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Hilton's All Shook Up

By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, November 04, 2010 | Music

For this review I can use the same receipt as earlier this week for  “… At Full Blast”: a little by myself and some by Mark Littlejohn, since this CD is a re-release of Blazing Into The Darkness (which was wrongly dated as being the August 11 D.S.).

Design

Compared to the original I can say at least they used a picture from the same year. I like this artwork a bit better than that of  “… At Full Blast”. Probably because of the colors, since it’s merely in the same (tastefull) style. Two original reviews, some pictures and the tracks.

Content

As said, it was released before as Blazing Into The Darkness, which used to be one of my favourite live shows. This version adds a little more “space” to the sound, but again it is not a huge improvement (which was almost impossible in my ears anyway).

As promised, here is what Mark Littlejohn had to say about the original, still assuming it was dated correctly:

It only took a year for this excellent release from Premier to finally arrive, but it was worth it. There are many things I like about this cd; from the excellent sound and song selections to the supremely confident attitude of the performer. But most particularly, you can still hear the voice of the twenty-one year old Elvis in certain passages.

The cd starts off with "Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001)" and rolls into excellent performances of "See See Rider and Proud Mary." A very good effort on "Until It's Time For You To Go" follows and leads into the familiar coupling of "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me and You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling." Both are very well done. A long intro begins "Polk Salad Annie" and you can hear the twenty-one year old growl during the "sock alittle" windup. A brief welcome is offered while Elvis catches his breath and is subjected to about 2000 requests for one song or another. He gives the usual response of "I'll sing all 529 of 'em" and then admits he's also the world's biggest liar. But it's all in good fun so no offense is taken. Getting serious for a moment allows the introduction of "What Now, My Love" and this is without doubt one of the most potent ballads ever performed by Elvis. Then follows a sensual performance of "Fever." Both of these songs were excellent additions to Elvis' live show.

A generous medley of hits follows, highlighted by "One Night & Heartbreak Hotel." Mr. & Mrs. Tippler are then introduced as the couple who hired Elvis at Crown Electric in Memphis and he thanks them for the job. "Suspicious Minds" brings on some tree hugging comments towards Charlie Hodge during the bridge, but is wound up in the usual all out mode. Elvis then introduces his backing musicians and good friend Telly Savalas.

"My Way" is the third new song introduced at this engagement and coupled with "An American Trilogy," make for a show stopping finale! Although Elvis made a few humorous cracks about not wanting "My Way" associated with his life-"the end is near and all that jazz; I haven't even spit it out yet, I'm still chewing on it," it's obvious he likes the song or he wouldn't bother with it. "Can't Help Falling In Love" brings the show to it's conclusion and is sung pretty much word for word.

All things considered this is a great dinner show from August 11, 1972 at the Las Vegas Hilton with Elvis in a confident mood, giving excellent performances on almost every song, and generally seeming to enjoy being on stage. If you have ELVIS AT FULL BLAST you will have the midnight show from this same date and can treat yourself to two great performances with a varied song selection from the same evening in Las Vegas. This is a cd that should be added to any collection. I would like to see more soundboards from this engagement, especially one featuring the first live performances of "Steamroller Blues."

Conclusion

Those that missed the original are ordered to buy this one! The others, well... decide yourself.

Tracklisting

2001 Theme
See See Rider
Proud Mary
Until It's Time For You To Go
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
Polk Salad Annie
What Now My Love
Fever
Love Me
Blue Suede Shoes
One Night
All Shook Up
Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel
Heartbreak Hotel
Hound Dog
Love Me Tender
Suspicious Minds
Band Introductions
My May
An American Trilogy
Can't Help Falling In Love
(Recorded August 12, 1972 D.S.)
 

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Ciscoking wrote on November 04, 2010
For those who missed the originals a must-have as is the other one. Both shows are essential for any collection.
ML4EP wrote on November 05, 2010
Lex, thanks for using my reviews of Full Blast & Blazing. I wrote them along time ago and even with the recent releases of Hot August Night and Summer Festival they compare quite favorably. These shows are probably Elvis' most adventerous in Vegas; musically speaking, as they encompass most everything he had done up to that point along with the songs added for that season. This is also the same season that Cybill Shepard dated him for a few days and said as a performer - at this point in his career - he was so passe', yet 4000 people stood in line for hours and hours every night waiting to see him. I guess she also must have missed Madison Square Garden and the release of Burning Love.
HangLoose wrote on November 08, 2010
I can't hear any sound improvement on this release.
Jesse Garon Presley wrote on November 08, 2010
who cares? this release is essential for everyone who doesn't have the original release the artwork is way better then the original release.
Steve V wrote on November 12, 2010
Nothing is essential when it comes to these live shows. How many does one need?
Ciscoking wrote on November 13, 2010
These are essential if you are interested SB recordings. Excellent shows from these days in fine sound.
Tony C wrote on November 13, 2010
Essential to some, not essential to others. Personally, I want to hear ever soundboard recording, hear every snippet of studio time captured on tape and see every inch of 8mm live footage, good, bad or indifferent. Some fans are happy with just hearing the best of this stuff, we are all different and one group is no more of a fan than the other. Some fans collect the Elvis dolls and the other items of merchandise put out by by EPE, which I have no interest in, but I would not put them down as we are all united by one thing that sometimes gets forgotten. Our love for Elvis.
Steve V wrote on November 13, 2010
You are right , to each his own. For me the live shows are interchangeable. I hear one, I heard 10. They hardly change. Elvis rarely changed his show from year to year and I even find some quite boring. However what would be essential to me is if a film showed up of a complete live show via On Tour or whatever. Also a DVD Anthology much like what was done on The Beatles. We have been in the DVD phase for years now and the best we can do is Elvis by The Presleys? It is a slap in the face to this legend that a proper DVD anthology has not be done with every bit of footage available. I was finally glad to see The Sullivan shows put out as this is an important piece of TV and Elvis history. I hope The Dorsey Shows will follow. I much on my wish list but I feel the day will never come when these things will happen.
benny scott wrote on November 13, 2010
Tony C : that's exactly the way I feel and see it ! Steve : like you write : to each his own about the SBs and concerts, but I don't mind if a lot of them seem to be the same. From my point of view there is ALWAYS something different to hear ! Agreed though about the DVDs ! It really feels good to be able to exchange our personal opinion(s) without being rude or hurting somebody and using a decent language ! Always El.
Natha wrote on November 14, 2010
Benny Scott, you took the words right out of my keyboard. As usual we are in concord. Mutual respect should indeed be part and parcel of our forum here
benny scott wrote on November 19, 2010
Hi Natha and friends, thanks for the reaction Natha ! Sorry fot this somewhat late answer, but had to miss my PC for a short period due to virus-troubles ! Best regards to all. Always El.
GeertFromNl wrote on November 20, 2010
Sad to hear about you virus troubles,benny. Is it hepatitis? I wish you a speedy recovery. As for this release,i already have it and sadly it's the exact copy of Blazing Into The Darkness. The sound is the same,the artwork is better. For cover-collectors only.
benny scott wrote on November 20, 2010
Hi GeertFromHl , I really do appreciate your concern about my health, I really do !! I think I haven't been very clear about the "virus-problem" ! Thank God I'm very healthy, it was my PC which was virus-infected, not me . I should have been more specific about the problem, so, my sincere apologies my friend ! As for the CD : I missed the original release, so I'm glad I could lay my hands on this (re)release ! Have a nice weekend ! Always El.