Here comes the second volume of the Straight Arrow's special mini-series focusing on "two-mic ambient live recordings": "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" (SA/SP 2010-02-02).
Originally, the label slotted the February 21, 1973 Dinner Show for Volume 2, but during pre-production several technical problems cropped up which require additional studio work. To keep the fans happy the Straight Arrow producers decided to unleash another "two-mic ambient tape" from their vaults, a Valentine's Day special: the previously-unreleased February 14 Dinner Show.
This concert was captured by the same person using the same equipment and settings as the February 15 Dinner Show heard on Straight Arrow's recent CD "Faded Love." Thus, the audio quality is just as terrific as that disc, but with the added bonus of Elvis giving a much better performance. "Faded Love" showcased an interesting, albeit odd, evening where Presley was under the weather and his voice far from his best. The new CD has an Elvis who appears much stronger, singing surprisingly well just one day before.
"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" features a fairly standard set list, with most songs performed at a high level. Among the highlights are "Steamroller Blues", "I Can't Stop Loving You" and a way cool performance of "Johnny B. Goode".
Like its predecessor, this new release will be presented in a beautiful digipak with all the necessary information and rare photographs. If you dug "Faded Love", we'll bet that you will love this one, too.
As a teaser, producers have included one track from the February 21 tape, a knockout performance of "What Now My Love," including a false start and a reprise. Again, the whole show will be out later this year under the title "I Can't Stop Loving You" (SA/SP 2010-03-02).
Straight Arrow is also planning another release, a jewel case CD with their standard 16-page booklet: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (SA 2010-16-02) and it will feature yet another unreleased Las Vegas set, this one from the August 30, 1973 Dinner Show, taken from the original source, a very good audience recording!
Tracks:
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me Tender - 05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 06. Steamroller Blues - 07. You Gave Me A Mountain - 08. Fever - 09. Love Me - 10. Blue Suede Shoes - 11. Heartbreak Hotel - 12. Johnny B. Goode - 13. Hound Dog - 14. What Now My Love - 15. Suspicious Minds - 16. Band Introductions - 17. I Can't Stop Loving You - 18. An American Trilogy - 19. Can't Help Falling In Love - 20. Closing Vamp / Announcements.
Bonus: 21. What Now My Love (with false start and reprise, recorded at the February 21, 1973 Dinner Show).
Approx. running time: 50:37