This Is Soul: Ace Collects “The Soul of The Memphis Boys” with Elvis, Dusty, Box Tops, More

We’ve already filled you in on Ace’s recent anthology collecting works by Philly soul maestro Thom Bell; now we’re looking to the American South with another release! Way back in 2012, Ace Records collected the multifaceted sounds of Chips Moman and Don Crews’ American Studios on Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios.  The 24-song tribute collection featured such visitors to Memphis as Dusty Springfield, Wilson Pickett, B.J. Thomas, and Solomon Burke as well as Elvis Presley, one of the city’s most famous denizens.  Now, the label has returned to the milieu of…

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The Next Step Is Love: New Box Set Chronicles 50 Years Of Elvis Presley’s ‘That’s The Way It Is’

Legacy Recordings’ From Elvis in Nashville, focusing on The King’s storied 1970 Music City sessions, isn’t the only Elvis box set coming this year. Follow That Dream, the online-exclusive, collector-oriented Elvis label, also recently announced a massive collection: That’s the Way It Is: 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition is a new look at the live recordings which comprised part of the multimedia project That’s the Way It Is. Over 8 CDs, the box presents 128 tracks and more than 450 minutes of music culled from Presley’s complete rehearsal recordings from July and August…

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How The Web Was Woven: Elvis Presley’s Marathon 1970 Sessions Collected on “From Elvis in Nashville”

On Friday, RCA and Legacy Recordings announced the release of From Elvis in Nashville, a 4-CD box set due on November 20 which promises to be the definitive chronicle of Presley’s marathon Music City recording session fifty years ago. In June 1970, Elvis arrived at RCA’s Studio B in Nashville to begin what would become a legendary five-night recording session. Along with an additional session on September 22, these tracks would form the core of three celebrated albums: That’s the Way It Is, Elvis Country (I’m 10,000 Years Old), and Love Letters…

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Home for Christmas: Andy, Perry, Elvis, Doris, Johnny Team with Royal Philharmonic for New Holiday Album

The busy members of The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are decking the halls with boughs of holly for their latest, all-star release. Christmas with The Stars and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, due as a digital-only title in the U.S. on Friday, November 29, brings the acclaimed orchestra together with some of the biggest names in the classic Columbia and RCA Victor constellations for newly-arranged symphonic versions of Christmas favorites. Featured artists include Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Doris Day, Eartha Kitt, Harry Belafonte, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, Dean Martin, Roy Orbison, and Andy Williams….

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Would You Like To Do a Number: Live Sets Dominate Legacy’s Record Store Day Black Friday Slate

And the hits just keep on comin’!  Legacy Recordings has announced its extensive slate for Record Store Day’s Black Friday event on November 29, and it’s a doozy, with rock, jazz, country, R&B, and more!  The label has brought out many of its heaviest hitters, including Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, and Miles Davis for an impressive array of vinyl releases. You’ll find Legacy’s full list below, with descriptions for each title provided by the label!  Look for these at finer independent record retailers everywhere on Friday, November 29! Arcade Fire,…

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Release Round-Up: Week of August 23

Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up! Here’s what arriving today, August 23. Elvis Presley, American Sound 1969 (RCA/Legacy) (Amazon U.S.) The Elvis 1969 celebration continues! In January of that year, Presley and his band began sessions with producer Chips Moman at American Sound Studios in Memphis, which resulted in his acclaimed From Elvis In Memphis album and its lead single “In the Ghetto.” He also laid down such iconic songs as “Suspicious Minds,” “Kentucky Rain,” “Rubberneckin’,” and “Don’t Cry Daddy” at the famed studio. American Sound 1969 (available digitally today, with a…

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Don’t Cry Daddy: Elvis’ “American Sound 1969” Coming to CD in September

Today, Legacy Recordings released a treasure trove of Elvis recordings from 50 years ago: the massive Live 1969 box chronicling his first stand at Las Vegas’ International Hotel over 11 discs; a vinyl presentation of the August 26 midnight show; and, on August 23, a digital-only collection of American Sound session takes.  That latter title, American Sound 1969, was met with a flurry of interest from fans thrilled to have the material but wishing it would be released on CD.  (This is a familiar cry with the recent surge in digital-exclusive titles.) …

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Release Round-Up: Week of August 9

Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up! Elvis Presley, Live 1969 (RCA/Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) RCA and Legacy celebrate Elvis Presley’s triumphant return to live performing at Las Vegas’ International Hotel with a new 11-CD box set.  All of The King’s exhilarating performances from August 21 to August 26, 1969 will be presented on Legacy’s new box . Some of the concerts have been previously issued in the last decade on various BMG and Follow That Dream collections and box sets (not to mention the August 23rd dinner…

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Tiger Man: Elvis Presley Rarities Abound on 11-CD “Live 1969” Box Set and “American Sound 1969” Studio Collection

Legacy Recordings is celebrating Elvis Presley’s 1969 run at The International Hotel in Las Vegas with a box set fit for a king. Live 1969 is an 11-CD set due out on August 9 that boasts newly mixed and mastered versions of the King of Rock and Roll’s legendary return to the stage. Following his 1968 comeback on NBC, Presley had a hankering to perform live again. As he remembered, “I missed the closeness of a live audience. So just as soon as I got out of the movie contracts, I started…

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Digital Round-Up: Week of May 3

While The Second Disc continues to champion physical media, we recognize that some labels have begun to issue digital-only releases that bring together rarities from the vault or spotlight long-out-of-print albums. From annual copyright extension releases to vault-clearing initiatives, we figured our readers would like to know about some of the treasures that have been released online and on streaming services. So, from time to time, we will shed some light on the best of these digital compilations and reissues. Here’s today’s installment! UPP, UPP (Epic, 1975) Standard-Resolution Download: Amazon U.S. Stream:…

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Release Round-Up: The Second Disc’s 2019 Record Store Day Must-Haves

Looking for our usual Release Round-Up?  Alas, there’s not much new in the way of catalogue music this Friday (and we’ve already filled you in on Billy Paul and Leon Russell!), but for a very good reason: tomorrow sees releases a-plenty as part of Record Store Day!  Without further ado, welcome to our annual rundown of Must-Haves for this year’s RSD event!  Once you’re through reading, let us know what you’re most looking forward to picking up tomorrow at your favorite local independent retailer!  Our list features just a sampling of our…

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In the Pocket: Ace Salutes Mickie Most, Reggie Young on New Anthologies

The names of Mickie Most and Reggie Young might not be among the most familiar except to diehard music aficionados, but the songs that benefited from their respective golden touches certainly are among the most well-known ever.  Ace Records has recently paid tribute to both of these late talents with a pair of deluxe anthologies. The Pop Genius of Mickie Most may be the most lavish single-disc package yet released by Ace, housed in a heavy slipcase also containing a squarebound 74-page biography of the producer-impresario. Most (1938-2003) made no bones about…

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Hey, Music Lover! Legacy Announces Record Store Day 2019 Exclusives

Sony’s Legacy Recordings has announced its offerings for this year’s Record Store Day festivities, to be held on Saturday, April 13 at your local brick-and-mortar retailer!  As usual, it’s an eclectic line-up with pop, rock, and R&B superstars all represented.  So without further ado, here’s the label’s full list! Jeff Buckley, In Transition – 1 LP – 3,000 copies In Transition is a compilation of seven previously unreleased studio performances from 1993 during the making of Jeff Buckley’s only studio album, Grace, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year. Aptly titled,…

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Review: Elvis Presley, “The Best of The ’68 Comeback Special”

This coming Sunday at 9 PM, NBC will air the 2-hour Elvis All-Star Tribute featuring performances by Yolanda Adams, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Alessia Cara, Mac Davis, John Fogerty, Josh Groban, Adam Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Jennifer Lopez, Post Malone, Shawn Mendes, Pistol Annies, Darius Rucker, Ed Sheeran, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.  These primarily present-day music stars will be commemorating Presley’s famous 1968 television special which also aired on NBC on December 3, 1968.  To tie-in with this new special, Sony’s Legacy Recordings has issued a 1-CD…

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Release Round-Up: Week of February 15

Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up! Elvis Presley, The Best of the ’68 Comeback Special (RCA/Legacy) Standard CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Walmart Exclusive CD/DVD: Walmart.com The celebration of Elvis Presley’s legendary 1968 NBC television special continues.  The Best of the ’68 Comeback Special features highlights from Legacy’s recent ’68 Comeback Special box set with performances culled from both of the “stand-up” and “sit-down” shows recorded in June, 1968 for the special.  This new, single-disc release also includes the single versions of “Memories,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Burning Love.”  While only “Memories” was included in the original program, all three…

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Sweet Memories: Elvis’ ‘The Best Of The ’68 Comeback Special’ Offers Highlights From Iconic Show Plus New Tribute

The celebration for Elvis Presley’s ’68 “comeback special” is continuing into the new year.  Legacy Recordings and RCA have announced a new single-CD collection to coincide with an upcoming NBC-TV tribute to the original December 1968 broadcast. The Best of the ’68 Comeback Special, coming on February 15, features highlights from the recent ’68 Comeback Special box set with performances culled from both of the “stand-up” and “sit-down” shows recorded in June, 1968 for the special.  Additionally, the new release includes the single versions of “Memories,” “Suspicious Minds,” and “Burning Love.”  While…

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Presley, Darin, Orbison, Sinatra, Beach Boys Featured On Ace’s New “State of the Union”

Elvis and Dino took on hypocrisy.  Dion lamented the senseless deaths of Abraham, Martin, and John.  Johnny “Poetry in Motion” Tillotson cast a spotlight on the poor treatment of veterans returned home from war.  Bing Crosby wondered “What Do We Do with the World” and Paul Anka observed that “This crazy world has come undone.”  Such are the moments captured on Ace’s thoroughly captivating new collection Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs Present State of the Union: The American Dream in Crisis 1967-1973. This 24-track set chronicles the tumult and upheaval of Vietnam-era…

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Holiday Gift Guide Review: Elvis Presley, “’68 Comeback Special: 50th Anniversary Edition”

Elvis had a lot riding on his December 1968 NBC-TV special.  Once the brightest star in the galaxy – and one whose every freeing move caused ripples in American society – he was no longer at the top of the charts.  A string of lightweight movie musicals had rendered the once-“dangerous” entertainer as wholesome as apple pie.  At the time of the broadcast, Elvis’ most recent single (“Guitar Man”) had failed to crack the top 40 and he hadn’t had a chart-topper since “Good Luck Charm” in 1962.  He hadn’t appeared live…

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Release Round-Up: Week of November 30

Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up! Neil Diamond, 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (Capitol/UMe)  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Neil Diamond revisits a 50+-year career with a new 6-CD, 115-song retrospective box set featuring hits, rarities, and 15 previously unreleased tracks including the original demos of “America” and “I Am…I Said.”  Everything is packaged within a deluxe hardcover book-style format.  50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition expands upon 2017’s 3-CD 50th Anniversary set and is the first comprehensive Diamond career overview in more than 20 years.  Read the track listing here, and…

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Release Round-Up: Week of November 16

Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up! Fleetwood Mac, 50 Years: Don’t Stop (Warner Bros./Rhino) 3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 5LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada  In celebration of its 50 years, Fleetwood Mac is issuing a new career-spanning collection featuring 50 songs on either 3 CDs or 5 LPs.  These include hits, favorites, and a smattering of rarities such as the CD premiere of 2013’s “Sad Angel” from the digital release Extended Play.  A 1-CD distillation…

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If I Can Dream: Elvis’ Comeback Special Receives Box Set Treatment For 50th Anniversary

On December 3, 1968, Elvis Presley electrified television audiences with the self-titled special that would come to be known, simply, as The Comeback Special.  Nearly fifty years later, it remains the epitome of his artistry during a period when some would have written him off.  At the time of the NBC-TV broadcast, his most recent single (“Guitar Man”) had failed to crack the top 40.  He hadn’t had a chart-topper since “Good Luck Charm” in 1962.  He hadn’t appeared live onstage since a benefit concert in March 1961, and hadn’t appeared on…

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Anyone Can Play: Capitol Serves Up 18 Unreleased Tracks on “Glen Campbell Sings For The King”

This morning, Capitol Records and UMe announced a title that unites two late titans of song.  Glen Campbell Sings for The King arrives on November 16, premiering never-before-released recordings made by Campbell for his friend Presley.  It will be released on CD, LP, digitally, and as a limited edition, 180-gram clear vinyl edition available exclusively at the artist’s website. Between 1964 and 1968, Glen was engaged by the songwriting team of Ben Weisman and Sid Wayne to record fully-produced studio versions of songs intended for Elvis.  The King recorded more songs by…

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Release Round-Up: Week of August 10

Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up! Elvis Presley, Where No One Stands Alone (RCA/Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) RCA presents 14 of The King’s seminal gospel and spiritually-themed recordings, all remixed with new orchestrations and new supporting vocals from artists who knew and worked with Elvis including Darlene Love, Cissy Houston, and Lisa Marie Presley plus members of The Stamps Quartet and The Imperials.  Includes new versions of “Stand by Me,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Crying in the Chapel.”  Available on…

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Release Round-Up: Week of April 6

Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, and one of the biggest Release Fridays of the year to date! Chicago, VI Decades Live: This is What We Do (Rhino)  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Chicago celebrates 50 years on the road with this expansive new box set featuring 4 CDs and 1 DVD of previously unreleased live music recorded between 1969 and 2014.  This set includes two complete concerts – The Isle of Wight, 1970 on CD and a Rockpalast broadcast from Germany in 1977 on DVD – plus two…

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Keep It Thoro: Legacy Announces Record Store Day Slate with Dylan, Cash, Mathis, Elvis, Pink Floyd, More

Record Store Day is a little over a month away – Saturday, April 21 – and record labels large and small are celebrating in high style.  Legacy Recordings is looking to make this the biggest and best RSD yet, with a line-up of nearly 30 titles in genres including classic rock, pop, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, comedy, and beyond. Many of the label’s heavy hitters are represented, including Johnny Cash (an expanded vinyl box set of Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison: Legacy Edition), Jimi Hendrix (a new 7-inch single with an unreleased side),…

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