Gravel Road’s latest outing is a release of the 2 shows (on 2 CDs) used for the infamous “Elvis In Concert” TV special (and soundtrack album).
Design
As a matter of fact it is amazing that GRM managed to do something tasteful with this material. It is the usual quality they deliver, with a lot of memorabilia in the booklet to decorate the informative text. Unfortunately there are pictures of Elvis too. The reproduction of the tickets are fun, but where do I save them? They don’t fit in my CD-cabinet!
Content
In case you didn’t know yet: 1977 is not my favourite Elvis year. The good sound quality of these CDs only shows more in what a terrible shape the man was during those final months. The first show starts with “Zarathustra” sounding out of tune, looking at later tape problems… that might be the cause, but my ears didn’t like it. Then we get a way too loud Charlie Hodge, who even sounds worse than Elvis in this poor shape. And I Love You So is disturbed by the before mentioned tape problem. Elvis is rambling throughout the show, especially during the intros. Add to that the rape of O Sole Mio by the singing saw and my nightmare on CD is complete.
The second show is slightly better (read: less bad). Unfortunately the rambling about JD’s low bass takes ages, it sounds like Elvis was in a mental labyrinth. Also remarkable is the rendition of Can’t Help Falling In Love where Elvis sounds as if he is doing the single on LP-speed.
Conclusion
A nice product, which didn’t deserve all the effort put in it in my not so humble opinion. This release stresses the wise decision of both EPE and Sony to avoid this material as much as possible.
Tracklisting
19.06.1977 Omaha
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra
02. C. C. Rider
03. I Got A Woman/Amen
04. That's All Right
05. Are You Lonesome Tonight
06. Love Me
07. Fairytale
08. Little Sister
09. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
10. And I Love You So
11. Jailhouse Rock
12. How Great Thou Art (Performed for the last time)
13. Band Introductions
14. Early Mornin' Rain
15. What'd I Say
16. Johnny B. Goode
17. Drum Solo
18. Bass Solo
19. Piano Solo
20. I Really Don't Want To Know
21. Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo
22. Orchestra
23. Hurt
24. Hound Dog
25. O Sole Mio (Sherrill Nielsen)/It's Now Or Never
26. Elvis’ saying “thanks” to Felton Jarvis, Bruce Jackson, Bill Porter
27. Can't Help Falling In Love
28. Closing Vamp & Announcements
21.06.1977 Rapid City
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra
02. C. C. Rider (with break)
03. I Got A Woman/Amen
04. That's All Right
05. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (Performed for the last time)
06. Love Me
07. If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
08. You Gave Me A Mountain
09. Jailhouse Rock
10. O Sole Mio (Sherrill Nielsen)/It's Now Or Never
11. Tryin' To Get To You (Performed for the last time)
12. Hawaiian Wedding Song (Performed for the last time)
13. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
14. My Way
15. Band Introductions
16. Early Mornin' Rain
17. What'd I Say
18. Johnny B. Goode
19. Drum Solo
20. Bass Solo
21. Piano Solo
22. I Really Don't Want To Know
23. Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo
24. Orchestra
25. Introduction of Vernon Presley & Ginger Alden
26. Hurt
27. Hound Dog
28. Unchained Melody
29. Elvis‘ saying “thanks” to audience and crew
30. Can't Help Falling In Love
31. Closing Vamp