Elvis 1977 : 6 CD Set
Following the CBS TV Special DVD, Rapid City, Omaha and 3 extra discs making a 6 DVD set comes the 6 CD companion set. But are the CDs something that will get much time in the CD player? To my surprise in all but two and a half of the CDs (Disc 6 is is one as it is an audience recording, being Elvis' historic last ever concert) the sound quality ranges from extremely good soundboard (None better ever released sound wise) to damn near perfect stereo with Elvis in fine voice. The concerts come from, February, March, May, April and June 1977 and Elvis sounds fantastic. This will be a matter of opinion but these early '77 shows give us Elvis before he became really unwell. The only other CDs to have what I consider to be unsatisfactory sound quality, are CD 5 and the first 12 tracks of CD 2, this is a previously unissued soundboard so we can excuse it for that reason, in fact the producers have gone to extraordinary lengths to restore the tape so when all is considered it is really is in very good sound, just not one that is up to the high standard of the rest of the CDs nor to my high standards, so the first 12 tracks wont get time in my CD player. However it's better than some soundboard's released by FTD, and many fans will enjoy the rare performance of Big Boss Man, and a rather lengthy My Way (6 minutes) and importantly the last 12 tracks on the same disc are back to the high standard of sound quality and they definitely will by played often, they are a combination of different shows, we get good performances of My Way, rare performance of Bosom Of Abraham/You Better Run, Blue Christmas and How Great Thou Art. Also included on the CD's are highlighted show recordings from 1977 and we have a new version of Elvis' last show in Indianapolis on June 26, 1977, which has had an updated transfer from the original dual audience reel tape and re-mastered to exceptional sound quality than ever before. All of the audio materials are taken from 1st generation copies of original Soundboard / RCA tapes.
Review : Elvis : February 1977 In Concert CD
[The first two CDs and second half of CDs 3 and 4 are in Stereo !!!!]
CD 1 : Part 1
CD 1 contains two concerts on consecutive days in Florida, West Palm Beach, Feb 13, 1977 and Petersburg, February 14. The CD kicks off with a good performance of Little Sister followed by an exceptional You Gave Me A Mountain. Elvis is at his best on songs like 'Mountain', partly due to it being more suited to his well evolved vocal range and style, but one must conclude also it has a lot to do with if he is interested in singing a particular song. So many times his original hits are discarded quickly with Elvis showing a strange contempt for the songs that made him famous. Just to contradict what I have just written, Blue Suede Shoes is next and the performance reminds me of the one from the Aloha From Hawaii show in 1973. Certainly not a match for his classic rendition from 1956, but I will take it over the G.I. Blues movie version, I like it!
It's Now Or Never, is next, or I should write correctly O Sole Mio/ It's Now Or Never. I will never understand why Elvis had Shaun 'Sherrill' Nielsen sing O Sole Mio, no disrespect meant to Shaun, but it is awful in my opinion. On the other hand Elvis puts in a very good rendition, but I am certain he could have done better with some more practice and planning that this classic 1960 worldwide No.1 smash deserved. Still one has to ask, is this really 1977? I thought Elvis was beyond giving good performances? No he is not!!
Elvis: 'Okay, lets do something silly, how about My Way', now this is the type of song he would have been better concentrating on, it suits is voice, he clearly likes performing it, and it shows here in a wonderful performance. A grade! And sadly, it is also very appropriate given he would die six months later.
All Shook Up / Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel is up next and it is a committed if not a great performance. Elvis is past being able to sing at this pace, and one can't help but to compare it to the 1956/57 masters.
Now back to another song more suited to Elvis in '77, And I Love You So. Fantastic! And in great sound quality.
Fever! is next, originally recorded by Elvis on his return from the Army in 1960 and on his great 'first comeback' LP, Elvis Is Back! This is a delight, a slightly different rendition to that I have heard live before.
Blueberry Hill although well performed - at a short 1 minute 20 seconds, Elvis is clearly not that interested, perhaps he had the next song on his mind, a clear favorite, and that is Hurt, and Elvis give his lungs a workout in his usual style. And to repeat about the good sound quality, this is pure sonic joy to the ears.
The third last song in this concert is Hound Dog, and an unusual start makes it well worth listening too as long as you accept this is 1977 and not 1956. Second last is actually a good performance of Jailhouse Rock, Elvis is really concentrating, I am a hard judge, I have never heard what I personally consider a truly good performance of this song compared to the 1957 master, at any time since he originally recorded it. So it is not an easy song, or easy task to match Elvis of 1957. Not even for Elvis. Can't Help Falling In Love, as you know is the last song in an Elvis concert, and although Elvis does hit a couple of delightful notes towards the end, really all one can say of this performance is that it tells the listener the concert is at an end!
CD 1 : Part 2
Starting off the songs from the concert in Petersburg on February 14 is If You Love Me (Let Me Know) which is a superb performance, one of many included in this set. I think if Elvis had have included more of the songs, like this one, that he clearly liked performing, rather than what he thought his fans wanted, he would have lived a lot longer. And songs like the next are in that same category, for the second time on this disc, another exceptional version of You Gave Me A Mountain although unfortunately the mix over-powers Elvis' voice at times, still it is Elvis at his best! And the sound quality has gone up a notch with this new concert.
Next again, we have 'medley', All Shook Up / Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel and I think this is a better performance that the previous night. Actually an excellent performance in comparison to the 'norm'.
The remaining songs are the same as the previous night with the exception of Love Letters. Also, And I Love You So, Fever and My Way, are all as good, very enjoyable to listen too, I have no idea why this concert has not been released before!!!! This time with Blueberry Hill Elvis stops Tony Brown to 'show him how to do it', and we hear Elvis playing great piano (Why did he not do more of this?) finishing of with a fine, if not again short vocal.
And what better to follow this? Love Letters, a good 'rare' live performance and like the bulk of the songs on this disc very well performed. I have never liked the June 1970 studio remake of Love Letters, and while I can't say it is as good as the original 1966 studio cut, it is a fine performance, easily killing any need to listen to the 1970 version. Again, a unique start to Hound Dog, makes it interesting, Elvis is really trying.
So what's special on this CD?
[In Bold]
CD 1
West Palm Beach, FL (February 13, 1977)
01. Little Sister
02. You Gave Me A Mountain
03. Blue Suede Shoes
04. O Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never
05. My Way
06. All Shook Up/Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
07. And I Love You So (03:22)
08. Fever
09. Blueberry Hill
10. Hurt
11. Hound Dog
12. Jailhouse Rock
13. Can't Help Falling In Love
St. Petersburg, FL (February 14, 1977)
14. If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
15. You Gave Me A Mountain
16. O Sole Mio*/It's Now Or Never
17. All Shook Up/Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
18. And I Love You So
19. Fever
20. My Way
21. Blueberry Hill
22. Love Letters
23. Introductions/Hail Hail Rock n' Roll
24. Hurt
25. Hound Dog
26. Can't Help Falling In Love
27. Closing Vamp
CD 2
I have already covered and commented on disc two above, stating that I consider the sound quality to be lesser than discs 1,3 and 4. The first 12 tracks on this CD are a previously un-issued soundboard so we can excuse it for that reason, in fact the producers have gone to extraordinary lengths to restore the tape so when all is considered it is really is in very good sound, just not one that is up to the high standard of the rest of the CDs nor to my high standards, so the first 12 tracks wont get time in my CD player. However it is better than some soundboard's released by FTD, and many fans will enjoy the rare performance of Big Boss Man, and a 6 minute version of My Way (including encore) and importantly the last 12 tracks on the same disc are back to the high standard of sound quality and they definitely will by played often, they are a combination of different shows, we get good performances of Help Me, Release Me, Trying To Get To You, Fairytale, How Great Thou Art, My Way, And I Love You So, and rare performance of Bosom Of Abraham/You Better Run and Blue Christmas.
Moody Blue
Very interesting is the attempt at Moody Blue on February 20 which never gets off the ground as the band doesn't know it. Elvis doesn't either but he can read the words as long as the band knows what to play and when. Interesting because the very next night, on CD 3, a simply magnificent three minute plus performance is completed and Elvis says before the song 'I'd like to try to do my latest record, I tried it last night and didn't make it, I don't know the words to it, so, I have to read it, if we goof it up, please forgive us'. And on completion, 'Boy I am sure glad you learnt it, really, because I don't know the chord changes, the key, or anything ...
So what's special on this CD?
[In Bold]
CD 2
Orlando FL (February 15, 1977)
06. Help Me (03:22)
07. Big Boss Man
08. My Way
10. Hurt
Columbia, SC (February 18, 1977)
13. Release Me
14. Tryin' To Get To You
Charlotte, NC (February 20, 1977)
15. Fairytale
16. My Way
17.Moody Blue [See text above]
18. How Great Thou Art
Norman, OK (March 26, 1977)
19. Blue Christmas [Rare, and something special]
Abilene, TX (March 27 1977)
20. My Way
21. That's All Right
Alexandria, VA (March 29, 1977)
22. Bosom Of Abraham / You Better Run
Alexandria, VA (March 30, 1977)
23. And I Love You So
24. Fever
[Full tracklisting at end of review]
CD 3
CD 3 is the best of the six CDs in this set, and not only does it contain two separate concerts, these two concerts are arguably the best two concerts not only for 1977 but for several years. I state this based on its excellent sound quality and abundance of ultra rare performances, some sheer fun, and Elvis importantly is in good vocal form. With songs such as Where No On Stands Alone, Moody Blue, Unchained Melody, Reconsider Baby, My Way (x2), Little Sister and an hilarious start to Are You Lonesome Tonight? this CD is Gold. (As is customary in 1977, Elvis forgets the words to Are You Lonesome Tonight? but this time he asks 'good grief, what are the words to that song', and the Sweet Inspirations help him - and this exchange is hilarious to listen to.)
The contents of CD 3 have been released previously. The February 16 show was partly released on the famous bootleg, Moody Blue And Other Great Performances (4 tracks only but including the ultra rare Where No On Stands Alone.) This same CD first released the February 21 concert. Then the Official Elvis Presley Collectors Label, Follow That Dream (FTD) released the February 21 show as Unchained Melody and to their ever lasting shame they used a tape that has a bad screeching noise running through it, totally spoiling what is a very special show. They could easily have copied the above mentioned bootleg release.
Well not to worry, some real Elvis fans have come to the for again, and here once again we have the concert presented in great sound. I should add that while I take a well deserved dig at FTD, they (Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon) have since 1999 been an Elvis fans dream come true releasing one great CD after another, and how easy it is to forget how excited we as fans were when the label was announced. However the above is a case where they did not get it right. [And I don't infer that Ernst or Roger are not good Elvis fans!]
Moody Blue
As mentioned in the notes above for CD 2, Elvis attempted Moody Blue on February 20 but the band didn't know it. Neither did Elvis but he can read the words as long as the band knows what to play and when. So overnight the band has worked it out and so here we get a simply magnificent three minute plus performance of Moody Blue, Elvis' last hit record. Elvis says before the song 'I'd like to try to do my latest record, I tried it last night and didn't make it, I don't know the words to it, so, I have to read it, if we goof it up, please forgive us'. And on completion, 'Boy I am sure glad you learnt it, really, because I don't know the chord changes, the key, or anything ...
Reconsider Baby
Elvis' performance of Reconsider Baby has long been one of my very top favorites but it his Madison Square Garden performance from 1972 that I refer too as released on 'Elvis-A Legendary Performer Vol. 4'. (Also on the album was a second cut from the same concert, and another gem in, I'll Remember You. The full concert was released on CD as An Afternoon In The Garden and it is vastly superior to the evening show recorded on the same day, June 10, 1972 and released in 1972 as Elvis As Recorded At madison Square Garden.
I rarely like listening to Elvis' original from his 1960 Elvis is Back! album, I hate the sax, and in both the 1972 performance and the one on this CD we are able to hear Elvis' fine blues performance much better in my opinion. So my point is, while not quite as good as that 1972 performance it is damn close, Reconsider Baby is a truly magnificent recording showing just how good Elvis Presley really was. And this is February 1977 !!!
So what's special on this CD?
[In Bold]
CD 3
Montgomery, AL (February 16, 1977)
01. You Gave Me A Mountain
02. O Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never
03. Little Sister
04. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
05. My Way
06. Polk Salad Annie
07. Hurt
08. Hound Dog
09. Elvis Talks/Striptease
10. Where No One Stands Alone
11. Unchained Melody
12. Can't Help Falling In Love/Closing Vamp
Charlotte, NC (February 21, 1977)
13. Are You Lonesome Tonight
14. Reconsider Baby
15. Love Me
16. Moody Blue
17. You Gave Me A Mountain
18. Jailhouse Rock
19. O Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never
20. Little Sister
21. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
22. My Way
23. Release Me (02:32)
24. Hurt
25. Why Me Lord
Enough said! Well no, actually I should add that as is customary in 1977, Elvis forgets the words to Are You Lonesome Tonight? but this time he asks 'good grief, what are the words to that song', and Estelle Brown of the Sweet Inspirations helps him - and this exchange is hilarious to listen to.
CD 4
CD 4 features a concert from May 3 and several excellent bonus tracks from different concerts in April and May.
The sound on the May 3 concert is a bit flat, not as good as discs 1 and 2, but from track 18 - Mystery Train / Tiger Man which has a slightly unusual sound combined with a rocking performance to make it the highlight of the disc, with big apologies to Big Boss Man - we are back to top notch sound. Other highlights are; an excellent Bridge Over Troubled Water, My Way (In Sinatra's hometown), Fairytale and another version of My Way.
So what's special on this CD?
[In Bold]
CD 4
Saginaw, MI (May 3, 1977)
18. Mystery Train / Tiger Man
19. Can't Help Falling In Love
Toledo, OH (April, 23, 1977)
20. Polk Salad Annie
Duluth, MN (April 29, 1977)
21. Big Boss Man
22. Bridge Over Troubled Water
Chicago, IL (May 1, 1977)
23. My Way
Chicago, IL (May 2, 1977)
24. Fairytale
25. My Way (03:51)
[Full tracklisting at end of review]
CD 5
CD 5 does not have the sparkling sound of Discs 1,2, and the second half of 3 and 4. It is also now June and Elvis' third last ever concert. It is hard to judge it, because if the sound was as good (It is not terrible, just not as good) as the first discs in this set then Elvis would sound a lot better, certain it is not the worst I have heard, far from it, it is superior to many of the 1976 concerts, and some that FTD have released officially.
So what's special on this CD?
[In Bold]
CD 5
I can really only nominate two tracks as standing out, as below.
Madison, WI (June 24, 1977)
08. One Night (02:43)
19. I Really Don't Want To Know
[Full tracklisting at end of review]
CD 6
Okay, this is the audience recording, and as such it is actually pretty good.
This is an updated transfer from the original dual audience reel tape and re-mastered to exceptional sound quality than ever before. All of the audio materials are taken from 1st generation copies of original Soundboard/RCA tapes. So it is included in this set as it is Elvis Presleys last ever concert, performed June 26, 1977. But does it stand a chance of getting time in my CD player? Well yes and no.
The yes is apparent immediately the sound comes though my speakers with the audience (being close up to the microphone) and for the only time on any of the CDs in this set, the into, Also Sprach Zarathustra.
There is a unique ambiance with the excitement of the audience being louder than on a normal professionally recorded and/or soundboard concert. This takes a bit more concentration to listen to how Elvis is performing, and while I wont play this probably more than a couple of time in the future it does have it's character, and some fans will completely disagree with me and enjoy the performance.
Regardless of your view it is an important record of an admittedly sad (as it turned out) Final Farewell.
And yes, in my opinion it is one of Elvis' better shows, he went out rockin' !!!
So what's special on this CD?
[In Bold]
CD 6
Indianapolis, IN (June 26, 1977) Elvis' last ever concert. (Audience recording)
19. I Really Don't Want To Know (01:37)
[Full tracklisting at end of review]
CD 1
West Palm Beach, FL (February 13, 1977)
01. Little Sister
02. You Gave Me A Mountain
03. Blue Suede Shoes
04. O Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never
05. My Way
06. All Shook Up/Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
07. And I Love You So (03:22)
08. Fever
09. Blueberry Hill
10. Hurt
11. Hound Dog
12. Jailhouse Rock
13. Can't Help Falling In Love
St. Petersburg, FL (February 14, 1977)
14. If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
15. You Gave Me A Mountain
16. O Sole Mio*/It's Now Or Never
17. All Shook Up/Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
18. And I Love You So
19. Fever
20. My Way
21. Blueberry Hill
22. Love Letters
23. Introductions/Hail Hail Rock n' Roll
24. Hurt
25. Hound Dog
26. Can't Help Falling In Love
27. Closing Vamp
CD 2
Orlando FL (February 15, 1977)
01. Love Me
02. If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
03. You Gave Me A Mountain
04. O Sole Mio*/It's Now Or Never
05. All Shook Up/Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
06. Help Me (03:22)
07. Big Boss Man
08. My Way
09. Introductions
10. Hurt
11. Hound Dog
12. Can't Help Falling In Love
Columbia, SC (February 18, 1977)
13. Release Me
14. Tryin' To Get To You
Charlotte, NC (February 20, 1977)
15. Fairytale
16. My Way
17. Moody Blue
18. How Great Thou Art
Norman, OK (March 26, 1977)
19. Blue Christmas
Abilene, TX (March 27 1977)
20. My Way
21. That's All Right
Alexandria, VA (March 29, 1977)
22. Bosom Of Abraham/You Better Run
Alexandria, VA (March 30, 1977)
23. And I Love You So
24. Fever
25. Hurt
Kalamazoo, MI (April 26, 1977)
26. Heartbreak Hotel
27. Blue Suede Shoes
CD 3
Montgomery, AL (February 16, 1977)
01. You Gave Me A Mountain
02. O Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never
03. Little Sister
04. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
05. My Way
06. Polk Salad Annie
07. Hurt
08. Hound Dog
09. Elvis Talks/Striptease
10. Where No One Stands Alone
11. Unchained Melody
12. Can't Help Falling In Love/Closing Vamp
Charlotte, NC (February 21, 1977)
13. Are You Lonesome Tonight
14. Reconsider Baby
15. Love Me
16. Moody Blue
17. You Gave Me A Mountain
18. Jailhouse Rock
19. O Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never
20. Little Sister
21. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
22. My Way
23. Release Me (02:32)
24. Hurt
25. Why Me Lord
CD 4
Saginaw, MI (May 3, 1977)
01. That's All Right
02. Trouble
03. I Got A Woman/Amen
04. Love Me
05. Happy Birthday To You
06. Hound Dog
07. Trying To Get To You
08. Jailhouse Rock
09. My Way
10. Little Sister
11. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
12. Help Me
13. O Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never
14. Love Me Tender
15. Why Me Lord
16. Polk Salad Annie/Microphone Change Over
17. Polk Salad Annie (04:19)
18. Mystery Train / Tiger Man
19. Can't Help Falling In Love
Toledo, OH (April, 23, 1977)
20. Polk Salad Annie
Duluth, MN (April 29, 1977)
21. Big Boss Man
22. Bridge Over Troubled Water
Chicago, IL (May 1, 1977)
23. My Way
Chicago, IL (May 2, 1977)
24. Fairytale
25. My Way (03:51)
CD 5
Madison, WI (June 24, 1977)
01. See See Rider
02. I Got A Woman/Amen
03. Love Me
04. If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
05. You Gave Me A Mountain
06. Jailhouse Rock
07. O Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never
08. One Night (02:43)
09. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
10. And I Love You So
11. Danny Boy
12. Walk With Me
13. Love Me Tender
14. Introductions
15. Early Morning Rain
16. What'd I Say
17. Johnny B. Goode
18. Introductions Continued
19. I Really Don't Want To Know
20. Introductions Conclusion
21. Hound Dog
22. Introduction of Vernon Presley
23. Can't Help Falling In Love
24. Closing Vamp
CD 6
Indianapolis, IN (June 26, 1977) Elvis' last ever concert. (Audience recording)
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra
02. See See Rider
03. I Got A Woman/Amen
04. Love Me
05. Fairytale
06. You Gave Me A Mountain
07. Jailhouse Rock
08. O Sole Mio / It's Now Or Never
09. Little Sister
10. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
11. Please Release Me
12. I Can't Stop Loving You
13. Bridge Over Troubled Water
14. Introductions
15. Early Morning Rain
16. What'd I Say
17. Johnny B. Goode
18. Introductions Continued
19. I Really Don't Want To Know (01:37)
20. Introductions Conclusion
21. Hurt
22. Hound Dog
23. Special Thanks By Elvis
24. Can't Help Falling In Love
25. Closing Vamp
Elvis '77 DVD Series : 1977 CBS TV Special DVD
DVD 1
May 22 1977 - Largo, MD - Capital Centre
May 23 1977 - Providence, RI - Civic Center
May 24 1977 - Augusta, ME - Civic Center
May 25 1977 - Rochester, NY - War Memorial
May 26 1977 - Binghampton, NY - Broome County Veterans Memorial
May 24 1977 - Binghampton, NY - Broome County Veterans Memorial
May 28 1977 - Philadelphia, PA - Spectrum
May 29 1977 - Baltimore, MD - Civic Center
June 1, 1977 - Macon, GA - Coliseum
DVD 2
June 18 1977 - Kansas City, MO - Kemper Arena
June 24 1977 - Madison, WI - Dane County Coliseum
June 25 1977 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverfront Coliseum
June 26 1977 - Indianapolis, IN - Market Square Arena
Bonus Footage:
February 20 1977 - Charlotte, NC - Coliseum
May 1 1977 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Stadium
May 2 1977 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Stadium
DVD 3
Omaha, NB (June 19, 1977)
Also Sprach Zarathustra
See See Rider
I Got A Woman/Amen
That's All Right
Are You Lonesome Tonight
Love Me
Fairytale
Little Sister
Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
And I Love You So
Jailhouse Rock
How Great Thou Art
Introductions
Early Mornin' Rain
What'd I Say
Johnny B. Goode
Introductions I Really Don't Want To Know
Introductions
Hurt
Hound Dog
0 Sole Mio*/It's Now Or Never
Can't Help Falling In Love
Closing Vamp
DVD 4
Rapid City, SD (June 21, 1977)
Backstage Footage
Also Sprach Zarathustra
See See Rider I Got A Woman/Amen
That's All Right
Are You Lonesome Tonight
Love Me
If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
You Gave Me A Mountain
Jailhouse Rock
0 Sole Mio/It's Now Or Never
Trying To Get To You
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
My Way
Introductions
I Really Don't Want To Know
Introduction of Vernon Presley & Ginger Alden
Hurt
Hound Dog
Unchained Melody
Can't Help Falling In Love
Closing Vamp
DVD 5
Elvis In Concert (The CBS-TV-Special)
Opening Credits Incl. Fans' Comments,
Stage Setup and Elvis' Arrival At Airport
Also Sprach Zarathustra
See See Rider
That's All Right
Are You Lonesome Tonight
Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
Fans' Comments
You Gave Me A Mountain
Jailhouse Rock
Fans' Comments
How Great Thou Art
Fans' Comments
Early Mornin' Rain I Really Don't Want To Know
Introduction Of Vernon Presley & Ginger Alden
Hurt
Hound Dog
My Way
Can't Help Falling In Love (Vernon Presley Interview Inserted)
Closing Vamp
Special Message From Vernon Presley
Closing Credits
Bonus:
CBS TV Trailer
(October 2, 1977)
DVD 6 (Bonus DVD)
'Elvis Is Dead'
A collection of news reports from local and major TV on the passing of Elvis Presley, recorded August '77.