Another Flaming Star/ FTD book saw the light of day, this time it is dedicated to Elvis’ benefit show for the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.
Design
As usual the book is very well designed. The lay-out is very easy on the eye, as is the font size. Pictures and memorabilia are spread well over the pages in a good balance with the text.
Content
With the release of Memphis Recording Service’s Such a Night this show was already well documented. This release makes it probably the best documented show ever, maybe only outdone by that other show of Elvis in Hawaii, more than a decade later.
The book starts (after preface and introduction by good ole Johnny Saulovich) with a bit of history about the USS Arizona. The preparation by Col. Parker has some space and then it’s time for the real thing. Elvis’ trip to Hawaii starts in LA. About 70 pages are reserved for this trip (or better: the arrival at Hawaii mainly).
The largest part of the book is used for the press conference (about 100 pages): many unseen pictures, mainly black and white, but some in full colour. The actual show gets about 60 pages, with mainly known pictures, unfortunately. The last few chapters are dedicated to the numerous bootleg outings of the show.
Of course it’s mainly a picture book, but it is decorated with tons of memorabilia, like newspaper clippings, bills, and letters. Memories of people who were there makes the picture complete as possible.
The CD has no new source, unfortunately. The remastering by Jean-Marie Juilland does not make it outstanding either. It is better than the Silver Box version, without any doubt, but I can’t decide if I prefer this one or the MRS one. Too bad, since this show certainly deserved a professional recording, but we have to settle with this poor tape.
Conclusion
Beautiful documentation of an outstanding Elvis-event. Too bad we have to settle with this and don’t have a professional recording or even better… a professional film to accompany it.
Content -- "The book starts (after preface and introduction by good ole Johnny Saulovich)" . . . LOL! That's enough for me to know that I wouldn't buy this book if someone held a gun to my head. I'm more than happy and satisfied with the nice M.R.S. item titled, "Such A Night in Pearl Harbor". Love it!
I wonder if it would have harmed Elvis if the Colonel would have released a live album at the time. That show was not one of the regular sports hall events from the mid-50s. The set-list was perfect with old ones new ones and in between. Gospel, Rock, Ballads .. everything. It would have presented the charity background to the nation .. so .. good for Elvis and good for the project. It would have been the first documentation of the 'Elvis on stage' experience for all those who ever attended one of his appearances. Another missed opportunity by the perfect Colonel who prefered to sell 50 cent pictures in front of the arena.
We're now into the 6th month of the year already. It's time for SONY to step up and announce what they have planned for release to celebrate Elvis' 80th birthday.
MemphisFan - I think this is the news and it aint rockin! The big release for 2015 is due in September called 'If I Can Dream' which features Elvis and other artists, including Michael Buble, remixed with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
I appreciate this release and will purchase it. It's such a shame that the Memphis 1961 concerts have not surfaced in audio/video as of yet.
Steve V, if that's the best SONY can do this year, then hopefully FTD will announce something in the near future for us to look forward to in August!
About this release: I have the MRS release and that suffices. Not so much interested in a book. I am a listener. Yet for those who missed tha MRS and/or loves to have a photo compilation of the event,this will be a valuable addition to their collection. It becomes harder and harder to come up with something new and sensational. And that is understandable as Elvis died in 1977 and since then every now and then the Rights Holders tried to come up with something special. At the end that is just no more possible. In my heart of course I hope they will come up with a wonderful item, preferably rockin'. However I am realistic. And is this the top release of 2015? Possibly as combos are more and more released. I hope that will pass soon as it just adds to the price I have to pay to get the cds.Looking forward to the duets? No way! But that is a matter of taste.
Actually I'm surprised nothing has been said about the details of the 'Today' album upgrade. 'If I Can Dream' sounds more like a concept album - like the 'Christmas Duets' CD. It would be a disappointing year if this is all SONY/BMG can come up with, considering the big projects they gave us since the 'Big Beat' set.
If we can get a nice re-release of the "Today" album by Sony (Legacy Edition) this summer, and get a couple of interesting (and affordable) releases from FTD, then hopefully we'll all be happy and content.
I was very surprised to find bootleg vinyls on sale at hmv. Seems they're so desperate for Elvis vinyl they'll sell anything. However, two official releases are set for the August anniversary and do hope Ernst it's the beginning of many.
The problem is that for few new fans and collectors there's nothing in the shops except old stock and poor bootleg compilations. This has to be rectified once the FTD releases have been completed.
