Ciscokings’ Corner

The main advantage of the Vegas or Tahoe recordings, compared to the big arenas of Elvis’ tours, is that audience recordings rarely sound distant.

The sound quality of this CD has good clarity and it is a listenable, enjoyable recording.

Both Elvis and the TCB band can be clearly heard.

The sound balance is good and it’s great that these kinds of audience recordings display how the sound mix really was on the concert, since soundboards usually have the orchestra and backing vocals mixed too high.

In August of 1971 Elvis performed some great concerts in Vegas, and this show recorded on the midnight of August 14 is no exception.

Usually midnight shows were better than dinner shows where Elvis often needed a couple of songs to be fully awaken.

Of course a committed Elvis in high spirits also helps the listening experience a lot.

"That’s Alright" and "Proud Mary" get the concert started with a lot of power.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, my name is Johnny Cash" leads to a version of "You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me" which is a little rushed and not as good as the 1970 versions, but not bad either.

Elvis is not very talkative through the show and barely a couple of seconds separate the songs in most cases.

"You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’" is followed by "Polk Salad Annie" which still had Elvis including the narration on the intro of the song which would be removed in later years.

"Let me just walk around to catch my breath back" Elvis says and jokes with the audience for a while and the TCB band plays their usual background tune.

"Johnny B. Goode" is a great version and it is a shame that in later years the song would be used just for James Burton to show off.

It takes to 2 false starts of "It’s Over" to convince Elvis that he doesn’t want to sing it but wants to fool around with the audience which he does during all of "Love Me".

To the delight of the audience, a great set of 50`s hits follows, with "Blue Suede Shoes/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On", "Heartbreak Hotel", "Teddy Bear/ Don’t Be Cruel" (marred by a couple in the audience chatting close to the tape recorder), a great 20 second version of "Rip It Up" which makes you wonder why Elvis didn’t continue with it and "Hound Dog" preceeded by the "Sumbitch" Ed Sullivan story.

A surprising "I Need Your Lovin’ Every Day" follows and it sadly lacks the intro which it seems wasn’t recorded.

"Trying To Get To You!" requests a guy from the audience while "Suspicious Minds" is starting. This version is a tad below the previous years performances but it’s still entertaining with Elvis messing the "Oh let our love survive" segment of the song.

"I have a new record called "I’m Leaving"" says Elvis after the Band Introductions and this song is one of the highlights of the show. A great performance followed by an excellent version of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", an oldie not oftenly performed.