RIPPIN' IT IN CINCINNATI

Straight Arrow Special Products SA/SP 2018-51-02

Sunday, March 21, 1976, Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, OH.

It was the1^st tour of 1976 and some of Elvis’ key musicians were replaced. Unexpectedly, the result was a surprisingly fresh sound, with keyboards and drums prominent. During this rather short tour, Elvis performed 8 solid and entertaining shows in 4 cities.

The Cincinnati, March 21st, 1976, 2:30pm show is previously unreleased. Once again, this show was not available in acceptable sound thus far. The only existing tape in circulation was in subpar quality. This was the show where Elvis ripped the seat of his blue Bicentennial suit during “Polk Salad Annie”, and finished the show dressed in the Rainfall suit. It is one of the very few shows where Elvis left the stage for awhile (another example is Baltimore, May 29, 1977, released on our 2CD “Breakdown In Baltimore”).

Our release has been taken directly from a first generation copy of a previously unreleased original audience-recorded cassette. This concert was recorded by Elvis super fan John Herman, who also taped the legendary Pittsburgh 1976 New Years Eve show, widely released by bootleggers and by the official FTD label.

As usual, this release is presented in a de-luxe 6-panel digipak with collection of photos taken in Cincinnati and local press reviews. A couple of unpublished John Herman snapshots were added, too.

Tracklist:

01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra02. C. C. Rider 03. I Got A Woman / Amen 04. Love Me05. Let Me Be There06. You Gave Me A Mountain07. Steamroller Blues08. All Shook Up09. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel10. Love Me Tender11. Polk Salad Annie / Elvis leaves the stage to change the jumpsuit12. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra (by J. D. Sumner)13. What'd I Say (James Burton, instrumental)14. Drum Solo (Larry Londin) 15. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) / Elvis returns16. Piano Solo (Shane Keister)17. Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs)18. School Day19. And I Love You So20. Hurt (with reprise)21. Burning Love22. America The Beautiful23. Funny How Time Slips Away24. Heartbreak Hotel25. Hound Dog26. Can't Help Falling In Love27. Closing Vamp / Announcements