International recently released a book with 2CDs or should I say 2CDs in a book focusing on Elvis first engagement in Las Vegas during 1971.
Design
The design is beautiful! A 90+ pages hardcover book in a box, filled with both full color (the majority) and black and white pictures of The King on stage, backstage and on candid shots. Furthermore there are many memorabilia present to give it a finish touch. There are some pictures that are of such poor quality that I would personally have left them out, but for completeness’ sake…
The liner notes are called an essay by the produces, and rightfully so. It is well researched and a pleasant read while listening to the shows.
Both CDs are picture CDs, with a shot of E on stage.
Content
The content of the CDs that is. The first is filled with the January 28 show midnite show, previously released by Fort Baxter as Lean, Mean and Kickin’ Butt. What can I say? If the source isn’t too good it is hard to make a great sounding CD. The FB release was a bit thin sound wise, this one is very full. For that reason some songs sound better, but on some tracks – especially the songs with a lot of bass like Polk Salad Annie, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ and Suspicious Minds – it creates such a wall of sound that it gets irritating in my ears. A big pro of this first CD is that the producers the rarities of the engagement like Only Believe, Snowbird, There Goes My Everything and Make The World Go Away.
The second show (February 23, D.S.) sounds much better. It’s a bit thin in the beginning, but that’s something you get used too. Elvis’ voice is very upfront. It is understandable that By The Time I Get To Phoenix is mentioned, but it is very short… probably referring to a paternity suit. A frantic version of Mystery Train/ Tiger Man is one of the highlights in my ears and it is great to have Polk Salad slower again (and listenable because of the sound). Bridge Over Troubled Water get a nice treatment, but Elvis wasn’t as tight as in 1970 with the song. It can also be because he was having problems… he mentioned he had a flue and indeed his voice sounds a bit rough every now and then. It’s a pity that the show wasn’t complete and the producers spliced it with the January 28 D.S. (Suspicious Minds) and added The Impossible Dream from that same show to get a “complete” show.
Conclusion
The package alone is worth buying, disregarding what’s on the CDs. So it is very welcome that the second CD is more than enjoyable
Tracklisting
Disc One: January 28, 1971 Midnight show
1. 2001 Theme
2. That’s All Right
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. Introductions (Part 1)
10. Johnny B. Goode
11. Introductions (Part 2)
12. Something
13. Introductions (Part 3)
14. The Wonder Of You
15. Heartbreak Hotel
16. Blue Suede Shoes
17. Hound Dog
18. One Night
19. Teddy Bear
20. Suspicious Minds
21. Instrumental
22. The Impossible Dream
Bonus tracks
23. There Goes My Everything (Jan 27 MS)
24. Make The World Go Away (Jan 27 MS)
25. Only Believe (Jan 27 MS)
26. It’s Now Or Never (Jan 28 DS)
27. Snowbird (Jan 29 DS)
Disc 2: February 23, 1971 Dinner Show
1. 2001 Theme
2. That’s All Right
3. I Got A Woman/By The Time I Get To Phoenix
4. Love Me Tender (Intro Only)/ Love Me
5. Mystery Train/Tiger Man
6. Sweet Caroline
7. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling
8. Polk Salad Annie
9. Something
10. Johnny B. Goode
11. How Great Thou Art
12. Don’t Be Cruel
13. Heartbreak Hotel
14. Blue Suede Shoes
15. Bride Over Troubled Water
16. Little Sister/Get Back
17. Hound Dog
18. Suspicious Minds (Spliced with Jan 28 DS)
19. The Impossible Dream (Jan 28 DS)
Wow what a set. The box and book are fantastic but the best thing about this set are the shows. The sound on both is fantastic. The tapes used were obviously held by BMG so why haven't they used them? They would not have been out of place on the Live in Las Vegas set. I have heard 1971 in a different way all the earlier releases had a very flat sound which almost made the show flat but the new sound has depth and really makes you appreciate the Elvis sound of early 71. I would put it to you that his interpretation of some songs, bridge and loving feeling to name two, are better than August 1970. This set is highly recommended, the only downside is the cost. I look forward to the 27th MS of which there is a sample on disc 1.
I enjoyed the second disc very much, especially "Polk Salad Annie"; not because of Elvis, but more for the really "raw and dirtry" backing of the Sweets which really fit in this southern swamprocker. The overall sound on this disc is better than on the first disc which is too loud at moments.
I didn't buy this release because of the fact that I had disc 1 al ready..but I listened to some tracks of disc 2 on internet and it's fantastic I must say...some day I will get this show..
What I wouldn't give to hear Elvis really do a full studio version of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix"!! I guess "The Sound Of Your Cry" is as close as there is to that (and a great song in its own right).
1971 has always been a bit of a mystery. This set brings us two enjoyable shows by Elvis in very good sound quality. After all it was all that long ago we were content with poor audience recordings. The book is really amazing. Nice pictures and an interesting narrative make this a must have. I'm quite pleased with this set from Internationale..
The 'up-front' sound and Energy in Elvis's performance REALLY make this partial 23.2.71 Closing show a great one to listen too.Certainly the Best Elvis performances from this season were given during this last week of the Engagement from what i hear!~
No,..2 good shows (19.2./22.2.MS), this CS is plain average IMO, like the rest is. just listen to Las Vegas Fever Vol.1 (21.2.MS). Boring. the beginning was better, Elvis was more committed. towards the end the shows were rushed, he wanted to bring the affair to the end. he hardly talked. the shows weren`t longer than 45 minutes..
Beautiful cd box, I allready have it. Ton Bruins, I can sent you a copy if you want.
With regards to the by the time i get to phoenix excerp,i find that one thing about live Elvis recordings that i dont like,if you dont know a song then dont bother,theres many times were he starts a great song then mubbles the few words he remembers,i find this to be a bit unpro of him,do other performers do this also?
I received my copy a few days ago, and I'm totally amazed by the high quality production. The book and essay are top rate. The packaging is very sturdy (thickest cardboard I've ever seen for a book, CD combo), and the shows are very listenable. Since 1971 is the most under represented era of Elvis live, it's a real plus to have two interesting shows in my collection. In comparison to FTD's Impossible Dream, well, there is no comparison. The two shows in this collection. sound wise, are far superior to the FTD product. For those that criticize the performances, points well taken, but they are what they are. Elvis did the shows in rapid fire succession -- hardly any talking at all. Yet, the songs were performed very well. I wouldn't say Bridge surpasses anything from the year prior, but it's outstanding nonetheless. What's really cool is Impossible Dream for the closing number. It's got a lot more punch than Can't Help Falling In Love. If you can still get a copy of this, expect to pay a bundle, but you won't be disappointed.
Love to get it, but not sure how much it is going for here in the States?
Beautiful,fantastic package and very good shows! Esp. the second show is great. I'm glad to have another new soundboard from 1971. Gimme more,please! I will pay 50 euros for it,but gimme another unreleased early 70's soundboard! Esp. from 1970 and 1971. Love and peace,Erika
I saw a person selling it for 113 euro's at Ebay. I wonder if he has euro-signs in eyes..
I bought mine for 50 euros 2 weeks ago and i think it was a fair price. Not cheap,but fair. In my opinion this is far the best Elvis release of 2009 (bootleg and official included) so it's worth its price. Good job,International label! Keep them coming.
The new soundboard is awesome!!! CD1 is okay,the sound is slightly better than on the Fort Baxter cd. The package is stunning. No new pictures,but a beautiful book.
I can only speak about the one midnight show in August 1971 that I was at. It lasted 65 minutes.
Super package. Highly recommended.
I'm glad to have another unreleased show from 1971! The book is well done too,though i didn't find unseen pictures in it. Still it's worth its price because of the new show and the improved sound quality on CD1.
I have the second CD now myself..beautiful soundboard from 1971. Soundwise the best I have now..and Elvis is great too..underrated Live year 1971...
I finally had time to listen to this set last week...The second cd is absolutely AMAZING! I have a lot of shows, but this one stands out, one of my very best! He's having an awesome energy and polk salad annie rocks! What a sound, better than Boston 71. Wow, I'll never sell this beauty.
