Coming out soon is the new Straight Arrow's double-digipak CD release "A NEW DECADE, A NEW SOUND", featuring the February 3rd and 5th, 1970 Dinner shows. Looking back at Elvis' final decade of live shows, there are two Las Vegas engagements that stand out: the August '69 one obviously, but certainly also the one in February '70. Whereas the '69 comeback shows were a natural extension of the NBC '68 special with a strong focus on his classic hits, the second engagement From the way he performed these songs, you could tell that he really loved them and genuinely enjoyed the new direction his career was now taking. Most of the oldies were gone from the setlist. It was a very bold move, especially for an artist whose career in the sixties had been marked by boredom and predictability. Released from the chains of the past, Elvis looked and sounded like a man in full control of his career, and he clearly relished the artistic freedom that was now his.
The fact that the music sounded better than before was due in no small part thanks to the two newcomers to the core band; Glen D. Hardin on piano and Bob Lanning on drums. Hailing from Lubbock, Texas, Hardin grew up with Elvis' music, seemed to know all the songs, and was able to contribute with a lot of ideas. Just as importantly, he wrote fresh arrangements for several of the new songs in the show. Elvis loved these arrangements, and Hardin quickly became a highly valued member of the band. Lanning was & is a true no-nonsense rock & roll drummer, who cites Earl Palmer as a main influence. No surprise therefore that he refused to be speeded up by Elvis (or by anyone else, for that matter), and instead focused on laying down a solid groove. In retrospect, this goes a long way in explaining why the February 1970 recordings are musically more solid than other live recordings from the 70s. With that in mind, we would like to dedicate this special collectors' release to messrs. Hardin and Lanning. It’s worth mentioning that Bob Lanning was “found” quite recently after a 45-year absence, and he will be part of a special Elvis show that will be touring Europe in May 2015! And no doubt it'll be a sensation to hear his tight & fearless drumming again after all these years!
The February 3rd, 1970 D/S was previously released by the Memory Records label („HAVE SOME FUN TONIGHT“, 2002). The February 5th, 1970 D/S was released twice from an inferior source and finally by Memory Records („INTERNATIONAL EARTHQUAKE“, 2002). Those Memory Records releases were engineered and mastered using obsolete hardware and software and for some mysterious reason, both shows were even slightly edited.
12 years have passed, and now it‘s time for the ultimate re-release of these special recordings - in a new, crisp, dynamic sound, and with no edits. Straight Arrow’s release of February 3rd and 5th, 1970 Dinner Shows is taken directly from the original tape transfers made in 2001. Every second was digitally restored from scratch to achieve optimal listening pleasure. Ask your local dealer for samples.
As every Straight Arrow’s re-release, this beautifully designed double-digipack edition is limited to 500 copies.
Tracklist:
CD1
01. Excerpt of Sammy Shore speech - 02. Introduction: Orchestra Instrumental - 03. Opening Vamp - 04. All Shook Up - 05. I Got A Woman - 06. Proud Mary - 07. Don't Cry Daddy - 08. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 09. Long Tall Sally - 10. Let It Be Me - 11. I Can't Stop Loving You - 12. Walk A Mile In My Shoes / In The Ghetto - 13. Kentucky Rain - 14. Sweet Caroline - 15. Polk Salad Annie - 16. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 17. Suspicious Minds - 18. Can't Help Falling In Love.
CD2
01. Rick Rennie comments recorded prior the show - 02. Introduction: Orchestra Instrumental - 03. Opening Vamp - 04. All Shook Up - 05. I Got A Woman - 06. Proud Mary - 07. Don't Cry Daddy - 08. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel - 09. Love Me - 10. C. C. Rider - 11. Let It Be Me - 12. I Can't Stop Loving You - 13. Love Me Tender - 14. Chat with audience - 15. In The Ghetto - 16. Sweet Caroline - 17. Polk Salad Annie - 18. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra - 19. Suspicious Minds - 20. Can't Help Falling In Love / Announcement.
