Recently another SR release saw the light of day: September Nights. Is it worth buying?
Design
With Elvis in 1970 you can’t go wrong with cover art, one might think. Well, SR records nearly could… nothing wrong with the front, great picture, stylish title and info. On the inside they mess up… a collage of three black and white pictures, two of them with a kind of pink feel, and one plain white. And there is something wrong with the intensity… on second look it seems they wanted to create an effect with a word (I guess Elvis), but that doesn’t work at all.
The same goes for the picture behind the CD… it is very dark and again messed up with their logo. The back is much better again…. Unfortunately they don’t know how to write song titles, very annoying.
Content
I used to love audience recordings in the 80s and early 90s, but nowadays I hardly can listen to them. Still one of the few audience recordings that I give a spin every now and then is from this engagement: Double Dynamite. Therefore I was a kind of looking forward to play this CD when I got it.
I got over that feeling very quickly. The first show (September 4, D.S.) is sounding like it is recorded through a telephone, and not a modern one, but Mr. Bell’s first proto type. I managed to listen to it for exactly 20 seconds and then I got the urge to turn off the CD completely. Still I found the power somewhere to press the skip button a few times hoping for improvement, but every track sounded as poor. Sorry, but I get no listening pleasure from this quality at all.
Since the second show (September 7, Closing show) looked to be more complete (but still isn't), and I am hard headed I skipped to track 16. Indeed this source turned out to be slightly better, at least you can really recognize Elvis now, and not just guess it’s him. Still for me no listening pleasure at all, so I stuck with listening to I Walk The Line once again, a part of I Just Can’t Help Believin’ (without the G), You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (again no Gs and no capital V- even the capital for That can be discussed ;-)), Polk Salad Annie and Bridge Over Troubled Water. Those songs make you wish the show was in above very mediocre sound quality… on the other hand they are not as strong as earlier that season, and soon we will have 6 complete shows in top notch quality (as promised)…
Conclusion
Music lovers probably want to skip this completely; collectors might think otherwise… anyway, it will not find its way to my player again.
Tracklist
01. Opening Vamp 0.38
02. That's All Right Mama 1.37
03. I Got A Woman 2.31
04. I Walk The Line (exc) 0.11
05. Monologue/Love Me Tender 6.53
06. I’ve Lost You 2.29
07. You’ve Lost That Loving Feelin’ 4.09
08. Polk Salad Annie 4.12
09. Band Intro 2.34
10. Hound Dog (exc) 0.05
11. Johnny B.Goode 1.37
12. Band Intro 1.49
13. The Wonder Of You 3.07
14. One Night 1.37
15. Opening Vamp 0.31
16. That's All Right Mama 2.20
17. I Got A Woman 2.36
18. I Walk The Line (exc)1.54
19. Monologue 3.07
20. I’ve Lost You 2.33
21. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ 4.37
22. You’ve Lost That Loving Feelin’ 4.44
23. Polk Salad Annie 4.46
24. Introductions 8.05
25. Blue Suede Shoes 1.50
26. All Shook Up (inc.) 1.21
27. Hound Dog 2.01
28. Bridge Over Troubled Water 4.59
29. Can't Help Falling In Love 1.55
30. Closing Vamp. (inc.) 0.14
wow Lex...you managed to listen to as MUCH as 20 seconds wow! however have to agree with you here. I knew that SR stands for "Second Rate" and true to their label they are worse than second rate sound quality don't WASTE your money wait for the new boxset and its 6 complete shows (from 10th-13th August 1970) instead!
In the 80s and the 90s I used to read Lex reviews. But nowadays I just can't get over the second word. Ok, this time I forced myself to skip to the passage on You’Ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, but it just wouldn't get any better. Conclusion: If you definitively want to read it, go ahead. I for one won't read it again.
I think the shows are o.k.....like all from this time..sound could be better,..yes..but man..we are talking about audience recordings....the 7.9.70 CS is complete btw...besides a few bars of the closing vamp which doesn`t matter..All Shook Up is incomplete cause Elvis doesn`t sing a complete version...
Hé Matthias, you can get rich, since you obviously can look into the feature. I never wrote reviews in the 80s.
Why did they not put the other rare snippet versions of songs like More, Folsom Prison Blues and
Oh happy days on this one...? Won't buy it. Ernesto of Norway should take more and faster action and release those missing classic albums on FTD, also the missing movie outtakes and as some fans keep on mentioning for ages, the 67&68 sessions. Does Mr Jorgensen read those fans' comments and wishes ? He should give another interview and clear up a number of those issues to let fans know what's in store during 2009.
I can't blame Lex for spending as little time as possible listening to this CD. If the CD sounds that bad, why should anyone suffer through the whole thing? I find myself asking how bad does a CD have to be before someone refuses to buy it? It seems that the Elvis market attracts junk because someone out there wants it all. I won't buy such gibberish, especially when there is so much great product on the market to choose from.
Lefty,.... I prefer a perhaps not so good sounding audience recording of a powerhouse 1970 show over any flat and sterile sounding SB from a dreadful summer 76 show at any time....
Those releases are aimed at the concert-collectors. These people (including me) don't care about the quality as long as it's the best available quality. So, anyone aroud here has a remarkable better recording of these shows? If not, I will happily add this CD to my collection of historic Elvis collector's items. If you are into collecting stamps and you want i.e. all stamps issued in the U.S. you also have to buy the ugly ones. Every collector does this. It's not an Elvis phenomenan.
Why do people want every concert Elvis ever did and many in bad quality? Is collecting everything that monumental in your life? Do you people listen to any other music at all? Do you know there was some great music made after Sugust 16th 1977?
We are Elvis fans and here to discuss Elvis.....go to "after August 1977"news.com.....
Steve V, what a stupid comment! That's like saying to a stamp collector, "why don't you collect napkins? They're both paper...."
Sure we collect,but these are not even official Cd's,there have been some fine imports aka bootleg releases,you have great sounding concerts from 1970,id rather not listen to bad sounding cd's,i also do not care to listen to uninspired shows that often,i guess i just cant understand the enjoyment of a cd that makes your head hurt,collecting anything always has its limits,doesnt it?
B.H. - an even stupider comment! Stamp collectors collect stamps because thats the idea of the hobby and they can be displayed as part of a collection. Why do people collect these CDs if they are too horrible to play , to collect dust? I can undertand the 45's . EPs & LPs as being part of a greater aspect of Elvis collecting since they came oiut in his lifetime, but CDs like these are worthless if they are useless to listen to. What am I missing? People buy CDs not to play them?
A show of Elvis Presley is part of his musical legacy...no matter how it sounds..the main thing is....that it exists....and is collectable..for ardent fans..
Yes, Steve V - some people (i.e. collectors) buy CDs not to play them. Is it shocking you? Perhaps it is but in the world of collectors it's a normal, typical behaviour. I know that pain myself - when you collect cds just to have an edition with different matrix number. To listen to these hard-to-get CDs is a marginal thing. And, as wisely stated mature elvis, collecting has its limits and each collector has his own limits. I collect different RCA CD editions from around the world. Australian are my favorites. Roustabout CD from 80s is creme de la creme, I tell you for sure, and satisfaction of having this is much much more than Euro 100 spent for it. And I even listened to it!
Ciscoking,....If September Nights is something you will enjoy, then far be it from me to argure. Maybe a great show in poor sound is better than a poor show in great sound? I guess it depends on who you're asking. Hopefully, a great show in great sound is something all Elvis fans can agree upon. When I buy an Elvis CD, I first consider if it is something that I will listen to more than once? If the answer is no, I'll ususally pass it by. That's basically the point I am making about September Nights. There are so many great Elvis CD's out right now (sound + performance), and so many that are just around the corner, I don't need to spend my money on something I won't listen to, just so I can say that I have it. That being said, I honestly don't fault any collector that buys an Elvis CD, for whatever reason.
Makes sense, Lefty,....agreed ....100 %.....
Steve V, of course people who collect cd's buy cd's they don't listen to, just to complete their collection. Do you really believe people who collect stamps buy every stamp with the single intention to display them? If so, what's wrong with buying cd's to display them? According to your statement, cd's should only be enjoyed by listening to them....then shouldn't stamps only be enjoyed by shipping things via courier? I mean, is the phenomenon of colleting so new to you?Also, how come you go to an ELVIS site, and preach about how the elvis fans are missing out on non-elvis music? Are you trying to enlighten us? Lol....as I said in my previous post, that's like going to a stamp collectors site, and ask why the users don't collect napkins!
Obviously we all have our views on Elvis, his life, his music, the cds. We are all right in our views. Who are we to look down upon another? We just differ. It is okay to state our different views. But please let's respect the others with their views. Regular readers know each others views by now. At least I do. I respect others views, though I might differ.
I think some fans get the feeling that some Elvis fans never step outside of his music,and for them they cant understand why people will buy something they feel couldnt be enjoyable,but we all have differt views,its not a big deal,i use to collect things that i never played,but i just cant do it anymore,its like looking at pile of cash sitting there,and its just sitting there,i would rather take that money and spend it on something i will enjoy,i dont feel the need to own everything Elvis,and you have to put a limit on everything,bootlegs are just thrown out there lfet and right,but to those who enjoy,then go for it,its your view,its your money,as said id rather have a gret sounding show with a great performance and from the year 1970 we have several choices,and im sure Ftd will put out at least one more,(hopefully one with stranger in the crowd) Have fun all!
I totally agree with SANTA CLAUS. I am a concert collector too. The sound is not very good but also not very bad. I do have concerts -believe it or not- that are even much worser. One thing is important too dear Santa: It must be a real CD and not a CD-R. Then I am happy to buy it. And maybe someday I will have almost every concert.
Likewise, Bob, Santa, et. al. With all due respect, Steve V., Lefty and Mature constantly (or so it seems) sit here and take pot-shots at the most hard-core of Elvis fans, those who want to document each and every concert that arguably the best singer of all time recorded. The import labels (Madison, Audionics, 2001, Straight Arrow, SR, etc.) are talking only to those who are so hard-core that they'll "think past" the occasionally low-fi and yes even annoying sound - just to hear the best ever singer of all time - in their view. If you don't like stamp collecting (or Elvis fanaticism) find another site. It's getting old fellas! Unless you have a secret plot to "bring him back" ---or discover a rare recording (and likewise try to issue it in the best ever sound)....then let it go!
So tell me were i take shots at anyone? i gave my view,good lord,whats up with you lately? Buy every release if you like,i wont be getting this one,to me these kind of releases are what looks and sound like a bootleg but if you dont feel that wayjust buy it!!!
By the way comparing releases from madsion and sr is way off,i like quality,if that makes me less of a fanatic then so be it,and whats with the go somewere else attitude? just because i dont agree with someone makes me less of a fan?
A lot of the critics here seem to forget that we have to do with what is available and what is beiging released oficially an unofficially. What's wrong with buying a release like this to complete a collection of concerts or - trying - listen to a concert to enjoy or learn about Elvis if that is your hobby?
Should the Louvre museum throw the Venus of Milo in the garbagecan because she misses her arms ... or shold we throw away Wertheimer's pictures because they are only black and white?
Well said Kees. For me this site is basically to read about the new CDs, their quality or whether or not it's a re-release. Apart from all the other news items of course (thumbs up for the editors!). I wish we all appreciate and respect each others views. It is nice to read opposite opinions as long as it entails no condescending or in any way unkind attitude towards others. In loving memory of Elvis we should respect each other as fans (read also guideline 4). I always say to people: try just to speak (or write in this case) when you can improve on silence or on what is said (written).
With all due respect and not to demean anyone, I cant understand anyone buying a poor quality bootleg just to say you have it. Its probably something you'll only play once and maybe not even all the way through. And to say you want to own all of Elvis' concerts, I say why? Get the best, the ones you'll really enjoy. Folks, all the concerts were basically the same anyway. I used to have all the crappy sounding bootleg concerts on vinyl (remember The Hillbilly Cat Live?), then sold them because they were dust collectors. I really was happy when FTD's purpose was to put these pirates out of business. Surely FTD has released enough concerts that you dont have to buy stuff like this anymore, and you know FTD will continue to release mny more shows. Yet, still these releases flourish. Its funny, many of the folks who will buy this will ignore a legit & fine release like Christmas Duets because its not a pure Elvis release!
Greg Nolan, you and I are polar opposites. You seemingly praise the worst sounding imports without hesitation while I blast them. If my remarks are "getting old" then that's just too bad. Elvis News welcomes all points of view, even yours. I won't apologize to you nor to anyone else for my opinion. If you don't like what I have to say, then simply skip my remarks. And btw, enjoy your copy of September Nights.
I thought we were to give our views on things,but i guess thats only if its 100% postative,first you hear for not saying Ftd is perfect now its bootlegs and not even the good kind,as said there are many shows to choose from and Ftd will release more,but if you need every show no matter what,then go for it,i dont wont to stand in the way of happiness!
These kind of recordings should be *shared* amongst fans - noone should try to make money out of it.
