Royal Gambit in Richfield (CD - Straight Arrow, 2008)

Title:

Royal Gambit in Richfield

Label:

Straight Arrow [2008-9-02]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

33

Running time:

80:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2008

Recording date:

October 23, 1976

Release date:

September 2008

Singles:

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Royal Gambit in Richfield was a CD released by Straight Arrow in 2008. It covers the October 23, 1976 concert in Richfield, Ohio. 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.

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.

By the middle of that year, 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.

In the year 2000, FTD had to be fully commended when they released the June 1, 1976 soundboard in Tucson, but unfortunately not because it was a big show - just because it heralded the start of a new era of official soundboard releases. A lackluster performance, "Tucson" was saved purely by the extraordinary single performance of "Danny Boy".

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.

However, as with everything about Elvis, there are always contradictions, changes and sometimes a light at the end of the tunnel. Just three months later, things would somehow improve. Elvis had lost quite a bit of weight, and by the time he hit the stage in Chicago on the first night of the October tour , he looked like a rejuvenated man. FTD's "Chicago Stadium", with the shows on October 15th and 16th, demonstrate a much better performance.

In this work, Straight Arrow brings the performance of October 23, 1976 in Richfield, Ohio. The audio quality of the recording is truly impressive, especially considering the fact that it was recorded from the audience in a large stadium. The producers were able to obtain an ORIGINAL TAPE recorded by the same person who recorded the 1977 Johnson City and Orlando shows, released by Straight Arrow in 2006 as "Tennessee Starlight" and "Going Back in Time", respectively.

Below is our review of this work.

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- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: The fanfare announces the beginning of the show.

- 2. See See Rider: After hearing the fanfare, the Richfield Coliseum erupts in euphoria as Elvis enters the stage. He takes a little longer than usual to start singing, which is a great sign that he is in a good mood and willing. The rendition is standard, but excellent.

- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: "You know, it's funny when your own band screams to turn around." Elvis does his "well, well, well" routine and the crowd goes wild. The rendition is quite exciting for 1976 and his voice is clear, although he is starting to show some fatigue. "Amen" is extra long and ends with the standard "striptease" and dive bombs from JD.

- 4. Love Me: "Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to say that it's a pleasure to be here." Noticing the total hysteria, Elvis comments: "Good grief! Man, what is this, the Astrodome?" Both Elvis' voice and rendition are satisfying and he has fun - and actually sings! - while opening up direct interactions with his fans.

- 5. Fairytale: In the repertoire since March 1975, the song has always been one of Elvis' and the audience's favorites, but the singer forgets part of the lyrics and loses time in a certain part. The band also misses the correct moment to finish. After the song, he apologizes: "Sorry about that. We haven't done that in a while, I forgot the words."

- 6. You Gave Me a Mountain: Elvis focuses completely on the lyrics and delivers a solid rendition.

- 7. Jailhouse Rock: Elvis begins his medley of 1950s hits with the 1957 classic and sings it from start to finish without missing a beat.

- 8. All Shook Up: Elvis does an average but pretty good version.

- 9. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Overall, the version is average, but Elvis is more focused on the fans.

- 10. And I Love You So: Present in most of the shows since mid-1975, the song is presented here with a simply fantastic arrangement.

- 11. Little Darlin': The band starts to play "Little Darlin'", but Elvis stops them and ask them to do "Fever".

- 12. Fever: Fans go crazy for Elvis' pelvic thrusts, and he admits he knows what they want. The 1960 version of the classic is average.

- 13. America the Beautiful: As in almost every show since December 1975, Elvis does an excellent version of the song in honor of the US bicentennial.

- 14. Polk Salad Annie: Elvis starts off with what would be one of the best songs of October and perhaps even of 1976. The more funk-oriented rhythm than usual is an interesting and very welcome addition that is wonderfully helped by Tutt's drums and Wilkinson's rhythm guitar. Elvis once again tries out some more elaborate karate moves.

- 15. Band Introductions: The introductions follow as usual. The Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner and The Stamps, Sherrill Nielsen and Kathy Westmoreland are introduced first. 

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

- 17. What'd I Say / 18. Johnny B. Goode / Solos: James Burton does his usual solos - and Elvis sings, too. 

- 19. Drum Solo: Next comes Ronnie Tutt's solo.

- 20. Bass Solo: Jerry Scheff does solo.

- 21. Piano Solo: It's time for Tony Brown's solo.

- 22. Electric Piano Solo: David Briggs ends the usual individual solos.

- 23. Love Letters: "The first time that David and I worked together, it was his first recording session and we did a song called 'Love Letters'." No surprises, it's a slow version, a little longer than usual and quite sincere.

- 24. School Days: Finishing the introductions, Elvis introduces Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 25. Hurt: "Our latest record is called 'Hurt'." The audience goes wild with the romantic and coordinated rendition. The effusive applause echoes through the arena and Elvis makes it up to the audience with a great repetition of the last verse.

- 26. Hound Dog: Elvis introduces the 1956 classic with energy and gets the audience going. During the short rendition, the singer interacts more with his fans.

- 27. Danny Boy / 28. Walk With Me: Elvis asks Sherrill Nielsen to sing a little while he rests.

- 29. Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis chooses the 1956 classic from among the many that fans are screaming for. The version is excellent for 1976 and shows a King of Rock obviously in a good mood and willing to please the audience.

-30. How Great Thou Art: Elvis decides to do a version of the song that won him a Grammy in 1967. Here, it already appears in a state almost similar to what we would hear in "In Concert", with Elvis already trying to reach the highest notes.

 - 31. Mystery Train / Tiger Man: Elvis starts the speech about "turning the house lights up" that he always made before "Funny How Time Slips Away", but the audience asks for the famous medley of recordings from the Sun Studio days.

The version is good, but Elvis starts to lose rhythm in some parts. He sings well and without sounding out of tune or tired, while the band gives an extra push to his performance.

- 32. Can't Help Falling in Love: Elvis thanks the audience and everyone who helped with the show before closing his performance with another enchanting rendition of the 1961 song.

- 33. Closing Vamp / Announcements: The final fanfare and post-show announcements are heard.