The press-release:
We have for you something very special. This release is not aimed at the collector - it is for those that love good music .... February 1977 and Elvis is in good form, the sound quality is top notch, and we have included a few extra tracks to make this a very enjoyable listen. A very complete testament to the fact that Elvis still was king in 1977.
As an example of the quality of the sound, we were able to simply insert the stereo master of 'I Really Don't Want To Know' - as it is so good - and it fits seamlessly with the other tracks with no conflict in sound quality.
Of note, 15 of the 26 tracks are from February 21, 1977, FTD released the CD, 'Unchained Melody' featuring mainly tracks from February 20, why god only knows as the CD is a disaster - from track 1 Elvis is clearly out of form. And to make matters worse they add the wonderful performance, 'Where No One Stands Alone' from Feb 16 as a bonus, as we do, however they used a version with awful sound faults. We don't !
So ... Kicking off with a great version of 'Big Boss Man' [April 29] then in to February 21 starting with 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' while Elvis does forget the words it is another classic with Elvis' banter with Estelle of the Sweets. 'Reconsider Baby' shows he is still the best white blues singer. Moving on we have a ultra rare 'Moody Blue' and it is a good and full version, not a one liner, 'Hurt' has us reeling like anyone at the opera such is the performance, as does 'How Great Thou Art'. We have included a few tracks from outside February '77 to make this a unique and fulfilling concert experience, 'Blue Christmas' from March '77 is excellent but then we have used 'Softly As I Leave You' the 1975 recording that was issued as a single, beautiful, but here we have the full recording with Elvis starting with an informal 'Welcome To My World' before commencing which makes this special. [Why? because it works!!!]
Then from 1976, the majestic 'America The Beautiful'. [Same here] This really is wonderful, perfect sound and a great performance. Note that we did not use the 1975 single release version as it is inferior and also has a lot of distortion!!! Shame RCA picked that for release.
We then have the above mentioned master of 'I Really Don't Want To Know' as good in its own way as the 1970 studio cut, which is an Elvis classic. 'If You Love Me (Let Me Know)' is the original recording overdubbed for use on the 'Moody Blue' LP, here again we give you the full recording with Elvis starting out with 'Fairytale' before stopping and then going in to what you know is a great performance of 'If You Love Me (Let Me Know)'.
Now, the rarest of recordings, and performed so well, and here is perfect sound quality, 'Where No One Stands Alone' with Elvis playing piano, then into a single release worthy performance of 'Unchained Melody'.
Just before this there is the 'Striptease', you can hear what this is on the disc but also we include a photo.
Tracks:
Big Boss Man (04/29/77) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (02/21/77) Reconsider Baby (02/21/77) Love Me (02/21/77) Moody Blue (02/21/77) You Gave Me A Mountain (02/21/77) Jailhouse Rock (02/21/77) O Sole Mio / It's Now Or Never (02/21/77) Little Sister (02/21/77) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (02/21/77) My Way (02/21/77) Release Me (02/21/77) Hurt (02/21/77) Why Me Lord (02/21/77) How Great Thou Art (02/20/77) Blue Christmas (03/26/77) Blueberry Hill (02/14/77) Love Letters (02/14/77) Softly As I Leave You [With Welcome To My World] (02/13/75) America The Beautiful (03/21/76) I Really Don't Want To Know (06/21/77) Fairytale / If You Love Me (Let Me Know) (04/26/77) Elvis Talks / Striptease (02/16/77) Where No One Stands Alone (02/16/77) Unchained Melody (02/16/77) Can't Help Falling In Love (02/16/77)
(Source: FECC)