Saturday, January 30, 2021

January 30 - Houston Astrodome Vinyl

The VV import label announced the release of ‘Houston Astrodome Sunday March 03, 1974’, a Special Deluxe LP / CD set as a follow-up to follow up to the ‘Houston, I’m Back Again’ set(s). The release is set for early February 2021.

From the press release: To be released soon by the from the VV-label is the vinyl debut of the Houston March 3rd 1974 concert performance (a soundboard-recording) with an unreleased ambiance recording of the March 2nd 1974 show as recorded  at the Oral Roberts University, Tulsa OK. as a bonus. 

The VV-label tries to present Elvis at his best, and without a doubt this double set does just that. After shedding some extra weight our man is ready to embark on his first tour of 1974. 

March 1974 started with two great shows in Tulsa before Elvis departed to Houston for two shows in the Astrodome where he beat his own audience record from 1970. The Houston show is usual as there is a large distance to cover by Elvis and his band towards his adoring crowd and there is no place for orchestra. On this set this show debuts, completely remastered, on vinyl. 

At the same time we are glad to include an unreleased ambiance recording of the previous day in Tulsa. The sound is decent, and if you want to experience the atmosphere of an Elvis concert in 2021, this is the right tape. We can guarantee that Elvis was greeted with incredible enthusiasm. 

Although Elvis is no longer the rocker he was in 1970, this tour presents Elvis still at the top of his abilities. He still looked great in his impressive jumpsuits and delivered good shows with great versions of his classic hits, new repertoire like ‘Help Me’ and the show-stoppers ‘American Trilogy’ and ‘How Great Thou Art’.

The set comes on 180 Gr. vinyl, housed in a gatefold sleeve holding the bonus CD and a 30 x 30 cm double sided art-card. The set is limited to 400 copies in 4 variations, all with exclusive bonus content: 130 copies on black vinyl, 100 copies on red vinyl, 100 copies on blue vinyl and a limited edition box set - 70 copies - with exclusive content. 

Tracks LP March 3rd, 1974 08.00 PM Show:

Side A:  See See Rider  / I Got  A Woman - Amen / Love Me / Trying To Get To You / All Shook Up / Love Me Tender / Johnny B. Goode / Hound Dog / Fever / Polk Salad Annie / Why Me Lord?

Side B:  Suspicious Minds / Band Introduction / I Can’t Stop Loving You / Help Me / How Great Thou Art (with reprise) / Let Me Be There (with reprise) / Funny How Time Slips Away / Dialogue / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp

Bonus CD - Complete Unreleased Ambience Recording March 2nd 1974 08.00 PM Show:

CC Rider / I Got A Woman - Amen / Love Me / Trying To Get To You / Sweet Caroline / Love Me Tender / You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling /  Johnny B Goode / Hound Dog / Fever / Polk Salad Annie / Why Me Lord ? / My Baby Left Me / Suspicious Minds / Band Introductions / I Can’t Stop Loving You / Help Me / An American Trilogy / Let Me Be There / Funny How Time Slips Away / Can’t Help Falling In Love (missing). 

(Source: FECC)