The "Straight Arrow" label will release its 10th CD, entitled "Trying To Get To You" (SA 2008-10-02), in late August 2008. It contains an audience recording from May 25, 1977 as recorded live in Rochester, New York, Community War Memorial. The CD comes with a full-colour, 16-page booklet with approximately 40 photos from the actual concert, incl. some never-before seen ones according to the press-release.
The press-release:
Elvis' May '77 tour was very uneven, compared to all his earlier ones. He performed 14 shows in all, and at the beginning of tour, he was lethargic and looking really unwell. There were alarming moments, like when Elvis left the stage in Baltimore, MD, for 20 minutes or when he did very lackluster shows in Philadelphia on May 28th or in Baton Rouge on June 1st. However, as the tour progressed, on some evenings Elvis showed that he could still deliver. Recorded evidence shows that the best concerts are May 24-27, May 30 and June 2nd. The Rochester, May 25th, 1977 concert as presented on this CD was the 6th stop of the tour, and his 1st concert in New York State in '77.
Even in '77 there were moments of brilliance in some of Elvis’ concerts. In Rochester, Elvis appeared to be in a good mood and in strong voice, giving solid performances of "You Gave Me A Mountain", "One Night", "My Way" and "Hurt" among others. One song that deserves special mention is the title song. For some reason, "Trying To Get To You" was probably the only classic 50s track that Elvis always treated with respect - even in his last months.
The audio-quality of the recording is quite good. As you've come to expect from us, Straight Arrow managed to obtain the original tape as recorded by the same person that taped the Richfield '76 concert, which we released earlier this year. The recording was completely restored and the sound was upgraded for the best possible listening pleasure.
It's almost unnecessary to add that Straight Arrow will present this CD with a full-colour, 16-page booklet with approximately 40 photos from the actual concert, incl. some never-before seen ones.
The producers note that this concert was previously released from a substandard source, with the rather silly title "Jailhouse Rock Man In Concert" (Great Dane label, 1993). The sound of this CD – which also had a couple of glitches and mastering errors – is not to be compared with the rich and atmospheric audience sound on our new release. Why settle for a Lada when you can have a brand new, shiny Cadillac? Do yourself a favour and get this little beauty today. Rock with the King, '77 style – we assure you, even the cynics among you will be pleasantly surprised!
Tracklist:
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from "2001 A Space Odyssey") - 02. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Jailhouse Rock (with reprise) - 08. O Sole Mio (by Sherrill Nielsen) / It's Now Or Never (medley) - 09. Little Sister - 10. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) - 11. Tryin' To Get To You - 12. Danny Boy (by Sherrill Nielsen) - 13. Walk With Me (by Sherrill Nielsen) - 14. One Night (by request) - 15. My Way - 16. Band Introductions - 17. Early Mornin' Rain - 18. What'd I Say - 19. Johnny B. Goode - 20. Drum Solo (by Ronnie Tutt) - 21. Bass Solo (Blues - by Jerry Scheff) - 22. Piano Solo (by Tony Brown) - 23. Electric Piano Solo (by Bobby Ogdin) - 24. School Day - 25. Hurt - 26. Hound Dog - 27. Can't Help Falling In Love - 28. Closing Vamp & Announcements.
Approximate running time: 68:00
Trying To Get To You
August 02, 2008 | Music Source:For CD Collectors OnlyB_H wrote on
August 02, 2008
This is GOOD news! I love almost all the Straight Arrow releases, and the two other '77 shows they have out are great! Keep em' coming SA!
Linda Kovalcik wrote on
August 02, 2008
'Tennessee Starlight' and 'Going Back In Time' were both good releases so i will purchase this one,too.
Ronaldv wrote on
August 02, 2008
May 31st 1977 elvis performed in Baton Rouge, June 1st is was Macon, Georgia. Always nice to have the book: the Concert years! We scrape the bottom of the barrel again, where are the unreleased concerts like the old times? You can tell me what you want, but it is just another RE-release! I know SA is a great label, but a cdr from this release is good enough for me. I store it next to the great dane record release. btw: I hope there isn't someone among the readers who's driving a Lada!
Ronaldv wrote on
August 02, 2008
Wayup: I couldn't agree more, these are not the best shows our man gave, if I say it in nice words. But what I mentioned: unfortunately the date is wrong in the press-release.
Greg Nolan wrote on
August 03, 2008
Ronald V. - with all due respect, why come out here to advocate (in any way) for CD-R-ing the latest release of a label you yourself applaud? Please, I know you didn't mean much by it, but don't encourage this label-killing, anti-collecting trend. Imports at their best are labors of love, particularly upgrades. So this looks to be yet another fine upgrade by Straight Arrow. I was planning on tracking down the original GREAT DANE release but now I'll happilly go for the deluxe, upgraded version. It's a pity that those who collected often-subpar, mistake-laden (in a real way, as in mastering errors and absence of deluxe photos and liner notes) so often go about trashing new editions. I know it's painful for some budget-minded long-time import collectors (myself, I'm a loyal EP fan for 30 years but only joined the import parade a few years ago), but be honest that you don't like that new releases put the originals to shame...! Bring it on, Straight Arrow!
Greg Nolan wrote on
August 03, 2008
P.S. Ronald, I also have Stein Erik Skar's must-have ELVIS: The CONCERT YEARS, 1969-1977: the index quite clearly states that the King played the famed home of Eastman Kodak - Rochester, New York on May 25st, 1977, followed by the two, often-noted dates in Binghmaton, New York. What again was the problem with the press release above...?
Ronaldv wrote on
August 03, 2008
Greg, we can shake hands, I'm an Elvis fan for almost 31 years now...The last 7 years I bought an unbelievable amount of import cd's, so it is sometimes not really nice to read about another re release. I want the unreleased shows! There are enough of them still around. Look at Ernst, he releases a complete new soundboard form april 76. My problem is (as many other fans say): I just don't want to pay 21 euro over and over again the last couple of years for shows I already have, so I stick to a cdr. i have the great dane release and it's quite good. This is not label killing: I am sometimes just critical, nothing wrong with that. For you Greg: Elvis did not play Baton rouge June 1st (as stated in the press release)but May 31st 1977. I'm convinced that SA is going to make me (and us) very happy in the near future with other fine releases, no doubt about that!
BigVern wrote on
August 03, 2008
I do acknowledge that this label has produced some of the best audience recordings of the last year or two, but yet another re-release is very tedious. Sorry guys, but pass.
GeertFromNl wrote on
August 03, 2008
What is a re-release to you,that may be new to a younger fan. Buy it without hesitation and sell that old,inferior version you have.
SnOwMan wrote on
August 03, 2008
To BigVern: unreleased audience recordings (esp. the good sounding ones) don't grow on trees. Also these are not cheap. If you want a new one,buy that for yourself. We should be thankful for Straight Arrow for these upgrades they gave us in the last 3 years.
Jerome returns wrote on
August 03, 2008
"solid performances of "You Gave Me A Mountain", "One Night", "My Way" and "Hurt" among others"- please specify among others..
You Dont Know Me wrote on
August 04, 2008
I'll be getting this release for 2 reasons, 1.) its a straight arrow release and that speaks volumes about quality 2) its a good show and worth hearing!
BigVern wrote on
August 04, 2008
SnOwMan - easy tiger, my opinion. I'll decide what I spend my hard earned cash on.
Ciscoking wrote on
August 04, 2008
I know all shows of this tour and this one belongs to the better ..no prob with this show..go ahead, Straight Arrow..!!