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Janis And Elvis

By ElvisNews.com / Kees, June 24, 2007 | Music
Originally released in South Africa in 1957 is the sought after “Janis And Elvis” E.P. that was deleted shortly after its initial release. It is available again in a limited edition (300 copies) modern format. Will this edition become a much sought after Elvis release too?

Design

The Dutch “Elvis Corner” shop celebrated its second anniversary with the reissue of the sought after “Janis And Elvis” E.P. This 2007 edition comes as a 3 inch CD with a matching jewel case. A very attractive package.

Content

"Janis And Elvis" was originally released as a 33 1/3 RPM 10-inch EP (RCA 31077) by RCA South Africa. Janis Martin was an artist RCA promoted for two years (1956-58) as "The Female Elvis Presley". She charted just one single in that period, "Will You, Willyum" peaking at #35.

She was promoted as the “Female Elvis” (although she had more of Patsy Cline) and RCA South Africa decided to really promote her releasing this double feature which featured alternating Elvis / Janis cuts, four on each side. The Elvis cuts were "Baby Let's Play House", "You're A Heartbreaker", "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone", and "Milkcow Blues Boogie". Janis' contributions were "Ooby-Dooby", "Let's Elope Baby", "One More Year To Go", and "Barefoot Baby". All songs that capture the boy – girl issues from the mid fifties very well, fun to hear these lyrics compared to the explicit lyrics of today's music.

The 1995 bootleg edition of this release featured the additional “My Boy Elvis” which is featured on this release too.

According to history it was withdrawn the day after its original release on Colonel Tom Parker's instructions: "My boy don't share no record with a woman". Janis disappeared pretty quickly too. By the time she was 16 (she was signed to the label aged 15) she was married and pregnant … that ended a career real quickly in those days.

Conclusion

With this release the Dutch Elvis Corner reissued a nice peace of Elvis history. The 300 copies will probably not rise to the collector’s level of the original release (going for over 2000 to 2500 UK Pounds), but with 300 copies available it is a nice collectable to track down.

Almost forgot, congratulations on your second anniversary, curious to see what you come up with for the third anniversary.

Tracklist:

Elvis Presley: I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone
Janis Martin: Ooby - Dooby
Elvis Presley: Milk Cow Blues Boogie
Janis Martin: Let's Elope Baby
Elvis Presley: Baby Let's Play House
Janis Martin One More Year To Go
Elvis Presley: You're A Heartbreaker
Janis Martin: Barefoot Baby 2.12

Bonus Track:
Janis Martin: My Boy Elvis

Related links

wayup wrote on June 25, 2007
it is interesting to see how she look today. I.e. page
wayup wrote on June 25, 2007
AH, REMOVED. OK so if you want to see her write Janis Martin Elvis into G.O.O.G.L.E.
Loesje wrote on June 25, 2007
I think we all know by now 'how' google is used Wayup ;-) And the Input Guidelines are there for a reason...
wayup wrote on June 25, 2007
Really Loesje? A little bit of info for me, thanks. I wrote it especially in non-direct link form. What is the reason for point 5? And btw do you still like your "Across The Country Vol. II" clock, Loesje?
Tony C wrote on July 25, 2007
This looks like a great collectors item. I would love to own an original pressing, but I do have the French re-issue from the eighties which is a nice replica. The story behind the original release of this LP, and it's subsequent withdrawal from sale, is an interesting one. Even a release from South Africa could not escape the attention of Colonel Parker!