The Elvis Treasures Book and CD Deluxe Box Set

[ramon farah]

Elvis Presley: Elvis Treasures - Robert Gordon Book and CD. For Elvis fans everywhere, Graceland has opened the doors to its extensive archives, allowing the historic documents and memorabilia within to be reproduced in facsimile, collectible form. With the expert help of archivists from Elvis Presley Enterprises, the King's life story is told through handwritten letters, press releases, movie scripts, and additional memorabilia and photographs from the Graceland archives.
These historic documents, combined with the evocative text of author Robert Gordon, create a moving portrait of the legendary performer in this one-of-a-kind collector's book. Includes Elvis Speaks, an exclusive 60-Minute Audio CD of Candid Conversations with The King Of Rock 'N' Roll.

This unique interactive book also contains a 60-minute CD of interviews spanning his career, providing a formerly unavailable portrait of the King in his own words.

The Elvis Treasures contains 22 removable documents, including:

Rare promotional photos issued by Sun Records in 1954-55
A 1958 Christmas card from Elvis and the Colonel (as Santa)
Elvis' letter to Anita, his Memphis girlfriend, expressing his love and commitment to her while he was stationed in Germany
An invitation to the premiere for Viva Las Vegas
Telegrams Vernon Presley received upon Elvis' death from Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, Governor George Wallace, B. B. King, Little Richard and others
Elvis' original contract with RCA Records
an assortment of items typically found in Elvis' wallet
tickets to Elvis concerts such as the Frank Sinatra Welcome Home Party for Elvis and the '68 Comeback Special
a library book record signed by Elvis
an invitation to the Hollywood opening of Viva, Las Vegas
copies of telegrams received by Vernon Presley following Elvis' death
replica movie posters
a script for the karate documentary (The New Gladiators) Elvis wanted to make

Description of the 60-minute CD of interviews;

The first interview, track 1, was conducted in 1955 by Mae Boren Axton, months before the song she gave him, 'Heartbreak Hotel', would become his breakthrough hit.

Track 2, recorded roughly a year later, finds Elvis admitting, in an unguarded moment, that his performing style was inspired in part by the gospel quarters he'd always loved; it's a confession that comes back to haunt him in the following interview, conducted in August 1956 by Paul Wilder of TV Guide (track 3).

When Wilder uses the term 'holy roller' in asking him about the religious influence on his music, Elvis interrupts him 'I have never used that expression' with the hair-curling command of a preacher. The TV Guide interview makes for fascinating listening, as Elvis uses charm, biting sarcasm, and the sheer force of his conviction to parry Wilder's interrogation. Tracks 4 and 5 are far more joyful in spirit, as we hear first Elvis' parents and then the singer himself tossed about in the maelstrom of his triumphant Tupelo homecoming concert in 1956. ('Baby Play House', his mother responds unforgettably when asked her favorite Elvis song.)

Then we jump ahead to Elvis' Army years and a montage of clips reflecting his life in the service, America's reaction, and his return home (track 6). Elvis speaks earnestly about working the same details as the other soldiers, but by the end of the selection seems quite happy about returning to his 'normal' life.

Track 7 finds him back at work, in a brief interview on the set of Blue Hawaii. But what follows, an excerpt from a long conversation with Lloyd Shearer of Parade magazine (track 8), is perhaps the most introspective interview Elvis ever gave. (Elvis' half of this conversation was released on the RCA boxed set Elvis Aron Presley as 'An Elvis Moonsong', fans may enjoy hearing this excerpt in full, with Shearer's quiet questions intact.)

And the final two recordings, tracks 9 and 10, find Elvis at new conferences before his landmark shows at the Houston Astrodome (1970) and Madison Square Garden (1972) 'disarming the press with clever quips, and expressing his love of good old rock 'n' roll' that undying love of music that had always been with him.
Wow! Just bought this book today. I am an immense Elvis fan, and this thing is so cool. It's filled with reproductions of Elvis stuff--his driver's license, record contracts, Christmas cards, letters to/from the Colonel, tons of stuff! All these things are packaged with the book and are removable, so you can totally check them out. They all look completely authentic. The book itself has a great essay-length text. Rock on, King!

This isn't just a book it's a treasure trove of memorabilia you really get the sense of 'being there'. You will love the neat items you'll find here, such as movie posters (small versions) reproduced wallet with cards such as social security/drivers license etc. You get replicas of correspondence from RCA and Col. Tom Parker and also a handwritten letter Elvis had written. Due to the age of the item and the fact it's a copy the writing is a bit hard to read, but still a remarkable item. there are ticket stubs (one is to the '68 comeback show simply called 'Elvis'). It is just a wonderful book. I have several of these books with removable items.

The CD that comes with it is a compilation of interviews I believe it's the same if not the same then very close to the one that came with the Young Man with the Big Beat deluxe box set. Either way, it's a nice addition to an already overloaded treasure trove. If you love Elvis and his music this will definitely take you back to a time when he reigned as king. While still a top earning dead celebrity (though he is on the list if they could include album sells (as the family does not own the rights to those songs) his net income would be astounding each year and this book is a great addition to his legacy.

It really is a fun and enjoyable way to learn more about the man behind the mystique, behind the myth, nestled somewhere between the Lord and a song.

This book is aptly titled. If you are a fan this is a definite must have...that's just the plain and simple truth. You will appreciate in your Elvis library and one you will revisit time and time again! By C. Gregory.

Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Carlton Books Ltd (August 5, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1842224808
ISBN-13: 978-1842224809
Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 1.2 x 11 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds

Track listing

May 13, 1955, Jacksonville, FL Interviewer – May Boren Axton 3:25
May 16, 1956, Little Rock, Arkansas 6:14
August 6, 1955, Lakeland, FL Interviewer – Paul Wilder 11:01
September 26, 1956, Tupelo, MS Interviewee – Gladys Presley, Vernon Presley* 1:45
September 26, 1956, Tupelo, MS Interviewee – Elvis Presley 1:54
1958, Fort Dix 2:07
March 1961, Blue Hawaii 4:29
September 1962, Parade Magazine Interviewer – Lloyd Shearer 18:36
March 27, 1970, Houston Astrodome (Press Conference) 6:39
June 9, 1972, Madison Square Garden (Press Conference)

The Elvis Treasures will be written by Robert Gordon, whose book about Elvis on tour, The King On the Road (St Martin's Press, 1996) was also written with the cooperation of EPE. He is the author if It Came From Memphis, a book about Memphis music and culture which The New York Times described as 'a superb history'. His biography of Muddy Waters is nearing completion, and he has regularly contributed to numerous music magazines, including Rolling Stone, Spin and Mojo.

As a filmmaker, Robert directed the award-winning blues documentary All Day and All Night, featuring BB King and Rufus Thomas, which aired internationally and was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art. His music video work has appeared on MTV, BET and CMT. Working with Francis Ford Coppola and Don Was, Robert created the temp track for The Rainmaker. He also produced the Al Green CD box set, Anthology, for which his liner notes were Grammy-nominate.