As part of the ongoing live on tour series, FTD is pleased to announce the release of "Elvis in California". Released as a 2-CD 5 inch digi-pak, this set features Elvis touring during May 1974. The shows, taken from the original soundboard tapes, feature concerts from Selland Arena, Fresno (May 12) and Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino (May 10 and 13).
From the E.I.N. website: Elvis' 10th tour was short, five concerts in California over four days the most famous being his two "Forum of Inglewood" concerts on May 11, 1974. (As released on FTD "Live in LA") Elvis was in good form. The San Bernardino local review of Elvis' first concert there included, "Above all Elvis Presley knows what the faithful want and he bowls them over with his style. That's why he was a sellout at the Swing last night, will be on Monday night when he returns, and sells out wherever he performs. "I'm a cement mixer, baby," he snarls at the screamers, "a churning urn of burning funk." Believe it."
The set-list is familiar early 1974 material including, Steamroller Blues, Help Me, Funny How Time Slips Away and Big Boss Man.
CD 1 - 12.05.1974 Selland Arena, Fresno:
See See Rider (Incomplete / Late Recording Start) - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - Trying To Get To You - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Steamroller Blues - Hound Dog - Fever - Polk Salad Annie - Why Me Lord - Suspicious Minds - Introductions - I Can’t Stop Loving You - Help Me - American Trilogy
10.05.1974 8:30pm Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino:
Let Me Be There - Funny How Time Slips Away - Big Boss Man - Can’t Help Falling In Love
Tracks 1-17 recorded May 12th, 1974, 3:00 PM at Selland Arena, Fresno, CA. Tracks 18-21 recorded May 10th, 1974, 8:30 PM at swing Auditorium, san Bernardino, CA. This is a soundboard recording. Please Note that the two shows have been combined as that the last songs on the Fresno tape are damaged, and only the second half of the San Bernardino show was recorded.
CD 2 - 13.05.1974 8:30pm Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino:
See See Rider (Incomplete / Late Recording Start) - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - Trying To Get To You - All Shook Up - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - Love Me Tender - Steamroller Blues - Hound Dog - Fever - Polk Salad Annie - Why Me Lord - Suspicious Minds - Introductions - I Can’t Stop Loving You - Help Me - American Trilogy - Let Me Be There - Funny How Time Slips Away - Big Boss Man - Can’t Help Falling In Love (Incomplete)
Recorded May 13th, 1974, 8:30 PM at Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, CA. This is a soundboard recording.
FTD Vinyl’s next release upgrades "Love Letters from Elvis". Recorded during the marathon sessions held in Nashville, June 4-8, 1970, the original LP became the last album of utilising songs recorded during that week. This new 180-gram heavyweight vinyl edition mastered at Abbey Road in London features a festival of outtakes and mastersSide A 01 It Ain’t No Big Thing (But It’s Growing) (master) 2:48 02 Heart Of Rome – takes 2, 3 (undubbed master) 7:57 03 When I’m Over You (master) 2:27 04 Got My Mojo Working / Keep Your Hands Off Of It (master) 4:36
Side B 01 Life – takes 1,2 4:57 02 Cindy, Cindy – takes 2, 3 (undubbed master) 4:22 03 Rags To Riches – take 3 1:54 04 Love Letters – takes 3,1 3:59 05 It Ain’t No Big Thing (But It’s Growing) – takes 1,2 3:32
Side C 01 I’ll Never Know (master) 2:24 02 Something (master) 3:33 03 This Is Our Dance – takes 6, 7, 9,11 (undubbed master) 6:45 04 Only Believe – takes 3. 4 (undubbed master) 5:35
Side D 01 The Sound Of Your Cry (master) 3:14 02 It Ain’t No Big Thing (But It’s Growing) – takes 3-6 4:10 03 Love Letters (master) 2:50) 04 If I Were You – takes 2-5 6:23 05 Life – take 10 3:04.
(Source: FECC / FTD)