As of today (06/11/24) Political discussions are no longer permitted on FECC. THIS IS AN ELVIS FORUM
If you wish to engage in political discussions there are plenty of alternatives. Just not here. You will be perma-banned--THAT MEANS FOREVER.
But there is zero advertising these days, Elvis releases seem to just rely on social media awareness. It's no wonder why sales are low.
The releases keep coming so they're obviously making Sony "happy" or at least satisfied.
You’re missing the point. Nobody advertises these days when they can use social media. I received three notifications about the Elvis release - two were from Sony and the other was from SDE. I received one notification from Bowie’s camp. And that’s what record companies do - they pump out marketing info to relevant music mags and also via social media platforms and then wait for newspapers and other publications to pick up on those details to write about the releases. They’ll probably support them with downloadable files so that they can listen to the albums instead of sending out physical media, thus saving costs.
Elvis isn’t getting some kind of exclusive raw deal from Sony through lack of advertising. Yes, of course Sony must be happy or reasonably happy with the sales, because they know that like lots of artists, drip feed sales will eventually get the numbers up over a period of time especially in the digital platforms where costs are going to be lower. Sony probably only manufacture a low number of physical copies these days - I’d be surprised if it is over 10k for the world but downloads and streaming will be there for people to cherry pick the things they want over a period of time. Sales of From Elvis in Nashville are now around 30k globally since it was released three years ago, but streaming numbers amount to around 21k of that.
I went into what is classed as our remaining national record shop the other day and Aloha was in the prominent display rack under new releases by the door along with others. So there is awareness, it it’s not going to be by big newspaper ads or on TV or radio.
Last edited by emjel on Fri Aug 18, 2023 11:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Living is easy with eyes closed...misunderstanding all you see...
Nobody buys cds. Nobody. When you exit the Elvis bubble where we buy the same album again and again and again, we see people are happy with free YouTube or Spotify material. People just don’t spend money on music anymore. From some years ago, sales don’t represent nothing but the amount of a certain percentage of old people interested in a certain album. The previous post is a as hilarious as sad or nostalgic. Comparing 1000 copies of aloha to 5000 (yes, not 50000 but 5000) copies of a David Bowie release. Remember how many singles were sold in 1971 or 1987? How many albums were sold in 1977 or 1983? It’s over. It’s a change of paradigma. Just like when people changed horses for cars. We’re relics paying top €$£ for plastic incarnations of the same album.
There’s nothing hilarious about the comparison of 1k to 6k because it is relevant to today and not 3 or 4 decades ago. And you are completely wrong about people or nobody not buying CDs. Liam Gallagher’s Live at Knebworth which topped the chart sold 16,204 units (8,122 CDs, 6,339 vinyl albums, 989 digital downloads and 755 sales-equivalent streams) this week. The previous week, the chart topper had sales consumptions of 15,668 units (10,299 CDs, 1,413 vinyl albums, 689 cassettes, 1,484 digital downloads and 1,783 sales-equivalent streams).
Even a top artist like Travis Scott in the US is still shifting physical - this week, the top album’s figures are
total sales of 147,935 units made up of 37,107 physical and 110,489 streaming equivalent sales.
Yes, those figures are minuscule to what they would have been back in the 70s and 80s but that’s not the point because as I wrote, they are relevant to how sales are generated now and what the charts are based from.
You gave the cue: minuscule. Do you remember the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s when people actually wanted for Christmas the latest vinyl-cd from Queen, Phil Collins or even Justin Beaver? It’s all gone. In 2022, cd sales in the US went down from 46 (2021) to 33 million. And it’d be also interesting to know how many 14-25 year old people buy anything physical.
Of course I remember those times. I remember towns having 3 or 4 actual record shops where you could go and hunt out the best price e too. But we are not comparing what happened then to what is happening now. What is interesting is that you are telling us that in the US, CD sales went down from 46 million to 33 million, but your opening comment in reply to what you suggested was a hilarious post, was that nobody buys CDs..nobody.
There are a few on here who are telling us that Elvis’ record sales are on a new high mainly off the back of Baz’s movie, but as has been said by a few others, there is no evidence to support that and not when you compare it to other iconic artists, a few of whom have not had the benefit of a big Hollywood movie. And that’s why the comparison between Bowie and Elvis releases that came out in the same day was made. And it was the same when Sony released Dylan’s latest boxset that was released the same time as Elvis On Tour. Dylan’s set also outsold Elvis’ release by roughly 5 to 1 in the same week.
Most other legacy artists have high calibre people curating their works.
Further, their back catalogues are more streamlined and have not been milked anywhere near to the same extent as Elvis'.
Nobody buys cds. Nobody. When you exit the Elvis bubble where we buy the same album again and again and again, we see people are happy with free YouTube or Spotify material. People just don’t spend money on music anymore. From some years ago, sales don’t represent nothing but the amount of a certain percentage of old people interested in a certain album. The previous post is a as hilarious as sad or nostalgic. Comparing 1000 copies of aloha to 5000 (yes, not 50000 but 5000) copies of a David Bowie release. Remember how many singles were sold in 1971 or 1987? How many albums were sold in 1977 or 1983? It’s over. It’s a change of paradigma. Just like when people changed horses for cars. We’re relics paying top €$£ for plastic incarnations of the same album.
There’s nothing hilarious about the comparison of 1k to 6k because it is relevant to today and not 3 or 4 decades ago. And you are completely wrong about people or nobody not buying CDs. Liam Gallagher’s Live at Knebworth which topped the chart sold 16,204 units (8,122 CDs, 6,339 vinyl albums, 989 digital downloads and 755 sales-equivalent streams) this week. The previous week, the chart topper had sales consumptions of 15,668 units (10,299 CDs, 1,413 vinyl albums, 689 cassettes, 1,484 digital downloads and 1,783 sales-equivalent streams).
Even a top artist like Travis Scott in the US is still shifting physical - this week, the top album’s figures are
total sales of 147,935 units made up of 37,107 physical and 110,489 streaming equivalent sales.
Yes, those figures are minuscule to what they would have been back in the 70s and 80s but that’s not the point because as I wrote, they are relevant to how sales are generated now and what the charts are based from.
You gave the cue: minuscule. Do you remember the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s when people actually wanted for Christmas the latest vinyl-cd from Queen, Phil Collins or even Justin Beaver? It’s all gone. In 2022, cd sales in the US went down from 46 (2021) to 33 million. And it’d be also interesting to know how many 14-25 year old people buy anything physical.
Of course I remember those times. I remember towns having 3 or 4 actual record shops where you could go and hunt out the best price e too. But we are not comparing what happened then to what is happening now. What is interesting is that you are telling us that in the US, CD sales went down from 46 million to 33 million, but your opening comment in reply to what you suggested was a hilarious post, was that nobody buys CDs..nobody.
There are a few on here who are telling us that Elvis’ record sales are on a new high mainly off the back of Baz’s movie, but as has been said by a few others, there is no evidence to support that and not when you compare it to other iconic artists, a few of whom have not had the benefit of a big Hollywood movie. And that’s why the comparison between Bowie and Elvis releases that came out in the same day was made. And it was the same when Sony released Dylan’s latest boxset that was released the same time as Elvis On Tour. Dylan’s set also outsold Elvis’ release by roughly 5 to 1 in the same week.
Most other legacy artists have high calibre people curating their works.
Further, their back catalogues have not been milked anywhere near to the same extent as Elvis'.
What do you class as high calibre people. Ernst and Roger have put out some sterling releases that cover much of Elvis’ catalogue, but there is only so much you can do with lots of Elvis’ albums. Sure, Elvis’ record company have put out re-releases after re-releases etc etc, and the catalogue could be classed as a mess, but it seems that his record company have to do it that way to keep up the awareness and interest.
Elvis has never had any real strong memorable albums that have sold in the millions and millions. But as I wrote, we are being told that Elvis and his music is reaching new highs, so those points you make are somewhat moot, because all these new people who are apparently taking a huge interest in Elvis’ music would not already own them. I wouldn’t say that the last few box sets have been milked in the mainstream market either - On Tour contained three brand new unreleased shows yet initial sales were pretty poor and that was the same for From Nashville and Back in Nashville both of which sold similar low numbers initially.
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Living is easy with eyes closed...misunderstanding all you see...
Chuck D recently said being interviewed at the Rock and roll Hall of Game for an artist being important really matters much more than being popular.
What matters the most is Elvis legacy the music not the sales. Since I was a kind Elvis was always in someway ridiculed when compared to other music greats as the Beatles or Bowie.
Ernst, Guralnick, Zimny and Luhrmann did a lot to make people understand the importance of Elvis music. This is what should be the main focus.
It is no longer about the sales.
Cecil B de mille is a greats director but cinéphiles as Godard said will choose Carl Dreyer.
Back to this release, I finally have listened to the 3 cds and the sound is great and don’t think you could ask, hope or expect any more. Very happy with the 3 cds. I have watched the bluray, at least most of it. Agree with others that the bluray is in name only. Absolutely no improvement in picture quality. The only positive is to have all the performances on one disc.
steve in sc3 wrote:Back to this release, I finally have listened to the 3 cds and the sound is great and don’t think you could ask, hope or expect any more. Very happy with the 3 cds. I have watched the bluray, at least most of it. Agree with others that the bluray is in name only. Absolutely no improvement in picture quality. The only positive is to have all the performances on one disc.
There is improvement but it's subtle... definitely.....
Today has definitely been an overload of Elvis music in My Home.
Not only was I grateful to pick up a three CD one Blu-ray version of Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite (Live), but I also had a beautiful package from Japan waiting for me at the door.
Yes, Complete Single Collection !!!
Plus, an array of different Japanese cd’s: Elvis Country Moody Blue Country Rock Best Hits In Japan Love Me Tender-The Greatest Hits … Ballads II
The Aloha box is beautiful. Love the booklet, the design and the picture of Elvis in b&w in the front. Just great.
More comments to follow.
I don't care what Ed Van Halen says about me--all's I know is that Howard Stern and Mr. Rogers like me just the way I friendly am! - David Lee Roth
steve in sc3 wrote:Back to this release, I finally have listened to the 3 cds and the sound is great and don’t think you could ask, hope or expect any more. Very happy with the 3 cds. I have watched the bluray, at least most of it. Agree with others that the bluray is in name only. Absolutely no improvement in picture quality. The only positive is to have all the performances on one disc.
There is improvement but it's subtle... definitely.....
The CDs are top class....
I agree, even though I'll probably never listen to the CDs again. I like to watch the performances and not just listen. This is a very nice set and my go to from now on.
That said, I'm finished buying all things Aloha.
The United States of America have had
forty-six Presidents, but only ONE King!
Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.
You're a beautiful audience.
steve in sc3 wrote:Back to this release, I finally have listened to the 3 cds and the sound is great and don’t think you could ask, hope or expect any more. Very happy with the 3 cds. I have watched the bluray, at least most of it. Agree with others that the bluray is in name only. Absolutely no improvement in picture quality. The only positive is to have all the performances on one disc.
There is improvement but it's subtle... definitely.....
The CDs are top class....
I agree, even though I'll probably never listen to the CDs again. I like to watch the performances and not just listen. This is a very nice set and my go to from now on.
This might be a contender for "best historical album" at the Grammys. Ross-Spang's work at least will raise a few eyebrows.
Doubtful but The Who’s mega release of their album "Who’s Next" ominous out next month could be up for consideration. Unlike the Aloha album, Who’s Next is recognised as a critically acclaimed album.
And if you cannot afford that set, there are an assortment of interesting variants also available from a basic single CD of the original album or a double CD set of the original plus unreleased outtakes etc.
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Living is easy with eyes closed...misunderstanding all you see...
Not really. That’s the Monday midweek chart shifting 1109 copies including downloads/streaming in the week. which picks up all the day one purchases from fans. . As I wrote previously, it did not come into the main chart on Friday, selling 1196 copies which is down by around 650 from Back in Nashville for the same first week period.
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Living is easy with eyes closed...misunderstanding all you see...
Not really. That’s the Monday midweek chart shifting 1109 copies including downloads/streaming in the week. which picks up all the day one purchases from fans. . As I wrote previously, it did not come into the main chart on Friday, selling 1196 copies which is down by around 650 from Back in Nashville for the same first week period.
Not really. That’s the Monday midweek chart shifting 1109 copies including downloads/streaming in the week. which picks up all the day one purchases from fans. . As I wrote previously, it did not come into the main chart on Friday, selling 1196 copies which is down by around 650 from Back in Nashville for the same first week period.
Which chart is this?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It’s the Monday mid week chart in the U.K. which is what was previously referenced. On average, Elvis generally comes in somewhere between 30 and 40 on the first midweek chart after a new release (Elvis on Tour came in at 43), but that’s not the main chart for the week and On Tour did not chart either.
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Living is easy with eyes closed...misunderstanding all you see...
CD1 - For some reason FTD (Jan Eliasson’s mastering) sound is more enjoyable and dynamic to my ears. It seems more open, punchy with more ambience.I did not expect that, I must admit. Legacy cd mastered by Vic Anesini sounds great, don’t get me wrong, but FTD cd sound blows me away.
CD2 - Legacy is the winner here without doubt.
CD3 - Vic Anesini’s mastering is great, very warm. Jan Eliasson’s version is a bit bass heavy.
I do not have interest in dvds and booklets.
So, for proper enjoyment I will keep both Aloha and Legacy editions in my collection.
Last edited by KB on Tue Aug 22, 2023 5:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
A lot of.mixed opinions about the Blu Ray. Some say it is a small upgrade and some say it is a direct copy from the dvd.
I can not see much difference with the picture, but for the sound we get a new option, LPCM in addition to Dolby. This is AFAIK an uncompressed audio format so should sound better than the Dolby versions.I have not had time to watch it all the way through yet though, I just had a quick look.
Last edited by Scoobie on Mon Aug 21, 2023 9:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
A lot of.mixed opinions about the Blu Ray. Some say it is a small upgrade and some say it is a direct copy from the dvd.
IMO, both come from the same source. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember reading somewhere, maybe here long, long ago, that for the 2004 DVD release, the rehearsal and main show camera angle choices and editing were done for that release. The Blu matches that, but has some color tweaking and to my eyes, a bit of sharpening of the image.