FTD released ‘a regular’ CD containing 2 live shows from 1976 (was about time!). The shows are from March 22 at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri and April 27 at The Coliseum in Spokane, Washington.
Design
This ‘regular’ has the usual 5” layout, 3 panel fold out.The pictures are (gladly) mainly from the St. Louis show. The information is minimal, but sufficient: musicians, photo credits, the usual thankyous, masterer and producers.
Content
The St. Louis show was available as audience recording before on St. Louis Blues. This bootleg obviously got is title from the highlight of the show, a pretty good version of Steamroller Blues (all things are relative). The introductions are not complete, but unfortunately David Briggs’ irritating solo is there, Elvis struggles with the pianist’s name (Shane Keister). All together the show is boring, even for 1976, but in a more than fair sound.
The Spokane show was not released on silver disc before (not even CDR according to Francesc Lopez’ supersite Elvis Presley in Concert). The sound of this show is not as clear as of the one on the first disc, the sound is a bit muffled and the bass is a on the heavy side. Gladly it improves a bit during the show (or did I get used to it?).
Overall the show is about as pleasant than the first one, it has all the things I dislike in a lot of 1976 shows, the JD-act, the overdone ending by the backing vocals on Love Me. But the main attraction, Elvis, seems to be in a bit better shape and awake. The songs that are on both shows are stronger on this one (most obvious on Hurt), but that was not really hard to do.
Conclusion
My prejudice on 1976 shows is confirmed once more. I do not enjoy them in general, there are a few exceptions, but these are not among them.
Tracklisting
Disc 1
March 22, 1976
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis. 8:30 p.m.
01 Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra
(Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey) 0:55
02 See See Rider 3:01
03 I Got A Woman/Amen 4:38
04 Love Me 2:27
05 Let Me Be There 2:47
06 You Gave Me A Mountain 3:37
07 Steamroller Blues 3:02
08 All Shook Up 1:01
09 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel 2:02
10 Hearbreak Hotel 1:38
11 Love Me Tender1:48
12 Polk Salad Annie 3:35
13 introductions (incomplete) 5:19
14 And I Love You So 3:36
15 HURT 2:07
16 Hound Dog 1:25
17 America 2:59
18 Funny How Time Slips Away 3:02
19 Can’t Help Falling In Love 1:51
20 Closing Vamp 1:40
Disc 2
April 27, 1976
The Coliseum, Spokane, Washington. 8:30 p.m.
01 Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra
(Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey) 1:00
02 See See Rider 5:00
03 I Got A Woman/Amen 7:04
04 Love Me 4:11
05 If You Love Me (Let Me Know) 3:22
06 You Gave Me A Mountain 3:22
07 All Shook Up 1:05
08 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel 2:49
09 Trying To Get To You 2:18
10 America 2:25
11 Polk Salad Annie 3:58
12 introductions 11:30
13 My Way 4:04
14 Burning Love Linde)
15 HURT 3:41
16 Funny How Time Slips Away 3:57
16 How Great Thou Art 3:18
16 Hound Dog 1:58
21 Can’t Help Falling In Love 1:45
20 Closing Vamp 1:47
