Last Stop in Mobile (CD - Rainbow Records, 2009)

Title:

Last Stop in Mobile

Label:

Rainbow Records [RR19770602-2]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

28

Running time:

77:30

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2009

Recording date:

Jume 2, 1977

Release date:

2009

Singles:

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Last Stop in Mobile is a CD by the Rainbow Records label. It contais the complete concert of June 2, 1977, Elvis' last in Mobile, Alabama, also know as "As Time Goes By" and "Live in Mobile". The work is out of print.

"Elvis Presley is 42, fat and losing his voice." This is how reporter Randall Savage introduces his review of Elvis' concert in Macon, Georgia, on June 1st, titled "The King is Dead...", in the Macon News. "He depends on his reputation and backup musicians to get him through concerts. And his seemingly constant gulps from the 30 paper cups on stage also helps." Obviously not a fan, Savage tells the story of a breathless Elvis on stage and the lack of "women ripping their panties" in the audience.

Also in the Macon News the same day, Jane Oppy had a different version of facts in her review, titled "... Long Live the King". She acknowledges an older Elvis on stage, someone who now doesn't need to show all his sex appeal to attract an audience anymore, but is able to see why those people are still there loving every little wiggle of a leg or thrust of his older, thicker pelvis. Oppy tells us of a puffier Elvis, sometimes out of breath and a little ill, but certainly not dead.

Brenda Camp from the Macon Telegraph wrote perhaps the most sincere and real review, "He's Changed, But He's Still the King". Reminiscing about the days were she used to be "dragged" by her younger sister to see a young Elvis perform or the many times she had been taken to his movies, the reporter describes the awe of seeing him live once more, recognizing that he's aged but hasn't lost it despite everything going on with him.

This is but a tiny taste of what was being Elvis Presley in the late 70's. Although many saw him as an aging star and accepted that everybody changes and many times lose a bit of what had made their career, there were those who preferred to mock him and point out how his body had changed or how sometimes he wouldn't be able to reach a note or two. This lashing by the press and the proximity of the release of "Elvis: What Happened?" put a lot of pressure in an already burdened person.

Elvis had cancelled four engagements between March 31st and April 3rd - the original dates for the Baton Rouge, Macon, Mobile and Jacksonville concerts, later added to the end of his May/June tour - due to "last minute impediments", but it still wasn't enough to give the press free reign to bash the King of Rock. As we know now, it wasn't a matter of "lack of commitment" or "disdain for the fans", but a far more serious issue that would end up taking his life a few months later.

The events on May 21st and May 29th, 1977 prove that his mental and bodily health wasn't in good shape. Having to have your head put in a bucket of iced water to wake you up or to leave the stage to be medicated isn't a good sign, but Elvis often dismissed these occurrences and would never let anyone convince him that he was in dire need of rest and health care. "I have a payroll to honor," he'd say.

By the end of another tour on June 2, 1977, Elvis had been on stage daily since May 20th. His voice was obviously lacking in some places, but there were some signs that he was getting a little better healthwise. The concert that night in Mobile would prove that he was still trying to surprise his audience and to outdo himself with songs that weren't played for a while and demanded a lot of his vocal skills. More than anything else, Elvis proved that Randall Savage was totally wrong.

Follow our detailed concert review below.

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- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: The usual fanfare makes the audience go wild.

- 2. See See Rider: The tape sound isn't that good, but we can get that the audience is enjoying seeing an energetic Elvis starting to sing his signature opening song. It actually feels like he's using a faster tempo tonight.

- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: Elvis' "Weeeeeeelll" resounds through the auditorium. This is a standard rendition for the period, but Elvis seems to be really having fun. His "striptease" sounds good and he manages to throw his guitar to Charlie Hodge. He talks a lot to the audience, but fortunately not because he's out of breath.

- 4. Love Me: The scarf-and-kiss throwaways begin. Elvis actually sounds into it and does a really good version while attending to his fans. Listen to his vocals at the end!

- 5. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): With Ronnie Tutt's drums shining through the track, this might be one of the best renditions of Olivia Newton-John's 1974 hit. The audicence loves the song, and so does Elvis.

- 6. You Gave Me a Mountain: A standard rendition, but it sure does compete with the June 21 version in terms of quality.

- 7. Jailhouse Rock: "My third movie was Jailhouse Rock." The rendition proceeds as usual, but with a lot of enthusiasm. It actually sounds Elvis wasn't tired of this 1957 hit at all.

- 8. O Sole Mio / It's No or Never: "In 1960 we did a song called 'It's Now or Never', and it was taken from the Italian song 'O Sole Mio'. I'd like to ask Sherrill to do 'O Sole Mio' and then we'll do 'It's Now or Never'. Listen to his voice, ladies and gentlemen." Elvis insists in the screams of Sherrill Nielsen, who actually sounds kinda good tonight. The King of Rock does the last note perfectly.

- 9. Help Me: "This next song is one that we did in an album, called 'Please Help Me'." Elvis and Gospel are always two things that end in awesomeness when mixed. This version easily surpasses the April 24 and May 3 ones that we have on soundboard.

- 10. An American Trilogy: "What do you wanna hear? 'An American Trilogy'? Okay." It's been almost a year since Elvis sang this trilogy for the last time, but he certainly felt refreshed that his audience would want to hear it instead of the beaten up standards. He goes in at the wrong time after the flute solo, but stops the song and apologizes before ending it with a mighty high note. This would be his last rendition of the song ever.

- 11. Polk Salad Annie: Asking the fans for suggestions again, Elvis goes straight into the song after hearing its title from the audience. This is a faster version than others in 1977 and surely is the one where he moves a lot more. The cheering from the audience tell us he might've executed an incredible combo of karate chops at the end. This would be his last rendition of the song ever.

- 12. Band Introductions: Elvis introduces The Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner and The Stamps, Kathy Westmoreland and Sherrill Nielsen.

- 13. Early Morning Rain: "On the rhythm guitar, from Springfield, Missouri - or somewhere around there, is John Wilkinson." Elvis songs along with Wilkinsons solo.

- 14. What'd I Say: "On the lead guitar, from Shreveport, Louisiana, is James Burton." Elvis also sings long.

- 15. Johnny B. Goode: "I'm gonna ask James to play the guitar on the back of his head because he's known to do it... 'James B. Goode'." This serves well to showcase all the talent of the musicians surrounding him.

- 16. Drum Solo: "On the drums, from Dallas, Texas, is hard working Ronnie Tutt." Ronnie does his thing.

- 17. Bass Solo: "On the Fender bass, from Los Angeles, is Jerry Scheff." Jerry plays the Blues. Somehow Elvis always said Scheff was from LA, but he was actually from Denver, Colorado.

- 18. Piano Solo: On the piano, from Nashville, is Tony Brown." Elvis does bass notes through Tony's solo.

- 19. I Really Don't Want to Know: "Let's do that song, 'I Really Don't Want to Know'." As usual, Elvis asks Tony to accompany him in his 1971 record.

- 20. Electric Piano Solo: "On the electric clavinet, is Bobby Ogdin." Elvis does bass notes through Bobby's funky solo.

- 21. School Days: Elvis introduces Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra. He also sings and vocalizes through their solo.

- 22. Hurt: "One of our latest records is called 'Hurt'." This fantastic version starts with an extra long intro while Elvis prepares to belt out the first notes and ends with great energy. After the song, Elvis asks the audience to stop crowding the front of the stage so no one gets hurt.

- 23. Hound Dog: Another kiss-and-scarf delivery moment and a throwaway version, although well done.

- 24. Unchained Melody: After thanking the audience and telling them that he's been on stage for an hour and 4 minutes already, Elvis announces the rendition of his new recording. The Everly Brothers' 1965 hit gets a slow and melodic version with Elvis calmly playing the piano and even reciting some words instead of singing.

- 25. Can't Help Falling In Love: "Anytime you want us back, just call us and we'll be right back." The 1961 hit makes the audience go silent at first, but then the hysterical screams take the place while Elvis giver the audience his last kisses and scarves. Nobody knew it, but this would be his last time in Mobile. 

- 26. Closing Vamp: The final fanfare announces that Elvis is gone and the show is over.

- 27. Announcement by Ed Hill: Hill does all the last announcements.

BONUS

- 28. An American Trilogy (Edited): Track 10 edited to cut the part where Elvis stops and restarts the song. 

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