Archives

A collection of my Elvis and Elvis-adjacent writings outside The Mystery Train.

Reporters begin sniffing at Artoo mailboxes [The Film Frontier blog]

/ TY

It didn’t take long. Yesterday, I told you about Artoo Detoo mailboxes appearing around the country as part of a joint marketing effort between Lucasfilm and the US Postal Service.

Meredith Heagney of The Columbus Dispatch in Ohio has already mentioned the mailboxes in two articles, and we see an attempt to start a controversy.

On Thursday, Heagney reported:

Once the Postal Service does talk, it will have to explain who paid for the custom mailboxes, in light of a proposed increase in first-class postage to 41 cents. Mark Haberman wasn’t impressed with the special mailbox[…]. “I think it’s a waste of money,” said Haberman, the assistant director of the Ohio Building Authority.

Yesterday, she continued the angle:

The Postal Service says it was a “Jedi mind trick.” Here on Earth it’s called a “publicity stunt.” […] [Melissa] Dodge [a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service] refused to say how much the graphics cost the Postal Service, calling it “proprietary information.” She said the cost was “very minimal.” Star Wars’ parent company, Lucasfilm, did not provide funds for the mailboxes, and the Postal Service didn’t pay to use R2-D2’s image, Dodge said.

Associated Press reports yesterday also seemed to confirm the obvious, that the big announcement on March 28 is indeed for Star Wars stamp(s).

* * *

Will the announcement be as simple as that, though? Or will the post office deliver up another Elvis-style contest? Rather than 50s Elvis vs. 70s Elvis, it could be Vader vs. Yoda, for instance.

While the same person cannot be honored on more than one US stamp within the same decade, there is no such restriction on fictional characters. Any such contest would be only a marketing ploy. And they would never do that, would they?

Primary Information Sources
The Columbus Dispatch: Mysterious it is, this R2-D2 mailbox that left in a flash
The Columbus Dispatch: ‘Star Wars’ mailbox sequels debut today
The Associated Press: `Star Wars’ droid R2-D2 to collect mail

Elvis and the Artoo mailbox [The Film Frontier blog]

/ TY

Starting today, if you live in the US, you will be able to deposit your mail in officially sanctioned Artoo Detoo mailboxes around the country.

No, this is not an early April Fool’s joke.

In an unprecedented marketing scheme, Lucasfilm has teamed up with the US Postal Service to promote a new web site. Official US Postal Service mailboxes in many areas have been transformed to look like the popular astromech droid.

The mailboxes promote http://www.uspsjedimaster.com, which promises a major announcement on March 28 about a collaborative project between the postal service and Lucasfilm.

I don’t think I’m going very far out on a limb here by predicting the announcement will include a Star Wars stamp or set of stamps. After all, entertainment stamps tend to be huge profit-makers for the postal service since they often are saved by collectors rather than actually used.

A 1993 stamp featuring Elvis Presley remains the most popular US stamp of all time. Other popular entertainment stamps include last year’s DC Comics Superheroes set and various Walt Disney stamps.

As long as I’m making predictions, I also foresee some sort of general public outcry over the Artoo mailboxes. Perhaps a Congressional investigation into whether or not taxpayer money went into the marketing gimmick and how the President is likely to blame.

I know, I know, I’m nearly as great as Carnac the Magnificent.

Primary Information Sources
StarWars.com: R2-D2 mailboxes coming to your galaxy
WashingtonPost.com: Elvis remains the King of postage stamps

General comments on SUNRISE [Elvis reflections]

/ TY

I was 24 when I wrote this item back in 1999. This is part of a series of archival Elvis writings — informal pieces originally written for family, friends, other purposes, or just me. They reflect how I was engaging with Elvis’ music in the years between The Elvis Beat and my blog writing.

Sunrise (1999)

  • I haven’t had time to compare Sunrise with The Complete 50s Masters to see if the quality is the same, better, or worse. My initial reaction when I played it for the first time a few months ago, though, was that the tracks sounded slightly better than the ones on The Complete 50s Masters. I could’ve been fooling myself, though. I’ve done that before.
  • The first four songs on Disc 2 are, of course, Elvis’ historic first acetate recordings. The first three had been released before, but “It Wouldn’t Be The Same Without You” was included for the first time here. That’s actually one of the main reasons I bought the set, because I wanted to have the remaining pre-professional recording. I believe that’s the last of them.
  • Track 10 on Disc 2 starts mid-song. No explanation was given in RCA’s liner notes. It is, after all, an alternate, so it may be that the beginning of the song did not survive or was unusable. Although I’m not sure RCA considers anything “unusable” anymore, as you’ll find later on Disc 2.
  • Tracks 12 and 13 on Disc 2 are acetate recordings of moderate sound quality.
  • Tracks 14-19 on Disc 2 are all live acetate recordings. The sound quality is, to say the least, horrible. I’m not sure why RCA chose to release these particular tracks, other than an excuse to slap a “previously unreleased” star beside more songs. The horrendous sound quality makes them of little real value. Clearer live versions of nearly all of the tracks from the same time period were already available. Oh well.

Tracklist

Disc 1

  1. That’s All Right
  2. Blue Moon Of Kentucky
  3. Good Rockin’ Tonight
  4. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine
  5. Milkcow Blues Boogie
  6. You’re A Heartbreaker
  7. Baby, Let’s Play House
  8. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone
  9. I Forgot To Remember To Forget
  10. Mystery Train
  11. I Love You Because
  12. Harbor Lights
  13. Blue Moon
  14. Tomorrow Night
  15. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’)
  16. Just Because
  17. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone (slow version)
  18. Trying To Get To You
  19. When It Rains, It Really Pours

Disc 2

  1. My Happiness
  2. That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
  3. I’ll Never Stand In Your Way
  4. It Wouldn’t Be The Same Without You*
  5. I Love You Because (alternate take)
  6. That’s All Right (alternate take)
  7. Blue Moon Of Kentucky (alternate take)
  8. Blue Moon* (alternate take)
  9. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’) (alternate take)
  10. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine (alternate take)
  11. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone (slow version) (alternate take)
  12. Fool, Fool, Fool
  13. Shake, Rattle & Roll
  14. I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone* (live)
  15. That’s All Right* (live)
  16. Money Honey* (live)
  17. Tweedlee Dee* (live)
  18. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine* (live)
  19. Hearts Of Stone* (live)

*Previously unreleased

10 favorite Elvis albums & songs [Elvis reflections]

/ TY

I was 23 when I wrote this item back in 1999. This is part of a series of archival Elvis writings — informal pieces originally written for family, friends, other purposes, or just me. They reflect how I was engaging with Elvis’ music in the years between The Elvis Beat and my blog writing.

What are your 10 favorite Elvis albums and why?

  1. That’s The Way It Is
    Elvis at his musical best. Songs such as “Just Pretend” and “I’ve Lost You” could easily be hits today if RCA took the proper marketing steps.
  2. The Memphis Record
    The best compilation of Elvis’ incredible 1969 Memphis Sessions, and many tracks are mixed better than their counterparts on ELVIS: From Nashville to Memphis – The Essential 60’s Masters I.
  3. Elvis In Person At The International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
    This is his best live album, containing definitive versions of some of his classic hits as well as some terrific new songs.
  4. Elvis On Stage – February 1970
    Another impressive live album. Unfortunately, only a handful of Elvis’ live recordings from this year have been released by RCA so far.
  5. ELVIS – NBC TV Special
    Most notable for containing his finest song, “If I Can Dream”, and also includes some stirring live performances.
  6. Elvis Country – I’m 10,000 Years Old
    Although the “I Was Born About 10,000 Years Ago” interludes between each song are somewhat annoying, this one has some great recordings such as “Tomorrow Never Comes” – one of the best songs of his career that is unfortunately often overlooked.
  7. From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee
    This album is certainly one of his finest when considered as a whole. It has a definite theme to it, unlike many of his other albums. Gems such as “Solitaire” and “Never Again” can only be found here.
  8. Today
    A remarkable album that is notable for being 15 years ahead of its time, since many of the songs sound like 90s country music. “Bringing It Back” and “Fairytale” are not to be missed.
  9. ELVIS: Walk A Mile In My Shoes – The Essential 70’s Masters
    Overall, the 1970s is a severely underrated musical era for Elvis, so I felt this compilation should be included to represent that. Unfortunately, the collection was assembled in an uneven fashion. A 10 or 15 disc “Complete 70s Masters” would have been much better, even if split across multiple releases.
  10. Elvis’ Golden Records
    A good overview of his 1950’s hits with RCA.

10 favorite Elvis songs

  1. “If I Can Dream” (1968)
  2. “Mystery Train” (1955)
  3. “Always On My Mind” (1972)
  4. “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” (1968)
  5. “One Night” (1957)
  6. “Baby, Let’s Play House” (1955)
  7. “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” (1960)
  8. “Jailhouse Rock” (1957)
  9. “Trying To Get To You” (1955)
  10. “Just Pretend” (1970)

68 Special [Elvis reflections]

/ TY

I was 23 when I wrote this item back in 1998. This is part of a series of archival Elvis writings — informal pieces originally written for family, friends, other purposes, or just me. They reflect how I was engaging with Elvis’ music in the years between The Elvis Beat and my blog writing.

Leaving out the studio production numbers (such as the gospel and road medleys), I’ve put together this list of recording dates for the ’68 Special. I also left out “one line” songs, such as “Tiptoe Through The Tulips” and “MacArthur Park.” Except for the dressing room rehearsals, all of the following songs were taped for the special, although not all of the video footage has been officially released yet.

Dressing Room Rehearsals (June 24-25)

(Informal audio recordings)
Note: Not a complete list of songs

  • I Got A Woman (Platinum: A Life In Music CD)
  • Tiger Man (Platinum: A Life In Music CD)
  • Blue Moon/Young Love/Oh Happy Day
  • When It Rains, It Really Pours (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  • Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  • Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  • Blue Christmas
  • Are You Lonesome Tonight/That’s My Desire/That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
  • Love Me
  • When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
  • Blue Christmas [#2]/Santa Claus Is Back In Town

6:00 PM “Sit Down” Show (June 27)

(Complete show released on Elvis: One Night With You video and Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD.)

  1. That’s All Right
  2. Heartbreak Hotel
  3. Love Me
  4. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
  5. Blue Suede Shoes
  6. Baby, What You Want Me To Do [#2]
  7. Lawdy Miss Clawdy
  8. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
  9. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
  10. Blue Christmas
  11. Trying To Get To You
  12. One Night
  13. Baby, What You Want Me To Do [#3]
  14. One Night (“No Strap”) [#2]
  15. Memories

8:00 PM “Sit Down” Show (June 27)

(Complete show released on Tiger Man CD.)

  1. Heartbreak Hotel
  2. Baby, What You Want Me To Do
  3. That’s All Right
  4. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
  5. Baby, What You Want Me To Do [#2]
  6. Blue Suede Shoes
  7. One Night
  8. Love Me
  9. Trying To Get To You
  10. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  11. Santa Claus Is Back In Town/Blue Christmas
  12. Tiger Man (ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  13. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
  14. Memories

6:00 PM “Stand Up” Show (June 29)

  1. Heartbreak Hotel/One Night
  2. Heartbreak Hotel [#2]/Hound Dog/All Shook Up (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  3. Can’t Help Falling In Love (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  4. Jailhouse Rock (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  5. Don’t Be Cruel (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  6. Blue Suede Shoes
  7. Love Me Tender (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  8. Trouble
  9. Baby What You Want Me To Do (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  10. If I Can Dream

8:00 PM “Stand Up” Show (June 29)

  1. Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up
  2. Can’t Help Falling In Love
  3. Jailhouse Rock (ELVIS: NBC TV Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  4. Don’t Be Cruel (ELVIS: NBC TV Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  5. Blue Suede Shoes (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD)
  6. Love Me Tender (ELVIS: NBC TV Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  7. Trouble/Guitar Man (Memories: The ’68 Comeback Special CD; ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special video)
  8. If I Can Dream

“ELVIS” – Original NBC Broadcast – December 3, 1968 (9:00 PM)

  1. Trouble/Guitar Man (studio)
  2. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (6/27 8 PM)
  3. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (6/27 6 PM, #2)
  4. Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up (6/29 6 PM)
  5. Can’t Help Falling In Love (6/29 6 PM)
  6. Jailhouse Rock (6/29 8 PM)
  7. Love Me Tender (6/29 8 PM)
  8. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (6/27 6 PM)
  9. Where Could I Go But To The Lord/Up Above My Head/Saved (studio)
  10. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (6/27 6 PM, #3)
  11. Blue Christmas (6/27 8 PM)
  12. One Night (6/27 6 PM, #2)
  13. Memories (6/27 6 PM)
  14. Nothingville/Big Boss Man/Guitar Man/Little Egypt (studio)
  15. Trouble/Guitar Man (studio/6/29 8 PM)
  16. If I Can Dream (studio)

Elvis Notes [Elvis reflections]

/ TY

I was 23 when I wrote this item back in 1998. This is part of a series of archival Elvis writings — informal pieces originally written for family, friends, other purposes, or just me. They reflect how I was engaging with Elvis’ music in the years between The Elvis Beat and my blog writing.

Here are some notes on several of the songs:

Stranger In The Crowd / I’ve Lost You / How The Web Was Woven / Just Pretend
I don’t really have anything to say about these songs except that I LOVE them! All of them are from the 1970 album That’s The Way It Is – which is his best, in my opinion.

You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
This has always been one of my favorite songs, and it took a while for Elvis’ version to grow on me. Now that it has, though, I think it’s the best version I’ve ever heard.

Always On My Mind
Probably my second-favorite Elvis song. This was a musical apology of sorts to Priscilla after their separation. Willie Nelson recorded a popular version in the 80s.

You Don’t Know Me
I first heard this song in the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day, performed by Ray Charles. At the time, I thought it sounded like something Elvis would have recorded and I wished that he had. Hah, well my wish came true! A couple years later, I discovered this song by Elvis on a boxed set. Ray Charles probably did a better job, because Elvis recorded this in an “off” year. However, I like Elvis’ better anyway, because…well, it’s Elvis! This is probably the saddest song I’ve ever heard.

Can’t Help Falling In Love
I consider this, and not “Love Me Tender,” to be Elvis’ greatest love song. This particular version is an alternate take, shorter than the original release. I like it better for some reason, though. Elvis closed most of his concerts from 1969-77 with this song, as a message to his fans.

Promised Land
Elvis’ version of this Chuck Berry song was recently featured in the movie Men In Black.

Are You Laughing Tonight?
In this live version of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,” Elvis ad-libs a new line, which supposedly inspires an audience member on the first row to remove his toupee and spin it on his finger – causing Elvis’ initial laughter. Whatever the initial cause, his contagious laughter likely continues because the background singers and band keep performing the song as if nothing is happening. Someone once said the world would be a much happier place if everyone listened to this song each morning. I agree with that.

Separate Ways
This is a companion piece to “Always On My Mind.” Note the verse which refers to Lisa Marie.

You’ll Never Walk Alone
This is an alternate take of this classic song. Elvis is on the piano, which was apparently his favorite instrument – not the guitar.

If I Can Dream
This is a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., who was assassinated in Elvis’ hometown of Memphis on April 4, 1968, and Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in Los Angeles a couple months later. It closed Elvis’ ‘68 television special. My favorite song.

June 1977: The Final Concert Tour [The Elvis Beat newsletter]

/ TY

I was 22 when I wrote this review back in 1997 for The Elvis Beat #16, which turned out to be the final issue of my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter. Though I did not formally dissolve the club until 2000, it went on hiatus after I released this issue. A couple of months later, on August 21, 1997, I started my first website – Star Trek: The Film Frontier, devoted to the first six Trek movies. I added a blog element to The Film Frontier in 2006 and, before I knew it, I was writing about Elvis again. In many ways, I have gone full circle for this path eventually led to The Mystery Train.

“We’re here to entertain you and to make you happy. So, just enjoy yourself, and leave the driving to us,” said Elvis to an adoring crowd in Rapid City, South Dakota on June 21, 1977. Elvis had been doing just that for over 20 years – entertaining his fans and making them happy.

What was to be Elvis’ last concert tour began on June 17, 1977, in Springfield, Missouri. The tour was a short one compared to many of his others, with concerts in ten cities in ten days.

The following day, the tour moved to Kansas City. The June 19 appearance in Omaha, Nebraska was taped for a CBS television special set to air that fall. Only three songs were used from the Omaha performance in the Elvis In Concert special, which was broadcast posthumously.

“If you think I’m nervous,” Elvis said quietly on stage, “you’re right.”

Many fans were interviewed on camera for Elvis In Concert, which is not officially available on video. Perhaps the most genuine in his responses was a young black man who said:

I give Elvis a lot of credit for bringing blues into rock and country. He’s the first guy to ever do that, and I admire him for it. He has a lot of courage. He’s my number one singer of all time. I hope to name my kid after him someday. . . .

I just love the guy. I know that sounds kinda weird, but I just love the guy, and I wish him many years of success. . . .

I have about four of his gospel albums, and my favorite is How Great Thou Art. It makes you feel good when he sings it. It brings tears to your eyes.

The next day, Elvis performed in Lincoln, Nebraska. CBS also taped his concert in Rapid City on June 21. It was from this performance that most of the songs in the Elvis In Concert special were drawn.

“If you haven’t guessed by now, you’re on television,” Elvis said with a characteristic grin to the audience. “Don’t let the lights and cameras throw you, and try not to throw the lights and cameras if you can help it.”

Elvis In Concert was Elvis’ first television special in four years after the blockbuster Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii. The contrast in his appearance between the two shows is striking.

“He was obviously way overweight,” said Elvis’ friend Joe Esposito a few years after the singer’s death. “Despite his age, only 42, we knew he was in bad health. It was rough for him, but Elvis accepted his appearance, and so did his fans.”

Although he did look ill, that special Elvis smile was still there. The love and magic was still there. He was Elvis. Through all the ups and downs, the fans always loved him and still do.

With CBS’s taping complete for the special, the concert tour continued through Sioux Falls, Des Moines, Madison, and Cincinnati over the next several days.

The Market Square Arena in Indianapolis hosted Elvis on June 26 for the last stop of the tour. The concert would prove to be his last before dying six weeks later at his home, Graceland.

For the last performance of his life, Elvis sang:

  • See See Rider
  • I Got A Woman/Amen
  • Love Me
  • Fairytale
  • You Gave Me A Mountain
  • Jailhouse Rock
  • It’s Now Or Never
  • Little Sister
  • Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel
  • Release Me
  • I Can’t Stop Loving You
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • Early Morning Rain
  • What’d I Say
  • Johnny B. Goode
  • I Really Don’t Want To Know
  • Hurt
  • Hound Dog
  • Can’t Help Falling In Love

Joe Esposito said it best, “Just six weeks before his death, he still poured his heart out. To the end, Elvis’ greatest gift – his incredible voice – never failed him.”

When all is said and done, after all the books have been written, and when all the tales have been spun, the only question that will be important is, “What did Elvis do?”

He made people happy.

That was his life.

Note: Years later, portions of the above circulated in bootleg promotional material without permission. It is reproduced here in its original context.