FTD releases - what would you choose?

[peter]

Let´s imagine that you are director of FTD and you can decide what will be next releases from FTD label... What would you choose?

I think that in classic album series are all going to be released, sooner or later, so let´s concentrate to live recordings. ;)

We have a lot of releases from 1976 and I think that official releasing of December shows 1976 should be the last project from 76 shows... Or one of last. Another possible show which could be released officialy is Memphis 1976, although Goodbye Memphis bootleg is pretty well known between us - fans.

I would try to release the GOOD shows from start - end eras... I mean release 1969 - 1970 show followed by 1975 or 1977 show. Truth is that there is a lot of great shows from 69 - 70, and less from 77, but some shows from that year deserves to be released on live CD...

My ideas and I´m going to start from the very end:
- Complete Rapid City show (as a final proffesionaly recorded show ever) - it´s really good show and if you choose a good shots for album cover, it would be good release! On FTD release I really think that it would not destroy Elvis name - real fans who are getting FTD releases knows what happened in the end...
- another good show from 1977 is Ann Arbor which was proffesionaly recorded too (I´m not sure whether whole show).
- from "beginning" - there were a plans to release 1961 show from Hawaii or Memphis (?)... What´s the state of this?
- from 1969 - I think that we have "enough" of it :) We have four officially released shows from August 69 - there should be requirement of really special song in the set or really special show.... And the answer that whole 1st season in Vegas was a special isn´t right... ;)
- 1971 is the year which needs a more stuff... And my another idea is - try to capture more Tour shows than Las Vegas or Lake Tahoe gigs! For example - Boston 1971 would be a great release!
- 1972 - I think that now when EOT is planned to be released on DVD/Blue Ray it´s not good time to release any show from April 72. Sad thing is that there are no proffesionaly taped shows from end of 72 - just the difference in setlist between these shows, between ALoha concert and On Tour shows is the reason why it´s really pity that no show was recorded from soundboard.
- Next show which should be definately released is Houston 1974... Without orchestra - Elvis just with band on huge stadium performing for 40k fans.... Sad thing is that Silverdome wasn´t recorded or even better filmed, but this is the 2nd best what we can get and what we KNOW that was recorded on soundboard!
- I would think even about something like Memphis Trilogy - three shows from Memphis - 61, first Memphis show from March 74 (not that released on Recorded Live On Stage) and then Goodbye Memphis show... I think it would fit on 3CD set (Memphis show from 76 is 90 mins approx - one CD + 15 mins on second, Hello Memphis is one hour show - that would fit to the end of the second and Memphis 61 is short show for 3rd disc)
- I would love to see more shows from March 75 in Vegas... Elvis voice that time was in best shape ever! Of course - shows from May/June were released recently, so this tour can get a short break... Sad thing is that July Tour when he was again in fantastic shape is not covered by soundboard tapes. :(

[Brian Quinn]

The February/March 1970 Houston Astrodome Shows.

Brian :D

[Jungleroom76]

I agree that we are pretty well covered by FTD releases from 1976, but I wouldn't mind them releasing the Cincinnati 3/21/76 evening show since it is such a different show in terms of song lineup and the overall feel of the show with Larrie London on drums in place of Ronnie Tutt. Perhaps the closing Tahoe show from 5/9/76 would make a good FTD release as well because of the length of the show being almost 2 hours as well as the uniqueness of some of the songs performed (Return To Sender, Young and Beautiful). Aside from these 2 shows from '76 (and the great Memphis '76 show that was already mentioned), I have to agree that 1976 is pretty well documented.

Of course the Boston '71 show would be an excellent choice, as would the Memphis shows from '75 and '76. Another good choice would be one of the remaining Madison Square Garden shows - perhaps as a second disc to a re-issue of the original MSG show in the "Classic Albums" series? :hmm:

As far as 1977 goes, the show from Largo, MD. on 5/22/77 is a great show by 1977 standards. Personally, I LOVE the way he hits the note at the end of CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE. Definitely an above-average show from the May '77 tour. Another possibility from this tour would be the Binghamton shows from 5/26 & 5/27. These 2 shows are also very good and would be good choices for an FTD release as well, in my opinion. :hmm:

1975 is another year that has been covered quite extensively by FTD thus far as well, but the Asheville and Uniondale shows from July '75 would be very welcome additions to the FTD collection as well. Some rare songs performed during these shows, and the overall tour is another very good one.

Perhaps a release highlighting the third and fifth tours of '73 could also see the light of day, as we haven't seen anything from either of these tours yet. :hmm:

Just a few of my thoughts on potential future FTD releases...

TCB!
Mike

[monk37]

the often promised yet not forthcoming SUN project - including early 50's concert and hayride performances

a box set of all the astrodome shows

a box set of all the Madison square garden shows


the complete Elvis on Tour concert recordings

the complete Elvis in Concert recordings

[Unchained Melody]

What would I choose...

Any concert from 1977 previously unreleased.

Promisedland on the classic album series.

Anything from November 1971.

Any tour show from July 1975.

Those are just the ones on my top priorities!