Customer Reviews

Elvis Live

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a first-rate 20-track compilation for anyone wanting to find out what Elvis Presley sounded like live in the last decade of his career. The selection is taken from various live albums and the songs are presented here as belonging to one single concert. The first half of the programme is covered by 1969-70 recordings with outstanding versions of "Johnny B. Goode", "Suspicious Minds" (the best-ever live cut from the 1969 "Elvis in Person" album), "Polk Salad Annie", "The Wonder of You", "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". The second half features the hit single "Burning Love" taken from "Aloha" and the great 1974 live in Memphis rendition of "How Great Thou Art". The disc concludes with the unavoidable "Unchained Melody" from 1977, although they should have added "Can't Help Falling in Love", and why not the now classic 'Elvis has left the building' announcement.

The sound has been upgraded significantly (by Vic Anesini) and the remixed songs have real punch and power, also emphasizing the crack band that worked with Elvis. The general public at whom this CD is aimed won't be bothered by the misprint in the second half of the programme which claims that "You Gave Me A Mountain" and "An American Trilogy" are from 1972, while in fact they were taken from the "Aloha" album from a year later. The 1972 recordings might indeed have been a better choice, but let this not spoil your fun with this great disc, reminding us above all what a fantastic live performer Elvis was. At mid-price this is a real bargain.

This is a long overdue collection. With the numerous live recordings available, it is about time that they released a compilation of his best performances. His live albums were among his best sellers in the 70's and this collection shows why. Elvis could perform like nobody else!

THE ALL TIME BEST RECORDING OF SUSPICIOUS MINDS,WHICH IS WORTH THE PURCHASE PRICE ALONE.NEVER WAS ELVIS VOICE BETTER THAN IN 1969-1972,THIS SET HAS A LOT TO OFFER.

Most of all the songs on this album was only heard at Elvis concerts/concert albums. There's only a few live version of classic studio recordings such as Suspicious Minds and In The Ghetto. Elvis had such a magnificent voice. Your get emotionally overwhelm When you hear him sing "What Now My Love, How great Thou Art, My Way, Bridge Over Trouble Of Water, You Gave Me A Mountain, An American Trilogy, and Unchained Melody , You will feel the hairs on the back of your neck raise up. When listening to Elvis Live you get to hear Joe Guercio (musical director & conductor) along with the TCB Band and his male and female vocal groups. There are lots of great R&B and Rock song's on this CD. The only songs I wish they would add on this CD was the intro of "Also Sprach Zarathustra", the final song "Can't Help Falling In Love, and the song "Hurt." Since BMG did a great job of sound quality and choice of songs on this CD, I won't hold it against them for not putting these songs on this CD.

I have virtually every Elvis concert recording--the vinyl--from this comeback, or mature, period of his career. So it's from that perspective that I say this is a very thoughful, and fantastic, selection of live recordings from the period launched by the 1968 NBC special and the Las Vegas performances that followed. The collection belies the voluminous studio records from this period, including the considerable body of gospel recordings. However, I'm not familiar with another single disc that captures so many of the most beautiful popular songs and ballads he performed, with signature lush orchestral arrangements, while at the peak of his vocal talent. Had this recording been released at double its list price, it would be worth it. It's a collection worthy of both new Elvis fans and those listening for years.

My favorite time of Elvis' career was the 1969 International Hotel/Vegas shows. Everything from the band's energy, Elvis' energy to Elvis' stage demeanor and look come together in 1969. Elvis was fresh off his comeback special and this was pre-jumpsuit era. Don't get me wrong, Elivs produced great live music between 1971-1977 but 1969 and 1970 was special for me. Elivs never looked better and his energy again seemed raw and he was in full form. This CD contains some great cuts from that era and the sound mix on this CD is fantatastic. You don't hear Elivs mostly in the forefront and the band in the background. This collection, especially the 1969-1970 Vegas cuts comes at you full force, with Elvis and the band rocking at an even pace across your speakers or earphones, this mix gathers every instrument and background vocal with crisp and even sound.

You can hear and feel the energy in See See Rider, Johnny B. Goode, Mystery Train/Tiger Man and Polk Salad Annie. On these cuts in particular, you get this feeling Elvis and the band are rocking out, enjoying the show and not just working. This is one of the best versions of Suspicious Minds you'll ever hear - again, the song was new, fresh and not worn out but Elvis delivers it with real conviction.

I can't name one weak track on this CD, of all the cuts of Bridge Over Troubled Water I've heard Elvis perform live, this is one of the cleanest and best.

I bought this CD for $7.99, thinking at this price it might contain either weak performances or a bad sound mix, I couldn't have been more wrong. This is as good a collection of live music you'll find and you will never find 20 tracks, this good, at this price.

This is one of the albums I've been waiting for since that horrible day Elvis left us.

The mix is finally improved in such a way that his band is finally given the credits it deserves.

I never understood why the record labels always put his band in the background mix (except for the guitars and drums)... NOW one can finally enjoy the complete picture and comes more close to the real sound of this wonderful band. Special kudos to lead trumpet Walt Johnson and the wonderful bass trombone of Martin 'Marty' Harrell.

Great album--I love Elvis' versions of all of the songs, except maybe "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin." The sound quality is good, and IMHO just his version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is worth the price of the CD itself--very comforting to me after having a death in the family a few months ago. The only thing better than this CD would be actually watching him perform the songs live. This one's a keeper!!! :)

A very good collection of live performances but not as good as catching the flow of a total concert.

Everyone that loves Elvis. This is a good one. Amazon has amazing selections to choose from. I loved not having to hunt beyond Amazon to build my collecton on Elvis cds.