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The First Engagements 1969-1970

March 30, 2021 | Music

The U.K. based Memphis Recording Service announced the release of the triple CD set ‘Las Vegas International Presents Elvis - The First Engagements 1969 - 1970’ featuring a selection of tracks drawn from Elvis’ first two engagements at the Las Vegas Hilton.
From the press release: The deluxe 3-CD-set ‘Las Vegas International Presents Elvis - The First Engagements 1969 - 1970’ contains a selection of captivating performances drawn from Elvis’ first two engagements at the Las Vegas International Hotel in August 1969 and January thru February 1970.

For the first time ever, these soundboard recordings (formerly in mono) have been remastered, carefully restored, and remixed to true stereo with outstanding expertise using the most sophisticated technologies to achieve the best possible sound.

The accompanying 40-page booklet includes rare photographs and memorabilia taken during these engagements along with introductory notes. The set has May 2021 as the release date.

Tracklist

CD1 – August 1969 (exact date unknown)

1. Blue Suede Shoes
2. I Got A Woman
3. All Shook Up
4. Love Me Tender 
5. Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel
6. Heartbreak Hotel
7. Hound Dog
8. Memories
9. Mystery Train/Tiger Man
10. Monologue
11. Baby, What You Want Me to Do
12. Are You Lonesome Tonight
13. Yesterday/Hey Jude
14. Introductions
15. In the Ghetto
16. Suspicious Minds
17. What'd I Say
18. Can’t Help Falling in Love

CD2 - Opening Show - January 26th 1970

1. All Shook Up
2. That´s All Right
3. Proud Mary
4. Don´t Cry Daddy
5. (Let Me be Your) Teddy Bear/Don´t Be Cruel
6. Long Tall Sally
7. Let It Be Me
8. I Can´t Stop Loving You
9. Walk A Mile in My Shoes
10. In the Ghetto
11. True Love Travels on A Gravel Road
12. Sweet Caroline
13. Polk Salad Annie
14. Introductions
15. Kentucky Rain
16. Suspicious Minds
17. Can’t Help Falling in Love

CD 3 - Closing Show February 23rd 1970

1. Opening Vamp/All Shook Up
2. I Got A Woman
3. Long Tall Sally
4. Elvis Talks (1)
5. Don´t Cry Daddy
6. Elvis Talks (2)
7. Hound Dog
8. Love Me Tender
9. Kentucky Rain
10. Let It Be Me
11. I Can’t Stop Loving You
12. See See Rider
13. Sweet Caroline
14. Polk Salad Annie
15. Introductions
16. Lawdy Miss Clawdy
17. Heartbreak Hotel
18. Elvis Talks (3)
19. One Night
20. It´s Now or Never
21. Suspicious Minds
22. Elvis Talks (4)
23. Can´t Help Falling in Love

Bonus tracks - February 19th 1970 (Dinner Show)

24. Don´t Cry Daddy
25. Let it Be Me
26. I Can’t Stop Loving You
27. Walk a Mile in My Shoes

Source:Elvis Day By Day
Milky White Way wrote on April 01, 2021
So I would imagine the unknown date will be 3rd Aug unless anyone has any deeper knowledge. Are there other soundboards from 69 (not including RCA recordings)? I’m a sucker for Vegas 69, especially the early part of the season whilst Elvis still had a sense of nervousness. It’s all been released many times but it looks a nice package. Can they really improve the sound to stereo or is this a sales pitch?
Jonesy wrote on April 04, 2021
CD 2 and the bulk of CD 3 were officially released in 2013 on the album, "The On Stage Season".
Milky White Way wrote on April 10, 2021
Just listened to a sample and the sound is awesome. Definitely going to buy this. I never got the FTD’s as I had these concerts on tape from years ago. Time to upgrade.
GaronJesse wrote on April 11, 2021
The original recording was in mono, right? How can they make this into stereo? It's a fake stereo then, right?
Gladyslove wrote on May 04, 2021
Oh, they changed the format on this release like the one before that. Doesn´t matter I like it.