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California Wave

By ElvisNews.com/ Kees, September 28, 2009 | Music

The Czech Memory Records label released the CD “California Wave”. Did Elvis Presley raise himself above his 1976 average despite of his physical and mental decline? And what abut the CD, is it above average?

 

Design

The design is not very attractive; it looks like a simple old bootleg. The picture of our man doesn't help either. The liner noters by Denise Kusel from Long Beach Press Telegram (an 1976 review) are spot on Elvis' physical condition and the show he gave.

Content

The CD features the previously unreleased Long Beach, CA, Evening Show from April 25th, 1976; that’s good news for the collectors who can add another unreleased show to their collector. But that is about it.

The CD contains a remastered audience recording; “an early generation 70s copy of the original audience-recorded master tape” according to the press-release. I simply didn’t enjoy the sound, turned it low while updating the site and before I knew it the CD was over. Apparently no performance really drew my attention. But I don’t feel the urge to play it again.

If you want a different opinion, this is what Denise Kusel from Long Beach Press Telegram wrote after attending the concert:

Presley’s legenary rockers ... were performer with a bored sight”.

But she also wrote:

"The voice that came from the depths of his barrel chest was deep and rich. His renditions of gospel songs "How Great Thou Art" and "This Time You Gave Me a Mountain" were offered with sincere beauty. An eerie silence filled the concert hall when he sang "And now the end is near" - the opening line to the Frank Sinatra favorite, "My Way". It was like witnessing a chilling prophecy. Almost 28,000 fans in two concerts, marking his only Southern California appearances, loved him. So did I."

Conclusion

With so many great (re)releases coming out why torture yourself with a release like this? This is for collectors only.

Tracklisting

01. Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. All Shook Up - 08. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) - 09. Tryin' To Get To You - 10. My Way - 11. Polk Salad Annie (incomplete) - 12. Band Introductions (incomplete) - 13. Hurt - 14. And I Love You So - 15. America The Beautiful - 16. Burning Love - 17. Help Me - 18. How Great Thou Art - 19. It's Now Or Never / Introduction of The Eagles - 20. Funny How Time Slips Away (with reprise) - 21. Hound Dog - 22. Blue Suede Shoes - 23. Can't Help Falling In Love - 24. Closing Vamp

Bonus (stereo audience recording):

25. Let Me Be There - 26. Steamroller Blues - 27. Heartbreak Hotel - 28. Love Me Tender - 29. Polk Salad Annie.
 

Ronaldv wrote on September 28, 2009
Well said Kees, this is indeed a cd for collector's like myself, a diehard Elvis fan. I just love unreleased shows, this is no exception. This label gave us a very historical insight in exeptional elvis shows, the most important two shows they released so far are, in my opinion: Better than ever (tour show september (!) 1970 and at the top op his game, tour opening april 22 1973! Keep them coming Czech friends! Thumbs up!
Natha wrote on September 29, 2009
But she also wrote: . . . Obviously there is a difference in just listening to the CD and listening live as well as experiencing the presence of Elvis. I for one knows that listening to a lecture live can be thrilling and touching one deeply, while listening to the tape recording might be dull. obviously the same holds for Elvis' performance as one present described. Just a personal reflection.
Orion wrote on September 30, 2009
The only interesting thing about this one is the fact that The Eagles were in the audience. I wonder what Glenn Frey or Don Henley thought obout Elvis or his show at this point in his career ...? I've never heard them discuss seeing Elvis unlike Robert Plant or Elton John who saw at met Elvis in the mid to late 70's.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on September 30, 2009
Maybe the fact you dont hear the eagles talking about attending this show tells you what they thought,unless they were all deaf im sure they thought it was sad!
Coronel Parker wrote on October 06, 2009
Great show and great cd !!!! Viva Memory records !!!
You Dont Know Me wrote on October 21, 2009
Excellent sounding show-VERY well sung and nice 'bonus' tracks as well- one of the Best 'Memory releases' in Years!~
theoldscudder wrote on October 31, 2009
The cover says it all. The man should have been in a hospital & not on stage.
Natha wrote on November 06, 2009
About the photo: Millions of people look like that and are rightly not in hospital.