Spring Tours '77

Elvis, still on top form after a mesmorising short tour over late december 76 (note to Ernst & Roger...Release material from this).

Elvis News slaughtered this CD; are they listening to the same disc or what? This is immediately a favourite of mine. Songs such as "My Way" and "Unchained Melody" are given his finest performances here.

He delves deep into his vast reportoire and delivers a smokin' "Mystery Train/Tiger Man", slower than what we are used to, but a killer version. "Big Bossman" is also great, Elvis really sparkling on this great song.

"Lawdy Miss Clawdy" is a favourite here, and almost everytime he sang it. Slightly different arrangement here and a small lyric change make this is gem.

It's been mentioned before in a review; and yes! I also get a huge kick out of Elvis goofing off and messing up "Are You Lonesome Tonight."

"Fairytale" tops the albume version, whilst "Hearbreak Hotel" oh so bluesy and brimming with attitude.

I highly recommend this CD, too often Elvis later work is criticised, and why? because Elvis in the 70s delivered consistantly strong material that, as a whole is far superior to anything the Beatles done individually or Dylan for that matter. And live.......untouchable, Elvis, Springsteen, James Brown and Johnny Cash as live artists cant be topped.

Anyway; 5 stars, excellent!

Follow That Dream are doing a great job releasing rare material and music aimed specifically at the Elvis fans; but when CDs like this and "The Memphis Sessions", "Jungle Room Sessions", "Burbank 68" and "Fame and Fortune" are so damn excellent, it's a huge shame that they are not given more exposure.

Firstly, the packaging is very good, with great pictures plus a reproduction of an origianl newspaper review beneath the CD tray.

The music is nothing short of excellent throughout. A great version of "That's Alright" opens the CD, and one can instantly feel that the whole CD is very acoustic and bluesy, with less brass and granduer, and more raw Presley.

This is especially evident in a bluesy "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", which was very rare after 1974; plus a great "Heartbreak Hotel" that comes straight out of Beale Street and down the Mississippi Delta.

I must also point out the stunning; always stunning live version of "Unchained Melody" and a fantastic "Bridge Over Troubled Water." A song that Elvis always seemed to convey a deeper sense of emotion that messrs Simon & Garfunkle did.

"Mystery Train/Tiger Man" is always a blistering drive through these Sun classics; I love this, especially the break where Elvis growls..."Well 'am the King of the jungle they call me the tiger man.....", just superp.

I must also point out "Help Me", a fabulous gospel song with a country edge; and this great version really stands out.

More of this please FTD; this could be the best one yet 5 STARS.....EASILLY!