The latest FTD outing is another 1976 soundboard recording, this time the show in the Metropolitan Sports Center in Minneapolis on October 17.
Design
Orange is – only for chauvinistic reasons – one of my favourite colours, but in my book this is one of the ugliest covers I have ever seen. And it is not caused by an Elvis who wasn’t in the best shape… although that didn’t help either.
Content
As said the CD contains mainly the October 17 show in Minneapolis. Gladly the producers removed two songs by the singing saw Nielsen for legal reasons. Whatever the reasons are, it is very humane to do so. Two of the songs in the show, School Days and Hurt, are from the October 26 show in Dayton, Ohio, as are the bonus tracks Blue Christmas and That’s All Right. The remaining 3 bonus tracks were recorded during the gig in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on October 16. This makes the title of the CD a bit strange.
Anyway, Lene Reidel didn’t completely ruin the tape this time and the sound is more than fair, with the guitar of James Burton a bit up front. For a 1976 show the performance isn’t too bad, although Elvis started a bit hesitating, insecure with See See Rider. If I am forced to name a highlight, it must be Steamroller Blues, but it is far from the powerful 1973/74 versions. Also the rendition of One Night surprised me in a positive way. I have a weak spot for Fairytale, a song I like in nearly every version. Blue Christmas got a soft en gentle approach in Dayton which makes it kind of different song.
Conclusion
It is certainly not the worst 1976 show and I actually enjoyed listening to it, but I’m afraid it will end with the spins it got now.
Sioux Falls is in South Dakota, not North Dakota.
No reactions...? I guess people haven't received it yet (I have not received mine). I was surprised to see no feedbacks on this review since I had the impression that many have spesific feelings regading tis tour/concert. I hope we are not getting too lazy or spoilt to get exited by a new release. Even if it is from 1976...;-)
I skipped this one for now. Nothing spectacular IMO. It would be interesting to read a review of the import "Springtime Tours '76-'77", a spectacular release, but with (according to the forums) some speed faults..
Had my copy last week funny enough the same day the MRS-Minnesota book turned up...it never rains it pours sometimes!!....i would of preferred the book to be the same format as all the other MRS releases if only because it looks neat and tidy on the shelf, however the book has some real nice pics and when i get round to listening to the FTD cd it will get another viewing......
Mine is on it's way can't wait to hear it.
Well, maybe I am getting spoiled and I think the show has no highlights. In October 1976 Elvis gave normal/good shows voice like, no problem about that. But as I said I was not especially enthousiastic about the sound and the show, just average/normal, sorry...
Another boring concert from FTD. The most interesting shows have already been issued by bootleggers.
Elvis is pretty uninspired..the songs sound flat without passion...only song with some fire Mystery Train/Tiger Man...
My copy is crossing the pond as I write this, and in spite of these reviews, I am still looking forward to it. I agree with Ton that as Elvis fans we have been "spoiled" by an amazing amount of music and live shows to enjoy. However, I was really struck by the comment that this show is "just average/normal." I was fortunate enough to see Elvis twice near the end of his life - March of '76 and June of 77 (the day before his last show in INDY). Even though they would sound just average/normal on a soundboard, I was totally mesmerized by his voice and stage presence. In the years since, I have seen Springsteen, McCartney, Rick Nelson and other Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famers but no one has come close to captivating me or most of his audience like Elvis did. So, while the soundboard may sound " flat without passion", I am able to recall the flashbulbs and the charisma that reached out to the third row and grabbed me all those years ago. That's why I enjoy soundboards and hope one day Ernst will did up one from Cincinnati in June of all those years ago.
You are absolutely right..actually attending the show must have been quite another experience than just listening to it on a sterile CD....AND this Cincinnati show on June 25, 1977 is a blockbuster....like it very much...much better than the Minnesota show..also the March 76 shows are by far better ...
Cisco.. the whole Cincy show brings back so many amazing memories - seeing all the fans from England in their hats, hoping that the cameras that were rolling for the Oct. 3rd Special outside the Coliseum were going to film the actual show not just the arrival of the fans from Europe.... I could go on and on, but that's not the topic. I thought both shows that I was able to see were amazing, and I'm thrilled that "Holding back the Years" allows me to revisit the March of '76 show, but as you said not even that soundboard can convey the magic that I witnessed on that stage. So, while some may not enjoy the FTD soundboards, I can enjoy them based on the fact that I can close my eyes and go back in time to when I sat in the 3rd row and tried to trade a stuffed "hound dog" for a scarf. Bob Heis has a great photo from that exchange. It is in the booklet that came with the "Silver" boxed set on RCA. He thought it was from INDY and sold it as such. Years later in meeting with Bob, he acknowleged that since the shows were back-to-back that his photo processor switched around some of the rolls - it didn't help that Elvis wore the Sundial suit both nights (actually the whole tour). OK, now I'm going on and on... lol At one time there was a great photo of me & my dog and Elvis in the museum at Graceland next to some other photos from that last tour as well as the Sundial suit - OK, I'll really stop this time.
Please share your precious memories with us..PLEASE !!
So many memories - I remember watching the evening news before leaving for the show and seeing footage of Elvis as he famously changed hotels in the middle of the day due to the lack of air conditioning. It was a hot day that late June. Then as Elvis came on stage (late), he told us the little white lie about going to the dentist. He should've told us the truth about the air conditioning fiasco. As far as the photo that Bob Heis took, it's quite famous for its view of Elvis' - well..ah.. you'll know it if you see it. I showed Bob the identifiaction error by pointing out that in Cincy the band wore blue jumpsuits and wore dark brown in INDY. Alas, too many years have passed and far too many people think the "dog" picture was taken in INDY. It's obvious by listening to the "Since Cincinnnati" boot that Elvis tells us "one at a time" as we rushed the stage after a rather attractive blonde caught his eye. Unfortunately, the blonde was too far from his reach to get a kiss, but it got me within two feet of my boyhod hero. Those were the days.
Fantastic...you lucky one...
thanks for sharing Orion. fill the mailbox with your me'mries...
Read the review in the new Man & His Music for an honest assessment. Enough with these uninspired shows being released.
dgirl your not playing fair, dont you know that as a fan you should want everything, even the stuff were Elvis sounds alsleep or uninterested! When you have to use sentences like Elvis was in a good mood, then you know theres not much to look forward to, what other artists has his cd's reviewed by the mood he is in? Frankly someones mood shouldnt matter but with Elvis in the late 70's that was everything as far as getting a poor fair or good show, there were no great ones! I dont know i sometimes wonder why bother to buy a cd were Elvis didnt bother to show up. In 1970 he was in fine form,wow what a change!
No, Mature_Elvis_Fan 75, you are the one not playing fair. When you talk about other artists' releases, did you ever stop to think that other artists don't have their shows from 30+ years ago released as CD's and don't have many shows released at all? When Elvis did that show do you think he thought that in 33 years people will be judging this version of a song vs. another version of the song? If he had known that he probably would have cancelled several shows where he wasn't feeling well, but he knew that his only obligation for this show was to the 15,800 people that saw him in Minneapolis that night. For fans and "critics" to be be so critical of a soundboard from a show recorded over 33 years ago is unfair. The reviews for the show were good (the critics who actually saw the show), from all reports, the crowd was in a frenzy and there was a great atmosphere. So what if Elvis wasn't a great singer that night and was only so-so. I think the main reason these shows seem boring is because Elvis didn't vary the set list a lot through 76 and we now have a lot of shows from '76 on bootleg and FTD that are similar. Maybe Elvis didn't give any definitive performances that night, but for those fans that night in Minnesota he sang those songs just for them. I haven't read one person on this topic say you had to buy this to be considered a fan and they would be foolish to think that. If you don't like it, fine, don't buy it. FTD is a collectors' label and Ernst is trying to release at least one concert to represent each tour where soundboards are available. If you are a fan who likes to collect everything here is a chance to own a small part of history from the Oct tour of '76 legally.
My arrived yesterday, and I must say that I quite enjoyed listening to it. The sound is very good for a soundboard so I assure any non-buyers that you won't have trouble enjoying the sound if you are considering supporting the efforts of FTD. Deano1 makes a good point when saying that many "fans" (?) are disappointed that Elvis didn't vary the set list a lot through 1976, and I say that on most tours during a particular year Elvis didn't vary his set list very much. Were the shows very different in 69 in Vegas - NO - How about 70 ? No. 71 - No. Were the "On Tour" shows very different ? No. Can you see what I mean. I don't compare May of 75 to August of 1970, but I do have some excellent shows from each year. So, I suggest that fans enjoy the fact that unreleased shows are still coming our way - if we wish to buy them - , and simply judge them on a year-to-year basis not against other years or tours. So, for a Oct. 1976 show, this one is pretty damn good. I'm not disappointed at all. Try loking at this way, and I think you might be less disappointed.
Deano1, I fully agree with your point of view regarding judging a show. Obviously now people look differently at it. In those days the ones present had a good time and the CD makes us part of that experience. Even the best recordng will never be able to capture the feeling of the show as a whole. And I also wonder who's shows will be released, reviewed and judged so critically 30 plus years from now. That shows the uniqueness of the King!
Deano1, you are 100% correct. This still doesnt excuse poor performances however. Only a handful of todays performers have releases out from those days and most are hand picked live shows. As fans we are spoiled for choice. We should be happy that these releases are out for us to enjoy. You dont have to buy the cd if you dont want to and rest assure very few casual fans really buy FTD's.
Orion, of course I do understand that when I would have seen Elvis Live In Concert I would be out of my mind from excitement. Only a few very good soundboards give me the feeling how it must have been sound if I would have been in the concert hall, I understand that..I guess nothing will compare with seeing and hearing Elvis live in person !
If this release was his performance in Minneapolis on Nov. 5, 1971, I'd be very interested. But this one, No!
Yes 3 plays were nearly enough for me too! -as it reminded me when i bought the South Bend 20th Oct 1976 show a while ago-Elvis performs "ok" but its hard to pick many 'highlights' and my impression is that the last 5 shows from this tour featured Elvis singing more meaningfully than the first 5 shows!- still although the sound image varies and its a 3 show 'compilation' its far from a bad 1976 FTD release
I can give you the reason for the higher price,lene reidel needed and deserved a raise and ernie needs some new headphones so maybe he can hear the wonderful work of lene! such talent!
Id suggest you find a another place for your ftd's!
mine should arrive soon...can't wait to hear this one.
because it is Elvis Presley! do you need more explanation? I understand there are those who will NEVER understand a hardcore fan like myself; who will buy each new release; and i do not expect or care if you do understand! As far as i am concerned i want to hear any recording; good or bad as it helps complete the puzzle to his recorded legacy; which is the most important part of Elvis! Music was his life's calling! I have never cared about opinions of others who choose not to understand; but instead mock! i just consider that either they are jealous of what Elvis still accomplishes and choose to ridicule someone they know only what they have read about; and you must really know how to read about Elvis to decipher which is truth and which may not be! then the ones who gripe that we want more; or why all the same year tour shows? it could be worse; all that music could be lost; or still in the vaults; and we could be stuck with just greatest hit comps, and or just the original albums we grew up with! some legends musical legacies are hidden in vaults; and all we have are those original albums we might find at flea markets and such! We may be spoiled with the Elvis catalog; but I for one welcome any new Elvis Presley music; i do not care where the source or what quality as long as it IS Elvis Presley!
