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More Duet Names: Olivia Newton John And Cliff Richard?

August 06, 2008 | Music

According to an ad from BMG Australia a duets album featuring Sony/BMG artists with Elvis on his Christmas songs isset for release for Christmas 2008 under Sony /BMG’s “Hits & Stars ”campaign.

The ad mentions Olivia Newton John, Cliff Richard, Adam Harvey, Guy Sebastian, Shanon Noil, Jessica Simpson, Leann Rimes and Carrie Underwood as persons who recorded a duet for the album.

Updated August 6, 2008:

Elvis Australia informed us that Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll will not be included. BMG Australia did consider these artists for inclusion on the Australian release of the album, but it won't be happening. "You will find that only female artists, mainly 'out of Nashville' will be included on the album in any county, certainly Australia. So Olivia is the only likely addition to our release".

Source:For CD Collectors Only
elvis_aotc wrote on August 06, 2008
Where is the only name that matters. Katie Melua. I do not see her on the list. Best female there is nowdays especially for a duet.
elvis_aotc wrote on August 06, 2008
Just bring out a whole x-mas cd with Katie Melua and Elvis
elvis_aotc wrote on August 06, 2008
Got that Sony/BMG, well it is now only Sony. Hot from the press today. BMG sold there part.
elvistruth wrote on August 06, 2008
Sir Cliff Richard: THE BEST! More names: Helmut Lotti, Chris Ledoux (RIP), Diana Krall...
Harvey Alexander wrote on August 06, 2008
The credibility factor is really shooting up, isn't it? Let's hope others tagged onto The King's corpse include The Pet Shop Boys, Black Lace, Des O'Connor, Pinky & Perky, The Bee Gees and Elton John.
KC Skory wrote on August 06, 2008
Jessica Simpson?!? I had to give my head a shake after reading that duet partner. This must reach a new low as to how far the powers that be will exploit the artistry of Elvis Presley. Are we as fans willing to put up with such an insult as long as Elvis reaches a younger audience (although this duets project just smacks of gunning for the almighty buck)? I'm 37, and the magic of Elvis' music found me as an 8 year old...it didn't take junk like this. Can anybody seriously imagine Apple/EMI announcing a retooling of classic Beatles masters featuring duets with the likes of Jessica Simpson? They wouldn't dare tarnish the group's legacy or fanbase like that. Elvis Presley & his fans deserve much better than this. I truly can't believe this was greenlighted by EPE.
OtisBlue22 wrote on August 06, 2008
Cliff Richard!? Jessica Simpson!? This thing keeps getting worse & worse. Ah Cliff, the essence of uncool. When he visited Elvis in Germany, Elvis was out...or just didn't want to be seen with the guy. As for Jessica, she's not exactly famous for her vocal ability. As an Elvis fan, I won't be buying this rubbish. So who will?
Jerome returns wrote on August 06, 2008
Ho Ho, wait a minute it's SIR Cliff Richard!..
Jumpin Jehosaphat wrote on August 07, 2008
i Want Ba ba ba Blue Chr Chr Chr Christmas with Pa Pa Pa Porky Pig.. Just a must have for the new holiday season if there are any you who have not heard it down load ia ia ia its halarious.
Steve V wrote on August 07, 2008
Well what I once thought may be a good idea for a Christmas CD has now turned to spit. Elvis deserves better. Can Jessica Simpson even name one Elvis song? Come to think of it, can she even name one of her songs?
Ken in Tasmania wrote on August 07, 2008
I would be very happy for the Re-Release world wide of the Best Christmas Album.....""The Wonderful World Of Christmas"" If not, Elvis with the late and great John Denver. Glen Campbell and Neil Diamond while these great artists are still with us could record a christmas album with Elvis...
dannyboy1 wrote on August 07, 2008
I'm with OtisBlue22. This is starting to sound incredibly tacky. I'm not against remixes or electronic duets as such. The ones with Lisa and Celine Dion are all pretty good. There is a wide range of potential for these kinds of projects in the Elvis catalogue. BUT limiting it to Christmas and then throwing in a wide range of talentless other artists is too much. And to think that Sony are going to give this monstrosity a big advertising push. Ughhh! This is gross exploitation of Elvis as a money-making commodity. The Estate have finally sold their souls on this one. This project is as plastic, insincere and pathetic as Priscilla herself.
John4126 wrote on August 07, 2008
It is turning out to be a bit of a joke. Forget the 'Christmas theme' - lets have an albulm for the whole year round. We all have our preferences, i for one would love to have had Alison Krauss involved in this sort of project. So called Elvis fans like John Fogerty, John Mellencamp, Bono and Spingsteen too. To bring it up-to-date the likes of Kid Rock, Robbie Williams and even rappers like Jayz. And what about McCartney - im sure he'd be receptive. Lets do it properly, make it huge and credible.
Brian Quinn wrote on August 07, 2008
There is a lot of conjecture going around about which artists will be featured on the various versions of the 'Christmas Duets' Albums. A lot of the names that have been mentioned were only originally considered and have since been rejected.
Ronald wrote on August 07, 2008
Well Christmas should be a time of peace. Releasing this kind of trash along with Elvis looks more like war to me. I don't want this for free. Merry Christmas
JerryNodak wrote on August 08, 2008
I'm holding my fire on this project until I see the FINAL list for the U.S. version. Which will likely be quite different from the one rekeased in the U.K. and elsewhere. IF I like the final U.S. tracklist I will buy it.
circleG wrote on August 08, 2008
I've so far been ok with 95% of BMG's releases - this falls into the other 5%. A bad idea. let those artists cover Elvis' songs on their albums, i don't have a problem with that but a whole Cd with Elvis?? Come on, you KNOW what I'm going to ask for - TTWII and EOT dvd box set please !!!
Brian Quinn wrote on August 08, 2008
My personal opinion is that the future for Elvis is in modern technological innovation. From what I can see happening in the music industry one has to come up with something novel in order to sell it. Sony are no different to any other company. They have to make money. Elvis is dead and no longer making records/films. The powers that be cannot keep producing 'fantasy' releases for Elvis fans only e.g. upgrades of 'Elvis On Tour' or TTWII. Neither can they keep releasing 'Greatest Hits' packages.They would simply not make enough money. We can't escape this fact. Therefore, whether fans like it or not, novelty items like 'Duets' or 'Remixes' in the recording world or 'High Tech' concerts along the lines of 'Elvis the Concert' or the forthcoming 'Cirque Du Soleil' productions are the way to go. The general public will buy into these. One must never forget that we will always have the original product to cherish despite innovation. Whatever the outcome I am prepared to give the new ideas a chance.
Harvey Alexander wrote on August 08, 2008
Brian, I feel so sorry for you that the original recordings aren't good enough. You said it yourself, Elvis is dead. Let's enjoy the legacy he left us. It'll last forever. Remixes, electronic duets and so forth will last for five minutes. Don't keep bleeting on about "progressive" fans and "the way forward". You're an embarrassment. Elvis is obviously nothing more than some kind of robot to you - there to be added to and messed about with at the whim of any geek with a computer. Enough is enough. He's dead, and any amount of electronic jiggery pokery isn't gonna bring him back. He lives through the leagcy he created when he was alive. Amen.
JerryNodak wrote on August 08, 2008
I certainly hope Olivia Newton-John is added to the final tracklist on the U.S. release of "Christmas Duets."
circleG wrote on August 09, 2008
Are you telling me a DVD box set of TTWII and EOT will make less money than this Christmas set? What's the point of this latest '68 special Cd set then? charity?
JerryNodak wrote on August 10, 2008
TTWII and EOT DVD sets aren't happening anytime soon (if ever). Yes, what is the point of "new" '68 Special set. There's way more than your casual customer wants (they'll have no interest in disc 4). And not enough "new" stuff for the hardcore fan. I'm sure Sony/BMG has done their research and has a pretty good idea how many copies they will sell. I expect it will sell within their target range and they'll make their money, but I'm not expecting this set to be number 1 everywhere. I know I'm not buying it because I already have 99.9% of the material. Not know about overseas, but here in the U.s. I expect "Christmas Duets" will be very successful.