Elvis at the Summit - Houston, Texas
Hi folks - I just read something on Elvisnews.com about a concert done by Elvis in 1976! It is exactly 29 years ago and the comments on Elvisnews are pretty negative:
"Elvis performed at the Summit, Houston, Texas at 2.30 p.m., which was a heart breaking performance"
Isn't this too harsh? Okay, Elvis was feeling bad. But people often concentrate on things which are irrelevant - his weight, his glassy eyes, his being unable to articulate words and sentences.
Isn't his warm and tender voice the most important thing? To be honest, I'd like to hear a tired Elvis instead of a happy and healthy Robert Plant because Elvis did know how to sing the soft and delicate tones instead of screaming like the Led Zeppelin guy did. Led Zeppelin also performed at this Texan venue a year later on September 2, unless I'm very much mistaken.
Isn't it always the easiest thing to do, to attack a person who is either in need or weary because of stress being put on him? It's not that hard to criticize what you can not do yourself or that which you simply do not wish to understand, I guess. It's not that I'm saying that Elvis' lifestyle was healthy for a man in his position, I simply wish to be realistic.
Okay, it's true - rock 'n roll was getting behind and it fell to the background a bit - but the ballads and gospels were quite amazing! I like almost all his versions of And I Love You So, Hurt, You Gave Me A Mountain, If You Love Me... I mean: he couldn't talk, but he could sing!
BTW, these were the songs performed on that show - I must admit it contains a versatile combination of emotionally touching and entertaining songs (I don't really know if he performed just one or twice on this day?):
Houston-The Summit 28th August 1976 Afternoon Matinee Show r/t 80 minutes
TRACKLIST
2001 Theme/See See Rider/ I Got A Woman – Amen x 2 / Dialogue/ Love Me/ If You Love Me / You Gave Me A Mountain / All Shook Up / Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel / Dialogue about band too loud/ And I Love You So/ Jailhouse Rock / Fever / America The Beautiful –with reprise / Introductions & solos: Early Morning Rain - What'd I Say - Johnny B.Goode - Drum solo-Bass Solo( x2 )-Piano Solo-Electric Piano Solo/ Love Letters - Hail Hail Rock & Roll / Hurt / Hound Dog/ Funny How Time Slips Away/ Love me Tender/ Dialogue/ Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp
Whenever I read reviews on websites like Elvisnews.com in the context of shows from '76 they often say 'we don't like '76 shows', 'we don't like to see Elvis that way' & 'we stopped listening to this compilation after just one song'. Is it me, or is this prejudice? Isn't it up to the Elvis fans to outline the positive things about Elvis? I guess that if people stop listening after just one track, they are not unbiased.
It's like the Omaha concert from '77 - they always mention weight problems, the performer looking tired, the eyes being sad and glassy - it always comes down to the physical appearance while forgetting everything about musical and / or vocal performance. I don't think Omaha was a bad concert. I can't really tell how this concert from '76 has been because, sadly, I have not been able to hear it.
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/082876aft.jpg
I've seen people looking worse than that. Does anyone know how large and round Pavarotti is / has been? And can / should we really blame a person for being sick / lonely / slowly dying?
http://www.elvispresley-theking.de/071.jpg
Am I wrong with my statements? Or is it justified to defend Elvis? I'm rather curious to find out what's on your mind, people!
I've finally found someone I can love - a good, clean love... without utensils
I agree that Elvis wasn't the happiest guy in the world during the Jungleroom Sessions. On the other hand, the sessions really gave birth to some classics: Hurt, Danny Boy, Pledging My Love, It's Easy For You. I guess the sword cuts both ways with a medal having two sides to it. Some may dislike these sessions while others think they're great - it's hard to tell what exactly went through Elvis' mind - but I guess he was not so keen on recording a lot of rock 'n roll songs anymore.