Publicity stated: 'Elvis In Concert - Kalamazoo 1977' is a 2-LP set with printed inner sleeves containing intensive liner notes. These sleeves hold a newly restored soundboard recording of the April 26th, 1977 performance at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
In 2001, it was Memories From Kalamazoo (Vavavoom Records) that presented parts of the show back then. Unfortunately the producers made a big mistake and forget to include half of the show. Even the Fort Baxter release Shakin’ Up the great Lakes missed the opportunity to present all of what was recorded although they included selections that were missing on the 2001 release.
Unfortunately, back in the days, sound engineers Bruce Jackson and Bill Porter were used to not record the show opening and the band introductions to save space on the tape, hoping Elvis would do an unusual song performance they could record and release for an upcoming album. Millbranch Music decided to include the not-recorded performances from other tour shows to give the fans an idea of the complete run-down of a 1977 Elvis in Concert experience. Mastered with soul and experience
The mastering of this LP was entrusted to Planet of Sound Mastering, led by Petrushka, an expert with over 25 years of experience in both live and studio audio. With a background as a musician, producer, and live engineer, her journey began as an intern at Abbey Road Studios in London, where she was mentored during a full-day mastering session. It was there she first heard about the legendary fifteen-year learning curve to mastering, a truth she now acknowledges through decades of hands-on experience.
During a U.S. tour with her former band in the 1990s, she also worked briefly on a project at Sony Studios in New York, adding to her understanding of how emotion, performance, and recording come together in a live context. "My style of mastering is all about feeling, you should get the sense you were there," says Petrushka. "This is not about polishing everything to perfection, but about preserving what made it human and alive."
Having grown through years of practical refinement - from theory to instinct - her approach reflects a deep sensitivity to how a performance breathes. For this release, every channel was carefully balanced, with special attention given to the horn section, vocal depth, and instrumental clarity. On the Kalamazoo source, some analog tape hiss remains, a conscious decision. Rather than compromise the dynamic integrity of the recording, the sound was preserved as close as possible to the moment it was captured: raw, vivid, and real.
The album will be available in two Collector’s Editions: on classic black colored vinyl and as a Limited Edition on transparent blue colored vinyl. Each version comes with full-color printed inner sleeves, featuring rare photos and liner notes.
A beautiful tribute to one of Elvis’s late performances.
Tracks side A:
1. Also Sprach Zarathustra
2. See See Rider
3. I Got A Woman - Amen
4. Love Me
5. Fairytale (beginning only) / If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
Side B:
1. You Gave Me A Mountain
2. Jailhouse Rock
3. O Sole Mio - It’s Now or Never
4. Big Boss Man
5. Heartbreak Hotel
6. Blue Suede Shoes
7. And I Love You So (false start)
Side C:
1. And I Love You So
2. My Way
3. Band Introductions / Early Morning Rain
4. What’d I Say / Johnny B. Goode (James Burton)
5. Band Solos
6. School Day
Side D:
1. My Heavenly Father (Kathy Westmoreland)
2. Danny Boy (Sherrill Nielsen)
3. Walk With Me (Sherrill Nielsen)
4. Hound Dog
5. Can’t Help Falling in Love - Closing Vamp
6. Trouble (excerpt) / Help Me
7. Love Me Tender (by request)
Recording Sources:
- Tracks A1–A3: Dane County Coliseum, Madison, WI – June 24th, 1977.
- Tracks C3–C6: Taylor County Coliseum, Abilene, TX – March 27th, 1977.
- Tracks D6–D7: Saginaw Center, Saginaw, MI – May 3rd, 1977.
- All other tracks: Wings Stadium, Kalamazoo, MI – April 26th, 1977.
(Source: Millbranch)