VEGAS RHYTHM (Gravel Road Music - GR CD7303-2) (Released 2007)
1. Review by Oven Egeland |
Las Vegas, February 3 1973 (D.S.)
Also Sprach Zarathustra
See See Rider
I Got A Woman/Amen
Until It's Time For You To Go
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
Steamroller Blues
You Gave Me A Mountain
Fever
Love Me
Blue Suede Shoes
Love Me Tender
Johnny B. Goode
Hound Dog
What Now, My Love
Suspicious Minds
Band Introductions
I'll Remember You
I Can't Stop Loving You
American Trilogy
Can't Help Falling In Love/Closing Vamp (edited)
Content: 3+ Sound: 5+ Artwork: 5 |
1. Review by Oven Egeland [Of It's A Matter Of Time]
What strikes you first about this release is the magnificent sound. Listen to 'Also Sprach Zarathustra', and it sounds like it has been taken from an official release!
This dinner show from February 3 1973 is very similar to Aloha From Hawaii. Except from 'I Got A Woman' that replaces 'Burning Love', and 'Until It's Time For You To Go' and 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' that replaces 'Something' and 'My Way' respectively the content is about the same.
If you think that Aloha From Hawaii is a good concert, you will most likely like this one too. In my opinion, however Aloha wasn't a great concert and the same can be said about this Las Vegas show. Elvis' voice is somewhat strained. We know that Elvis had some problems with his throat at this time, and it is evident here. 'I Got A Woman' is sung so gently, that Elvis in between sings it off-key. Elvis starts to sing several of the songs so carefully that he never manages to get into the right track. It is clear that his voice bothered him. 10 days later Elvis was advised by his doctor to stay off-stage, because of this voice. As most of you know Elvis didn't follow the doctor's advice, entered the stage to sing some songs before he had to leave stage for half an hour. He came back to sing some songs and then closed the show.
In general there is not much to say about this show. A very nice version of 'Until It's Time For To Go' and 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' (suddenly the sound appears extremely amplified.). 'Steamroller Blues' is just like the Aloha version, and the same goes for 'You Gave Me A Mountain' and 'Fever'. 'Love Me Tender' is quite serious, but not especially focused...
'What No My Love' is brilliant. Awesome version. Also 'American Trilogy' is a thrill to listen to.
As I said the sound on this CD is magnificent. The only minus is that there are a couples or more glitches, indicating that the recording level have been a tad to high, either on the actual recording or at the production table.
What about the title track? It is tagged on the end, and the source is from an audience recording. Not great, but then not bad either. Elvis sings this song as a respond to a request. Before this he tells the audience that it was request-time, so that's the story behind it. Nice version, but no showstopper, as I'm sure Elvis was aware of before he began singing the song.
© Oven Egeland, February 17 1999 |
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