Are we gonna get a Nov. '76 soundboard from FTD?

[Ciscoking]

Elvis struggled. Did not give-up during a time rehab was virtually unknown and shrinks were still for crazy people. And that even doesn't stop people from dying today. I understand why other pop/rock acts dying much younger get a free pass. Their youth is what prevented them from us seeing the slower decline of Elvis in them. But Elvis reached heights greater than all of them put together by age 21. And we thankfully never saw Elvis in his twenties sloppily high and or a drunken mess. 42 was way too young for Elvis. But these kids dying before thirty was a travesty! And not cool! Too sad.
I am happy to have everything he gave us right to the end. Everything. I Wish he would have overcome his demons and still be around.

I agree with you on all counts, Juan. Thank you for this thoughtful comment.

The comment is well-meant, but reads like someone making excuses. Which "pop/rock acts dying much younger" got a "free pass"? And to try and hypocritically argue that Elvis should get a free pass because he lived into his forties while showing a marked decline in his public work is absurd. I'm not even going to address in depth the "we thankfully never saw Elvis in his twenties sloppily high." Really, how is that a strong argument for Presley?

I don't see Juan making excuses for Elvis (as he explains above). I definitely don't make excuses for Elvis. The hard reality is, he achieved perhaps the most incredible, world-wide fame of any popular music singer ever (though Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson come close on an international level), but he decidedly did not ever, in his entire lifetime, achieve the emotional and psychological maturity that is necessary to healthily navigate that fame-- a fame which is unimaginable to regular Joes and Janes, such as all of us on this board.

The longer that I read and learn about Elvis and his major life decisions, the more shocked that I am, at times, to see just how very, very poor some of those decisions were. (I do think that he was a wonderful human being in many ways; I don't want anyone to think that I'm turning into an Elvis-basher here either!!) The reasons for why Elvis made those poor decisions are widely varied.

I believe that some of them had to do with an unhealthily intense and enduring emotional attachment to his mother, which he never overcame, and which helped to wreck his marriage and which led to problems in his relations with women in general, and quite possibly, other emotional and psychological problems. (My own mother died suddenly, and violently, when I was nine years old, so I do perhaps have more sympathy for Elvis in his bad relationship decisions than some people would, but I still don't want to make excuses for him. I've never been a serial philanderer as he was to be sure!)

In retrospect, it seems that Elvis could have done so many things differently. It frustrates me to no end, sometimes, to think of him surrounding himself with the insular environment of the Memphis Mafia, and living with some of the ways of a much younger (and foolish) man, well into his thirties and even his early forties, and constantly taking heavy medications to go to sleep and to get up, and regularly seeing other women, even when he was married or in serious relationships, and not breaking away from the Colonel and being more of an independent, fearless person (artistically and otherwise), and having incredibly poor eating habits. I have no blinders on about Elvis, and I see all of these flaws in him, and I see how they terribly affected his studio recording career, his concerts, and his personal life. I see how, together, these flaws led him to a tragically early grave. It was an incredible shame.

At the very same time, though (and this is part of the tension that I personally live with, as a serious Elvis fan and collector), I can't stop wanting to hear the man, at all points of his career (even the heartbreaking points!), because for me, 1974-77 are just as much a part of the story of the "real Elvis" as 1954-58. The "real Elvis," i.e. not the one we wish for, but the real, actual Elvis, was obviously in a bad way in '74-77. In that vein, I have to honestly ask myself, is the work of '74-77 as artistically vibrant and compelling as '54-58? On-stage, definitely not, for the most part. In the studio, also not, really… but it's a bit of a loaded question for me, because while nothing is more purely exciting and life-affirming than the young Elvis at his peak, I do also truly love the latter-day, more emotionally complex Elvis which one hears in songs such as "Loving Arms" and Good Time Charlies' Got the Blues." I do wish that he would have regularly sung these songs, and others like them, live!! Ahh, the tension of being an Elvis fan!!

If only he could have turned his life around in the mid-to-late '70s, we might have many more great albums and thrilling concerts to enjoy from him. He obviously didn't turn it around though, so we have what we have, and so much of it is either great or very good, and even when it's not, I'll take it, because I love the man's voice and charisma, and because it's what we do have from him.

Thank you. I could never say it like that!

+ 1

[elvisistheman]

Thanks so much, Tim and Juan and Ciscoking!! I've never written about this aspect of my life here (that I can remember at least), but I type much more slowly than most people, due to a physical disability which I've had from birth, so it does take some time for me to post my more lengthy comments! it's nice to see that my labors (for the memory of Elvis and for everyone reading here) are appreciated!

[vinelvis]

Elvis struggled. Did not give-up during a time rehab was virtually unknown and shrinks were still for crazy people. And that even doesn't stop people from dying today. I understand why other pop/rock acts dying much younger get a free pass. Their youth is what prevented them from us seeing the slower decline of Elvis in them. But Elvis reached heights greater than all of them put together by age 21. And we thankfully never saw Elvis in his twenties sloppily high and or a drunken mess. 42 was way too young for Elvis. But these kids dying before thirty was a travesty! And not cool! Too sad.
I am happy to have everything he gave us right to the end. Everything. I Wish he would have overcome his demons and still be around.

I agree with you on all counts, Juan. Thank you for this thoughtful comment.

The comment is well-meant, but reads like someone making excuses. Which "pop/rock acts dying much younger" got a "free pass"? And to try and hypocritically argue that Elvis should get a free pass because he lived into his forties while showing a marked decline in his public work is absurd. I'm not even going to address in depth the "we thankfully never saw Elvis in his twenties sloppily high." Really, how is that a strong argument for Presley?

I don't see Juan making excuses for Elvis (as he explains above). I definitely don't make excuses for Elvis. The hard reality is, he achieved perhaps the most incredible, world-wide fame of any popular music singer ever (though Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson come close on an international level), but he decidedly did not ever, in his entire lifetime, achieve the emotional and psychological maturity that is necessary to healthily navigate that fame-- a fame which is unimaginable to regular Joes and Janes, such as all of us on this board.

The longer that I read and learn about Elvis and his major life decisions, the more shocked that I am, at times, to see just how very, very poor some of those decisions were. (I do think that he was a wonderful human being in many ways; I don't want anyone to think that I'm turning into an Elvis-basher here either!!) The reasons for why Elvis made those poor decisions are widely varied.

I believe that some of them had to do with an unhealthily intense and enduring emotional attachment to his mother, which he never overcame, and which helped to wreck his marriage and which led to problems in his relations with women in general, and quite possibly, other emotional and psychological problems. (My own mother died suddenly, and violently, when I was nine years old, so I do perhaps have more sympathy for Elvis in his bad relationship decisions than some people would, but I still don't want to make excuses for him. I've never been a serial philanderer as he was to be sure!)

In retrospect, it seems that Elvis could have done so many things differently. It frustrates me to no end, sometimes, to think of him surrounding himself with the insular environment of the Memphis Mafia, and living with some of the ways of a much younger (and foolish) man, well into his thirties and even his early forties, and constantly taking heavy medications to go to sleep and to get up, and regularly seeing other women, even when he was married or in serious relationships, and not breaking away from the Colonel and being more of an independent, fearless person (artistically and otherwise), and having incredibly poor eating habits. I have no blinders on about Elvis, and I see all of these flaws in him, and I see how they terribly affected his studio recording career, his concerts, and his personal life. I see how, together, these flaws led him to a tragically early grave. It was an incredible shame.

At the very same time, though (and this is part of the tension that I personally live with, as a serious Elvis fan and collector), I can't stop wanting to hear the man, at all points of his career (even the heartbreaking points!), because for me, 1974-77 are just as much a part of the story of the "real Elvis" as 1954-58. The "real Elvis," i.e. not the one we wish for, but the real, actual Elvis, was obviously in a bad way in '74-77. In that vein, I have to honestly ask myself, is the work of '74-77 as artistically vibrant and compelling as '54-58? On-stage, definitely not, for the most part. In the studio, also not, really… but it's a bit of a loaded question for me, because while nothing is more purely exciting and life-affirming than the young Elvis at his peak, I do also truly love the latter-day, more emotionally complex Elvis which one hears in songs such as "Loving Arms" and Good Time Charlies' Got the Blues." I do wish that he would have regularly sung these songs, and others like them, live!! Ahh, the tension of being an Elvis fan!!

If only he could have turned his life around in the mid-to-late '70s, we might have many more great albums and thrilling concerts to enjoy from him. He obviously didn't turn it around though, so we have what we have, and so much of it is either great or very good, and even when it's not, I'll take it, because I love the man's voice and charisma, and because it's what we do have from him.

Thanks!

[srovenstine]

Whatever Elvis should have been, could have been, been more like we wanted him to be or whatever. If he wouldn't have been so lazy, fat, bad decisions, done things different all are fair observations indeed. The bottom line with me is he and his music make me feel better and happy, that's why I listen and read and watch Elvis. As far as the later year bashing of Elvis and how bad he was I have been listening to the 76 and 77 stuff and watching some of the youtube video on that era. Yes some is bad but I was amazed to see some video from 77 in Feb in Florida where he seemed engaged and the fans were going ape for him. Also the Atlanta video from 76 seemed pretty good. I know it wasn't the 56 Elvis or even the 72 Elvis but the fans sure seemed to love it and made them happy. Isn't that what he said that was his job to make them happy and to sit back and leave the driving to him. Elvis wasn't really all that unusual many very creative and talented folks make bad decision that cost them their lives very young, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Jimmy Hendricks, and on and on. Some by the Grace of God had or have long lives but not for lack of trying such as Jerry Lee or Johnny Cash, George Jones or even Randy Travis. Wish we had more of Elvis but we have quite a bit for such a short life. Anyways.

[Moonchild]

Thanks for the great post elvisintheman! Got to be one of the best Ive read in along time!!

[ritchie valens]

Why are there more soundboards from 1972-1977 ?And less from 1970-1971?

[StefanKock1]

Why are there more soundboards from 1972-1977 ?And less from 1970-1971?

Because, as they are from the better and more exciting part of the '69 - '77 concert years, they are in private hands.

[Darrell]

I just gave San Francisco Bay Blues from Audionics a spin and I would have to say that Elvis gives a pretty solid performance and I really enjoy the show. It seems that all the inflections in his singing voice and the between-song quips are in their right place. I'm only sorry it's not complete and I hope FTD gives us a complete show from this tour as I understand that most all the other shows are just as good if not better. I believe it was the love interest of the Ginger-factor that gave him the added inspiration to perform well.

How did Elvis and Ginger meet?

[YDKM]

I just gave San Francisco Bay Blues from Audionics a spin and I would have to say that Elvis gives a pretty solid performance and I really enjoy the show. It seems that all the inflections in his singing voice and the between-song quips are in their right place. I'm only sorry it's not complete and I hope FTD gives us a complete show from this tour as I understand that most all the other shows are just as good if not better. I believe it was the love interest of the Ginger-factor that gave him the added inspiration to perform well.

How did Elvis and Ginger meet?

Darrel FTD can and could give us a release from this tour...why it takes so long i cannot imagine?

[Johnny2523]

I just gave San Francisco Bay Blues from Audionics a spin and I would have to say that Elvis gives a pretty solid performance and I really enjoy the show. It seems that all the inflections in his singing voice and the between-song quips are in their right place. I'm only sorry it's not complete and I hope FTD gives us a complete show from this tour as I understand that most all the other shows are just as good if not better. I believe it was the love interest of the Ginger-factor that gave him the added inspiration to perform well.

How did Elvis and Ginger meet?

Darrel FTD can and could give us a release from this tour...why it takes so long i cannot imagine?

would you believe that the last time we got a soundboard from '76 (Chicago Stadium) was 5 years ago.

[midnightx]

I just gave San Francisco Bay Blues from Audionics a spin and I would have to say that Elvis gives a pretty solid performance and I really enjoy the show. It seems that all the inflections in his singing voice and the between-song quips are in their right place. I'm only sorry it's not complete and I hope FTD gives us a complete show from this tour as I understand that most all the other shows are just as good if not better. I believe it was the love interest of the Ginger-factor that gave him the added inspiration to perform well.

How did Elvis and Ginger meet?

Darrel FTD can and could give us a release from this tour...why it takes so long i cannot imagine?

would you believe that the last time we got a soundboard from '76 (Chicago Stadium) was 5 years ago.

With such an appalling oversight, it is clear that Ernst really needs to go.

[OnTourCam]

Not keen on 1976 time to pull out some gems from 1972 or on the road 1973

[YDKM]

Not keen on 1976 time to pull out some gems from 1972 or on the road 1973

sure we'd all like that but if the tapes are NOT available what do you do!?

[Matthew]

When there's a Nov 76 soundboard on the table, April 1972 gets put to the bottom of the priority list!

[Darrell]

Well, after nearly a year wait (since this post was first made) it looks like my wish has finally come true. I guess a little bit of patience pays off. Can't wait to give these shows a spin - I'm sure they'll be good, especially with the added mixing & mastering (Thanks Ken).

BTW: a little bit of trivia - the Eugene show on the 25th, which we get three songs from - (You Gave Me A Mountain, It's Now or Never & America the Beautiful - Thanks Ken), was given on our American holiday Thanksgiving. It'll be cool if we get to hear Elvis say something about it.

Thanks in advance FTD team!

[elvis-fan]

Well, after nearly a year wait (since this post was first made) it looks like my wish has finally come true. I guess a little bit of patience pays off. Can't wait to give these shows a spin - I'm sure they'll be good, especially with the added mixing & mastering (Thanks Ken).

BTW: a little bit of trivia - the Eugene show on the 25th, which we get three songs from - (You Gave Me A Mountain, It's Now or Never & America the Beautiful - Thanks Ken), was given on our American holiday Thanksgiving. It'll be cool if we get to hear Elvis say something about it.

Thanks in advance FTD team!

I don't see anything on the shopelvis site about those additional Eugene tracks, Darrell. Do you have a link you can post that shows the detail breakdown of that new FTD?

[Darrell]

I'm only presuming upon what Ken is saying on the other topic of the new FTD's being in stock at London's Shop Elvis. Sorry, I wish I could confirm but I'm only filled with hope at what he's talking about.

[goldbelt]

Well, after nearly a year wait (since this post was first made) it looks like my wish has finally come true. I guess a little bit of patience pays off. Can't wait to give these shows a spin - I'm sure they'll be good, especially with the added mixing & mastering (Thanks Ken).

BTW: a little bit of trivia - the Eugene show on the 25th, which we get three songs from - (You Gave Me A Mountain, It's Now or Never & America the Beautiful - Thanks Ken), was given on our American holiday Thanksgiving. It'll be cool if we get to hear Elvis say something about it.

Thanks in advance FTD team!

I don't see anything on the shopelvis site about those additional Eugene tracks, Darrell. Do you have a link you can post that shows the detail breakdown of that new FTD?

Scan of the back cover here .........
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=91985&start=25#p1467330

[Darrell]

thanks for that Goldbelt.

[drjohncarpenter]

I'm only presuming upon what Ken is saying on the other topic of the new FTD's being in stock at London's Shop Elvis. Sorry, I wish I could confirm but I'm only filled with hope at what he's talking about.

"Hope" and Elvis on stage in 1976 is about right.

[Darrell]

So true, John, so true. That's why I'm looking forward to this release as much as I am - Elvis, if only for a brief period, was back performing in decent form.

[r&b]

So true, John, so true. That's why I'm looking forward to this release as much as I am - Elvis, if only for a brief period, was back performing in decent form.

Yes and that stellar 1976 set list. Im sure it will be vastly different from November. Maybe no dive bomb?

[midnightx]

So true, John, so true. That's why I'm looking forward to this release as much as I am - Elvis, if only for a brief period, was back performing in decent form.

Yes and that stellar 1976 set list. Im sure it will be vastly different from November. Maybe no dive bomb?

1976 concerts have little merit without the dive bomb.

[r&b]

So true, John, so true. That's why I'm looking forward to this release as much as I am - Elvis, if only for a brief period, was back performing in decent form.

Yes and that stellar 1976 set list. Im sure it will be vastly different from November. Maybe no dive bomb?

1976 concerts have little merit without the dive bomb.

Yes I know. It was a major reason in which celebrate America's Bicentennial year.

[Ciscoking]

So true, John, so true. That's why I'm looking forward to this release as much as I am - Elvis, if only for a brief period, was back performing in decent form.

Yes and that stellar 1976 set list. Im sure it will be vastly different from November. Maybe no dive bomb?

1976 concerts have little merit without the dive bomb.

Every single concert has its merits..a wise man once said....so true.