Event number eight #1

Second upload...
Elvis as recorded live at the Atrodrome of Houston, Texas. June 3, 1974. Afternoon show. It's a soundboard recording.
Here is the tracklist:
See See Rider
I Got A Woman
Love Me
Trying To Get To You
All Shook Up
Love Me Tender
Johnny B. Goode
Hound Dog
Fever
Polk Salad Annie
Why Me Lord
Suspicious Minds
Band Introductions
I Can't Stop Loving You
Help Me
How Great Thou Art
Let Me Be There
Funny How Time Slips Away
Elvis talks
Can't Help Falling In Love
Closing Riff

This CD is the afternoon show on March 3, 1974 at the monstrous Houston Astrodome. As in the shows from February 1970, Elvis did not use an orchestra, just rhythm section and backup singers. In addition, there apparently were no warm-up acts, just a sequence of events/acts, and when it was Elvis' turn, bam! Away we go! The show had to have started with a drum roll, but the recording starts while the band is playing the opening riff for 'See See Rider' and apparently Elvis is already on stage, as he starts singing about 8 seconds into it. This is a good version as Elvis is really putting forth an effort. His voice distorts just a little from time to time as his mike did not have a wind block, that or level is just a tad high. After this opening number, Elvis says "...good evening ladies and gentlemen. I'm event number 8!" He then quickly jumps into 'I Got A Woman' and this is a very good version too. His performance on these two songs remind me somewhat of some of his concerts in 1976 in that he is almost trying to vocalize the lyrics too much.

He may have been nervous in front of a crowd that size, or because the crowd was so far away he felt he needed to do more. Next is 'Love Me' and this is one of his better efforts on the song as he sings it without fooling with the audience (they were way out of reach anyway). 'Trying To Get To You' follows and this is a very nice take. Then comes 'All Shook Up' & 'Love Me Tender', which are both well done. 'Johnny B. Goode' follows and it is awesome! Elvis and James Burton just go to town on this one. 'Hound Dog' & 'Fever' are next and Elvis is puts forth some extra effort on both of these numbers.

Now we're gonna get serious. 'Polk Salad Annie' has to be a killer. Elvis puts so much effort into the doing the wild thing at the end that he can hardly talk. He barely says a couple of words in between each breath. The first time I listened to the CD, I thought it sounded like he was going to pass out. He asks J. D. & the Stamps to sing 'Why Me Lord' and I was very surprised that he joined in on the first chorus. This song is well done, and J. D.'s voice sounds terrific in the dome. 'Suspicious Minds' is next, and Elvis lights this one up, too. He does four straight verses on the second half and since he only had to "work" the 5 second drum roll at the end of each verse, he doesn't get as winded. Next are the band introductions, and then immediately it's back to work.

A nice version of 'Can't Stop Loving You' starts the second half of the show, and then Elvis introduces his new song 'Help Me'. It's a very nice performance and then Elvis announces 'How Great Thou Art'. Even without the orchestra, this song sounds wonderful. Olivia Newton John's 1973 Grammy winner 'Let Me Be There' is next and Elvis does an excellent job with this song. Elvis always thought it was a great song, but some critics like that jackass Robert Hilborne of the Los Angeles Times, thought it was a waste for Elvis to sing a song like that.

'Funny How Time Slips Away' is pretty much as usual and then Elvis sincerely thanks the crowd for driving out to see him. Nobody remembers the long lines at the gas pump in a city the size of Houston, or only being able to buy gas on odd or even days depending on the last number of your auto tag. Not to mention the time it takes to get in and out of the parking lot at a place like the Astrodome. I believe he was very touched that so many people came, as the afternoon crowd was bigger that any from the 1970 shows. The evening show would be bigger still, with over 44,000 people in attendance. 'Can't Help Falling In Love' brings the show to a close and then Elvis is driven around the crowd for about three minutes as the band plays a neat variation of the opening instrumental riff.

The sound is fantastic, especially considering it where it was recorded. There is no echo, and you can hear the guitars, bass, piano, and drums perfectly.
Enjoy !

Category:

Music

Tags:

• elvis
• presley
• event
• number
• unreleased
• bootleg
• houston
• 1974
• marco31768
• live

[elvistheking1935]

great concert, but i miss the sound off the peopel

TCB. Jan

[bodkin1]

@Fenderpilot

Duke Bardwell.

Played bass from January 1974 to March 1975.

[sunaru5]

See the stage at 3:10, Elvis should haven't weared a white suit as the musicians, a red jumpuit would have been perfect.

[Fenderpilot]

Nice pics and sound! Who does play bass at this concert??

[Fogslifted]

Hey there is one picture here that I'm wondering about? At 2:57 into the show, if you pause it it's a picture of Elvis as he's driving around after the gig. Elvis is pointing at a guy. The guy he's pointing to, and who's looking back at him looks like it "Might" be Kris Kristofferson? A brilliant songwritter\musician\actor. I know he did live in Texas among other places. It's possible it is him at the show? Sure does look like him? Be neat to actually find out.

[fgeorge76]

Actually I think this was March 5, 1974.

[ElvisSacramento]

Absolutely perfect as always Marco, 10 Stars. The best concerts will definitely always be Elvis' concerts. Thanks a lot for re-uploading this unreleased concert.