The Groove Masters import label announced the release of the 'The Essential '77 Soundboard Collection' containing three volumes.
From the press-release:
Groove masters wants to take a lead by offering you the best available sound quality to date of these recordings by mastering the groove!
Warning: If you’re used to average sound, Please, first sit down before push play.
Having Fun In Florida - Volume 1
This Orlando soundboard was recorded on February 15th, 1977. Clearly, it was a good night. There’s a ‘joie de vivre’ in Elvis’ performance that was generally lacking in that final year. Particularly impressive are his astounding renditions of ‘Hurt’ and ‘My Way’. A heartwarming performance – captured in a vibrant and exciting live sound. Running time: 78:22.
01. Love Me ; 02. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) ; 03. You Gave Me A Mountain ; 04. O Sole Mio / It's Now Or Never (with break, medley) ; 05. All Shook Up ; 06. Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel (medley) ; 07. Help Me ; 08. Big Boss Man ; 09. My Way (with false start and reprise) ; 10. Band Introductions (incomplete) ; 11. Hurt (with reprise) ; 12. Hound Dog ; 13. Can't Help Falling In Love ; 14. Closing Vamp
Bonus performances:
15. Release Me ; 16. Trying To Get To You ; 17. Fairytale ; 18. My Way ; 19. Moody Blue (attempt only) ; 20. How Great Thou Art ; 21. Blue Christmas ; 22. My Way (with spoken part) ;23. That's All Right, Mama ; 24. Bosom Of Abraham / You Better Run (medley) ; 25. And I Love You So ; 26. Fever ; 27. Hurt ; 28. Blueberry Hill ; 29. Love Letters
Tracks 01-14 recorded in Orlando, FL, February 15, 1977. Tracks 15, 16 recorded in Columbia, SC, February 18, 1977. Tracks 17-20 recorded in Charlotte, NC, February 20, 1977. Track 21 recorded in Norman, OK, March 26, 1977. Tracks 22, 23 recorded in Abilene, TX, March 27, 1977. Track 24 recorded in Alexandria, VA, March 29, 1977. Tracks 25-27 recorded in Alexandria, VA, March 30, 1977. Tracks 28, 29 recorded in St. Petersburg, FL, February 14, 1977.
Trouble In Saginaw - Volume 2
On May 3rd, 1977, Elvis Presley performed in Saginaw, MI for the second time on this tour. This performance was also the final night of the tour. It’s clear that Elvis is exhausted, but nevertheless he does his best to give the crowd their money’s worth. He even opens with ‘That’s All Right Mama’ instead of the usual ‘C.C. Rider’. An above-par performance from a very troubled year for Elvis. Running time: 71:14 .
01. That's All Right ; 02. Trouble (part) ; 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) ; 04. Love Me ; 05. Happy Birthday / Big Boss Man (intro only) ; 06. Hound Dog ; 07. Trying To Get To You ; 08. Jailhouse Rock ; 09. My Way ; 10. Little Sister ; 11. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) ; 12. Help Me ; 13. O Solo Mio - It's Now Or Never ; 14. Love Me Tender ; 15. Why Me Lord (with false start) ; 16. Polk Salad Annie (with false start) ; 17. Mystery Train / Tiger Man (medley) ; 18. Can't Help Falling In Love (incomplete)
Bonus performances:
19. Polk Salad Annie ; 20. Big Boss Man ; 21. Bridge Over Troubled Water ; 22. My Way ; 23. Fairytale ; 24. My Way
Tracks 01-18 recorded in Saginaw, MI, May 03, 1977. Track 19 recorded in Toledo, OH, April 23, 1977. Tracks 20, 21 recorded in Duluth, MN, April 29, 1977. Track 22 recorded in Chicago, IL, May 01, 1977. Tracks 23-24 recorded in Chicago, IL, May 02, 1977.
Stumpin' Madison - Volume 3
This soundboard tape was recorded near the end of Elvis’ final tour, in Madison, WI on June 24th, 1977.
His regular drummer Ronnie Tutt was replaced on this night by the Sweet Inspirations drummer, Jerome ‘Stump’ Monroe. And considering the fact that Jerome was asked to fill in during the soundcheck with no possibility to rehearse, he does a tremendous job: “Leave the driving to Stump!”. Running time: 78:06.
01. Opening Vamp / See See Rider ; 02. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) ; 03. Love Me ; 04. If You Love (Let Me Know) ; 05. You Gave Me A Mountain ; 06. Jailhouse Rock (with false start) ; 07. O Sole Mio / It's Now Or Never (medley, with reprise) ; 08. One Night (with false start) ; 09. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) ; 10. And I Love You So ; 11. Danny Boy (Shaun Nielsen) ; 12. Walk With Me (Shaun Nielsen) ; 13. Love Me Tender ; 14. Band Introductions ; 15. Early Morning Rain ; 16. What'd I Say ; 17. Johnny B. Goode ; 18. Drum Solo (Jerome "Stump" Monroe) ; 19. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) ; 20. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) ; 21. I Really Don't Want To Know ; 22. Electric Piano Solo (Bobby Ogden) ; 23. Orchestra Solo ; 24. Hound Dog ; 25. Introduction of Vernon Presley ; 26. Can't Help Falling In Love ; 27. Closing Theme / Announcer
Bonus performances:
28. Lawdy Miss Clawdy ; 29. Trying To Get To You ; 30. Reconsider Baby ; 31. Release Me; 32. Little Darlin' ; 33. Moody Blue
Tracks 01-27 recorded in Madison, WI, June 24, 1977. Track 28 recorded in Abilene, TX, March 27, 1977. Tracks 29 & 32 recorded in Ann Arbor, MI, April 24, 1977. Tracks 30, 31 & 33 recorded in Charlotte, NC, Februray 21, 1977.
The Real Elvis
The new SONY budget CD releases, "The Real Elvis" were released.
Available as either a 1 disc or a 3 disc edition and featuring 90 songs from the 50s & 60s, while the single disc has 30 selected from the 3 disc set. The 3 disc edition has 90 studio recordings and sales for less than £4.00 a copy.
The latest European release by Sony - The Real Elvis - Sing Disc version has several mistakes.
On CD #2. It lists “I’m Left , You’re Right She’s Gone as track #27. But the track on CD is "My Baby’s Gone"
On CD#3. The back cover list “I Believe” as track #2 but it plays “I Believe In The Man In The Sky”. And in addition track #11 is listed as “I Believe In The Man In The Sky” and it plays it as well. So “I Believe In The Man In The Sky” is twice in CD #3.
In addition, "Shake Rattle And Roll" on disc #1is an alternate take with the extra verse. But is not listed as an alternate. Also, "Summer Kisses Winter Tears" on disc #3 is the movie version, but is not listed as such.
(Source: FECC / Elvis Express)