LAS VEGAS CLOSING NIGHT 1972

This CD Set features a live performance recorded on 4 September 1972, during the last night of Elvis’ seventh engagement in Las Vegas at the Hilton Hotel. The show is presented in stereo. 

A bonus CD of remastered rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, is also included.  The accompanying booklet - featuring rare photographs and memorabilia from the final evening – also includes liner notes that set the scene. 

 

TRACKLIST  

 

CD1 - LAS VEGAS HILTON - 4th SEPTEMBER 1972 (DINNER SHOW)

 

01. Also Sprach Zarathustra

02. See See Rider

03. Johnny B. Goode

04. Until It’s Time For You To Go

05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me

06. Polk Salad Annie

07. Elvis Talks to Audience

08. What Now My Love

09. Fever

10. Love Me

11. Blue Suede Shoes

12. Heartbreak Hotel

13. All Shook Up

14. Love Me Tender

15. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel

16. Little Sister / Get Back

17. Hound Dog

18. I'll Remember You

19. Walk That Lonesome Road (JD Sumner & The Stamps)

20. Suspicious Minds

21. Band Introductions

22. Elvis Welcomes British Fanclub

23. For The Good Times

24. A Big Hunk O' Love

25. You Gave Me A Mountain

26. Can't Help Falling In Love

 

CD2 - LAS VEGAS REHEARSAL TRACKS (4TH August 1972)

 

01.You Don't Have To Say You Love Me

02.Until It's Time For You To Go

03.You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

04.Burning Love

05.What Now My Love (Take 1)

06.What Now My Love (Take 2)

07.My Babe

08.For The Good Times

09.True Love Travels On A Gravel Road

10.Fever

11.Blueberry Hill

12.Little Sister / Get Back (incomplete)

13.I'll Remember You

14.An American Trilogy

15.Something

16.Faded Love

17.You Gave Me A Mountain

18.I'm Leavin'

19.My Way (Take 1)

20.My Way (Take 2)

 

ELVIS SINGS LULABIES

Another release by a Dutch "import" label, Radio recorders. Avoid this one i guess.

01. Love Me Tender Master
02. Angel - Master
03. Sand Castles - Take 9
04. A Whistling Tune (2nd Version) - Master
05. Young And Beautiful (Record Version) - Take 3
06. Summer Kisssses, Winter Tears - Take 17
07. Pocketful Of Rainbows - Take 8
08. Gently - Master
09. Home Is Where The Heart Is - Take 20
10. Big Boots (Slow Version) - Take 1
11. Loving You (Slow Movie Version) - Take 6
12. Mama – Binaural Master (acetate source)
13. True Love - Master
14. Blue Moon - Master
15. I Need Somebody To Lean On - Take 15
16. Puppet On A String - Film Version
17. Old Shep - Take 5
18. Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Take 5
19. Please Don't Stop Loving Me - Take 9
20. They Remind Me Too Much Of You - Film Version
21 Can't Help Falling In Love - Master
22 In My Way - Film Version
23 Five Sleepy Heads (Movie Version) - Dubdown
24. Dainty Little Moonbeams (End Title) - Take 6

SUMMER FESTIVAL: REFLECTIONS OF '71 volume 3 - 3 CD Set

Now available is this 3 CD set featuring 3 audience recorded live shows from August 1971.

Volume 2 of the SUMMER FESTIVAL series featured 3 rockin' shows from his Summer Festival season in Las Vegas, August 1971. 

This follow up contains 3 more rockin' shows from the very same season. This set contains many highlights like the Beatles'  "Get Back" which Elvis only sang five times during this season. Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" became an almost steady on the setlist during this August season, but did not return on the setlist in 1972. Beautiful renditions of songs like "I'm Leavin", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "It's Impossible" are also featured on this set.

Especially knowing no soundboard recordings have yet surfaced, these audience recorded shows are all we are able to enjoy.

A total of 3 shows are included in this box set. All recordings have been painstakingly remastered & repaired.

Included in this box set are:

August 20, 1971 dinner show

August 21, 1971 dinner show

August 21, 1971 midnight show

STEEL CITY '73 - FROM THE JOHN HERMAN MASTERTAPES VOL. 1

FROM „THE JOHN HERMAN MASTER TAPES“ VOL. 1

Monday, June 25 1973 Evening Show, Civic Center Arena,
Pittsburgh, PA. 
Label: Straight Arrow Special
Products SA/SP 2023-69-02

In memory of John Herman
(June 25, 1942 – July 5, 2017)

“I first met John Herman  around 1974 - 1975. We met the old fashion ways - by mail. He was running ads in the record collector’s magazine GOLDMINE as well as in want ad sections of fan club newsletters. I belonged to several - it’s how we networked with other fans and collectors.

John and I swapped letters and traded Elvis items. Once our relationship was established we began speaking on the phone. Eventually those phone conversations about Elvis turned to more friendly topics. Family, sports and as the years went by - our health issues. 

He often relayed the story about being a young guy in South Carolina where he was born and being turned on to Elvis from the early days at SUN Records. One funny story involved getting the SUN release of “I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine” and disliking it so much that he used it for target practice one day. Imagine shooting a SUN label record! It was of course available in stores back then and before Elvis’ popularity exploded.

Eventually John and his family relocated to Uniontown, Pennsylvania. A small town about 45 miles east of Pittsburgh along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Pittsburgh would eventually figure greatly in his love for Elvis.

John helped me immensely in building my Elvis collection. He was generous to me including trading audio cassettes, reel to reel tapes, video tape, films and records. We became such good friends he gifted me 3 Sun Records, two 45 RPM’s and one 78 RPM. As the years progressed he recorded many Elvis concerts. He saw Elvis on tour in Pennsylvania, Ohio,

New York, Virginia as well as other places including Elvis’ last two engagements in Las Vegas. He shared a lot of that with me as well as other fans. He even helped me get to some of those shows and shared his access with me - I’m forever grateful.

Like many of us he began recording the shows on cassette tape. A process that was a learning experience for those of us who did such a thing. The more shows you’re recorded - the better you became at it. The same applied to shooting still pictures or Super 8 film. At some point you got better and better. 

The interaction between Elvis’ staff, his father and eventually Elvis himself gave John pretty good access to his hero. It’s a story I’ll relate in later editions. Elvis loved policeman and that was John’s profession - a Police Officer for his hometown. John became friendly with his hero on a personal basis. The audio recordings he made, the photographs he shot and even the iconic films he shot have become legendary in the world of Elvis. With the passing of many of the original guard of Elvis fans and collectors – his is one of those names and stories that needs to be kept relevant.

He left us with many great moments and memories that we all still share and enjoy.”

Straight Arrow was fortunate enough to obtain recently recovered 1st generation copy of the original audience-recorded tape of this show, coming from collection of American fan. This historic concert was never before available in good sound quality - until now! Every second was enhanced to achieve the optimal listening experience. The sound was remastered to the correct speed. If you have enjoyed our previous 1973 CDs, we believe that you will love this one as well. Ask your local CD vendor for audio teasers! 

Presented in the usual Straight Arrow fashion with the top notch digipak including the photos of Elvis in Pittsburgh and Uniondale, June 1973 and great liner  notes written by close friend of John Herman, this new release is another beauty that you must not miss! Straight arrow is planning several volumes of “FROM THE JOHN HERMAN MASTERTAPES” similar with our legendary 2015 “FROM THE RICK RENNIE MASTERATEPS” series. Note: Elvis super fan John Herman also taped the legendary Pittsburgh 1976 New Years Eve show, widely released by bootleggers and by the official FTD label. 

The Straight Arrow team is always looking for new, unreleased audience-taped shows and for better quality versions of the previously released recordings. If you have such unique tapes, even damaged or broken, do not hesitate to contact us through your local dealer!

Tracklist:

01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra 
02. C. C. Rider
03. I Got A Woman / Amen
04.Love Me Tender
05. Steamroller Blues 
06. You Gave Me A Mountain
07. Love Me
08.Blue Suede Shoes
09. Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Mama Don’t Dance /
Flip Flop And Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Shake Rattle And Roll / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On 
10. I’m Leavin’
11. How Great Thou Art (with reprise) 
12. Hound Dog 
13. Fever
14. What Now My Love
15. Suspicious Minds
16. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra
17.Happy Birthday to Colonel Parker
18. I’ll Remember You
19. I Can’t Stop Loving You
20. An American Trilogy
21. Johnny B. Goode
22. Help Me Make It Through The Night
23. Can’t Help Falling In Love
24. Closing Vamp.

UNEDITED MASTERS VOLUME 1

Venus Productions is proud to present a new CD with unreleased, unedited, overdubbed or differently mixed tracks!

It’s been a while since our last release and we’re looking forward to bring you unreleased tracks in top sound again. We’ll kick off with a paper sleeve CD that we almost forgot about and has been ready for 3 years.

ELVIS - UNEDITED MASTERS Vol. 1. Tracks :

01. The Fool [Take 1 - Different Mix]
02. Faded Love [Brass & String Overdubbed Master]
03. How The Web Was Woven [Rehearsal + Takes 1, 2] *
04. Mary In The Morning [Unedited Overdubbed Master]
05. Cindy, Cindy [Unedited Overdubbed Master]
06. Put Your Hand In The Hand [Unedited Master]
07. Sylvia [Takes 5,6,7,8,9]
08. That's What You Get For Lovin' Me [Unknown Take]
09. Fools Rush In [Unedited Master]
10. Until It's Time For You To Go [Unedited Master]
11. Burning Love [Takes 5, 6 - Unedited]
12. Always On My Mind [Unedited - Strings & Brass Overdub]
13. It's A Matter Of Time [Unedited - Strings & Brass Overdub]
14. Bosom Of Abraham* [Unedited Master - Different Mix]
15. Amazing Grace [Take 2 - No Backing Vocals Overdub]
16. Early Morning Rain [Take 1 - 1973 Version]
17. No More [Take 1 - 1973 Version]
18. Promised Land [Unedited Master with Harmony Overdub]
19. Talk About The Good Times [Unedited Overdubbed Master]
20. Lead Me, Guide Me * [Unedited Master - Different Mix]

RAGS TO RICHES

“Rags To Riches – The Original Mono Mixes” is a 2-disc set. 

The CD includes 20 tracks from Elvis´ June and September 1970 Nashville Recording Sessions, all presented as the original mono mixes in top-notch sound! You may wonder why Elvis´ music was still mixed in mono in 1970. Well, all of Elvis’ 45 RPM singles from those days, almost to the end of 1971, were still being released in mono.

Possibly because his releases were coming out of RCA Nashville, and some of the songs were only issued as singles and not so much as LP cuts, and therefore not mixed to stereo. Also, around this time, after a decade of indifference, country music radio started paying attention to Elvis again. 

Most of his singles from this period made the country charts.

During this period, RCA recording artists Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Eddy Arnold (and every other C&W artist on RCA) released most of their singles in mono. The first Elvis stereo single in the ‘70s was Merry Christmas Baby/O Come All Ye Faithful from 1971. Promo singles for Elvis´ music continued being released in mono until 1975.

As a matter of fact those single records from 50+ years ago (especially the promos) did have a unique sound which is powered a lot by a great punch. This detail in sound was for sure intended by the producers as it made a great effect when being played by radio stations back then. Still today,

collectors are partly buying these promos not only for collecting purposes, but also for playing them on vintage (or new) record players, enjoying “glorious mono sound”.

Now you can enjoy all these great sounding Elvis tracks in glorious mono on this release!

The DVD in our new set has a running time of almost 100 (!!) minutes and we gave it the title “That´s The Way It Is In Motion”. While this is definitely not a re-edit of the original “That's The Way It Is” movie, it is a musical documentary of its own, and represents the album and the songs that appeared on it. And much more! Using higher quality outtakes than ever before with footage that has no watermarks or similar impairments, we are able to present it in the highest possible quality, like you are used from us.

All of the songs on the DVD are newly edited with several different camera angles. You´ll see and hear Elvis having fun rehearsing “You Don´t Have To Say You Love Me” on July 15, 1970 and also doing the tune live at the Opening Night performance on August 10, which has Elvis calling out

Sammy Davis Jr.. We also included an interview segment of Sammy Davis Jr. talking about what he saw on stage that night accompanies the clip. A newly edited version of "I Just Can't Help Believin" which goes from rehearsal to live is presented in split screens, using several different angles. Also on this DVD are newly edited performances of "Make The World Go Away", "Polk Salad Annie", "I've Lost You" and the Walk Through  Audience (which has never been edited properly before).

Added to that are several split-screen performances like "Heartbreak Hotel"  from the August 12th 1970 Dinner Show and “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. The “Little Sister / Get Back” sit down medley has been edited properly for the first time and is for sure one of the many highlights on our DVD.

“Blue Suede Shoes” has been re-edited, despite its appearance in the original movie. This DVD brings you a great experience in going back to Las Vegas in the summer of 1970!

Tracklist CD:
01. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On [Master Recording]
02. Bridge Over Troubled Water [Without Harmony Vocal Overdub]
03. I Really Don’t Want To Know [Original Single Version]
04. You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me [Original Single Version]
05. There Goes My Everything [Original Single Version]
06. Mary In The Morning [Master Recording]
07. Stranger In The Crowd
08. I’ve Lost You
09. Patch It Up [Original Single Version]
10. How The Web Was Woven [Undubbed Master, Acetate Source]
11. Sylvia [Takes 5-8] Unreleased!
12. The Next Step Is Love [Master Recording]
13. Rags To Riches [Master Recording]
14. Only Believe
15. The Fool
16. Where Did They Go, Lord
17. Twenty Days And Twenty Nights
18. I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
19. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On [Mix With Horns]
20. Bridge Over Troubled Water [Take 1]

COME WHAT MAY

Many people, in concerns of music, sports, politics and many more genres just love to ask: What If.....? Elvis fans do that as well! So let ́s get to the point: What If RCA had released an LP album like our brandnew REEL TRAX release in November of 1966? We don ́t know for sure of course, but we assume that the view on Elvis ́ career in the Sixties would probably be significantly different. But since this obviously did not happen the way we wish it had, Elvis is mainly being remembered in this decade as a celluloid artist. His last studio album that had nothing to do with “typical” movie songs had been ''Pot Luck'' and it had been released way back in 1962. In the meantime the majority of Elvis ́ album releases had clearly been dominated by his movie soundtracks (which showed in releases on singles and EP ́s as well – plus we all know that there would have to be that so-called “Lost Album” in  ́63 which never had been realized ). It seemed to be a perfect formula to maximize financial success to release movie soundtrack after movie soundtrack. Even considering taking the risk to lose credibility as a performer who once was known as being a “rebel”, a man who changed just about everything in contemporary pop music business only 10 years earlier.

Lost Album – Missed opportunity?

Tracks 1 – 12 are taken from the forthcoming REEL TRAX vinyl release “Come What May” (LSP 3718), which deals with a so-called “Lost Album” theory for November 1966. All other songs used for this CD release are mainly based on international 45 r.p.m single releases of 1966. While some of the titles are almost common knowledge when it comes to be known as single tracks on Elvis ́ official RCA-Label (like “Tell Me Why” and “Blue River” for instance), the “Girl Happy” songs ‘’Do Not Disturb’’ and ‘’Spring Fever’’ have been released that year only on a single in India. The “Paradise Hawaiian Style” LP tracks “Drums Of The Islands”, “This Is My Heaven”, “House Of Sand” and the title track of the movie only showed up on single releases in the Philippines (all on RCA as well).

  

By the mid-1960 ́s it was about time to reflect Elvis ́ musical career, to think about changes, to have respect for new influences in terms of songs and sounds. History tells us that this most likely never has happened. And still, there were opportunities to bring back some of that old magic from a couple of years earlier. One of those “chances” took its start in May of 1966 when Elvis returned to “Studio B” in Nashville for a recording session with material for two albums! One of them would become a Grammy-Award winning album full of Gospel music (just like in 1960), titled “How Great Thou Art”! The other one could have been similar to the one you hold in your hands now. Elvis was highly motivated to do the sessions and he did a mighty good job on the material which consisted of Gospel songs and well chosen Covers of genres from Folk to Rhythm n ́ Blues titles.

The ''How Great Thou Art'' LP became a gold album and sure made Elvis very proud of it. But what about the rest of the songs from the sessions in May of 1966? What happened to the possible second album? Well, there was no second album! The songs, which could have been used for another pretty solid “concept” (and therefore artistically much more valuable) album finally appeared on singles and as bonus songs on upcoming soundtrack albums. A big disappointment indeed and again we would like to ask: What if.....?

To give it a fresh ambience, the best / most interesting alternate takes for the songs have been chosen. Disc 2 comprises more complete and partly spliced outtakes of the titles from Disc 1. Discover a stand-out and never before released version of the title “God ́s Gonna Cut ém Down” (also known as “Run On”) which features a splice of Takes 1 and 6. Also included are the original demos of four songs sung by Bobby "Red " West. Two of them were even written by him!

TRACKLISTING:

Disc 1:

Come What May (Take 2) - Tomorrow Is A Long Time (Take 2) - Love Letters (Take 7) - Fools Fall In Love (Take 4) - Beyond The Reef (Take 2 - Rejected Master) - Tell Me Why (Stereo Version  - Master) - Down In The Alley (Take 1) - I'll Remember You (Take 2) - All That I Am (Take 2) - Run On (Take 2) - Indescribably Blue (Take 1) - If Everyday Was Like Christmas (Take 2) - Joshua Fit The Battle (Take 1) - Blue River (Take 2) - Spinout (Take 2) - Known Only To Him (Take 2) - Milky White Way (Take 5) - Frankie And Johnny (Take 1) - Please Don't Stop Loving Me (Take 3 - Lower Key) - Swing Down Sweet Chariot (Take 3) - How Would You Like To Be (Take 1) - Do Not Disturb (Take 27 - RCA India On 45rpm) - Spring Fever (Take 4 - RCA India On 45rpm) - This Is My Heaven (Take 3 - RCA Phillippines On 45rpm) - Drums Of The Islands (Take 5 - RCA Phillippines On 45rpm) - Paradise Hawaiian Style (Take 1 - RCA Phillippines On 45rpm) - House Of Sand (Take 3 - RCA Phillippines on 45rpm)

Disc 2:

Run On (Take 1 & 6 - Spliced) - Come What May (Take 3, 4) - Fools Fall In Love (Take 5 - Master) - Love Letters (Take 2) - Down In The Alley (Take 6) - Spinout (Take 3 - 5 M) - Tomorrow Is A Long Time (Take 3 - Master) - Beyond The Reef (Take 1 & 2 - Undubbed) - I’ll Remember You (Take 1) - All That I Am (Take 4) - Joshua Fit The Battle (Take 2) - Swing Down, Sweet Chariot (Take 1) - Known Only To Him (Take 5) - Frankie And Johnny (Take 4 & 6 M) - Milky White Way (Take 3) - Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (Take 7) - Do Not Disturb (Take 35) - Spring Fever (Take 21) - This Is My Heaven (Take 7) - Paradise Hawaiian Style (Take 1 & 4 - Spliced) - Indescribably Blue (Master - Take 2) - I’ll Remember You (Demo - Red West) - If Every Day Was Like Christmas (Demo - Red West) - Indescribably Blue (Demo - Red West) - Sleepless Nights Endless Days (Demo Red West)