Elvis: Murfreesboro '74 FTD Soundboard CD Set (Elvis Presley)

'Elvis: Murfreesboro '74' from FTD is a 2-CD Soundboard Recorded set is a 5" digipack and features Elvis in great form with two shows on March 14th and 19th at the Murfreesboro Middle State Tennessee University. Featured on both discs are powerhouse performances of 'Steamroller Blues'. The version on disc 1 being extra special but overall I found the second CD to be a clear standout with fantastic sound as well as performances. This is a concert all fans can listen to and enjoy. A terrific concert!

A really good relationship between Elvis and the audience comes across clearly. This tour was terrific with a solid set list. 'Why Me Lord' was a great addition and highlight, 'Polk Salad Annie' was being done with great energy. 'Fever' is a lot a fun as always and 'I Can't Stop Loving You' is another highlight. 'Help Me' is a definite stand out. Elvis' acknowledgment of Larry Gatlin was nicely done and quite classy. On 'Polk Salad Annie' Elvis uses the words, 'sock a little Volkswagen'? - never heard him use that quip before, kinda funny.

These shows can be seen as a prelude to the famous, 'Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis' record recording of March 20 in Memphis, the recording of which Elvis received a Grammy award for his rendition of 'How Great Thou Art', and counts as one of the best shows of 1974. The Tour had highlights such as the Tulsa Shows, Houston Astrodome shows but also the Roanoke and Richmond shows were top notch. The tour was actually a 15-day tour but because of the speed with which the tickets were sold out, more shows were booked. Incidentally, it was already known in September 1972 that Elvis would do this tour, in January 1974 the long-awaited tickets finally came on the market.

Elvis who had not toured since July 1973 had first completed a fully booked season in Las Vegas in January & February of 1974. At those shows in Las Vegas, there was quite some criticism in the media, but that criticism faded with the shows he did in March. The shows were highly professional and alternating his voice and show attitude was good. The show of March 14th is a very cool show, Vocally Elvis is in top form. During 'Love Me Tender' Elvis is irritated by the feedback. And Elvis asks Felton Jarvis to do something about the sound. 'Polk Salad Annie' is a top version. At the end of 'Suspicious Minds', he does a one-liner of 'Take These Chains'. For Charlie Hodge it's a special evening, Elvis told the audience that the parents of Charlie Hodge are in the audience and therefore he does a duet with Charlie on 'Help Me'.

Disc 1 | March 14, 1974

01 Also Sprach Zarathustra
02 See See Rider 3:36
03 I Got A Woman / Amen 4:13
04 Love Me 1:41
05 Trying To Get To You 2:09
06 All Shook Up 1:01
07 Steamroller Blues 3:01
08 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 2:06
09 Love Me Tender 1:53
10 Johnny B. Goode 1:40
11 Hound Dog 1:11
12 Fever 3:06
13 Polk Salad Annie 3:38
14 Why Me Lord 3:58
15 Suspicious Minds 3:55
16 Introductions 1:58
17 I Can't Stop Loving You 2:41
18 Help Me 2:44
19 American Trilogy 4:04
20 Let Me Be There 3:59
21 Funny How Time Slips Away 2:42
22 Can't Help Falling In Love 1:41)
23 Closing Vamp 1:00

Disc 2 | March 19, 1974

01 Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey) 1:15
02 See See Rider 3:37
03 I Got A Woman / Amen 5:56
04 Love Me 1:46
05 Trying To Get To You 2:12
06 All Shook Up 1:02
07 Steamroller Blues 2:56
08 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 1:58
09 Love Me Tender 1:55
10 Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On/Mama Don't Dance / Flip, Flop and Fly / Jailhouse Rock / Hound Dog 3:37
11 Fever 3:08
12 Polk Salad Annie 3:39
13 Why Me Lord 4:00
14 Suspicious Minds 3:51
15 Introductions 2:37
16 I Can't Stop Loving You 2:32
17 Help Me 3:11
18 American Trilogy 4:00
19 Let Me Be There 4:15
20 Funny How Time Slips Away 2:32
21 Mystery Train 0:45 (incomplete)