The latest collection of Sony/ BMG is dedicated to Elvis’ “Vegas Years”. Is it an essential release?
Design
The design is modern and consequently done. All black and white pictures have a golden touch, mostly the microphone (and its standard and wire). The liner notes by Colin Escott are a bit hard to read (especially the second page). The only information I missed was the exact show for CD 2. Only August 21, 1969 is mentioned (I don’t hear any forks or knifes, but I assume it is indeed the dinner show).
Content
In opposite to the US version the first CD has 19 tracks. “Proud Mary”, “I’ve Lost You” and “It’s Over” are added to the 16 US tracks. I still think it’s a bit strange to open a live CD with the title track, recorded in the studio 7 year before most of the other tracks. Maybe that’s just me, or a fan thing. Besides that I love the compilation, even so much I ripped the disc (except track 1) and put it on my MP3-player. The only little problem was that Windows Media Player recognized the CD as the US version, so I had to enter all titles myself...
Another little addition to the European version is a second CD. It contains the dinner show of August 21, 1969. What can I say about that? Maybe that I want them all? Even the fact that the shows do not differ very much can’t stop me from wanting that. Elvis at his very best will never bore me. Besides the casual song change the 1969 shows are very much alike. The most remarkable difference might be Hound Dog, which already got the “uh uh, hop two” treatment that it always got in later years. And... this disc too is recognized by Windows Media Player as the US version?!
By the way, the sound of both CDs is very good.
Conclusion
Most fans might want this, if only for the second CD. I’m still puzzled why there are two versions. For the casual buyer the second CD might be a bit too much maybe… even then it doesn’t make sense that the first CD has additional tracks in different countries. All I can add is that to my taste it is one of the better official products of this century, maybe even essential to those who want to explore Elvis' Las Vegas years.
Viva Las Vegas (2CD)
By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, August 08, 2007 | Music
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whetherman wrote on
August 08, 2007
As you say Lex, it doesn't actually state whether this is the DS or MS. Now I'm pretty sure that the last part of the concert is the same as was available on the boot "The Legend Lives On" along with the monologue and the band intros (Happy Birthday James)and according to Keith Flynn that is the Midnight show, so they can't both be right. What do you reckon?
whetherman wrote on
August 08, 2007
Also, Collectors Gold lists the "Surrender" and "Band intros" from this show as the Midnight show as well, so I'm inclined to think that this is actually the MS and not the DS.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on
August 08, 2007
I reckon they should hire some people who act like adults and know how to run the most famous catalog in music,and release the 2 cd set everywere,instead of us in the usa having to buy from wally world(which i loath) do they know what concert it really is,do they know the difference between a dinner and midnight show?
You Dont Know Me wrote on
August 09, 2007
This is a 'superb' release and mostly because the sound is excellent! now having listened to it first after Happy Birthday to James Burton Elvis says 'hot damm right' SAME as collectors gold (1991 release) and same as Legend lives on. later just before performing In the Ghetto Elvis says 'i'll be dammed if i sing happy birthday to him again'. Now if? correct original date was the M/S...then this is it(but track-listing doesn't match given listing in sessions III) or if its the D/S...then this show also doesn't match the track listing either..... however the fact that this version of happy birthday is exactly SAME as 'known version' and Elvis says he's not going to do it again...i guess you take your pick as if M/S then several songs were cut out and if its the D/S 1 song was either cut out or incorrectly listed? the 100% answer i cannot give based upon only a few tracks heard from the 21st August 1969 before this release!!! whatever the date though -its an excellent release, maybe i should treat this as my Oct 07' soundboard release???
jenko wrote on
August 09, 2007
i agree great sound on the 69 show i think the best show we have had from 69 by far
Dan wrote on
August 10, 2007
hey everyone, This DELUXE 2 disc edition is available for $20 at Walmart.com
2kisses&3scarfs wrote on
August 10, 2007
Thanks, Dan for the information about Walmart. I checked it out and Walmart is selling the US version without the 3 extra tracks. Amazon.com has the import version, but the track information is wrong.
JimmyCool wrote on
August 10, 2007
The sound is awesome! Better than any 1969 concert released so far (The should release an expanded "In Person" album, with this sound... the old one sounded so hissy, I thought that there were nothing to do to improve the sound, but I was wrong)
pasa-ryu wrote on
August 13, 2007
i had my copy a week ago from the excellant 'official fan club' and was blown-away with cd two of the unreleased live show from the 21st august'69..elvis sounded full of energy and seemed to be really enjoying himself!..if anyone doubts that elvis had the most charisma in the world ever..this cd finaly proves that he indeed had the best charisma in show business..possibkly the BEST live show from 1969 that i have had the pleasure to sit down and listen to!!..well done rca/sony/bmg.(it's a pity they have not released elvis' last two concerts from 1977 on cd yet!-25th june and 26th june 1977,it's about time they released on the f.t.d. lable)
Mr Jones wrote on
August 13, 2007
I will buy this one a.s.a.p. I always love What'd I say from '69, although I always skip the carreer-talk from that season.
Colonel wrote on
August 13, 2007
Awesome release, one of the best of the last decade I'd say. The '69 concert is not his strongest from that year but great to have anyway. I'd say this really works as a two-CD set and as a soundtrack. Strange that they chose not to release it this way in the US. BTW I love the sound of "In person" and wish that all '69 concerts ould have this sound. But I guess it's just different taste.
ttwiise wrote on
August 18, 2007
Awesome! I`ve nly played disc 2 but the sound is great and the show, outstanding. Possibly the best live Suspicious minds. And what`d I say is a gem
Greg Nolan wrote on
August 20, 2007
With a (mostly) unreleased '69 concert included in the two-CD version, it was a no-brainer to pick this one up. Sure, I have all of Disc One (and the "hook" of including the "Viva" title track is still a bit gimmicky to long-time fans), but it's hard to pass up unreleased Elvis material in great 2007 remastered sound. (It seems every couple of years the sound does improve, as our boy even said in '68...)
No doubt it's exploiting the catalog but they've managed to put some of Elvis' later tracks into a compilation, which probably hasn't happened enough. I saw a commericial tonight for this CD during TV Land's cable broadcast of "Aloha From Hawaii" and have to say it comes off really well. No "Hound Dog" or "Don't Be Cruel" is heard in the commercial but instead things like "Polk Salad Annie" and "I Just Can't Help Believin'," etc. On top of that, with the still photos and the TWWII footage, it's yet another blow for rehabilitating Elvis' 70's "jumpsuit" era...
Long-time fans and non-completists can safely skip this one (assuming they have the masters on disc one) and it's agreed that there is a sound-a-like aspect to the '69 shows, but many who visit a site like this one won't be disappointed by this release. To "Mature'" - I hear you- I had to descend into a Wal-Mart for the 2-CD set (yes, you can get in the USA, folks) but left rather pleased and I'm someone who normally fumes over recomplies like "Heart & Soul," "Love, Elvis," "Hitstory," etc. Overall, consider it an attractive ( if by definition flawed) combo release for long time fans and new fans alike.
bajo wrote on
September 15, 2007
Took some time for me to get this one! But, I've got it and I must admit I put on disc 2 first and was really pleasantly surprised! It's one of the best '69 live recordings by Elvis I've heard!! So while watching English top soccer football I ended up putting on disc 1 also. And I found this compilation really tastefully done. But, at first listen can somebody confirm that the february 1970 tracks are the original ON STAGE versions? It sure sounds like it to me! And if they are, it must be the first time we've had those tracks remastered!? Anyone? Great compilation CD and a must for all EP fans!!
kink56 wrote on
January 08, 2010
So why do many of the cuts from this August 21st show sound EXACTLY like the FTD release of the August 22nd DS on Live at the International Hotel disc 2?
kink56 wrote on
January 15, 2011
Some of these tracks are EXACTLY the same as the FTD International Hotel Disc 2 Aug 22nd DS. Even thought the introduction is truncated, Blue Suede Shoes is the same performance, as is the monologue. There may be more, but it gets a bit tiresome tracking down all the various recordings from this period, between the various FTD releases of complete shows (thank you) and the Silver box, Platinum box, Today Tomorrow and Forever box, Live in Las Vegas box, and Collector's Gold.