SWEET CAROLINA (Vicky 0215) (Released 1991)
1. Review by Mark Littlejohn |
Greensboro, April 14 1972
Also Sprach Zarathustra
See See Rider
Proud Mary
Never Been To Spain
You Gave Me A Mountain
Until It's Time For You To Go
Polk Salad Annie
Love Me
All Shook Up
Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
Hound Dog
Heartbreak Hotel
A Big Hunk O' Love
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Suspicious Minds
Love Me Tender
Group introductions
For the Good Times
American Trilogy
Burning Love
Release Me
Funny How Time Slips Away
Can't Help Falling In Love
Closing Vamp
Content: 5 Sound: 4 Artwork: 3 |
Review by Mark Littlejohn
Here we have the third concert from the film "ELVIS ON TOUR", recorded April 14, 1972 in Greensboro, North Carolina. The cd has excellent sound, the show is complete from start to finish, Elvis is in a great mood and giving 100% throughout the show. Only three songs from this concert appeared in the film, although one additional song appeared in the "LOST PERFORMANCES" video. It's a real shame more of this material was not used, but hopefully we will see more when On Tour is reworked in 2002.
The concert begins with the ominous strains of 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' and then rocks into a very good 'See See Rider.' Elvis then sheds his guitar, says "good evening" and rolls into a solid 'Proud Mary.' Next are excellent performances on three strong ballads in a row: 'Never Been To Spain, You Gave Me A Mountain, and Until It's Time For You To Go.' As Elvis sheds his cape, Jerry Sheff begins the intro for 'Polk Salad Annie' and this is a very good effort here as Elvis says "I'm gonna lay here and look at the ceiling for a while". After catching his breath, he launches into a string of early hits highlighted by a superb 'Big Hunk O Love.'
'Bridge Over Troubled Water' is a standout tune and is followed by a kickin' 'Suspicious Minds.' James Burton plays some great licks for this tune and Elvis ends it with a lot of karate action as evidenced by Ronnie Tutt's drumming. A fairly standard 'Love Me Tender' is next and this leads to the group introductions. 'For The Good Times' gets another solid performance and then Elvis delivers a superb 'An American Trilogy.' It's so nice to see the audience reaction to this song in the film. A lot of us remember the political climate in America at the time and it wasn't pretty, but Elvis always struck a patriotic chord with this tune.
The highlight of the evening is the first live performance of 'Burning Love.' The band is really up for this and Elvis also delivers a great vocal, the only negative is that they omitted the bridge between the second and third verse. Still, this is a great performance, much better than the one used in the film. A chug-a-lug 'Release Me' is very nice, leading to a mischievous 'Funny How Time Slips Away' as Elvis asks "how I'm doing? Well, I'm sweatin' alittle bit baby, but ah-" 'Can't Help Falling In Love' brings the show to a close and Elvis heads of to the next city.
This is a cd that every fan should have. 1972 was a great period for Elvis as he was in top shape for most of the year (the only slack seems to be the November tour). I have every soundboard from 1972, plus both Saturday shows from Madison Square Garden. I can assure you this cd is not a waste of money.
Sound Rating ****1/2
Show Rating ****1/2
Reviewed by Mark Littlejohn, USA (June 20, 2000)
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