Reply With QuoteThe Wonder of You was recorded live a released a few years earlier.
I've been thinking about the wealth of soundboard recordings we have (thank goodness), and RCA's knowledge and use of these. From what I can tell, the first soundboard recording RCA released was "America" as the b-side of "My Way" in November 1977. Then "Softly, As I Leave You" was released as the b-side of "Unchained Melody" in 1978. Then in 1980, RCA released a complete concert from 1975 that was captured on a soundboard recording on the silver box.
I wonder if RCA raided the vaults to find new material for release? Did they already have possession of the tapes, or did a private party turn these over?
I can't remember - were "America" and "Softly" recorded during live performances or during rehearsals?
Any information anyone has over the acquisition and decision to release these tapes would be appreciated.
"I can't see my reflection in the water. I can't speak the sounds that show no pain. I can't hear the echo of my footsteps. I can't remember the sound of my own name" - Tomorrow Is A Long Time
The Wonder of You was recorded live a released a few years earlier.
The Sun Never Sets On A Legend...
Elvis was recorded doing both Softly and America several times in concert. Softly was also rehearsed and recorded once that I know of. I do not know if America was ever recorded in rehearsals.
America was recorded at the Jungle Room Sessions. Whats left of the recording can be found at the end of the Jungle Room Sessions FTD. Felton recorded over it!
The Sun Never Sets On A Legend...
Well, I listened to these two single releases off the "Silver Box" over the holiday. Both cuts were recorded live, "Softly" sounds like it may have some applause dubbed on at the beginning. I guess I was thinking of the "Softly" rehearsal take that was included on the 70's box.
Still find it interesting that RCA was releasing these informal, soundboard recordings so soon after Elvis' death. Then it was years before they started being released regularly via the FTD label.
"I can't see my reflection in the water. I can't speak the sounds that show no pain. I can't hear the echo of my footsteps. I can't remember the sound of my own name" - Tomorrow Is A Long Time
The recording of SOFTLY AS I LEAVE YOU was done at the midnight show on 13th december 1975. The complete show was released unofficially by FORT BAXTER on a cd called JUST PRETEND. The song AMERICA is from that show, too.
It truly is amazing to think about the enormous amount of "previously unreleased" recordings that have been made available to the fans since Elvis' passing....especially since fans were told after Elvis passed away that the unreleased material they had left in the vaults would only last a couple of years. That was 28 years ago!!!!Originally Posted by nashville cat
As Orwell1976 stated, both AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL and SOFTLY AS I LEAVE YOU were recorded during Elvis' December '75 engagement. The FTD label released a CD entitled DINNER AT EIGHT a couple of years ago, containing one of the dinner show performances from that December engagement. DINNER AT EIGHT contains both songs, although they are not the versions that were originally released back in '77 and '78. This is a very good CD, and definitely worth checking out if you haven't heard it yet!!
As for the "complete" concert that was released on the ELVIS ARON PRESLEY box set (the "silver" box) in 1980, that concert is actually made up of songs from several different shows including Murfreesboro, TN. in May '75 and Dallas, TX. June '75. Tracks from several different shows were assembled to give the "feeling" of a complete concert.
As for the acquisition of unreleased Elvis tapes, it's actually a mix between tapes that are being found in RCA's own vaults as well as tapes that RCA is purchasing from collectors. One such instance is the recent FTD release NEW YEAR'S EVE, which contains Elvis' historic New Year's Eve show in Pittsburgh, PA. 12/31/76...this show was recorded by a fan in the audience and the tapes were obtained from the fan by RCA. Several sources also suggest that a fan may have tapes containing the recording of Elvis' final concert in Indianapolis, IN. on 6/26/77. I would imagine that, if this is indeed true, RCA is attempting to work out a deal with the owner of these tapes for possible future release.
If you are looking for a nice collection of previously unreleased performances, I would highly recommend checking out the TODAY, TOMORROW & FOREVER box set that RCA released a couple of years ago! This 4-CD package contains 100 previously unreleased performances from just about every recording session of Elvis' entire career....there are some GREAT gems on this box set, and if you are an outtakes fan like I am, this set is definitely recommended!!!
Hope this helps you out some Nashville Cat!!
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
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