Brian Quinn

Talking of Certifications. According to this week's Billboard Magazine, the 'Christmas Duets' album is No.191 on the Top 200 Album Chart with 5000 sales. This makes a total of 431,000 copies sold overall. Just 69,000 copies to go for GOLD. Brian :D

2 New RIAA Awards For Elvis. It's the 2 Brookville Marketing albums (sold only on television). 'Elvis' - issued in 1973 - 5 x Platinum 'Elvis in Hollywood' - issued in 1976 1 x Platinum Great news as this puts Elvis ahead of Garth Brooks again as the Biggest Selling Solo Album Artist of All-Time in the U.S.A. Brooks currently has 128 million and Elvis now has 129.5 million. There will soon be more on the way. The RIAA is always a few days late in updating their site in case some of you are wondering why it is not listed yet. Brian

Please go to the following URL: http://www.wickedlocal.com/arlington/featu...isits-Arlington I have never seen this photograph of them. Brian B)

'Viva Elvis' The Album has just gone GOLD in Sweden. Brian :D

Booked my tickets today for the 02 and Wembley Arenas. Elvis may have left the building but not his fans - and quite a few of them are missing as this is shot during the interval: Tickets can be obtained from www.seetickets.com Just type 'Elvis In Concert' in the Venue/Concert Search bar. Brian :dancing:

Please go to the following URL: http://www.elvis.com/news/detail.aspx?id=5048 Tour dates - March 2012 Fri 9 Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield Sat 10 MEN Arena, Manchester Sun 11 SECC, Glasgow Fri 16 O2 Arena, London Sat 17 Wembley Arena, London Sun 18 LG Arena, Birmingham Can't wait. Bring it on. Brian

Please go to the following URL: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/artic...l#ixzz160bFVOXt Brian

'Viva Elvis' The Album has dropped from 19 to 52 in this week's UK Album Charts. Very sad. Brian :(

Tomorrow (Sunday) 7.30 p.m. direct from Las Vegas to Blackpool, the cast of Cirque du Soleil's 'Viva ELVIS' will be performing the amazing new version of 'Blue Suede Shoes' from the 'Viva ELVIS' album on Strictly Come Dancing. 18 of the Cirque's legendary acrobats and dancers are flying in to give BBC 1 viewers an exclusive taste of the show ' the first time they have performed it outside the USA. Just seen a posting on the 'Strictly' Website and one member of staff states that they have just seen the rehearsal of 'Blue Suede Shoes" and can't begin to describe just how great it is. Sounds promising indeed and hopefully will give a boost to the Album. It's also 'Elvis Night' on the Biography Channel from 8 p.m. onwards. Brian

For me it's nothing to do with which version I prefer but do I like the new album. The answer is yes and it is something new to listen to. I much prefer listening to the new remixes than 15 takes of 'Padre' on a FTD album. Brian

Apparently the Japanese edition of the 'Viva Elvis' album contains 14 tracks including a "Love Me Tender' duet featuring Hikawa Kiyoshi and the JXL Remix of 'A Little Less Conversation'. Brian

Well, the first week sales of 'Viva Elvis' The Album are in for the U.S.A. and they are much worse than expected. It sold 12,622 copies entering the Billboard Chart at No.48. I find this result extremely disappointing. There must be a genuine reason why this release has not done as well as expected and I do not accept that some Elvis fans do not like it as the main reason. I suspect people did not know of it's release and that SONY have failed Elvis with marketing the album. Even the 2008 'Christmas Duets' fared better. Extremely frustrating when one looks at the forthcoming Michael Jackson Album due out on 14th December which has already got an advance in the U.S.A. alone of 800,000. Brian :(

The 'Viva Elvis' album sold 14,088 copies in the UK last week. Strictly Come Dancing Saturday, 20th November 18:30 on BBC One (UK) Synopsis: Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly present a special Vegas spectacular in Blackpool, with the eight remaining celebrities going all-out to illuminate the dancefloor. The couples will be putting in towering performances, hoping to gain high judges' scores and viewer votes. Voting lines open at the end of the show, and another celebrity will leave before the weekend is over. It is believed that a troup from 'Viva Elvis' will appear on this show and perform 'Blue Suede Shoes' (remix) from the new album. Should help increase sales of the album in the UK. Brian :D

'Viva Elvis' - The Album enters the UK Charts at No.19. The highest entry so far announced for any country is Holland where it debuted at 13. Brian

'Bossa Nova Baby' is getting some excellent comments on the various Elvis Message Boards and the following is another video made for Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUeaVMwyR4U Brian

Other albums, apart from Susan Boyle and Taylor Swift, heading for a high arrival on next week's Billboard 200 include Reba McEntire's "All the Women I Am," Bon Jovi's "Greatest Hits," the "Now 36" compilation, Cee Lo Green's "The Lady Killer," Elvis Presley's "Viva Elvis," Alter Bridge's "AB III" and Kid Cudi's "Man on the Moon 2: the Legend of Mr. Rager." Further, A 'Best Buy' store worker in Las Vegas reports that it "Sold Out" of copies of 'Viva Elvis -The Album' in just 48 hours. Plus he reports that 'Best Buy' Radio, the in-store promotional show that is on all day, plays 'Suspicious Minds 2010' every hour or so. Way to go Vegas!!! Brian

Please go to the following URL: http://www.vegasdeluxe.com/blogs/luxe-life...ie-erich-van-t/ Brian :D

Please go to the following URL: Brian :dance:

No improvement today on yesterday's chart position with 7,000 sales as of now. There will be a major push on next week's 'Strictly Come Dancing' when a dance team from the 'Viva Elvis' Show will perform 'Blue Suede Shoes'. One can only hope this will give the album some exposure and increase sales/chart position. As regards the TV Campaign, the album has been getting exposure in areas considered demographically favourable to Elvis. Some £80,000 has already been spent on the album in these areas alone. To cover the whole of the UK would have cost £180,000 and the current level of sales cannot justify this. We must always remember that SONY is a company and therefore has to make a profit. Regarding record sales in general the UK album sales are down 7% year on year and unless an act is the 'current thing' e.g. 'X' Factor Winners, Take That, Susan Boyle et al it is always going to be difficult for established artists like Elvis to do as well as in the past with no new product. It is a challenge for Sony to know where they can go from here and it may be that we are not far from no Elvis records being released at all within the next couple of years. One must remember that the major part of the fan base is ageing rapidly and dying off which must contribute to a drop in sales. Sony also state that they cannot see a 'Viva Elvis' (Part 2) being released as has been rumoured. Sorry to be so negative with this post but I believe in telling it like it is. I only wish I could be reporting a No.1 album with over 100,000 sales!! I know it is no comfort, but if you think the 'Viva Elvis' album has done badly just look at Tom Jones latest 'Greatest Hits' released on the same day. It is not even in the Top 40 at present. A major disappointment for him. Brian

Please go to the following URL: http://www.elvis.com/news/detail.aspx?id=5021 I wonder if SONY will use this to promote the album in the UK and elsewhere? Brian

The 'Viva Elvis' album is No.13 on the UK Midweek Album Charts (1st Day Report) selling some 4,500 copies. Sony state they will get a better idea tomorrow if it is likely to go higher. Brian

There will be an Elvis Night on the Biography Channel (156) commencing at 8 p.m. on Sunday, 21st November. Brian

'VIVA ELVIS' - THE ALBUM - REVIEW by Brian Quinn I have just listened to 'Viva Elvis' - The Album which was very kindly sent to my by SONY(UK) and I am not afraid to say I am in tears. It is PHENOMENAL and the sound AMAZING. Truly a listening and emotional experience and genuinely revolutionary in concept which should give it an excellent chance for a Grammy Award next year. This is truly Elvis for the 21st Century. The whole album is built around a biographical theme with comments from Elvis, Ed Sullivan, Bill Black, Milton Berle etc. and snippets of other Elvis songs apart from those listed on the album cover. This is one album that I will be playing a lot and not just once or twice. Yes, we would have liked more tracks but the ones on the album are longer than usual apart from 'Memories' and 'You'll Never Walk Alone' which are linking themes as shown below. I would also have liked to have had the names of the individual female singers featured on the duets. The album cover is very colorful, contemporary, and features a booklet containing many scenes from the 'Viva Elvis' show with details of the cast etc. Now on to my review: 1. Opening The album opens with the strains of what is commonly known by Elvis fans as 'The 2001 Theme' together with females screaming and chanting "We Want Elvis". Great drums featured in the background. Elvis himself comments 'If You're Looking For Trouble'. There are also historical comments from Ed Sullivan and track 1 commences a countdown into track 2. A fitting start to the album. 2. Blue Suede Shoes Heavy version with drums and harmonica up front. Has a distinct Bo Diddley feel to it and again comments from Ed Sullivan and Milton Berle. Lots of sound wizardry here. 3. That's All Right Has a great feel to it and commences with a similar opening to 'I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine' with comments by Horace Logan and Bill Black. Screaming girls add to the atmosphere. Also snatches of 'When It Rains It Really Pours'. 4. Heartbreak Hotel This track has a great powerful Blues feel to it and starts out with Elvis doing his famous 'Well, Well Well' routine. A really heavy version follows which quite literally bounces along with great Harmonica/Sax/Brass/Drums and Piano. Snippets of 'Stranger In My Own Home Town' (informal rehearsal) as featured on 'The Essential 70's Masters Box Set. 'Polk Salad Annie' even gets a mention. 5. Love Me Tender A beautiful duet with a really great female singer and a very contemporary arrangement with acoustic guitar adds up to a real winner. Elvis closes the duet by singing a snippet of 'In My Way' from the movie 'Wild In The Country'. In my opinion this would make a great single release. 6. King Creole This track commences in a similar fashion to the opening of the film of the same name with strains of 'Crawfish'/'Gumbo'. Slower than the original version with the cast singing along. Elvis also sings a snippet of 'Hard Headed Woman'. The track ends in the same fashion as the beginning with 'Gumbo'. 'Elvis also sings a snippet of 'New Orleans'. 7. Bossa Nova Baby Commences with Elvis making comments in the recording studio to Hal Wallace. We are then treated to an excellent version of this well known track featuring drums/sax/piano/bass and organ. During the song a part of the arrangement is reminiscent of 'Barbara Ann' by The Beach Boys. Elvis comments "It's Hot In Here". Ends with a great Boots Randolph style sax. A contemporary version without losing the original feel. This would be a great track for the programme 'Dancing With The Stars'. 8. Burning Love Commences with the famous comment made by Elvis (on the 'Elvis sails' EP) to the Press Corps on joining the U.S. Army. On being asked "What's your idea of the ideal girl?" Elvis answers with much laughing '"Female Sir". A heavy version follows with guitar/drums and guitar to the fore. There is also a piece of dialogue included from the movie 'Jailhouse Rock' where Elvis has just kissed Judy Tyler (Peggy Van Alden) and she turns to him in disgust and states "How dare you think that such cheap tactics would work with me?" and Elvis replies "That ain't tactics honey, its just the beast in me". 9. Memories A short orchestral piece of 'Memories' which is really a means of segueing into 10. Can't Help Falling In Love This is a really fine contemporary version of this classic track and sung as a duet with a great female singer similar in style to Mariah Carey. Elvis opens the track accompanied by acoustic guitar. Very melodious. Interestingly the track fades out with Elvis repeating part of the song 'Love Me'. 11. You'll Never Walk Alone (Piano Interlude) A beautiful short piano solo played as if it were Elvis himself and segues into the final track. 12. Suspicious Minds Great up tempo closer for the album which is heavy on drums/piano/bass and guitar. Similar type female backing group as the Sweet Inspirations. A very melodious version with Elvis urging everyone on near the end shouting "C'mon, C'mon, C'mon". Finally, I would like to make this important point. To fully appreciate this album one needs to treat it as a whole and not just a conglomeration of unrelated tracks. As stated earlier it is truly a unique 'listening experience' and and one that is linked biographically to cover all Elvis eras from 'That's All Right' to 'Suspicious Minds' taking in the 50's, the Movies, the Army, the 68 TV Special and Vegas. Special thanks go out to Erich van Tourneau and his team for this innovative concept in recorded music and to EPE and Sony Music Entertainment for their support for the project. This album will whet the appetite of fans worldwide to go and see the show 'Viva Elvis' when it eventually goes on tour and bring back fond memories for those who have already seen it. I personally cannot wait. Brian

I spoke with a Marketing Director from SONY(UK) this morning and put the following questions to him: Q. Why was 'Suspicious Minds' (new version) not released in the UK? A. Basically due to a lack of airplay and no support from the radio stations. Radio 1 and 2 would not play it and other radio stations also. This would appear to be down to the managers of these programmes being over 40 and steeped in the tradition of one should not mess with the original releases. In the circumstances we decided to pull it and save the embarrassment of having the single appear at around No.50. Q. Why is 'Suspicious Minds' appearing on the 'Now That's What I Call Music' No.36? A. It is only on the U.S.A. version of this album and the idea is for Elvis' music to gain exposure to a younger demographic. Q. As Elvis and Susan Boyle are both SONY artists why have the release dates of both their latest albums been scheduled for the same date - 8th November? A. People do not realise how difficult it is to schedule a record for release. There was no conspiracy as to both their albums being released on the same date and in fact it may actually benefit Elvis and Boyle in that they appeal to roughly the same demographic. Many people only go out to buy a record once or twice a year and in this instance Boyle fans will see the 'Viva Elvis' album in the stores alongside and may be tempted to buy it also. Of course this similarly works to Boyle's credit. Q. Why are there only 12 tracks on the 'Viva Elvis' album? A. Because the producer of the album felt that they were the best of the bunch basically and was not prepared to put his name to any of the others. Q. When will the TV Campaign begin for the 'Viva Elvis' album in the UK? A. On Sunday 7th November. Q. Is the proposed 'Duets' album still scheduled for a 2011 release and will it be limited to only SONY artists? A. Yes, it is still scheduled for a 2011 release and no it is not limited to SONY artists. The other issue I forgot to mention was that of 'downloads'. Sony state that due to the demographic of those who download singles it was highly unlikely that Elvis would have achieved a high chart placing. The record world is a different place to when we all had to go out and buy hard copies. If they were still the norm then 'Suspicious Minds', with a modicum of airplay, would have had a great chance of a Top 3 single, in the UK at least. However, Sony did apologise for not letting fans know in advance that the single was not going to be on sale on the scheduled day of release. Well there you have it from the horses mouth. Brian

How's this for a review of the 'Viva Elvis' album: http://www.rockstarweekly.com/cd-review-el...-the-album.html Brian