Springtime Tours '76-'77

January 18, 2010 | Music

As recorded live from the mixing desk in Johnson City, TN, March 17th, 1976 tour opening, Charlotte, NC, March 20th, 1976 Evening show and in various locations, March-May, 1977.

The Audionics label will soon release the 2-CD set "Springtime Tours '76 - '77" containing previously unreleased stereo soundboard recording of the Johnson City, TN, March 17th, 1976 show, the original binaural version of Charlotte, NC, March 20th, 1976 evening performance and selection of stereo tracks recorded "on the road" from March to May, 1977.

Unfortunately both the March 17th and March 20th, 1976, 8:30 p.m. concerts were not captured in entirety. These tapes were recorded in binaural with the lead-guitar almost isolated in the right channel, probably due to an expected change of lead guitar-player. The March 17th, 1976 recording was mixed down to stereo and two songs were added in original binaural sound as a bonus. The March 20th, 1976 8:30 p.m. show (previously released as "RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT") is presented in excellent quality in its genuine binaural form.

These shows are fascinating to listen to, as Elvis’ band sounds totally different thanks to the new additions Larry Londin on drums and Shane Keister on keyboards, breathing new life into Elvis’ repertoire at the time. All 1977 tracks are stereo recordings made by Felton Jarvis, using an 8-track tape recorder.

Among the Johnson City concert highlights are a rare "Until It's Time For You To Go", the first live rendition of "Hurt" and a tremendous "Tryin' To Get To You". Unreleased 1977 highlights: "My Way" from Chicago, May 2, "That's All Right" from Abilene, March 27th, and finally another "My Way" - again from Abilene - including a beautifully recited spoken part!

This is a truly sensational version, and the spoken part will no doubt give you goosebumps. A remarkable find, and certainly one of the most interesting discoveries in recent years! Note: some previously released 1977 tracks are included, because they are taken from the original source and containing bits of unheard dialogues before & after each song.

This new Audionics production will be presented in double digipack with a 16-page booklet. All accompanying photographs were taken on March 17-18, 1976, in Johnson City, TN, March 20, 1976 in Charlotte, NC, evening show and on tour in March - May, 1977. This 2-CD set is expected at the end of January. No doubt this is one of the most interesting releases in ages...

Tracks:

CD 1:

01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra
02. C. C. Rider
03. I Got A Woman / Amen
04. Love Me
05. You Gave Me A Mountain
06. Tryin' To Get To You
07. All Shook Up
08. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel
09. Until It's Time For You To Go
10. Hurt (first live version)
11. Polk Salad Annie (incomplete)
12. Introductions by Elvis of vocalists, band
13. What'd I Say (James Burton, instrumental)
14. What'd I Say (reprise, James Burton, instrumental)
15. Drum solo (Larry Londin)
16. Bass solo (Jerry Scheff)
17. What'd I Say (Shane Keister)
18. Electric Piano & Clavinet solo (David Briggs)
19. School Day (Joe Guercio Orchestra)
20. And I Love You So (with break)
21. Fairytale (Chicago, May 2, 1977)
22. My Way (Chicago, May 2, 1977 - previously unreleased)
24. Love Me Tender (Norman, March 26, 1977 - previously unreleased)
25. Polk Salad Annie (Milwaukee, April 27, 1977)
26. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Duluth, April 29, 1977)
27. Big Boss Man (Duluth, April 29, 1977)
28. Trying To Get To You (Abilene, March 27, 1977)
29. That's All Right (Abilene, March 27, 1977 - previously unreleased)
30. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy (Abilene, March 27, 1977)
31. My Way (Abilene, March 27, 1977 - previously unreleased)

Tracks 01. - 20. recorded in Johnson City, TN, March 17, 1976. All tracks except for 06, 10, 17, 20, 21, 25-28 and 30 previously unreleased.

CD 2:

01. Amen
02. Love Me
03. Let Me Be There
04. You Gave Me A Mountain
05. Steamroller Blues
06. All Shook Up
07. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel
08. Hound Dog
09. Heartbreak Hotel
10. Polk Salad Annie
11. Introductions by Elvis of vocalists, band
12. What'd I Say (James Burton)
13. Drum solo (Larry Londin)
14. Bass solo (Jerry Scheff)
15. Piano solo (Shane Keister)
16. Electric Piano & Clavinet solo (David Briggs)
17. Introduction of Charlie Hodge
18. And I Love You So
19. Hurt
20. Burning Love
21. America The Beautiful
22. Funny How Time Slips Away
23. Fairytale
24. How Great Thou Art
25. Can't Help Falling In Love
26. Closing Vamp
27. Trying To Get To You (Johnson City, March 17, 1976 - original binaural)
28. Hurt (Johnson City, March 17, 1976 - original binaural)
29. Are You Lonesome Tonight (Norman, March 26, 1977)
30. Blue Christmas (Norman, March 26, 1977)
31. Heartbreak Hotel (Saginaw, April 25, 1977)
32. Mystery Train / Tiger Man (Saginaw, May 3, 1977)
33. Can't Help Falling In Love (incomplete, Saginaw, May 3, 1977)
34. My Way (Toledo, April 23, 1977)

Tracks 01. - 26. recorded in Charlotte, NC, March 20, 1976 8:30 P.M. and previously unreleased in binaural. Tracks 01. - 20. recorded in Johnson City, TN, March 17, 1976. Track 33 previously unreleased, track 34 is a previously unreleased stereo recording.

Source:For CD Collectors Only

JimmyCool wrote on January 18, 2010

I'll get this one fo' sure! The spoken part on My Way caught my attention right away!

You Dont Know Me wrote on January 18, 2010

This a a very good package, and remember we are NOT talking about 'audience recordings here!' I have heard the Abilene show from audience recording and its quite possibly the best show from that March 77' tour, thus ANYTHING 'new' and in great sound is extremely welcome! All the versions here of MY WAY are good versions and well worth hearing properly! It seems only about 50% of this 'package' is completely 'new' but then with this 2 CD set we are getting 2 full CD's NOT just 1 CD. Certainly one i'll be adding to my collection and with most of the MUCH REQUESTED opening tour show from 1976 presented HERE , FTD had better think of something else to release!?~

Ronaldv wrote on January 18, 2010

Nice release! But the audience Phoenix over Tennessee is a lot more complete than cd 1! Where's for instance How great thou art and heartbreak hotel? Such a shame. CD 2 is previously released as Running from president in already good sound. So, in myn opinion this should be better a single cd for 19,99 euro. A missed chance.

RJ wrote on January 18, 2010

Ronaldv, the concert isn't complete because only half of the show was recorded on soundboard. This is a great approach by audionics: "new" material and upgrades combined. I'll support these guys. My way from Abilene is a real gem. 2010 kicks off nicely with EOT blu ray, a Minnesota moment & this news including new 8 track recordings & stereo soundboard material.. Cheers.

Erna wrote on January 19, 2010

Can somebody please let me know where I can order these import cd's????

Ciscoking wrote on January 19, 2010

I think it is a must have..! Many songs released for the first time on SB and fine performances from 1976 and 1977...the 76 tour belongs to the the best of this year and the 77 performances are well chosen...highly recommendable..!!

Matthias Kuenzer wrote on January 19, 2010

Erna, try Ebay in some weeks.

Orion wrote on January 19, 2010

At first, this one really had me excited. I saw Elvis for the first time on this tour. Then as I looked closer at the set, i was disappointed. I already have "Running for President" - which is quite enjoyable - and as far as the Felton tracks, 10 of those have been released on FTD. I agree with Ronald, it should have been a single CD with only the Johnson City, TN, March 17, 1976 show with some bonus tracks from Cincy or Charlotte. I'd like to have the Johnson City show, but don't want to pay for a a two CD set when I have most of it.

Greg Nolan wrote on January 20, 2010

People who shelled out for the original versions long ago often say that, Orion but truthfully the quality of today's imports is much better for technological advance reasons alone. Presumably Audionics have upgraded the now fourteen (14!) year-old "Running For President" (Charlotte) tracks and they'll sound better, if this label's track record means anything. And since the Johnson City, Tenn. show was released only as an "A.R." (Audience Recording) on "Phoenix Over Tennessee", that explains why this soundboard is presented at the length of soundboard tape that exists, not as we wish it existed. I don't have either of the '76 shows so this is an automatic and I"d buy it again anyway as nearly all 21st-centry upgrades put to shame most of the '80s/'90s "first generation" of imports on CD. The '77 tracks are a nice way to round it out each discs show and it does say we get extra dialogue before and after the songs that you may have already. All in all, a good time to be a fan!

Orion wrote on January 20, 2010

Greg - I agree with wholeheartedly that today's upgrades are usually an automatic purchase. In the last few months alone alone, I've purchased "Prodigy" , "Homecoming", "Reloaded" etc.. They've all surpassed the original, but for some reason this set doesn't strike me that way. Maybe Lex's future review will change my mind, who knows ? I'm just not reserving a copy of this one, yet. I agree with you again that now and over the last couple of years have been a golden time to buy his music. Let's hope that the april FTD doesn't disappoint. Bring on "Promised Land", Ernst.

EPCadillac wrote on January 26, 2010

Now that's value for our money! Good work boys:keep them coming. If the soundboard quality is as good as the artwork, we'll be satisfied and will spend our money on more of such releases. FTD goes too slow for us with sporadic releases that we never know beforehand.

glenntcb wrote on January 28, 2010

Agree: great release and sur, quality for our money (if the sound is good) ! Wish FTD continues bringing us --especially this year!!-- more nice surprises in good Q and at reasonalble price, please boys.

eric c wrote on January 31, 2010

I love these guys at Audionics.....they are awesome.Twenty Days and Nights,Something and Stranger In The Crowd are just amazing.Wonder if this is where the Madison folks went.