Countdown To Christmas (New Straight Arrow CD!)

[Unchained Melody]

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/images/importcd/cd_countdowntxmas.jpg

As recorded live at the Las Vegas, Nevada, Hilton Hotel showroom, December 09, 1975, 10 P.M.
The "Straight Arrow" label will release its 11th CD, entitled "COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS" (SA 2008-11-02), in December 2008.
December 1975 marked the first time ever that Elvis worked around the winter holidays. Why did Colonel Parker take the risk to play before Christmas when even shows by regular Las Vegas performers suffered from poor attendances? The main reason was Elvis financial situation but The Colonel was keen on fulfilling the August 1975 contract too. The ol’ gambler took the situation as a challenge and booked Elvis at the Hilton from December 2nd til the 15th for a total of 16 shows. And once again, he hit the jackpot - all shows were sold out.
Elvis was in great voice throughout the engagement; "My Boy", "How Great Thou Art", "Burning Love", "Just Pretend" and "America The Beautiful" were memorable highlights during these shows. However, Elvis’ physical appearance was somewhat alarming; in December he appeared even heavier than in August, and his face was puffy and bloated. Nevertheless, this season was a huge success, and for the closing show on December 15th , there were more people at the Hilton showroom alone than in all other Las Vegas showrooms together.
The December 9th, 10 P.M. show as presented here is fairly typical of this strong engagement. There are no weak moments during the show, but several performances deserve special mention: a robust "Trying To Get To You", a surprisingly wild version of "Polk Salad Annie" and a fast-paced "Burning Love" are ample proof that 'Elvis - The King' could still rock whenever he wanted to. 'Elvis - The Crooner' gave his all on songs like "And I Love You So", "Just Pretend" and "Softly As I Leave You". The unofficial national anthem "America The Beautiful" and the Gospel favorite "How Great Thou Art" are outstanding performances.
This engagement marked the last time that Elvis' concerts were of such a consistently high standard. Later his shows would become increasingly erratic, and whilst were some truly great concerts, many of them varied from average to rather poor, no matter how much Elvis tried. In December '75, Elvis tried too - and for the last time, he managed to pull it off, night after night.
This previously unreleased live recording originates directly from 1st generation copy of recently surfaced new master tape, as recorded by an audience member. The audio-quality of the recording is very good for an off-line recording. The sound was completely restored in a renowned studio to achieve the best possible quality for your optimal listening pleasure.
It's almost unnecessary to repeat that Straight Arrow will present this CD with a full-colour, 16-page booklet with many photos (incl. some rare ones) taken during December 1975 Las Vegas engagement and huge collection of reproduced Elvis Christmas memorabilia from 1958-1975. The Straight Arrow team thank you for your support and wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009 and hopes that you will enjoy this special Holiday release!
Tracklist:
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from "2001 A Space Odyssey") - 02. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman (with false start) / Amen (medley) - 04. Love Me - 05. Fairytale - 06. And I Love You So - 07. Tryin' To Get To You - 08. All Shook Up - 09. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) - 10. Love Me Tender - 11. Polk Salad Annie - 12. Band Introductions - 13. Johnny B. Goode - 14. Drum Solo (by Ronnie Tutt) - 15. Bass Solo (Blues - by Jerry Scheff) - 16. Piano Solo (by Glen D. Hardin) - 17. School Day #1 - 18. School Day #2 - 19. Just Pretend - 20. How Great Thou Art (with reprise) - 21. Burning Love - 22. Softly As I Leave You - 23. America The Beautiful - 24. It's Now Or Never (with reprise) - 25. One Night - 26. Mystery Train / Tiger Man (medley) - 27. Dialogue - 28. Can't Help Falling In Love - 29. Closing Vamp.

source : e-mail - December 3, 2008


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this is an engagement that hardly ever gets the credit or attention that it deserves. Sure Elvis' weight was blooming at this point, but he was really focused on making good music and was putting on great shows night after night. His vocal performace was amazing, just listen to Just Pretend or How Great Thou Art...Simply superb.

I've got all the shows that are availabe from this engagement on cdr and I will say its a great season for elvis performance wise, Straight Arrow are the King Of Audience Recordings in the Elvis world and this one looks like its living up to their expectations. The coverart Is really great, love that photo of Elvis they've used. Keep it up Straight Arrow, and I will look forward to this one.
Well I am currently listening to the Concert YEars Vol.12 which has this concert on it, and I can say the sound is really really good. So I can't wait to see what Straight Arrow has in store for us. Because on this you can hear what elvis is saying exactly even when he is talking with the audience. So I have high hopes for this one! theres a girl that keeps yelling Elvis' name after he finishes Polk Salad Annie and its right before he goes into the band intro's....She keeps yelling Elvis and then starts going yooohooo Elvis...and he finally says Honey What do you want ?

Funny when you actually listen to it....I'm halfway through playing it now though, and its a solid show..Elvis talks about how he recently gota haircut but still can't see...at the beginning of the show..

[epmoodyblue]

:hmm:good stuff......all the dec 75 shows were solid... great concerts ..did elvis wear at that show for the first time the white twin bird prehistoric outfit? :hmm:yeah elvis did not look well in dec 75 actually very bad..but elvis ws elvis he gave great shows powerfull voice worked hard onstage.....and and it was the first time at the dec vegas 75 shows elvis showed everyone for the first time that horrific new v neck puffy sleve jumpsuit(n) def the ugliest jumpsuit ever(n) ......sadly he had to use that v neck thingy at his biggest show in pontiac 75 but only because he ripped the rainfall outfit and had to change into the v neck to finish off the show..sorry to get off topic but i hate that outfit:lmfao:.i will buy Countdown To Christmas (y):notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notwor thy

[Unchained Melody]

I know its not the nicest suit (the V Neck) but it was infact one of Elvis' favorites (see Sean Shavers The Life Of Elvis Presey to confirm this) because the puffy sleeves let the air in and it was cool onstage against the Spotlights that were on him.

[epmoodyblue]

I know its not the nicest suit (the V Neck) but it was infact one of Elvis' favorites (see Sean Shavers The Life Of Elvis Presey to confirm this) because the puffy sleeves let the air in and it was cool onstage against the Spotlights that were on him.:blink:one of his favs?....go figurehttp://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f137/bellaselena/icon_sad.gifshaver could of got his info wrong..i really doubt this was elvis fav outfit...even if elvis used it when he was in top form ..still would of givin it a (n).its a laugher of an outfit..suited more for a clown to wear or some latin slasa dancer..... than a king.....everytime i look at that oufit i:cold:..well u know we all got out opinions:lmfao:......the outifit sucks(n) not so much the jumpsuit .:hmm:the sleeves really kill it(n)

[Unchained Melody]

Maybe Shavers info is wrong, then again, maybe its not.

I mean, Elvis did wear the Prehistoric Bird suits most of 1976, probably the same reason he liked them with the puffy sleves, they were cooler on him onstage against the stage spotlight. And if you see the suit up close in person, it really will make you think different. atleast it did to me.

[epmoodyblue]

:hmm:
Maybe Shavers info is wrong, then again, maybe its not.

I mean, Elvis did wear the Prehistoric Bird suits most of 1976, probably the same reason he liked them with the puffy sleves, they were cooler on him onstage against the stage spotlight. And if you see the suit up close in person, it really will make you think different. atleast it did to me.
:hmm: yeah i would love to see the v neck up close in person.....then i will give you my final judgement for the outfit(y)....as for the prehistoric bird outfits...the white and blue ones..i love them both(y).......actually some hate the blue prehistoric bird suit..i really see nothing wrong with it....peace my friend(y)(y)

[Unchained Melody]

Dont think its the suits there were bad, its the condition Elvis was in when we wore them.

[epmoodyblue]

Dont think its the suits there were bad, its the condition Elvis was in when we wore them.tottaly agree..most fans complain about the outfits because of the condition elvis was in..actually most were simply stunning..like the gypsy outfit 75 sabre tooth outfit used in longisland ny 75...twin bird white blue puffy slveve 76.....all beautiful outfits...and elvis did look beautiful in them... really its the few extra poinds that really bothers the fans not the outfits.. the weight thingy never bothered me........the v-neck jumpy i i will have to see it in person (y):newyear:

[Unchained Melody]

The Chicken Bone (Aztec, Bear Claw) and the Eskimo Totem Pole both worn on July 19th '75 are also suits with the puffy sleeves and they are two of the coolest and flashy suits Elvis wore imo!!!!!

[epmoodyblue]

The Chicken Bone (Aztec, Bear Claw) and the Eskimo Totem Pole both worn on July 19th '75 are also suits with the puffy sleeves and they are two of the coolest and flashy suits Elvis wore imo!!!!!tottaly agree i love those outfits(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)and those 2 shows u mention
July 19th '75.....both outstanding concert performances(y):notworthy:notworthy

[Unchained Melody]

Both excellent performances.

If you like the shows and the outfits, get the book Born To Rock. Its got some amazing photo's in it.

[epmoodyblue]

Both excellent performances.

If you like the shows and the outfits, get the book Born To Rock. Its got some amazing photo's in it.(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)will check the book out:king: