Review by Piers Beagley & Geoffrey McDonnell - Elvis Information Network
The Package
Presented in a four-panel 5” Digi-pack features a good selection of photos and memorabilia.
The cover and behind the discs photos of Elvis in his Nail Studded Suit (looks possibly from 1973) and then inside cover of Elvis in his Gold Vine suit (from January 1974).
There are several pictures of Elvis with Norwegian fan and also Col Parker, inside cover shows again Elvis receiving an award in his Gold Vine suit and more Nail Studded suit pictures and a Winter 1974 Las Vegas menu.
The back of the pack has the track-listings and more pictures of Elvis in the two previously mentioned suits.
Audio Quality:
The sound was mastered by Jan Eliasson and the mix is excellent for soundboard tapes, with a nice mix and a good amount of audience excitement and feedback. However there is no doubt that there is a big issue with the speed of the mastering. Disc 1 runs a tad fast (people have noted 1.5%) which is bearable - certainly compared to too slow. However discs 2 & 3 run way too fast and do not sound right at all (3.5% too fast has been noted). It is a real shame as not only should this be corrected in the remastering (it doesn't even match the previous FTD release of the same songs!) but it also spoils two otherwise very enjoyable performances.
The Music
Disc 1: Monday January 28, 1974, Dinner Show - 58 minutes
‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ warms up the forth show of the season, including with a very audible cough / gasp from one of the Stamps.
‘C.C. Rider’ sounds fine and the sound balance of musicians / backing vocals / orchestra is very good for a soundboard. James Burton’s guitar is also nicely upfront.
After a few “well, well wells” Elvis jokes “that’s it! A short show”, sounding in good humour.
‘I Got A Woman’ / ‘Amen’ is enthusiastically sung by Elvis with a fine ending by J.D. and Elvis joking that “he broke all the speakers.”
Elvis points out that “In case you’re interested Muhammad Ali won the fight by a decision, tune in at 11 for the rest of the news!”
NOTE: It was in this period that Elvis and Muhammad Ali were friends and it was earlier in the evening that the second of the three Ali vs Joe Frazier matches - “Super Fight II” - took place at Madison Square Garden. The fight went all 12 rounds but Ali won a unanimous decision.
After a routine scarves&kisses ‘Love Me’ Elvis introduces the very first on-stage version of ‘My Baby Left Me’ as “I’d like to do a song and show you what I sounded like, well, 10 years ago”
It’s a fine version – similar to Live On Stage In Memphis - and Elvis starts by singing it deliberately high before it settles down with Elvis asking James Burton “play it son, play it Lightning!”.
Then we jump back to 1972 with the revisited ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ which at least does have some POWER to this version, “play it straight Joe” notes Elvis and it’s a fine performance with Elvis obviously engaged in the show.
Up next ‘Sweet Caroline’ - another song that had been ignored since 1971 – is taken a little fast but includes some great drumming from Ronnie Tutt.
‘Love Me Tender’ is a crowd-pleaser as Elvis talks to his loving fans, “Can I see your butterfly?” with Elvis joking at the end, “The tenor singer and the trumpet were hanging over!”
‘Tryin’ To Get To You’ another new regular addition to this season is piano-heavy in the mix but and as Elvis really fires up in the second half it’s a pity it was shorter than other nights.
The ‘Rock Medley’ that Elvis started singing in 1973 is featured this season and being the fourth show is OK. The Live In Memphis March 20th show would be its final performance.
‘Fever’ is another throw-away crowd-pleaser with lyric changes such as “Captain Smith poked his harness”.
After “Thank You, you’re a good audience” Elvis takes off with ‘Polk Salad Annie’ this being Duke Bardwell’s only forth time live on bass. Mid-song Elvis asks “play it James” rather than “play it Duke” which creates an interesting mid-section. The Sweet Inspirations “chick-a-boom” are well placed in the mix and Elvis gets physical for the fine ending.
Then Elvis introduces Voice individually “while I get my breath back” and they sing a pleasant ‘Killing Me Softly'. While it does demonstrate the fine audio mix it sure ain’t Roberta Flack though.
Elvis notes, “Outta Sight. Sherrill you’re not through yet, son!” and they both perform a delightful duet on ‘Spanish Eyes’. (Elvis had recorded this back in December but it wouldn’t be released until March 1974)
Afterwards Elvis jokes that “The trumpet was fantastic and all we needed was a bull running across the stage!”
After some funny interaction with J.D. Sumner - Elvis says ‘'NO'’ to a request for 'How Great Thou Ar't – Elvis asks for a solo performance of ‘Why Me Lord’. This would be the first ever live performance and as genuine J.D. solo this is very different from the later J.D./Elvis versions and is quite endearing with The Stamps joining in. It reminds one of all the Gospel sessions Elvis liked so much. Afterwards Elvis genuine comments “I love that”.
‘Suspicious Minds’ is fast with the regular ‘'shove it up your nose'’ line, some feedback and “don’t let a good show die” comments. Of course it’s a crowd-pleaser but a bit of a ‘'messy'’ version this night. Elvis even throws in a “I love you too much Felton!’
The Introductions are the regular run-through although Elvis notes about John Wilkinson “It’s pretty easy to forget you” and “on the bass is Duke Winslow” although he doesn’t sound like he is kidding.
‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’ starts rather ordinary but builds up to a much better ending.
‘Help Me’ another new song this season Elvis introduces as “A song we just recently did and are gonna’ put it out as a single” is nice gentle heartfelt version, with a good orchestra blend and less dramatic than future versions.
Sadly ‘An American Trilogy’ is incomplete (the C-90 cassette tape binging turned over) and so we miss half of what sounds like a very fine version.
A cool ‘Let Me Be There’ (forth ever live performance ) also misses the beginning and is somewhat distorted during the reprise.
Elvis adds a perfunctory “You’re a good audience, thank you” and closes with 'Can’t Help Falling In Love' and the 'Closing Vamp'.
For a Dinner Show – the first since Opening Night - this is a very nice performance and Elvis sounds like he is enjoying himself and the new set-list.
This Dinner Show also nicely compliments the versions of ‘My Baby Left Me’ and ‘Tryin’ To Get To You’ (one of Elvis’ best live versions ever) from the Midnight Show on this date that were included as Bonus Songs on FTD’s I Found My Thrill 2006 release.
DISC 2: Tuesday January 29, 1974, Midnight Show - 52 minutes. (but too fast)
The cd kicks off straight into ‘C.C. Rider’ as the start is cut and, as noted, the tape is obviously running too fast. The audio mix is as good as the previous night and, after all, this is a Midnight Show.
Sounding in good form Elvis says “Good evening, well, well ,well, well - I’ll be over there in a minute honey, hang loose”,
‘I Got A Woman’ / ‘Amen’ is enthusiastically performed with Elvis calling the ending “outta sight” - but still makes J.D. perform it a second time!
Teasing the crowd Elvis jokes, “We will try to entertain you tonight - and you can look at the suit” ‘Love Me’ is very routine scarf-give-away- song.
The key new song, ‘My Baby Left Me’ is then performed but this night with no explanatory introduction. It’s a good performance but perhaps the crowd missed the uniqueness of the song.
‘Tryin’ To Get To You’ with rolling ‘'Fats Domino piano'’ similarly gets no intro but thankfully isn’t rushed and again Elvis sings it strongly much to the delight of the audience. A nice addition for our collections.
Elvis is very workman-like on this Midnight Show and again it’s straight into ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ - Elvis changes a few words but again it’s a very strong ‘1974’ version with excellent Ronnie Tutt drumming. Having performed this classic since 1970 it is surprising how much effort Elvis would put into this song. But after this season Elvis would only sing it again another five times.
The “oldies” ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Rock Medley’ and ‘Fever’ are all very perfunctory tonight showing how little Elvis cared for the throwaway crowd-pleasers.
‘Polk Salad Annie’ (Duke Bardwell’s 7th live performance replacing Jerry Scheff) however brings back the energy - “go get it baby” - with some outstanding drumming and drive. Elvis obviously put some karate moves into action.
Then Elvis introduces Voice “they’ve been with me about five months” to sing their song ‘Killing Me Softly’. This is my favourite version of the three on this FTD cd set, tenderly sung and pleasant.
Then Elvis asks Sherrill Neilson to sing ‘Spanish Eyes’ with him - “if he will, he’s kind of funny!”. It’s a very nice “duet” version - (noting that it is spliced with the Dinner Show performance)
‘Why Me Lord’ (missing the first half) is again a fine version performed solo by J.D & The Stamps.
The 1974 crowd-pleaser version of ‘Suspicious Minds’ follows tonight including a “Shut up Charlie… sing it Ed” with, once again, a good mix and incredible Ronnie Tutt drumming pushing the song along.
The Introductions are as brief and the same as the previous night. Elvis is however in a joking mood noting “Funky James Burton, Rotten Ronnie Tutt, Ridiculous John Wilkinson" and "on-the-bass Duke Bogart”.
Elvis then announces that he is sorry “as you may have heard” that Frank Sinatra is sick and hopes he gets well soon. (Sinatra was playing a residency at Caesar's Palace at the same time)
‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’ is very similar to the previous evening’s.
Once again Elvis announces “a new song we have just recorded” ‘Help Me’ which is ok although not as heartfelt as other versions even though the audio mix is nice and clear.
‘An American Trilogy’ is a very nice version with a delicate “all my trials” section and a lovely flute solo, pushing towards a dramatic ending. Anyone in the Vegas crowd would have been very pleased tonight and their reaction shows it. “Yeah, out of sight” says Elvis “Thank you very much”.
‘Let Me Be There’ (7th live version) is just fine, with some nice wah-wah J.B. guitar and plenty of J.D. Sumner. An obvious favourite of Elvis’ this season, it gets the quick reprise.
Elvis notes, “You are a beautiful audience” wrapping up with a fast-paced unmemorable ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ before he jumps in the lift and heads back upstairs to his suite
The ‘Closing Vamp’ is brief before fading out.
This is a decent show but with surprisingly little dialogue for a Midnight Show which makes it all too perfunctory rather than special. Linda Thompson was apparently with Elvis until 28th January and then Sheila Ryan was there for the next few shows. Perhaps that’s why Elvis wanted a quick exit!
However it is worth noting that this performance has never been available in any form before so for collectors it is a treat. There is an extremely poor audience recording of the Dinner Show but it is not worth it so this FTD is the only listenable recording from this date in Las Vegas.
DISC 3: Friday February 1, 1974 Midnight Show - 53 minutes. (again it runs too fast)
‘C.C. Rider’ kicks off the cd again sounding too fast - and with obvious cassette tracking issues that clears up halfway through the song.
The positive is that this show was a Friday Night show, Elvis would be trying to impress new girlfriend Sheila Ryan and so hopefully everyone was also up for some fun. Bill Porter even has a joke playing with the echo on Elvis’ “Well, Well, Wells” .
Again the audio mix of the musicians, backing vocals and orchestra is very good for a soundboard.
‘I Got A Woman’ / ‘Amen’ is fast next and energetic, with a cool ‘Amen’ ending with as always J.D. going down low – and with a similar speaker-rattling reprise. How much more enjoyable this song was in 74 when it was a three minute version.
‘Love Me’ is the usual kiss-the-girls throwaway and sadly there is no ‘My Baby Left Me’ tonight.
However ‘Tryin’ To Get To You’ is a great version with Elvis playing with the power in his voice - “choking all the way!” - and obviously enjoying this Sun classic. A nice Friday night highlight.
‘Sweet Caroline’ is a regular ’74 fast version and once again the “oldies” ‘Love Me Tender’ and 'Rock Medley' are throwaways.
‘Fever’ is better, letting Duke Bardwell show off his bass and with Elvis in a fun mood adding the lyric “His name is Cheetah” which then gives Elvis the giggles for the rest of the song.
‘Polk Salad Annie’ tonight is pretty routine, even though Elvis throws in some sweaty karate action at the end. In the middle Elvis appears to say, “take it Jerry” before Duke Bardwell does the bass solo.
Again Elvis introduces his new vocal group Voice for their solo song ‘Killing Me Softly’ and they do a decent job (feedback aside!).
‘Spanish Eyes’ is the duet with Sherrill and a neat treat for the audience – Elvis jokes, “Whoo, Arriba” during the dodgy trumpet solo!
‘Why Me Lord’ is the solo J.D. Sumner & the Stamps version and again its rather good! Elvis notes, “One of my favourite songs. That’s really nice, thank you very much”
‘Suspicious Minds’ is the regular ’74 crowd-pleaser ‘shove it up your nose’ version but Elvis works hard - “Ok, Ronnie” - at the finale and there’s a hilarious double-ending . “Oh well, it’s been a good night folks… There goes my nerves!” Now it does sound like a Friday midnight show.
‘The Introductions’ are deliciously short and then it is straight in to a fine, ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’.
‘Help Me’ “A song that we just recorded” is another delightfully sincere version with sweeping violins. It’s interesting to compare these early ’74 versions with the later ’77 rather desperate “help me” versions.
‘An American Trilogy’ another show highlight – albeit with a bit of peak distortion - is another very fine version. Afterwards Elvis acknowledge the huge applause, “Thanks, you’re really out of sight”.
‘Let Me Be There’ (13th time live!) is pretty smooth and Elvis is obviously loving it, with a lot of J.D. Sumner! and a reprise. The excitement pushes the tape into distortion at times.
Another treat tonight is Elvis singing ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ for the first time this season. It was a regular at the 1973 summer season but only sung a few times in 1974.
Elvis dedicates it to Sheila Ryan who was with Elvis tonight. No doubt trying to impress his new girlfriend it’s a lovely, sincere version and with an extra verse compared to the Album track or the 1971, 1972 performances. “Yeah, whooo” Elvis adds in enjoyment.
Elvis says, “Fantastic. You’re outta sight. Thank you” and it’s straight into ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ - no guessing why Elvis wants to get up to his suite for some Friday night fun. The tape, perhaps appropriately, then fades abruptly!
This was Friday Night, Sheila Ryan was there, Elvis was in a fine mood (no sign of the Desert Storm to come) and so it is another nice addition to our collection. It’s a shame that the start is missing and also that it runs too fast.
NOTE: Fans have complained that this CD has been mastered too fast (3.5% has been mentioned) and interestingly enough if you compare ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ with when it was issued as a ‘'bonus'’ song on the 2006 FTD release the orignal actually sounds better, runs slower and at the right pitch. That CD was mastered by Jean-Marc Juilland whereas these shows were mastered by Jan Eliasson.
Similarly comparing the tempos and pitch of ‘Tryin’ To Get To You’ or ‘My baby Left Me’ from the CDs 2 and 3 here to the I Found My Thrill FTD or even Live On Stage In Memphis something is obviously running too fast here. This leaves us wondering what ‘mastering’ or check was done when Jan Eliasson engineered this release as the speed is not correct. Surely that is the job of the audio engineer?
However better fast that the embarrassingly slow mistake of 1974's Elvis In LA!
Overall Verdict:
The minor disappointment is that Elvis worked with very similar set-lists during his 1974 Jan-Feb season. The positive however is that it was an updated set-list for 1974 with eight new songs compared to his previous Las Vegas season - and Elvis seemed to be enjoying his new material.
Having only previously had one FTD set from this season this is a really nice collection of performances from this winter 1974 Las Vegas season. The Dinner show is fun and Elvis is working to impress Sheila Ryan on his Friday Night show. The audio mix is also very good. This was a very solid season before the emotional roller-coaster ride of 1974 began.
The brand new songs ‘My Baby Left Me’, ‘Help Me’, ‘Spanish Eyes’, ‘Let Me Be There’ and group solos of ‘Why Me Lord’ and ‘Killing Me Softly’ all add something different.
The fact that the final two CDs really need a speed-adjustment to make them truly listenable unfortunately diminishes an otherwise near perfect release.
FTD as we know have had issues before getting the speed of the tapes correct and why this is still an issue is a real embarrassment - especially if FTD are pumping out 3CD sets.
