The tickets for Elvis' performances at the Freedom Hall in Johnson City/Tennessee went on sale on February 20, 1976. Even though the concerts were short-term arrangements and supposed to take place between March 17th and 19th, it took just 36 hours to sell the 21,000 seats and generate 250,000 USD. The musicians and roadies stayed at the Holiday Inn in Johnson City, Elvis logded at the Holiday Inn-South in Bristol/Virginia. In 1993 JR Productions released a surprisingly good sounding audience recording of the opening show on March 17th on an album called "Phoenix Over Tennessee". The cover design is simple, but appealing.

The first concert of 1976 begins like every Presley show of the past five years. The orchestra plays an excerpt of "Also Sprach Zarathustra". The producers of this album added a statement by Elvis, made in 1972 in connection with the movie "Elvis On Tour". As usual the band takes over with the "Opening Riff" and the king enters the stage. He wears the "White Phoenix Suit", a costume made the previous summer. Because he had gained several pounds, he uses a new, wider belt, that had been made in December 1975.

While Charlie Hodge hands Elvis his guitar, the band seamlessly segues into "See See Rider". It sounds a bit different, because Larry Londin works the drums in a different, harder style than Ronnie Tutt. The king delivers a good performance and presents his opener well.

Elvis toys around with the word "well" and sings the Ray Charles hit "I Got A Woman". In-between he parodies his moves from the 1950s and includes the gospel "Amen". Jokingly he complains, that JD Sumner hadn't sung deep enough, so the finale of "Amen" and the reprise of "I Got A Woman" are repeated. Then he gives the guitar back to Charlie, welcomes the audience and has some fun with the fans.

Larry bases the beat on the studio recording, so the ballad is played slower than usual. I like the return to the old style very much, because it forces Elvis to pay attention to the details. Of course that doesn't stop him from handing out some scarfs.

The power-ballad also benefits from the new drummer. Elvis has to hold the notes a little longer and can't simply rely on the effect of some belted out lines. He doesn't reach the level of 1972/73, but he delivers the song well.

Now Elvis makes fun of the people at the backside of the stage and says "It's funny, my band is yelling TURN AROUND! TURN AROUND!". Then he performs the SUN classic "Trying To Get To You" and uses his voice to its full extent. The result is nothing but impressive.

One certainly cannot say the same about "All Shook Up". Elvis tries to compensate his lackluster performance by throwing scarfs into the audience and succeeds.

Shane Kiester starts the medley, but to Elvis it was a tad too fast. So he tries again. Luckily the drummer once again plays a slower beat, so the oldies are not as rushed as usual and the king is forced to pay a little more attention. However, the fans are satisfied with a star, who gives away scarfs and shakes hands.

During his recent Vegas stint Elvis had re-discovered his single from 1972. It's a nice touch, that he also presents it on tour. The king obviously likes the ballad and sings it well.

Now Mr. Presley presents his forthcoming single "Hurt". It's an impressive performance, that clearly demonstrates, what a great singer he is.

Larry Londin plays slower and harder than Ronnie Tutt and Elvis is up to the challenge. Not physically, he barely moves and when he does, it looks stiff and almost funny. But vocally he's able to deliver a good rendition and he obviously likes the song.

The king is breathing heavily, the swamp rock was enough to wear him out. So he introduces the band, Larry Londin, Jerry Scheff, Shane Kiester, David Briggs and the orchestra play a solo each, James Burton even does two.

Elvis continues the show with a nice ballad from his last studio album. He sings it well, but in the middle of the song he suddenly stops the procedure and claims, the bass was too loud in the mix. After a short while the performance is continued. It's somewhat strange, that it took Elvis so long to realize the problem and even stranger, that it wasn't fixed between the songs. I cannot help but to think, that the master simply forgot the words and needed an excuse to take a break.

Back in 1968 Elvis received a Grammy for his gospel album "How Great Thou Art" and last year he got another award for his live performance of the hymn on the longplayer "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis". Today's version is arranged in a more bombastic and dramatic way. It's a tad over the top, but vocally the king is up to the challenge. He belts out the chorus in impressive style. He may be heavier and slower, but his voice is still there.

The title song of his first movie is used to make contact with the ladies. Elvis kisses a few lucky ones and hands out some scarfs.

With the country pop "Let Me Be There" the king returns to the repertoire of his last concert album. It's a solid rendition and the style of music fits his voice very well.

Because this is the bicentennial anniversary of the country, Elvis sings "America, The Beautiful". It's another opportunity to show off his mighty voice and another fine performance. Of course the patriotic tune is welcomed by the southerners.

In the show Elvis continued with "Burning Love", which is unfortunately missing here. The recording moves on with "Heartbreak Hotel".

While "Heartbreak Hotel" was presented in a charming way, "Hound Dog" has become a parody. The former rock'n'roll king mumbles through the same four lines over and over again, at the end he shakes his body to the brass sounds of the orchestra. The audience doesn't seem to care about the lack of engagement and physical grace (it looks somewhat funny, when Elvis starts to shake his plump body). They recognize the tune and go bananas.

After some jokes and a belted out "O Sole Mio" Elvis decides to sing "The Hawaiian Wedding Song". Once again the ladies are screaming, but this time the performance of their idol justifies the reaction. The king delivers a tender, well measured rendition of the lovely ballad.

Two more rockin' oldies, but in contrast to "Hound Dog" it's a good performance. Once again the chubby singer cannot compete with what we saw in "That's The Way It Is", which was filmed just six years earlier, but he's obviously into it and loves what he's doing. Larry Londin works the drums like crazy and James Burton throws in some cool guitar riffs.

Elvis thanks the crowd and also adresses the following shows in Johnson City. Even though each and every show ends with "Can't Help Falling In Love", the band produces a false start. The second try works out as planned, finally the musicians segue into the "Closing Riff" and the king leaves the stage. An announcer says "Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building" and hawks the souveniers, that are available in the lobby.