Elvis At The International was recorded by RCA in Stereo during Elvis Presley's triumphant 1969 engagement (August 23, 1969 - Midnight Show) at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
In August 1969 Elvis Presley was bursting with a new enthusiasm and energy. ‘In The Ghetto’ had just charted #3 in the US and Elvis needed to prove to his first Las Vegas audience that the King could reclaim his crown. RCA have already released a few CDs from this season and since Elvis rarely changed his set list during this period, do we really need another August show? The answer is an absolute, resounding, YES.
This is a brilliant CD, containing not only the best live version of ‘Suspicious Minds’ released so far but showcases Elvis Presley in fabulous voice and great humour. This is the 20th FTD release and one of their very best, If you had to choose one Elvis show that you could have witnessed then this, Aug 23rd Midnight show, would have to be near the top of your list. After hearing this I won’t be playing ‘In Person’ again!
Elvis was always on better form for the Las Vegas midnight shows (who could really enjoy performing while people ate dinner?) and there was also no deadline that he had to work to. It is obvious why RCA chose the 24th Dinner show recording for the ‘Live In Las Vegas’ box-set 69 CD as that performance was smoother and more ‘professional’ but that also made it more routine and, along with the disappointing audio mix, it also contained a lot of tape hiss. But here everything shines and even the audience response is at just the right level so you can really feel the vibe and excitement of being there.
In the same way that ‘TTWII’ captured Elvis at his professional live peak this CD perfectly captures so much more… The CD cover and inside photos are also one of FTD’s best designs so far. What more could we ask for to start the New Year? A big thanks to mixer Dennis Ferrante for his best work so far. A big thanks to Ernst, Roger & the FTD team for one of their very best.
- Review : Elvis At The International FTD CD
Elvis At The International - Elvis Presley FTD CD
Blue Suede Shoes, I Got A Woman, All Shook Up, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock/Don’t Be Cruel, Heartbreak Hotel,7) Hound Dog, Memories, Mystery Train/Tiger Man, Monologue, 11) Baby What You Want Me To Do, Runaway, Reconsider Baby, 14) Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Yesterday/Hey Jude, Introductions, In The Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, What’d I Say,Can’t Help Falling In Love
