Description

Released in a cardboard sleeve

August 1972 found Elvis back at the Hilton for his 7th Las Vegas season. The year had certainly been an emotional roller-coaster ride. Starting with the low of Priscilla and Lisas departure on New Year’s Eve, Elvis then had to rise to the challenge of the On Tour documentary as well as his fabulous June Madison Square Garden concerts. 1972 was still within the first exciting seventies period for Elvis performing live and in a positive move Elvis added 2 new songs to his line up, What Now My Love and My Way, as well as adding the excellent Fever live for the first time. Elvis had recorded My Way in the studio the previous year but it was a low-key affair. Inspired by an audience however, it would become a perfect concert choice. While Elvis would never return to the dynamic action of 1970 he boosted the musical depth of his performances during 1972 by using a powerful and varied selection of songs that helped show off his richer voice, as well as introducing added Karate moves. It was during this season that Elvis spent some time with a very young Cybil Shepherd but it was Linda Thompson who was by his side the most. While Elvis had recorded Burning Love back in March, and tried it out during On Tour, it wasn’t released until August and Elvis unfortunately didn’t sing it during this season although he did rehearse the song. Elvis were doing both dinner shows and midnight shows. This album features a mono recording at the Midnight Show on August 11th. Here we have Ronnie Tutt on percussion, James Burton on guitar and Jerry Scheff on bass. Tonight’s first treat is Proud Mary which keeps up the pace and really rocks. Until It’s Time For You To Go, with a neat false start, “oh god, it’s hot up here” and truly highlights Kathy Westmoreland’s vocal and the violin section. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ then demonstrates Elvis’ vocal power and total enthusiasm and is an absolute brilliant version. Polk Salad Annie delights with an extended intro and with some brilliant right-channel ‘Wah-Wah’ guitar picking from James Burton. While shorter that the 1970 versions something happens mid-song (presumably tearing his trousers or similar) Elvis notes Whoo and then starts laughing. Elvis as always asks Play something Jerry but then we get a solo plus extra solo from James Burton with it lasting twice as long as usual. Elvis starts singing again but is obviously laughing – something must have happened mid-song. The ending is a power-house and it’s one of the best Polk performances from 1972. At the end Elvis laughs, “Oh well, sorry about that folks but there was nothing I can do – I really didn’t plan it that way”. Worth noting is that Elvis changes his mind about singing ‘Love Me Tender’ as well as rather oddly saying that he doesn’t want to do ‘Burning Love’. – This was his new single released ten days previously and would have been all over the radio. Instead, Elvis chooses the very rare ‘It’s Over’ – which shocks the musicians – the only time he would sing it this Las Vegas season and only the third time he would sing it in the whole of 1972. A Big Hunk O’ Love is a song that Elvis saved for the Midnight Shows – is a great rocker and is beautifully contrasted with An American Trilogy that follows both stunningly performed. It was early in the season and this is great Midnight Show with strong performances and a couple of surprises along the way. A concert well-worth replaying.

Track list:
1. 2001/See See Rider
2. I Got A Woman
3. Proud Mary
4. Until It’s Time For You To Go
5. You’ve Lost That Lovin Feeling
6. Polk Salad Annie
7. What Now My Love
8. Fever
9. Love Me
10. All Shook Up
11. Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel
12. Heartbreak Hotel
13. Blue Suede Shoes
14. Little Sister/Get Back
15. Hound Dog
16. It’s Over
17. Suspicious Minds
18. Band Introduction
19. My Way
20. A Big Hunk O Love
21. American Trilogy
22. Cant Help Falling In Love/Closing Vamp