The "Straight Arrow" label announced the release of a new CD this April entitled "Royal Gambit In Richfield." It is their first release of a 1976 show and according to the press release the audio-quality of the recording is really stunning, especially considering the fact that it was taped from the audience in a large stadium. The producers were able to obtain an original tape recorded by the same person that taped the Johnson City and Orlando 1977 concerts released by Straight Arrow in 2006 as "Tennessee Starlight" and "Going Back In Time", respectively.
From the press release:
Among the Richfield highlights are powerful performances of "And I Love You So", "America", "Hurt", "Heartbreak Hotel" and especially "How Great Thou Art,” performed with absolute show-stopping brilliance. It is followed by an always-welcome, return-to-the roots medley of "Mystery Train / Tiger Man."
As usual, Straight Arrow has seen fit to include a deluxe, full-colour, 16-page booklet with approximately 30 photos from the actual show, taken by four different photographers. Once again, we are pleased to announce that the sleeve notes were written by a fan who was happy to be there and is finally sharing his precious memories of the occasion with us.
The producers note that this concert was previously released from a substandard source, entitled "Fairy Tales" (Chips label, 1994). The sound of the old CD was markedly inferior and also incomplete, running for just 74 minutes. To the show's credit, it has long ranked on the "Top 40" import chart as voted on by fans. Now a superior version can rightly take its place.
In closing, "Straight Arrow" team would like to thank all of you for the success of our label's previous release, "Rock Back The Clock" 2-CD set. As a result of this surge of interest, four new Elvis concert CDs are planned for 2008. We hope that you will enjoy the first of them - our springtime release: "Royal Gambit In Richfield."
Tracklisting:
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from "2001 A Space Odyssey") - 02. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) - 04. Love Me - 05. Fairytale - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Jailhouse Rock - 08. All Shook Up - 09. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) - 10. And I Love You So - 11. Little Darlin' (excerpt / intro only) - 12. Fever - 13. America The Beautiful - 14. Polk Salad Annie - 15. Band Introductions - 16. Early Mornin' Rain - 17. What'd I Say - 18. Johnny B. Goode - 19. Drum Solo (by Ronnie Tutt) - 20. Bass Solo (Blues - by Jerry Scheff) - 21. Piano Solo (by Tony Brown) - 22. Electric Piano Solo (by David Briggs) - 23. Love Letters - 24. School Day - 25. Hurt (with last part reprise) - 26. Hound Dog - 27. Danny Boy (by Sherrill Nielsen) - 28. Walk With Me (by Sherrill Nielsen) - 29. Heartbreak Hotel - 30. How Great Thou Art - 31. Mystery Train / Tiger Man (medley) - 32. Can't Help Falling In Love - 33. Closing Vamp & Announcements.
Approximate running time: 79:50
Recorded live at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio; October 23, 1976.
Royal Gambit In Richfield
March 26, 2008 | Music Source:EmailRonaldv wrote on
March 26, 2008
The choice is easy, stick to your cd(r) Fairy Tales. This is really a classic and the songlist is just the same as this one. Why didn't they release an unreleased show from this great tour?? Another re-release..but the newbies will be smiling...
wayup wrote on
March 26, 2008
Having a chance to listen short sample of "And I Love You So" from forthoming CD and compare it to old one that I have - the sound is 100% superior. Also, there will be 6 extra minutes on new one...
Ronaldv wrote on
March 26, 2008
I just heard a sample too! I must admit, it's better than I have now... Anyway, I think about it.
Lefty wrote on
March 27, 2008
Is there such a thing as an audience recording with stunning audio-quality? The producers of High Voltage really exaggerated their claim as to the sound quality on that release. The package was nice, but the sound was sub-standard, even for a soundboard. Why would I believe that the audio-quality of a cassette recording on a Radio Shack machine stuffed in someone's coat would be "stunning"? Maybe they mean that for a poor sound source, this one is okay? I wish I had a point of reference to go by. The only two decent audience recordings I've heard are Adios and Rockin' New Years Eve. Can anyone (other than the producers) shed some light on the overall quality of this show?
GeertFromNl wrote on
March 27, 2008
Have you ever heard about the booth recordings from Las Vegas,february and august 1973? Those are all very enjoyable,especially the show on the Profile box set,which is the BEST avaiable audience recording,as far as sound quality goes. It's even stereo. Otherwise,how could anyone (other than the producers) comment the sound quality of this CD? It's not out yet!!! Ask the producers and they will send you sound samples.
Greg Nolan wrote on
March 27, 2008
Lefty, if those are the only two audience shows you have, then you are quite the novice on the subject, as there have been quite a few threads with our friend at the Elvis collector site about the best audience recordings - look 'em up! There are quite a few "top-ten" lists that feature some extraordinary recordings that just happened to be taped, albeit from the audience.
You need to get past the fact that some things are recorded unprofessionally as they often are among the best shows out there. And the truth is that some audience recordings are great shows. That's where you get the "stunning." It's all relative, and this label often knows how to upgrade and improve existing tapes.
As I recall, this is a new tape (the original, in fact) of the so-called "FAIRYTALES" show, so it looks like Ronaldv is going to have to pony up and buy it! The packaging on this releases (16 page booklet with 30 photos from the show?) puts to shame so may of the "early CD era" releases of the early and mid-90s. You gotta love these upgrades - if you can afford it! I'll be dumping my FAIRYTALES cd (trading or selling) once I get ROYAL GAMBIT!
Geert, good point, too: let's wait for the disc to come out before we pan it.
Ciscoking wrote on
March 27, 2008
I heard a sound sample and I am really stunned. The best I`ve heard for ages. The show is one of the better of this sad year....
Lefty wrote on
March 27, 2008
Greg Nolan, when it comes to buying crap, I'll be happy to remain the novice. Thanks for the input anyway. Geert, you get sound samples from the producers? Also, someone has been able to produce stereo sound from an audience recording? Amazing. Jeez, I must be on some other planet! I'll just quit asking questions while I'm ahead. Thanks for all the kind advise.
RJ wrote on
March 27, 2008
Stereo on audience recordings is no rocket science Lefty. All you need is small device recording in stereo, duh.. Cincinnati/Indy'77 are also stereo recordings for example.. Heard the Richfield sound sample too and if Fairy Tales is a 3 out of 4 at the max, This is 4/4 as far as audience recordings are concerned. It easily ranks up with the best recordings around. Listen to "Tennessee Starlight" to get an idea as mentioned above. Elvis' voice sounds crystal clear and in this case slightly ambient due to coliseum acoustics, which I like. Polk salad even has a true Jerry Scheff solo, for old times sake;) Prepare for a brand new Elvis Presley show experience. In a concert atmosphere a soundboard recording cannot achieve. Cheers...
GeertFromNl wrote on
March 27, 2008
Lefty,the sound quality of this recording is 5 times better than the sound quality of the 2 releases you have mentioned. (Just a note: Rockin' With Elvis New Year's Eve was a weak,incomplete 1 track CD).
Greg Nolan wrote on
March 28, 2008
Lefty, how quickly so-called fans descend into being negative. I'll join you now. Do you know of better source tapes for these often stellar concerts? If so, cough 'em up. Otherwise, lose the know-nothing, negative attitude and get a clue. These are well-crafted releases (making "lemonade from lemons") and serious fans know that at the very least some 10-20 audience recordings easily rank among the "Must-have" Elvis titles.
Lefty wrote on
March 28, 2008
Hey Greg, I'm sorry. Please forgive me for offending you with my comments. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Thanks to all for the input and advise.