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Reviewed by Erik Karlsen | www.amazon.com
We had to wait a bit for this must-have release. This book
is the telephone-catalog for CD collectors, and thats just what
the book looks like. A giant catalogue. I count myself among the
horde of CD collectors around the globe, but I havent been
mostly interested in all the different versions that occur of
one specific release, but after diving into this goldmine of a
book, I have started spending money on such releases. The book
does not include Bootlegs or so called Import-releases, and
thats in a way a pity, but my God how big this book would have
been! As it comes it is more than enough, about 600 pages in
black and white, presenting all the US releases since the first
CDs back in 1984. Interesting reading about those specific
releases; They were produced in Japan, because the CD production
was not yet etablished in the US. Sadly there were errors on the
CDs, and they were quicly replaced by new ones. These CDs are
labelled "Made in Japan", and are worth A LOT!
Unfortunately we have all the interesting photographs in black
and white - but by all means - its a lot of them, and they are
all very specific and explained with accompanying text. The CD
catalog is built up alphabetically, with catalog numbers, matrix
numbers and release dates. You also get information on reprints,
promos, special pressings etc. etc. - Its all in this book, as
far as I can see.
The book is published by WorlWideElvis. Paul Dowling, the man in
charge came up with the brilliant idea of including the 5 track
CD that is made exclusively for the book by BMG Special
Products. This is of course a limited edition numbered release,
that alone should be worth the price for the book??!!
The author Dale Hampton, wrote his first edition in 1993, and
has since then worked with this updated release. Its of course
of importance that each CD comes with estimated value, and an
easy to use cross reference for each song and corresponding CD
release. Think about Elvis as dead for over 20 years, hold the
book in your hands (You need both hands) and this my friends is
the weight of an entertainer that will live forever. The books
contains more releases than was issued while he was alive - and
the CD wasnt even invented back then! You should buy this book!
Book Description
This great new 8 1/2 x 11 softbound book page printed in the
U.S. is a price guide of US Elvis CD's. It comes with a LIMITED
EDITION 5 track BMG promo CD made exclusively by WORLDWIDE ELVIS
(the publisher) for this book!!!
This book is not only a price guide but is a valuable reference
book. It contains a listing (with pictures) of EVERY KNOWN U.S.
Elvis, various artists and Elvis, radio show CD's. Plus, there
is 120 page monstrous cross reference section that is worth the
price alone!!
The special LIMITED 5
track promo CD (FOR CD FANS ONLY) is NUMBERED and comes in a
great cardboard gatefold cover with liner notes inside. 2500
copies have been pressed. Songs on this CD
are:

- TOMORROW NIGHT (overdubbed version that was only found on
the now deleted ELVIS FOR EVERYONE CD) - I WAS THE ONE
(alternate Take 2-found on the now deleted HEARTBREAK HOTEL CD
single) - BLACK STAR (from the now deleted double soundtrack CD)
- SYLVIA (from ELVIS NOW CD that may be deleted) - TIGER MAN
(studio jam) (from the 70'S MASTERS box set)
About the Author
Dale Hampton, 55, from Knoxville, Tn. has been along time
Elvis fan and collector specializing in Elvis' worldwide vinyl
and CD's. Seven years ago, Dale introduced a 200 page U.S. Elvis
CD price guide to the world (self published) with values of
every U.S. CD that had come out at that time. He has been
working on this second edition since then and it finally is out!
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