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Southern Gypsy Magic

February 27, 2013 | Music

Out shortly will be Straight Arrow's double-digipak release "SOUTHERN GYSPY MAGIC", featuring the wild July 23, 1975 Asheville show, plus bonus rarities from July 22 and 24. The show was originally issued on a 1997 CD called "GYRATING ASHEVILLE." But recently, Straight Arrow obtained a superior tape source, one too good to be kept in the vaults: a recorder equipped with two microphones, so there is noticeable "ambience," due to the channel separation. And, for the first time, the show is presented complete, with no edits.

As spring turned to summer in 1975, Elvis spent June and July touring America's southeastern states, giving fans a memorable series of up-tempo performances, night after night. It would be the last time he would do so with any consistency. Asheville was the final city on his July 1975 tour, with three consecutive nights sold out at the newly-built Civic Center. The middle show on July 23, which makes up the core of this release, offers a number of unexpected inclusions like "Turn Around, Look At Me," "Shake A Hand" and "Promised Land," the Chuck Berry classic released on single the previous fall. Bonus selections include a July 22 performance of "You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me" (possibly for the last time) and a rare version of "Memphis, Tennessee."

From July 24 is the only known live performance of "Pieces Of My Life." Yes, the complete July 24 show appeared on our 2005 debut, PIECES OF MY LIFE. However, instead of simply copying tracks from that disc, we chose to rework the first-generation tape from scratch, with even better results than eight years ago! The package is topped off with many beautiful images from July 23, plus a photo each from July 22 and 24. If you liked our other July 1975 tour outings, "PIECES OF MY LIFE" and "YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE", you will love this new 2CD-set, too. Do not miss the opportunity to own the ultimate release of Elvis' magical July 23, 1975 Asheville show.

Tracklisting

CD 1: 01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Big Boss Man - 05. Love Me - 06. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 07. It's Midnight - 08. All Shook Up - 09. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 10. Hound Dog - 11. The Wonder Of You - 12. Turn Around, Look At Me - 13. Polk Salad Annie - 14. Introduction of singers, musicians, orchestra - 15. Johnny B. Goode (James Burton) - 16. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 17. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - 18. Piano Solo (Glen Hardin) - 19. School Day (Joe Guercio Orchestra)

CD 2: 01. T-R-O-U-B-L-E - 02. Why Me Lord? - 03. How Great Thou Art - 04. Let Me Be There (w/ reprise) - 05. Shake A Hand - 06. Fairytale - 07. Introduction of Vernon- 08. Little Darlin' -09. Mystery Train / Tiger Man - 10. Funny How Times Slip Away (with reprise) - 11. It's Now Or Never - 12. Promised Land - 13. Can't Help Falling In Love - 14. Closing Vamp / announcements BONUS (July 22): 15. Why Me Lord? (Elvis solo) - 16. Shake A Hand (with false starts) - 17. Memphis, Tennessee (with false start) - 18. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me BONUS (July 24): 19. That's All Right - 20. Jailhouse Rock - 21. Something - 22. Return To Sender - 23. Wooden Heart - 24. Shake A Hand - 25. Pieces Of My Life

Source:For CD Collectors Only
Ciscoking wrote on February 27, 2013
It`s an honour for me to be the first to post about this new Straight Arrow. Just one word: F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C !!!
Pedro Nuno wrote on February 27, 2013
I Love audience recordings. I love GYRATING ASHEVILLE. Love it! If this release have a better source tape, well it is not a only a winner, but also a milestone: it marks the last truly Outstanding Concert Elvis gave until his death. Not even December 1976 concerts are this great. And those Ashville concerts rank, for me, among his best 10 concerts ever! The way Elvis talks to the audience, the way he stops the concert to ask a fan what is “The 1st book of the Bible”, and then asks "What’s the human body made of?" And to the Fan response “Genes…?” the King says something like “It’s just a little culture for your”, Well that is pure magic. We don't see the Man and The King together quite often but in that ASHEVILLE weekend Presley was ... GOD!
GEORGE (GK) wrote on February 27, 2013
Elvis, seemed to be having fun on tour in the spring and summer of 1975, and he was trying out new and older songs, that weren't usually in his show song line up, and he was talking more with the audience, and even singing requests. I had the pleasure of seeing him at the Nassau Coliseum, on July 19th 1975, (I went to the afternoon and evening show) and it was so memorable, because Elvis, was really enjoying himself, on stage and it showed. Very relaxed and fun and he looked and sounded great ! I often reflect on these 2 concerts, and wish I could go back in time and be there again in the audience.
Orion wrote on February 27, 2013
I do believe this will end up being my 4th AR. Most of you know my opinion of AR, but this one does look too good to be true. I was hoping that FTD would give us a July '75 soundboard, but it looks like this one will have to do.
Ronaldv wrote on February 27, 2013
Yes, I agree. Those Asheville shows are marvellous! Since 1997, when Gyrating Asheville was released, this is a well known show for collectors. This 2cd will do fine for me, the sound is good for an audience recording, so sorry to say, but this sa release is just another re-release for at least 25 euros? Agreed, very nice for newbies. Is the barrel that empty? I'm really looking forward to the day that a july 1975 SOUNDBOARD turns up, it's nice to dream you know!
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on February 27, 2013
I Like the artwork,ftd you could,nevermind,they aint listening. Its not just a rerelease for those who dont have gyrating asheville ,i saw that sale on ebay for over 100 bucks. Poor buyer didnt know a better product at a much cheaper price was coming out. Straight arrow has come up with a very cool release,i agree the asheville shows were really the last great shows.
Gorse wrote on February 28, 2013
I am no expert like Ciscking on audience recordings but although the concert is fantastic it always sounded slightly distant as opposed to Storm Over Portland which showed Elvis real close to the listener. Am I on my own in this opinion or was it the copy I purchased that was the problem.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on February 28, 2013
Yes gyrating was more distant than storm over portland,but this is a new source,better sound. Sound samples show this to be true.
Troubleman wrote on February 28, 2013
I think that if there were any soundboards available for these July shows, then they would have been released by now, since they are great shows (with rare songs)! I guess we’ll have to get the ARs only. I have ‘Gyrating’ already, but if this is truly a better sound, then I might get this one as well (and trade my old copy). - TCB
Ciscoking wrote on March 03, 2013
I heard sound samples,..it`s really a fantastic upgrade..and not only for newbies..we won`t get this great concert any better..
In-A-Flash wrote on March 03, 2013
Thanks for the info Ciscoking - I have my copy reserved !
Orion wrote on March 03, 2013
Glad to know that the sound samples sound promising. I haven't been able to find any samples, but took the plunge and ordered a copy. You never know this might make a believer out me - that is an AR believer. I'll let everyone know in a few weeks when this one arrives stateside.
Smile:-) wrote on March 05, 2013
I am not a AR-fan, but I will buy this one:) A little off topic, but I just have to express my wish to have a July 1975 concert in soundboard in addition to Houston, Febr. 1970, summer tour 1973 and final concert June 26, 1977.