The
Continuing Story of Memory Records
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Memory
Records is the official outlet of the Czech Elvis Fan
Club. When created in 1999 they began a superlative
job of gathering together some of Elvis’ best bootlegged
recordings into a commendable semblance of order.
Their
earlier studio CDs such as ‘Soldier Boy Is Back’ (soon
to be replicated with FTD’s ‘Elvis Is Back’ special
edition!) and ‘Something For Everybody/Pot Luck – Best
of the alternates’ were important releases and also
legal within the Czech legislation. Unfortunately their
laws changed in 2001 and since then they have been focussing
on audience recordings instead.
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The
accompanying booklet explains their history and also mentions
all their releases so far, which is an astounding number! Now
there is no doubt that some audience recordings are essential
listening, ie. FTD’s New Year’s Eve 1976 or Elvis’ Final Concert.
These, and others, are very important since they add to our
knowledge of Elvis’ legacy and capture a special moment of his
life.
But
in general, audience recordings are often redundant since
we have better versions of the very same songs professionally
recorded or at least direct from soundboards.
The
Continuing Story of Memory Records is a packed 78 minutes
which features the best 27 tracks compiled from their live
releases over the last 5 years, plus 2 new Bonus Tracks. While
I love listening to, and exploring, any "new" Elvis concert
searching for that special piece of history or Elvis magic,
a compile of audience recordings somehow seems to defeat this
purpose.
These
tracks are obviously the ‘best’ of their releases but listening
to an audience recording of ‘Steamroller Blues’ or ‘In The
Ghetto’ seems totally superfluous since we have far superior
versions recorded professionally and from the same season.
Without the songs being placed in the true context of the
complete concert they also add little to our understanding
of Elvis.
There
is also the real irritation of fans talking or coughing nearby
that can spoil an otherwise fascinating moment. Having said
this there is no doubt that the Czech team do have a great
reputation for improving the audio quality to the best available
and luckily four of the tracks do come from actual soundboards.
There
are some delights like hearing a 1973 ‘I’m Leaving’ but this
is then followed by what seems a complete waste with ‘T.R.O.U.B
L.E’ in poor audio quality from 1975 which we already have
multiple times over. Hearing first live versions of ‘Let Me
Be There’ & ‘Help Me’ is appealing but then you must wonder
why a run-of-the-mill September 1972 ‘A Big Hunk O’ Love’ is worth including.
Notable
tracks are the very brief ‘Turn Around Look At Me’ (15 seconds!)
and an improved version of excellent ‘Sweet Inspiration’ from
Vegas August 1970. ‘It’s Now Or Never’ from their recent December
1976 Vegas release of the same name is also an excellent version
that only makes you wish it had been professionally recorded.
The
2 new bonus tracks are ‘Faded Love’ from Las Vegas 1973 but
quality-wise this isn’t a patch on the soundboard version
from the 1973 FTD ‘Takin’ Tahoe Live.’
Saving
the best for last, the July 1975 ‘Pieces Of My Life’ is a
definite improvement on the previously available bootleg versions
& this time without the tape stretch. This was Elvis’ only
live performance of his final studio recording, a moving song
that so reflected on his life at the time. You only hope that
the Asheville audience understood the sincerity & appreciated
the importance of the lyrics.
Verdict – There is no doubt that Czech Memory Records have been
providing Elvis fans with some brilliant releases over the
past 5 years and certainly help stimulate a rather moribund
import market. However while there are a few interesting tracks
featured on this CD (which only whet one’s appetite for more
genuine FTD soundboard releases) this compilation is definitely
focussed at true fans of audience recordings.
If
you are a fan check out the Czech website for details http://www.geocities.com/elviscz/start.html
Tracklist
1.
C. C. Rider (Vegas 05.02.1970 D/S)
2.
In The Ghetto (Vegas 05.02.1970 D/S)
3.
Long Tall Sally (Vegas 03.02.1970 D/S)
4.
Kentucky Rain (Vegas 03.02.1970 D/S)
5.
What Now My Love (Vegas 26.08.1973 M/S)
6.
Let Me Be There (Vegas 26.01.1974 O/S)
7.
Help Me (Vegas 26.01.1974 O/S)
8.
Steamroller Blues (Vegas 10.2.1973 M/S)
9.
A Big Hunk O' Love (Vegas 03.09.1972 M/S)
10.
Turn Around, Look At Me / Tryin' To Get To You (Milwaukee
28.06.1974)
11.
Big Boss Man (Milwaukee 28.06.1974)
12.
And I Love You So (Vegas 27.03.1975 M/S)
13.
Fairytale (Vegas 27.03.1975 M/S)
14.
If You Love Me Let Me Know (Lake Tahoe 30.04.1976 M/S)
15.
Love Letters (Charleston 24.07.1976 E/S)
16.
Hurt (Charleston 24.07.1976 E/S)
17.
America The Beautiful (Portland 26.11.1976)
18.
I've Lost You (Vegas 20.08.1970 D/S)
19.
Memphis Tennessee / One Night (Vegas 20.08.1970 D/S)
20.
Sweet Inspiration (Vegas 20.08.1970 M/S)
21.
More / Bridge Over Troubled Water (Vegas 20.08.1970 M/S)
22.
Sweet Caroline (Portland 11.11.1970)
23.
Blueberry Hill / How Great Thou Art (Portland 11.11.1970)
24.
Little Sister / Get Back (Portland 27.04.1973)
25.
I'm Leavin' (Portland 27.04.1973)
26.
T.R.O.U.B.L.E. (Vegas 18.08.1975 O/S)
27.
It's Now Or Never (Vegas 03.12.1976 D/S)
Bonus
tracks:
28.
Faded Love (Vegas 07.08.1973 M/S)
29.
Pieces Of My Life (Asheville 24.07.1975 - for the first time
at the correct speed)
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