Exceeding All Expectations! (CD - Rainbow Records, 2009)

Title:

Exceeding All Expectations!

Label:

Rainbow Records [RR 19760509-2]

Format:

Double CD

Number of tracks:

50

Running time:

120:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2009

Recorded:

May 9, 1976

Released:

2009

Singles:

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Exceeding All Expectations! was a bootleg CD by Rainbow Records. It covers the May 9, 1976 show in Lake Tahoe, Nevada - the last in the city and the longest of all concerts done by Elvis. The work is currently out of print.

1976 had been a year of more ups than downs and Elvis was happy with how things were going. His desire to record was still low, but the sessions at Graceland's Jungle Room in February were fun and very productive. He no longer seemed interested in Las Vegas—and Vegas was reciprocal—making the Colonel cast him for just one season from December 2 to 12 at the Hilton; this, as we know today, would be the last of his career in the city.

By April, it didn't look like Elvis had returned to his old form or that that 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.

A true sign of the times in 1976 was that from the April to August tour, Elvis basically wore his "Bicentennial Suit" to every show, certainly signaling a bored artist. The "New Haven '76" FTD with the July 30th performance is one such case in point. Released because of the excellent audio quality, Elvis sounds bored, medicated and lethargic, and overall it's a painful listening experience.

Back in May, instead of the dry air of the Nevada desert, the King of Rock chose to do just one more season in Lake Tahoe, where he had last performed two years earlier, between April 30 and May 9, 1976. As with everything about Elvis, there are always contradictions, changes and sometimes a light at the end of the tunnel. Even with the threat of "Elvis: What Happened?" in the horizon, there was a definite and positive change in the month leading up to the Lake Tahoe season.

In this work, Rainbow Records brings us the full Mother's Day 1976 concert for the first time. When first released as "And Then the Lights Went Down" by MAC back in 1993, it lacked a few performances and the audio wasn't that good. It all has been corrected by RR in this release.

Below is our review of this work.

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CD 1

- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: As usual, the fanfare excites the audience.

- 2. See See Rider: This is truly a middling version, as we can hear how tired Elvis sounds. Nonetheless, he still tries to do different approachs to the song and interacts pretty well with Ronnie Tutt's drumming at the end.

- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: Elvis' humor seems to be pushy tonight: "Who fixed this microphone? Ed did? I hate him." After the well-known "well, well, well" routine, the rendition starts as bad as the worst ones from 1977. The singer seems out of breath and can't quite keep up with the band in some parts. "Amen" also features him asking the band to slow down instead of going "up half a step". The ending has the usual jokes about the "average" dive bomb from JD and how he is "the lowest guy I've ever met" and two more dive bombs.

- 4. Love Me: "Everybody was supposed to get roses from me, I don't know what it is." It was Mother's Day. Both Elvis' voice and his rendition and audio mix are satisfying in this song that always opened up direct interactions between the singer and his fans.

- 5. When the Saints Go Marchin' in: After bashing on JD's clothes and demeanor, Elvis mumbles a few words from the traditional Spiritual.

- 6. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): For a song that Elvis loved to do, this is an average - if not below - version.

- 7. You Gave Me a Mountain: Elvis doesn't seem to be totally focused and even gets a few lyrics wrong.

- 8. All Shook Up: Focusing on his fans, Elvis makes an average version where he sings but a few lines.

- 9. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Average, with a more fan-centric approach.

- 10. Blue Suede Shoes: Elvis tries, but it genuinely feels like he can't get his breath right.

- 11. Return to Sender: "Do we have 'Return to Sender'?" It's obvious that the band wouldn't even consider playing such an odd song for a concert, but Elvis wants to do this audience request and they all try to work as fast as possible to make a quick, improvised version. Elvis isn't sure with the lyrics either, but because this is the second of only three time this song was performed live, but we still get a good surprise.

- 12. Heartbreak Hotel: More than half an hour into the show, Elvis starts to sound a little more awake. This is perhaps the best rendition so far in the concert.

- 13. Elvis Talks: "Somebody asked for the 'Hawaiian Wedding Song'." Before singing, Elvis asks if the audience had seen "Blue Hawaii" and tells a story about how Joan Blackman and him fell face flat on the mud while filming the last scene. "It took us three hours to get remade and we had to do it again. So we got married twice in the same day, you know."

Memories start coming back to Elvis: "It happened one other time in 'Viva Las Vegas' with Ann-Margret, and we got married, and... It took us a week in Las Vegas, in that little chapel, to film that wedding scene. And it's so real, until you think you're married. It took us two years to realize we weren't." Thirteen years later, Elvis finally confesses the love affair between him and Ann-Margret.

The funny part is that he retells both stories as one single event with Joan Blackman during the filming of "Elvis in Concert" in 1977, either because his memory was failing and fuzzy or because it was all made up.

- 14. Hawaiian Wedding Song: The actual song gets a nice rendition with a lot of feeling.

- 15. America the Beautiful: The United States' bicentennial was right around the corner and Elvis pays his homage. The audience listens in silence to a powerful version that showcases how the King of Rock could get turned on when he did something he believed in.

- 16. Polk Salad Annie: Not the best rendition, but Jerry Scheff, James Burton and Ronnie Tutt work really good. Even Elvis risks some elaborated karate moves.

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CD 2

- 1. Band Introductions: The band intros follow as usual. The Sweet Inspirations, Sherrill Nielsen, JD Sumner and The Stamps (individually) and Kathy Westmoreland are first.

- 2. Early Morning Rain: John Wilkinson follows with his solo and Elvis sings along.

- 3. What'd I Say: James Burton does his usual solo of Ray Charles' hit...

 - 4. Johnny B. Goode: ... followed by Chuck Berry's hit.

- 5. Drum Solo: Ronnie Tutt does his part.

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

- 7. Piano Solo: Tony Brown does his solo.

- 8. Electric Piano Solo: David Briggs plays The Beatles' hit "Lady Madonna".

- 9. Love Letters: No news, it's a slow and sincere version.

- 10. School Days: Ending with the introductions, Elvis introduces Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 11. Wooden Heart: Only a few words of the song are quickly mumbled.

- 12. Young and Beautiful: Elvis takes on a fan request and does a quick, intimate version of his 1957 recording. This is the second and last live rendition ever.

- 13. That's All Right: "The very first record that I recorded was 'That's All Right, Mama'." Elvis recollects that the song was recorded by Scotty Moore, Bill Black and him before doing a vewry good rendition of it.

- 14. Blue Christmas: Asking for the "key of B", Elvis does an audience request and sings his 1957 hit.  He remarks that it's odd to sing it "in the month of July" (showing how fuzzy his memories were at the time) and does a slow version with some very alternative lyrics.

The singer does a snippet of "Blue Moon of Kentucky" at the end and we hear a fan asking for "Memories".

- 15. Hurt #1: "We have a new record out, ladies and gentlemen." The audience freaks out. Elvis' rendition is romantic and well-coordinated, although somewhat slow.

- 16. Hurt #2: The effusive applause from the audience asks for another rendition and Elvis promptly does it, which was something very rare. He messes up the intro, but does a good version and ends it energetically.

- 17. Hound Dog: A short but good rendition.

- 18. Mickey Mouse Club March: Elvis and the band do an impromptu nod to the Mickey Mouse Club just out of... God knows what.

- 19. Happy Birthday to You All: Elvis asks if it's someone's birthday in the audience. After some talking, he sings Happy Birthday to everybody.

- 20. My Heavenly Father (Kathy Westmoreland): After handing out some scarves and talking a bit more to the audience, Elvis asks Kathy Westmoreland to sing while he rests a little.

- 21. Guadalajara: A fan asks for it and Elvis sings a line from the song from "Fun in Acapulco".

- 22. Love Me Tender: "Okay, I'll do 'Love Me Tender'." Elvis sings slowly while interacting with fans. The band tries to end the song, but Elvis signals them to keep going for two more times.

- 23. Danny Boy (Sherrill Nielsen): "We've been on for an hour and a half, and we're only supposed to be on for an hour, so... But, you know, since it's our closing night and everything, we'll stay out here for a bit." Perhaps feeling that he needed a little more rest, Elvis asks Sherrill to sing before he attepts to do "How Great Thou Art" (which, after a lot of distractions, would only appear almost half an hour later).

- 24. Funny How Time Slips Away (Sherrill Nielsen): "Do 'Funny How Time Slips Away' in the key of F." Elvis rests a little more at the xpense of our ears.

- 25. Charity Announcement: Elvis announces that they had raised U$ 10,000 for the Barton Memorial Hospital in Lake Tahoe.

- 26. Burning Love: Elvis starts the song and the audience goes wild. His rendition is quite good and the signs of tiredness appear to be gone. He is clearly trying his voice for more demanding songs.

- 27. Help Me: The King of Rock introduces comedian Jackie Kahane (who was the opening act for all Elvis concerts since 1971). "Do you know what else we can do?" Elvis seems to really want to stay on stage as long as possible. His 1973 recording gets a very good and emotional rendition, with Elvis' voice as strong as ever and with no signs of slurring.

- 28. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: "I'd like to do a little song for Linda [Thompson]." The slow pace of the song helps a lot to make it immensely emotional.

- 29. Jailhouse Rock: Elvis does a nice rendition of his 1957 classic, and the band sounds really good. 

- 30. One Night: Keeping with hits from 1957, this is a little more vocally demanding, even though Elvis' rendition and the band's arrangement are quite calm and centered.

 - 31. How Great Thou Art: "I'd like to do our Gospel song, ladies and gentlemen. This features The Stampos Quartet, 'How Great Thou Art'." This is a superb version and certainly the best rendition of the night. Elvis is in total control of his voice and it shows through his key variations and phenomenal ending. The effusive applause from the audience prompts a new and equally amazing rendition of the second half of the song.

- 32. Can't Help Falling in Love: Elvis talks about his band and orchestra mates before playing a little with the audience and thanking everybody for being there. The 1961 hit ends his performance as he distributes the last scarves and kisses to fans.

- 33. Closing Vamp / Announcement: The final fanfare and part of the usual announcements are heard. Lasting 1 hour and 58 minutes, Elvis' longest concert was the last performed in Lake Tahoe.

BONUS

- 34. Lady Madonna: The Beatles' song as performed by Elvis' band during the May 18, 1971 recording session at RCA Studio B in Nashville.