Stumpin' Madison (CD - Groove Masters, 2011)

Title:

Elvis in Concert Vol. 3 - Stumpin' Madison

Label:

Groove Masters [3-1177-2]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

33

Running time:

78:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2011

Recording date:

June 24, 1977

Release date:

2011

Singles:

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Stumpin' Madison was a bootleg CD released by Groove Masters in 2011. It featured the complete show from June 24, 1977 in Madison, Wisconsin, and extras from February to April of the same year. The work is currently out of print.

On June 17, 1977, Elvis began what would be his last tour. For ten days he would perform in 10 different cities, including Omaha and Rapid City, in which he recorded his special "Elvis in Concert", and culminating with the magnificent, for that moment, concert on June 26, 1977 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Elvis in Madison, Wisconsin;
June 24, 1977 (©Frank McCredie)

Kansas City on June 18th and Lincoln on the 20th would be another of the King of Rock's most magnificent shows of 1977, but Madison on the 24th, in addition to also being one of the best of the season and featuring some rare tracks, is quite memorable for an event that took place offstage and even before Elvis arrived at the concert venue.

It's a story that many, even hardcore fans, believed to be an urban legend until a 2007 report by Wisconsin's CBS 12 channel found witnesses, including Elvis' limo driver, to what happened 30 years earlier.

As he and Ginger drove in his limousine to the Dane County Coliseum in downtown Madison, Elvis spotted a fight in progress at a gas station. Upon realizing that it was two men hitting a defenseless third, he immediately told his driver to stop, got out of the car and ran towards the brawlers. Witnesses saw him stop behind them and strike a karate pose, which immediately caught everyone's attention.

Elvis had no intention of fighting or hitting anyone, as he knew that his presence alone would be enough of a shock to stop the fight. And that's what happened - witnesses, the two brawlers and the helpless guy gasped to see him in an attacking pose with his Mexican Sundial jumpsuit and the fight was immediately over. Elvis even stayed a few minutes at the place signing autographs and giving tickets to fans.

That night's show would be nothing short of amazing. RCA was taping the performance to put some footage on the final edition of Elvis in Concert, but it was never used.

Elvis was still in good spirits and centered, but falling back into his old habit of overusing his meds. His speech was starting to become slurred again (which hadn't happened for 3 days) and he was apparently tired, as a result of the decrease in breathing and the increase in heart rate caused by his medications. Maybe that's why this show is the shortest of 1977, with 63 minutes in duration instead of the normal 70 to 75 minutes.

Below is a detailed review of the concert.

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- 1. See See Rider: The opening fanfare is not included here. It doesn't take long for Elvis to enter the stage, and the moment is definitely clear from the screams of the audience. The song is well performed and the King of Rock's voice sounds clear from the start. Unfortunately, the sound of this soundboard is rather dry and several instruments are inaudible in the mix.

- 2. I Got a Woman / Amen: During the "well, well, well..." routine, a female fan yells at Elvis that she loves him, and he jokingly responds, "I love you too, but I still gotta hit that note." Elvis moves a lot more than his other performances on the tour and the crowd really loves every moment of it; his "striptease" drives the ladies wild and JD's dive bombs impress everyone. More startling is the rapid succession of karate chops towards the end of the song and the guitar tossed from a considerable distance right into the hands of Charlie Hodge, who was out of Elvis' field of vision.

- 3. Love Me: A fan asks for "Old Shep", to which the King of Rock reacts: "Old Shep!? Oh no! I haven'tdone Old Shep since I was 8 years old. I was a mere child." The version is well received and Elvis is laughing and enjoying himself.

- 4. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): "This next song is a song by Olivia Newton-John, called 'If You Love Me, Let Me Go... Let Me Know, or do something." For some reason, Elvis is speeding up the show and doesn't say much between songs. It is likely that he was aware tat RCA was recording and the time limits due to the length of the tapes. The rendition is standard for the time.

- 5. You Gave Me a Mountain: The rendition is standard, but notice that Elvis fails to hit the proper note at the end.

- 6. Jailhouse Rock: Elvis complains about the sound system, saying it sounds "teeny" on stage.

Strangely, the King of Rock says he doesn't know the lyrics to the song that was a hit 20 years ago and sung in virtually all of his shows. He does a great job, though, and even notices the band racing up the pace, asking them to stop and restart the song.

The fault may lie with Jerome "Stump"'s drums. The Sweet Inspirations drummer was filling in for Ronnie Tutt and, as he would recall in future interviews, was very nervous.

- 7. O Sole Mio / It's Now or Never: As Elvis introduces the song and Sherrill Nielsen, who will perform his solo in a broken Italian, a fan asks for "One Night" and the singer confirms that it will be sung later.

Elvis again fails to hit the high note at the end (mainly because the band is racing again) and orders the ending to be repeated immediately. He hits the it this time.

- 8. One Night: "Somebody was asking 'One Night'." Absent since June 1976, the announcement of the song leaves the audience excited. Elvis begins his rendition but stops right at the beginning and complains about the microphone, asking to change it.

A new attempt is made and this time the version - which would be the last of his career - is successful, although far from being compared to any of the previous ones.

- 9. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: It's time to hand out scarves, hugs and kisses to the audience as usual. The rendition is standard, but the fans scream wildly.

- 10. And I Love You So: The song runs at a slightly slower tempo than usual, but it's still quite enjoyable. Elvis complains about the sound again during the rendition.

- 11. Danny Boy: To rest, Elvis asks Sherril Nielsen to sing one of his favorite songs.

- 12. Walk With Me: Sherril Nielsen continues at the microphone.

- 13. Love Me Tender: A fan screams "do 'Love Me Tender'!", and Elvis promptly responds: "You wanna hear 'Love Me Tender'? Okay, we'll do 'Love Me Tender'." The classic had also been absent since June 1976 and would be performed here for the last time in a middling rendition.

- 14. Band introductions: Elvis introduces The Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner and The Stamps (individually) as usual, but this part was cut due to the poor condition of the tape. The cut takes us to the end of the Stamps' introductions and that of Kathy Westmoreland and Sherrill Nielsen. The muffled sound shows the bad condition of the tape.

- 15. Early Morning Rain: John Wilkinson's solo features Elvis singing as usual. Tape sound starts to improve.

- 16. What'd I Say: Elvis sings during James Burton's solo.

- 17. Johnny B. Goode: James does his now famous solo with the guitar behind his head as Elvis sings.

- 18. Drum Solo: "Our drummer, Ronnie Tutt ,is not here tonight. Stump, son... He's the Inspirations' drummer, he's fantastic. Jerome." As announced by Elvis, Ronnie Tutt was absent from this show and was replaced by Sweet Inspirations drummer Jerome "Stump" Monroe, who does a great job in his solo.

- 19. Bass Solo: Elvis asks Jerry Scheff what he was going to play and the bassist jokes: "Kissin' Cousins." The bass solo runs as usual with a blues piece.

- 20. Piano Solo: Tony Brown's solo follows and Elvis does bass notes.

- 21. I Really Don't Want to Know: "Let's do that Country/Western song." Tony Brown accompanies Elvis on the 1970 track.

- 22. Electric Keyboard Solo: Bobby Ogdin does his solo.

- 23. Orchestra Solo: Elvis introduces Charlie Hodge, maestro Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 24. Hound Dog: An uptempo version that is very pleasing to the ears is finished with dance steps and karate chops that were fantastic for Elvis' physical form at the time.

- 25. Introduction of Vernon Presley: Vernon is briefly introduced to the audience.

- 26. Can't Help Falling in Love:  Without saying much, Elvis says goodbye to his audience and sings the song that marks the end of his show.

- 27. Closing Theme / Announcer: Elvis is effusively applauded during the closing fanfare. The famous line follows: "Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building. Thank you and good night."

BONUS

- 28. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (Abilene, TX - March 27, 1977): March 1977 can be seen as the last month of really good Elvis shows. In Abilene, he performs the 1957 classic that was one of the greatest rarities in his presentations in a phenomenal way. This would be the last rendition of the song.

- 29. Tryin' to Get to You (Ann Arbor, MI - April 24, 1977): In April there were still some traces of sensational concerts and Ann Arbor is an example. It is from here that many songs were taken for singles and later albums, as is the case of "Unchained Melody" present on the album "Moody Blue". This is a very strong version that shows Elvis at the top of his vocal power.

- 30. Reconsider Baby (Charlotte, NC - February 21, 1977): When Elvis began touring on February 12, 1977, it didn't look like he was in good health or vocal shape. However, as the days passed, his enthusiasm and technique began to return and the end of that month brought him excellent performances. This rarity is very well performed and Elvis sings perfectly, in addition to playing the guitar. This would be the only rendition of 1977 and the last of his career.

- 31. Release Me (Charlotte, NC - February 21, 1977): Of the three renditions in 1977, the last being at his last show, this is the only one recorded on soundboard. Fortunately, it's the best of the year. Elvis is in great spirits and his vocal range is phenomenal.

- 32. Little Darlin' (Ann Arbor, MI - April 24, 1977): With only two versions in 1977, this is the only one recorded on soundboard and the one that was added to the "Moody Blue" LP.

- 33. Moody Blue (Charlotte, NC - February 21, 1977): Elvis had tried to do his newest recording the night before, also in Charlotte, but ended up giving up. Both the singer and the band make a version in the dark, without having rehearsed it beforehand, but what you hear - if we take into account the lack of rehearsals and the circumstances at the time - is a very good version and one that would certainly be very welcome if continued in the setlist of the concerts. Unfortunately, this is the only time Elvis ever sang it.