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An American Trilogy

CD

An American Trilogy
Rating:
3.4 / 5
Released: 2007/04/01 by FTD
This release covers Elvis’ engagement at The Las Vegas Hilton in January-February, 1972. RCA did not record entire shows, and several of the new songs Elvis had added to his shows were only recorded once.

ElvisNews review

The new FTD brings us live recordings from January/ February 1972. That’s more to my taste! Design I have nothing to complain here this time. Fitting pictures are completed with very readable text, even for my old eyes. Somehow I like the tiny Elvis on the front… Content To me 1972 was always a confusing year. Sometimes I loved live recordings from this year, and other times I though he mostly sounded like he was in a hurry… to get home or something like that. Especially with the MSG concerts (and a lot of On Tour stuff too) I had that latter feeling. Well on this disc Elvis isn’t really in a hurry… most of the time. “See See Rider” is a good version and is followed by a rockin’ “Proud Mary”. I think “Never Been To Spain” is soft, not as powerful as in NYC a couple of months later. The opposite counts for “You Gave Me A Mountain”, in which I am pretty much an exception because I never really liked it. This version is somewhat withdrawn, sensitive and not over the top like many of the later versions. The oldies “Love Me”, “All Shook Up”, “Teddy Bear/ Don’t Be Cruel” get close to the throw-away versions we all know so well by now. “Hound Dog” is a strange rendition… the bluesy part is faster than normal and the up-tempo part is slower, well, at least Elvis tried to keep it fun for himself here. “Little Sister/ Get Back” brings us to the already released tracks on this CD. Surprising was the false start (of over a minute) in “It’s Impossible”… I have to admit I never knew Elvis messed up here. “It’s Over”, “The Impossible Dream” and “A Big Hunk” are the other officially released versions on this disc. While hearing the title track “An American Trilogy” I immediately knew again why I am a fan, and why I am able to deal with the creeps in this dirty world (language area). WOW!! I really think it is the most beautiful version I’ve ever heard of this song, especially the lonesome trumpet that wanders around during the finale gave it very special touch, next to Elvis’ almost humble vocals… BI-U-TI-FULLLL!! “Can’t Help Falling In Love” got me back on earth again, but this time it doesn’t mean the end of the disc (still I don’t like the song ;-)). I cheated here and skipped back to “Trilogy” before going into the soundboard recording part of the disc: the soundboard of one of my favourite oldies “Opening Night” (Jan. 26, 1972). Obviously it is the same source as the bootleg, and I can’t say which one I like more, as a matter of fact I can: the bootleg since it is complete… Anyway, to a lot of us this is not new material, but for those who don’t know it: it is a more than fair soundboard of a pretty relaxed show with some beautiful renditions. Unfortunately one of the best versions of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” has a lot of reverb - or echo whatever you call it - which I noticed more on this disc than on the bootleg (but it is there too). Still, it is a nice way to fill up the CD to an acceptable hour, but why not more? I don’t think anyone of us minds to have a song twice on this disc (especially when compared to the Classic Album released at the same time). Conclusion Finally a FTD that will end up in my player more than a couple of times (or even just once) again… Lene Reidel didn’t really mess up this time (although I still have my doubts about the soundboard part), so it feels like we won the lottery.

Tracklisting


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Anton wrote on March 12, 2007
This should be a good release. But if from 1972, why not release the EonTour 12 concerts PLUS a DVD of all filmed material that MGM still has in vaults ... no junk with it, just our King singing on stage with perhaps some shots off-stage or rehearsals (if there were any) and let the editing be done by Jerry Schilling. He is an expert by now and knows what fans want. Don't get others (money wolves) involved, as they might claim they were also there. BMG should release a CD Box of those concerts PLUS DVD. Then we'll be talking business, EPE Mgmt !
Rating: 3 / 5
Fortunate Son wrote on March 19, 2007
It's a second FTD's soundbord from Las Vegas '72. I think it will be almost copy of "Summer Festival '72".
Rating: 2 / 5
Mystery Rider wrote on April 04, 2007
yes another FTD (For The Dopes) same songs again and again just another day another hour another pill
Rating: 1 / 5
elVis112 wrote on April 08, 2007
Guys...for tracks 1 to 17 we are not talking about soundboard recordings but multi-track recordings. These are high quality recordings just like the ones you know from '69 ("In Person", "All shook up") or '70 ("On stage", "Polk Salad Annie", "Opening Night"). Most of this material has the best sounding quality (and I am not talking about mixing here) that exists of Elvis live in Las Vegas. Just listen to the opening seconds of It's over where you can even hear people having their dinner while Elvis performs right in front of them. It is crystal clear and by no means comparable to a soundboard recording. Although personally I would have liked a compilation of more multi-track recordings (although this would have meant doubles or triples on some of the songs) I still welcome the idea to add soundboard material from the Opening Night of that season to give an overview of a the songs Elvis performed during these four weeks. This is definetly one of the FTDs I was waiting for for years... And what was rightly said on other FTD releases where people were complaining about this or that is also rightly said here: you don't like it - don't buy it! Oh and just an edit: before you start complaining you better know what you are talking about, hm?
Rating: 5 / 5
pasa-ryu wrote on April 11, 2007
i have pre-ordered this ftd cd from now dig this and i am really looking foward to owning this good live album: i cannot understand the complaints from some weird elvis fans/.
pasa-ryu wrote on April 13, 2007
i had my copy the very next day from the great 'now dig this' fan club(i pre-ordred it on their web-site)and was pleasantly surprised when i recieved it in the post in the morning..thats what i call "customer service" man!/to be honest,i was a little skepiticle about recievig this new ftd album as i assumed that it contained all previously released tracks and nothing new..i was half right!,it is a very enjoyable soundboard recording and alot better than the previous "summer festival" soundboard-which to me,was not great sounding,but a good performance from elvis..anyway,i unreservedly recommend any fan of elvis in las vegas to rush out and get this great sounding cd and a very good show from the king and well worth owning all the classsic songs on one good album,even though we have heard all or most of the live songs on it,its better having them on one good designed and sepurb sounding show..10/10.
Mofoca22 wrote on June 28, 2007
not the best live recordings of elvis there is but still a great cd. i wish they would put mor 1971 stuff out ther ethough.
Rating: 4 / 5
JimmyCool wrote on July 26, 2007
Although it isn't the best FTD released, it's very enjoyable. We had many of these songs before, but this time we don't have that home-made mix between one song and the next. I think these live tracks have been speeded up a little bit, because Elvis sounds in a higher voice.
Rating: 4 / 5
Sirbalkan wrote on December 17, 2009
Buy it before it's too late. The sound is amazing! as Elvis himself.. ;)
Rating: 5 / 5