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Elvis Return Of A Prodigy

July 29, 2009 | Music

From the producers of “Plugged In & Geared Up” comes a fully remastered and editted Las Vegas show from 1969 entitled "Elvis - Return Of A Prodigy". It contains the August 3, 1969 Dinner Show, straight from the original ‘69 reference mix. The CD will be released this August on the Gravel Road Import label. The show was originally released by the Fort Baxter import label in 1993 as “Opening Night

From the press-release:

Facts:
- The earliest known soundboard of 1969 to date;
- Newly discovered ‘69 audio;
- The differences between the later released shows of end August 1969 will strike you.

“Elvis - The Return Of A Prodigy”, will be released by Gravel Road Music in August!

This is the August 3, 1969 Dinner Show, straight from the original ‘69 reference mix. It is completely remastered and edited. This is the earliest soundboard to date of Elvis first Las Vegas engagement in 1969. It’s also only the sixth live performance he gave, the music is very different from the late August released live performances. This is to date the closest you can get to the opening show of July 31st, 1969

The liner notes are a review of somebody who actually was there, it will give you a very lively idea how it looked. The more than 50 photos of the same show (many in color) included will help you even more to imagine the first few shows of 1969. 

As an bonus we included some interviews prior to the opening show and original radio spots of 1969.

We hope at Gravel Road Music that you all are just as excited as we are about this release cause it’s a historical soundboard recording, placed in the right perspective.

Note:

The show itself was released by Fort Baxter in 1993 as “Opening Night” no edits were made at the time and an effect was placed on the audio to cover up the tape noise. Now it is upfront clear and very lively as a wild 69 show should be. For the ones who have “Opening night” or the copy from this show, this release will appear as if you hear it for the first time.

Tracklisting:

  1. Opening Theme
  2. Blue Suede Shoes
  3. I Got A Woman
  4. All Shook Up
  5. Love Me Tender
  6. Jailhouse Rock / Don't Be Cruel
  7. Heartbreak Hotel
  8. Hound Dog
  9. Memories
  10. Mystery Train / Tiger Man
  11. Life Story (Monologue 2
  12. Baby What You Want Me To Do
  13. Runaway
  14. Are You Lonesome Tonight?
  15. Yesterday / Hey Jude
  16. Introductions
  17. In The Ghetto
  18. Suspicious Minds
  19. Can't Help Falling In Love
  20. Interviews - Before Opening Night (July 31, 196921. Radio Spots From 1969
Source:Email
Ronaldv wrote on July 29, 2009
Where's: what'd I say?? It's not included here, in 1993 it was included from another show. Just another re release, the 20th this year! Great show, but well known from baxter already.
benny scott wrote on July 29, 2009
I missed the Fort Baxter release, so I'll welcome this one. Nice to have I guess . Always El.
Ton Bruins wrote on July 30, 2009
Yet another re-release, update, better sound...pfffff...and again nothing new. What do those guys expect that I gonna buy those Fort Baxter releases all over again ? Don't think so.
Santa Claus wrote on July 30, 2009
I think my ears are paralyzed or something. After 102 re-releases from great new found master and first generation tapes there is not one Concert-CD where I said: Whow. not to compare with the original. If there was hiss on the original, there is also hiss on the re-release. The only things that change are the amount of bass and the overall soundscape. Both can be reached with every cheap audio-editor. So, all re-releases sound 'different' from the originals. But 'better'? Maybe it's really me but I really can't see any reason for staying on this 'New tapes found' trip. I would appreciate any other opinion on that.
elvis sweden wrote on July 30, 2009
Great label Gravel road. I'm going to buy it. I have all the releases from Gravel Road, but I'm very tired too on these re-releases all the time. I'm so damn tired of it all. I have the old baxter too. It looks that i'm going to end up with 2-3 cd's from the same show's, but it's up to me. I'm not forced to buy it.
Steve V wrote on July 30, 2009
Why shouldnt the bootleggers re-release material? The main label does it all the time. How many of you are going to buy From Elvis In Memphis all over again just because of the supposed new improved sound and because they call it the legacy 40th anniversary edition? How many times have you bought the gospel songs, and FTD classic versions of albums? You see? It happens all the time with Elvis and will continue to happen forever because Elvis aint recording new music, so get used to it. This is what Elvis fans can expect till the end of time. You either go for it or be happy with what you have. I am happy with what I have. New technology can only do so much on music that was recorded 40-50 yrs ago. Elvis needs to be better represented on DVD however, and I aint talking Tunzi.
benny scott wrote on July 30, 2009
Right you are Steve ! And , like I wrote before, I'm glad with this re-release, 'cause, at the time I couldn't lay my hands on the the Fort Baxter-release. Always El.
theoldscudder wrote on July 30, 2009
I think the bootleggers have learned well from the legit label. Release & re release ad naseum. At least the bootleggers give you better packaging rather than the same tired pictures the legit label ususes over & over again. So at least they can get kudos for that. Ah ba.
FJE wrote on July 30, 2009
I agree with Benny Scott. I too had no access to previous bootlegs so I will definitely get this one. Those who already have it on Fort Baxter don't need to bother. No one is forcing anyone to buy them anyway.
Ciscoking wrote on July 30, 2009
My words......for newbies a must-have.....for ardent collectors worthwhile because of the fantastic modern sound upgrade...and layout...thumbs up..!!
Coronel Parker wrote on July 30, 2009
Santa Claus, I`m totally agree with you.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on July 30, 2009
Steve many fans attitude is if i have it thats all that matters,with all thats out there how could one complain about reissues,when like you said its fine for Ftd or the main label to do,Take a look at some of your classic album release from Ftd and tell me how much new material you have!
marco31768 wrote on July 30, 2009
"Gravel Road" label is working very very well ! Another welcome release.
elvis sweden wrote on August 04, 2009
Absolutely for newbies a must have.For me as an old collector that has already the old baxter release from 1991 I guess it not a must have, but gravel road is doing a very fine job with there re-releases no one can take that away from them.I hope they will last for along time to be?
Greg Nolan wrote on August 06, 2009
It's got to "smart" if you shelled out premium import prices for the original releases (and some of them will remain collectors items to some degree) but Steve V. is right that is par for the course for a long-dead performer. But I'll go one better and say that is a good thing... First, there is always some improvements in technology every five -to-ten years and as an example look at the praise heaped on Vic Aneseni on the new "Legacy" Edition of the 40th anniversary edition of FEIM. The imports also are thus improved (not that the originals are terrible) plus they have 2009-standard of a thick color booklet (16 pages is the new norm) in color, instead of a cheap two page insert and modest or missing notes. Elvis in '69 deserves it anyway! Gravel Road is a great successor label to those that came before. (Welcome back, Elvis News!)