Jukebox wrote:Bob TCB wrote:Jukebox wrote:Bob TCB wrote:I've had this CBS Television special for years. Included on this DVD was bonuses like Elvis backstage and death news reports. But the real reason I wanted this disc was it contained most of the Indy concert, "The Last Farewell." It was all fan shot, but a heartwarming document of the last show.
The real Elvis in a darkened arena and not in front of camera with the lights turned on.
You could tell Elvis was more comfortable without the cameras he knew were filming his every move.
Elvis might have been more comfortable at the Indy concert without the CBS cameras,
but his last performance wasn't done nearly as well as his June 21st show in Rapid City.
Rapid City was slightly better than Omaha, but that was not saying much. Elvis was somewhat subdued because he knew the cameras were there.
Elvis was very "subdued" in Omaha... and it wasn't just because he knew the cameras were there. He appeared to be medicated.Bob TCB wrote:I realize that Indy was only heard as an audience recording, but I think Elvis was probably inspired to put on a good show
because of Larrie Londin's hard hitting performance on drums. It is if Elvis was as close as he was going to get to arena rock.
A "good show" compared to what... New Haven '76 or Houston (August 28, '76) ?
After "See See Rider" he sounded tired and sluggish in Indy. His versions of "Release Me" & "I Can't Stop Loving You" were slow & deliberate
and were no where close to the magnificent way he performed them just a few years earlier.
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" was also nothing to rave about compared to the way he sang it in 1970 & 1972... or '75.
No matter how hard Larrie Londin pounded on the drums, it wasn't going to magically return Elvis Presley to the years of 1972 - '75.Bob TCB wrote:I avoid Rapid City as I do the very embarrassing Omaha show.
You're avoiding a handful of very worthy performances.
Sorry Bob TCB, we'll just have to agree to disagree concerning Rapid City & Indy.
It's as if you & I are hearing totally different performances.
That's funny because the Houston Texas matinee show on August 28th 1976 was supposed to have been such a horrible show, but actually wasn't as bad as the derogatory review suggested. The CD is called, "Houston, We Have A Problem" was very interesting because it's obvious that Elvis did not want to be on stage that day, but actually sang very well. He was very quiet in between songs and you can actually hear a female fan telling him how much she loved him. I was surprised how crystal clear the soundboard was. Even though it's not a great show, Elvis at least was clear and on pitch. It was obvious something that FTD missed the opportunity to release. It is way better than New Haven, which has to be one of Elvis worst concerts ever.