FTD020: Elvis at the International, Las Vegas, 23 August 1969 - Elvis Presley
Bah gawd this is a fantastic live show. Elvis' return to the stage after 9 years and he is sure having fun. Suspicious Minds here is a bit more on the same pace as the studio version (unlike later versions where they basically have a challenge to see how fast they can play it). Hmmm... I need to rethink my lack of the 1969 live boxset in my collection...
Highlights: Suspicious Minds, What'd I Say, Baby What You Want Me to Do
7/10
FTD022: Studio B Nashville Outtakes 1961-64 - Elvis Presley
It is in the name. Outtakes of some of the most generic songs Elvis could have recorded in the 60s. I mean, it is all still fine and dandy, but there is not much that distinguishes anything these from the final masters.
Highlights:
6/10
FTD031: So High - Nashville 1966-68
More Nashville outtakes? I must have a whole decade's worth by now. This at least has come great gospel tracks, because I loves me some Elvis gospel numbers. But, honestly, these last couple of FTD releases have felt more like compilations with some added studio chatter and possibly better mixes.
Highlights: Too Much Monkey Business [Take 4, 10], Run On [Take 6]
7/10
FTD032: The Impossible Dream, January 1971 - Elvis Presley
This is mostly one live show, but really a compilation of live shows edited together to give the feel of a single live show from Elvis' Las Vegas shows in January 1971. Because they were likely all the same setlist. Did you know that during the dinner shows (Elvis performed twice a day - first during dinner and the second at midnight), Elvis was under contract to limit his performance to an hour so that guests would go back to blowing their money at the casino? Interesting? Possibly more interesting than this album? The performances are fine, but the recordings are pretty blah.
Highlights: Johnny B. Goode, Release Me, It's Now or Never
5/10
FTD036: Polk Salad Annie, Las Vegas, February 1970 - Elvis Presley
More Elvis in Vegas? It really should not be that surprising that there are so many live concerts from Las Vegas, because Elvis spent a bunch of his post-film career doing residencies there. And at least this is good quality. And a few songs that I don't always see in the setlist, like Kentucky Rain. Which starts off awesome, but Elvis is too busy having fun to sing a ballad without laughing. A lot of the songs are a little bit of a slower tempo, which actually improves the groove. The introductions are hilarious; Elvis tells the crowd he "can't wait for this show to be over" and then gets completely confused between a lead guitar and a piano. Oh, there is a different drummer! That's why things are much tighter - they should have replaced Ronnie with this dude. Even the rehearsals are a fun listen.
Highlights: Walk a Mile in My Shoes, In the Ghetto, Suspicious Minds
7/10
FTD053: Made In Memphis - Elvis Presley
More outtakes from the From Elvis in Memphis/Back in Memphis sessions? Nope, just a mix of outtakes that were recorded in Memphis. That's also fine by me, because that includes the Stax sessions. And then it all ends with some home recordings and Elvis reciting a heartfelt poem for his friends.
Highlights: You'll Think of Me [Take 8], Solitaire [Take 7], Bitter They Are Harder They Fall [Take 1]
6/10
FTD058: Live in Las Vegas 1969-72 - Elvis Presley
Another compilation of live tracks in Las Vegas. The 1969 stuff is seriously fantastic and Elvis' banter is at all-time hilarious high. This might be the only live version of Love Me Tender that does not involve Elvis kissing every woman in the audience. Upon further investigation, I have no idea what this album actually is... but it is great?
Highlights: Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel, Hound Dog, I Just Can't Help Believing, Suspicious Minds
8/10
"Albums" listened to so far: 640
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