For Christmas 2024 the UK ‘Memphis Recording Service’ have released a Deluxe CD - plus a Christmas special VINYL album in Crystal Clear 180g Vinyl with "white splatter & glitter" - titled 'From Elvis At Christmas'. For the first time ever, Elvis’ Christmas Album is remastered and mixed into true living stereo. With this release, a new standard is set, to probably the best ever sound separation achievement that has ever been done, delivering fascinating results.     EIN's Piers Beagley spun the sparkly vinyl to check it out.

It was after the success of Elvis’ 'Peace In the Valley’ EP that producer Steve Sholes realised the potential for an Elvis Christmas package. This in itself was foresighted as in 1957 the Christmas market was basically owned by the “crooners” who would treat the religious music with respect. Considering "Rock’n’Roll rebel" Elvis and his teenage fans as a potentially lucrative Christmas market was an impressive move.

‘Elvis’ Christmas Album’ would quickly sell over a million copies and would be re-released on vinyl multiple times. The 1970 Camden Christmas album would also sell millions. The combined sales are over 15 million alone in the US. ‘Blue Christmas’ itself has sold over 22 million.  

But in 2024 the UK MRS label has now released the most remarkable version and it is "IN LIVING STEREO".

The Packaging
The original 1957 album had a truly disappointing cover and it always looked like RCA wanted to keep Elvis’ image as small as possible. Elvis’ 1971 Christmas album was an even worse design. The 1970 Camden re-release was a little better with their cover at least putting Elvis in front of some snowy mountains, albeit in a Speedway racing jacket. On-going re-releases over the years have hardly got any better.

All RCA needed to do was create a lovely image of Elvis standing in front of a snow-covered Graceland, all lit up in lights. And the MRS label have finally achieved this over 60 years after the original release. The cover is a STUNNER. The back-cover with Elvis getting a dusting of snow is also cute.

The album is a gate-fold sleeve and the inside has Elvis standing in a different position with his pink Cadillac parked in the Graceland driveway line with twinkling those famous blue lights.

Elvis albums are all about the tactile feel of owning music preserved within the vinyl - and this vinyl features a super-impressive snow-glitter colour. It even sparkles as it spins on the turntable.

I could not see the reason for buying FTD’s recent ‘Moody Blue’ “gold-sparkle” double-vinyl since the four sides of music were identical to my previous black-vinyl version. However vinyl collectors obviously love coloured vinyl and they will love this.

And the treat here is that MRS present Elvis’ Christmas album in gorgeous STEREO - and “boy mah-boy” does it sound superb.

The Music
From the very first seconds of ‘Santa Claus Is Back In Town’ when The Jordanaires sing “Christmas, Christmas” on the right channel, Dudley Brooks piano kicks in left channel and then DJ Fontana’s drums burst on the centre channel with Elvis singing, “Wellllllll, it’s Christmas time pretty baby and the snow is falling on the ground” you know this is going to be a sensational ride.

Scotty Moore’s guitar is clear left, Bill Black’s double-bass adds the beat and it’s go-cat-go.
DJ Fontana’s snare is crystal clear and Dudley Brooks’ piano work is beautifully emphasised.

At 01:20 during the lovely middle-break you anticipate even more Elvis’ “Hah, hah, hah!” about to arrive urging Dudley Brooks on to his fabulous piano solo.
Elvis’ loved this track and now you can also clearly hear his appreciative finger-clicks at the end.

It’s the absolute truth that when this track ended I went straight back to the beginning and played it again, and again. In stereo it’s that good!

MRS have also got the reverb just right and ‘White Christmas’ that follows sounds lovely and smooth with Bill Black’s simple bass-line super clear. The ‘sleigh bells’ with Jordanaires singing “bong-bong-bong” right channel while the matching piano chimes are left channel, is a delight. Elvis’ vocal is now separated from the musicians which means that his voice is wonderfully raised and easier to really hear.

With the recent upgrade in DES production, Elvis Mono > Stereo tracks should now sound totally believable as if recorded in stereo. There should be no blur between Elvis’ vocal in the middle and Jordanaires on the right channel, nor should any instrument such as piano & guitar wander in their stereo placement. And MRS – with the “Living Stereo” credit to Studio D engineer, Germany - have totally achieved this.

Even if RCA finally do get around to remastering these tracks to Stereo sometime in the future I cannot imagine them being any better than this stunning STEREO release.

As fans by now know, in stereo so much more is revealed about how Elvis’ mono classics were created by the group fine musicians which in mono have to be more hidden.

Fans often describe these new stereo releases as a chance for rediscovery since you can now dig deeper to unearth something new about a track that you thought you knew everything about

There’s so much to enjoy here and plenty of stuff to discover.

‘I’ll be Home for Christmas’, with some wonderful piano trills and simple bass melody was the track that took the most attempts at Elvis’ RCA session. Take 15 would be the master. The quiet melody meant that Elvis’ vocal was pretty exposed with the song requiring long-held notes. On this mix you can truly examine Elvis controlling his vibrato as he holds the long notes - and @00:54 with his “on the treeeeeeeee…” he slips close to off-key. No wonder it took so many attempts to perfect.

Back in September ’57 the first festive song recorded for Elvis’ new album was ‘Blue Christmas’ and in this new remaster you can clearly hear Elvis’ joy as he strums his acoustic guitar guiding the song along while Millie Kirkham adds her cool soprano.

It’s funny to notice that a decade later Elvis’ guitar playing would hardly change when he sang the song on the '68 Comeback Special.

‘Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me’ – This mix reveals how Dudley Brooks wonderful piano added a real bounce to the track. Elvis’ finger-clicks are also exposed as well as some neat bass-vocals from Jordanaires Hugh Jarrett.

Flipping over to Side B....

I always considered ‘O’ Little Town Of Bethlehem’ as a rather weak, slow song to start the religious side of Elvis’ first Christmas album.

This is interestingly righted with the gorgeous ‘Peace In The Valley’ kicking off the MRS second side and it’s a beauty with the harmonies between Elvis and The Jordanaires really shining in stereo.

There is also delight in now hearing the hymns ‘O’ Little Town Of Bethlehem’, ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’ as if they are being sung in a church with the piano / organ on the left, the choir on the right side of the aisle with Elvis standing dead centre.

The last few seconds of ‘Silent Night’ as Millie Kirkham holds the final note (right channel) while Dudley Brooks final piano chord fades (left) is sublime.

‘It is No Secret’ is a beautiful final track with Elvis delightfully enjoying harmonising with The Jordanaires. It’s one of those tracks where Scotty Moore comes in to play only on the last few chords. There’s a couple of points where Bill Black falters but by Take 13 Elvis’ vocal took it home.

Fans should buy this set and revel in the sublime Stereo. Put on headphones and dig in deep!

Overall Verdict: This MRS vinyl set set needed a second print run as soon as it came out and I can understand why. The stunning cover design is the one that RCA should have done decades ago and the coloured snow/sparkle vinyl creates a real beauty to both hold and play.
The Stereo is magnificent and the overall mix and reverb with clean bass and shiny top-end sound as if this session could have been recorded recently and not sixty years ago.

Elvis vinyl collectors will revel in this new release, while the Stereo CD version is a great alternative for your Christmas CD-stacker.

Click to comment on this review

Review by Piers Beagley.
-Copyright EIN November 2024
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.  

Now available @ Amazon UK Deluxe CD £22 - or Vinyl £50 or check with your local dealer for a better deal.

Visit the official Memphis Recording Service site  

LP TRACKLIST SIDE A 01. Santa Claus Is Back In Town 02. White Christmas 03. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) 04. I’ll Be Home for Christmas 05. Blue Christmas 06. Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) SIDE B 01. (There’ll Be) Peace In the Valley (For Me) 02. O’ Little Town of Bethlehem 03. Silent Night 04. I Believe 05. Take My Hand, Precious Lord 06. It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)

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'Las Vegas: On Stage Feb 1973' MRS CD Review: The new MRS 4CD Deluxe-set contains three performances recorded in February 1973, during Elvis’ eighth engagement in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas shows took place weeks after the historic satellite TV show, Aloha From Hawaii, was filmed and broadcast on 14 January. All shows are presented in stereo for the first time ever. All shows are presented in stereo for the first time ever. A bonus CD of remastered rehearsal tracks that were recorded the day before Opening night is also included. The accompanying booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia and liner notes which set the scene. ... This latest release from the Memphis Recording Service is an interesting one and manages to shed new light on the post-Aloha Elvis Las Vegas season that many fans have largely dismissed. EIN contributor Shane Brown reviews this new set, with added comments from EIN's Piers Beagley. (CD Reviews, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'ELVIS: Closing Night 1972' MRS CD Review: This MRS 2CD set features a live performance recorded on 4 September 1972,during the last night of Elvis’ seventh engagement in Las Vegas at the Hilton Hotel. The show is presented in stereo. A bonus CD of remastered rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, is also included. While Elvis is perhaps not as full-blast as on the 'Opening Night' here MRS's 'Studio D' engineer has done some brilliant audio remastering, removing the bad cassette-tape-hiss of all previous releases. Emphasising the instrumentation with this "Stereo remaster" not only elevates Elvis and the musicians' performance but also places the listener right into the audience. This night Elvis rocked into 'Johnny B. Goode' and even performed the golden-oldies with some real respect. It's a great show. Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley discovers something new in this re-release - the near perfect bookend to MRS' examination of Elvis’ 1972 Summer Festival. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972' MRS CD Review: This 4CD set contains a varied selection of live performances drawn from Elvis’ seventh engagement in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel during Elvis’ summer festival in the month of August 1972. It features the 11 August Dinner and Midnight Show plus 12 August Dinner and Midnight Show. For the first time ever these performances are released in "Stereo". Bonus rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, are also included. The accompanying 40-page booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia and liner notes help set the scene. Key songs include My Way, Fever, Its Over, Until It’s Time For You To Go, American Trilogy, What Now My Love, Little Sister/ Get Back, Never Been To Spain, For The Good Times and A Big Hunk O' Love'. Elvis was in superb form and with more new songs in his set-list sounding even better with the new MRS audio remaster it is a power-packed set. Go here for EIN's in-depth review . (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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MRS presents 'ELVIS: September 1970' in-depth Review: MRS's new 2CD deluxe set features a new previously unreleased soundboard from 2nd September 1970 and a bonus CD that covers the final rehearsals at the International Hotel on August 10th before the start of the summer festival. In September 1970 Elvis was still excited to be back on stage and performing for his fans. Newspaper reviews of his concerts wrote about the excitement and fun Elvis was having back on-stage. This brand-new previously unknown concert captures Elvis feeling 'loose-as-a-goose' yet still performing with a real intensity. His live versions of ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' were truly exceptional this evening. The accompanying 40-page booklet of the CD deluxe includes rare photographs and memorabilia taken during these engagements along with introductory notes. EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new collection and enjoy a hilarious ride-with-the-king. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Summer Festival 1970: The Rehearsals' In-Depth Review: MRS's new triple-CD set 'Summer Festival 1970: The Rehearsals' was released last month. The CDs contain rehearsal highlights from one of the most memorable periods in Elvis’ career - his captivating performances at The International Hotel Las Vegas in the summer of 1970. With remastered audio and accompanying 40-page booklet the package is aimed at the general public, plus Elvis collectors who could not afford last year's FTD fan club deluxe release. Elvis’ glorious rehearsals on 24 July at RCA studios are the real key to this release. Twenty seven classic performances and with Elvis not only rehearsing the familiar songs we would all come to know from the MGM movie but also songs he would never perform on stage. EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new collection and discover some neat surprises along the way. (CD REviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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MRS 'Elvis:Back In Living Stereo' in-depth Review: The new MRS set contains 6CDs of essential 1960-1962 master recordings, plus rare alternate outtakes - including plenty of officially unreleased material - and all of the personal home recordings Elvis made during the 1960s. The 100 page book, with text from Gordon Minto, includes rare unpublished documents and photographs, supported by a comprehensive text discussing each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1960-62. Musically the packed cds - over seven hours - present a stunning look at Elvis recording in the early sixties before the shine wore off. The "Master" sessions nicely contrast with the looser "Outtakes" discs and with Elvis getting even more uninhibited on the Home Recordings. - Very unihibited with a certain Nancy Sharpe! But with so much thrown into the mix, and some tracks in poor audio quality, have MRS packed "Too Much" into the one release. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley check out the positives and negatives in their in-depth review. (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Elvis - Made In Germany’ In-Depth Review: The new MRS 'Elvis - Made In Germany – The Complete Private Recordings’ 4CD set contains more than 3 hours of the private recordings Elvis made while off duty in Germany when he was serving as a soldier in the US army during the 1958 -1960 period and, includes rare tracks from a recently discovered tape comprising over an hour of unheard personal recordings. The 152-page hardback book contains rare photographs and documents plus a comprehensive text provided by Gordon Minto, which discusses each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1957-58, before focusing on the private recordings he made in Germany. The BONUS CD features the essential RCA studio masters from 1957-58. With such an expansive book, along with hours of Elvis jamming with his friends in Germany, there is plenty to discuss as well as finding out what extra material this set contains over the official releases. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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EIN's reviews of other MRS releases:

The Complete 50s Movie Masters Session Recordings

Elvis Studio Sessions '56 The Complete Recordings

The Complete Works 1953-1955

Elvis On Television 1956-1960

Elvis Live in the 50s The Complete Concert Recordings

Off Duty with Private Presley

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley

Memphis Recording Service Volume 2 'The Rise of Elvis Presley' 1955

Memphis Recording Service Volume 1 'The Beginning of Elvis Presley' 1953-1954

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'The Complete ‘50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' In-Depth Review: This MRS 'The Complete ‘50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' 5CD/Book combo pays tribute to Elvis Presley’s complete music recordings made for his movies during the 1950s. The 5CDs contain the complete works of the master and session studio recordings made for each of Elvis’ movies during the 1950s, and all tracks have been remastered. The 200-page book focuses on each of the recording sessions held for the four motion pictures made between August 1956 and March 1958. The comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and documentation. So what surprises will collectors discover in this new set, what is in this new collection that FTD have missed and how good will the audio sound. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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‘ELVIS: Studio Sessions 1956' In-Depth Review: MRS newest release, a massive 3CD/172 page book compilation "Elvis Studio Sessions ‘56 The Complete Recordings". The 172-page book, with text by Gordon Minto, focuses on each of Elvis’ studio recording sessions during his first year of national stardom - from the first one in January, held in Nashville, then later in New York, before finishing his final session of the year in Hollywood in September. The full and comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and pieces of documentation. The 3CDs contain the complete archival master and session studio recordings of Elvis Presley from 1956, along with bonus interviews. All 90 tracks have been remastered and restored. Also for the first time on CD is the complete ‘The Truth About Me’ from an original US 45rpm flexi-disc. Also included are all the out-takes from this interview. Once again MRS release a first putting all of Elvis' key 1956 Studio Session masters onto one disc, with the addition of two other fully-packed cds of 1956 material and a stunning 172 page book. But what does this set offer over other previous releases Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new volume from MRS to find what is on offer. Includes stunning example photos & a detailed audio investigation. (Book Review: Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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