Memphis HeatThe Touchdown import label announced the release of the CD 'Memphis Heat' containing the unreleased evening show from March 16, 1974 as recorded from the audience in Elvis hometown in Memphis, TN. It offers the King's second performance in Memphis after 16 years of absence. The CD is due in the first week in June.
Fifth Time Around
The Audionics import label announced the release of the legendary March 20th, 1974 performance by Elvis Presley as recorded in his hometown Memphis, TN.
From the press-release:
The legendary March 20th, 1974 Memphis, TN concert has been released on a number of occasions, beginning with RCA's original 1974 LP edit with artificial applause mixed in. In 1994, a more complete, unofficial version was issued by "Fort Baxter". It was, however, a patchwork from several different sources incl. many tracks taken from the original RCA LP with overdubs.
In 1997, "Steamroller Blues" was issued in pristine quality on "Platinum - A Life In Music". Finally in 2004, BMG's "Follow That Dream" the Elvis collectors label reissued this show nearly complete, in a beautiful deluxe package. But was it the definitive release? For die-hard fans it wasn't, and some viewed it as a letdown. Parts of the dialogues, introductions and even the false start of "Help Me" were omitted, and many have complained about the sound and mixing. Clearly, too much compression and artificial reverb had been applied.
Well, at long last this legendary set is now truly complete, and without the audio choices made by FTD several years ago. Audionics worked with a DAT copy of an original, rough mix tape "as recorded at the Coliseum". Every bit was carefully enhanced in a renowned studio to achieve the best possible quality for your optimal listening pleasure. We hope that you enjoy the results.
No remixing. No noise reduction. No edits. No artificial reverb or other added effects. No heavy compression. Just a pure, raw and natural sound. The King back in his hometown Memphis, on the 20th anniversary of his first release "That's All Right Mama". Elvis was in great form for this recording, and now, for the first time, you can enjoy the excellence of his performance that night in the best-ever sound!
This CD will be released in digipack accompanied by 20-page booklet with many photos from the concert and an interesting essay.
For many, this concert remains the definitive, mid-70s document of The Elvis Presley Show. And that's all right. If you are not satisfied with previous releases of this show, don't miss your chance to obtain this alternate version as provided by Audionics. A decision you will not regret!
Track listing:
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. Tryin' To Get To You - 06. All Shook Up - 07. Steamroller Blues - 08. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 09. Love Me Tender - 10. Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Your Mama Don't Dance / Flip, Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog - 11. Fever - 12. Polk Salad Annie - 13. Why Me, Lord - 14. How Great Thou Art - 15. Suspicious Minds - 16. Introduction of vocalists, band, orchestra, engineers, Ed Bonja - 17. Blueberry Hill / I Can't Stop Loving You -18. Help Me (with false start) - 19. An American Trilogy - 20. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 21. My Baby Left Me - 22. Lawdy Miss Clawdy - 23. Funny How Time Slips Away - 24. Can't Help Falling In Love - 25. Closing Vamp / Announcements.
- Tracks 06-09, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 23 omitted from official 1974 RCA release.
- Track 03 edited on official 1974 RCA release.
- Tracks 16, 18 edited on official 2004 FTD release.
Offered on eBay for the first time is an array of 8MM Travel Film Reels in 17 Matching Aluminum Cans and 6 smaller boxed reels. These travels are from November 1957 to sometime in the early 80's. Each reel is documented with a typed sheet taped to the inside of the reel can. Reel #15 Documents Elvis Presley performing at the 1970 Caddle Stock Show in Houston. Elvis did perform February 27 1970 at that show and held a record for 8 years as the largest attendance at this prestiges exhibition. It's the first footage of that show that surfaces, after 41+ years. The seller added that he hasn't actually seen the footage on the reels.
The set sold on June 4th US$618.00.
This Time - A Musical Documentary
Every dream has a soundtrack. 'This Time' follows six diverse recording artists on the verge of their next moment in the spotlight. They’ve sung back-up up for Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Jimi Hendrix, been homeless while their songs were on the charts, struggled to fill tiny cabarets and fight against the odds of the music industry -- all while holding tight to their dignity and dreams. With a soaring soundtrack of extraordinary music, 'This Time' takes you from the streets of South Central Los Angeles to New York’s Park Avenue on a unique musical journey in this uplifting story of the transformative power of creativity.
The musicians are legendary recording artists The Sweet Inspirations (best known as back-up singers for Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield), New York cabaret sensation Bobby Belfry, soul diva Pat Hodges (Hodges, James & Smith) and composer-producer Peitor Angell. As they battle self-sabotage and the brutality of the music industry, 'This Time' celebrates their widely ranging gifts and experiences in this inspiring story of hope, persistence and faith.
To those of a certain age The Sweet Inspirations (SI) should bring to mind such iconic performers as Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley.
The film also features popular New York cabaret performer Bobby Belfry. Bobby and The Sweet Inspirations are in a juxtaposition that works well for this documentary.
Pat Hodges is also featured in This Time. Her story is incredible as she had a hit record on the Billboard charts while being homeless in Los Angeles.
With Bobby in New York City and the Sweet Inspirations and Hodges in Los Angeles, the film goes between the three stories with ease.
The SI had enormous success in all their incarnations over the years. Members have come and members have gone, but the group stayed in the public's eye making their music. They often sang back-up as stated above, but they also have their own voice. The song Sweet Inspirations is one of their hits proving they do more than backing up other performers.
This Time delves deeply into the group, into both the happy times and the sad times.
The women of the SI are introduced while working on their new material. They are in the studio with their producer Peitor Angell working on their first album in 23 years. Estelle Brown, Portia Griffin and Mryna Smith work hard, laugh hard and in the past fought hard. This doc does not blink it shows the nitty-gritty and dynamics of the women's relationships. Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother, is the founding member of the SIs and makes a pivotal appearance in the film.
There is a quote by one of the SI in the film that sums up the spirit of this film quite well:
It's not the song you sing, it's the life you lead.
A special feature on the DVD is the chapter 'Sweet Secrets & Stories'. The Sweet Inspirations tell remarkable never-before-heard stories about Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Dusty Springfield and Burt Bacharach. Over 30 minutes of additional material.
