The next FTD 'Chicago Stadium' release is a 2-CD soundboard consisting of above average sound quality and features Elvis in absolutely great form. It’s packaged on a 5” gatefold digi pack with an 8-page booklet with many photos from the shows on October 14/15, 1976.
Tracklisting:
1) See See Rider 3:25
2) I Got A Woman / Amen 6:45
3) Love Me 2:42
4) If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 2:58
5) You Gave Me A Mountain 3:11
6) Jailhouse Rock 1:37
7) All Shook Up 1:31
8) (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel 1:59
9) And I Love You So 3:25
10) Fever 3:06
11) Polk Salad Annie 4:06
12) Introductions/Early Mornin’ Rain 1:44
13) What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode 8:04
14) Love Letters 3:05
15) School Days 1:19
16) Hurt 4:19
17) Love Me Tender 1:55
18) Hound Dog 1:46
19) Funny How Time Slips Away 2:41
20) Mystery Train/Tiger Man 2:38
21) Can’t Help Falling In Love 1:45
22) Closing Vamp 1:40
Disc 2
1) I Got A Woman / Amen 6:13
2) Love Me 2:36
3) If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 2:56
4) You Gave Me A Mountain 3:16
5) Help Me 3:37
6) Jailhouse Rock 1:35
7) All Shook Up 1:11
8) (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel 2:17
9) And I Love You So 3:21
10) Steamroller Blues 2:53
11) Introductions/Early Mornin’ Rain 1:02
12) What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode 6:55
13) Love Letters 2:12 (incomplete)
14) School Days 1:25
15) Hurt 2:49
16) Hound Dog 1:16
17) It's Now Or Never 3:24
18) Blue Christmas 1:40
19) Can’t Help Falling In Love 1:38
20 Closing Vamp 1:37
Recorded live on October 14 (Disc 1) and 15 (Disc 2), 1976 at Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois. The opening of the shows; “Also Sprach Zarathustra” and “See See Rider”(on the second show), were not recorded.
Musicians:
Guitar: James Burton, John Wilkinson, Elvis Presley
Bass: Jerry Scheff
Drums: Ronnie Tutt
Piano: Tony Brown
Electric piano: David Briggs
Vocals: Kathy Westmoreland, Sherrill Nielsen, the Sweet Inspirations, J. D. Sumner & the Stamps.
Joe Guercio and his Orchestra.
Compilation produced and art directed by Ernst Mikael Jørgensen & Roger Semon.
Mastered by Lene Reidel.
Mastered from cassette soundboard tapes.
This time they chose a nice photo for the front cover (for a change) but with those 2 oversized ticked they managed to destroy the final result. Bloody amateurs! As for the shows,both are out on bootleg so there's no need to re-buy them. Dear Mr Yorgensen,out of the 200+ unreleased soundboards you have in the vaults,why did you choose 2 average 1976 shows that are already out on bootleg? You are not talented in marketing,that's sure.
He chose these shows because the excellent Gravel Road label wanted to re-release the same ones (with better covers and titles). It was a disgusting move from Mr Jorgensen to say the least. What's the fuss about fighting with the bootleggers when you admittedly have about 250 soundboards to release? Are you proud of yourself now? Sometimes i really don't understand the official label.
These were very good shows and deserve an official release. This means that they will be available to all Elvis fans, also the musicians and songwriters will be paid what they are due.
WTF is this 'above average sound' all about?.......as a die-hard FTD follower i find myself amazed at the ever in creasing poor quality service we are getting from FTD and somewhat shody approach to the way we the fans are being treated?.
Come on Ernst play fair and do what FTD was meant to do and look after the fans and NOT treat us like bloody fools.
'Elvis in absolutely great from' - I think not. Chicago Beat from the 14th is a dire listening experience, nothing to do with sound quality either, just Elvis being the Elvis on stage in late 76. Why oh why yet another 76 recording? If it was any good, Ernst & Co would have released it long ago, instead of the garbage from the year we are now drowning in.
Ernst is talking B/S,he simply lies. I have both shows on 2 bootleg releases and Elvis is not in good form at all. He's tired and weak. Remember that just 1 week before this tour he got that phone-call from Red West that was taped. He has already knew about the upcoming "What Happened?"-book so no surprising that he was in bad mood and weak voice. There is only 1 good show from this tour (Richfield),but otherwise the whole tour is average at best with an uninspired Elvis. The good sound quality only makes this fact more prominent. He's out of breath,sounds tired and the track listings are boring. Just the regular set,nothing unusual.
Ernest,just because there is a small booklet in that ugly digipak,i definitely won't re-buy the 2 shows i already have! Try harder next time and give us something new!
Guys let's be honest! Ernst Mikael Jørgensen & Roger Semon are the best thing that happened in Elvis world, since Elvis death! Bootlegs were absolutely crucial to keep Elvis alive during decades mainly the 90' and early 2000. But we can not compare what is incomparable. 99% of bootlegs can release what ever they want, as long as they have the source, since they don't pay a cent to nobody, no royalties, no taxes, nothing. They only have profit thanks to us, fans. FTD is able only to release what have a minimum of financial profit, since they pay taxes, royalties, etc . So we must not compare two different worlds. About the show to be released. I’ll definitely pass. Elvis in 1976 is, with the exception of the final 5 days tour (and we have that already) is less than a shadow of himself. It's a sad parody.
I agree Pedro ! And for a lot of "new" fans this release is a good welcom for them.
Pedrinho,that's the funniest post i've read in this year!:) You say they make only a minimal profit. Then what let's say Madonna does? You can get most of her albums for $8. An FTD costs $35. And we are talking about 40-50 years old material from the archivum. Please open your eyes and try not to cry... Otherwise you're right: what FTD does is nothing else but a sad parody. How can they milking the fans for the zillionth time.
Well, FTD is there to make a profit and so are the bootleggers! Does anyone doubt it? FTD is an official release and therefore has to also pay taxes, royalties etc. As for how much Madonna’s CD’s cost I can tell you that they cost much more to produce than FTD’s but also sell much more, that’s why they have a smaller fee. I am thankful that someone (FTD) is still officially releasing ‘new’, alternate etc music by our man, more than thirty years after he died. There are music legends (e.g. Johnny Cash) that do not have all their albums released on CD, let alone unreleased tracks, alternate versions, outtakes etc.
And we are still complaining? If you don’t like, just pass. I agree that the sound quality, packaging, concert selection etc could be improved but I am glad I get as much as I do. I really like Marty Robbins for example and half his albums have not been released on CD. All we yet is a ‘new’ greatest hits package now and then… Cheer up, if you don’t like the latest FTD offerings just buy the bootlegs instead
And don’t forget FTD started with the additional goal to fight the bootlegs. It’s part of its purpose. We should not be surprised if they release shows scheduled by bootlegs!
we can shake hands jones ; ) there are without any doubt some FTD's haters around here,i'm not one of them and Elvis not in a good voice because of that upcoming book '''what happened""? that remark makes no sense at all, Elvis does not sound weak on these performances
They're not good shows. However I don't have a problem with FTD releasing this so those who didnt get the opportunity with the bootlegs can purchase. I have the boots of these shows so won't bother myself.
I'm not happy at the cost of FTD and feel they've made mistakes. However you cannot deny that broadly speaking Ernst has done a fairly reasonable job at getting this stuff out and pretty frequently too. Ive become far choosier in what i bother to buy. To be honest i've gotten a little bored with the numerous outtakes and soundboards and would rather spend my money on a new Wilco or Zac Brown release. That doesnt mean to say i cant get excited about future FTD's like Jailhouse Rock vol2 or the Hampton Roads concert from EOT if it should come.
No one is holding a gun to your head to buy these CD's. Tired of '76 soundboards? Don't buy them. I'm sure in time we'll all get what we want should it be in the vaults.
Nothing new. Re-releases,re-releases and re-releases. Jørgensen destroyed the FTD label. Once it was an o.k. label. Not good,but ok. There were a lot of new releases. But in the last few years they re-released so much well-known material. Dallas 76, Birmingham 76, Boston 71, both Chicago 76 shows, Opening night 74, rehearsal 74 and so on. It would have been fantastic 15-20 years ago but now it's nothing else but a joke. Too late...
The best thing about these releases,I find are the band introductions.Being a drummer myself I always look forward to a previously unheard drum solo,from the greatest rock drummer of the time.Occasionally too,we get a classic rendition of a particular track,when Elvis tries so hard to capture the magic one more time.
I agree with Jesse Garon in that vocally Elvis is in good shape on these - as a matter of fact he was a mere two weeks away from his first jungle room session. Surely, most would agree he was in strong vocal shape then. Then again, some think his last great vocal recording was "It's Now or Never". You know what they say - opinions are like butts - everyone has one and most stink. As far as these two, I'm glad they are being packaged together. I only have the import of the Oct. 15th show, and find it an enjoyable listen. I'm sure I'll pick this one up and sell my import. One last thought, I recall Gravel Road's advertisment saying both shows were complete; however, the info from FTD claims that the fist couple of numbers are missing from the tape. Anyone else notice that ?
So what exactly new are we getting here?
Regarding how much of this package is new, it depends. Depends on what, one might ask. If you already have both bootlegs, nothing. If you only have one of the bootlegs, the other concert is new. If you have neither of the bootlegs, as many fans don't, then the whole package is new.
you people compalin as if your the only people in this world. some peopel dont have the luxury of getting the bootlegs. i think its great they are releasing these officially. if you dont like it dont buy it its easy as that dont go trying to force others who havent ever seen or heard these concerts not to buy it just because you already have it on bootleg thats not fair to ftd/rca/sont the fans or elvis himself get off your high horses your not the only people in this world or the only people who post and read these articles that they work hard on.
Mofoca: You don't have the luxury to get bootlegs (what a joke given that you can easily get them through the "trade center" of various forums) but interestingly you have the luxury to buy the FTD's that are more expensive than the bootlegs. Strange to say the least:)
Theoldscudder: If you already have the bootlegs then here's the chance to get a new front cover for $30:) As for the cover,even tough Elvis looks good on the picture,those exaggerated tickets make the cover look amateurish.
Compared to the size of Elvis,the tickets look like bath-sheets:)
As long as FTD gets the sound right, the only correct strategy is to release already released boots. Like it or not. Shouldn't FTD release "Opening Night 1970" or "Greensborogh Revolution" because they are already released by bootleggers and some fans may have it? Shouldn't these classic concerts be a part of the official heritage? We have to remember that the life a bootleg is very limited (both timewise, accesswise and in numbers). And even if the bootleggers make better looking products, these are RCA/Sony/FTD property. Elvis-fans-all-over-the-world property! It should be available for all fans, music lovers and historicans for the future from the official source.
I understand that a re-release of a bootlegged concert may be annoying to the occational die-hard Elvis-snob that has everything, but in the long run (think 10 years from now), I think we will be very happy that these products were made official. If you are one of the annoyed ones, please skip it silence. I for my part want to support the official releases:)
I am happy with many of the FTD releases, as long as these are unreleased items. Lately I have skipped most of them as I already have the earlier versions. Yet, for those who are not in a position to get the bootleg versions, this is at all times a great label. And if you don't like a particular period of Elvis' career, just skip the release. There are lots of fans who do. The FTD is indeed Something For Everybody. For me as an older fan, I always remember how hard it was to lay hands on bootleg LPs and I enjoyed even the shabby recording quality and the hopelessly bad covers. Now I have these releases on CD and enjoy it even more! We cannot change the quality of some recording and for sure we cannot change history, so we have to do with what is there. Again: if you like it buy it. If you don't leave it. This being said I fully agree with the comments on the quality that is present day (design, date errors etc.) Mistakes are human, but there were quite a number of them in recent releases. Hope this one is 'flawless'.
It's the upteenrh time I have to agree with Natha, and there are some others here on this site who's postings are well balanced and give proof of common sence . Always interesting to read the postings of also Tony C, Orion, marty,Jesse Garon,Smile,Mofoca, John4126, Herman, etc.. My apologies for probably forgetting some others. These guys have no problem accepting the fact that not everything is perfect , but at least they do not slam or bash every released CD of our man and the people involved with the release. Some others most of the time are negative about almost everything that sees the light of day, nothing is OK, it's crap, it's ripp off etc.. etc... They have the right to have their opinion, only, but it's a pitty that they seldom have a positive view to write down.Well, so be it .To each his own ! Always El.
Thanks, Benny, I always find your postings very interesting, as well as those by the other guys and gals you mentioned.
Thnx benny scott..nice reaction : )
and thank you too Tony C : )
Many thanks benny & Tony C. Let's all keep up the good spirit despite sometimes having different opinions...
ALL FANS... Name me any other artist who has album releases as much as Elvis has.No!!! This guy's been dead for 33 years and we are able to have 8 FTD albums in a year. I thought first, these FTD titles would be per 6 months. Don't you think you are a little bit spoilt ??? THERE'S NO ONE IN MUSIC INDUSTRY who gives his/her fans 8-9 albums PER YEAR. If you don't love the album then DO NOT BUY IT. Wait for other releases. And accept that Elvis is no longer with us !!! Please.
To the serious Elvis collectors: Boycot these FTD releases that do not give value for the money ! FTD is for the serious fans but FTD simply releases material that any serious fan already has...Boycott FTD until they release something worthwhile.
Indeed, Benny Scott, thank you for your reaction. Although I skipped buying some FTDs, it is not that I don't like their releases. It is just that I have other versions (unlike quite a number of other fans). Also I agree fully with the statement of Sirbalkan. So if one does not want all, no need to bash the releases. The outtakes were NEVER meant to be released. It is just us fans who like to hear it. Hence it is inappropiate to bash FTD or (as some seem to do) Elvis himself.
Sirbalkan : how right you are ! Hi ernst blofeld, i would appreciate if you'd tell us what you mean by "FTD releasing something worthwhile".An example pls ? Is it really necessary to ask fans to boycot FTD ? No one can deny the label released some very good stuff in the past . Agreed that it was not always "bull's eye", but that's no reason to condemn the label "an sich". Always El.
Sirbalkan, you have nailed this one right on the head, I could not agree more. When Elvis died, I thought that was the end of the music and that there would be nothing more to release. I could never have imagined that over thirty years later we would still be hearing so much previously unheard material. Some Elvis fans think they they are very hard done by and some have even said that Beatles fans fare better. That could not be further from the truth, in the forty years since The Beatles split, they have just been given the following few new releases. The Hollywood Bowl live album (still unreleased on CD), the "Live at The BBC" double CD, the three "Anthology" double CDs, the original "Get Back" version of the "Let It Be" album and the "Love" mash-up CD. That counts for just eleven discs worth of unreleased material in forty years, Elvis fans get that much every two or three years!
Thank you for the notification benny:) A smiling nod to the other positive people as well;)
for me FTD usually hits it outta the park.I'm anxious for this one.Not 1 but 2 concerts...can't beat that.
