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Summer Festival

October 07, 2005 | Music
The latest outing on FTD is a soundboard from August 1972. Let’s have a closer look and listen.

Design

The design is simple but tasteful, with some nice shots of our man, memorabilia and the Hilton. The only minor is that the decoration font is also used on the detailed tracklist inside, which makes it not very clear to read. Of course the songtitles gave no problems, we recognize them, but we spent more than a few seconds to figure out that there was a dropout during the closing of the main show. Well, at least we made it before we actually heard it.

Content

The show is certainly not bad. At several songs Elvis really gave it a try: “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me”, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”, “What Now My Love” and even “Until It’s Time for You To Go” still seemed to ignite something in the king. Unfortunately it was not enough to hide the fact that Elvis really got bored in Vegas at this time. The show as a whole lacks the vitality of what Elvis did on tours often, even a couple of more years later.
The sound is bearable, pretty “thin” overall. When E pumps up the volume in his finales, it almost becomes ear-aching.

Conclusion

Not a must have, unless you are a completist. This escape might be interesting for those who are not into bootlegs or just missed the releases from this engagement like “Blazing Into The Darkness” or “I’ll Remember You”, to name a couple.

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Ton Bruins wrote on October 08, 2005
That is what I was afraid for when this release was announced. A bored Elvis in Las Vegas once again. Especially in August 1972 when Elvis had a troubled mind...The bootleg "Blazing Into The Darkness" was boring too in my opinion. We need more soundboards from Elvis on the road when he was much more inspired most of the time. But we are collectors aren't we...and we love the FTD label (which I do) but until now I skipped this one and when I read this review I am right to do so...or....?
Lex wrote on October 08, 2005
Contentwise and soundwise for sure, but for the collection I bought it. I wonder though, if I'll keep FTD complete in the future. I'm totally not waiting for an extended "Something for Everybody" and those albums of which we have all the decent outtakes on earlier FTDs or Essential Elvis already...
Rob Wanders wrote on October 09, 2005
I'm rather dissapointed about the new FTD. I hoped for a wonderfull concert from the period inbetween Madison and Hawaii, but Elvis was indeed bored. Bought it also for a maybe beautiful alternative of What now my love, but Elvis has to make some remarks again in the song, so I'll stick to the 2 Aloha-versions. The only surprise was the Tiger man, (without the Mystery train)but that last for only 18 seconds. Untill today I bought all the FTD's but I think I will pass the next time when there is another live concert coming. I think we have the best concerts already. Now hoping for outtakes from 1971 (not the xmas songs), what happened to songs like: early morning rain, We can make the morning, Love me love the life I lead, Fools rush in etc? Needless to say I'm still very grateful for the work the FTD label is doing. You can't please them all, always, can you?
Tony D. wrote on October 09, 2005
I think we have had so much material of this nature that we are becoming complacent. I'm glad to have this material and I'm sure that all our requests will be met before too long. Long live FTD. By the way, any news on Ernst's health?
Ton Bruins wrote on October 09, 2005
I don't think we have the best concerts already. There are concerts out there on soundboard were Elvis is on his best. July 1975 for example or a concert from the december 1976 tour. What we don't need anymore are concerts in Las Vegas. Outtakes from 1971 is a good idea also. And what we need most is Elvis On Tour on DVD or Elvis In Concert 1977 on DVD. That would make me very happy !
Rob Wanders wrote on October 09, 2005
Hi Ton, You are right about Elvis in concert and On Tour on DVD. And what about about the soundboard of june 26th 1977? I heard it should be there.
dismas wrote on October 09, 2005
I haven't received my copy of Summer Festival as yet, so I can't really comment on its contents. I ordered it totally on blind faith, having already purchased every other FTD disc released so far. But if the Elvis-bored-in-Vegas comments prove to be true to my ears as well, I'm gonna have to start reappraising the idea of buying every single FTD release. The bored Elvis era really rankles me, rankles to the point that I get pissed at the King, actually. Why didn't he change the set list, the jumpsuit look, the band, the back-up singers, the entire formula if he was so sick of it? Why didn't he challenge himself (and his audience) by taking on new approaches and different material? I saw him in concert several times over the years (1971-76), and I know that I and many other fans I talked to back in the day would have loved to see a newer, updated version of his stage show. But like the recurring rumors of new movie and television deals, new recording projects, possible European and Japanese tours and Broadway deals, it simply never happened. Instead, the same old grind and a disinterested Elvis growing more and more bored and depressed. And as much as I tend to blame everyone around him -- and convenient scapegoat Colonel Tom Parker, in particular -- when you get right down to it, it was his show, his career, his life to win or lose, wasn't it?
Vital Pluymers wrote on October 10, 2005
I personally don't think that Elvis sounds so bored during this show. Actually I think the show is quite OK. On the other hand, the sound is really awful. I had to adjust the volume button almost every song. During the ending of 'What Now my Love', my speakers almost crashed. But twenty seconds later I was hardly able to hear the first verse of 'Fever'. The whole CD is like that. I guess that this is not the best possible sound level that could be achieved here.
Ton Bruins wrote on October 12, 2005
Rob, I know for sure that there is a soundboard from his latest show. Also I know that there is a soundboard from the famous Pittsburgh 31 december 1976 show, allthough I heard that the soundboard is not quitte complete and that the person who owns it asks too much money for it.
Pachakuti! wrote on October 14, 2005
Well, it's the same old story again: pro's and contra's to be considered here. The latest FTD release gives us a show from August 1972 - a very different appearance than the Elvis of '69 or '70 who could sing You Anin't Nuthin' but a ... the rougher way. It is all of course my subjective opinion, but I think that Elvis in '72 has to offer something. There is this incredible pathos - Elvis is trying to develop a new sound during this time, wanting to be recognized intellectually - his approach is for the bigger ballads and less for rockers. Let's not forget that Elvis was having difficulties at the time and that he was a human being, seeking to avoid pain and enjoy pleasure..! I would like to see more FTD releases, though. There is a lot of interesting material from 1971 - I do like the folk songs, but I also appreciate the X-mas recordings from this year (they're among my favourites). I pray that someday soundboards may be released with shows from July '75, December '76 (there was also a good show in Wichita and of course the New Year's Show). I've also seen a photograph of the soundboard recording of June the 26th of '77, so this one may be out there as well.
You Dont Know Me wrote on October 23, 2005
I feel this 'Summer Festival' is a simply great CD from FTD 29 tracks giving 73 minutes of listening pleasure in good sound. Performances sung well and only 2 tracks heard on soundboard before.A very pleasurable release and highly representative of his August 1972 repertore