EPE released a press-release on the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Elvis first recording “That’s All Right Mama”. Part of the celebrations are various releases.
CDs
First up is the release on March 23, BMG/RCA of “Elvis Ultimate Gospel”. This single disc CD will contain the greatest hits from Elvis’ extensive gospel recordings. Also in June, shortly before the 50th anniversary of That’s All Right, BMG/RCA will release “Elvis at Sun”, a new, comprehensive collection of Elvis Presley’s Sun Records recordings. Yesterday the follow up to "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" and "Elvis 2nd To None", titled "Anthology" was also announced.
DVDs
In the summer, likely late June, EPE will release its highly anticipated, new comprehensive DVD collections of the material from Elvis Presley’s 1968 television special Elvis and his 1973 television special Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, via Satellite. Both sets are to be distributed globally by BMG. Content details will be announced soon on the official Elvis site. Both DVD sets will contain all the previously released material plus previously unreleased material all specially presented in newly re-edited and re-mastered form. In the case of the 1968 special, so much footage was shot from which to assemble the original TV show that the previously unreleased component of the ’68 TV special DVD will be particularly significant.
Television Special
The 50th Anniversary year will crescendo with an as yet untitled, new Elvis network special in development for airing in the fourth quarter. EPE is the owner and executive producer of this project, which will be produced by the acclaimed David Saltz. A more detailed announcement on this project will be forthcoming.
New Elvis Releases
December 10, 2003 | Music Source:EPE - Elvis Presley EnterprisesJim Semple wrote on
December 11, 2003
For me, I just hope on the Aloha and 68 Comeback Special DVDs. we have footage of Elvis walking to his dressing room upon arrival, walking back stage just about to go on, 2001 in the background, all the tension and nerves (just like CBS 77 Special) and leaving the stage back to his limo etc. I'm talking about Aloha but im sure similar footage might also exists of Elvis backstage prior to his magnificent 68 Special performances. Lets wait and see !!
Jim Semple wrote on
December 11, 2003
EPE dont own the rights to Elvis On Tour, Turner do (see official site for explanation). Turner believe that a new release wouldn't sell enough copies to make it a viable business proposition. Turner have bad experiences in the past but as we all know, it boils down to one thing - PROMOTION which has generally been missing i.e. TTWII. If you are prepared to spend money and market a product correctly, you could sell a million Elvis replica scarves ! Poor example but you know what i mean. There is so much brilliant footage of Elvis On Tour left in the can and I speak for a lot of people when I say that this is Elvis vocally and as a showman, at his brilliant best (1972 in general really). Lets start another On Tour campaign !!
Jim Semple wrote on
December 11, 2003
Renen - take a look at the msg1972 website. It has everything you want to know about those concerts and all the footage that is available. You can even download some of it.
Jim Semple wrote on
December 12, 2003
I think you can see all 6 hours on Jordans World! But the new sound and picture quality should be amazing.
The Teacher wrote on
December 15, 2003
I heard some time ago, here in the UK, that there was to be a release of a box CD set that featured some previously unreleased recordings and a concert or two. The title I don't know, nor do I know the release date in the UK. Can anyone help?
Son Of Mark 64 wrote on
December 12, 2003
I completley agree with shaky & adam thats all i've got to say for now
Son Of Mark 64 wrote on
December 12, 2003
PS. now i know why christmas peace is a single cd in the uk now do they think we are all stupid
bajo wrote on
December 10, 2003
Good news! I can hardly wait! But, for the gospel set, I really don't understand it, but then again, BMG are hard to understand sometimes. The rest of the news I can only hope that the SUN release will contain more outtakes and some surprises! For the DVD's I'm only hoping dreams come true, finally!
moody blue wrote on
December 10, 2003
Concerning the dvd's,sounds excitng-but lets hope some of the unreleased MGM movies gets released,and if were lucky, how about the rumoured 2 disc this is elvis.The iceing on the cake would be confirmation of a Elvis on Tour special edition with hours and hours of unseen footage
dismas wrote on
December 10, 2003
"Elvis Ultimate Gospel"?! -- Good God Almighty, how many times and how many ways are they going to reissue this same material? I thought the new idea was to tighten up the Elvis catalog, not to fatten it up with even more "more of the same" compilation releases. As for "Elvis at Sun," I agree with William: Because of the upcoming anniversary hoopla, this particular release should be presented as the definitive Sun collection for a mainstream audience -- and therefore BMG should stick strictly to the original Sun masters on this one. Updated sound and upgraded graphics are a given. Regarding the proposed E-3 "Elvis Anthology," I'm all for it. I hope they stick with the 30-track/single-disc format; highlight the many great Elvis performances that were never really given a proper shot at radio back in the day (especially the post-Beatles Sixties and post-Aloha Seventies), and present the track listing in chronological order. It's sure to be a harder sell to the mass market because the biggest radio hits have already been presented on E-1 and 2nd To None, so a more aggressive ad campaign will be essential to its success. In addition, BMG really ought to go out of its way to service radio of all formats -- top 40, oldies, adult contemporary, country, etc. -- with suitable emphasis tracks. Hooking up with with a major corporate tie-in and utilizing tv and/or film soundtrack exposure would also help the cause in a big way.
All in all, I'm looking forward to a very Elvis-active 2004. And a Happy Holidays shout-out to one and all!
stu wrote on
December 11, 2003
The two DVD sets are going to be AWESOME! For me, the release of unseen footage from 68 will be probably the most significant event in rock'n'roll since Elvis died.
Shaky wrote on
December 10, 2003
I find it strange that we get Christmas Peace with a whole disc of Gospel tracks and then in March we get more of the same, we already have Peace In The Valley - the Complete Gospel and Amazing Grace - double CD plus other budget releases. How much saturation of one type of Elvis' music do we need? Especially when we have no definitive BLUES collection at all! Re: Elvis at Sun Project - I hope it includes ALL masters remastered to the standard of TAM on 2nd to None plus the many live songs of the era like 'Little Mama', 'Heart Of Stone' together with ALL outtakes, false starts and acetate pressings left in the archives. Also Tunzi's new project on the Hayride reviews better quality live masters plus newly discovered songs from Elvis' final hayride show - I'm sure BMG would like the impact of adding live versions of 'Paralysed' & 'When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again' to the project as a Bonus feature!! Re: ALOHA - I hope the after show songs are shown in full frame - I hate the picture postcard travelogue with Elvis stuck in a small section of the full frame!! Glad I Got That Off My Chest :-)
Big Boss Man wrote on
December 11, 2003
There wont be any Elvis On Tour as for EPE in this period Elvis looks pale and bloated.
Big Boss Man wrote on
December 12, 2003
What I really fear is that, specially in case of 68 Comeback, a lot of footage will still remain in the vaults after this release, as we all know that EPE always tries to work thinking about forcoming releases
Marco Aurelio wrote on
December 11, 2003
This will be a great year for Elvis. Only one question: ELVIS ON TOUR ? Everybody wants a special edition. Long Live The King Of Rock 'n' Roll!!
Bill (BW) wrote on
December 10, 2003
I'm excited about "Elvis at Sun," but feel it should be devoted solely to Elvis' recordings from Sun Studios and that means no substandard Hayride material and live material -- not even "Fool, Fool, Fool." I am not opposed to the release of such material from the "Sun era," but please do not include it on "Elvis at Sun."
gribz wrote on
December 10, 2003
This will be an important year for Elvis. Introducing him to a new youth culture with the right approach can be tremendous, if strategised tacticly and carefully.. We need some sanity in the Pop World.. Elvis is the man...
gribz wrote on
December 11, 2003
They have an enormous version of 'If I can Dream', where Elvis is singing 'live' in the black leather outfit just oozing soulful passion. This is going to be released on the new DVD. BMG and EPE have to some how get this on the network air waves, whether part of a special or even better, as part of the superbowl halftime show... It is awesome and will gain many new fans. I saw it in Memphis as they teased the fans with some previews, and I tell you, it is to die for. It blows away the version currently on the 68 comeback, where Elvis is wearing the white two piece suit.
joemin wrote on
December 11, 2003
I'm not happy about this sun release. It will have only limited appeal. They should have opted for a rock and roll album from 50's and early 60's along these lines:
That's all right, Rip it up, Suspicion, Lawdy, Miss Clawdy, Paralysed, Dirty, dirty feeling, I beg of you, trying to get to you, My Baby Left Me, Got a lotta livin to do, Doncha think its time, I Gotta Know, Tutti Frutti, Party, Good rockin tonight, (You're so square) Baby I don't care, Ready Teddy, I need your love tonight, Such a night, Mystery train.
The 68 special DVD has enormous potential if promoted and accompanied by a CD promotion (use existing cd?). We should limit to that. This next year will be big, but it can be limited by poor product selection and poor promotion.
TCBforever wrote on
December 11, 2003
with about six hours of the 68 special already available on tape from certain collectors they will be hard pressed to come up with something that most hardcore fans have not seen. but the quality should be fantastic!! its a pity they never filmed elvis when he sang happy birthday to the colenel in the burbank studios that would have been somehting!!
Tupelo wrote on
December 11, 2003
Looking forword for the '68 dvd with new material, but also not so happy with another release of gospel. I'm quite fond of the idea of a BLUES special!
Adam S wrote on
December 11, 2003
I agree with Shaky. Elvis at Sun should comtain all the masters, outtakes and live versions that RCA has in its vaults. After 16 years from release we are still missing (on CD) some outtakes from double LP -Complete Sun Session ! Isn't it strange ? I can't see any reasons to release another compilation of Gospel masters. Instead, we need 1 or 2 FTD's full of outtakes from He Touched Me and Wonderful World of Christmas. Aloha DVD - The most important thing is to add "after the concert" songs with some outtakes. I guess nobody believes that the cameras were rolling only on master takes. And of course we want Elvis On Tour - Box Set, FTD and DVD versions.
rising sun wrote on
December 11, 2003
I`m looking forward to `Elvis At Sun`. Its long overdue to have a complete set including masters, outtakes, live and even interviews. I cant understand thou, why they release `Sunrise` and 3 yrs later put out the same stuff? This also applies to the Gospel, xmas packages. How many more does the market need? The answer is of course pick and choose what you buy! As for the anthology... same as above... again? Its only been 3 yrs since The Artist of the Century. save your money for the DVD`s... they should be HOT!