From Richmond to Greensboro (CD - Rock Legends, 2013)

Title:

From Richmond to Greensboro

Label:

Rock Legends [RL-CD2-2013]

Format:

Double CD

Number of tracks:

46

Running time:

120:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2013

Recording date:

April 10 & 14 1972

Release date:

2013

Singles:

---

From Richmond to Greensboro is a bootleg double CD by Rock Legends. It covers the April 10 and 14, 1972 shows in Richmond, Virginia, and Greensboro, North Carolina, respectively.

After 8 years of making mediocre films in Hollywood, Elvis had never seen his name so prominent as in the years 1968 to 1972. After the days of his new rhythm explosion in the early 1950s, this was the best productive period of his career.

When news of Elvis' possible return to the stage took over the media in mid-1968, no one could have predicted the resounding success that the '68 Comeback Special would have on American TV. From then on, all of the King of Rock's releases in the next four years would be received with unparalleled success and, despite their ups and downs, only served to prove Elvis' artistic superiority and his ease in transitioning between genres.

In the Vegas sphere, it goes without saying that the flame was getting higher and higher in 1972. Always packed audiences eagerly awaited the King of Rock's shows and Sin City was experiencing the height of its commercial boom. New songs were in Elvis' repertoire, and with all the enthusiasm of his triumphant return that had not wavered after three years and the success of his two previous live albums, both he and the Colonel and RCA came to the conclusion that it was time for a new album with parts of the shows - or even a complete one - and a documentary.

Between March 27 and April 5, 1972, while "Elvis on Tour" was being filmed, Elvis used RCA Studio C in Hollywood and the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in New York to record some tracks, including "Always On My Mind", "Separate Ways" and "Burning Love", and to rehearse the new arrangements and songs that would become part of the repertoire in the following days.

The show on the night of April 5, 1972 in Buffalo kicked off the recording of concerts for "On Tour" and the On Tour Season with an energy that was simply electric. Hitting stages across the country, he wasn't just revisiting his classics—he was reinventing them. Decked out in those iconic jumpsuits, he commanded every venue like it was his personal playground. The way he connected with the audience was something else; it was like he was singing to each person individually. This wasn't just a series of concerts—it was a reinvigoration of rock 'n' roll at a time when music was rapidly evolving.

When Elvis arrived in Richmond, Virginia, to perform a sold-out concert at the Richmond Coliseum on April 10, 1972,  the On Tour Season was already a phenomenon. Every city the King of Rock set foot in was packed with fans—hotels were fully booked, stores experienced surges in sales, and iconic monuments, places and parks were filled with people from all over, just waiting to see Elvis. It had been the same in Hampton Roads and it was the same in Indianapolis, Charlotte, Greensboro, Macon, Jacksonville, Little Rock, San Antonio and Albuquerque.

Both concerts, released as soundboard recordings on this double CD, were sold countless times through bootleg labels such as Rock Legends. The only official release of these shows to date is RCA/Sony's 2013 "Elvis On Tour" box set, which features all the April soundboards and a Blu-Ray with the 2010 re-edition of the homonymous film.

Read the review of the work below.

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CD 1 - RICHMOND, VA - APRIL 10, 1972

- 1. Introduction - Also Sprach Zarathustra: The standard fanfare kicks in.

- 2. See See Rider: Elvis seems as enthusiastic as in any concert on the On Tour Season. There's a slight tiredness in his voice, but nothing that can harm this excellent rendition.

- 3.Proud Mary: Creedence Clearwater Revival's hit song gets a good rendition.

- 4. Never Been to Spain:  Elvis gets straight to the point, but this version lacks something in the interpretation.

- 5. You Gave me a Mountain: Present in the repertoire since the January/February stint in Las Vegas, this delicate and delightful rendition has the crowd listening in silence.

- 6. Until it's Tome For You to Go: The rendition is standard, but full of feeling.

- 7. Polk Salad Annie:  The audience erupts in screams and Elvis is excited. His strong, focused voice compliments very well the work of the band and the magnificent bass solo by Jerry Scheff. The ending is purely electrifying.

- 8. Love Me: The "oldies but goodies" section starts. Elvis greets the fans with affection.

- 9. All Shook Up: Standard but very enthusiastic.

- 10. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Kisses and scarfs, with Elvis starting to sound bored.

- 11. Heartbreak Hotel: More kisses and scarfs, with Elvis bored.

- 12. Hound Dog: The slow introduction before the explosive finale is met with deafening cheers from the audience, but Elvis is just plowing through it.

- 13. Bridge Over Troubled Water:  This is a really nice version with a magnificent ending.

- 14. Love Me Tender: Handing out more scarfs and kisses, Elvis entertains the audience as he sings the 1956 hit.

- 15. It's Over: Elvis announces the song as one of his favorites. With his voice still warm, this is a killer and very personal version.

- 16. Suspicious Minds: Compared to previous versions, this is above average. Elvis has fun with it and the mix is just excellent.

- 17. Introductions of the Band, Vocalists, Orchestra:  Elvis introduces JD Sumner and The Stamps Quartet, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland, James Burton, John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, Charlie Hodge, Glen Hardin, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 18. For the Good Times:  Elvis tells the audience that the concert's being filmed before doing a very centered and emotional rendition of the song while attending to his fans.

- 19. I Can't Stop Loving You: The song starts with a bang and keepes delivering until its end. Elvis sings passionately.

- 20. An American Trilogy:  Elvis doesn't talk much, as usual in 1972, and does a thrilling version of this already fan favorite.

- 21. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Incomplete):  The 1956 hit starts late (perhaps due to tape problems), but it's an overall good version.

- 22. Funny How Time Slips Away:  As usual, Elvis asks for the house lights to see the audience. He reminisces about the past, correctly stating that he had been there 14 years earlier. This Willie Nelson hit always announced that the show was coming to an end, and Elvis' calm rendition is almost completely drowned out by the screams of the fans desperately trying to get closer to the stage.

- 23. Can't Help Falling in Love / Closing Vamp: The end of the show is pretty standard, with Elvis handing out scarfs and kisses as he sings the 1961 classic and disappearing backstage to the final fanfare and the screams of his fans.

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CD 2 - GREENSBORO, NC - APRIL 14, 1972

- 1. Introduction - Also Sprach Zarathustra: The standard fanfare is heard.

- 2. See See Rider: The audio on this soundboard is quite dry, but it has the advanage of having Elvis' voice well above the instruments and backing vocals. He seems to be having fun, but 10 days and 12 concerts after the beginning of the On Tour Season, his voice really shows how tired he is. Overall, this is a good version.

- 3.Proud Mary: Creedence Clearwater Revival's hit song gets a more enthusiastic rendition than April 10th's.

- 4. Never Been to Spain:  Elvis does a good version, but shows disappointment with the band for not getting the ending right.

- 5. You Gave me a Mountain: The tiredness in Elvis' voice contributes to make a very emotional rendition of this new classic in his concerts.

- 6. Until it's Tome For You to Go: The rendition is standard.

- 7. Polk Salad Annie: The audience screams at Elvis' every hip movement and he is very excited. The ending is, once again, electrifying.

- 8. Love Me: The "oldies but goodies" section starts without any news.

- 9. All Shook Up: Standard and enthusiastic.

- 10. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Kisses and scarfs, that's all.

- 11. Hound Dog: From the slow introduction to the explosive finale, this is overall a good version.

- 12. Heartbreak Hotel: More kisses and scarfs, with Elvis less bored than on the 10th.

- 13. A Big Hunk O' Love: When Elvis liked the song, you could really feel it. This is a versy good rendition with a high level of energy.

- 14. Bridge Over Troubled Water:  Nice version with a standard ending.

- 15. Suspicious Minds: A solid version that's only spoiled by the dryness of the soundboard.

- 16. Love Me Tender: Handing out more scarfs and kisses, pretty standard rendition.

- 17. Introductions of the Band, Vocalists, Orchestra: Elvis introduces JD Sumner and The Stamps Quartet, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland, James Burton, John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, Glen Hardin, Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 18. For the Good Times: Elvis sings while attending to his fans. Nice, standard version.

- 19. An American Trilogy:  Another thrilling version of this classic.

- 20. Burning Love: Elvis announces that he's going to attempt a new song, making this the first live version ever. The singer has the lyrics in his hands and sounds unsure at times, but it all adds up to a nice, spontaneus rendition with a funny ending.

- 21. Release Me:  Very present in the repertoire in 1969 and 1970, the song had been left aside for a while before returning to the set. This is a pretty standard rendition, though.

- 22. Funny How Time Slips Away:  Elvis asks for the house lights to see the audience and does a good version, though sounding extremely tired.

- 23. Can't Help Falling in Love / Closing Vamp: The end of the show has all the standards of every other concert.