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Before Darkness Falls

December 30, 2011 | Music

Elvis' 1973 "Summer Festival" was his ninth month-long stand in Las Vegas since July-August 1969. Reviews noted his excess weight and half-hearted performances. But, despite bad press, health issues and a 1967 marriage that would soon end in divorce, Presley slowly warmed to his always-thrilled fans.

The songs here, from his Sunday shows on August 26th, 1973, are a good example of this warmth. At both shows Elvis welcomed the presence of Lisa, his beloved daughter, then just five and-a-half years old. Obviously, she provided additional inspiration for her dad. In fact, there are several rare highlights, including "A Big Hunk O' Love," "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Release Me" and "How Great Thou Art." And for fans of legendary bass player Emory Gordy, Jr., these would be among the last dates he would ever do with Presley.

Both the Dinner and Midnight sets are taken from a 24-bit digital transfer of the first-generation copy of a privately-recorded 120-minute cassette. The sound was painstakingly restored for your listening pleasure. The August 26th, 1973 Dinner show is previously unissued, while the Midnight show was released in substandard mono by Memory Records in 2002 ("Caught In The Act"). Straight Arrow presents both shows in superb, "two-mike live ambience" stereo sound. Like its predecessors from Straight Arrow Special Products mini series, this new release will be presented in a beautiful digipack with all the necessary information as well as a collection of photos taken during the September 1st, 1973 dinner show.

Tracks:

CD 1 - August 26, 1973 Dinner Show
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. Steamroller Blues - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Blue Suede Shoes - 08. Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Your Mama Don't Dance / Flip, Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog - 09. Love Me Tender - 10. Fever - 11. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 12. Suspicious Minds - 13. Introduction of Vocalists, Musicians - 14. Introduction of daughter Lisa - 15. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 16. I Can't Stop Loving You - 17. An American Trilogy - 18. A Big Hunk O' Love - 19. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love - 21. Closing Vamp / Announcements.

CD 2 - August 26, 1973 Midnight Show
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. Steamroller Blues - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Blue Suede Shoes - 08. Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Your Mama Don't Dance / Flip, Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog - 09. Love Me Tender - 10. Fever - 11. What Now My Love - 12. Suspicious Minds - 13. Introduction of Vocalists, Musicians - 14. Release Me - 15. An American Trilogy - 16. Introduction of daughter Lisa - 17. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 18. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - 19. Johnny B. Goode - 20. How Great Thou Art (with reprise) - 21. Can't Help Falling In Love - 22. Closing Vamp / Announcements.  

Source:For CD Collectors Only
Johnny2523 wrote on December 31, 2011
heard those shows in good audience, and can say those 2 are amongst my favourite concerts. I find this ''painstakingly remastering'' interesting,and knowing the sound will be great after hearing the preceders of ''Straight Arrow''. This label rocks
Ciscoking wrote on December 31, 2011
The sound is excellent...the shows are decent. The DS is new on silver disc. The MS we had a few years back on Caught In The Act.
theoldscudder wrote on December 31, 2011
Very misleading title as darkness had already fallen. Everyone have a healthy New Year.
Lefty wrote on December 31, 2011
I'm sure this will be a fine release. For me, the problem has become over saturation. There's simply too much, too similar, too often. I've about reached my Elvis capacity. I'll keep my eye out for that one and only show I still really want on the official label (Hampton Roads, 1972). I doubt I'll be buying any other Elvis releases, import or otherwise, in 2012.
Ciscoking wrote on January 18, 2012
I have it..and I am very pleased..sound is excellent on both shows with the second one even being a bit better. Great release really..