The next release from Straight Arrow (SA 2009-14-02), will be the audience recorded Las Vegas December 4th, 1976 Dinner show. Together with Opening night (released as 'Last Vegas Opening Night', SA 2009-12A/B-02) it is the strongest concert of Elvis' last Las Vegas season, containing excellent performances of 'Tryin' To Get To You', 'America', 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', 'Hurt' and 'How Great Thou Art'.
An absolute highlight is a mesmerizing recitation of 'What Now My Love'.
This recording was previously released in 1995 on the hard-to-find CD 'Love Letters From Nevada'. Now the tape was restored using today's advanced technology, and the sound quality is excellent - really remarkable for an off-line source. The bonus tracks were added from an independent original tape of the same show, recorded using a cassette recorder equipped with two microphones. This alternate source, though inferior, does exhibit noticeable channel separation and natural ambience.
Just like all previous releases from this label, this new CD will come in a deluxe package with a 16-page booklet, containing a collection of photographs taken between December 3 - 7, 1976 and informative liner notes as written by a lucky fan WHO WAS THERE. This CD is set for release on December 15.
Tracks:
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Jailhouse Rock - 08. It's Now Or Never - 09. Tryin' To Get To You - 10. Blue Suede Shoes - 11. Fever - 12. America The Beautiful - 13. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 14. What Now My Love (recitation) - 15. Introductions by Elvis of Singers, Musicians - 16. Early Morning Rain (John Wilkinson) - 17. What'd I Say (James Burton) - 18. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 19. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - 20. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 21. Electric Piano, Clavinet Solo (David Briggs) - 22. Love Letters - 23. School Day (Joe Guercio Orchestra) - 24. School Day (reprise) (Joe Guercio Orchestra) - 25. Introductions by Elvis of celebrities, family - 26. Hurt - 27. Hound Dog - 28. How Great Thou Art - 29. Can't Help Falling In Love - 30. Closing Vamp.
Bonus Tracks (alternate source):
31. Tryin' To Get To You - 32. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 33. What Now My Love (recitation) - 34. Hurt.
Approximate running time: 77:26
Excerpts from the sleeve notes:
'It was Saturday night and Las Vegas was buzzing, but nowhere more so than in the showroom of the Hilton Hotel. The date was December 4, 1976, and Elvis was three days into his 15-show, 11-day 'Pre-Holiday Festival'. Vernon and Lisa Marie were in the Presley booth near the front; the youngster had arrived for a few days' visit with her father.
He marched in place during 'America the Beautiful', and got a much-deserved ovation after the finale. Once Charlie handed Elvis the lyric sheet from near the piano, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' was beautifully sung. And Elvis only used it for the always-troublesome first verse. He unexpectedly began 'What Now My Love', delighting the crowd with a version softly sung at first, the middle verses spoken dramatically, and the ending done at full power. It was the highlight of the show, and perhaps the entire season.
Elvis enthused about a couple of special stars in the crowd. 'They're some of the finest singers in the world, so that's why - one of the reasons I have to be good'. The gentlemen in question were Engelbert Humperdinck and Roy Orbison, sitting in adjacent booths. Of the British idol, Elvis said that nobody ever sang 'Please Release Me' like Humperdinck, while Orbison - in his trademark dark glasses - was 'one of the finest singers of all time', and few would argue with that. Both men got warm applause and cheers.
Elvis' vocal commitment was noticeable in 'Hurt'; and it got a great reception. He threw in a rapid 'Hound Dog', and then said the evening wouldn't be complete if he didn't sing 'How Great Thou Art'. This also received an ovation. The show had been very entertaining, full of fine singing and good humour'.