ELVIS- Day By Day 2020 Book Review

If you have been an Elvis fan, but living as a hermit for the past 44 years, you've missed the news of Elvis passing. If you decide to end your years of seclusion in 2021 and your first stop back to civilization is a book store to catch up on Elvis' career, the last book by Kees Mouwen would still not confirm the King's final departure. With a title 'Elvis Day By Day 2020 - The Year in Review', how could Elvis be dead?

Well, unfortunately, he is! As incredible as it is, it will be soon half a century since he left us. So, as Alanna Nash writes in the foreword: "Why do we still care?"

Kees' book answers the question straightforwardly. Impeccably written, in an attractive and easy to read composition, it is peppered with facts accompanied by high quality B&W and color pictures. It demonstrates in detail that Elvis is still present and influential. And those news items are plentiful since, as the book clearly proves, something still happens almost every day in Elvis world.

In a clever fashion, interviews, film and record reviews are inserted in the day to day listings. The recording sessions that produced two of my favorite albums are examined. They resulted in 'Something for Everybody' and 'His Hand in Mine'. Elvis' voice had never been so accomplished, with a suppleness and a smoothness, an "effortless grace" as Ernst Jorgensen qualified it in his book 'Elvis Presley A Life In Music'. The spirited interaction with the Jordanaires was faultless, the backing from the Nashville greats pristine.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Kees for listing my books published in 2020, notably for the three-page review of 'Elvis 1960 March 7 to 31'.

Kees should be congratulated on two points. Firstly, to have brought to the 21st century the idea of Guralick and Jorgensen's 'Elvis Day By Day'. Secondly, for the time and effort that such an endeavor requires. Believe me, I know. I have written several books. It is hard work. Long hours of research resulting in blurry vision and sore wrists. I can also tell that Kees does not do this for the money. To sell a 312 page book of this quality, with color throughout, for only $44 does not leave any room for profit.

Verdict: With its gorgeous design, its amount of information, 'Elvis Day By Day 2020 - The Year in Review' confirms that Elvis has even now a presence to be reckoned with. It is a must for every Elvis fan. It is a book I will go back to time and time again. Thank you Kees for your work.

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'Elvis Day By Day 2019' Book Review: 2019 was a year of many celebrations. It marked the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley's triumphant return to live performing and the release of two of his most iconic recordings, "Suspicious Minds" and “In The Ghetto”.
Sadly 2019 also marked the 42nd anniversary of his untimely death - yet his cultural impact may very well have been more visible and ‘alive’ during the last 42 years than when he was actually alive. And so is the Elvis-world today.
Kees Mouwen's "Elvis Day By Day 2019 - The year in Review" compiles a comprehensive and illustrated chronology of ‘everything Elvis from 2019’ in one physical reference book and with over 500 illustrations.
Joan Gansky first met Elvis on August 18, 1967 and was there at the '68 Special' as well as Elvis' 1969 Las Vegas live return.
She writes, "We are both honored and proud that this book features my husband Paul's photographs and my fond memories of August '69 at the International Las Vegas! When I wrote them back at that time, I never dreamed 50 years later they would be printed in any book, especially one of this high caliber. This ongoing deep interest is due to Elvis Presley and the enduring love for and appreciation of him by his fans worldwide."
Go here as Joan Gansky provides a lovely insider's review..
(Book Reviews, Source;JG/ElvisInfoNet)

'Elvis: Day By Day 2020'

The Year In Review

- Book Review by Paul Belard -

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