The Toledoan Balladeer (CD - Management 3, 2011)

Title:

The Toledoan Balladeer

Label:

Management 3 [MM 411]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

28

Running time:

68:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2011

Recording date:

April 23, 1977

Release date:

2011

Singles:

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The Toledoan Balladeer is a CD released by the Management 3 label in 2011. It cover the full show performed by Elvis in Toledo, Ohio, on April 23, 1977.

As stated in other posts, Elvis was at a low point in 1977. His setlist became stagnant, his shows were often superficial at best and the excitement and newfound high energy of the December 1976 shows rapidly disappeared while the singer gained weight and lost interest.

Elvis had shown little interest in finishing songs for his next album at Nashville's Creative Studios in January, either because of his growing concern over the tell-all book being written by his former bodyguards or because the novelty of his new relationship with Ginger Alden had worn off, and his first tour in 1977, from February 12 to 21,  had little to nothing new to offer. Elvis was often exhausted, breathing heavy and mumbling his words throughout the concerts, but there were still great performances like on February 20th, released by FTD in 2007 as "Unchained Melody", and 21st.

As RCA pressed hard for new material, Elvis' producer Felton Jarvis went on tour from March to May 1977 to try and record live tracks which might be usable for a compilation or even a full concert album. These recordings eventually provided songs for the "Moody Blue" LP, the last released with Elvis still alive, but ended up shelved for 25 years until FTD's "Spring Tours '77" compilation CD in 2002.

But until "Unchained Melody" in 2007, no complete show from 1977 was considered worthy of official release. A lot of them were recorded on soundboard, although partially, but most appeared in full only on fan recorded bootlegs. This is the case of the April 23, 1977 concert in Toledo, Ohio, which was partially recorded on soundboard and first released as part of the Fort Baxter's 2-CD set "Goodbye Memphis" in 1997.

The complete Toledo concert can only be found in bootlegs recorded by the audience, such as 2011's "The Toledoan Balladeer". It was also released in poorer audio sources as part of the "The Concert Years" collection and on the "When the Crowd's Going High" CD. In 2021 the Not On Label label remastered and remixed this concert tape to enhance the audio and insert the soundboard portion, releasing it as part of the 4-CD box "The Matrix Recordings".

Below is our review of this spectacular CD.

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- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: This show exists in other releases and the audio is almost unbearable to hear, but here we get a different and cleaner source (though not as clean as in "The Matrix Recordings").

The fanfare that announces the beginning of the show is electrifying. 

 
- 2.  See See Rider: 1977 may have started rough for Elvis, but here, at the end of April, he can be clearly heard and his voice and demeanor are a lot better than in February or March. This version is simply better than most performed so far that year and Elvis really kills.

- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: Elvis does his usual routine a lot faster than usual, starting the song right after his "well, well, wells". The medley is well done and Elvis really attacks the notes. The ending routine goes as usual and the fans really sound excited when Elvis does his karate chops for a longer time at the end.

- 4. Love Me: Elvis introduces himself as Wayne Newton and tells the audience to enjoy the show. The house comes down when he starts the 1956 hit and fans scream like crazy for a scarf or a kiss. He approaches the ending of the song with a very different - and welcome - set of notes.

- 5. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): This is a great song and one of Elvis' favorites. The rendition is standard for 1977, but done in a faster way and with Elvis sounding really excited and into the show.

- 6. You Gave Me a Mountain: A focused and happy Elvis will always give his best and that's what we get here. He kinda loses his pacing at the beginning and laughs at it before restarting the song with a clean, strong voice. The ending is simply amazing.

- 7. Jailhouse Rock: A throwaway as usual, but Elvis' excitement and the band's work (listen to the drums!) makes it feel fresher.

- 8. O Sole Mio / It's Now or Never: The portion recorded on soundboard starts here (but not in this work, which is a full audience recording). After Sherrill Nielsen's screeching (which is not that bad this time), we get a good version of the 1960 hit. Elvis mixes the lyrics in the beginning and giggles, but otherwise it's a strong performance.

- 9. Little Sister: The 1962 recording is next and starts the 1950s hits medley section. It feels fresher than usual.

- 10. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: A throwaway as usual.

- 11. And I Love You So: Elvis starts the song and the audience listens in silence. The rendition is simply fantastic, with Elvis giving it his all and the band using a slightly different arrangement here and there.

- 12. Fever: The fans get really excited for this, but it's actually a much more subdued version than usual. It doesn't mean it's bad, because it's clearly a much better version than what we're used to hear by this period.

- 13. Polk Salad Annie: A classic from 1969, it wakes Elvis up. The rendition is really good and the overall feel it that of a much more rocker version than usual. There's a good karate chops section at the end.

- 14. My Way: Elvis introduces Frank Sinatra's recording and makes a really emotional version. "The Matrix Recordings" brings a stereo version of it as a bonus track.

- 15. Band Introductions: The first part of the portion recorded on soundboard ends here. Elvis introduces The Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner & The Stamps Quartet (individually), Kathy Westmoreland and Sherrill Nielsen.

- 16. Early Morning Rain: John Wilkinson plays and Elvis sings along.

- 17. What'd I Say: James Burton does his solo.

- 18. Johnny B. Goode: James plays the guitar on the back of his neck.

- 19. Drumm Solo: Ronnie Tutt does his thing.

- 20. Bass Solo: Jerry Scheff plays the Blues.

- 21. Piano Solo: Tony Brown does his part.

- 22. Electric Keyboard Solo: Bobby Ogdin plays his thing.

- 23. Band Introductions: The second half of the soundboard recording starts here. Elvis introduces Charlie Hodge and the special guest conductor, Marty Harrell.

- 24. School Days: The orchestra does its solo.

- 25. Hurt: "One of our latest records is called 'Hurt'." A powerful number, it features Elvis putting his all into an above average rendition.

- 26. Hound Dog: Elvis is in a good mood and it shows at the beginning of the song. He uses it more to attend fans than to sing, though.

- 27. Can't Help Falling in Love: Elvis thanks the audience and does a quick version of his 1961 hit with an outstanding ending.

- 28. Closing Vamp / Announcements: The fanfare ends the show and we hear the usual announcements. The second half of the soundboard recording ends in the middle of the "Closing Vamp". The last half of it and the announcements are from an audience recording.