Last Time in Portland (CD - Memory Records, 2003)

Title:

Last Time in Portland

Label:

Memory Records [CD MR 2035]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

33

Running time:

80:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2003

Recording date:

November 26, 1976

Release date:

2003

Singles:

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Last Time in Portland was a bootleg CD released by Memory Records in 2003. It features the complete last show in Portland, Oregon on November 26, 1976.

In 1976 Elvis was happy with how things were going, as the year had started with more ups than downs. His desire to record was still low, but the sessions at Graceland's Jungle Room were fun and very productive. In fact, the sessions held there between February 3 and 8 had produced 8 usable tracks for an album - 9 if we count "America", which was mistakingly erased from the tape. Elvis also rehearsed "Feelings", a smash hit by Brazilian singer and composer Morris Albert.

As the first days of the year went by, Elvis no longer seemed interested in Las Vegas; little did he know, Vegas was reciprocal. Instead of a 28-day stint at the old and monotonous Hilton Showroom, he prefered to rest and record at his mansion and then going right into the national tours in March and April. He then decided to do a 10-day season in Lake Tahoe, which would be his last at the place, in the beginning of May. His return to national tours short after that seemed to point that Elvis may have been feeling lost or bored with the same old routine he had been enduring for the past 6 years.

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, though nothing like the terrible performances of August 1975 in Las Vegas. In fact, the singer would greatly improve his performance starting in June, culminating in the great show of December 31, 1976 in Pittsburgh, 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. The June 30th concert in Greensboro can be an exception, having a few great moments, but the August 31st concert in Macon wouldn't. 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.

Before his last Vegas season, Elvis did a small 7-day tour by the West Coast. Starting on November 24 in Reno, Nevada, the singer would do a quick run through another 2 cities in Oregon and 2 more in California.

Below is our review of this CD.

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- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: The fanfare announces the beginning of the show. The audio is really bad here, with lots of distortion, and yet it sounds almost like a soundboard (probably because the tape recorder was near the stage).

2. See See Rider: The song has a longer intro than usual and Elvis sounds good. The rendition is standard.

- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: Elvis does his "well, well, well" routine and starts the song, but stops it right away to ask the band to not race the tempo. It's always amazing when E is able to get these details, as it shows he's awake and aware of what's going on. The medley is standard for the time, but we get an extra long "Amen" and a very small "striptease" before JD's dive bombs and a repetition of the ending with another dive bomb to finish the song.

- 4. Love Me: An amazing interaction with the fans leads to a pleasant version of this throwaway song used to start his scarf-and-kiss routine. With another extra long ending here, it seems Elvis was trying to beat a record of extra long endings in a single concert that night.

- 5. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): Olivia Newton-John's hit and Elvis' favorite is next. The tape sound improves a little and we get a very enjoyable version.

- 6. You Gave Me a Mountain: Elvis started singing this song in 1972 and it never lost its showstopper quality, The version is very good and Elvis does a very heartfelt rendition, but it seems he's struggling with something. And we get the answer to it after the song, as Elvis complains about the balance of the sound on stage and asks for it to be fixed - another sign that he was very aware of his surroundings that night.

- 7. Jailhouse Rock: The 1950s medley starts, It's a solid rendition.

- 8. It's Now or Never: "This next song is a song that I did in 1960, called 'It's Now or Never'." Elvis' strong voice really takes this rendition to another level. He sings with passion, attacks the notes in the right way and delivers an amazing version for the time.

- 9. All Shook Up: Elvis complains to Charlie that his water is hot. The medley of 1950s hits continues and Elvis' boredom is evident.

- 10. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: A very routine version, but Elvis seems to be having fun with his screaming fans.

- 11. And I Love You So: The crowd goes silent when Elvis starts the song. Overall, it's a very good and intimate version.

- 12. Fever: A throwaway version with an extra long beginning, but Elvis has fun with it.

- 13. America, the Beautiful: "Since it's our nation's bicentennial year, I'd like to do our version of 'America the Beautiful'." Elvis makes a solid and very beautiful version.

- 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, is John Wilkinson." Wilkinson's solo follows the pattern of the time.

- 16. What'd I Say: "On the lead guitar, from Shreveport, Louisiana, is James Burton." James does his job as usual.

- 17. Johnny B. Goode: James does a great solo with the guitar on the back of his head.

 - 18. Drum Solo: "On the drums, from Dallas, Texas, is hard working Ronnie Tutt." Ronnie 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, from Nashville, is Tony Brown." Tony does his solo while Elvis does bass notes.

- 21. Electric Piano Solo: "On the- What'd you call it, harmonica? Is David Briggs." David does his solo.

- 22. Love Letters: "The first time that David and I worked together, it was his first recording session, we did a song called 'Love Letters'." An above average version.

- 23. School Day: Elvis introduces Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 24. Hurt: "Our latest record, uh, is called 'Hurt', ladies and gentlemen." Elvis tries his best and does a good job, including the beautiful ending.

- 25. Hound dog: A throwaway, but good version.

- 26. Danny Boy / 27. Walk With Me: Elvis asks the audience to indulge him in letting Sherrill Nielsen do two songs as he rests. Both are good, if you can stand Sherrill's voice for 5 minutes.

- 28. Funny How Time Slips Away: "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to turn the house light up so we can see you, 'cause I can't see out there, you know." The audience gets quiet, perhaps because that's not a very needed song or because they know this is the beginning of the end of the show (but they'll soon be surprised). The rendition is standard.

- 29. Hawaiian Wedding Song: "We did a movie called 'Blue Hawaii'. And in it there's a song called 'Hawaiian Wedding Song'. And let me tell you one thing about it. We did a wedding scene, and it was so real that I thought I was married for two years with this gal." This is a very slow paced version, which is welcome to contrast with the slightly faster usual ones.

- 30. Blue Christmas: "Since it's near Christmas time, I'm gonna play the guitar and do 'Blue Christmas'." Elvis comments on how people think he can't play the guitar and then thanks the audience as if he's done with the song. When he actually plays it, it's a very beautiful and bluesy version.

- 31. That's All Right: "The very first song that I recorded, was, uh, 'That's All Right, Mama'." Since we've gone almost 20 years back in time already, why not go all the way to his first record? This version is very well done and Elvis sings with a strong and secure voice. 

- 32. Can't Help Falling in Love: Elvis thanks the audience and does his 1961 hit to end the show. Sadly, the tape is badly damaged in some sections of the song.

- 33. Closing Vamp: A small snippet of the fanfare is heard.