SNOWBIRD (2001 - 02071) (Released 2000)
1. Review by Oven Egeland |
Las Vegas, Jan. 29 1971 D.S
1: Also Sprach Zarathustra
2: That's All Right, Mama
3: I Got A Woman
4: Love Me Tender
5: You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
6: Sweet Caroline
7: You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling
8: Polk Salad Annie
9: Band Introductions
10: Johnny B. Goode
11: Band Introductions
12: Something
13: Heartbreak Hotel
14: Blue Suede Shoes
15: Teddy Bear
16: Hound Dog
17: Snowbird
18: The Impossible Dream
Content: 4 Sound: 4- Artwork: 5 |
Review by Oven Egeland
Label 2001 started out their "business" by releasing some of the best CD-releases ever (Stand By Me and 24 Carat Gold). These two was good both in content and in sound quality. Later 2001 released CD's with good and interesting content, but with poorer sound quality (Especially Opening Night '72 and Burning In Birmingham).
Their last release before "almost dead" was quite untypical 2001, with neither great content nor great sound (Come What May)
Up from the ashes like Phoenix, here they are again! This time with a typical 2001 release!
"Snowbird" features Elvis in Las Vegas, January 29 1971. All who have listened to DAE's All Things Are Possible, and Fort Baxter's Lean, Mean And Kickin' Butt knows what to expect. It is very similar to both, but especially the first mentioned.
Elvis is focused on almost every song, and deliver high-class entertainment for approx. 40 minutes. The tempo is high, and Elvis have just finished 'That's All Right, Mama' before he jumps into 'I Got A Woman'.
On the other hand; Elvis really lost the interest for 'Sweet Caroline' at an early stage... Today's version is not full of spirit, exactly! Elvis also forgets the lyrics to 'Something' at some parts; otherwise, he is at his prime.
The title track...Snowbird. It wasn't a good song when he recorded it in September 1970, and it wasn't any better in January 1971! Nice to have all the same!
It would take a year before Elvis succeeded on 'The Impossible Dream', the song that ends the concert. These 1971-versions are not even close to the ones from 1972!
I fancy Elvis comments to a girl who states she is from Atlanta; "People from Atlanta, think when they die they go to Memphis"
The sound quality on this CD is not bad...and not good! I call it the "2001 - quality" (on concert releases, that is); lifeless and without punch! Also there are some quite noticeable drop-outs on 'The Impossible Dream'. Except from that it sounds like the source is of the standard used for DAE's All Things Are Possible. DAE's final product is much better, though! Best sound of all three CD's from this period has Fort Baxter's Lean, Mean And Kickin' Butt.
Running time is only 40 minutes. A nice 16 pages booklet, makes it a decent release, however!
Reviewed by Oven Egeland, Elvis In Norway - December 1 2000. |
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