Bicentennial Superstar, Volume 2
Label:
TNT Records [SB-19761020-2]
Format:
CD
Number of tracks:
28
Running time:
64:00
Type of album:
Concert
Linked to:
Unofficial discography
Year:
2015
Recording date:
October 20, 1976
Release date:
2015
Singles:
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In 1976 Elvis was happy with how things were going, as the year had started with more ups than downs. His sessions at Graceland's Jungle Room were fun and very productive, Las Vegas wasn't anywhere near the horizon and he prefered going right into the national tours in March and then do a 10-day season in Lake Tahoe, which would be his last at there. Ins spite of the boredom of singing the same old songs all over on every show, the singer was trying to vary his repertoire.
But by the middle of that year, it didn't look like Elvis had returned to his old form or that it was possible. His performances were still erratic, and he would be slow and sometimes confused at the start of the concerts. In fact, the singer would greatly improve his performance starting in June, but it was clear that he no longer had that flame that burned in his core.
Unfortunately, Elvis' performances were very questionable for most of the Summer and Autumn of 1976. Some concerts in June and July may have been among the exceptions, having a few great moments, but all shows from August onwards wouldn't be. Fans cheered anyway just for being able to witness a rock icon in the flesh as he sang, but his voice was often husky and out of tune.
Below is our review of this CD.
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- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: The fanfare announces the start of the performance.
2. See See Rider: The audio is a little dry, but good. Elvis sounds tired from the start, but willing to put on a good show.
- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: Elvis seems to drag himself during the "well, well, well" routine. The Ray Charles classic is done in the usual way. The striptease routine is average, with Elvis saying that he just woke up.
- 4. Love Me: Elvis complains about the sound: "The sound is not right on stage, but that's a fault of mine because I only spent two dollars and a half on the sound system up on stage here, you know." After interacting with his fans, Elvis focuses on the screaming girls and does a middling version.
- 5. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): Elvis' voice sounds rather weak. The version is standard for the time.
- 6. You Gave Me a Mountain: Elvis is inspired and happy with the audience, but the dryness of the sound system doesn't help in this version.
- 7. Jailhouse Rock: The 1950s hits medley begins with a very good version of Elvis' 1957 hit.
- 8. Help Me: The Sweets tell Elvis that the fans are asking for "Little Darlin'", but he's dismissive: "'Little Darlin''? I'll do it later, I promise." Elvis turns to Gospel to help him go through the night. Overall, it's a nice version.
- 9. All Shook Up: Elvis interacts with the audience and tries to give special attention to a little girl asking him for a scarf. The rendition goes as usual.
- 10. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Elvis sings with a weak voice and the fans go crazy for his kisses and scarves.
- 11. And I Love You So: As incredible as it may seem, Elvis always managed to do a good version of this classic.
- 12. Fever: This is a throwaway version, but Elvis has fun with it.
- 13. Steamroller Blues: One of the right decisions on this tour was to put this rocky blues on the setlist. This is a magnificent version where Elvis sings all he can.
- 14. Band Introductions: Elvis introduces The Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner and The Stamps (individually), Sherrill Nielsen and Kathy Westmoreland.
- 15. Early Morning Rain: "On the rhythm guitar, from Springfield, Missouri, is John Wilkinson." Wilkinson's solo follows the pattern of the time.
- 16. What'd I Say: "On the lead guitar, from Los Angeles, is James Burton." James - from Shreveport - does his job as usual.
- 17. Johnny B. Goode: "I'm gonna ask James to play the guitar behind his head, I don't think we did it the last time we were here." James does a good solo.
- 18. Drum Solo: "On the drums, from Dallas, Texas, is hard working Ronnie Tutt." Ronnie Tutt does his solo.
- 19. Bass Solo: "On the Fender bass, from Los Angeles, is Jerry Scheff." Jerry does his Blues solo.
- 20. Piano Solo: "On the piano, is Tony Brown." Tony does his solo while Elvis does bass notes.
- 21. Love Letters: "On the electric clavinet and the piano, from Nashville, is David Briggs." Elvis skips David's solo and tells the audience about how and when they first worked together before doing a sincere rendition of his 1966 recording.
- 22. School Day: Elvis introduces Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.
- 23. Hurt: "Our latest record is called 'Hurt'. I'd like to do that." The rendition is quite good, but with Elvis lacking vocal power. The reprise doesn't help either.
- 24. Hound Dog: A throwaway version, as usual.
- 25. Funny How Time Slips Away: Fans ask again for "Little Darlin'". "Okay, we'll get 'Little Darlin'', but first I would like to turn the house lights up so I can..." Elvis gets surprised by the 12,000 people who came to see him. This is an average version and has a small cut in the middle.
- 26. Little Darlin': "Okay, somebody asked for 'Little Darlin'' out there. Let's do 'Little Darlin'."As promised earlier, Elvis does Del Shannon's hit. It's a fun version.
- 27. Can't Help Falling in Love: "Thank you very much. Thank you. Take it easy. Take it home." Elvis attends to fans and sings all the way to the end.
- 28. Closing Vamp & Announcements: The fanfare ends the show and we hear the usual announcements.
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