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Straight Arrow Import Updates

December 27, 2008 | Music

The Straight Arrow import label released their 11th. CD entitled "Countdown To Christmas". This release contains an unreleased audience recording of Elvis' 10 P.M. performance from December 9, 1975 as recorded in LAs Vegas.

The label also announced it is planning a special 2CD set containing an unreleased audience recording of Elvis' December 2, 1976 Opening Night Show as recorded in Las Vegas. The label managed to obtain a 1st generation copy of an original "stereo" audience-recorded tape for this project. This set, with an approximate running time of 104 minutes, is due for release early 2009.

From the press-release:

Opening Night '76 was a unique event - it was probably the second longest show of Elvis’ career and one of his very best 1976 concerts. Arriving from Anaheim, CA, with young love Ginger Alden by his side, he was ready to conquer Las Vegas once again. During the Opening night, he sang an ultra-rare "I Just Can't Help Believin'", and sang one of greatest-ever versions of "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Elvis was in great mood, joking with fellow performer Glen Campbell thru the show. It was also the last time that Elvis performed two full versions of his 1976 "trademark" song "Hurt".

Possible tracklisting:

Also Sprach Zarathustra - C. C. Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - You Gave Me A Mountain - Jailhouse Rock - It's Now Or Never / Are You Sincere (excerpt) - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - Dialogue - Don't Be Cruel (excerpt) - And I Love You So - I Just Can't Help Believin' (last version) - Fever - Softly As I Leave You - Polk Salad Annie - Band Introductions - Early Mornin' Rain - What'd I Say - Johnny B. Goode - Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - Bass Solo (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) - Love Letters - School Day - Celebrity Introductions (Vikki Carr, Glen Campbell) - Hurt #1 - Hurt #2 - Hound Dog (with false start) - Hawaiian Wedding Song (with false start) - Dialogue - Blue Christmas - That's All Right, Mama - Bridge Over Troubled Water - Introduction of Vernon Presley - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp.

Below is a preview from the "Countdown To Christmas" CD booklet:

Source:Email
Ronaldv wrote on December 27, 2008
The december 2nd Vegas show is not new to me. It has been released on cdr years ago, but I hope it will appear in much better sound than we had so far. It's a great show! Frankly the sound on the cdr is not so bad at all, but this concert deserves a re-release.
JimmyCool wrote on December 28, 2008
I really like the cover! About the December 2, 1976 show... how can an audience recording be "Stereo"?
wayup wrote on December 28, 2008
"Stereo" audience recording means recorded with equipment with 2 microphones or stereo microphone. There is difference in channels. I.e. Rick Rennie tapes are "stereo" or Indianapolis CD..... it is not true stereo recording but the stereo effect is there...
benny scott wrote on December 28, 2008
wayup : right you are ! Short and good explanation ! Always El.
Zoltan84 wrote on December 28, 2008
Very good! The 1976 Vegas opening show is a fantastic concert! It was never released on CD and the sound quality of the CD-R is average at best. I hope it will be much better!
SnOwMan wrote on December 28, 2008
I'll buy these. Good sounding recordings and nice packages from a quality label.
Ciscoking wrote on December 28, 2008
The OS was fantastic,......it now gets the treatment it deserves....a top notch show released by a top notch label...
Santa Claus wrote on December 28, 2008
Many shows of this engagement have similar sound-quality on the tapes and CD-Rs circulating. So, if this is from the original source there's maybe more to come.
GeertFromNl wrote on January 02, 2009
I'm looking forward to get these. "Countdown To Christmas" is on the way to me,i hope i'll get it on the next week. I've heard a sound sample and it's very promosing.
You Dont Know Me wrote on January 05, 2009
Great NEWS (as always) how can a Fan NOT look forward to QUALITY RELEASES??I certainly do!~
Erika Freiburger wrote on January 07, 2009
I've just received my copy of "Countdown To Christmas" yesterday. The sound quality is excellent,the booklet is a beauty. My U.K. friends have received this CD in late december,it took more than one week to arrive here to Germany. It was worth to wait for it,neverthless. A belated Christmas gift in january:) Happy new year to all! Erika