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Heavy Times

April 05, 2007 | Music
To be released shortly on the MxF label will be their second release entitled "Heavy Times!" featuring the Vegas performances on January 28th 1971, midnight show and January 29th 1971, dinner show.

The January 28, 1971 MS was previously released on "Lean, Mean And Kickin' Butt"while the January 29, 1971 DS previously saw the light on the import release entitled "Snowbird".

Synopsis:

For the first time, both the performances remastered from the original sources will become available on a sole CD. Although these two concerts were released on two separate imports some years ago here we have the opportunity to listen to both shows in better, improved sound. Using the original source tape we were able to keep Elvis' vocal power central to the mix whilst at the same time giving a new definition to the supporting musicians and singers.

Elvis' performance on both nights is superb as he is still performing to the best of his ability. Although he delivers two short shows they are delivered in a very intense, crisp and fresh manner that cannot be denied. Elvis was on stage to have fun and demonstrated this during the older, classic numbers, but songs such as 'Polk Salad Annie', 'You've Lost That Loving Feeling' and 'Sweet Caroline' never sounded better. The season will be remembered for the introduction of the new opening composition 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' which although written by Richard Strauss in 1894 was more closely associated with the Stanley Kubrick film '2001 A Space Odyssey', a recent cinema release. As we now know this thunderous opening would be used until the final concert Elvis performed. The season will also be remembered for the beautiful new closing number 'The Impossible Dream' which Elvis sang with power and feeling giving us proof that Elvis continued to grow as a performer.

Packaged with a 16 page professionally edited booklet this picture disc CD will be accompanied by relevant liner notes and with over 27 photographs of the Elvis NOW suit from this season. These are not new shows, but the package and the 79:40 minutes of superb music definitely gives us something different, a different kind of product! The definitive product in reference to Elvis from January 1971, Don't Miss It!

Track list :

01. 2001 Theme / 02. That's All Right / 03. I Got A Woman / 04. Love Me Tender / 05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / 06.Sweet Caroline / 07. You've Lost That Loving Feeling / 08. Polk Salad Annie / 09. Johnny B Goode / 10. Something / 11. The Wonder Of You / 12. Heartbreak Hotel / 13. Blue Suede Shoes / 14. Hound Dog / 15. One Night / 16. Teddy Bear / 17. Suspicious Minds / 18. The Impossible Dream / 19. That's All Right / 20. I Got A Woman / 21. Love Me Tender / 22. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / 23. Sweet Caroline / 24. You've Lost That Loving Feeling / 25. Polk Salad Annie / 26. Johnny B Goode / 27. Something / 28, Heartbreak Hotel / 29. Blue Suede Shoes / 30.Teddy Bear / 31.Hound Dog / 32.Snowbird / 33.The Impossible Dream.
Source:For CD Collectors Only
Ronaldv wrote on April 05, 2007
I'm sorry, but a superfluous cd for me. The original boots are marvelous enough! The sound of these are all right to me! I spend my bucks on a real unreleased concert. (I'm so tired of this never ending re-releases lately)
Ronaldv wrote on April 05, 2007
Indeed, Heavy Times for an evis fan these days..They couldn't give it a better name! But if you don't have the originals, do not hesitate to buy it
FLY-TROUBLE! wrote on April 05, 2007
Even if you don't have the originals,HESITATE to buy it! One day a reliable label (Madison or Fort Baxter) will release them in really improved quality.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 05, 2007
Heavy times? whats does that mean? isnt that an expression from the 50's if its not then i sure have no clue to what it means,and i agree this sudden run of rereleases is getting to be a bit annoying and by labels that dont really have a track record yet!
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 05, 2007
By the way this is the same label that gave us patch it up,a complete joke of a release,so indeed they have no track record,well not one thats good anyways!
benny wrote on April 05, 2007
im going to get this because i have the 1st mxf release n the sound was great and i dont have these shows on cd and there isnt alot of soundboards from 1971 n i think it is his last great year from what i have heard.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 05, 2007
71 his last great year? I couldnt agree with that,72=madison sqare garden & Those great shows as recorded for Elvis on tour, 73+aloha as well as some great shows, 74=Some really great shows, many of them in fact, 75=great may june an july tour ! and so on
ImThCat wrote on April 05, 2007
Heavy Times? I expected a disc from '76 or '77 when he was fat. If it had been, it still probably would have been better than these two short shows with poor setlists. For historical purposes I suppose it is nice to have one of the shows closing with "The Impossible Dream," but why was he singing that crap, and closing with it at that? "Sweet Caroline," "Something," "Snowbird" in place of "Suspicious Minds" too? What was he thinking? Was Perry Como filling in for him that night? Thankfully the late 1971 tour did feature some enjoyable shows that are available in decent sound. Being an Elvis fan can be so frustrating.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 05, 2007
I know why did he even bother living in 76, he was so fat,can you imagine what he heard from those who dont claim to be his fans? and some might like the songs u call crap, its all a matter of oppion,and everyone doesnt stay a size 32 all there life, as for this disc ill pass,i dontl ike the label and im sure fortbaxter will release something from this 71 period!
Ruthie wrote on April 06, 2007
What is it with people (including those who claim to be real fans) & their obsession with Elvis & fat? What does his weight have to do with his voice? He sang magnificently until the end. None of us look like we did 10 yrs ago - well, most of us don't! If this CD features concerts from 1971, he was hardly fat! He never looked better. He was absolutely in great shape for the 73 Aloha special even with being only a few lbs over at that time. I will never understand what his weight or personal problems have to do with his fantastic music legacy. If you don't like the CD, don't buy it but don't blame it on his weight! As for the person who doesn't understand why Elvis even bothered to live in 1976 since he was so fat, who made you judge & jury? How shallow is that!
JimmyCool wrote on April 06, 2007
Couldn't agree more with Ruthie ;) About the title, one of the worst titles in history!
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 06, 2007
Ruthie please go back and read my post,i was being sarcastic,i have never nor will i ever put anyone down for there weight,i cant udnerstand why people talk about this issue when its not a issue to begin with, its about music,thats what is wrong with this world, everyone has to look and be perfect ,which none of us are,wow did you misread my post! The line of why did he bother living when he was so fat was in responce to the person who wrote about thinking it be a show from when he was fat!
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 06, 2007
ALso you will notise the line i wrote that everyone cant stay a size 32 all there life!
Ciscoking wrote on April 06, 2007
Like someone metioned below...Heavy Times...for us fans..I am fed up with these re-releases of excellent boots..
Lefty wrote on April 06, 2007
Way to go Ruthie! I'm always bemused by the comments about how Elvis looked. The comments are kind of bizarre in light of the fact that Elvis is deceased. If you go with that logic, you might say that he looks really bad now! Anyway, I'm thrilled to get two complete shows on one CD. I have neither of the previous releases, so this one will be a real find. I wish FTD would take a clue from the booklets that accompany these releases. They make for a great package.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 06, 2007
I find it pathetic myself,and most of the comments come from guys. lol like you cant enjoy the music if hes gain some weight,some act like it takes something away from the talent,i find myself enjoying his later music more and more ,it got so richer!
ImThCat wrote on April 07, 2007
My comment regarding the fat Elvis was more aimed at how these releases are often titled and contain photographs that have nothing whatsoever to do with the time frame of the shows they contain. That bugs me...there are enough photos out there from each time period in Elvis' career that there is no excuse for that to happen. Same with the title...they could have come up with something other than "Heavy Times." It has no meaning, unless Elvis maybe said it in one of the shows or something, but there is no indication that he did. They could have done much better with the title. As far as Elvis gaining weight, that's just the way it was. I would have hoped that had he not died, he would have shown the professionalism his career field sometimes demands and pulled himself together to lose the weight and reclaim his spot as one of the great live entertainers of his time. I saw him in February 1977 and he was still a true superstar...his voice was great, his smile and eyes were magnetic and you couldn't take your eyes off of him, but he wasn't the performer he had been just a couple years earlier and could have been then...by the end, the "Heavy Times" so to speak, he was just coasting until his time ran out. All that aside, I think the HT packaging looks nice. I really haven't seen that many photos of Elvis in the "Now" jumpsuit...he must have only worn it a time or two. When I bought the pathetic budget "Burning Love" album when I was a kid, one of the appealing things about it was that it included a picture of Elvis in that suit. If not for that enticement, I could have been satisfied with just the single. What a blockbuster that "Burning Love" album could have been if they had filled it with the new material they had in the vaults instead of tacking on a bunch of mediocre movie songs to a hit single.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 18, 2007
Imthecat, he was also human,he was more than just singer,he not only lost his career but also his life,i really think sometimes thats forgotten,no offence,just saying is all!
sal05 wrote on June 09, 2007
Fellas, thanks for all the comments and it's great conversation definitely. But back to HT, good or bad title, just listen to E singing The Impossible Dream..although you can tell they are still working to get it 100% on par, there are moments where the man is delivering some excellent phrasing and in top voice I might add...one time one of the Sweet Inspirations said that records have never been able to capture how truly amazing Elvis sounded in the studio and live. In rare packages like this one maybe we can get a glimpse......Agree on FTD, they clearly need to get their act together, I spent 30$ for I Found My Thrill, sound was mediocre and the package sucked completely...very sad...