(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear b/w Puppet on a String

Green vinyl, 1978

Guitar Man

1981

The truth is not always out there when it comes to Elvis and Priscilla. But when their truth is revealed, it is seen to be not necessarily bad nor good. It simply is.

Are you decorating for Christmas this weekend? Have you already?

Me? Christmas begins for me on the Saturday before the last full week of November. Either way, here's a playlist for the early days of your Christmas season.

As a happiness peddler, I'm not good at being negative. That being said, I thought I would share some thoughts on the new film Priscilla, based on Priscilla Presley's life with Elvis.

North to Alaska

Released November 10, 1960

Fresh up on the website it’s a book review of a memoir from one of the two biggest voices of AM radio in the 1960s - it’s your cousin and mine, Cousin Brucie. Click the link for the full skinny on this book about a living legend.

This may change your whole perspective. To fully understand Elvis Presley, one needs to study his relationship with women. This is probably the deepest psychological work on the man that I have read.

On July 19, 1954, Sun Records released "That's All Right" by Elvis Presley with Scotty & Bill.

And the rest, as they say...

Red West died on July 18, 2017.

He was one of the good ones.

Head over now to SoulRideblog.com - you didn't know you needed it but you'll find that it's all you want.

Fresh up on the website we take another deep dive. This time we feature the films of William A. Graham. You may have never heard of this prolific TV director but his 11 features bear discussion.

It started for me with Change of Habit, Elvis Presley’s last film, and then I saw Graham’s name on one of my new favourite films, Then Came Bronson. When I looked deeper, I was intrigued by what I saw and I thought I’d share.

Janet Leigh at 22 years old

Born July 6, 1927 in Merced

July 5, 1954

Memphis

Sam Phillips was waiting. He was waiting to hear the sound he always knew was out there - maybe this kid had it.

They had been recording ballads but nothing was working and everyone knew. Especially the kid. So, to let off steam, the kid launched into an old blues tune he loved, amping it up. His sidemen fell in, digging it. Sam sat bolt upright. Finally, he was hearing it.

So, out of frustration and rage came That’s All Right Mama by Elvis Presley. Nothing was ever the same.

I'm thrilled to finally issue my thoughts on one of my Top 25 and one of my first favourite films, La Bamba (1987). Great music and great visuals, sure, but this film is all about one man - Esai Morales. The performance he gives is one for the ages and it may be my favourite. Ever.

In this latest podcast, we sample a clip from our previous Beach Boys Book Club episode, as our leading contributor Gary Wells @vintage-leisure relates how he and a friend managed to find themselves backstage at an early 1990s Beach Boys concert in Canada, chatting to Mike, Al and Carl. It’s a little comical, poignant, and slightly eccentric at various moments, but it’s a great story with some treasured memories.

We also recommend a conversation between Gary and singer and actress, Donna Loren, to be found at her Love's a Secret Weapon Podcast, and in our brief post-credits segment, recall one of the quirkier moments in the 1972 concert documentary, Elvis on Tour, involving Elvis, the Mayor of Roanoke, a paper bag full of cash and floral guitar.

Special thanks to Gary for sharing his Beach Boys adventure with us. Find us on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music and more.

Jim Brown

1936-2023