38 Years Ago Today... ELVIS - FIFTH TIME AROUND (BOOTLEG) - Lossless

ELVIS - FIFTH TIME AROUND (Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN - March 20, 1974 ES)

Artist: Elvis Presley
Title: FIFTH TIME AROUND
Year Of Release: 2011
Label: Audionics (2011-01-2)
Date: 1974-03-20 (March 20th, 1974)
Tour: On Tour number 11 - March 1st - March 20th 1974
Venue: Mid-South Coliseum
Location: Memphis, TN
Showtime: Evening Show (8:30 pm)
Elvis' Suit: 1973 Arabian
Source: Soundboard
Details: Lossless - FLAC Format
Audio Quality: Excellent
Running Time: 68:59
Total Size: 448 MB
Artwork & Pictures: Included

Notes from the press-release:

The legendary March 20th, 1974 Memphis, TN concert has been released on a number of occasions, beginning with RCA's original 1974 LP edit with artificial applause mixed in. In 1994, a more complete, unofficial version was issued by "Fort Baxter". It was, however, a patchwork from several different sources incl. many tracks taken from the original RCA LP with overdubs. In 1997, "Steamroller Blues" was issued in pristine quality on "Platinum - A Life In Music". Finally in 2004, BMG's "Follow That Dream" the Elvis collectors label reissued this show nearly complete, in a beautiful deluxe package. But was it the definitive release? For die-hard fans it wasn't, and some viewed it as a letdown. Parts of the dialogues, introductions and even the false start of "Help Me" were omitted, and many have complained about the sound and mixing. Clearly, too much compression and artificial reverb had been applied. Well, at long last this legendary set is now truly complete, and without the audio choices made by FTD several years ago. Audionics worked with a DAT copy of an original, rough mix tape "as recorded at the Coliseum". Every bit was carefully enhanced in a renowned studio to achieve the best possible quality for your optimal listening pleasure. We hope that you enjoy the results. No remixing. No noise reduction. No edits. No artificial reverb or other added effects. No heavy compression. Just a pure, raw and natural sound. The King back in his hometown Memphis, on the 20th anniversary of his first release "That's All Right Mama". Elvis was in great form for this recording, and now, for the first time, you can enjoy the excellence of his performance that night in the best-ever sound!


My opinion:

The fellows from Audionics can be proud of their work and affirm without any doubt to have released the definitive version of the historical Memphis concert. Infact, soon after the releasing of "Fifth Time Around", many skeptical and suspicious hardcore fans began to complain about the sound and mixing of this new CD and wonder which is its "real" source... Someone said that there is nothing original, pure and rough about it, asserting that only a simple and different equalizing work has been done from an official product. Someone even stated that the Audionics release is nothin' but a straight rip from the FTD issue. Now, let me tell you that these are a bunch of bullshits! Audionics team has done a GREAT JOB! The annoying reverb has been carefully removed, Elvis' voice sounds clearer and upfront as it should be, the piano sounds sharper and more defined, the drums more prominent and fuller. And, ABOVE ALL, there's more MATERIAL (or "extras", if you prefer) on this version than on all the previous ones. If it's a straight rip from the FTD CD, then where did Audionics get the false start of "Help Me", the intros and all the other missing parts?!? No, friends, Audionics has delivered the 100% COMPLETE, ultimate version of the legendary Memphis concert! A MUST HAVE!

P.S. "STEAMROLLER BLUES" rules! It's absolutely stunning, one of the best renditions ever caught on tape...


Tracklist:

01 - Introduction - Also Sprach Zarathustra
02 - C. C. Rider
03 - I Got A Woman - Amen
04 - Love Me
05 - Tryin' To Get To You
06 - All Shook Up
07 - Steamroller Blues
08 - Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel
09 - Love Me Tender
10 - Long Tall Sally - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On/Your Mama Don't Dance/Flip, Flop And Fly/Jailhouse Rock/Hound Dog
11 - Fever
12 - Polk Salad Annie
13 - Why Me, Lord
14 - How Great Thou Art
15 - Suspicious Minds
16 - Introduction of vocalists, band, orchestra, engineers
17 - Blueberry Hill - I Can't Stop Loving You
18 - Help Me (with false start)
19 - An American Trilogy
20 - Let Me Be There (with reprise)
21 - My Baby Left Me
22 - Lawdy Miss Clawdy
23 - Funny How Time Slips Away
24 - Can't Help Falling In Love
25 - Closing Vamp - Announcements


Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

ENJOY! (And remember: comments are always welcomed!)

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