During Bill Burke's luncheon last week Ernst Jorgensen informed the fans with the latest news updates.
SUN Book:
His upcoming book on Elvis' SUN years will be release by the end on 2004 or early next year. The reason is that he does not want to "conflict" with all the other released coming out around the celebration of Elvis' recording of his first single. Bill Burke will assist solving some of the mysteries Ernst could not figure out.
Follow Up To E1 and E2:
There will be a mass-market release to keep Elvis name alive. You can only do that by replacing the standard volumes of "Elvis' Golden Records" with new editions which people don't already know.
Single:
On a new single, Ernst answered "how much money do you want to loose?", a #1 hit will cost you $1,000,000. A #1 today is about 70.000 copies while in the seventies it would sell about 2 million copies. There are no current plans for a new remix. The last single did not get airplay, that's where the million dollar comes in to "motivate" people. Also it is hard to get two people at MTV and VH1 to play the single.
Gospel Set:
For the Gospel set it is the same story as with the Greatest Hits. There will be a new single disk to keep Elvis' name alive and earn him another Gold and Platinum award.
SUN release:
The announced SUN release will contain 19 masters as we know them, no rarities as it is aimed at the general public. They tracked down better sources and a guy spend half a year restoring it. This release should be out this summer.
Memphis 1974 Concert:
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Elvis March 20, 1974 Memphis concert there will be a new remixed edition, containing the songs which were not released on the original LP release. Probably on the FTD label, since he mentioned this release during his update on the FTD label.
On the FTD Label:
The April 1st. release will be a soundboard from January 1971 Las Vegas.
There will also be three soundtracks in May, "Paradise Hawaiian Style", "Spin Out" and "Double Trouble". The outtakes on the last two are more exiting than the originals. Of course there will be more releases during the year.
On the future of the label. They have enough material for the next three to five years, but not enough for ten years. They keep searching for material they know or hope is out there.
You can watch the complete 15 minute broadcast on the Elvis News Network site.
Ernst Jorgensen Updates
January 11, 2004 | Music Source:Elvis News NetworkRelated links
Erlend, Norway wrote on
January 13, 2004
Could anyone tell me what to expect regarding Elvis At Sun. I'm thinking about the rumours about a 3 CD set. Is the release in June a single (19 track) CD or a 3 CD-box? Or is the (hopefully) 3 CD's planned as a part of Ernst's book project expected to be released within a year? If the forthcoming Elvis At Sun is a 19 track CD only, I think it is a mistake. Don't get me wrong, I agree that the major public don't need all the live-takes, and out-takes, but they DO deserve all the different TITLES recorded in the period 1954-55!This to establish the definitife commercial SUN-collection (because it doesn't exist yet!). Maybelleene, Tweedlee Dee, Fool Fool Fool, Money Honey, Shake Rattle And Roll and Hearts Of Stone must be included! Maybe the first four private recordings (1953-54) along with the very different alt. version of Blue Moon Of Kentucky should be included as well???
corey3rd wrote on
January 14, 2004
The real problem with the remixes is that there was not enough of them. So they get the one song working its magic, where's the follow up four months later to keep the interest in the album going? They should have had a second remix on at least 2nd to None. Not that radio would have caught on, but they could have had a second remix to lay on top of a car or chips ad. And the radio station that picks up the remix isn't going to decide to play old Elvis tunes for the follow up. In the old days of vinyl, the ideal situation would be one side of remixes and the other side featuring the original tracks.
Memphis '74 should be a BMG release and made to look like an expanded addition so it'll be counted with the original release - get more hardware on the walls at Graceland. I want a copy, but I really don't want to pay nearly $30 for it - especially since they've had 30 years to put it out.
Dominique wrote on
January 11, 2004
I hope that will be another one that "All things are possible" .LAS VEGAS 71/01/27 M.S.
Marten wrote on
January 12, 2004
William, I believe you mean Harbour Lights as well, not When It Rains two times. I think the 19th song is "My baby's gone" which usually seems to be treated as a "real" song. Nice work Ernst!
Mathias wrote on
January 12, 2004
Dear Friends, Really good news? Hopefully! Let`s hope that the Memphis `74 Concert wasn`t remixed by the talentfree Dennis Ferrante and that they use the original coverart design that was rejected by the Colonel back in `74.
I would also prefer to see it released on the main BMG label, rather than on FTD. I´m sure that "Joe Public" will love this great show, too. 13 - 14 releases p.a. on the main label and FTD combined is too much for my taste. Sometimes less is more and mass is not always class ( FTD proved that quiet right with Harum Scarum and Frankie & Johnny). I want to see every release in the best possible sound that modern technology and "State of the Art" engeneering can archive. But that`s only my point of view!
Antjie wrote on
January 16, 2004
I'm very excited about the Memphis '74 concert upgrade and trust it contain all the songs. It is my favourite live show and should be released to the general public.
Here in South Africa the Rubberneckin remix got good airplay on key radio stations. The younger generation loved it. BMG, please keep to the original decision of 4 FTD releases per year. Remember, new fans have to start from scratch with all the studio and live recordings, then all the FTD releases. I agree with Mathias that we should have every Elvis studio (and live) recording available in the best sound that modern technology can offer. If that means getting back to every original master and redoing them as on 30#1 Hits, then that is the way to do it. The Artist of the 20th Century, his current and future fans, as well as the general public deserve that and more. It is time to start thinking long term.
EspenK wrote on
January 12, 2004
Regarding the remix issue: Unless they get someone that knows the house-remix scene, they are better off leaving it alone. The Oakenfold-story proved this. How on earth they got hold of Junkie XL is a mystery to me seeing how little they know this scene. I refuse to believe it was EPE that contacted him. It gotta be Nike, or Junkie himself that contacted EPE. Also, I happen to know there is another european DJ working with a new phase-converter software to separate voice from backing/instruments, and are planning on proving the excellense of this technology by making an Elvis remix. If this turns out well it will be released as a bootleg (or "white label" as he calls it), but it could turn out to be an underground clubhit.
So despair not, I think we will see more Elvis remixes. With or without EPE/BMG approval. ;)
dismas wrote on
January 12, 2004
C'mon Ernst. You must be kidding when you quote expenses as the reason for no new remix to accompany E3, right? Since RCA (and now BMG) has owned the Elvis masters since 1973, these releases are pretty much pure profit for the label. And a remix generates interest even if the singles are written off as a loss-leader. However, since the remixes are then also licensed out for use in movie-television-commercial projects, I just can't imagine how they aren't turning a profit for the record company.
As for the Memphis '74 concert, I think it should be a general public release, not an FTD speciality item. I have a couple of friends (who aren't big-time Elvis fans like me) who think Memphis is Elvis's best live album. Besides, as a regular label release any new sales would help boost the disc toward an eventual platinum status.
Keeping to the official Sun masters makes perfect sense to me, since the summer 50th anniversary hoopla is sure to draw more mainstream record buyers to the project. And I hope this too will boost "The Sun Sessions" to another level of RIAA certification. Lastly, I look forward to the upcoming FTD 1971 concert and Sixties soundtracks with great anticipation. I saw Elvis in '71 and it was a great show, and "Spinout" has always been a personal favorite of mine.
Honk wrote on
January 13, 2004
Ernst, you always do a great job, but I really would love to see more of the live stuff from 70.s. There are a lot of bootlegs out there containing good quality live shows from Vegas and Lake Tahoe, why can´t we get them legallly.
(I am aware of the fact that FTD-label has released live shows but there are probably 10 times more bootleg live shows.
lray wrote on
January 11, 2004
The 74 Memphis concert will be a highlight for me as well as the remastering of the 19 Sun tracks. We fans never had it so good. The cool stuff just keeps on coming!
elvissessions wrote on
January 13, 2004
Here we go again. The fans have spoken. Too many releases; not enough. More remixes; remixes tired out. Repackage it this way -- or that way; don't repackage at all. Who can blame BMG/Jorgensen for going ahead and doing what they think is best? Seventy-five percent of the fans are going to insist they screwed it up now matter what they do.
Adzsan1973 wrote on
January 12, 2004
Agree with espenk. There will be more remixes (official or not). I however am looking forward to perhaps a non-dance remix. Personally think the spliced "Guitar Man" from 68 with a heavy guitar/drum backing would make for great modern rock (in a White Stipes/Evanescence/Darkness style). Or perhaps a heavily R&B remix of "In the Ghetto". Other great tracks are asking to be remixed, I'm Leaving, Tomorrow is a Long Time, Let Yourself Go, Bossa Nova Baby etc. Maybe even some duet tracks (would Bono, Springsteen, Tom Jones, Britney, Lisa Marie say no??) I wouldn't be put off too much by the lack of success for 'Rubberneckin' - it wasn't a particularly good track before the remix so we shouldn't expect miracles.
John Burrows wrote on
January 11, 2004
As regards to the Sun Book that will conflict with the 'Thats All Right' vinyl release from the master stamper released under the new laws of the EU. Also the Sun release CD coming out in mid 2004 it has now ben stated that they are finding better source of recording. RCA HAVE LOST alot of the original Sun Master tapes handed by Sam Phillips in 1955. Therefore, the proposed Sun CD release will contain tracks recorded and remastered from original SUN 45's. So basically, nothing new.
Marco Aurelio wrote on
January 12, 2004
This is a great news. I hope they will release the full concert recorded in Memphis in FTD and the January 1971 concert too. About E3: People have to know about this release too. For you to have an idea: Here in Brazil, when I ask to people that work in the stores, they ain´t even know about 2nd To None or Rubberneckin remix. In one store they ain´t even knew about 30#1 HITS (BMG is not making a good work in Brazil. We (fans from Brazil) have to promote Elvis for the people, otherwise..
Bill (BW) wrote on
January 12, 2004
The best news is the 19-track "Elvis At Sun" release scheduled for this Summer! I'm excited to know that BMG has tracked down the best sourses and sent a half year remastering this classics. Now the 19 tracks puzzle me -- 10 Sun singles plus "Blue Moon," "I'll Never Let You Go Little Darlin'," "Tryin' To Get To You," "Just Because," and "I Love You Because" equals 15. Add to that "When It Rains, It Really Pours," "Tomorrow Night" and "When It Rains, It Really Pours" and you have 18. My question is: What is the 19th track? Perhaps, BMG has a surprise?
Bill (BW) wrote on
January 12, 2004
You're right, Marten. I did mean "Harbour Lights" and not "When It Rains, It Really Pours" twice. Yes, I suspect you're right, the nineteenth track will likely be "My Baby's Gone." The other possibility is "I Love You Because" -- the spliced version that Steve Sholes did in January, 1956 plus the original version with the narrative.
I'm excited about this release -- 6 months remastering is the least these historic tracks deserve -- imagine all these tracks in prestine sound, including the best ever sounding version of "I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" which has always sounded bad.
trent wrote on
January 13, 2004
New remixes cost money and record companies like to make a HUGE profit, not a minor one. It also takes creativity and intelligence as well as vision to promote new Elvis material. Case in point: Elvis # 1. I saw it advertised on Billboards and music store windows all over New York, promotions in various magazines, prime time TV spots as well as articles describing the new technology in remastering/re-EQ ing the songs and the record itself covered a nice cross section of Elvis' best material and vocal range from the 50's through the 70's. Simply rehashing arbitrary material without quality promotion or a specific theme will not sell well; new popular artists can not sell records in that fashion! Creativeness did not appear to permeate the RCA organization while packaging Elvis material in the 70's, it is evident that they are used to conducting business in a safe, cautious way. It obviously make them money but it shows their reluctance or inability to change that narrow thinking process.
Theo wrote on
January 12, 2004
Wow, a soundboard from 1971. Been waiting for that for years. Also great to have the Memphis concert complete and in good quality. But do we need another (incomplete) Sun-disc? I already have all the masters twice and I didn't buy the Sunrise set, because so many outtakes were missing. I won't buy this single disc either. I was really looking forward to the 3cd that would be delivered with Jorgensens book (Finally Elvis at Sun complete). Does anyone know if this set is still coming? And if so, will the sound be 'upgraded'? I agree with Matthias on the enormous amount of Elvis releases each year. There's so much and I can't keep up. I think RCA/BMG are overflooding the market. Look at the Beatles: their label releases one cd every 3 or 4 years, but it sells millions and millions. It's better to have just one or two major releases that are heavily promoted and 5 or 6 releases for the fans on the FTD-label per year. I don't need yet another christmas/gospel-set, gospel-cd or Sun-cd...
Doug wrote on
January 13, 2004
Good news. I think that FTD could re-release albuns no longer available, remixed and remastered on 24bit techonology, with the originals tracks plus anternate takes, like: Raised On Rock, Elvis Fool, Back In Memphis, Elvis Now, Elvis Is Back, and others. The Complete Memphis 1974 show, can be a good start. A 1971 soundboard? Good. Why not release a 1970 on stage sessions or 26 january 1970 concert?
Flipper wrote on
January 13, 2004
trying2get2u. I would'nt want Elvis singing a duet with Elton John, what would be the point?
andrewmartinbarber wrote on
January 12, 2004
This is the most worst news i could think of ever hearing, NO more remixes! OMG, most new Elvis fans will be distraught, they just get into an artist and then told there will be no more of what got them hooked in the first place, Im disgusted, i really love these remixes, and in the UK they are on the radio regulary, when could we last say that. I suggest we all email BMG and EPE and let them know how we feel, of course some people will be glad cuase they dont like the remix idea, but those same people still love to hear Elvis on the radio, and the same people are proud when Elvis is at number 1 or riding high, the same people that are pleased to talk about all his gold records!
ibegofyou wrote on
January 13, 2004
In order to sustain a younger Elvis audience & keep him "current", there should be a remix in the works. With all of the money Elvis has generated for BMG / RCA over the years, they should be ashamed of themselves .
Costs? I'm certain that E's # 1's remixing did indeed cost some serious money. Look at the results though! Elvis was on the newscasts, radio & heard in clubs worldwide with ALLC. Think of what a funky remix of "Stranger In My Hometown" would sound like. Cmon BMG, you can surely promote your # 1 all time money maker!