Wednesday, March 14, 2018

March 14 - More Spliced Takes And Prices

Two new volumes were announced in the Spliced Takes series from the CMT / STAR import label cooperation; "Spliced Takes Easter Eggs" and "Spliced Takes Kissin' Cousins". The first is packed in a Deluxe Digipack Edition, the latter in a cardboard sleeve.

Details Spliced Takes Easter Eggs:

Finally a "new" Spliced take album is out now, and it was worth the wait. This one includes all tracks from the 1966 recording sessions, many gospel songs were recorded, but also some  excellent
other tracks.

CMT managed to produce a full new album with high standard spliced takes only the STAR team can deliver. To name just one highlight it has to be the new approach the team did on "Tomorrow Is A Long Time" it was re-created from scratch, gives a totally new feel to the song since the "chorus" was used only once and all "verses" were put after one and other. Also a longer intro and outro makes this an outstanding new track! Other surprises like "Fools Fall in Love" with two  saxophone solos and an alternate piano intro for "Where No One Stands Alone" confirms:  This is a must have!

Again the STAR team has done all the edits on this album, and they did an excellent job again, with lots of excellent edits, and surprises. Unlike other “import” labels, they truly were able to produce an album using many incomplete takes , to create beautiful new tracks. 

Tracks: Run On - Spliced take 3, 1, 1, 2 - How Great  Thou Art - Spliced take 1, 2, 4 - Stand By Me - Spliced take 9, 10, 2 / Where No One Stands Alone - Spliced take 1/Wp take 1 - Down in the Alley - Spliced take 1, 2 - Tomorrow is A Long Time - recreated master - Love Letters - Spliced take 5, - So High - Spliced take 2, 2, 3 - Farther Along - Spliced take 1, 2, 3 - By and By - Spliced take fs,7, 9 - In the Garden  - Spliced take 1, 2, 3 (snowbird) - Beyond the Reef - Spliced take 1, 2 - Somebody Bigger Then You And I - Spliced Take 3, 11,wp5 - Without Him Spliced Take 11, 8, 14 - If the Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side - Spliced Take 3, 2, 4, 1 - Where Could I Go But To the Lord - Spliced Master - Come What May - Spliced Take 3, 11,wp5  3, 2, 7, 6, 7, 2 - Fools Fall in Love c 1, 4, 4, 5, 4 - Oh How I Love Jesus - Spliced Home Recording

Details Kissin Cousins - Spliced Take Special

An incredible new album, featuring extended versions, alternate takes including new instrumental tracks and some pretty cool edits! Don't think you already heard these! All tracks are brand new edits and sound very rare, The title track for example starts of with an alternate opening and includes the extra verses.

"Gold in the Mountains" has been extended and includes rare alternate musical segments. For "Tender Feeling"  they used the alternate take 1 (vocal) and combined it with an alternate musical track, the result is stunning and sound quality is much better then the master version! "Echoes of Love" includes an alternate Saxophone solo makes you feel as if it is a brandnew take! The "drums" on "Catchin On Fast" are taken from an alternate musical track and put in just at the right spot to make it sound pretty cool and different!

Another highlight must be "Kissin Cousins #1" for this song Elvis recorded two different vocal styles,  one being Josh and one being Jody (Hillbilly) both tracks were combined and we got the first "duet" ever of Elvis and ... Elvis. Here they have "reversed" the vocals, and a complete new release is born, where the master has Josh this track has Jody singing, gives the same "feel" but sounds very different! "Smokey Mountain Boy" and "Barefoot Ballad" have alternate extended intro and outros....We could go on, but one thing is for sure, this is another CMT winner!

Tracks: Kissin Cousins #2 - Spliced take 1, 2 - Smokey Mountain Boy - Alternate Master - Gold in the Mountains - Alternate Master - One Boy, Two Little Girls - Spliced take 2, 5, 2 - Catchin' On Fast - Alternate Master - Tender Feeling - Spliced take 1 (vocal) / take 1 (track) - Anyone - Spliced take 2, 3 - Barefoot Ballad - Alternate Master - Once is Enough - Spliced take 1, 7, 1, 7 - Kissin Cousins - Reversed Master - Echoes of Love - Spliced take 7, 8 - Long Lonely Highway - Spliced take 1, 2

Elvis Presley's Big Blue Mercedes-Benz On Sale


A blue 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL sedan that was originally purchased by The King, as in Elvis Presley, is now parked in the Daniel Schmitt & Co. Classic Car Gallery in St. Louis. The classy classic was purchased new by Presley. Originally red, he had it repainted blue. Likely to match his 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600, not his suede shoes, which he gave away a decade before.

The classy classic was purchased new by Presley. Originally red, he had it repainted blue. Likely to match his 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600, not his suede shoes, which he gave away a decade before.The classy classic was purchased new by Presley. Originally red, he had it repainted blue. Likely to match his 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600, not his suede shoes, which he gave away a decade before.

Following the star's death in 1977, the big Benz spent most of its life in the now-shuttered Smokey Mountain Car Museum and is in fantastic condition, especially considering it has over 80,000 miles on the odometer.. 
As for the price on the hood, it had been $199,900, but is now just $139,900. That’s over three times what The Hagerty Price Guide says similar cars are worth, but similar cars aren’t available in this kind of ‘royal’ blue.

EPE redevelopment  on Hold

With EPE's proposed new arena venue there was a deal to bring 1,000 full-time jobs to Whitehaven, but after the Memphis court challenges and with EPE's venue put on hold Graceland has halted the manufacturing project.

The proposed $40 million-$50 million venue had become a point of contention between EPE, the City of Memphis, Shelby County and the Memphis Grizzlies. To fund the venue, EPE wanted to increase its Graceland tax increment financing (TIF) district from 50 to 65 percent. On Oct. 9, EDGE sent out an email canceling the special board meeting to hear the EPE proposal.

In response to the meeting cancellation, Joel Weinshanker manager of Graceland Holdings decided to cease progress on the manufacturing facility.
“The manufacturing facility would have been located in Whitehaven in a site EPE had under contract at the time the 6,200-seat venue was taken off the EDGE agenda. We had spoken to EDGE and to the state about the project, and my client was prepared to move forward with a goal of having that facility opened and people working in Whitehaven by the end of this year.”

A representative with EDGE declined to comment on the manufacturing facility, “since the Graceland performance venue project is still part of ongoing litigation.”

EPE et al. v. City of Memphis et al. was filed by EPE Nov. 15, 2017, asking Chancery Court to rule that using public incentives to help pay for its proposed 6,200-seat venue would not violate the FedExForum arena use agreement.
That case was dismissed Feb. 16 by Chancellor Jim Kyle.
The building EPE would have redeveloped for the manufacturing facility is no longer under contract.

But, McLaren said if the venue moved forward and received the necessary approvals from EDGE, the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission, EPE's plans for the manufacturing facility might then be revisited.

(Source: FECC / Fox News)