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Exceeding All Expectations

March 17, 2009 | Music

Soon to be released will be a 2CD from the “Rainbow Records” import label will contain the complete performance of Elvis´ last show he ever did at the Sahara Tahoe casino resort is the closing show of May 9, 1976.

From the press-release:

Way back in 1993 the “MAC” label released this show using a stunning long-box format. Because this set sold out within a few months - being a real collectors item since then - we decided to give the very interesting content of the show another chance to be listened by as many fans as possible. And to make one thing clear: this show is a real must to listen to. Hear Elvis in a very relaxed mood, not caring at all that the hotel´s management is (still) desperately wanting to force him to do much shorter performances. In fact Elvis gives the crowd more than they probably expected, being on stage for the longest performance he ever did (a stunning two-hours set), singing, laughing and talking as if he would be together with a couple of friends right at his living room at Graceland!

While the first release of this show sixteen years ago suffered from being incomplete (on both editions) we have been able to find new – and different – sources of recordings. These tapes have a listenable, decent sound quality for a fine release. We mixed the tapes using the best of more than one source. Also the new Rainbow Records release will run at the original speed which is different to the MAC release from ´93. The result is – so far - the most definite release of Elvis´ final Lake Tahoe concert.

A few words regarding the content:
Of course, you will find the tracklist at the end of this announcement, but we want to point out some real beauties of this set. A rare and unrehearsed version of “Return To Sender” must be mentioned as well as another rarity: “Young And Beautiful”. “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, dedicated to Linda Thompson and sung with passion. Elvis tells a very funny story about the “Boat Scene” in the movie “Blue Hawaii” and even sings a few lines of his “Sun” classic “Blue Moon of Kentucky”. So all in all there is a lot to discover while listening to Elvis´ not only longest, but also very unusual show! As a bonus we have included David Briggs´ instrumental version of the song “Lady Madonna” which at the time was not only used for the band introductions but also appeared as one of the leading tracks on his solo album titled “Keyboard Sculpture”.

Don’t miss this release. You will get another classy 2 CD set from Rainbow Records. By the way: Needless to say that its booklet will feature great liner notes on 20 pages in full colour!

Tracklisting:

CD 1:

01 - Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss)
02 - See See Rider (traditional)
03 - I Got A Woman / Amen (Ray Charles) / (traditional=
04 - Love Me (Leiber / Stoller)
05 - When The Saints Go Marching In (traditional)
06 - If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (Rostill)
07 - You Gave Me A Mountain (Marty Robbins)
08 - All Shook Up (Blackwell / Presley)
09 - Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (Mann / Low) / (Blackwell / Presley)
10 - Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins)
11 - Return To Sender (Otis Blackwell / Winfield Scott)
12 - Heartbreak Hotel (Mae Axton / Tommy Durden)
13 - Story about the Boat scene (talking monologue)
14 - The Hawaiian Wedding Song (King - Hoffman - Manning)
15 - America, The Beautiful (traditional)
16 - Polk Salad Annie (Tony Joe White)

CD 2:

01 - Band Introductions (talking only)
02 - Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot)
03 - What'd I Say (Ray Charles)
04 - Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry)
05 - Drum Solo (instrumental)
06 - Bass Solo (instrumental)
07 - Tony Brown Piano Solo (instrumental)
08 - David Briggs Solo (instrumental)
09 - Love Letters (Heyman - Young)
10 - School Days (Chuck Berry)
11 - Wooden Heart (Wise - Weisman - Twomey - Kaemfert)
12 - Young And Beautiful (Aaron Schroeder / Abner Silver)
13 - That's All Right (Arthur Crudup)
14 - Blue Christmas (Billy Hayes / Jay Johnson)
15 - Hurt #1 (Crane / Jacobs)
16 - Hurt #2 (Crane / Jacobs)
17 - Hound Dog (Leiber / Stoller)
18 - Mickey Mouse Club March (Jimmie Dodd)
19 - Happy Birthday to y'all (traditional)
20 - My Heavenly Father (Martin / Gabriel)
21 - Guadalajara (Pepe Guizar)
22 - Love Me Tender (Matson / Presley)
23 - Danny Boy by Sherril Nielsen (traditional)
24 - Funny How Time Slips Away by Sherril Nielsen (Willie Nelson)
25 - Charity Announcement (talking only)
26 - Burning Love (Dennis Linde)
27 - Help Me (Larry Gatlin)
28 - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Ewan MacColl)
29 - Jailhouse Rock (Leiber / Stoller)
30 - One Night (Bartholomew / King)
31 - How Great Thou Art (Stuart Hine)
32 - Can't Help Falling In Love (Weiss / Peretti / Creatore)
33 – Closing Vamp (instrumental)

Bonus track (David Briggs):

34 - Lady Madonna (Lennon / McCartney)

Source:Email
Ronaldv wrote on March 17, 2009
Sounds like a winner to me, despite I have the Mac version from 1993 on cdr. The sounds must be better than the original, I assume. Very expensive times for elvis fans! Almost every week an announcement of a new boot??
I Saw the Light wrote on March 17, 2009
This is one of the famous Elvis shows I've been searching for for years. But it always went for around 100 USD or more on ebay. Perfect opportunity, finally! Better sound, more complete concert and nice booklet from Rainbow Records. I'm buying it!
Jerome-the-third wrote on March 17, 2009
won't be buying this only for an upgraded sound or booklet, sorry..
You Dont Know Me wrote on March 18, 2009
Sounds like a winner to me as the 1993 release was 'incomplete'.
Santa Claus wrote on March 18, 2009
We are starting to re-buy audience recordings. Did anybody use the "end of the barrel" phrase already? I'll skip it. I have one wall of my room full with bootlegs. That's on the left side. Now I soon have to start over on the right wall with a sign on the shelf "Same as on left wall. Only speed corrected". No friends. Thank you. Can't do that.
HangLoose wrote on March 18, 2009
I wanted to buy this concert,too,but i couldn't afford the original. Now i will get the show in better sound and in more complete form and for much less money! Hats off Rainbow Records,it was a very good idea to re-release this important concert. This is the last concert he ever gave in Lake Tahoe and also this is the most interesting concert in 1976. I hope it will be 100% complete now.
Erika Freiburger wrote on March 18, 2009
Very interesting track-list!!!! I'll buy it. This is a good label,almost as good as Straight Arrow. God bless them. Erika
Viva Las Chris! wrote on March 18, 2009
WHERE can one buy this?
Ciscoking wrote on March 18, 2009
One of the best shows from 1976 and the longest ever...in modern layout and improved sound and for the first time complete..why not ?? Rainbow Records already proved they can do it..
Pedro Nuno wrote on March 19, 2009
I'm not a 1976 Elvis concert fan. I have some shows from this Lake season, and all of then are long ones, BUT apart from the running time they are not that fantastic. Elvis performs is in low gear, not burning the concert and in a too quiet mood. The songs versions are nothing special or bombastic. Anyway this release as it is complete, and with better sound, maybe will be worth of listening.
I Saw the Light wrote on March 19, 2009
I forgot to mention earlier: PLEASE CHANGE THE TITLE gentelmen, it's extremely boring and uninspired.
SnOwMan wrote on March 20, 2009
Bad title but good concert!!!
eric c wrote on March 22, 2009
wow!!!!....what a wild set list.I don't think I've heard this concert before.