Publicity stated: Not even half a year had passed since Presley’s triumphant Summer Festival in Bright Light City, during which a good part was filmed for the upcoming documentary ‘That’s The Way It Is’. In the meantime, two highly successful and thrilling short tours, the first ones since 1957, brought the legendary performer back to many fans’ doorsteps all across the nation.
Coming back to Las Vegas for his fourth month-long run in the short time span of only one and a half years, it became apparent to the close observer that the Memphis singer was bored already. Too lazy to care much about an updated repertoire, all the audience got was a rehash of his earlier appearances with two exceptions.
Most shows, partially due to the star catching the flu, ran only about half as long as during the previous engagement and some closed with a new song ‘The Impossible Dream‘, a beautiful Mitch Leigh composition from the tony award winning 1965 musical ‘The Man Of La Mancha’.
To be fair, we have to say that even with some shows only running around 35 to 40 minutes , Elvis, as bored as he might have been at times, infused them with a good deal of his humor and vocal power, still leaving the audience in awe. It might be of interest to the serious Presley scholar that it was during this engagement that a new orchestral theme was inaugurated. The resounding horns of Richard Strauss’ ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ would from now on herald the arrival of the King to the concert stage.
If you want to relive the magic and excitement of Elvis in Las Vegas, this superbly packaged and good sounding album is your invitation to the showroom of the International Hotel. Enjoy the show. Text kindly borrowed from “Bootleg Elvis”.
Tracks: That’s All Right / I Got A woman / Jailhouse Rock / Love Me / Mystery Train - Tiger Man (medley) / Sweet Caroline / You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling / Polk Salad Annie / Something / Johnny B. Goode / How Great Thou Art / Don’t Be Cruel / Heartbreak Hotel – Blue Suede Shoes (medley) / Little sister - Get Back (medley) / It’s Now Or Never / Hound Dog / The Impossible Dream.
Summer Festival: Reflections of ’71 Volume 2
The Stage Recordings import record label announced the 3-CD-set ‘Summer Festival: Reflections of ’71 Volume 2’.
The set contains many highlights like Kris Kristofferson's beautiful ballad ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’ which Elvis only sang twice during this season. Perry Como's ‘It's Impossible’ is a song first sang by Elvis in July 1971 during a show in Lake Tahoe. The song was a steady feature on the setlist during this August season, but after this season it only turned up once more on the setlist in February 1972. The always powerful ‘It's Over’, probably best known from his famous ‘Aloha From Hawaii’ debuted also in July 1971 and is also featured on this set.
Especially knowing no soundboard recordings have yet surfaced, these audience recorded shows are all we are able to enjoy. A total of 3 shows are included in this box set. All recordings have been painstakingly remastered and repaired. Included in this box set are the August 16 1971 Midnight Show, and the August 18 and 19th, 1971 Dinner Show performances.
Disc 1: August 16, 1971 Midnight Show: Also Sprach Zarathustra / That’s All Right / Proud Mary / Love Me Tender / Sweet Caroline / Polk Salad Annie / Intermezzo / Johnny B. Goode / It’s Impossible / Love Me / Blue Suede Shoes - Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Teddy Bear - Don’t Be Cruel / Hound Dog / Suspicious Minds / Band Introductions / I’m Leavin’ / Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Help Me Make It Through The Night / Mystery Train - Tiger Man / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcement.
Disc 2: August 18, 1971 Dinner Show: Also Sprach Zarathustra / That’s All Right / Proud Mary / Love Me Tender / Sweet Caroline / Polk Salad Annie / Intermezzo / Johnny B. Goode / It’s Impossible / Love Me / Blue Suede Shoes - Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don’t Be Cruel / Hound Dog / Suspicious Minds / Band Introductions / I’m Leavin’ / Lawdy Miss Clawdy / It’s Over / Little Sister - Get Back / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp / Announcement.
Disc 3: August 19, 1971 Dinner Show: Also Sprach Zarathustra / That’s All Right / Proud Mary (incomplete) / I Got A Woman – Amen / Love Me Tender / Sweet Caroline / Polk Salad Annie / Intermezzo / Johnny B. Goode / It’s Impossible / Love Me / Blue Suede Shoes - Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Heartbreak Hotel / Teddy Bear - Don’t Be Cruel / Elvis Talks / Hound Dog / Suspicious Minds / Band Introductions / I’m Leavin’ / Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Dialogue / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp.
Note: These were previously bootlegged on SR’s 'Trying To Get To Memphis', 'Setting The Standard' and 'Rock And Beauty' all in very poor audio quality. Buyer Beware.
Rhythm and Gospel
The Petticoat import record label released the Limited Edition ‘Rhythm and Gospel’ compilation on both 180 Gr. white and blue colored vinyl.
Side A: Joshua Fit The Battle - Take 2 / Swing Down Sweet Chariot - Take 3 / I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs - Take 3 / How Great Thou Art - Take 1, 2 / So High - Take 3 / If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side - Take 4 / Run On - Take 2 / I've Got Confidence - Take 1
Side B: Seeing Is Believing - Take 10 / Bosom Of Abraham - Take 3 / A Thing Called Love - Take 3 / I John - Take 1 / Miracle Of The Rosary - Take 1 / Put Your Hand In The Hand – Master / Help Me - Undubbed Master / How Great Thou Art - Live June 5, 1975 (Hoffheinz Pavilion Houston).
Well, It's Christmas Time Pretty Baby
The Radio Recorders import label released proudly presents the following new 'Well, It's Christmas Time Pretty Baby: Songs Of Christmas’.
Publicity stated: Elvis' fourth studio album was released in October 1957 and was titled ‘Elvis' Christmas Album’. The album was a very clever move by Elvis' record company. Probably the Colonel also had his (big) part in this commercial masterpiece. The foldout sleeve contained a full sized 12 page booklet containing some very handsome pictures shot during the filming of ‘Jailhouse Rock’. So this album was really something for everybody.
Radio recorders brings you a fully packed CD containing 27 masters and alternate tracks from the sessions plus bonus tracks. Some highlights are the outtakes of ‘Peace In The Valley’ and ‘It Is No Secret’ taken from the original binaural tapes, these include some nice studio banter and are not released before in this quality. Previous releases offered a very weak sound for these.
All recordings on this Compact Disc are carefully restored and remastered. They never sounded better, it’s like you are right there in the studio.
The Original Mono Masters: Santa Claus Is Back In Town / White Christmas / Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) / I'll Be Home For Christmas / Blue Christmas / Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) / O Little Town Of Bethlehem / Silent Night / (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) / I Believe / Take My Hand, Precious Lord / It Is No Secret (What God Can Do).
Christmas Album Alternate: White Christmas (With Count In).
Session Arts As Recorded In (Binaural) Stereo: (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) - Take 5,6,8, 9 - Stereo Master / It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) - Take 4 / It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) - Take 6 – 12 / It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) - Take 13- Stereo Master.
Stereo Masters From Alternate Source: (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) – With Count In / It Is No Secret (What God Can Do).
From The 'Million Dollar Quartet' Session (December 4, 1956): Jingle Bells / (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me).
Bonus Tracks: White Christmas - Instrumental From The 'Million Dollar Quartet' Session / Santa Claus Is Back In Town – Home Recording - Fragment / (There'll Be )Peace In The Valley For Me) - Live, January 6 , 1957 – 'The Ed Sullivan Show' / I'll Be Home For Christmas - 'Give Elvis For Christmas' Version / Silent Night - With Christmas Message From Elvis / Elvis' Christmas Album – Commercial.
Track 1-19 And 25-26 Recorded January 12,13 And 19 And September 5-7 1957 At Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California.
Track 20-22 Recorded December 4 1956 At Sun Studio - Memphis, Tennessee With Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis And Carl Perkins.
Track 23 Recorded In Germany December 1958
Track 24 Recorded January 6 1957 Maxine Elliot Theater - New York.
(Source: FECC)