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Sittin’ On Top Of The World

By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, September 18, 2011 | Music

Gravel Road Music continues the That’s The Way It Is-series with what is Elvis’ best show, probably ever. Did we really need this show again, since BMG already released most of it?

Design

Marvelous is about the only thing I can come up with. The guitar pick is a fun extra. I was told by a real collector that it differs just enough from the original to avoid mix-up. The liner notes are interesting, song by song, with additional information like original recording dates. The only minor is that even the white text is hard to read (with my reading glasses on), the darker text is almost impossible to read (at least for me). All together I can only say this release wears the mark of the dedication of real fans.

Content

Like I said, BMG already released most of the show in their Special Edition 3CD-set. To make it fit they left some talking parts and the audience walk out. So here it is complete – again since International already did the job too, in two attempts.
The opening isn’t my piece of cake, it sounds a bit messy and I am an Elvis fan, not an Imperials fan (but thank God it isn’t a comedian). For the Elvis part of the show I’ll make it easy and repeat what we wrote on the SE-box:

More interesting for the fans is the second CD with the complete August 12th, 1970, midnight show. If you listen to it you can only conclude it's probably one of the best shows Elvis ever gave. He is full of energy, giving it all and really firing up the band backing him up. "Words" for instants sounds so great; Elvis really had much more control of his voice than in the known 1969 versions. "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", partly known but with a great reprise. We can name all 22 tracks as highlight but the entire thing is so great that you have to experience it yourself completely, believe us, when you close your eyes you really feel like being there! It only makes us longing for a boxset with all recorded concerts...

I still stand with that part and I won’t more songs since they all deserve to be mentioned. This set brings a bit more compared to BMG’s one. To be honest, I think I’ll stick with the BMG version because the completeness isn’t worth the disc-swapping to (lazy) me. The sound quality isn’t really different, although this set seems to have a bit more on the high end.

Conclusion

A great release, especially for those that don’t have previous outings of the show… If only FTD started to put the same dedication in their releases.

Tracklist

DISC 1 – A Thing Called Love / On The Other Side / Opening Theme / That’s All Right / Mystery Train - Tiger Man / Monologue / Hound Dog / Monologue / Love Me Tender / Just Pretend / Walk A Mile In My Shoes / There Goes My Everything / Words / Sweet Caroline / You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ / Polk Salad Annie / Audience Walk.

DISC 2 - Introductions / Heartbreak Hotel /One Night / Blue Suede Shoes / All Shook Up / Little Sister - Get Back / I Was The One / Love Me / Are You Lonesome Tonight / Bridge Over Troubled Water / Suspicious Minds / Can’t Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp.

 

mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on September 18, 2011
Why doesnt ftd put this kind of effort into there products? Why is the ttwii set out of print if it contains what many think is Elvis best recorded show?
Jerome wrote on September 19, 2011
please stop the whining about FTD..
drjohncarpenter0117 wrote on September 19, 2011
Good review Lex and reflect my sentiments exactly on this release,the only puzzle i had was going for the 'thicker' guitar pick or the 'thinner' one oofer with this release and yes we have 2 versions guitar-pick wise to choose from when ordering, oh what to do,what to do!!.
marco31768 wrote on September 19, 2011
FTD must to learn from Gravel Road!!!
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on September 20, 2011
Marco they never will learn,enough fans will buy inferior products.
ElvisDJ wrote on September 21, 2011
Loved the packaging, but just listened to this show and realized that the reprise to You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' is missing! So much for it being the 'complete' reel to reel tapes...a huge leftdown for me!
Orion wrote on September 21, 2011
I was on the fence when this one was announced, but I decided that I'd order one. It arrived this morning and I am so glad that I ordered it. The guitar mix on "That's All Right" is unlike any other mix I've heard of this song. The rest of the CD is also mixed in a new way, and the results are unbelievable. The entire package is flawless. This is what Elvis's best show deserved. I for one will be voting for this one in the To 10 poll. If anyone failed to order this one, they're missing out on one incredible package.
I Saw the Light wrote on September 21, 2011
Is it possible that the reprise of 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling' is missing in this 'flawless and incredible package'?
Orion wrote on September 22, 2011
I didn't bother to check and see if the reprise of 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling' is missing - If it is, it didn't detract from the show one iota, and it wasn't like there wasn't room for it on the disc - so, I don't know why it was left off - if it is. I'll check it out and let you know - until then I stand by my assertion that this is one superb release. It's far from being just a copy of the deluxe TTWII release from a few years back. I doubt any true fan will find fault with this one from GravelRoad.
benny scott wrote on September 22, 2011
Orion, here's the info about "You've lost that ..." according to Keith Flynn's list: Complete Elvis Presley Masters 21 (Sony) (Multi-Track ) / Loves Lost (Franklin Mint Comp. Masters Collection 12) (Multi-Track) / That's The Way It Is (FTD)(Multi-Track - Wrongly dated Aug. 13) / Viva Las Vegas CD1 (Multi-Track - Wrongly dated August 13) / That's The Way It Is (1970 & Box CD1) (Multi-Track) / TTWII - The Complete Works CD5 (no Reprise) / The Definitive Love Album (Multi-Track - Edited) / That's The Way It Is - Box CD2 (Multi-Track - with Reprise) / TTWII Complete Works" Free Internet Download (Different Mixes - with Reprise) / (TTWII - The Complete Works DVD2). The " Sittin' On Top..."-CD is not mentioned yet, but surely will be after a forthcoming update by Mr. Flynn . Reall great site BTW ! Always El.
Ciscoking wrote on September 22, 2011
It`s one of the best layouted releases ever..just stunning..and when you bought it you knew what to expect. so nothing to complain here..
ElvisDJ wrote on September 22, 2011
While I completely agree that this is a fantastic release, and the packaging and booklet are superb, as well as the sound, it's unfortunately not complete. Yes, to someone who has not heard the show before the exclusion of the reprise to YLTLF won't be noticed - I noticed it because it is one of the highlights of this particular show for me. The reprise is even mentioned in the booklet, yet it's not on the CD! I still love the release, as I am as much a packaging/sound collector as I am a 'new' Elvis material collector - I will buy the same stuff in a new package if the package looks really good (like Return of a Prodigy, for example), but the GR folks made a point of saying that this concert would be complete for the first time ever: "This release offers, for the first time ever, the complete one and a half hour reel of the August 12, 1970 Midnight Show in Las Vegas" It's ood, then, that the reprise to YLTLF was left off - after all, the release is spread over two discs so I doubt space constraints were an issue, and regardless of how wonderful it looks or sounds, it's incomplete when it doesn't have to be. In my opinion this is not really any different than RCA tinkering with Polk Salad Annie on "Stage Rehearsal" for example - no real reason for it to be done. Given the high quality of pervious GRM releases, I was quite surprised to find something missing from this one.
Orion wrote on September 22, 2011
As promised, I just checked and indeed a reprise is missing from this release. Notice that I said "a reprise." I may be way, way off base, but I wonder if a reprise was added to the RCA release. There's some dialogue and audience interaction on the GravelRoad release that was edited out of the RCA release, so is it possible that this reprise came from another of the August shows ? I didn't purchase the import of the complete TTWII from International, so I don't know if their version of the show has a reprise of the song. If it does, that throws my theory of an added reprise out the window, and I'm left wondering like DJ and am quite surprised to find something missing from this one. Does that make this release any less stellar ? I say slightly 9.8 out of 10.
benny scott wrote on September 22, 2011
Orion, you should have read my posting, it's all there : "TTWII, The Complete Works (International) : CD 5, NO Reprise. But TTWII, The Complete Works, Free Internet Download : WITH Reprise (and different mixes). Always El.
ElvisDJ wrote on September 22, 2011
On theTTWII Complete Works DVD set the reprise is clearly there, as is the extra dialogue you mention, Orion. The dialogue comes directly after the reprise. Why it's not on the CD is a mystery to me. If this release was indeed taken from the original master reel then I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be on there. Was it physically spliced out? I highly doubt it. I can't see retaining the Imperials and cutting out something from the middle of the show. Given that this show is out there in various formats it wouldn't have been too hard to splice it in from another source. To your point, Orion, is the reprise from another show? The video footage implies it isn't. Is it missing from the reel to reel? I would think that would be obvious to the producers at GRM. A mystery indeed.
I Saw the Light wrote on September 23, 2011
Let's be serious. Whats the point of this reissue? Bmg already published the show in glorious sound, on one cd. Now Gravelroad is reissuing this show again, on 2 cd's, with the Imperials intro and the audience walk, but without the highlight of the show, legendary reprise of You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'. One more time, what is the point of this re-release?
drjohncarpenter0117 wrote on September 23, 2011
Hey any one notice on disc 1 forth coming releases from GRM......'Hang Loose' and 'Raw Elvis'.........?
Orion wrote on September 23, 2011
Sorry Benny - I jumped right over your post - which I usually don't. I always read your thoughts and insights. Just missed it. As I said, I was just offering a possible reason why the missing reprise. It's a shame it's gone, but it doesn't make this release any less amazing to me. As someone pointed out, "it's just not complete" as it was advertised. To the question as to why it was released, all you have to do is listen to the GravelRoad version to notice the differences in the sound. For example, the applause that nearly drowns out the intro the "That's All Right" on the RCA set is not present on the GravelRoad set. We all know that RCA was famous for adding applause and screams to the end of "Bridge" on the original TTWII and on the EIC set so perhaps they did that on this set as well. I'd raher hear music than screams, so I find the GravelRoad set more appealing for that reason among others. So when you ask, what is the point of this re-release, I say it's to present the show as it was "originally" (minus the mysterious reprise) recorded without any artificial elements added.
Ciscoking wrote on September 23, 2011
Orion..fair point..this is not a bad release..as I said..I knew what to expect..and I am satisfied.I am a great fan of this "best show ever"..
benny scott wrote on September 23, 2011
Hi Orion, no harm done buddy ! Very strange indeed the reprise can't be found on any of the many released CDs containing this show, except for the TTWII 3-CD Box, Disc 2, according to Keith Flynn's site. Personally I don't have the 3-CD box, so I'm glad I still can hear it, watching DVD2 of the "TTWII The Complete Works".(Internationale). But all in all, a very nice GRM-release ! Take care . Always El.
Lefty wrote on September 24, 2011
I must agree with "i saw the light." I don't see the point of buying this show for a third time, especially when we have prior releases that are outstanding. I downloaded the free stereo version when it was everywhere to be had a couple of years ago, along with the artwork. It's fantastic. It didn't cost me a thing, which is a rarity in itself. I also have the official release. Now we find out that this new release isn't complete. Do we treat GRM with contempt as we do FTD for making untrue claims? Or do we accept the fact that some editing took place and leave it at that? Sound editing, repair, overdubs, mixing, mastering, and so forth are normal industry practices. I find it curious that some fans are against that. Maybe audience recordings are the closest thing we'll ever have to "real sound."
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on September 24, 2011
They shouldnt advertise then not come through, no they dont get a pass from me, i just use to ftd screwing things up. Again why is the ttwii box set oop? someone explain this. I actually have 2 of them,one still sealed,but were are new fans going to buy it,why is it oop?
Santa Claus wrote on September 25, 2011
If it's edited .. it' trash. No matter what it is. I'm tired of this. No more room for edited fakes in my collection. Sorry GRM. One customer less again.
I Saw the Light wrote on September 25, 2011
It's not 'a few minutes missing', we are talking about the highlight of the show missing.. IMO this cd is useless. Go and ask Cisco how much he paid for his copy..
Jerome wrote on September 27, 2011
I was thrilled with this cd, love very bit of it. Even the audience walk. It's like being there!..
Ciscoking wrote on September 30, 2011
I think we will never get a better presentation of the show as we have now..perfect..!
I Saw the Light wrote on October 01, 2011
Sorry Cisco, your credibility is questionable. Who can say that this cd is perfect if it's confirmed that the highlight of the show is missing? Pick up your act, man.
benny scott wrote on October 01, 2011
"The highlight of the show is missing" !???? What's all the fuss about ? OK, Gravel Road should not have announced this as being complete. But what's done is done. As for the missing reprise of "You've lost...." : on the 3CD-Special Edition, the song, reprise included, is 6.29 minutes long. Without the reprise it's 4.23 min. That's a difference of 2.06 min. So these 126 seconds are "the highlight of the show " ? What's so special about it ? Is Elvis' voice so incredible better and different during these 126 sec.-reprise than during the 4.23 minutes before and the other songs of the show? Don't really understand why some call this release useless or trash. If it were really THAT important, really THE highlight, then I'd like to now why it was omitted on ALL concerned CD-releases, except for Disc 2 of the 3CD-box set. It's even not included on the Sony's Complete Elvis Presley Masters. I absolutely second On Tour and Orion and regret the fact that Cisco is attacked (undeserved) again . Always El.
Ciscoking wrote on October 01, 2011
I said we would never get a better presentation..or is there something else on the way..? It has nothing to do with credibility.. .it is a statement..nothing more..
Ciscoking wrote on October 01, 2011
It`s always the same who are looking for trouble here..the admins know them.. I am sure..
Bob Finkel wrote on October 03, 2011
benny scott. Well, I don't know what kind of collector who you are, but in my opinion it is nicer to have a show complete. No matter if 126 sec. or 32 sec. or even 1 sec. is missing. The result will always be the same: THE SHOW IS NOT COMPLETE. And that's the problem with this 2 CD set. On 2 CD's GRM is not able to bring us a complete show. That is unbelievable for me!!! The sound is good, the package is also good, even the guitar pic is very nice. Elvis is in topform. But the result is always the same. It is not complete. Sorry, but GRM has not done a good job. What a shame.
I Saw the Light wrote on October 03, 2011
Ok, Benny, here we go.. Do you know what is highlight? An especially significant or interesting detail. To claim that the reprise of YLTLF, which is unique, is not the highlight of this show (together with I Was The One) is just silly. Almost as your 'Always El' note at the and of your posts. And poor Cisco, ''attacked (undeserved) again"..? Yeah, right.. Cisco will be credible when he writes an honest opinion about the cd. Good things together with the bad things. How hard is to say: “..listen guys, the lay out is beautiful, the sound is excellent and we have a couple of more details like audience walk and Imperials intro..but, unfortunately the reprise of YLTLF is missing, so the show is still not complete.”
Ciscoking wrote on October 03, 2011
listen guys, the lay out is beautiful, the sound is excellent and we have a couple of more details like audience walk and Imperials intro..but, unfortunately the reprise of YLTLF is missing, so the show is still not complete.”
I Saw the Light wrote on October 03, 2011
Now we're talking :) Sorry Cisko if I was a little bit harsh, nothing personal mate. Of course that you have your opinion, and you are well known and respected in the Elvis world.
Ciscoking wrote on October 03, 2011
I have no problem with such things..really. I own over 650 different shows and from all of them this is my all time fave. If this show had been released a year ago with the audience walk missing and now with another part probably missing and next year in another form..I would buy this third release, too..it`s MY show...that`s the point..I need everything which deals with it..
benny scott wrote on October 03, 2011
Hi Bob, nothing wrong with regretting a release is not complete (even 1 second ??) . But ok, you have every right to, after all it's a matter of personal feeling and seeing things. Some people regret it and some think ( in this case or others) it's not the end of the world, and I'm one of them. In the past, many concerts have been released with small or larger parts missing and were supplemented with parts of a show from a different date to make them look complete. One could thus say these shows were originally not complete either. I appreciate your style of writing, clearly giving your opinion without getting personal, which cannot be said of "i saw the light" . So here's to the "enlightened spirit and genius : first of all : YOU ( and maybe some others, like Elvis DJ, { who, btw, wrote a very senseful posting, and without any trace of fanatism }) consider the reprise as the highlight, and again, you have the right to, but this is still a matter of A PERSONAL vieuw , so don't you proclaim it as A FACT. Apperently it did not, even for one second , accur to you that others maybe find one or more other songs "their" highlight on this release and don't make a drama of that missing reprise. On September 25 you wrote "it has been confirmed the highlight is missing" . Confirmed by whom ? Several members wrote about the "missing REPRISE," NOT the "missing HIGHLIGHT". Once again, don't write " it's a fact".That may be your opinion but not necessarely everyone's. As for your remarks at Cisco's address : your comments like " Go and ask him how much he paid for his copy", "your credibility is questionable", " pick up your act, man" , all of a sudden "they were nothing personal mate, and you're respected in the Elvisworld "! Would be nice if , in the future,you showed that respect towards him. Your " :) Now we're talking" about Cisco writing down what you hoped he'd write for once : you really didn't get it huh ? To me it came over as someone giving a child it's wish . And last but not least : if you find my "Always El" after each of my postings silly : that's your problem , I couldn't care less. This is a private thing ! I know what Elvis' muscic did for me for my own (modest) carreer as a singer/songwriter in my country and I'll always be very, very thankful for it. So once again, if you like it or not : Always El.
I Saw the Light wrote on October 03, 2011
Benny, when I said "now we're talking :)", it meant that Cisco with his sarcastic coment made me laugh. Don't take everything literally, mate. Always El.
benny scott wrote on October 03, 2011
One cannot read someone else's mind, can't he ? Always I Saw The Light.
paisley wrote on October 04, 2011
Advertised as a complete concert? Yes. Is it a complete concert? No. Elvis repeating a part of YLTLF essential? Maybe, at least it´s very remarkable. Understandable that some Elvis and music lovers miss it? Yes. Sad discussion...
circleG wrote on October 07, 2011
Sadly the word 'complete' never means what it should in the Elvis world. I just heard this release and its great to her a fuller version of the concert, its what the 2000 box should have contained. That said, the 2000 box is far better as far as mixing and sound go. In SOTOTW you can barely hear the audience. I hope FTD release the complete ( there's that word again lol !) show one day.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on October 11, 2011
Hey ernie,why is Thats the way it is special edition out of print?
Tony C wrote on October 12, 2011
I will answer the question on behalf of Ernst. Things go out of print when they stop selling or the stocks run out and the dwindling sales do not warrant a re-print. If the "That's The Way It Is" box set had sold like hot cakes over the years it would still be available, Sony are a business. If people are interested in picking up a copy, it is still available on Amazon.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on October 14, 2011
It was also overpriced,should have been a double set instead they padded it with a useless cd and the rehearsal disc was not so great,lets face it Elvis products often leave a lot to be desired! So yes i guess sales went down,not surprisin,so i wonder what will become of the On Tours shows. Can anyone answer that for ernie cause im sure he isnt lol.
Jamie wrote on November 26, 2011
Hello, with the exceptions of a handful of gems like 'I Will Be True' and 'It's Still Here' I really can't do Elvis in the 70's. When I heard the BMG release of this show from 2000 the reprise of YLTLF was a real coup - his voice sounds fabulous but more importantly, it was a rare expression of inspired spontaneity from The King as his Vegas performances became tamer and tamer. (And what would anyone expect from him in a hotel showroom. The same hotel showroom. For years on end). The main body of YLTLF might be great in its own right, and the reprise may only last a couple of minutes. But to edit it out is to pass over a truly special moment. With regard to the cliche that this show is a career best for Elvis, absolutely no way - that would have happened on the road when he was in his his 20's or arguably at Burbank in 1968.