The Beat Is Back - E.P. Collector

The Beat Is Back - E.P. Collector

Expected soon is from the E.P. Collector import-label is a 2CD set entitled ”The Beat Is Back” containing an audiencerecording of the April 21, 1976 performance in Kansas City, MO. The running-time is 84:33 minutes.

From the press-release:

As per the March 1976 tour, the April tour was a short one - Elvis played just 8 shows in 7 days - but only 3 days after tour closing in Spokane, Elvis started his last-ever season in Lake Tahoe. Most of the April concerts were solid and the shows were longer, with very enjoyable set lists.

Note: Shane Kiester was replaced on piano by Tony Brown and Ronnie Tutt was back on drums, replacing Larrie Londin.

Among the concert highlights are ”Steamroller Blues“, ”Heartbreak Hotel”, ”My Way”, “Hurt“ and ”Burning Love”. There are other great performances, but one single performance stands out in particular - an unique, dramatic rendition of „How Great Thou Art“! Elvis' vocals on this are unbelievable, and this is a serious candidate for 'best live version ever'.

The April 21st, 1976 show is previously unreleased. The producers were looking for good sounding recording for more than 2 years. Finally they got 3 different tapes. The best sounding one was selected for release and small parts were repaired using secondary sources, to make the recording 100 percent complete.

The CD is packaged in a nicely designed double digipak filled with a glowing concert review from the local press and a collection of cool images taken on April 21st, 1976 in Kansas City, MO. With Ronnie Tutt back in band, the beat was back, too!

CD 01

01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Theme) - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. medley: I Got A Woman / Amen - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain (with false start) - 07. Steamroller Blues - 08. All Shook Up - 09. medley: Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 10. Heartbreak Hotel - 11. My Way - 12. Polk Salad Annie.

CD 02

01. Band Introductions - 02. What'd I Say - 03. Drums Solo (Ronnie Tutt) - 04. Bass Solo (Jerry Scheff) - 05. Piano Solo (Tony Brown) - 06. Electric Piano Solo (David Briggs) - 07. School Day - 08. And I Love You So - 09. Hurt - 10. Help Me - 11. Burning Love - 12. America (The Beautiful) - 13. How Great Thou Art - 14. Little Darlin' (with false start) - 15. Funny How Time Slips Away (with reprise) - 16. Hound Dog - 17. Can't Help Falling In Love - 18. Closing Vamp & Announcements - 19. Elvis In Kansas City announcement.