Review by Piers Beagley & Geoffrey McDonnell
FTD released in December 2016 a standard size 5" three-sided double digi-pack with two shows from Jackson, Mississippi - September 5, 1976 and June 9, 1975 entitled Spirit Of Jackson.
The Design
Out in time for the New Year, the FTD fold-out packaging is fine and includes a good article on Elvis’ fundraiser for the victims of the tornado.
On the cover is Elvis on 5th May 1975, his first visit to Jackson, and the inside cover details Elvis’ Tornado benefit show on that date - and VERY unfortunately a statement that the soundboard from that show is damaged beyond repair (a TRAGIC loss!).
Behind Disc 1 tray is a photo from Elvis’ 2nd appearance on June 8 1975 Afternoon Show and behind Disc 2 tray is a photo of Elvis from May 5 1975 show. Inside the back cover features four photos in order: Afternoon Show from June 8 1975, Elvis with Governor Cliff Finch backstage before the Jackson September 5 1976 show, kissing Fan Club President Liz Hill at the May 5 1975 show and finally with Charlie Hodge on stage during the September 5th Show in 1976.
The back cover is just the track-listings and details.
For once the set’s main show is the previously unreleased September 5 1976 concert. Knowing how average/poor Elvis’ shows could be in 1976 this really is a positive statement from FTD that this is an important performance.
The Music
The real treat for collectors this time is the sensational sound quality of the September 1976 concert, in EXCELLENT MONO sound. No wonder it was considered for RCA release.
Disc 1- State Fair Coliseum, Jackson, Mississippi September 5 1976 - 65 minutes
‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ - as soon as 2001 starts it is with a beautifully impressive full sound. You can hear why this soundboard would have been selected for official release.
‘C.C. Rider’ kicks in and immediately you can notice Elvis sounding up for the show, ‘'engaged'’ and in strong voice. It’s with far more focus than so many 1976 shows where he still sounds sleepy, it’s clear and also features a few nice relaxed guitar licks from James Burton. You would be hard-pressed to tell the show is from 1976 and impossible to believe it was so near the terrible ‘'Houston'’ debacle. When Elvis talks to the crowd there’s no fuzziness in his voice.
‘I Got A Woman / Amen’ has a fine punch tonight with Elvis digging in to the lyrics, “She saves her loving early in the morning, just for me,,,, ooohhh yeah!”. Mid-song Elvis jokes, “I’m just waking myself up” but tonight he is wide awake! Even better there is only one deep-bass ending from J.D tonight and it’s all over in 4 ½ minutes compared to the usual awfully dragged-out versions.
‘Love Me’ is fairly kiss-the-girls routine (apart from Elvis’ line changes to “Steal and beg”).
‘Fairytale’ is quite surprisingly strong, unlike in Huntsville where he struggled, and my first ‘'highlight'’. In 1976 it was often the case that you could feel the band dragging Elvis along behind them - but here Elvis is really pushing the group. He surprises the band with “one more time” as they are about to stop!
‘You Gave Me A Mountain’ features some tight drumming from Ronnie Tutt (the sound mix is excellent) and while not up to early 70’s version is also quite good.
While the oldies medley ‘All Shook Up’, ‘(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don’t Be Cruel’ are the usual ‘'throwaways'’, tonight they are passable and I am sure if you were there you’d have been happy. (I wish I had been there!)
‘And I Love You So’ would have been quite a nice version but unfortunately Elvis has to ask mid-song for the band to be turned up a bit during the song! (I am sure this would have been replaced for another version in Joan Deary’s planned release.)
‘Jailhouse Rock’ is both average and rushed, even if Elvis doesn’t mumble the words as he would sometime do and does sound like he is enjoying it.
‘Fever’ that follows has an extended intro, a cool bass-line. is fine for 1976 and Elvis misses some words “When you put your ......... around me” - for effect!
Before ‘America’ Elvis mentions problems with microphone feedback after he touched his head with the mic. This would obviously bother him, and someone comments that “It’s alive” so it possibly gave Elvis an electric shock .
‘America’ (with reprise) is a good version and nicely sincere. The fine sound and nice mix of crowd reaction, could have made this a possible 45rpm release instead of the rather hissy December Las Vegas version. There is real power in Elvis’ vocals towards the end, one of his best versions.
The ‘Introductions’ mention The Sweet Inspirations and The Stamps, but before introducing them Elvis gets another feedback hit causing him to ask for Felton Jarvis to get to the sound desk before he takes his kidney back (reminiscent of his remark nearly two years ago in College Park on September 28 1974). Now Elvis clearly thought this was ‘'funny'’ but I think it shows tremendous lack of respect and is a vindictive remark - one I wish he hadn’t made again.
However, immediately afterwards, Elvis shows compassion noting that Kathy Westmoreland had been sick recently and it was “nice to have her back”.
Next we do get a much funnier ‘'joke'’ from Elvis as Elvis introduces the stamps individually as POSTAGE STAMPS! ‘Early Mornin’ Rain’ is a very short version and again Elvis’ goading remarks to John Wilkinson during it are out-of-order.
‘What’d I Say’ / ‘Johnny B. Goode’ are ok from James Burton and afterwards we get the usual band solos. Jerry Scheff gets two solos as Elvis also wanted to hear his ‘Battle of the New Orleans’ solo.
Eventually we get to David Briggs and ‘Love Letters’ which is unfortunately ruined early on when Elvis feels he has to tell a woman to “shut up” and then continues talking to her. The last part of intros are missing which is no real loss.
‘Hurt’ (with reprise) - “It’s been out about a month” is a fine version with Elvis pushing for an extra strong reprise ending - (just about blows the microphone out) - another ‘'highlight'’
‘Hound Dog’ is disappointingly similar to so many other ‘'throwaway'' versions!
‘Danny Boy’ by Sherrill Nielsen is actually nicer than the next night’s performance as it has a rather sweet ending! “Good grief that cat sings” notes Elvis. But what a shame that Elvis didn’t sing it. (This is a good spot to edit in Elvis’ June 1976 Tucson version!)
The treat of Elvis playing guitar and performing ‘That’s All Right’ follows. Once again Elvis has plenty of energy and it is a fast and furious version. It would have been splendid so see in concert – so much better that the low-battery versions of later on.
Then before the next song Elvis jokes, “If you don’t play guitar for a while your nails get long” and even asks James Burton for nail clippers!
‘Blue Christmas’ tonight is a rather light-hearted and fun version - (Elvis jokes with the crowd beforehand and you can hear the continued laugh in his voice) which is delightfully followed by the band briefly playing 'Jingle Bells' (instrumental), which again causes Elvis to giggle. He certainly was in a fine mood for 1976.
‘How Great Thou Art’ is simply another concert highlight, a very strongly sung version and incredibly powerful for 1976 (again he nearly blows the mic out) with Elvis sounding like he means every word, “my soul, my saviour, my God to thee… Lord, Lord”. For 1976 it truly is incredible and afterwards the crowd goes wild.
Elvis then mentions that before the show he was awarded a Bachelor Degree in Music in Mississippi – “I’d like to thank everybody for that”.
Then he adds, “We love you too, so until we meet again Adios” – very sadly Elvis would never get the chance to return to Jackson.
‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ is ok but unmemorable and the ‘Closing Vamp’ takes the running time to about 65 minutes - but is missing the “Elvis has left the building'’ final comment.
This has certainly been a GOOD SHOW, terrific for 1976, but I find Elvis’ distasteful remark about Felton Jarvis very hurtful and I also detract one mark out of 10 for missing out song words and talking during songs. Still for 1976 it certainly is an enjoyable show well worth a 8/10 rating and such delightful sound and a 1976 ‘'engaged'’ Elvis - certainly fitting the ‘'Spirit of Jackson'’ theme.
Thanks FTD for bringing it to us.
If Joan Deary was considering releasing this concert in 1984 then I guarantee she would have carefully edited out the nasty Felton Jarvis remark– and probably replaced ‘Love Letters’ and ‘And I Love You So’ with alternate versions.
Disc 2-State Fair Coliseum, Jackson, Mississippi June 9, 1975 - 53 minutes
The second disc representing the Jackson shows is ‘incomplete’ only running for 53 minutes and that includes the 2 ‘bonus’ tracks from the previous Evening’s show.
Compared to the September 1976 show (whilst the sound is fractionally better than previous ‘Bootlegs’ of the same concert) it’s still a tad less ‘'bright'’ clear sound, also the voices are mixed louder than the band on this soundboard.
Mastered this time by Jan Eliasson
There is no doubt that Elvis sounds younger, focussed and more energetic for this show- and yet, despite this, I struggled to find any outstanding ‘highlights’! This is possibly due to the fact that this tour has been so well represented on bootlegs and officially. In fact the last FTD live soundboard release was from the following day (The Hometown Shows). It’s a fine concert, but of course the ‘'creeping crud'’ jokes and the show’s pacing sounds all too familiar.
The CD kicks off with ‘Love Me’ and it’s an ‘'ok'’ lengthy ‘'scarf-giving-out'’ song after which there is the chance for Elvis to tell his adoring fans about catching the ‘'Creeping Crud'’
‘If You Love Me (Let Me Know)’ is OK but includes some fan interaction. “You got me right in the eye, Kid” says Elvis mid-song!
‘Love me Tender’ is a false start only tonight, “No, No, No” says Elvis stopping the band.
Instead Elvis runs through his ‘crowd-pleasers’ ‘All Shook Up’, ‘(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear’ / ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ all with scarfs being given out and fan kissing. ‘Hound Dog’ is a similar rushed throwaway.
‘The Wonder Of You’ is typical 1975 version with Elvis jumping in too early and adding the ‘'constipation'’ joke. I’m sure the crowd would have loved it but of course it pales in comparison to 1970 versions. “Someone broke my damn chain” Elvis notes mid-song.
There is no doubt however that Elvis is on fine-form and enjoying performing to his fans and announces ‘Polk Salad Annie’ with a ‘'mean'’ sounding title announcement. Elvis is up for it tonight, biting on the words and throwing in some karate action, “Whoo”, which comes across very well. Definitely the stand-out of the show so far.
The ‘Introductions’ are the usual 1975 version with The Sweet Inspirations, J.D. Sumner and The Stamps individually introduced. ‘Johnny B. Goode’ is very short with only a mumbled contribution from Elvis and we get the usual filler band solos.
‘T-R-O-U-B-L-E’ that follows is a very solid performance, a fine live version but not as strong as the following night in Memphis. Again, almost a ‘highlight’.
‘Why Me Lord’ tonight is one of this tour’s better versions with not the usual amount of kidding J.D jokes and with Elvis singing his part strongly and fairly seriously.
‘Let Me Be There’ is a very well sung version but surprisingly with no reprise tonight.
‘An American Trilogy’ is ‘'ok'’ and there is no doubt that the fans soaked up every powerful moment. However Elvis cannot resist stating, “All my trials Lord, Thank-God, will soon be over”. The ending, however, is well done with Elvis shouting, “Take it, Take it” to the band.
‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ is nothing special at all with Elvis distracted by his adoring fans, but pulls it together with a well- focussed ‘Mystery Train / Tiger Man’. This of course features the annoying 1975 “train” trombone addition but to counteract it there’s some very nice, cutting guitar work from James Burton. One of the best songs of the night.
‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’ (which I believe was a request song asked for by a Canadian friend of Chris Brown) was a rarity on the set-list in 1975 and is a slightly shortened but ‘ok’ version. It’s a nice treat as Elvis wouldn’t perform this song again until December in Las Vegas and then only a few more times in 1976.
After this special extra Elvis notes, “Until the next time we see you, God Bless you, take care of yourselves and Goodnight”. - The next time in Jackson would, of course, be the 1976 concert on Disc 1.
‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ is the usual rather thrown away version.
Bonus Songs both from Jackson June 8th E/S 1975 the previous night.
‘Little Darlin’’ is the usual quite good fun. This song was done at almost every concert of this tour except June 9.
‘How Great Thou Art’ was also a regular on the set-list, performed at both other Jackson shows but not on June 9. While a fine and powerful version for 1975, it somehow didn’t impress me as much as it did as the version from his 1976 Jackson concert It also isn’t quite as powerful as the following night’s performance as released on Hometown Shows.
In the end this second (previously bootlegged) June 1975 concert is a nice “Bonus” disc and while a good enough show to enjoy it somehow lacks any real distinction and is rather ‘routine’ compared to ones we have already.
This makes me rate it as a 7/10 experience compared to the Jackson 1976 show- which I will be playing more often as has more ‘highlights’ and a better overall sound.
Surprising to get this 1976 show after the two 1976 Huntsville shows this year, and a pity the benefit show from 1975 hasn’t survived, but still a welcome package from FTD, but PLEASE now give us a ‘'break'’ from 1976 in the 2017 releases!
Overall Verdict:
While this Spirit Of Jackson double-pack sadly doesn't feature the key benefit concert from May 5 1975 it does present an amazing performance from Elvis in 1976 and in fantastic sound-quality. While we all know what good performances Elvis would manage in late December 1976, his earlier August tour was plagued with sub-standard shows and a truly low-energy Elvis. The man should have been in hospital and not on tour. So to discover such a power-packed and focussed performance from Jackson on September 5 1976 is a true find and a real treat for collectors from FTD. The June 1975 Jackson show in comparison can be considered a nice bonus. To be honest it is surprising for FTD to release yet another 1976 show after the two 1976 Huntsville shows earlier this year and what a pity that the benefit show from 1975 hasn’t survived!
It is still however a very welcome package from FTD to end the year with, but PLEASE now give us a ‘break’ from Elvis' 1976 concerts in the 2017 releases!
