FTD released a “real” CD in between all the classic albums. Why they have chosen the big format again, I don’t know, but long live inconsistency!
Design
The design is good. The fact that E wore the two piece suits helps a lot! The booklet is well filled with pictures, newspaper clippings and – nice – candid shots from fans with band members at the time.
Content
We all know by now what to expect from a 1975 show. Good voice, talkative, but not too much and long and boring band intros started. This one is not different. Normally I do not like bonus songs on a live CD, but in this case it’s not that bad (since the show is incomplete anyway), although Hawaiian Wedding Song does not meet my good voice remark.
The sound is a bit weird, the piano very upfront and the backing vocalist’s clapping is very loud. At the ending of Burning Love there seems to be a crow with a mike, oh wait that’s Charlie H., also way too present in T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Also someone isn’t paying full attention and goes for an extra hunk of Burning Love alone. This sounds quite funny, especially since there was already a huge amount of hunks, I found myself looking at the clock, wondering if it would ever end.
Conclusion
At least there is some new material, but it will not make my personal FTD Top 50.
I look forward to hearing this C.D.
I agree about the size, this should be in the 5" format. Given that all the recent live shows have been in this larger format however it looks like the smaller size has been abandoned which is a pity. It's probably to do with justifying uniform pricing but you only have to look at what Gravel Road do to see that size isn't everything! (Update - the new GR releases are in big books so maybe no more 5" from them either).
I've got no complaint with this set. It's a fine show in above-average soundboard quality. Yes, there are some limitations and excesses (if you have it you know who and what I mean), but that's not my gripe. My gripe is that FTD seems to charge the same for its single CD packages as it does two CD sets. It seems that I paid the same amount for this one as I did the vastly superior "Sold Out" set. I realize this set was designed to give us a mostly-complete show and highlights from other shows in Florida during his spring tour in 1975, but why not include a second disc with the set if you are able to do that at times and NOT raise the price.
Orion your gripe is not a good one because we are actually paying the same for a 2 cd and not one. if you remember the price was always the same for one then they left it alone when they released a 2cd set. I agree a second cd would've been great with added selections but lets not rock the boat or they will up the 2cd price. and then ill blame you lol
Genedin - Hmmmm... you might have a point there. lol Seriously though - why is it FTD charges the same for this single CD set as it does the two-CD sets ? I'm not asking for an increase for ther twofers but a single CD shouldn't cost as much as a two CD set. Then again, I'm foolish enough to have paid it.
I really like that the piano is recorded up-front.I always considered If You Like Me (Let Me Know) being Elvis weakest recording. Now I changed my mind. This is a soundboard recording I will play more than on time.
Maybe by now they only release the big format because it sells better tthan de 5" format, don't you think so? Anyway, I like the show, I think Elvis is focused in his performance and not (too) much joking. I agree about the long-boring introductions.
This release stands exactly for what FTD is there for. A collectors gem par excellence !!!
I had the great pleasure of going to the concert in Lakeland FL. To have this concert come out on a CD has been a dream come true!!! Cant wait to get it, and relive some great memories!!
msgtgreg, you lucky devil !!! Good for you, they can't take that away from you as long as you live ! Cherish those memories ! Always El.
msgtgreg...please describe the show....the atmosphere...
VivaLasDavies, could you please expand on your your comment (Update - the new GR releases are in big books) Thanks!
I can't give you any specific details as I can't find the original post but basically, the two new GR soundboard releases are in large book format. They are available to pre-order now assuming you know where to look.
According to what I have heard...these books are great....
I read the following about the FTD cd, Elvis In Florida, on another Elvis website --
" Unfortunately several of the tracks cuts the intro, because there is an error on the CD index. Sloppy!! "
Sorry to come across as negative. I'm just passing on the information.
Got my copy yesterday. Got no problems with Elvis as he delivers a strong and sincere performance, though maybe not as full-blooded as the tours that followed. His humour also seems to be more spontaneous and less forced than what we hear on past releases. Sound-wise like most soundboards from this tour, this too suffers an imbalanced mix. Its the over-mixed cacophony of backing vocals which reveal all their mistakes which spoil it for me. Charlie Hodge is the worst offender. Boy he ruined some songs, especially his falsetto attempts toward the end of 'Burning Love' - a real horror show to the ears!. Thankfully there's hardly any problems on the Jacksonville cuts. But the sound also has it's upside. For some reason the cob-webs have been blown clean off this one which actually has some depth and atmosphere to it and it reveals a very responsive audience. It also makes the upfront piano and JD's vocal less intrusive. Overall a good concert release if you know what to expect.
