MRS label has released ‘Las Vegas – ‘Down In The Alley’ Opening Night 1974’ as a CD Deluxe pack plus 2LP with gatefold sleeve. This CD features Elvis’ opening night show at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel on 19 August 1974 at the start of his eleventh season, during which he performed an almost completely revamped set-list. At no 1970 concert did Elvis perform so many unique songs, ‘Down In The Alley’, ‘Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues’ and debuts of ‘Promised Land’, ‘It’s Midnight’ plus ‘If You Talk In Your Sleep’ and ‘If You Love Me (Let Me Know)’. ‘Softly As I Leave You’, ‘My Baby Left Me’ and ‘I'm Leavin'’ - It was an astounding Opening Night. For the first time ever, the original recording has been newly remastered and mixed into STEREO.  EIN's Piers Beagley provides an in-depth review of this recent MRS release

This concert has always been an Elvis bootleg favourite and was later released by FTD on 'Nevada Nights' back in 2008. Sadly it was never a great quality cassette as it had a very flat and muffled sound.

When the two tracks Promised Land and My Baby Left Me were first released back in 2001 on the ‘ELVIS: Live In Las Vegas’ box-set they sounded as if they had been recorded via an old-fashioned telephone-line.

And to make it clear, live concerts are a visceral, exciting experience with sound and lights stimulating the senses. They are spatial and energising. This experience is not recreated via mono recordings, they need to be STEREO and dynamic. These MRS concert releases help drag the dullness into the light.

Audio Quality: Luckily for collectors MRS has transformed that old ‘telephone-line-cassette-sound’ back to life with a resounding blast. Now all the musicians can be clearly heard, Duke Bardwell’s bass, Glen Hardin’s piano, James Burton’s guitar (nicely elevated in the mix) while Ronnie Tutt’s drums at last really sparkle. On ‘Polk Salad’ when Elvis says @0150 “Get It Ronnie” the percussion explodes with energy, whereas on previous releases it sounded so flat & dull.

The original cassette had some sibilance on Elvis’ vocal and unfortunately due to his vocal now being even clearer this becomes annoying at times. There are also a couple of mono<> stereo mistakes that I noticed. Perhaps MRS’ Studio D engineer had to rush this due to the last MRS release ‘Houston 1974’ taking so long to engineer.

Nevertheless another improvement the “Stereo” mix does provide is that it places you “in the audience” which on this release helps prove how the Opening-Night crowd were rather disappointed in this new set-list. True Elvis fans would have been super-excited to hear something new, whereas this crowd only gets excited when Elvis sings the oldies.

It’s such a shame since this audience can truly be blamed for Elvis going back to the very routine, See See Rider, I Got A Woman - Amen, Love Me, If You Love Me (Let me Know) which he basically wouldn’t divert from for the rest of his on-stage career!

In this unique performance there would be no Jailhouse Rock, All Shook Up, Teddy Bear, Don’t Be Cruel, Love Me, You Gave Me A Mountain, I Got A Woman not even the regular start of See See Rider! Instead Elvis introduced the contemporary songs ‘It’s Midnight’, ‘If You Talk In Your Sleep’ and used ‘Proud Mary’ as the key second song. There was also the interesting run of ‘Promised Land’, ‘My Baby Left Me’ followed by ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.

The Package Following on from ‘ELVIS: Live at The Houston Astrodome 1974’ this MRS set continues the slim Book / CD combo package. The 20-page booklet is excellent, packed with great photos and memorabilia.  While most fans think that Elvis wore one of his new “two-piece leather” suits for the whole season that was not the case. In fact in all the photo-books there are surprisingly few images of Elvis from this ’74 summer season. The booklet includes 16 photos of Elvis on stage with great shots of him wearing his ‘Turquoise Phoenix’ and ‘Inca Gold Leaf suit’ as well as his ‘Blue Rainbow’ suit. There are also seven shots of him in his various ‘Leather’ suits. Several of these are new to my eyes.  One page that features photos of Elvis being given a special necklace from Belgium fan Chantal Dambremont on August 21st is a treat.

The sleeve notes include,

"Significantly, the summer of 1974 represented Elvis' 20th anniversary in show business. Following days of extensive rehearsals at RCA in Los Angeles, Elvis headed into Las Vegas with an almost completely revamped set list…

Perhaps, as relatively unfamiliar album tracks, these ‘new’ songs failed to evoke the kind of response Elvis expected - and needed - in order to bolster his confidence on stage. Alternatively, maybe he tried to be too ambitious and include the new songs much too early in the show and thus wrong-footed the first night audience, compromising the usual blasé, show-bis types, who tended to be far less demonstrative, compared to his regular fan base which was much more enthusiastic and forgiving.

Whatever, this show remains one of his most unusual, though there were no further attempts to repeat the experience.”

The Music
Gone were his regular 2001 Intro, ‘See See Rider’, ‘I Got A Woman’ and instead Ronnie Tutt starts the riff – reminiscent of the ’69 show intros – and Elvis rocks straight into ‘Big Boss Man’.

In hindsight this would have been a real surprise to most of the audience and maybe Elvis should have tried a rare but better-known goodie instead. For instance ‘Guitar Man’ or even the guaranteed crowd-winning, "Are you looking for Trouble? You came to the right place."

However Elvis had been performing ‘Big Boss Man’ in his shows since May 1974 and this one is another rocking version. As a first song, here starting in stereo with pounding drums, Glen D piano left, Sweet Inspirations clapping right, you can tell how the audio is vastly improved from any previous release. And when the whole band, plus horn section, kick in this version rocks with Elvis taking it at a cracking pace compared to its usual tempo.

The muffled flatness of the original release is nicely improved with a punch and sparkle – listen to Ronnie Tutt’s clear cymbals - that the FTD version lacked. And it’s worth noting that the audio quality further improves after a few songs, as it did on the original cassette.

Without a break - "Take it on" - it’s straight into ‘Proud Mary’ which Elvis hadn’t performed since 1972. This version has an excellent feel and is at a faster tempo that the 1970 on-stage versions. Here James Burton’s guitar is clear, the rhythm sections and Charlie Hodge’s vocal is cleverly placed with Elvis’ while JD & The Stamps backing-vocals are left channel. It sounds so much better than the original mono version. It is a shame that, after singing it again the following day, Elvis would never perform the song again. You can imagine Elvis throwing in some karate action.

Showing that he is up for some fun Elvis introduces himself, "Good evening, my name is ahhh the NBC Peacock. My name is NBC Peacock, I practiced that all evening and goofed it! We're gonna’ walk around and do some songs and sweat!"

Elvis then rocks into another total surprise of ‘Down In The Alley’ - "A song we did about ten years ago when Charlie was a child" - and it’s a real rockin-blues highlight. This is a treat with clean Duke Bardwell walking-bass plus a nice separation between Elvis and The Stamps. Even after the previous rehearsals and the obvious enjoyment of the song what a disappointment that this would be the only time that Elvis sung this in concert.

‘Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues’ had been recorded at STAX back in December 1973 but had only been released in March 74 on the ‘Good Times’ LP. With no introduction Elvis performs a beautiful and again unique live version of this song. To be honest it would have been better if Elvis had introduced it as “A beautiful track from my latest album” as the crowd don’t seem to know it.

The orchestra, with swirling violins, works very well on this stereo mix, it’s a great balance and so clear with beautiful playing by James Burton, crisp Ronnie Tutt drums and touching backing-vocals. Elvis throws in some marvellous ad-libbing to the lyrics…

"Play around you'll lose your wife – Already did that,
You play it too long you'll lose your life – Almost did that too!
Some gotta win, some gotta lose, Good Time Charlie's got the blues."

Having played this new gorgeous stereo version several times, I have found myself returning to this song all week. Just marvellous.

Elvis’ newest single had been another STAX track ‘If You Talk In Your Sleep’ which had got Elvis back into the US Top Twenty. Elvis cranks up the karate funk - obviously to the delight of The Sweets, "Do it, do it". The ‘call & response’ works very well in stereo while I had never noticed Glen D Hardin playing funky organ before. Lovely funky drumming from Ronnie Tutt as well. It’s a very fine version, at a slightly faster tempo than later versions in the same season, and all the more interesting for Elvis’ personal comments afterwards. Obviously relating to the lyric he feels obliged to note that, "That's a weird song, you know that? That's not about me. I didn't write that song about myself because I don't do that!"

The magic of this special night continues with a touching ‘I'm Leavin'’. One of Elvis’ best 70s singles, although sadly low charting in the US #36, it is always a treat to hear it in concert. Again this delights in stereo, James Burton’s lovely guitar, backing-vocals right and swirling orchestra. This remastered version is very fine indeed, "Living from day to day, chasing the dream. . " What shame he didn’t perform it at Aloha!

‘Let Me Be There’, which Elvis had been performing since January 1974, ups the tempo and is performed enthusiastically and with added reprise. Not my favourite Elvis song but here it is very enjoyable in remastered stereo with more of a southern-funk feel.

Elvis then asks for a chair and tells the audience about why he wants to perform ‘Softly As I Leave You’, "a beautiful love song that has been out for a long time." This is only the second time that Elvis performed this fascinating song. It’s the first time Elvis performed it in this arrangement and although slightly messy with Elvis fluffing the introduction it is still a cool version. Here the sibilance on Elvis’ vocal is a little irritating. In stereo Sherrill Nielsen sings the melody on the right channel, Glen D Hardin’s piano nicely separated on the left channel.

The climax of the piece is always the final line where Elvis gets to harmonise “I will leave you there” with Sherrill but unfortunately here Elvis’ vocal is mistakenly blended in with Sherrill Nielsen on the right channel, rather than being placed in the middle as it should be.

It seems that the MRS usual dependable Quality Control has slipped on this release. On headphones I have to admit that I noticed a couple of other technical fluffs as well.

Elvis continues with yet another debut performance and a fine version of ‘If You Love Me (Let Me Know)’ again sounding much more powerful and enjoyable in stereo. Elvis had been rehearsing the deep-bass ending with J.D Sumner and he is obviously very happy with the result, ending with a pleased "Yeah." The audience applauds afterwards but it is noticeably not quite the enthusiasm Elvis would have been hoping for.

Having performed so many ‘new songs’ for the audience without the usual screams and ovations it seems that at this point Elvis began to chicken-out of his updated set-list.

When Charlie Hodge proposes ‘The Twelfth Of Never’ as next on the set-list Elvis says “I don’t want to do that” and instead suggests ‘Love Me Tender’ which elicits screams from the crowd. This song performed in a routine fashion then gets the biggest applause of the night and so unfortunately would assure Elvis that sticking to the tried-and-tested-and-routine was the right thing to do. It was, of course, the easiest challenge as well.

With the crowd now enthused, Elvis decides on "Polk". With a high-energy feel Elvis obviously enjoys the ‘Polk Salad Annie’ work-out, including an extended karate instrumental break before the second verse. This MRS stereo version has much more punch and power with clear Glen Hardin piano (left) plus the sensational @0150 “Get It Ronnie” percussion solo that explodes with energy. It’s a fine version as he pumps the power up "sock-a-little" (with The Sweets cheering on the right channel) before a great ending.

It leaves Elvis out-of-breath "Lord, have mercy!" and he has a break while he does the short & sweet Introductions. As usual he teases the band including Duke Bardwell, "Is that D.O.O.K?"! on bass.

Charlie Hodge says that ‘Promised Land’ is supposed to be next, another first. And Elvis notes that he is up for it…. "I'm game son."! It’s a fine stereo version with tight percussion and fine separated piano and guitar. Elvis positively bites on the lyrics and it is amazing to compare this new MRS version to the original telephone-line sounding original cassette version. RCA would not release the single for another two months and so it doesn’t have the audience impact that Elvis would have hoped for. Elvis would therefore drop this song from the season after the following night - but would bring it back in March 1975

Elvis then introduces, "One of the coolest actors in the world. He’s been a friend of mine for a long, long time. Telly Savalas." before a rocking ‘My Baby Left Me’ which is a truly excellent version with Elvis putting in some real energy and with some great (stereo) playing from the TCB band. Here you can again check out Ronnie Tutt’s brilliant drumming.

By now Elvis is heading towards the end of the show and features three crowd-pleasers. ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ is one of Elvis’ very best later versions with him caressing the words and adding some delicious vocal slides at the start. The sibilance from the original cassette is annoying at the start but calms down once the orchestra beautifully joins in. A lovely version.

A hip-shaking and teasing ‘Fever’ follows but is shortened as Elvis leaves out the second verse "I light up when you call my name". In stereo there’s a neat feeling of being “in the audience” and again it proves that it is the oldies-but-goldies that really get the audience going.

Elvis then performs the all-important ‘Hound Dog’ and although he speeds through it he also works the crowd with a build-up ending. I like the quick joke at the start, “You all from Mississippi around here? Well…. ‘You’all aint’...... nothing but a Hound Dog.”

Charlie Hodge suggests another song which is perhaps "The First Time" but it is hard to hear. Elvis says a distinctive, "No" and instead farewells the audience "If we’ve entertained you it’s been worthwhile."

Someone in the crowd asks for ‘Viva Las Vegas’ to which Elvis notes, "Viva Las Vegas - right!". Instead it’s ‘Can't Help Falling In Love’ which is still incomplete - as it was on the bootlegs all those years ago.

Elvis notes "You’ve been a fantastic audience" and certainly towards the end of the show you get the sense of genuine excitement as he plays the routine classics but what a shame they didn’t explode with screams earlier on at every new song that he tried….. How the story could have been so different. 

Overall Verdict: This is one of my all-time favourite Elvis performances and since getting this new MRS set a week ago I have been playing it back to back. The set-list is so fascinating and the audio improvement here puts a real energy and sparkle into the previously very flat sounding version. Now there’s some real southern-funk feeling in the TCB Band’s playing. The first Opening Night ‘If You Talk In Your Sleep’ bootleg was released by Fort Baxter back in 1994 and thirty years later we finally get a version worthy of repeat plays. Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues, It's Midnight, If You Talk in Your Sleep, I'm Leavin’, Promised Land and My Baby Left Me are all so, so impressive. Having said that there are a couple of mono<>stereo errors here which is very unusual for the MRS label. But with such a funky and fine set-list this is still well-worth checking out.

I’m hoping that MRS will give us a few more “stereo” concerts from this fascinating 1974 season in the near future. Surely Elvis’ wild closing night (Desert Storm) is an essential release.

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TRACKLIST 1 Big Boss Man 2 Proud Mary 3 Down in the Alley 4 Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues 5 Never Been to Spain 6 It's Midnight 7 If You Talk in Your Sleep 8 I'm Leavin’ 9 Let Me Be There 10 Softly As I Leave  You 11 If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 12 Love Me Tender 13 Polk Salad Annie 14 Band Introductions 15 Promised Land 16 Introduction of Telly Savalas 17 My Baby Left Me 18 Bridge Over Troubled Water 19 Fever 20 Hound Dog 21 Can’t Help Falling in Love

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'ELVIS: Live At Houston Astrodome 1974' MRS CD Review: The new MRS single-CD deluxe-set contains Elvis’ major performance at one of the USA's biggest venues, The Astrodome, and for the first time ever presented in STEREO. The Houston show is a truly important performance since there was no room for the usual orchestra and so it was just Elvis, the TCB band and backing-vocalists. This made the concert completely unique with Elvis not only having to be truly focussed – there were no kiss-the-girls interruptions – and the whole team had to produce a powerful sound, big enough to impress the distant crowd in the massive stadium. Of all the performances that MRS have released in STEREO this Houston concert is one of the most impressive, demonstrating the power of Elvis and the band in concert that had been previously hidden in the earlier lesser quality mono releases.      EIN's Piers Beagley provides an in-depth review of this recent MRS release (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'ELVIS: On Tour 1974 California' MRS CD Review: The new MRS 3CD Deluxe-set contains three performances from Elvis’ five-day tour of California in May 1974, during which he performed in front of 60,000 fans, including an attendance by the legendary British rock band, Led Zeppelin, whom he met afterwards. The pack includes 66 live tracks plus Bonus Tracks the ‘Home Recordings’ of 'Spanish Eyes' and 'Let Me Be The One'. For the first time ever the shows are presented in stereo and with the tape speed correct. The accompanying booklet includes rare photographs and memorabilia dating from this short tour. The 3CD set includes Elvis' performances from May 11 Inglewood Forum L.A, May 12 afternoon show Fresno and also May 13 San Bernardino. The speed correction and new stereo mix breathes new life into the shows and the result is very impressive indeed, capturing Elvis still performing with a real energy.  EIN contributor Shane Brown reviews this new set, with added comments from EIN's Piers Beagley. (CD Reviews, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Las Vegas: On Stage Feb 1973' MRS CD Review: The new MRS 4CD Deluxe-set contains three performances recorded in February 1973, during Elvis’ eighth engagement in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas shows took place weeks after the historic satellite TV show, Aloha From Hawaii, was filmed and broadcast on 14 January. All shows are presented in stereo for the first time ever. All shows are presented in stereo for the first time ever. A bonus CD of remastered rehearsal tracks that were recorded the day before Opening night is also included. The accompanying booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia and liner notes which set the scene. ... This latest release from the Memphis Recording Service is an interesting one and manages to shed new light on the post-Aloha Elvis Las Vegas season that many fans have largely dismissed. EIN contributor Shane Brown reviews this new set, with added comments from EIN's Piers Beagley. (CD Reviews, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork)

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MRS CAMDEN ‘Made in Germany – Private Recordings’ Review: From the budget MRS Camden label this CD features personal recordings taken from a recently discovered tape made by Elvis while stationed with the US army in Germany in January 1959. What is so fascinating about this period is that, although The Colonel stopped Elvis recording anything professionally in Germany, Elvis was still bursting with music. Elvis was jamming at home on multiple songs that he would later record professionally for RCA. These original jams on songs such as ‘His Hand In Mine’, ‘Like A Baby’, ’I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen’, ‘I Will Be True’, ‘Danny Boy’, ‘The Fool’ even an attempt at ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’ plus ‘There’s No Tomorrow’ are totally enthralling. Historians always talk about Elvis vast knowledge of every musical genre and here is proof of his influences. A lot of fans, including myself, would truly appreciate a “Best Of” these home-recordings and just in time for Christmas 2024 the budget label ‘MRS Camden’ have done exactly that. EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this new budget release just in time for Christmas.... - Buy it TODAY for Christmas! (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'ELVIS: At 3am Sahara Tahoe 1973' MRS CD Review: This Deluxe 2CD set features two shows from Elvis’ May 1973 engagement at The Sahara Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Included is a rare 3am charity performance as well as the midnight show from the previous night. Both shows for the first time are presented in stereo. The accompanying booklet includes memorabilia and rare photos along with liner notes that set the scene. Despite having to perform three concerts in the one evening, Elvis was feeling inspired and although it was 3am he still treated the ‘Mother’s Day’ benefit more like a Closing Night performance. Elvis was in extremely jovial spirits, teasing the band and adding some crazy lyrics. He also added unique live versions of ‘My Way’, ‘Faded Love’, ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ and a rare ‘It’s Over’. With the cassette hiss removed, the musicians and backing-vocals in stereo and Elvis’ vocal raised to the correct level, this MRS release sounds just like an RCA recorded multi-track and is the best representation of the “real Elvis” live in 1973 that fans could hope for. Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley checks out a sensational STEREO Elvis double-pack. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'ELVIS: Closing Night 1972' MRS CD Review: This MRS 2CD set features a live performance recorded on 4 September 1972,during the last night of Elvis’ seventh engagement in Las Vegas at the Hilton Hotel. The show is presented in stereo. A bonus CD of remastered rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, is also included. While Elvis is perhaps not as full-blast as on the 'Opening Night' here MRS's 'Studio D' engineer has done some brilliant audio remastering, removing the bad cassette-tape-hiss of all previous releases. Emphasising the instrumentation with this "Stereo remaster" not only elevates Elvis and the musicians' performance but also places the listener right into the audience. This night Elvis rocked into 'Johnny B. Goode' and even performed the golden-oldies with some real respect. It's a great show. Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley discovers something new in this re-release - the near perfect bookend to MRS' examination of Elvis’ 1972 Summer Festival. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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MRS CAMDEN reviews: The UK MRS label have re-released 3 CD titles on its new alternate budget label 'MRS CAMDEN'. - One Night In Pearl Harbor 1CD - Elvis On Television 1956 - 1960 2CD - The Complete 1950's Live Recordings 3CD All three were released late November 2023. The releases on MRS CAMDEN are scaled-down budget versions priced for the mainstream market. The titles have slight changes from the original MRS deluxe versions and now come in a Digi-Sleeve packs with small booklets. There are minor upgrades on each release but they still all pack a punch and cover important sections of Elvis' historical journey. Going from 1954 to 1961 it is one incredible rockin’ trip. EIN's Piers Beagley checks them out as possible Santa bonus treats... If you are in the UK and order them on Amazon you can still get them delivered by Christmas Day! (CD Reviews; Source: ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'ELVIS: Opening Night 1972' MRS CD Review: Elvis’ first 1972 Las Vegas season ran from January 26th through February 23rd, 1972. Elvis was in great shape both physically and vocally, and he was once again serious about performing. While a large number of fans think that Elvis started losing inspiration and impetus after the power-year of 1970, his rejuvenation of his first live performances in 1972 demonstrate another more positive aspect. Introducing the new songs 'You Gave Me A Mountain', ‘I'll Remember You’ , 'A Big Hunk O'Love' and the brilliant 'An American Trilogy' would enrich Elvis’ live shows for the rest of his career. So while Elvis collectors may have heard the bootleg recording multiple times before, you have never truly enjoyed this concert, or appreciated its importance, until this sessional MRS audio Remaster. Elvis was in superb form and this set-list - along with the new MRS audio remaster - is truly sensational. Check out EIN's detailed review here (CD Reviews;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972' MRS CD Review: This 4CD set contains a varied selection of live performances drawn from Elvis’ seventh engagement in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel during Elvis’ summer festival in the month of August 1972. It features the 11 August Dinner and Midnight Show plus 12 August Dinner and Midnight Show. For the first time ever these performances are released in "Stereo". Bonus rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, are also included. The accompanying 40-page booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia and liner notes help set the scene. Key songs include My Way, Fever, Its Over, Until It’s Time For You To Go, American Trilogy, What Now My Love, Little Sister/ Get Back, Never Been To Spain, For The Good Times and A Big Hunk O' Love'. Elvis was in superb form and with more new songs in his set-list sounding even better with the new MRS audio remaster it is a power-packed set. Go here for EIN's in-depth review . (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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MRS presents 'ELVIS: September 1970' in-depth Review: MRS's new 2CD deluxe set features a new previously unreleased soundboard from 2nd September 1970 and a bonus CD that covers the final rehearsals at the International Hotel on August 10th before the start of the summer festival. In September 1970 Elvis was still excited to be back on stage and performing for his fans. Newspaper reviews of his concerts wrote about the excitement and fun Elvis was having back on-stage. This brand-new previously unknown concert captures Elvis feeling 'loose-as-a-goose' yet still performing with a real intensity. His live versions of ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' were truly exceptional this evening. The accompanying 40-page booklet of the CD deluxe includes rare photographs and memorabilia taken during these engagements along with introductory notes. EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new collection and enjoy a hilarious ride-with-the-king. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Summer Festival 1970: The Rehearsals' In-Depth Review: MRS's new triple-CD set 'Summer Festival 1970: The Rehearsals' was released last month. The CDs contain rehearsal highlights from one of the most memorable periods in Elvis’ career - his captivating performances at The International Hotel Las Vegas in the summer of 1970. With remastered audio and accompanying 40-page booklet the package is aimed at the general public, plus Elvis collectors who could not afford last year's FTD fan club deluxe release. Elvis’ glorious rehearsals on 24 July at RCA studios are the real key to this release. Twenty seven classic performances and with Elvis not only rehearsing the familiar songs we would all come to know from the MGM movie but also songs he would never perform on stage. EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new collection and discover some neat surprises along the way. (CD REviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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MRS 'Elvis:Back In Living Stereo' in-depth Review: The new MRS set contains 6CDs of essential 1960-1962 master recordings, plus rare alternate outtakes - including plenty of officially unreleased material - and all of the personal home recordings Elvis made during the 1960s. The 100 page book, with text from Gordon Minto, includes rare unpublished documents and photographs, supported by a comprehensive text discussing each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1960-62. Musically the packed cds - over seven hours - present a stunning look at Elvis recording in the early sixties before the shine wore off. The "Master" sessions nicely contrast with the looser "Outtakes" discs and with Elvis getting even more uninhibited on the Home Recordings. - Very unihibited with a certain Nancy Sharpe! But with so much thrown into the mix, and some tracks in poor audio quality, have MRS packed "Too Much" into the one release. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley check out the positives and negatives in their in-depth review. (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Elvis - Made In Germany’ In-Depth Review: The new MRS 'Elvis - Made In Germany – The Complete Private Recordings’ 4CD set contains more than 3 hours of the private recordings Elvis made while off duty in Germany when he was serving as a soldier in the US army during the 1958 -1960 period and, includes rare tracks from a recently discovered tape comprising over an hour of unheard personal recordings. The 152-page hardback book contains rare photographs and documents plus a comprehensive text provided by Gordon Minto, which discusses each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1957-58, before focusing on the private recordings he made in Germany. The BONUS CD features the essential RCA studio masters from 1957-58. With such an expansive book, along with hours of Elvis jamming with his friends in Germany, there is plenty to discuss as well as finding out what extra material this set contains over the official releases. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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EIN's reviews of other MRS releases:

The Complete 50s Movie Masters Session Recordings

Elvis Studio Sessions '56 The Complete Recordings

The Complete Works 1953-1955

Elvis On Television 1956-1960

Elvis Live in the 50s The Complete Concert Recordings

Off Duty with Private Presley

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley

Memphis Recording Service Volume 2 'The Rise of Elvis Presley' 1955

Memphis Recording Service Volume 1 'The Beginning of Elvis Presley' 1953-1954

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'The Complete ‘50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' In-Depth Review: This MRS 'The Complete ‘50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' 5CD/Book combo pays tribute to Elvis Presley’s complete music recordings made for his movies during the 1950s. The 5CDs contain the complete works of the master and session studio recordings made for each of Elvis’ movies during the 1950s, and all tracks have been remastered. The 200-page book focuses on each of the recording sessions held for the four motion pictures made between August 1956 and March 1958. The comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and documentation. So what surprises will collectors discover in this new set, what is in this new collection that FTD have missed and how good will the audio sound. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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‘ELVIS: Studio Sessions 1956' In-Depth Review: MRS newest release, a massive 3CD/172 page book compilation "Elvis Studio Sessions ‘56 The Complete Recordings". The 172-page book, with text by Gordon Minto, focuses on each of Elvis’ studio recording sessions during his first year of national stardom - from the first one in January, held in Nashville, then later in New York, before finishing his final session of the year in Hollywood in September. The full and comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and pieces of documentation. The 3CDs contain the complete archival master and session studio recordings of Elvis Presley from 1956, along with bonus interviews. All 90 tracks have been remastered and restored. Also for the first time on CD is the complete ‘The Truth About Me’ from an original US 45rpm flexi-disc. Also included are all the out-takes from this interview. Once again MRS release a first putting all of Elvis' key 1956 Studio Session masters onto one disc, with the addition of two other fully-packed cds of 1956 material and a stunning 172 page book. But what does this set offer over other previous releases Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new volume from MRS to find what is on offer. Includes stunning example photos & a detailed audio investigation. (Book Review: Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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