Live In Virginia

Live

Content

2001 Theme
See See Rider
Until It's Time For You To Go
Polk Salad Annie
Love Me
All Shook Up
Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel
Are You Lonesome Tonight
I Can't Stop Loving You
Hound Dog
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Suspicious Minds
For The Good Times
Group introductions
An American Trilogy
Love Me Tender
A Big Hunk O' Love
How Great Thou Art
Sweet Sweet Spirit
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Can't Help Falling In Love
Closing Vamp

Reviews

This is a great cd containing the complete evening concert from Hampton Roads, Va on April 9, 1972. This was the featured concert from the film ELVIS ON TOUR, and according to the producer and director, it was the best show of the tour. Elvis was in great spirit and this is clearly evident from the additional footage released on the LOST PERFORMANCE video. Elvis rearranged his set for this show and the unusual format bore fantastic results.
The cd opens with "Thus Spake Zarathustra (Theme from 2001)" and drives right into a rockin "See See Rider." After this powerful start, Elvis changes gears and goes into an excellent performance of his latest single "Until It's Time For You To Go." Next up is a very dedicated effort on "Polk Salad Annie" as Elvis punctuates the lyrics with a challenging "do it to me, come on!" After catching his breath, Elvis says he'd like to do some oldies but goodies and begins with a good "Love Me" and "All Shook Up", then has Glenn Hardin start "Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel" three times so the camera crew can film the fastest piano player in the world. An off the cuff but excellent "Are You Lonesome Tonight" gets a great reaction from the audience. "Release Me" is supposed to be next but Glenn Hardin drives right into a rowdy "Can't Stop Loving You" and is rewarded by a glass of water tossed in his direction.
A good version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" follows, but Elvis will never top the June 5, 1970 studio cut.

"Suspicious Minds" has always been a highlight of Elvis' live show and this is another fine example, however Elvis is off mike during the second verse. "For The Good Times" is a song that Elvis had recorded in March 1972, but was buried after the release of the Madison Square Garden albumn. Although this is a good effort here, the studio version from the RCA 70's box set is much better. The introductions are short and to the point, leading to a strong performance of "An American Trilogy." An average version of "Love Me Tender" is followed by a really great "Big Hunk O' Love." "How Great Thou Art" is wonderfully done and it is beyond comprehension why it was not included in the ON TOUR film. J.D. Sumner and the Stamps deliver a very soulful "Sweet Sweet Spirit" and Elvis is very appreciative. A honk-tonkin "Lawdy Miss Clawdy is also very well done. I always liked the live versions from the 70's better than the 1956 studio cut. Finally, "Can't Help Falling In Love" brings this fantastic concert to a close.

This is one of Elvis' best concerts from the 70's and the sound is truly great. The rumor behind the shows from the ON TOUR film is that MGM recorded the concerts and wanted to release the soundtrack on their own label. RCA said not in this lifetime, so MGM kept the tapes. Whether this is true or not, it makes a funny story. I for one hope that concerts like this will continue to surface. Some might argue how many versions of "Love Me Tender" do you need? That's not the point. Each of these concerts is a treasure for any fan, especially if they attended the concert in question. All I can say is this is a truly great example of the early imports that started to surface around 1990 and hopefully will continue well into the future. Thanks Vicky!

Reviewed by mark d littlejohn