Search - Elvis Presley :: New Year's Eve 1976

Elvis Triumphant

Scott T. Rivers | Los Angeles, CA USA | 01/12/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The officially released "New Year's Eve" serves as a valuable document of Elvis Presley's last stellar performance. Though the two-CD set contains an audience recording from Presley's 1976 Pittsburgh concert, the sound quality is better than most amateur tapings. Highlighted by dynamic renditions of "Tryin' to Get to You," "Polk Salad Annie," "Hurt" and "Unchained Melody," the King is nothing short of astonishing. Sadly, this level of energy and commitment was largely absent in Presley's final shows. However, for one glorious winter night in 1976, Elvis surpassed all expectations with this 90-minute tour de force."

Happy New Year, everybody!

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 12/31/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Many people consider this to be the best concert of the final year of Elvis' life. It may very well be so, but unfortunately the concert was not professionally recorded. This recording was made by a concertgoer who snuck a tape recorder into the arena. The sound quality is not very good at all. You can hear Elvis and the band, but sometimes they are drowned out by the screams and comments made by people standing near the guy with the tape recorder. As for the performance itself, it is indeed one of Elvis' best efforts of his later years. He is in good voice and actually is enthusiastic for a change. It is also one of his longest concerts, running 88 minutes long. This is an important concert, and if you want to hear it you will have to put up with the crappy sound quality. Here are some of the stupid comments you can hear concertgoers say on these CDs:



"Happy Birthday, Elvis!"

"I am lonesome!"

"Jesus, watch where you're walking!"

"I'm gonna get closer and take some pictures."

"Who cares?"

"You give me fever!""

FANTASTIC SHOW!

Christopher Bales | Terre Haute, IN | 08/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"FIRST of all, I will address the question that is probably on your mind most, HOW DOES IT SOUND?? Well, it has its ups and downs. On the upside, you can very clearly hear Elvis, the Band, and his back-up singers without ANY problem. The audience is loud, but not overbearing. In my own opinion, I enjoyed getting to hear all of the audience's comments. It's like being there!. ON the downside, this is clearly NOT professionally done. The bass is VERY quiet, but it can be easily remedied by turning the bass up on your stereo. Elvis, although easy to hear and understand, sounds very muddy. There are also some tape crackles along the way, but big deal. Along with the crackles there is the occasional dropout, but it really doesn't detract from the show. REGARDLESS, THE GOODS OUTWEIGH THE BADS!!



NOW that that is over with, I can get to the show. This is, by far, one of the best and most famous live performances ever done by The King. Not only is it probably the longest show he ever performed, it is also one of the most unique. About halfway through the first disc, Elvis announces that it is about ten minutes to midnight. The excitement is almost tangible. Then, after a rousing 'Funny How Time Slips Away,' the drum roll sounds and, asking the audience to join him, sings the ultra-rare 'Auld Lang Syne.' After 14 minutes of introductions and solos, Elvis performs a few more before stating that "...we've been on stage for an hour and five minutes, but we'll stay here all night if you want to here us!" He then performs for ten more minutes before sitting down at the piano and singing 'Unchained Melody' and 'Rags To Riches.' After a quick 'Can't Help Falling In Love,' Elvis leaves the building.



Over all this is an absolutely incredible show and although the sound quality is not professional-grade, after a few songs, you REALLY forget about it. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS SHOW ENOUGH! I had my doubts, but they were dashed as soon as I heard it!!"