The year is 1973. Elvis Presley has once again risen to the top of the world with his Aloha From Hawaii Special, an international success. The rest of the year was not so lucky. The Flu would strike him in February, causing Elvis, for the first time, to cancel concerts, something he also had to do in May. He had cheated death twice, one in June and another after September, divorced Priscilla. Was met on stage by fans who Elvis wanted to fight. Got fed up with the Hilton Hotel and Colonel Tom Parker, to the point of firing him. It was a turbulent year, that really started when his bass player since his return in 1969, Jerry Scheff, decided to leave due to personal reasons of his own. Jerry stuck around long enough for Aloha and his first engagement of that year. After that, Emory Gordy and Duke Bardwell would handle bass until Jerry's Return in 1975.
On February 10th, 1973, the dinner show was partially recorded as a reference for whoever would take the job after he left. Similar tapes were made with Tony Brown at the end of 1976/Start of 1977, though he ended up staying. The tape was never meant to be listened to outside of the next bassist, yet it made its rounds and was released by Audionics on two separate bootlegs. Echoes Of Aloha and Aloha Jerry! However, on that night, someone in the audience (Rex Martin by accounts) recorded a stereo Soundbooth recording, allowing nearly the entire show to be heard. That is outside of a cut in the introduction and two ladies who wouldn't stop talking after Sonny West takes their recorder. With all that being said, here for the first time, is a combination of both the soundboard and audience recordings to create the best possible ambiance for this show. Enjoy.
Photos from For Elvis CD Collectors (Forum) and Elvis Presley Fan Club Luxembourg (Facebook)
The soundboard starts at the end of You Gave Me A Mountain
*Spliced with February 23rd, **Spliced with February 10th Midnight Show
Setlist:
*Also Sprach Zarathustra / See See Rider / I Got A Woman - Amen / Love Me Tender / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / Steamroller Blues / You Gave Me A Mountain / Fever / Love Me / Blue Suede Shoes / Heartbreak Hotel / Johnny B. Goode / Hound Dog / What Now My Love / Suspicious Minds/ **Band Introductions / I'll Remember You / I Can't Stop Loving You / An American Trilogy / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp