From the press-release - Rumble In Rhode Island: Musical Chairs at The King's Lair:
Our first release is titled “Rumble In Rhode Island: Musical Chairs at The King’s Lair”. This is Straight Arrow’s very first release from Elvis' June/July 1974 tour and the Providence concert is easily one of the best of the tour!
The Straight Arrow team is always looking for rare, unknown or seemingly lost recordings. Once again, the labels researchers were successful - the Providence, June 22nd, 1974 3pm is a completely new show, even for die-hard Elvis fans. It has never been in circulation - in any form! (note: there is CDR with a so-called Providence, June 22, 1974 Afternoon show in circulation, but this one is wrongly dated recording, in fact this is the evening show).
Our CD is taken directly from an original audience recorded mastertape source. It was recorded by the same guy who taped those other Providence concerts on June 26, 1976 (afternoon) and the May 23rd, 1977 shows, which we released in 2011 („Matinee Majesty“ and „Funny How Time Slips Away“, both hard to find CDs now). The sound quality is very good for an off-line recording in a big auditorium. Highlights include a pounding 'Big Boss Man', and a truly dynamite 'Trying To Get To You'. 'Help Me' is sung with great warmth and sincerity.
This release is presented in a de-luxe 6-panel digipak. Unfortunately, only very few useful Providence June 22, 1974 3pm photos were available, and other shots taken during June/July 1974 tour have been used.
Tracklist: 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. Love Me Tender - 08. Hound Dog - 09. Fever - 10. Polk Salad Annie - 11. Why Me Lord - 12. Suspicious Minds - 13. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 14. I Can't Stop Loving You - 15. Help Me - 16. An American Trilogy - 17. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 18. Funny How Time Slips Away - 19. Big Boss Man - 20. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 21. Can't Help Falling In Love - 22. Closing Vamp / Announcements.
From the press-release - My Wish Came True:
Our second release is titled „My Wish Came True“. It was the 1st tour of 1977 and in spite of his unhealthy look, Elvis was in solid voice - especially near the end of the tour. February 20 is one of best shows of the tour and it marked the first time that Elvis attempted his recent single „Moody Blue“.
Portions of the Charlotte concert were previously released from a soundboard tape on the official 'Follow That Dream' label, but this show has never been available on CD in its entirety before. Note: This is the very last audience-recorded show from the February 1977 tour that is still unreleased. The sound quality is very good. There are highlights a-plenty, including a soulful 'You Gave Me A Mountain', strong versions of 'My Way' and 'How Great Thou Art', and a truly gorgeous 'Unchained Melody'.
As usual, this release is presented in a de-luxe 6-panel digipak, with a collection of photos taken in Charlotte, February 20th, 1977 and two local press reviews. With special thanks to our dear friend, the late Bob Heis.
Tracklist: 01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. Fairytale - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Jailhouse Rock - 08. O Sole Mio (Sherrill Nielsen) / It's Now Or Never - 09. Little Sister - 10. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel - 11. My Way - 12. Moody Blue (excerpt) - 13. How Great Thou Art - 14. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 15. Early Mornin' Rain - 16. What'd I Say - 17. Johnny B. Goode - 18. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 19. Bass Solo #1 (Blues - Jerry Scheff) - 20. Bass Solo #2 (Battle Of New Orleans - Jerry Scheff) - 21. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 22. Love Letters - 23. School Day - 24. Hurt (with reprise) - 25. Hound Dog - 26. My Wish Came True (excerpt) - 27. Unchained Melody (with false start) - 28. Can't Help Falling In Love - 29. Closing Vamp / Announcements.
From the press-release - There's A Sweet Spirit In This Place
Our 3rd CD in this batch is somewhat special. Originally we planned only the two CDs above. But just weeks ago we were suddenly able to obtain this very interesting recording in excellent sound - and complete. We are aware of the fact that there is a so-called May 4th, 1976 D/S in circulation, but it presents only half of the show in average sound. It was even spliced with about 30 minutes of May 2nd, 1976 D/S! What we are releasing now is the real McCoy, folks!
This release is presented in a de-luxe 6-panel digipak with a collection of photos taken in Lake Tahoe, May 1976 as well as an original pre-season promotional article.
Tracklist: 01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me Let Me Know - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. All Shook Up - 08. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 09. Tryin' To Get To You (with reprise) - 10. My Way - 11. Polk Salad Annie - 12. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 13. Early Morning Rain (instrumental) - 14. What'd I Say - 15. Drum Solo - (Ronnie Tutt) - 16. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - 17. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 18. Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (Lady Madonna - David Briggs) - 19. School Day - 20. I'll Remember You - 21. Hurt #1 - 22. Hurt #2 - 23. Hound Dog - 24. Hawaiian Wedding Song - 25. How Great Thou Art - 26. Sweet Sweet Spirit (J. D. Sumner and The Stamps) - 27. It's Now Or Never - 28. Can't Help Falling In Love - 29. Closing Vamp.
(Source: FECC)