of Elvis that I have not seen before. I have seen some of these pictures before, but most of them I have never seen. The pictures range from Elvis' signing at RCA to Elvis' on recording session while in the Army. I found the pictures of Elvis on stage in Miami interesting. You can just see Elvis on stage moving about in these pictures and seems to be putting on a hell of a show. I can only imagine the electricity in that auditorium. Also some pictures from the dressing room in Miami are featured. These are really neat getting to see Red and Gene. Pictures from the Love Me Tender recording session are featured here. A Reminder Elvis still did not have total control. Scotty,Bill, and DJ are nowhere to be found. Studio musician's from Nashville are put in there place because RCA made that call for a few different reasons.

Now on to the music. The disc is made up of twenty-five outtakes from the 50's. It starts out with a version of Heartbreak Hotel that has takes 5(1st part) and takes 4(2nd part). It is outstanding. I Was The One take 7 is on here and was really something I looked forward to hearing. This is one of my all time favorite songs and wanted to hear this. Blueberry Hill take 3 is found on here as well and it is interesting to hear the difference between this song and the take used for release. Many other great songs are on this disc. One song however jumps out at me and I like above all the rest. Treat Me Nice(1st version). This song really sounds different then the one used in Jailhouse Rock that we have heard over the years. The background melody and the overall feel to the song is different. Elvis' delivery is different but great. I actually think the song sounds better this way. I do not know the story behind this song and how it turned out the way it did, but it has me curious. This song has instantly became on of my favorite songs. This is exactly why I love the outtakes. When you hear several of them you can see where Elvis works his magic and how the songs take shape over various takes. It is a shame more of the outtakes from the 50's are not available.

Overall I am very happy with the purchase of this book. Some might not think the book and CD is not worth $65. The CD would have been around thirty if it was just a release, and thirty five bucks for the book is not all that bad. I think this was a great addition to my collection. I would recommend this book for sure.

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.

BILL BURK

Bill Burk has passed away. Bill met Elvis in 1957 and they were friends until Elvis passed away. Bill has written books and countless articles on Elvis. Bill was one of the good guys when it comes to people in the Elvis world. He will be sadly missed. Below is a message from Bill's wife Connie. It comes from Elvis Information Network.

It is with such great and abiding sadness that I am telling you that Bill passed away peacefully today at Baptist Hospital at 10:10 am, surrounded by his 3 children -- Gary, Jennifer, Randy -- and me.
He had irreversable brain damage from cardiac arrest suffered Monday afternoon, and it was his living will that he not be kept alive artificially in a situation like that.

It is terribly painful for those of us left behind, who will miss him so dearly, but Bill is now in a much better place.

Services will be at Memphis Funeral Home, Poplar Avenue. Visitation on Sunday, April 27, 3-6 pm. Service Monday, April 28, 1 pm. Burial at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at a later date next week.

We ask that any memorials be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, in Bill's name.

Thank you for all your prayers and support throughout Bill's illness. We both truly appreciated it!
Connie

Elvis at 21 NEW YORK TO MEMPHIS

Elvis at 21 is a book containing a collection of photographs by photographer Alfred Wertheimer. His subject was a twenty one year old Elvis Presley. This in my opinion is the best and most important photos of Elvis that was ever took. When Elvis was signed by RCA, they asked Wertheimer to photograph the rising star. He would start photographing Elvis in January of 56 and continue through July of that same year. He would later photograph Elvis in 58, but these picture are priceless. When he started in January with Elvis, he found a young singer that was on the rise but still not known all over. When he would get done in July Elvis owned the music world and was one of the most talked about people on the planet. These pictures take through Elivis' life pretty much in those months. He got him on stage,back stage, around town, and even at home. It shows you every side of Elvis. Wertheimer captured Elvis like no one else ever could. You see Elvis with his guard down and just by looking at this series of photos you get to know the twenty one year old kid who would go on to become the biggest and most successful entertainer ever. Every Elvis fan should own this book, it is worth every penny. These classic pictures of Elvis truly tell a story and you feel like you are kinda of going along the ride with Elvis. This is Elvis Presley, before he was the Hollywood star, or a 70's stage act. He seems so innocent, but at the same time so dangerous. He honestly defined the word cool. Just some of the highlights from this book are pictures from the Stage Show performances, Steve Allen, Russwood Park, and the best ones are of the Presley's at home. If you do not have this, go to shopelvis.com and buy it! I promise you will not be disappointed.

The Family Album

I am going to review George Klein's new book today. It is really just an picture album with some of George's thoughts here and there.I have seen most of the pictures in the book already. However some I have not seen before. Either way it was interesting to get some thoughts form GK throughout the book. All in all this book is put together pretty good. I would recommend it for sure.