When you walk along Hollywood Blvd in LA, or take in a show in Vegas, odds are good that the Elvis you’re going to see is the one from the era that this fantastically compiled “Elvis” 2cd set covers. A gloriously gawdy and gritty pair of shows televised to the known world (and maybe a few extra planets) back in 1973 has been released in various album and cd formats, but this one finally puts it together the way you audibly want it. You’ve got the remastered edition of the whole concert as well as the “dress rehearsal show” and an extra bonus of 5 tunes from a 3 a.m. “behind closed doors” session, at time of the morning when Elvis was just warming up.
Teamed up with a stellar band that includes Glen D. Harden/key, Jerry Scheff/b, Ronnie Tutt/dr, James Wilkenson/g and supporting vocals by JD Sumner and The Stamps, Elvis enters during a wonderfully cheesy intro of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” and belts into a blue collar bluesy “See See Rider” that seques into “Burning Love” that brings the audience into the palm of his hand in a way that is palpable. Very few “classic” Elvis tunes are here; a quick “Hound Dog” and “Blue Suede Shoes” are overshadowed by the likes of “Something” by George Harrison and “Welcome to My World.” But lots of roots are in the soil here, with material by Jimmie Rodgers, Chuck Berry and Hank Williams being sung by one of the last guys who was a connection with these guys. The most amazing part here is that he feels equally at home with pop pieces like “What Now My Love,” rockers like “Long Tall Sally” and Stars and Stripes (and Stars and Bars) flag wavers like “An American Trilogy.” Only Elvis could pull it off, and he does it here only like a boy from Tupelo, Mississippi can. Gloriously American music.
The five songs from the wee hours of the morning find Elvis in a mood that feels like he’s the Elvis of real Memphis, as if he were rehearsing for his original Sun Sessions. With Spartan accompaniment, just hand rhythm, simple piano and/or guitar, Elvis delivers home spun and bona fide takes of “Blue Hawaii” “No More” and particularly a heartfelt “Early Morning Rain” that reveal a Presley that we thought Col Parker had long buried. These songs will make your head spin with unanswered questions to a myriad of “What Ifs.” In all aspects, a reflection of a different time, era and sound.
Sony Legacy
www.sonymusic.com