HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM...
August 28th 1976 2.30pm Show
The title of this CD is a little misleading. In reality Houston didn't really have a problem. However in the summer of `76 Elvis Presley did.
Usually I like to give samples of each album I review. In this case I'm doing you a favour by limiting it to "Love Me" and even that is a highlight.
Let's make this clear: I love Elvis and have done so for many, many years.
I love the bootleg material that has come the fans' way in the recent years, however this release baffles me. Bootlegs in recent years have dwindled, in particuar soundboards. This is in turn a result of FTDs flooding the market since 1999.
However it has now got to such a point in the Elvis world that any new bootleg release is celebrated. Elvis in this show is actually dead on his feet. He should have never been on stage that day. This CD should never have seen the light of day.
The overall sound of the disc is simply amazing and its a great shame thats it's a painful listen. One has to wonder how much pain Elvis was in at this time of his life to be heavly medicated?
He sleepwalks through "See See Rider" before going into a sluggish version of "I Got A Woman / Amen". "Love Me" is performed in a dazed, half-awake attitude, which includes a mistake at the end.
In all honesty Elvis dosen't get out of this gear at all during the show. At the start of "You Gave Me A Mountain", you would actually swear Elvis was drunk. However it does appear that he sobers up during the song.
Next up is the usual throw away medely of all shook up/teddy bear/dont be cruel again Elvis is out of allsorts.Out of breath and Struggling to catch the words and at the same time crazy fans scream to see/hear or even touch there idol.Elvis didnt need to sing this day,he could of stood there and they would still of screamed.
appears that he sobers up during the song.
Next up is the usual throw-away medley of "All Shook Up / Teddy Bear / Dont Be Cruel". Again ,Elvis is out of sorts.
Out of breath and struggling to catch the words. At the same time, crazy fans scream to see, hear or even touch their idol. Elvis didn't need to sing, he could have stood there and they would still have screamed.
Maybe it's just me or maybe it's just the song, but "And I Love You So" sounds exactly the same to me on this cd than it appears on any other; out of breath and seemingly unintrested.
"Jailhouse Rock" is next with Elvis messing up some lyrics at the start and he seems to be playing catch-up with the song a bit after that. "Fever" is passable, if only due to the fact that the other songs are of a pretty poor standard.
"Polk Salad Annie" actually has the band rocking and in turn gives Elvis the energy to rock along with the song. Jerry Scheff again shows his bass playing ability with a great solo. From this we jump into the long band solos from each player - let's be honest, tonight he needed it.
"Hurt" is performed to a decent standard before Elvis goes into the most dreadful version of "Funny How Time Slips Away". He starts off saying, "What key are we in?" More like, which planet was he on?
Sounding slow, sluggishly sleepy and missing lyrics.
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