'ELVIS: Opening Night 1972'

Elvis’ Las Vegas season 6 ran from January 26th through February 23rd, 1972. Elvis was in great shape both physically and vocally, and he was once again serious about performing. In 1972 Elvis seemed keen to keep his set-lists refreshed and so on Opening Night January 26 1972 Elvis premiered 'You Gave Me A Mountain', 'Never Been To Spain', 'A Big Hunk O'Love' and 'An American Trilogy' as well as using 'See See Rider' for the first time as his opening number. The accompanying 20-page booklet includes photographs and memorabilia plus introductory notes.   EIN's Piers Beagley provides an in-depth review of this recent MRS release

The Package
Again this MRS set is presented as a slim Book / CD combo with its 20 pages featuring a good selection of Elvis at the Hilton during this January '72 season - including Elvis first wearing his blue "owl" suit - plus some fun memorabilia. The photos of Elvis trying on his new jumpsuits with Col Parker in his Las Vegas suite are an interesting oddity, while the use of Elvis trying on his red jumpsuit for the front cover is a great idea. Elvis looked so odd in this pose in his lounge-room but it works a treat as a (fake) "on-stage" photo.

Audio: This soundboard cassette on previous releases has sounded very thin, lacking bass - with hardly any Jerry Scheff - and “tinny”. Here MRS have employed the latest technology to vastly improve the audio and the results are amazing. Whereas the previous versions – including FTD – sounded as if they were recorded down an old 3KHz phone-line, now the concert has a real power, excellent bass line and is in “newly created” stereo. It is very, very, impressive.

This version (bar the occasional cassette peak distortion) sounds close to RCA multi-track quality.

The added reverb also gives the ambience of the performance a large “arena feel” and while it doesn’t sound like the more intimate Las Vegas Hilton showroom, to me, a brand new set-list like this deserves a big arena sound.

Concert Review
The original cassette missed out the first few minutes so now a newly spliced ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ and ‘See See Rider’ get the show off to a powerful start. Jerry Scheff’s bass and Ronnie Tutt’s drums power the rhythm section with the nice stereo effect of James Burton (right channel) and Glen D Hardin’s piano.

The new “stereo” mix also emphasises the excitement of the crowd.

‘Proud Mary’ was another excellent intro song - Elvis was working hard together with the backing vocalists along with his musicians and they sure were giving back. Listen out for Elvis’ karate action “Yeah, hah” at 01.13.

The first premiere for the night was ‘Never Been To Spain’ and while the Elvis and the backing vocals slip up at points it’s a very fine first live version.

Elvis introduces himself as “my name is Howard Hughes. I went to Nassau and had my body re-built”.

The next important premiere, "a song by Frankie Laine” ‘You Gave Me A Mountain’ is performed at a comparatively slow tempo and without the OTT vocals of later versions. Sung very gently, with a tender vibrato to his voice, the lyrics impart a real emotion of lost love. Worth noting that this was the very first performance of a song that Elvis would perform right up to his final June 26 1977 performance.

“I have a new record that goes like this” Elvis introduces his new single ‘Until It's Time For You To Go’. Another first and again a beautifully tender version, the “stereo” string section – solo violin- and backing-vocals create a marvellously pleading quality.

Upping the pace Elvis rocks into an excellent 1972 ‘Polk Salad Annie’ and it rocks out as the new MRS remaster adds the Jerry Scheff funky-bass that was missing in all previous releases.

The usual “Oldies but goodies” are next. A slow paced ‘Love Me’ is followed by a fine ‘Little Sister /Get Back’ including a lengthy James Burton guitar-solo between the two songs where Elvis sounds like he’s enjoying the show and being distracted by his adoring fans. “Now you got it” Elvis notes to James Burton at the next solo spot!

‘All Shook Up’, ‘Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel’ are ripped through while a fine ‘One Night’ – for some reason not performed during the 'Elvis On Tour' concerts – follows.

“Lord God, have Mercy” and a typical 1972 slow-fast ‘Hound Dog’ is next - "….it's an old hound dog!” Elvis jokes during the slow section. A lengthy James Burton solo pushes it to a longer than usual version.

Next is the brilliant live premiere of ‘A Big Hunk O'Love’ and the band rock out - “piano, piano… go for it Jerry Lee” says Elvis to Glen D Hardin. Elvis sounds enthused by playing this live for the very first time. One of Elvis’ very best live versions, the stereo ambiance also makes this pump – play it loud through speakers.

‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ is fabulous and heartfelt. The new “stereo” helps open up the emotion of the lyrics and the gentle drums (left) along with swirling violins are beautifully placed. It’s obvious that Elvis has plenty of energy at these Opening shows. The crowd give it the ovation it deserves.

‘Lawdy, Miss Clawdy’ is another great performance where Elvis’ enjoyment is palpable. Elvis should have kept this in his set-list more over the final years.

The real revelation of the night was the premiere of ‘An American Trilogy’. It is an incredibly moving version, very carefully sung by Elvis and with more sensitivity than later versions. The quietness of the ‘All my trials’ section is stunning – and the openness of the “stereo” ambiance sublime. Quite extraordinary for the very first live version. Once again the audience explode with appreciation – Imagine hearing Elvis sing this for the very first time!

Elvis’ introductions are short and sweet and this time uses an instrumental version of ‘Never Been To Spain’ as the backing music.

The premiere of ‘I'll Remember You’ follows where beforehand Charlie Hodge has to “bring up the charts” to help everyone with the new song. Again this is a fabulous first version, very carefully and tenderly sung. For some reason Elvis appeared to drop this beautiful song from his regular set-lists until his later June Madison Square Garden concerts. There is certainly no sign of it during his “Elvis On Tour” recordings.

A crowd-pleasing ‘Suspicious Minds’ .. “tough way to make a living, … I’ll never, never, never lie to you” follows. Elvis is still putting in some serious effort and enjoyment to this classic in early 1972 and it’s a superior version with great, extended Ronnie Tutt ending.

An exhausted Elvis notes, “OK, You’re fantastic” and thanks Sammy Davis Jnr as well as comedian Red Skelton for being there as he cruises through the closing ‘Can't Help Falling In Love’.

Fans who enjoy the newly released "Elvis On Tour" concerts really need to hear this upgrade of Elvis' 1972 Opening show. One of the best MRS releases of all-time.

Overall Verdict: While a large number of fans think that Elvis started losing inspiration and impetus after the power-year of 1970, his rejuvenation of his first live performances in 1972 demonstrate another more positive aspect. Introducing the new songs 'You Gave Me A Mountain', ‘I'll Remember You’ , 'A Big Hunk O'Love' and the brilliant 'An American Trilogy' would enrich Elvis’ live shows for the rest of his career. So while I have listened to the bootleg recording multiple times before, as you can tell, I have never ever truly enjoyed this concert or appreciated its importance until this sensational MRS audio Remaster. Elvis was in superb form and this set-list is one of his best. If the MRS “Studio D” engineer can recreate this beauty from such an average sounding cassette tape I cannot wait for more…

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Please note that the low-res personal scans used in this review do not show the true quality of the images. 

Visit the official Memphis Recording Service site

Review by Piers Beagley.
-Copyright EIN February 2023
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.

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CD TRACKLIST 26 January 1972 Opening Night – Las Vegas. 01 - Also Sprach Zarathustra 02 - See See Rider 03 - Proud Mary 04 - Never Been to Spain 05 - You Gave Me A Mountain 06 - Until It's Time for You to Go 07 - Polk Salad Annie 08 - Love Me 09 - Little Sister/Get Back 10 - All Shook Up 11 - Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel 12 - One Night 13 - Hound Dog 14 - A Big Hunk O' Love 15 - Bridge Over Troubled Water 16 - Lawdy Miss Clawdy 17 - An American Trilogy 18 – Introductions 19 - I'll Remember You 20 - Suspicious Minds 21 - Can't Help Falling in Love

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MRS 'Elvis: Mono To Stereo 1956' CD Review: At the end of last year the UK based MRS label released their Double CD/ Book 'Elvis: Mono To Stereo - The Complete RCA Studio Masters 1956'. The set contains the complete 1956 RCA studio master recordings in mono and (DES extracted) stereo versions. These were thirty classic RCA recordings that would help change the future of popular music. The accompanying 20-page booklet includes photographs and memorabilia plus introductory notes. While 'DES Stereo' remastering can sometimes reveal new details about classic MONO studio recordings, trying to create believable stereo from echoey mono masters is not that easy, even when using "highly advanced sound processing techniques". Can classic mono tracks such as 'Hound Dog', 'Don't Be Cruel', 'My Baby Left Me' and 'Heartbreak Hotel' really sound better in DES stereo? EIN's Piers Beagley put on some good quality headphones to provide an in-depth review of this recent MRS release. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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MRS presents 'ELVIS: September 1970' in-depth Review: MRS's new 2CD deluxe set features a new previously unreleased soundboard from 2nd September 1970 and a bonus CD that covers the final rehearsals at the International Hotel on August 10th before the start of the summer festival. In September 1970 Elvis was still excited to be back on stage and performing for his fans. Newspaper reviews of his concerts wrote about the excitement and fun Elvis was having back on-stage. This brand-new previously unknown concert captures Elvis feeling 'loose-as-a-goose' yet still performing with a real intensity. His live versions of ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' were truly exceptional this evening. The accompanying 40-page booklet of the CD deluxe includes rare photographs and memorabilia taken during these engagements along with introductory notes. EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new collection and enjoy a hilarious ride-with-the-king. (CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Summer Festival 1970: The Rehearsals' In-Depth Review: MRS's new triple-CD set 'Summer Festival 1970: The Rehearsals' was released last month. The CDs contain rehearsal highlights from one of the most memorable periods in Elvis’ career - his captivating performances at The International Hotel Las Vegas in the summer of 1970. With remastered audio and accompanying 40-page booklet the package is aimed at the general public, plus Elvis collectors who could not afford last year's FTD fan club deluxe release. Elvis’ glorious rehearsals on 24 July at RCA studios are the real key to this release. Twenty seven classic performances and with Elvis not only rehearsing the familiar songs we would all come to know from the MGM movie but also songs he would never perform on stage. EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new collection and discover some neat surprises along the way. (CD REviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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MRS 'Elvis:Back In Living Stereo' in-depth Review: The new MRS set contains 6CDs of essential 1960-1962 master recordings, plus rare alternate outtakes - including plenty of officially unreleased material - and all of the personal home recordings Elvis made during the 1960s. The 100 page book, with text from Gordon Minto, includes rare unpublished documents and photographs, supported by a comprehensive text discussing each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1960-62. Musically the packed cds - over seven hours - present a stunning look at Elvis recording in the early sixties before the shine wore off. The "Master" sessions nicely contrast with the looser "Outtakes" discs and with Elvis getting even more uninhibited on the Home Recordings. - Very unihibited with a certain Nancy Sharpe! But with so much thrown into the mix, and some tracks in poor audio quality, have MRS packed "Too Much" into the one release. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley check out the positives and negatives in their in-depth review. (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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'Elvis - Made In Germany’ In-Depth Review: The new MRS 'Elvis - Made In Germany – The Complete Private Recordings’ 4CD set contains more than 3 hours of the private recordings Elvis made while off duty in Germany when he was serving as a soldier in the US army during the 1958 -1960 period and, includes rare tracks from a recently discovered tape comprising over an hour of unheard personal recordings. The 152-page hardback book contains rare photographs and documents plus a comprehensive text provided by Gordon Minto, which discusses each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1957-58, before focusing on the private recordings he made in Germany. The BONUS CD features the essential RCA studio masters from 1957-58. With such an expansive book, along with hours of Elvis jamming with his friends in Germany, there is plenty to discuss as well as finding out what extra material this set contains over the official releases. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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EIN's reviews of other MRS releases:

The Complete 50s Movie Masters Session Recordings

Elvis Studio Sessions '56 The Complete Recordings

The Complete Works 1953-1955

Elvis On Television 1956-1960

Elvis Live in the 50s The Complete Concert Recordings

Off Duty with Private Presley

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley

Memphis Recording Service Volume 2 'The Rise of Elvis Presley' 1955

Memphis Recording Service Volume 1 'The Beginning of Elvis Presley' 1953-1954

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'The Complete ‘50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' In-Depth Review: This MRS 'The Complete ‘50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' 5CD/Book combo pays tribute to Elvis Presley’s complete music recordings made for his movies during the 1950s. The 5CDs contain the complete works of the master and session studio recordings made for each of Elvis’ movies during the 1950s, and all tracks have been remastered. The 200-page book focuses on each of the recording sessions held for the four motion pictures made between August 1956 and March 1958. The comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and documentation. So what surprises will collectors discover in this new set, what is in this new collection that FTD have missed and how good will the audio sound. Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release (Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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‘ELVIS: Studio Sessions 1956' In-Depth Review: MRS newest release, a massive 3CD/172 page book compilation "Elvis Studio Sessions ‘56 The Complete Recordings". The 172-page book, with text by Gordon Minto, focuses on each of Elvis’ studio recording sessions during his first year of national stardom - from the first one in January, held in Nashville, then later in New York, before finishing his final session of the year in Hollywood in September. The full and comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and pieces of documentation. The 3CDs contain the complete archival master and session studio recordings of Elvis Presley from 1956, along with bonus interviews. All 90 tracks have been remastered and restored. Also for the first time on CD is the complete ‘The Truth About Me’ from an original US 45rpm flexi-disc. Also included are all the out-takes from this interview. Once again MRS release a first putting all of Elvis' key 1956 Studio Session masters onto one disc, with the addition of two other fully-packed cds of 1956 material and a stunning 172 page book. But what does this set offer over other previous releases Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new volume from MRS to find what is on offer. Includes stunning example photos & a detailed audio investigation. (Book Review: Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

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