The original press release (mind the English): To be released soon (End of September) from the "MxF" label for the first time in vinyl, with both of the October 14th and 15th 1976 shows and the ambiance recording of the complete second Chicago show included as a bonus.
After shedding some extra weight the man as suggested by the title presents himself in the best way possible considering the past year. Surprising even the journalist to be able to fit again in his 1975 jumpsuit. The Chicago nights are the first stop of the October tour and for the first time in the year, Elvis presents himself at the top of the game. He delivered two solid shows working hard on the stage that he threw up for exhaustion after it.
At the same time, we are glad to include as a bonus CD an unreleased Ambiance Recording of the complete concert of the second day in Chicago. The sound is decent: if you want to live the atmosphere of an Elvis concert in 2020 this is the right tape. We can guarantee that Elvis was greeted with incredible enthusiasm; the popularity in the live scene at the end of 1976 is still at its maximum level.
For The first show Elvis is wearing the Inca Gold Leaf suit looking a lot slimmer. He gave a strong concert but problems with the sound in the stadium was a big let down and Elvis could hardly hear anything during the first half of the show. The second show of the tour was in the same stadium and was strong as the day before from Elvis with some variation in the songs list.
The shows are very enjoyable with Elvis's performance very easily delivering soft and sensitive ballad like “And I love You So” and You Gave Me A Mountain or great rock blues songs like “Steamrollers Blues” and Polk Salad Annie at the end of the second show also a real surprise with the attempt to the classic Blue Christmas.
About the bonus CD, the sound is good for an ambient recording, a dynamic tape with a good definition of the background music and for sure you can live the atmosphere of an Elvis concert in the seventies. We hope you can enjoy the final result.
The set comes in four variations:
- A black vinyl 2-LP housed in a gatefold sleeve, limited to 200 copies.
- A white vinyl 2-LP housed in a gatefold sleeve, limited to 100 copies.
- A blue vinyl 2-LP housed in a gatefold sleeve limited to 100 copies.
All the three versions come with a bonus CD and an exclusive LP-sized art card, available in three variations.
The label - identifying itself as the VV import label in the press release - also announced the release of a Limited Boxed Edition of 14 copies - including a test pressing of the album.
LP 1 Soundboard Recording - October 14th, 1976 8.30 PM
LP 1 - 14.10.1976 8.30pm (SB)
Side A: See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - If You Love Me - You Gave Me A Mountain - Jailhouse Rock - All Shook Up - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - And I Love You So
Side B: Fever - Polk Salad Annie - What’d I Say / Johnny B. Good - Love Letters - School Day - Hurt - Love Me Tender - Hound Dog - Funny How Time Slips Away - Mystery Rain / Tiger Man - Can’t Help Falling in Love
LP 2 - 15.10.1976 8.30pm (SB)
Side C: Amen / I Got A Woman - Love Me - If You Love Me - You Gave Me a Mountain - Help Me - Jailhouse Rock - All Shook Up - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - And I Love You So
Side D: Steamroller Blues - Intros / Early Morning Rain - What’d I Say / Johnny B. Good - Drums Solo - Bass Solo - Piano Solo - Electric Piano Solo - Love Letters - Intros / School Day - Hurt - It’s Now Or Never - Blue Christmas - Can’t Help Falling In Love
CD - 15.10.1976 8.30pm (AR):
Opening / See See Rider - I Got A Woman / Amen - Love Me - If You Love Me - You Gave Me A Mountain - Help Me - Jailhouse Rock - All Shook Up - Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel - And I Love You So - Steamroller Blues - Intros / Early Morning Rain - Johnny B. Goode / What’d I Say - Drum Solo - Bass Solo - Piano Solo - Electric Piano - Love Letters - School Day - Hurt (Part) - Hound Dog - It’s Now Or Never - Blue Christmas - Can't Help Falling In Love - Closing Vamp
(Source: FECC)