Tennessee Starlight (CD - Straight Arrow, 2006)

Title:

Tennessee Starlight

Label:

Straight Arrow [SA 2006 2-02]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

27

Running time:

67:30

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2006

Recording date:

February 19, 1977

Release date:

2006

Singles:

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Tennessee Starlight is a bootleg CD from the Straight Arrown label. It covers the full February 19, 1977 concert in Johnson City, Tennessee. The CD is currently out of print.

In 1977, Elvis was at a low point. His setlist became quite stagnant and his shows were often superficial at best. After the excitement and newfound high energy of the December 1976 shows, in early 1977 he sunk rapidly and gained the weight he had recently lost.

In January, the singer showed little interest in finishing songs for his next album at Nashville's Creative Studios. Perhaps it was his concern over the tell-all book being written by his former bodyguards or perhaps the novelty of his new relationship with Ginger Alden had worn off.

Desperate for new music, Felton Jarvis, Elvis' producer, went on tour from March to May 1977 to try to record new material live. These recordings eventually provided three songs for the "Moody Blue" LP, as well as being used for FTD's "Spring Tours '77" compilation.

Elvis' first tour in 1977 had 10 shows, starting in Hollywood, Florida, on February 12th and ending in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the 21st of the same month. Unfortunately, with Elvis having gained weight and being exhausted, things would be much worse from now on.

But in a lighter note, the February tour ended fairly well for Elvis. On the 16th he was already confident enough to try vocally challenging songs and do his famous hip swhirls for the amusement of his audiences. By the 19th, in Johnson City, he was looking extraordinarily good and rocking out like it was still 1973.

Below is the review of this CD.

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- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: This is only the second CD released by Straight Arrow but we already realize that the label really cares about sound quality. This show exists in other releases and the audio is almost unbearable to hear, but here we get a different and cleaner source.

The fanfare that announces the beginning of the show is electrifying for a 1977 concert. 

 
- 2.  See See Rider: As said in our introduction to this concert, 1977 started rough for Elvis and it really showed in his appearance and voice in the first two or three shows of the February tour. It's not the case here, though, as Elvis can be clearly heard and his voice and demeanor are a lot better than 7 days earlier.

- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: Elvis does his usual routine in a faster way while the fans go absolutely crazy. Even this tiresome medley has a different spak here, with Elvis really attacking the notes and doing a great job. The ending routine goes as usual and the fans really sound excited during the "striptease". JD does two amazing dive bombs.

- 4. Love Me: Elvis is clearly having fun at this point and the craziness of the fans even make him laugh. At one point, he can't even sing! This is the kind of audio that fascinate us because Elvis is clearly happy here.

- 5. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): "This next song is a song that was recorded by Olivia Newton-John and it's called 'If You Love Me (Let Me Know), if you don't, move it!" This is a great song and one of Elvis' favorites. The rendition is standard for 1977 and we get to hear a little of the backing vocals' work.

- 6. You Gave Me a Mountain: A focused and happy Elvis will always give his best and that's what we get here. His voice is clean, he manages to reach every note and even go higher in some parts. The ending is amazing.

- 7. Jailhouse Rock: Despite being usually a throwaway, Elvis' excitement makes it fresher than usual. The fact that he was capable to stop the song and restart it just becaue he was a little off is a sign that the show would be fantastic.

- 8. O Sole Mio / It's Now or Never: Elvis tries to explain his next song, but the screams from the audience throw him off. He even asks the audience to wait while he does his speech - to no avail, though. After Sherrill Nielsen's screeching, we get a good version of the 1960 hit with a fantastic ending.

- 9. Little Sister: The 1962 recording is next and starts the 1950s hits medley section. It runs smooth until the end.

- 10. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: A throwaway as usual, but with Elvis having lots of fun and fans screaming their lungs out.

- 11. My Way: Elvis introduces Frank Sinatra's recording while fans keep shouting requests at him. This is an incredible version where Elvis makes us really fel his emotions. There are parts where he just recites the lyrics to make it even powerful. 

- 12. Band Introductions: Elvis introduces The Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner & The Stamps Quartet, Sherrill Nielsen, Kathy Westmoreland, Larry Strickland, Ed Hill, Ed Enoch and Bob Buckles.

- 13. Early Morning Rain: John Wilkinson plays the 1966 recording and Elvis sings along.

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

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

- 16. Drum Solo: Ronnie Tutt does his thing.

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

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

- 19.Love letters: "On the electric piano, from Nashville, is David Briggs. The First time that David and I worked together was his first, uh, record session, uh..." Unable to talk for some reason, Elvis lets Charlie Hodge finish the sentence: "The first record session that he had done and they did a song called 'Love Letters'." Elvis then kids: "Thank you, Charlie. I can sing, but I can't talk." It's a fair version.

- 20. School Day: Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra are introduced.

- 21. Hurt: "One of our latest records is called 'Hurt', ladies and gentlemen." A powerful number, it features Elvis putting his all into a rousing rendition. A great version that also receives a powerful reprise.

- 22. Danny Boy: Elvis asks Sherrill Nielsen to sing a song while he rests a little. The audience seems to be a little annoyed by that, but not as much as Sherrill's uneven highs would make them a little later.

- 23. Walk With Me: Another one by The King of Screech Sherrill Nielsen.

- 24. Polk Salad Annie: A somewhat rare song in 1977, it makes the audience go wild when Elvis announces it. This is an excellent version that gets an extended ending because Elvis is feeling good.

- 25. Introduction of Miss Tennessee Terry Alden: Elvis calls Ginger's sister to the stage and introduces her.

- 26. Can't Help Falling in Love: Elvis does a quick version that leads to the inevitable end of the show.

- 27. Closing Vamp / Announcements: The fanfare ends the show and we hear the usual announcements.