Tuesday, February 23, 2021

February 23 - Comeback Vinyl for the Queen



Thunder Bay Press announced the (re)release of Steve Binder's 192-page book 'Elvis '68 Comeback - The Story Behind The Special' with a foreword by Baz Luhrmann. The book is due April 12, 2022.


From the publisher: A full-color chronicle of the 1968 comeback performance that marked Elvis Presley’s return from the screen to the stage. Includes exclusive content from the show’s director, Steve Binder.


Take a tour behind the scenes of the NBC television special that relaunched Elvis Presley’s career as a stage musician. Author Steve Binder - who directed the TV special - provides exclusive content that gives fans even more insight to the performance that many see as a high point in the King’s reign of American music. And acclaimed director, writer, and producer Baz Luhrmann provides the foreword. 'Elvis ’68 Comeback' includes full-color photographs and detailed commentary on the show’s development and production, making this an excellent addition to the shelf of every Elvis fan.

Record Store Day Previews

Here are the cover-art, colored vinyl and picture disc for the 2021 Record Store Day releases from the French LMLR label. The picture disc LP is entitled 'Sings The Mad Professor' - Elvis' nickname for Ben Weisman who (co-)wrote 57 songs for Elvis Presley - and the double LP 'Cafe' Europa En Uniforme' ('G.I. Blues') which comes on green and pink cornetto colored vinyl.


Return To Queen City Of The South

The Audionics import-label announced the release of the 3CD set 'Return To Queen City Of The South', featuring Elvis Presley's performances from March 20th 1976 and from February 20th and 21st 1977, all recorded at the Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC. 

From the press release
: In 2010 Audionics label released fantastic double CD called 'Springtime Tours '76 - '77'. We have presented a bulk of the Johnson City, TN, March 17th, 1976 tour opening show in the straight stereo mix and Charlotte, March 20th, 1976 evening show in the pure binaural sound as well as the selection of various 1977 stereo live recordings. 

Now, we believe, the right time has come for the ultimate upgrade of March 1976 material combined with two Charlotte shows from 1977!

It is not widely known that in 1977, Felton Jarvis planned a release of the great version of "America The Beautiful" and some other tracks from Charlotte 1976 show on a country flavored studio / live compilation album 'Welcome To My World'. Unfortunately, it did not materialize. Nevertheless, we have obtained his original old stereo mix and restored it for our release!

For the February 20th, 1977 a different source than FTD has been used. February 21st, 1977 was newly mastered from same tape source as the 1995 Fort Baxter CD release 'Moody Blue and Other Great Performances'. 

As a bonus, you will find a selection of pre-show tracks performed by J. D. Sumner and The Stamps and The Sweet Inspirations in 1976 / 77. Yet another addition presented reveals a part of the Johnson City, March 17, 1977 show in previously unreleased authentic pure binaural sound (as it was recorded) with James Burton's lead guitar isolated in right channel. Back then we mixed this show into the stereo image. We have added a set of various tracks taped in February - June 1977, as well. All bonus tracks have been freshly restored and mastered from the scratch and there are unique mixes of songs like "Steamroller Blues" from Austin, March 28 or "Unchained Melody" from Rapid City, June 21, 1977. You need to indulge the tones to judge for yourself!

This CD is presented in 3CD digipack with a great collection of high quality concert recordings from Elvis' performances in Charlotte, NC, March 20th, 1976 and February 20th and 21st, 1977 8:30pm evening shows.

Tracks: 

CD 1 - 03.06.1976 - The Pre-Show Act: Your First Day In Heaven (J. D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet) - You'll Never Walk Alone (J. D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet) - When The Saints Go Marching In (J. D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet) - Philadelphia Freedom (The Sweet Inspirations) - Lady Marmalade (The Sweet Inspirations)

The Elvis Show - 20.03.1976 E/S: Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra(17.03.1976 Johnson City) - C. C. Rider(17.03.1976 Johnson City) - I Got A Woman / Amen(Spliced With 17.03.1976 Johnson City) - Love Me - Let Me Be There - You Gave Me A Mountain - Steamroller Blues - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - Hound Dog - Heartbreak Hotel - Polk Salad Annie - Introductions By Elvis Of Singers, Musicians - What'd I Say (James Burton) - Drum Solo (Larry Londin) - Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - Piano Solo (Shane Keister) - Electric Piano And Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) - And I Love You So - Hurt - Burning Love - America The Beautiful - Funny How Time Slips Away (With False Start) - Fairytale - How Great Thou Art - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

CD 2 - 20.02.1977 E/S: Love Me - Fairytale - You Gave Me A Mountain - Jailhouse Rock - O Sole Mio (Sherrill Nielsen) / It's Now Or Never - Little Sister - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - My Way - Moody Blue (False Start Only) - How Great Thou Art - Hurt (With Reprise) - Hound Dog / My Wish Came True (One Line) - Unchained Melody (With False Start) - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

17.03.1976 Johnson City: And I Love You So (With Break) - Introductions By Elvis Of Singers, Musicians - What'd I Say (# 1 - James Burton) - What'd I Say (# 2 - James Burton) - Drum Solo (Larry Londin) - Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - What'd I Say (# 3 - Piano Solo, Shane Keister) - Electric Piano And Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) - School Day (Joe Guercio Orchestra)

28.03.1977 Austin: Steamroller Blues (Overdubbed Version)
29.03.1977 Alexandria: Why Me Lord (Matrix Mix Version)
21.06.1977 Rapid City: Unchained Melody (Remixed Single Master)
27.03.1977 Abilene: My Way

CD 3 - 21.02.1977 - The Pre-Show Act:
Do Your Thing / Hey, Did You Give Some Love Today? (The Sweet Inspirations)

The Elvis Show:
Are You Lonesome Tonight (With False Start) - Reconsider Baby - That's All Right (False Start Only) - Love Me - Moody Blue - You Gave Me A Mountain - Jailhouse Rock - O Sole Mio (Sherrill Nielsen) / It's Now Or Never - Little Sister - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - My Way - Release Me - Hurt - Why Me Lord (With Break) - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp

13.02.1977 West Palm Beach:
Fever - Blue Suede Shoes - Blueberry Hill

(Source: Elvis Club Berlin / Amazon / Fan Shop Poland Facebook)