Gravel Road Music released another “oldie”, this time the January 29, 1971 Dinner Show, previously released on the 2001 label. Is it an improvement?

Design

We are used to it now, the great packages that Gravel Road delivers. This release is no exception on that rule. The 3 panel digipack is decorated with the man in his fringe suit, marvellous! The rainbow backside of Elvis Now is imitated on both the CD and some of the panels. The booklet has good information and has some great shots, mainly from early 1971 and some memorabilia.

Content

The sound is definitely improved compared to the original release. Still it is not perfect, unfortunately this great show has no better source. Elvis in a good mood, doing more great songs than mediocre treatments of oldies (as a matter of fact most of them get a good treatment too)… give it anytime in this quality, it is so much more enjoyable than a poor 1976 (or 1977) show in perfect sound(board) quality!
The extras are not really my piece of cake, but to each his or hers own. Snowbird never was one of my favourites and to have it so many times in a row is too much of the same and a telephone conversation… duh, it was more or less funny when I heard it for the first time on the Moody Blue & other great performances CD, but I certainly didn’t need it again. Gladly there is the option of stopping the CD after the show :-).

Conclusion

A perfect show in the best possible sound quality with for some people a nice bonus. I would say it is worth the upgrade and if you missed the original, I certainly hope you grabbed your chance!