From the press-release:
The Elvis Presley Show was a happening and first Spring appearance in Sin City since 1956 was no different. The 50s gig was definitely way above in terms of performance, but nonetheless a flop at the time. Wrong place, wrong moment ! Tons of water had flown under the bridge since May 1956, and by 1969 he became and established himself as the King Of Vegas.
March 1975 wasn't a flop although he had health problems, but still came in an excellent mood and rich of new studio material recorded about a week before. He was away from Las Vegas since September 1974, but he opened this Season with some of his new songs ; And I Love You So, Green Green Grass Of Home and Fairytale. T-R-O-U-B-L-E would wait up to his next tour before entering his song list as a regular number, whilst the odd Shake A Hand and Pieces Of My Life were performed a bit later during the July 1975 tour. Some material from the strong December 1973 sessions like Promised Land , It's Midnight and My Boy were incorporated along some unrehearsed moments to his basic program.
The first CD features the nearly complete pre-show, and on the second CD the March 22, 1975 Midnight performance along with some bonus tracks recorded three nights earlier.
The March 22, 1975 MS has been released twice but our source is definitely from an earlier generation. The very short Joe Orchestra introduction before the Also Sprach Zarathustra is not on the aforementioned releases and presence of vocal distortion in Elvis' vocal is rather smooth and less annoying than it was before.
This new digipack double set will be a very limited edition and first intended for the fans who didn't have these recordings, or all the ones wanting the complete happening.
Track list :
CD #1
1 Joe Guercio's orchestra opening 2 Voice introduction / Going Back To Memphis Tomorrow 3 Into The Father's House / Closing 4 Philadelphia Freedom 5 Introduction of the Sweet Inspirations / Stevie Is A Wonder / For Once In My Life / You Got It Bad Girl / Superstition / You Are The Sunshine Of My Life / Livin' For The City / All In Love Is Fair / Higher Ground / Closing 6 Jackie Kahane introduction and Comedy Act
Total running time 43;15
Tracks 1-6 recorded in Las Vegas March 19, 1975 D.S.
Tracks 2-3 performed by Voice Tracks 4-5 performed by The Sweet Inspirations Track 6 performed by Jacki Kahane
CD #2
1 The Hot Hilton Horns intro / Introduction : Also Sprach Zarathustra 2 C.C. Rider 3 I Got A Woman / Amen 4 Love Me 5 If You Love Me ( Let Me Know ) 6 And I Love You So 7 Big Boss Man 8 It's Midnight 9 Promised Land 10 Green Green Grass Of Home 11 Fairytale 12 Introductions of Vocalists, Musician 13 What I'd Say ( featuring James Burton ) 14 Drums solo ( featuring Ronnie Tutt ) 15 Bass Solo ( featuring Duke Bardwell) 16 Piano solo ( featuring Glen D. Hardin ) 17 Electric piano solo ( featuring David Briggs ) 18 Introductions of Vocalists,Charlie Hodge and orchestra 19 Orchestra solo ( featruing Joe Guercio orchestra ) 20 My Boy 21 I'll Remember You 22 Let Me Be There ( with reprise ) 23 ( Le Me Be Your ) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 24 Hound Dog ( with reprise ) 25 I'll Be There ( excerpt ) / You're The Reason I'm Living 26 Can't Help Falling In Love 27 Closing Vamp
Bonus
28 Big Boss Man 29 My Boy 30 I'll Remember You 31 Hound Dog 32 An American Trilogy 33 If You Love Me ( let Me Know )
Total running time 78;02
Tracks 1-4 recorded in Las Vegas March 20, 1975 D.S. Tracks 5-27 recorded in Las Vegas March 22,1975 M.S. Tracks 28-33 recorded in Las Vegas March 19, 1975 M.S.
James Burton and D.J. Fontana in Louisiana Hall of Fame
Shreveport, Louisiana’s James Burton was inducted into the 'Louisiana Hall of Fame' for his contribution to the rich history and heritage of music in the great state of Louisiana. Burton has played guitar with many of the greats including Elvis Presley, Rick Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Denver, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Roy Orbison and more.
Back in 1956 James Burton co-wrote the hit song “Susie-Q” with Dale Hawkins when he was just 15 years-old and backed George Jones, Johnny Horton, and Bob Luman and Ricky Nelson on the KWKH Louisiana Hayride.
Pictured are James Burton, Mike Shephard (Director of Louisiana Hall of Fame) and D.J. Fontana.
(Source: FECC / Elvis Information Network)