The two newest FTD releases are just out, but a new of set of three titles and some re-issues have been announced for late October. Besides the titles 'Rockin Across Texas' (CD) and 'The Jungle Room Sessions' (vinyl), fans can expect the soundboard "New Haven '76".
Both the "Blue Hawaii" and "Standing Room Only" vinyl releases will be back in stock by October 1st. for a limited period only. Both will be officially deleted once this stock is depleted.
The "Girl Happy" CD should now be in reprint and will soon be available with improved remastered audio with improved and updated graphics according to an update from EU.
New Haven '76:
Following on from his appearance in Fort Worth, Elvis rocked New Haven, Connecticut on July 30 at the Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum. Featuring photos from Steve Barile’s archives, New Haven ’76 is a 1-CD 5” digipack. A credible live version of Return To Sender is featured as a bonus track from Hampton Roads Coliseum on August 1, 1976.
Rockin' Across Texas
The CD-only re-issue of "Rockin'Acccros Texas" got a new cover:
The Jungle Room Sessions
FTD Vinyl next release is a limited edition 2-Disc vinyl set of The Jungle Room Sessions. It contains all of the tracks featured on the CD edition and several added outtakes from other releases. Supplied in a new gatefold sleeve featuring additional Graceland images, it will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl and DMM Copper mastered at Abbey Road Studios, London.
Tracklisting "The Jungle Room Sessions"
Side 1
1) Moody Blue (Takes 7,5) (Mark James) 2) Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall (Takes 3, 4, 5)(Larry Gatlin) 3) She Thinks I Still Care (Takes 1, 2)Dickie Lee) 4) Pledging My Love (Take 3)(F. Washington/D. Robery 5) The Last Farewell (Take 2)(Roger Whittaker/R.A. Webster)
Side 2
6) Hurt(Take 3) (Crane/Jacobs) 7) Danny Boy (Take 8) (Frederic Weatherly) 8) Love Coming Down (Take 3) (Jerry Chesnut) 9) Never Again (Take 11) (Billy Edd Wheeler/Jerry Chesnut 10) For The Heart (Take 3) (Dennis Linde) 11) Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (Take 2) (Fred Rose) 12) I’ll Never Fall In Love Again (Take 5) (Lonnie Donegan)
Side 3
13) Way Down (Take 2) (Layng Martine Jr.) 14) It’s Easy For You (Take 1) (Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice) 15) Pledging My Love (Unedited Master) (F. Washington/D. Robery 16) He’ll Have To Go (Rough-Mix Master) (Joe And Audrey Allison) 17) Moody Blue (Take 6) (Mark James) 18) Solitaire (Take 3) 4:47 (Neil Sedaka/Phil Cody)
Side 4
19) Love Coming Down (Take 4) (Jerry Chesnut) 20) For The Heart (Take 1) (Dennis Linde) 21) She Thinks I Still Care (Takes 3, 4) (Dickie Lee) 22) Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall (Take 1) (Larry Gatlin) 23) Hurt (Take 5) ( Crane/Jacobs) 24) Danny Boy (Take 9) (Frederic Weatherly) 25) Fire Down Below (Instrumental) 3.44 (Jerry Scheff) 26) America (Closing Part Only) 0.21 (Tradiitonal)
Tracklisting "New Haven '76"
1) Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss) 2) See See Rider (Arr. by Elvis Presley) 3) I Got A Woman / Amen (Ray Charles) / (Jester Hairston) 4) Love Me (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller) 5) If You Love Me (Let Me Know)(John Rostill) 6) You Gave Me A Mountain (Marty Robbins) 7) Help Me (Larry Gatlin) 8) All Shook Up (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley) 9) (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel (Kal Mann/Bernie Lowe) / (Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley) 10) And I Love You So (Don McLean) 11) America (Arr. by Elvis Presley) 12) Jailhouse Rock (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller) 13) Funny How Time Slips Away (Willie Nelson) 14) Introductions – incomplete 15) Early Mornin’ Rain (Gordon Lightfoot) 16) What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode (Ray Charles) / (Chuck Berry) 17) Love Letters (Edward Heyman/Victor Young) 18) School Days (Chuck Berry) 19) Hurt (Jimmie Crane/Al Jacobs) 20) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller) 21) Hawaiian Wedding Song (Charles King/Al Hoffman/Dick Manning) 22) Can’t Help Falling In Love (Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore/George Weiss) 23) Closing vamp
Bonus song
24) Return To Sender Otis Blackwell/Winfield Scott)
Unfortunately, it isn't a "different show." By this time there weren't many (if any) "different shows." But if this is part of the current trend for FTD and the importers to concentrate on a specific year for their releases then 1976 it is. Let's see that's: "New Haven", "Rockin' Across Texas", "The Jungle Room Sessions" on vinyl, and the re-issue of the Memphis 'Homecoming" from Audionics. Let's hope that continues with a classic release of "From Elvis Presley Blvd" in early 2010. As far as New Haven, I'm looking forward to it. I like Steve's picture with the guitar in the middle, and it's been a while since I've heard an unreleased soundboard. The last I heard came from International on the 1971 set - everything else that has been release lately is a re-issue in new and improved sound with graphics - hey wait that sounds like the reissue of "Girl Happy." Oh no, FTD is in bed with the importers. We've been fooled all this time. lol
If they wanted to rehash a previous FTD with "improved sound", they should have done it with Today, which was a minor audio disaster (at least for the original album portion). Did they find the original studio masters for Girl Happy?.....
Girl happy? you wont to improve girl happy?as mentioned how about Elvis today,thats way more a classic than girl happy,and if you did the audio right you wouldnt need to worry about it, Ftd just keeps getting weirder,no direction,andone know this show from new haven?
I agree with Orion. At least an "unreleased" show and not an updated, sound improved (not all the time anyway) show that I all ready have..getting bored with that, but another show from 1976. mmmm. In the summer of 1976 Elvis was not at his best..But when I may choose rather a unreleased show then all those updated releases...
The sound must be incredible on this New Haven concert. I'm very happy with it, this tour is not so well known, I have the Hampton, Virginia show from 1-8. And the Hartford show is well known.Don't forget it's july 76, 25 days after the legendary great Memphis midsouth coliseum show. But we all know in 76 the shows vary from day to day. Let's hope he was in the right mood that 30th of july 1976! But this release is very welcome, better than those superfluous re-releases all the time.
Actually, I like the live stuff from 1976, well, some of it. But I don´t think it´s to Elvis´ favor, to release concert after concert with basically same material. I have the opinion that a new version was a new experience, and a new show was a new experience. But with the same tracklist all over it´s not gonna be that different. I hope it´s better sound than on "America". I hope the show is better too, even though that was a decent show, only with horrible sound
Love the live concerts although some are very much the same. How about a soundboard recording from July 19,1975 Nassau Coliseum, Ernest? Does anyone know if one even exists as this was the only show i ever attended and would love a good quality release.
Bring on Girl Happy with improved sound. And while you're at it Harum Scarum, Frankie and Johnny, It Happened At The World's Fair and Today. Even the sainted Viva Las Vegas has clipped audio in spots. But don't give the job to Lene Reidel or it'll be the same mess all over again. Of course, the job should have been done right the first time.
Hey Elvis fans. Why not re-release every FTD in improved sound? Then do it again in 5 years. We just love to keep buying the same stuff over & over again.
Like Elvis the label has lost its way! how about an april 72 show before rereleasing girl happy,as for the cover to new haven a clown did indeed design that masterpiece!
Steve v the truth is fans will do as you mentioned,its a circus,i hate to see it but its the truth,after the great release of the wonder of you, they take 2 step backwards,i will actually get the rerelease of rockin across texas and sell my still sealed book!
It's been 5 years since 'The Impossible Dream' release, thats why I think that FTD should have used a show from Nov.'71 but all the same I look forward to FTD's soundboard releases. While I do sympathise with opposing views & feelings against them, they have to appear eventually for FTD to honour their release policy of at least 1 show per tour/engagement. New Haven '76 is reportedly an above average show from what was an indifferent & unproductive tour. I really dig the classy cover art too with its 3-pose montage and color co-ordination - lets hope it reflects the content.
I think 'better' sound is always to be encouraged, Jerry Nodak is quite perceptive in his comments; there still is room for improvement on some of the soundtracks. Certainly it would save us all a lot of money if the job is done right first time, but maybe a better sound source has been discovered for 'Girl Happy'. Not quite so sure about updated graphics though!?
i own the entire RCA/FTD cd collection and i just recieved the new "jailhouse rock" and "sunset to las vegas" albums and i was well happy!-i am really looking foward to getting this new 1976 soundboard concert and i must get the vinyl edition of the classic RCA/FT cd "the jungleroom sessions"-it has to be the best /FTD cd ever released so far?!..my only gripe is that it's a very expensive hobby purchasing the RCA/FTD albums has they tend to release too many albums close to together and its very hard for the every day "Elvis Fan".(we just 2 new cd's,now we got 3 new cd's being released in october and a vinyl album being released in november-which will be at-least £40 for just 1 album.)
I say bring on "Girl Happy" but only if more outtakes are put on and if they've found the unedited versions of things like Meanest Girl In Town and Fort Lauderdale. Possibly there's scope here for a double CD. If FTD do that then I'll buy it.
unedited versions of fort lauderdale? shorter the better i would have thought. whats the point of buying a book and not opening it? its your loss as there are some great early photos of elvis. the new haven cover looks good, as does rockin across texas.
If your speaking to me,i had the rockin across texas before,so yes i have seen the inside of it,im not into picture books,if its your thing then rock on!
I'm looking forward to the New Haven release as it was my first concert. I've been listening to an audience tape of that performance for years and am thrilled to find this show coming out in SBD format. Anyone out there have a newspaper review of this show (or photos)? I attended the show as part of a bus tour from Albany, NY and we were out of town shortly after it was all over.
A 'credible version of Return to sender' ....tosh. I have the Fort BAxter 'Bicenteenial Elvis experience' soundboard and it's dire! And yes i know it was unplanned, unreheased etc but that doesnt make any difference. It's just plain embarrasing. If that's credible then HArem Holiday should get an oscar for best picture!
Elvis was bonkers by 1976 and shouldn't have been allowed anywhere near a concert stage. He did himself no honors with halfhearted attempts at classic songs like RTS just because his loyal subjects accepted anything he did. The thought of Wolf Call, Do The Clam, or Ft Lauderdale COC in improved sound is laughable. More silliness from the King than I never care to hear again. I'm buying Rubber Soul this week. Perhaps Sony/BMG should take a cue from EMI and re-release whats worth re-releasing in improved sound instead of garbage. OK - they did a good job on From Elvis In Memphis/Back In Memphis this year. There should be more releases like that and let FTD go its merry way.
Steve i still cant believe they are gonna rerelease girl happy,i mean what about the sound on the ftd of Elvis today? girls happy? are you serious? And of course he shouldnt have been on stage,his catalog will never be treated like the beatles catalog,Elvis and his fans are not thought of in the same way as the beatles and there fans,they know Elvis fans will buy pretty much anything thrown at them and pay top dollar as well,everytime i have made the argument of them having the real Elvis classics in stores,someone has an excuse of why they do that including cd's being on there way out,i guess no one told EMI!
Steve V, in your attack on both Elvis over his failings & FTD over there product selection you're indirectly insulting collectors who support them. There still happens to be a market for both movie soundtrack and live soundboard releases which happens to justify FTD's existance, even if it means documenting Elvis' career from go-to-woe. Yes Elvis was generally a spent force by 1976 but who knows 'New Haven '76 might be a more respectable show - to concert collectors like myself. You can't go much worse than the Aug 1 Hampton Roads gig anyway. No 'RTS'(that El did by request never having rehearsed it) wasn't a credible version but don't you think it's inclusion might be for rarity rather than artistic value? Releases documenting 1976 should be judged accordingly without expecting to hear Michael Crawfords 'Phantom of the Opera'. If you can't take the good from the bad than either stick to BMG's commercial product line or jump ship to another artist
Dazman - I have no problem with fans supporting the label or buying sub-par releases if that is what they want to do. So if you take it as an insult, so be it. I wont buy any of it. I'd rather see nothing than sub-par material surface and re-releases being issued. Someone pointed out when the label started we were treated to releases with all new outtakes and were not flooded with so many releases. That's when I supported the label and understood their aim. I'm afraid I don't get it anymore. Yes, I'd rather spend money on another artist, sorry to say. Anything is better than hearing If You Love Me Let Me Know again from 1976. When I play Elvis I basically play the BMG commercial product so you are correct there. Its what made him a star and it's how I like to hear him, at his best. I don't want to cringe when playing Elvis.
I wonder if there are any collectors on this site that collect every live concert. If so can you distinguise one show from another? If there is a collector that has everything please respond & tell me why?
Well i for one use to collect everything then one day woke up and had to ask myself what was i doing,i then sold off many cd's which for the most part were never played,some were never played,when isold off those cd's and kept the best of the best,i found myself enjoying my collection more, once i had gotten rid of the weeds so to speak i was then able to enjoy my music much better,as for any of us insulting fans,thats not the intent,the label derailed and many wont to ignore that,but as mentioned many more fans are feeling the same way,im all for great releases,but i just cant justify buying anything and everything anymore!
I do collect almost anything as far as concerts go. When I say "almost", I mean that I've shied away from some of the really bad quality ones. While most concerts are virtually the same for each tour, every once in a while I come across some unique stuff. For example.....I find that when Elvis thought the crowd was responsive/appreciative, he put more into the songs. You can really hear the difference at times. Many times he just kind of "walks thru" much of the stuff, especially teddy bear/don't be cruel and the like.........but there are also times when he puts alittle more in to them. I recently came across a JHR from '76 or '77, he liked the crowd response, and put some zip into it. That is exactly the kind of stuff I look for.
