California Wave.

The forthcoming "Memory Records" label CD release is entitled "CALIFORNIA WAVE". In 1976, Elvis played in more cities than before. Despite of his physical and mental decline, he tried to please his loyal fans and his Springtime concerts were fairly decent for the most part, especially when compared to his lacklustre performances later that summer.

This CD features the previously unreleased Long Beach, CA, Evening show from April 25th, 1976. It’s a very fresh set with very good performances of "Tryin' To Get To You", "My Way", "Hurt", "Burning Love" and "It's Now Or Never", to name but a few of highlights.

All accompanying photographs were taken at the Long Beach, April 25th, 1976 Evening show. As a bonus, five tracks from Johnson City, March 19th, 1976 were added to paint a more complete picture of this period. This previously unreleased recording was taken from an early generation 70s copy of the original audience-recorded master tape. All tracks were digitally restored for optimal listening pleasure. Bonus tracks are coming from very good sounding stereo audience recording.

Denise Kusel from Long Beach Press Telegram wrote: "The voice that came from the depths of his barrel chest was deep and rich. His renditions of gospel songs "How Great Thou Art" and "This Time You Gave Me a Mountain" were offered with sincere beauty. An eerie silence filled the concert hall when he sang "And now the end is near" - the opening line to the Frank Sinatra favorite, "My Way". It was like witnessing a chilling prophecy. Almost 28,000 fans in two concerts, marking his only Southern California appearances, loved him. So did I."

Tracklist:

01. Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. All Shook Up - 08. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) - 09. Tryin' To Get To You - 10. My Way - 11. Polk Salad Annie (incomplete) - 12. Band Introductions (incomplete) - 13. Hurt - 14. And I Love You So - 15. America The Beautiful - 16. Burning Love - 17. Help Me - 18. How Great Thou Art - 19. It's Now Or Never / Introduction of The Eagles - 20. Funny How Time Slips Away (with reprise) - 21. Hound Dog - 22. Blue Suede Shoes - 23. Can't Help Falling In Love - 24. Closing Vamp

Bonus (stereo audience recording):

25. Let Me Be There - 26. Steamroller Blues - 27. Heartbreak Hotel - 28. Love Me Tender - 29. Polk Salad Annie.

CD running time: 77:15


2009/07/10 E-Mail / www.epgold.com