The Cars - Pre-Elektra promo concert (1977)

Alas, I'm still in the process of digitizing fresh vinyl for this site, but in the meantime I'd like to offer this - an early Cars performance that I may or may not have an exact date for. Per the meta-data of the files, a date of 4/28/77 is rendered, but no location is provided. Ultimately I was unable to confirm the specific date. When I obtained this show it was simply billed as The Cars pre-Elektra Records promo show, so 1977 certainly seems accurate. Our protagonists possess a more meager sonic aplomb than what would follow in just another year, and the crowd they're performing for sounds equally as meager, if not downright sparse.  

Interestingly, it was early enough in the band's tenure for them to reach back to Ben Orr's and Ric Ocasek's preceding band Cap'n Swing for material, specifically the songs "Strawberry Moonlight" and "Lover and a Holiday," both of which slid into the Cars mold fairly comfortably.  Another pleasant wrinkle is the inclusion of a totally unreleased title, "Looking to See You," that with a little modification would have made for a decent album cut on the band's auspicious debut.  If that wasn't enough in the rarity department, they also play "Wake Me Up," an early tune that never made it past the demo stage (originally included on the expanded version of The Cars). Naturally, the crowd is treated to a plethora of soon-to-be Cars standards, not to mention international smash hits.  The setlist quite frankly sells itself, and this tape may even be a soundboard recording. Enjoy

01. Just what I Needed
02. I'm in Touch with Your World
03. Strawberry Moonlight
04. Lover and a Holiday
05. Bye Bye Love
06. Wake Me Up
07. Cool Fool
08. Looking to See You
09. Don't Cha Stop
10. You're All I've Got Tonight

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