Out next week is the new Straight Arrow release “Chicago Double-Strike”, which contains both Chicago 1977 concerts from a newly uncovered audience recordings which have not been in distribution previously (completely different tapes from previous Chicago ’77 release). The sound-quality is surprisingly good and you will feel that you are right in the middle of the crowd, cheering Elvis on as he delivers two solid, no-nonsense shows with plenty of highlights. His voice was strong and he was particularly impressive on songs like ‘Fairytale’, ‘Trying To Get To You’, ‘My Way’ and ‘Hurt’, with his voice really soaring on the high notes. Whatever the reason may have been for Elvis ‘upping his game’ on those two nights – some have suggested that it may have been due to the presence of several CBS execs – the Chicago ’77 concerts now stand out as genuine highlights from those final, sad months in the life and career of Elvis Aaron Presley. Both recordings have a tremendous ‘you are there’ feel to them. Presented with the professionalism that you have come to expect from us, don’t miss this terrific release that will bring you back to those final glimpses of greatness of the greatest entertainer ever.
CD 1 / Sunday, May 1, 1977, 8:30pm, Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider / When The Saints Go Marching In (excerpt) - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. Fairytale - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Jailhouse Rock - 08. O Sole Mio (Sherrill Nielsen) / It's Now Or Never - 09. Tryin' To Get To You - 10. Little Sister - 11. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 12. And I Love You So - 13. My Way - 14. Introduction of vocalists, musicians - 15. Early Mornin' Rain - 16. What'd I Say - 17. Johnny B. Goode - 18. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 19. Bass Solo (Battle Of New Orleans theme, Jerry Scheff) - 20. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 21. Electric Piano Solo (Bobby Ogdin) - 22. School Day - 23. Hurt (with reprise) - 24. Introduction of Joe Esposito - 25. Hound Dog - 26. Can't Help Falling In Love - 27. Closing Vamp / Announcements.
CD 2 / Monday, May 2, 1977, 8:30pm, Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. 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 (Sherrill Nielsen) / It's Now Or Never - 09. Little Sister - 10. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 11. My Way - 12. Polk Salad Annie (with false start) - 13. Introduction of vocalists, musicians - 14. Early Mornin' Rain - 15. What'd I Say - 16. Johnny B. Goode - 17. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 18. Bass Solo (Blues theme, Jerry Scheff) - 19. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 20. Electric Piano Solo (Bobby Ogdin) - 21. School Day - 22. Hurt (with reprise) - 23. Hound Dog - 24. Can't Help Falling In Love - 25. Closing Vamp / Announcements.