The Bicentennial Show (CD - FTD, 2017)

Title:

The Bicentennial Show

Label:

FTD [FTD 168] 506020 975119]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

53

Running time:

153:30

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

FTD discography

Year:

2017

Recording date:

July 4 & October 16, 1976

Release date:

December 2017

Singles:

---

The Bicentennial Show is a CD released by FTD in 2017. It features the complete shows from July 4, 1976 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and October 16 in Duluth, Minnesota on soundboard. Due to the Follow That Dream archives fire in 2021, the work is out of print.

In 1976 Elvis was happy with how things were going. His sessions in Graceland were very productive, Vegas was no longer a burden he had to carry for three months a year, Tahoe had come back to the schedule and he was pretty much in control of the number of shows he'd do each season and tour. His shorter national tours helped him to rest more and not feel so bored with the same old songs and venues he had been enduring for the past 6 years.

But by the middle of that year, it looked like Elvis would never return to his old form. His performances were erratic, he'd be slow and sometimes confused at the start of the concerts, although nothing like August 1975 in Las Vegas. In fact the singer would greatly improve his performance by the end of June, but it was clear that he no longer had that flame that burned in his core.

 Unfortunately, Elvis' performances would be questionable for most of the Summer and Autumn of 1976. His July 4th concert would be really good - as Memphis the next day - but his October 16 show would be a return to the old habits, boredom and tiredness.

Below is our review of this double CD.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CD 1 - JULY 4, 1976

- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: The fanfare announces the start of the performance.

2. See See Rider: The audio is very good and seems to have been improved in certain parts. Elvis sounds like he's full of energy, unlike most of the shows in this tour. The version is way better than usual and it seems that knowing that he'd be in Memphis the next day for the last concert of the tour really helped.

- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: "Good afternoon, Happy Fourth, and turn around... Okay." Elvis does his "well, well, well" routine and interacts with the audience. The Ray Charles classic is done in the usual way, but feels a lot more energetic. While doing his"striptease", Elvis quips at the screaming fans: "You people laughing! I'm having a fit!" After an extra good routine, he then says: "I tell you what. You try that when you first wake up in the morning;" it was 2:30 pm, after all. A few puns and dive bombs later, the song is finally over.

- 4. Love Me: "We're gonna do a lot of songs. Old ones, new ones, and  hope the suit stays together." Elvis focuses on the fans and does an average version.

- 5. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): Elvis does a very good version despite some feedback in his mic. This rendition is nicer than usual because we can clearly hear James' guitar working and John's rhythm guitar answering it with a sweet melody while Ronnie kills on the drums.

- 6. You Gave Me a Mountain: When a fan keeps asking for a "baby kiss", Elvis does a tongue-in-cheek joke: "You want a baby kiss or do you want to have a...?" Elvis is inspired and happy with the audience, making a great version.

- 7. America: "Since it's our bicentennial and everything, I'd like to do our version of 'America the Beautiful' for you." It's Independence Day and this song couldn't be left out. This is a very good version, only spoiled by some feedback at the end.

- 8. All Shook Up: The 1950s hits medley begins - and so begins the kiss-and-scarf routine.

- 9. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: The usual throwaway version, but with a very good guitar by James.

- 10. And I Love You So: An above average rendition with most fans quietly listening.

- 11. Jailhouse Rock: Elvis does a good job in his 1957 hit. The mic feedback is annoying, though.

- 12. Fever: This is a very good version with Elvis really into the song and the audience clapping along amid screaming fans. The focus on Ronnie's drumming and James's picking is really welcome.

- 13. An American Trilogy: This is a magnificent version of a rare song in 1976. Elvis kids a little with his "Disneyland" pun, but overall it's a powerful rendition.

- 14. Introductions / Early Morning Rain: Elvis introduces The Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner and The Stamps (individually), Kathy Westmoreland and Sherrill Nielsen, followed by the usual solo by John Wilkinson. Elvis finally addresses the constant feedback during the introductions: "Watch the feedback, fool!"

- 15. What'd I Say (Incomplete): The usual solos by James Burton (only "What'd I Say" this time; "Johnny B. Goode" wasn't played), Jerry Scheff (playing a chickin' pickin' and not the Blues), Tony Brown (announced by Elvis as their new band member) and David Briggs follow. Ronnie's solo was cut either due to tape damage or time issues.

- 16. Love Letters: "The first time that David Briggs and I worked together, we did a song called 'Love Letters'. It was his first recording session, I'd like to do that song for you now." The version is above average, but still missing some spark.

 - 17. School Days: Elvis introduces Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 18. Hurt: "I have out a new record out I'd like to sing for you." The performance is one of the best today and James' guitar higher in the mix really help on that. The version is so welcome by the audience that Elvis decides to do the whole song again (listen to James!).

Elvis decides to get real with the audience: "Since I was here the last time, I was in the hospital a couple of times, you know. You know, minor little things, nothing really serious, I'm over all that... Almost. So, you know, it is really a joy to be back out and working, and everybody come out to see us, you know, really." Saying that two overdoses (on prescripted drugs, not illegal) were "minor little things" is an understatement only Elvis could get away with. His "almost" quip (about his swolen tongue, which makes him slur his speech and singing at times) is shown to be real when he says, "On that last song, you see, I almost choked on that last line. I got too confident."

- 19. Help Me: "I'd like to do this next song for Mr. (Oral) Roberts because, you know, he alway comes out to see our show and everything and, you know, he invites us up here, and...  It's a song we did couple of years ago, called 'Help Me'." Televangelist Oral Roberts was the founder of the university Elvis was performing at and an admirer of E's Gospel recordings. The song is really well done and the mix favours all the right instruments to make us feel the spirit of the lyrics.

- 20. Hound Dog: Elvis asks for water and complains that his mouth feels as dry as cotton, a clear aftermath of some medications. This is a throwaway version, as usual.

- 21. Funny How Time Slips Away: "I'd like to turn the house lights up, ladies and gentlemen, so I can see you, because..." The 1971 classic is almost drowned by girls screaming for a kiss or scarf, but sound average. Elvis reprises the end asking the audience to pay attention to JD.

- 22. How Great Thou Art: An outstanding version of his 1967 hit follows. Elvis sounds confident with it and does an amazing job.

- 23. Little Darlin': Elvis starts his goodbye speech and then decides to quickly do a version of Del Shannon's hit. This is obviously a crowd pleasing song, just not to leave them waiting for something he'll never do. The requests for "Way Down" and "One Night" are denied, though.

- 24. Can't Help Falling in Love: "Until we see you again, be careful going home and may God bless you." Elvis stops the ong right in the beginning because he still had ice in his mouth from the drink he had just taken. As usual, he does his routine 1961 hit while attending to fans and singing in parts.

- 25. Closing Vamp: The fanfare ends the show with a long fade.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CD 2 - OCTOBER 16, 1976

- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: The fanfare announces the start of the show. The audio has a dry mix and sound muffled.

- 2. See See Rider: Elvis enters the song sounding good. His physical shape was better than it was earlier that year, and his voice is secondary proof of this change for the better.

- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: Elvis is in a good mood and does a good rendition, unlike the "just got out of bed" versions of the days before. His striptease routine and JD's dive bombs are the song's common ending. When a fan tell him to take his clother off, Elvis quickly replies: "Take it off?! I had a hard time getting it on! The suit, I mean."

- 4. Love Me: The version isn't all bad, but signals the start of his kiss-and-scarf routine. The fans sound like their screaming for their lives.

- 5. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): It's a good a version, but t misses some spark.

- 6. You Gave Me a Mountain: This is always one of the showstoppers. Elvis gives an enthusiastic performance.

- 7. Jailhouse Rock: The 1950s hits medley begins with a far above average version, but he laughs at his interactions with the fans.

- 8. All Shook Up: "Thank you. I'd like to do a medley of some of my records for you - just, uh, different things." Elvis' voice is weak for the first time, but it's to be expected as he's focused on the fans.

- 9. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: A throwaway with Elvis sounding bored.

- 10. And I Love You So: As the audience quiets down to hear the hit by Don McLean in 1970, Elvis does an enthusiastic version. He does it sincerely, singing it beautifully throughout.

- 11. Fever: A nice throwaway with Elvis having fun.

- 12. Steamroller Blues: A rarity in 1976, this is an excellent version. Elvis is centered and enthusiastic, although the dryness off the tape makes it a little difficult to enjoy.

- 13. Introductions / Early Morning Rain: "Before we go any further, I'd like to introduce the members of my group to you." Elvis introduces The Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner (as "the lowest person I've ever met"), The Stamps (individually), Sherrill Nielsen, Kathy Westmoreland and John Wilkinson.

- 14. What'd I Say / Johnny B. Goode: James does his job as usual on the two solos he's been assigned. In the sequence Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, Tony Brown and David Briggs present their solos.

- 15. Love Letters: Without mumbling the words like in Tucson or New Haven, although he laughs a little, Elvis does an overall good rendition

- 16. School Days (Incomplete): Due to a tape malfunction, the introductions of Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and the orchestra were cut. We hear the last seconds of the orchestra's solo.

- 17. Hurt: "Our lattest record is called 'Hurt', so I'd like to sing it." Elvis' rendition is very good and he even tries some higher notes. Unfortunately, the reprise of the song's ending isn't s good as it'd be on the next day's show.

- 18. Hound Dog: Throwaway version, with Elvis handing out scarves and kisses.

- 19. It's Now or Never: "I'd like to sing a song that I did about ten years or twelve ago... Give it or take 5 or 6 years." Without Sherrill Nielsen's screaming "O Sole Mio", this rare version that year is delicious.

- 20. How Great Thou Art: Elvis seems to be looking for a way to remain on stage rather than hurrying his concert and nothing's better than what he loves most. This is a great version where Elvis sounds confidentand goes for higher notes.

- 21. Blue Christmas: "I'd like to turn the house lights up  so I can see you, because I can't see out there with all the spotlights." The intro is for "Funny How Time Slips Away", but the audience asks for his 1957 Christmas hit and gets it. Elvis does a short but good version where he doesn't play his guitar.

- 22. Can't Help Falling in Love: As always, the 1961 hit is sung in parts as Elvis tries to make all the girls happy with a kiss or scarf.

- 23. Closing Vamp: The fanfare ends the show with a long fade.

BONUS SONGS

- 24. Hawaiian Wedding Song: The bonus section starts here and all the tracks come from Madison, Wisconsin on October 19, 1976. "We did a movie called 'Blue Hawaii', and in that movie was a song called 'Hawaiian Wedding Song'." As always, it's also another enjoyable treat, even if it lacks power. Elvis is obviously enjoying himself.

- 25. Steamroller Blues: Performed on most nights during this tour, the 1973 hit has one of the best renditions for the period here.

- 26. America: In stereo, this version has great quality. Elvis does a very restrained performance, but this is much better than New Haven's by far.

- 27. Love Me Tender: "'Since we've never been here before, I'd like to do my first movie song." Another gem, with a really good sound quality. There's a charming way in which this version goes. Coincidentally, Elvis would do his 1956 hit for the last time in Madison the next year.

- 28. Blue Suede Shoes: A quick and very throwaway version of a somewhat rare song in this tour.