Elvis Presley - Unchained Melody - The Live Comparison Series - Volume Sixty Three

Although Elvis occasionally sat down and played the piano during a show, You'll Never Walk Alone, Danny Boy and Rags to Riches being three prominent examples, it was the introduction of Unchained Melody which made it a semi-regular occurrence. Elvis had been singing and playing the song at home for many years and it seemed a natural progression to take it onto the stage.
It was however, not performed as many times as one may have thought, there are only fifteen known versions from fifty nine shows in 1977. With all but six shows having recordings released in some form, that total could only perhaps rise slightly. This entry in the Live Comparison Series includes all fifteen known renditions by Elvis.

00:00 Version One – 27 December 1976, Wichita – The First Rendition
Introduced during the first show of his final tour of 1976, the mini-tour which would be the final resurgence and mini peak of Elvis’ career.
Not the best as far as audio is concerned but a necessity for conclusion as it is the first live rendition.

02:28 Version Two – 28 December 1976, Dallas
05:35 Version Three – 29 December 1976, Brirmingham
08:52 Version Four – 30 December 1976, Atlanta
13:28 Version Five – 31 December 1976, Pittsburgh
16:50 Version Six – 16 February 1977, Montgomery
19:41 Version Seven – 17 February 1977, Savannah
22:20 Version Eight – 20 February 1977, Charlotte

26:17 Version Nine – 24 April 1977, Ann Arbor – The RCA Undubbed Master
There was considerable metaphorical wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth within Elvis' still considerable fan base, myself included, in the last few years as some of Elvis' recordings were subjected to re-recording with new orchestral backing by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This concept is however nothing new in regards to Elvis recordings although not in such a radical way. The selection of live tracks that were recorded in 1977 and released on his "Moody Blue" album were all subjected to considerable additional studio overdubs before release.
This rendition, believe it or not, is the actual version of "Unchained Melody" which opened the "Moody Blue" album and was recorded by RCA in The Crisler Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan and this how it would have sounded if you had been in the arena that Spring evening. Additional drums, guitar, bells, piano and bass overdubs were added at The Soundmaster studio in Nashville under the supervision of Felton Jarvis and Bill Harris. Further bass and organ overdubs were added on 9 June 1977 at the same studio before release on the album.

29:32 Version Ten – 27 May 1977, Binghamton
32:55 Version Eleven – 29 May 1977, Baltimore
36:50 Version Twelve – 2 June 1977, Mobile
41:34 Version Thirteen – 20 June 1977, Lincoln

45:30 Version Fourteen – 21 June 1977, Rapid City – The CBS Rendition
The second of the two shows filmed by CBS for their Elvis In Concert TV Special and by far the better of the two shows.
Many fans prefer not to watch Elvis from this period and that is their prerogative but this show is a reminder that Elvis gave his all right to the end, in fact his final show was probably the best of the tour.

48:50 Version Fifteen – 25 June 1977, Cincinnati – The Final Rendition
Of the fifteen or so versions that Elvis performed on stage, it seems that Elvis reserved his best until last as the version from Cincinnati on 25 June 1977, his penultimate live appearance, is far and away his best rendition. Sitting at the piano, as per normal as he sang "Unchained Melody", there are no additional embellishments and none of the breathing problems from five days earlier with Elvis hitting the difficult notes with considerable ease.
A soundboard recording does exist of this show, so hopefully it will receive an official release in the near future!!

Видео Elvis Presley - Unchained Melody - The Live Comparison Series - Volume Sixty Three канала The Ultimate Elvis Channel by Leon