Three new Straight Arrow releases were announced: "Rippin’ It In Cincinnati" containing the March 21, 1976 14.30 PM Show, "Philadelphia Freedom" containing the June 28, 1976 show as recorded at the Spectrum in Philadelphia and "He's The One In '71" containing the August 28th, 1971 Dinner Show as recorded in Las Vegas.
Philadelphia Freedom
The first release from Straight Arrows is "Philadelphia Freedom" and contains the June 28th 1976 show at the Spectrum. It’s the summer of 1976, and America is celebrating its bicentennial. What could be more patriotic than seeing America’s greatest entertainer in the city where the countries’ Declaration of Independence was formed and signed? The Straight Arrow team has been looking for a recording of this particular concert for a long time… and they finally succeeded.
Compared with July and August 1976 concerts, performances in June were of a much better standard and the Philadelphia concert is no exception. Elvis did a fine show that night. The Philadelphia show is previously unreleased. Until now, this show was not available in acceptable sound, and the only existing tape was in horrible quality. This release has been taken directly from a previously unreleased, original audience-recorded cassette. This concert was recorded by an Elvis fan from Pennsylvania.
This release is presented in a deluxe six-panel digipak with a collection of photos taken during the concert. There’s also some interesting liner notes written by the fan who taped the show.
Tracks: Part of pre-program: Gonna Fly Now (theme from Rocky – by Joe Guercio & The Hot Hilton Horns) / Black Sunday (by The Sweet Inspirations) / If You Leave Me Now (by Sweet Inspirations). The Elvis Presley show: Introduction / Also Sprach Zarathustra / CC Rider / I Got A Woman – Amen / Love Me / If You Love Me (Let Me Know) / You Gave Me A Mountain / All Shook Up / (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear – Don’t Be Cruel / And I Love You So / Jailhouse Rock / Fever / America The Beautiful / Introductions Of Singers, Musicians And Orchestra / Early Mornin’ Rain / What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode / Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt – incomplete) / Bass Solo (Blues – Jerry Scheff) / Piano Solo (Tony Brown) / Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) / Love Letters / School Day / Hurt #1 / Hurt #2 / Hound Dog / Funny How Time Slips Away (with reprise) / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcements.
The pre-program was taped in Philadelphia, PA, May 28th, 1977 by the same guy who recorded the 1976 show. Straight Arrow planned to release the May 28th, 1977 show too, but another label released it recently from another tape source.
Rippin’ It In Cincinnati
The second 2018 release from Straight Arrow is entitled Rippin’ It In Cincinnati from March 21st 1976 (2:30pm show). It was the 1st tour of 1976 and some of Elvis’ key musicians were replaced. Unexpectedly, the result was a surprisingly fresh sound, with keyboards and drums prominent. During this rather short tour, Elvis performed 8 solid and entertaining shows in 4 cities.
The Cincinnati show is previously unreleased. Once again, this show was not available in acceptable sound thus far. The only existing tape in circulation was in poor quality. This was the show where Elvis ripped the seat of his blue Bicentennial suit during Polk Salad Annie, and finished the show dressed in the Rainfall suit. It is one of the very few shows where Elvis left the stage for awhile (another example is Baltimore, May 29, 1977, released on our 2xCD Breakdown In Baltimore).
This recording has been taken directly from a first generation copy of a previously unreleased original audience-recorded cassette. This concert was recorded by Elvis super-fan John Herman, who also taped the legendary Pittsburgh 1976 New Years Eve show, widely released by bootleggers and by the official FTD label.
As usual, this release is presented in a deluxe 6-panel digipak with collection of photos taken in Cincinnati and local press reviews. A couple of unpublished John Herman snapshots were added, too!
Tracks: Introduction / Also Sprach Zarathustra / CC Rider / I Got A Woman – Amen / 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 / Love Me Tender / Polk Salad Annie – Elvis leaves the stage to change the jumpsuit / Introductions Of Singers, Musicians And Orchestra (by JD Sumner) / What’d I Say (James Burton, instrumental) / Drum Solo (Larry Londin) / Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) / Elvis returns / Piano Solo (Shane Keister) / Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) / School Day / And I Love You So / Hurt (with reprise) / Burning Love / America The Beautiful / Funny How Time Slips Away / Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcements.
He's The One In '71
The third CD in this Straight Arrow batch, and some might say, the best is a great sounding show from 1971.
Straight Arrow is very pleased to bring you this rare concert recording from Elvis’ Summer 1971 festival. It is always a delight to find new, fresh tapes from this year, and from this particular season — especially when it’s in very good sound quality. This is an excellent recording from the August 28th dinner show.
Elvis’ previous engagement there had shown signs of his high performing standard slipping, but here he sounds like he’s back on track again. Late August shows are tight, no-nonsense affairs with Presley in good voice and in strong form. He performs with focus and professionalism, and he sings a fantastic variety of music.
The Las Vegas, August 28th, 1971 dinner show is previously unreleased. The only existing tape/CD-R in circulation is of very poor quality. Our release has been taken directly from a recently obtained first generation copy of an original audience-recorded cassette. This concert was recorded by an Elvis fan from France, Marie Chantal Rivière, who also taped other August 1971 Las Vegas shows. SA has released Marie Chantal Rivière’s recordings of the August 27th & 29th dinner and midnight concerts on the 2xCD Solid As Rock and Last Stint At The International. If you like those releases, you cannot go wrong with He’s The One In ‘71.
This release is presented in a deluxe 6-panel digipak with collection of photos taken in August 1971 and press reviews.
Tracks: Orchestra Intro / Introduction / Also Sprach Zarathustra / That’s All Right / I Got A Woman / Proud Mary / Sweet Caroline / Polk Salad Annie / Instrumental Intermezzo / Elvis Talks / Johnny B. Goode / It’s Impossible / Love Me / Blue Suede Shoes – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On – Blue Suede Shoes / Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear – Don’t Be Cruel / Suspicious Minds / Introductions Of Singers, Musicians & Orchestra / I’m Leavin’ / Introduction Of Ed Parker / Bridge Over Troubled Water / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcements.
Charts
The chart wrap-up for this week:
Australian Charts
Philadelphia Freedom
Compared with July and August 1976 concerts, performances in June were of a much better standard and the Philadelphia concert is no exception. Elvis did a fine show that night. The Philadelphia show is previously unreleased. Until now, this show was not available in acceptable sound, and the only existing tape was in horrible quality. This release has been taken directly from a previously unreleased, original audience-recorded cassette. This concert was recorded by an Elvis fan from Pennsylvania.
This release is presented in a deluxe six-panel digipak with a collection of photos taken during the concert. There’s also some interesting liner notes written by the fan who taped the show.
Tracks: Part of pre-program: Gonna Fly Now (theme from Rocky – by Joe Guercio & The Hot Hilton Horns) / Black Sunday (by The Sweet Inspirations) / If You Leave Me Now (by Sweet Inspirations). The Elvis Presley show: Introduction / Also Sprach Zarathustra / CC Rider / I Got A Woman – Amen / Love Me / If You Love Me (Let Me Know) / You Gave Me A Mountain / All Shook Up / (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear – Don’t Be Cruel / And I Love You So / Jailhouse Rock / Fever / America The Beautiful / Introductions Of Singers, Musicians And Orchestra / Early Mornin’ Rain / What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode / Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt – incomplete) / Bass Solo (Blues – Jerry Scheff) / Piano Solo (Tony Brown) / Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) / Love Letters / School Day / Hurt #1 / Hurt #2 / Hound Dog / Funny How Time Slips Away (with reprise) / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcements.
The pre-program was taped in Philadelphia, PA, May 28th, 1977 by the same guy who recorded the 1976 show. Straight Arrow planned to release the May 28th, 1977 show too, but another label released it recently from another tape source.
Rippin’ It In Cincinnati
The second 2018 release from Straight Arrow is entitled Rippin’ It In Cincinnati from March 21st 1976 (2:30pm show). It was the 1st tour of 1976 and some of Elvis’ key musicians were replaced. Unexpectedly, the result was a surprisingly fresh sound, with keyboards and drums prominent. During this rather short tour, Elvis performed 8 solid and entertaining shows in 4 cities.The Cincinnati show is previously unreleased. Once again, this show was not available in acceptable sound thus far. The only existing tape in circulation was in poor quality. This was the show where Elvis ripped the seat of his blue Bicentennial suit during Polk Salad Annie, and finished the show dressed in the Rainfall suit. It is one of the very few shows where Elvis left the stage for awhile (another example is Baltimore, May 29, 1977, released on our 2xCD Breakdown In Baltimore).
This recording has been taken directly from a first generation copy of a previously unreleased original audience-recorded cassette. This concert was recorded by Elvis super-fan John Herman, who also taped the legendary Pittsburgh 1976 New Years Eve show, widely released by bootleggers and by the official FTD label.
As usual, this release is presented in a deluxe 6-panel digipak with collection of photos taken in Cincinnati and local press reviews. A couple of unpublished John Herman snapshots were added, too!
Tracks: Introduction / Also Sprach Zarathustra / CC Rider / I Got A Woman – Amen / 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 / Love Me Tender / Polk Salad Annie – Elvis leaves the stage to change the jumpsuit / Introductions Of Singers, Musicians And Orchestra (by JD Sumner) / What’d I Say (James Burton, instrumental) / Drum Solo (Larry Londin) / Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) / Elvis returns / Piano Solo (Shane Keister) / Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) / School Day / And I Love You So / Hurt (with reprise) / Burning Love / America The Beautiful / Funny How Time Slips Away / Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcements.
He's The One In '71
The third CD in this Straight Arrow batch, and some might say, the best is a great sounding show from 1971.
Straight Arrow is very pleased to bring you this rare concert recording from Elvis’ Summer 1971 festival. It is always a delight to find new, fresh tapes from this year, and from this particular season — especially when it’s in very good sound quality. This is an excellent recording from the August 28th dinner show.Elvis’ previous engagement there had shown signs of his high performing standard slipping, but here he sounds like he’s back on track again. Late August shows are tight, no-nonsense affairs with Presley in good voice and in strong form. He performs with focus and professionalism, and he sings a fantastic variety of music.
The Las Vegas, August 28th, 1971 dinner show is previously unreleased. The only existing tape/CD-R in circulation is of very poor quality. Our release has been taken directly from a recently obtained first generation copy of an original audience-recorded cassette. This concert was recorded by an Elvis fan from France, Marie Chantal Rivière, who also taped other August 1971 Las Vegas shows. SA has released Marie Chantal Rivière’s recordings of the August 27th & 29th dinner and midnight concerts on the 2xCD Solid As Rock and Last Stint At The International. If you like those releases, you cannot go wrong with He’s The One In ‘71.
This release is presented in a deluxe 6-panel digipak with collection of photos taken in August 1971 and press reviews.
Tracks: Orchestra Intro / Introduction / Also Sprach Zarathustra / That’s All Right / I Got A Woman / Proud Mary / Sweet Caroline / Polk Salad Annie / Instrumental Intermezzo / Elvis Talks / Johnny B. Goode / It’s Impossible / Love Me / Blue Suede Shoes – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On – Blue Suede Shoes / Heartbreak Hotel / Hound Dog / (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear – Don’t Be Cruel / Suspicious Minds / Introductions Of Singers, Musicians & Orchestra / I’m Leavin’ / Introduction Of Ed Parker / Bridge Over Troubled Water / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcements.
Charts
The chart wrap-up for this week:
Australian Charts
- The "Elvis The King" compilation dropped from #65 to #99 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart Top 100.
- The DVD "Elvis – The King Of Rock’n’Roll – 30 Hit Performances And More" dropped from #18 to #22 on the Australian ARIA Music DVD chart.
- The "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" climbed from #48 to #32 on the US Billboard Country Album chart.
- The "Ultimate Gospel" compilation dropped from #22 to #27 on the UC Billboard Gospel Album chart.
- The "Playlist: The Very Best Gospel Of Elvis Presley" climbed from #44 to $41 on the US Billboard Christian Album chart.
- The "The Wonder of You" cooperation by Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra climbed from #15 to #14 on the US Billboard Classical Album chart.
- The song "Can't Help Falling In Love" is listed at # 82 on the Top 100 Singles Sales chart
- The "40 Years On" album dropped from #50 to #47 on the Top 100 Album chart.
- The "The Platinum Collection" set climbed from #92 top #78 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
- The "The Real ... Elvis" set climbed from #64 #58 on the Official Scottish Album chart.
- The Spanisch compilation "Elvis – El Disco De Oro" dropped from #44 to #49 on the Spanisch Album chart.
- The "Elvis At The Movies" album is currently listed at #23 on the Croarian Album chart.
(Source: Essential Elvis / Laser Freak on FECC / ARIA / Billboard / The King's World / Official Chart Company)