High Sierra cover (concept art)

In May, Follow That Dream (FTD) Records is releasing High Sierra, a new CD containing Elvis’ May 21, 1974, show at the Sahara Tahoe Hotel (now the Horizon Casino Resort). Rounding out the set are six bonus songs from the same engagement, as well as an 8-page booklet. The track listing certainly has my attention:

01 See See Rider
02 I Got A Woman/Amen
03 Love Me
04 Trying To Get To You
05 All Shook Up
06 Love Me Tender
07 You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me
08 Hound Dog
09 Fever
10 Polk Salad Annie
11 Why Me Lord
12 Suspicious Minds
13 Introductions
14 I Can’t Stop Loving You
15 Help Me
16 Bridge Over Troubled Water
17 Let Me Be There
18 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
19 Big Boss Man
20 Can’t Help Falling In Love
21 Closing Vamp
Bonus Tracks
22 Johnny B. Goode
23 Steamroller Blues
24 Spanish Eyes
25 How Great Thou Art
26 It’s Now Or Never
27 I’m Leavin’
28 Introducing Billy Eckstine

What a great and varied collection of songs! I don’t collect every FTD CD, but this one looks like a potential must-have to me. I’m especially looking forward to hearing “I’m Leavin’,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “It’s Now Or Never,” “Spanish Eyes,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.”

FTD is Sony’s Elvis collectors label, aimed directly at fans rather than the general public. FTD releases are like official versions of bootlegs. The Elvis bootleg industry is huge, but FTD provides a legal alternative with releases focusing on alternate takes and live performances. While the mainstream is listening to yet another greatest hits compilation, the hardcore fans are listening to FTD releases. The FTD releases are available from ShopElvis.com and other online Elvis retailers.

Also coming in May is Showtime! Birmingham/Dallas ’76, a two CD set containing Elvis’ December 28 (Dallas) and December 29 (Birmingham), 1976, concerts.

For those of us in the United States, FTD releases (which are imports) are normally about one month behind. So, we can expect to see these two titles in June.