Now that the trade have been informed, we can reveal that each CD single will be pressed on black plastic with grooves to mimic the original 45. Peacock Design has painstakingly taken the artwork from original sources, then cleaned them up for these re-issues. As well as the original A side, there will be the B-side recording, plus a third track which will be either an alternate take or a linked track.
The sales bar-code will be a peel-off so that once removed it will reveal an exact replica to the original release. Each CD will be packaged in a repro of the original British bag, which in turn will slip inside a reproduction of the original American picture sleeve. This format will be extended to the 10" vinyl versions. Both formats will be available from all retailers, unlike the 10" "That's All Right" which was only available through HMV.
The first single will be Jailhouse Rock/Treat Me Nice which will qualify for a chart position and will be released on 3rd January. At the same time All Shook Up will be released also on both formats, but as a chart-ineligible package, incorporating the collector box big enough to store the full collection of singles. The boxes will come in CD and 10" size.
It is important to note that each single will be deleted on its day of release. The full schedule of releases will be shipped exclusively to every member of the official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain within a week, and the fan club will be offering members both collector boxes with All Shook Up as it will not qualify for a chart position, and members will be encouraged to buy all future releases from their local High Street store to ensure a chart placing for all the singles. "The music industry has applauded this creative approach to single releases and expects other majors to do like-minded inventive approaches in an attempt to stem the declining singles market, and we, as Elvis' British Fan Club, are proud and excited to be involved in this project!" adds Todd Slaughter.
There will be fan club promotions to support these releases, and various celebrities will talk-up the series on radio and television. The Saga Radio network will be broadcasting a special Elvis' 70th birthday show spearheading these releases at 6.00pm on Saturday 8th January hosted by Todd Slaughter and station director Ron Coles.
UK Singles Box Details Update
November 16, 2004 | Music
emjel wrote on
November 16, 2004
Great idea to keep Elvis' name alive in peoples minds. However, I am concerned that unless you are able to order the singles prior to release, a lot of fans may miss out if they are working, as they won't be able to get to the shops on Monday morning. It could end up a bit like "Thats All Right" all over again with fans chasing all over the place. And how many dealers will buy up multiple copies and force collectors to pay over the top prices once the stores have sold out?
MV wrote on
November 17, 2004
Sounds like a good idea.Hope they are going to be sensibly priced as if you buy one you're gonna have to get them all!I'm sure they'll be available via Amazon or HMV online.Not so sure about including A Little Less Conversation.We already have this no.1 on cd single.Might be an idea to include a brand new remix song on this one as a bonus.Let Yourself Go,maybe.
BigRedGG wrote on
November 17, 2004
I agree with others re the availability issue. I live 20 miles from the nearest record store, and just hope that these CDs & records will be available on-line somewhere from a reliable supplier. Great idea, but I am sure it's gonna cost us fans a stack of cash to get them all!
MauriceColgan wrote on
November 17, 2004
An excellent idea. Especially as the 8 January 2005 is sure to attract major media interest. Posters of Elvis Presley ashe looked circa 1957 in HMV and other record shops should definitely be considered to launch these historic singles. If Elvis fans would request the B-sides, wonderful songs rarely heard would be sure to surprise many listeners to radio shows around the world. Here in Ireland we have a number of Elvis friendly DJs. Schmelvisers are sure to become an endangered species now:-
DDH wrote on
November 18, 2004
Where is 'In The Ghetto'? According to the 'Elvis #1's' web site it was #1 in the UK for 1 week.