Customer Reviews

Live From Las Vegas

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved this CD. The quality of the sound is great especially when you consider how many years ago this was actually recorded. I especially enjoyed hearing songs like "Please Release Me" that aren't usually featured on Elvis CD's.

To the idiot who wrote about Elvis' choice of material for this show - let's remember, Elvis didn't write his own music. He made what other people wrote better! And this CD showcases Elvis' extreme ability to make a song better than it ever could have been by anyone else. This person has no respect for what Elvis brings to the table and furthermore, if your looking for Elvis at the peak of his performance, this cd is the right pick. I'd go with anything between 69-73 because you really can't find anything but his voice beyond those years. I really hate it when people come on these message boards and put down the artist hen they don't know jack about them and I think that's what the other reviewer did, its inappropriate and if you don't appreciate Elvis then why buy and review the album? Elvis Presley was the greatest entertainer and singer this world has ever known and if you explore him more than this CD you'll realize it like others have....

Just to clarify a preceding review. The song Elvis performs, "It's Over," is not the same song that belonged to Roy Orbison.
As far as this collection goes, it's a good 'starter's kit' for the casual Elvis listener. RCA/BMG was gracious to allow Capital to issue this one, but if you want the best of Elvis' Vegas, get "That's The Way It Is Special Editon", the 3-compact disc issue and "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite". After that, get their DVD counterparts!

Elvis Presley could indeed take others' material and infuse it with his own style and singular talents to make their songs far better than ever before. Elvis' voice commanded attention with its sensitivity and masculine warmth both at the same time. This CD allows us to experience Elvis performing live for his audiences over several nights in 1970 and 1972.

The CD opens with the electric rendition of "See See Rider" which has a special arrangement by Presley himself. What a strong opener--it leaves you wanting more! Of course, more is what you get. The CD next goes into "Release Me," a slower ballad but the band "(plays) it harder" to give it an extra special impact that will mesmerize you. Elvis and his backup group, The Sweet Inspirations with Millie Kirkham, join forces to make this ballad quite powerful.

"The Wonder Of You" is one of Elvis' signature songs; and he will not disappoint you as he belts out this ballad with passion and sensitivity. The backup singers, again The Sweet Inspirations with Millie Kirkham, sing beautifully to add to the brilliance of this number. The flawless musical arrangement complements Elvis' voice to perfection! Great!

Other wonderful songs on this CD include the classic "Proud Mary" by John Fogerty; "Proud Mary" sounds like a mixture of rock and country styles blended into one. Awesome! "I Can't Stop Loving You" by Don Gibson glows with even more electricity as Elvis takes this easy listening ballad and infuses it with a distinctly rock and country style arrangement. Elvis also works his magic for "Never Been To Spain;" Elvis gets vocal backups from J. D. Sumner & The Stamps as well as Kathy Westmoreland. The band jams so sweetly for "Never Been To Spain;" and I like the way the arrangement uses the horns to enhance the dramatic effect of this number.

"It's Impossible" gives Elvis the chance to take the most romantic of ballads and make it his own with a beautiful arrangement and a slightly faster tempo than we are used to hearing on this number. The album closes with a medley of songs from America's history; and the grand flourish at the end of the track serves as another reminder of the singular talents of Elvis Presley.

The liner notes include great pictures of Elvis in concert; and Ernst Mikael Jorgensen adds an informative essay about Elvis' performances in Vegas.

One reviewer notes correctly that the track set on this CD comes from several different nights in February 1970 and February 1972. That's true; this is not a CD recording of an entire single concert. Nevertheless, the mixing and mastering job by Dennis Ferrante never lets on that the CD tracks have been pasted together from several different performances. The tracks have been connected so seamlessly that it truly sounds like a single performance. Moreover, the quality of the sound is excellent--even on my portable CD player. Impressive!

I highly recommend this for Elvis fans. People who enjoy classic pop vocals will also love this CD.

Enjoy!

A fantastic CD, as all of Elvis Presley's.
I love tham all.
As usual, Amazon's customer servie was excellent.

Why only part of a concert?? Hello!! This isn't a concert album. This is a compilation. You know, various song highlights taken from more than one source. Mostly 1970. But a few from '72. Again: It's a compilation.

This is so frustrating! BMG is doing this celebration of acts who have been prominent Las Vegas performers and releasing concerts by Bobby Darrin, Frank Sinatra and others in addition to Elvis.

So on the Elvis Vegas cd, why are we treated to only part of the concert? From 1969-1977 Elvis always performed "I can't help Falling Love" as his closing song - so right away you know we are being cheated!

In general I find that live albums that do not include the whole show or most of the show to be frustrating. What is the point of hearing a handful of songs? Give me the whole show!

As for the song selection, despite another reviewers complaints, these were staples in Elvis' act in the 70's. Certainly it was a mistake for Elvis not to record newer music. He could have recorded any new song he wanted had it not been for the lousy Col Parker who forbade him from recording outside of the music catalogue owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises. The theory was if they didn't own the publishing rights they wouldn't use it. Very short sighted. A huge error in judgement.

Ed

This CD captures the experience of a live performance with Elvis.You realize again what a unique voice Elvis possessed and how much you miss him. I liked the CD and recommend it to Elvis fans.

This Cd is getting 5 stars only because I ama die hard Elvis fan and his voice is amazing. Please release some unheard material or shows the vegas 69 has played out we have FTD "All Shook up" The last release I remember listening to some talking I have not heard and a few songs was the Box set with the Multiple Cd's "Live in Vegas". BMG should give the king the respect he deserves Release mainline things for newer fans (I am 27 yrs Old have been a fan for 18-19 years and I have bought the same material released over and over god help the 30-40 year fans) I just want new alternate takes other recordings I buy it because it says Elvis on it, so I contribute to if they buy why change. Release masters and main stream with advertisement to draw new fans but please give us something great from FTD again I am waiting on Elvis Today to arrive and tickle me and yes all shook up (I hope it is different even just slightly). Give The greatest artist of all time the attention he deserves remaster with the best equipment advertise and long live the King.

I would have felt cheated if I'd been at an Elvis concert if these were the songs he sung. Three stars for his doing retreads, not of classic R&B and country, but hits for other artists in Elvis' heyday. He could claim only "American Trilogy" as his own (though likely he was not the first to do it). "See See (actually C.C.) Rider" was a hit for King of the Stroll Chuck Willis (and Lavern Baker, etc etc), "Release Me" was done by Esther Phillips (and Elvis' fellow Vegas performer Engelbert Humperdinck), "Sweet Caroline" by Neal Diamond of course, "The Wonder of You" by Ray Peterson, "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (and Ike and Tina Turner). "Walk A Mile in My Shoes" by Joe South, "Let It Be Me" by Jerry Butler and Betty Everett AND the Everly Brothers, "Never Been to Spain" , a Hoyt Axton song by Three Dog Night,"You Gave Me a Mountain", a well-done Marty Robbins song (but Frankie Laine's version surpasses both Marty's and Elvis'), "It's Impossible" by Perry Como, "It's Over" by Roy Orbison whom Elvis admired, and "The Impossible Dream" by, was it Robert Goulet(?) whom Elvis did NOT admire. (The Broadway stage nature of this song still gives Goulet the edge on this one). If you're satisfied simply with the "live" performances as Elvis shows his range, you may like this better than I do. For me none of the tunes awaken old memories and feelings, though "American Trilogy" was like a "new" song at the time and perhaps underrated. Few other truly "new" ones would follow in his lifetime.