In a few days, Straight Arrow will release a new CD called "ATLANTA BOUND" SA 2011-21-02). It will feature Elvis' June 4, 1976 show in Atlanta, GA. Compared with many other mid-1976 concert recordings, this one is very enjoyable. It seems that Elvis was "on fire" when he played Southern states, no matter if it was 1970 or 1976. His three dates at the Omni Coliseum were special ones and Elvis tried hard to please a very appreciative audience. On this CD, STRAIGHT ARROW is presenting the first concert, as both June 5 and 6 have already been released by other labels.
Elvis hit the Omni stage in a good mood and a strong voice. As usual, the highlights are not only ballad performances like "You Gave Me A Mountain", a double "Hurt" or even the country gospel of "Help Me" but also rockers like "Polk Salad Annie", "Burning Love" and "Jailhouse Rock". Near the end of show, Elvis takes an audience request and belts out one of his best versions of "that silly song", "Little Darlin'". As you've come to expect from Straight Arrow, the producers managed to get the finest possible source: a first-generation copy of an original STEREO audience recording, with the tape completely restored for extremely enjoyable listening.
This disc is topped off with a 16-page booklet, including a fine collection of photos from Atlanta on June 4th and 5th, and liner notes. "ATLANTA BOUND" will be released in late August. You will be more than surprised by the sound and, most importantly, by Elvis himself. Yes, he had some off-moments in 1976, but this gig ain't one of them! Don't miss a chance to dig another cool show from the King.
Tracks:
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman /Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. All Shook Up - 08. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 09. Help Me - 10. Jailhouse Rock - 11. Fever - 12. Polk Salad Annie - 13. Introductions by Elvis of singers, musicians - 14. Early Morning Rain (John Wilkinson) - 15. What'd I Say (James Burton) - 16. Johnny B. Goode (James Burton) - 17. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 18. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - 19. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 20. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) - 21. Love Letters - 22. School Day (Joe Guercio Orchestra) - 23. Hurt - 24. Hurt (reprise) - 25. Burning Love - 26. Funny How Time Slips Away - 27. Little Darlin' - 28. Can't Help Falling In Love - 29. Closing Vamp
Approximate running time: 69:15
The second summer '11 release from Straight Arrow (SA 2011-22-02) will be the previously-unreleased August 30, 1973 Midnight Show in Las Vegas. Most of Elvis' August-September 1973 shows were solid (especially when compared with February 1973) and this night is no exception. The show is somewhat unusual. Usually, every time daughter Lisa Marie was in attendance, Elvis would drop the emotional ballad "My Boy" from the set list, and replace it with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". In this show, however, both songs are performed.
This live recording is taken from the flip side of an original 120-minute cassette tape. The A-side, containing the dinner show that same evening, was released by STRAIGHT ARROW in 2010 as "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". The sound quality here is very good, considering it was taped from the audience. All photographs are from the August-September 1973 Hilton engagement, and the liner notes are written by the super-fan who quietly recorded the show!
Excerpts from the sleeve notes:
"Elvis appeared, looking trim in a white jumpsuit with sunburst pattern of blue and gold. Taking his black acoustic guitar from Charlie Hodge, the King of the Las Vegas showrooms began what would be a fine, upbeat show with an energetic "C. C. Rider". Charlie almost dropped Elvis' tossed guitar at the end of "I Got A Woman/Amen", causing the singer to joke, "We live dangerously up here!" "Bridge Over Troubled Water" shifted things from sexy back to serious, with Elvis reprising the finale from the verse "Sail on, silver girl". It was pleasing to see how his mood had changed quite dramatically from that evening's first performance. At the dinner show Elvis had fooled around and chatted quite a lot. Now, he put on a much tighter performance, although both shows were enjoyable in different ways. There was an exchange with Bill Porter in the sound booth about his microphone; there'd been sound problems at the first show, and Elvis changed microphones before doing "An American Trilogy". During the quieter part he added, "All my trials, Lord - thank goodness - soon be over". Was this a reference to his upcoming divorce, problems with Colonel Parker, or simply that he was annoyed, and was glad his summer season was almost completed? "If we've done anything to make you happy, then we feel we've done our job", said the King, as he moved into "Can't Help Falling In Love" and completed a very satisfying performance. Many British fans, who'd arrived in Vegas earlier that day, must have been thrilled to discover their hero in such good form".
Tracks:
01. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 02. I Got A Woman / Amen - 03. Love Me - 04. Steamroller Blues - 05. You Gave Me A Mountain - 06. Trouble - 07. Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Your Mama Don't Dance / Flip Flop and Fly / Hound Dog - 08. Love Me Tender - 09. Fever - 10. Bridge Over Troubled Water (with reprise) - 11. Suspicious Minds - 12. Introductions of singers, musicians - 13. My Boy - 14. I Can's Stop Loving You - 15. An American Trilogy - 16. Johnny B. Goode - 17. Introduction of daughter, Lisa Marie / Lady Of Spain (one liner) - 18. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - 19. How Great Thou Art (with reprise) - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love - 21. Closing Vamp
Approximate running time: 57:57