FTD released a 2 CD set with shows recorded in... yes, Jackson, Ms. The first CD holds the September 5 1975 show and the second contains the one from June 9, 1975.
Design
The fold out has the "old fashioned" 5" format. Gladly most photos used are from 1975. The first inside panel has a short article on the benefit show Elvis did in the same venue in May 1975, the "CD-panels" has live shots and the last inside panel has 4 (live and candid) photos from both 1975 and 1976.
Content
The 1976 show is not Elvis' worst show of the year, but not more than okay. He was rushing through the set list as if he needed to do shopping just before closing time. The ever so boring introduction seem to take half of the show. At least he sounded as if he knew where and who he was. It is probably me, but Elvis' 1976 shows (and '77 for that matter) and I will never be friends, certainly not if Sherill 'Singing Saw' Nielsen is raping songs on his own. A pro is that this is the first outing of the show.
The 1975 show is more uplifting, and Elvis has a much stronger voice. He was not very serious and fooling around a lot, which gives an entertaining result. The show is almost identical to the other May/ June shows of 1975. The show had several outings before (Cut Em Down To Size, Leaving Jackson on Fire and Look Out Jackson Town).
Conclusion
For the die-hard collectors.
A great 2 CD release from FTD. The 76 show is perhaps one of the best for that year. IMHO, it rivals any of the shows from the late December tour. Elvis is in good voice and provides an entertaining show. The 75 shoe is very entertaining from a very entertaining tour. You can tell be the interaction between Elvis and the fans that he is enjoying himself as are the fans. His comments to the security guards is very interesting.
Thanks to FTD. Glad to have this one.
jb
When you are a fan of Presleys later live work this is the go to release for you. One of the best shows from 1976..a year that was marked by ups and downs. Fortunately we a have an up here.Without a doubt.
The show from 1975 speaks for itself, I think. I like these concerts very much. All in all I can only recommend this FTD double pack to all fans of such stuff.
This is a good 'package' and the 1976 show a good show(despite a couple of negative things-you may read about in my E.I.N. proper review) overall great sound HELPS GREATLY and Lex's comments DO NOT!~
The 1976 show is the real deal. It really is on par with the December 1976 shows. I actually thought during CC Rider that it was reminiscent of 1974. I enjoy all Elvis - including 1975 - 1977 - and know this FTD will get a lot of play on my CD player. I encourage everyone not to shrug this release off as "another 1976 show" because this one is special and has great sound. Thanks, Cisco.
What am I missing here? Both shows according to what's stated her as to the FTD CD say 1975 and yet people keep mentioning 1976-1977?
My initial statement should gave said here not her. Sorry. But I double checked and this CD definitely refers to something that appears incorrect as to the year of these shows. Anybody have a clue? Are they both from 1975?
Elvis did not had a show on 5 september 1975. Little mistake from Lex. It must be 5 september 1976.
To make it clear....we have Jackson, Sep 5,1976 and June 9, 1975. The second show was chosen by me...btw..hope you like it..the Sept 5, 1976 was Ernsts choice...and a very good one, really..one of the best shows from 1976 I have listened to.
i must admit looking back now i kinda laugh when i (think) we had 3 tour shows in a row recently from FTD i.e Jackson + 2 Hauntsville's from this 76' tour. as Lakeland(both show) were recorded AND 'decent shows' maybe we can get a twofer of those show too haha!~? pretty much Elvis was more or less 'ok' in performance from Sept 4th onwards this tour.
I really can't agree with the comment "one of the best shows in 1976". Same old songs as ever and the long boring introductions again. His voice sounds rather weak as the most time in 1976.
So no "best shows" in 1976..? Cannot be.
Ciscoking just my opinion. I listened to the show and nothing special to my ears. And let's be honest, the same old songs evening after evening. And his voice is just weak.
What counts for 1976..surely also counts for all other years..but agreed 1976 was a weak year but it did have good shows..and this one is one of them..
On the EIN site, "How Great Thou Art" reads "incomplete" on the two bootlegs of "A Capital Performance"... evening show of June 8, '75.
Two questions >> #1 - Is the bonus track of "How Great Thou Art" (disc 2) complete on this new FTD set?
#2 - Which of the 2 performances of "How Great Thou Art" on this new FTD set is better performed by Elvis... the '76 performance or the '75 performance? (I'm still trying to figure out if I want to buy it or not.)
Sure it is completeom the FTD...contrary to the boots
east to answer about How Great Thou Art performances- both (i thought) were complete, but the 76 version is STRONGER- more powerful commited from Elvis.
YDKM: re your twofer, I'd like to have the unknown Jacksonville gig coupled with either Lakeland gig.
You know what Dazman- i agree because (unfortunately) their is absolutely NO REASON/Need to ever hear those 2 Lakeland shows-yet most people are more than familiar with the Jackson June 9th 75' show!~-good point! Appreciated!~
Thanks for the replies concerning "How Great Thou Art".
Got my copy this week. The 1976 show should give concert collectors of Elvis' later live work a lot of encouragement with what could come. That's after a break from 1976 in FTD's release schedule. My favourites are an animated 'Mountain', 'Fairytale', a spirited version of 'America' where Elvis rouses up the band during it's encore and an energetic 'That's Allright'. Almost as good as the following nights version. The sound is much better here than what we hear on the 'Across the Country' boot. Identical to the 'Double Date' FTD.
That said however there's also a down side to the show. It's a bit too rushed as Lex points out. While it might benefit songs like 'Mountain', he doesn't seem to take time to soak in the occasion. I felt Elvis' 'kidney' comment against Felton Jarvis was way below the belt. Even sadder when you consider that he succumbed to renal failure less than 5 years later. Even Elvis' intro of the 'Stamps' by way of word play and not introducing them properly, was a bit disrespectful.
I can understand Joan Deary's choice for this show for the 'Golden Celebration' box, but I can also understand RCA's rejection of it too.
Well said AGAIN Dazman... sure the show has the 'negative' points you raise here, but at least its mostly well sung! well said!~
It's not a good show. Just a typical 1976 show during that time but ofcourse a little better than other dates in 1976 because that year just stuck the joint out ! Only the December 76 tour was good and the rest of the shows are mediocre, bad or below par.
I think its not a "typical" show from this year....its a good show...why should it be worse than the ones from December..? Elvis sounds clear and fit.....
