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Movin’ Mobile -
(A Madison release)
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Madison is one of the best producers of quality import
CDs and this is no exception. The 12 page booklet &
sleeve is excellently designed with great photos of
Elvis looking tanned & healthy is his Silver Phoenix
suit.
This great 1975 summer tour can be encapsulated by the
simple newspaper headline “Streamlined Elvis still has
the old magic.” Elvis was in great form during this
short southern tour, in fine humour and full of energy.
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We already have several of these shows released, including
Madison’s own recent ‘Fly Trouble’, as well as RCA’s excellent
Dallas 6th June concert in the EAP box-set. Interesting to note
that shamefully RCA did not even include one photo from the
75 tour in their EAP box-set!
The real interest in this show is the pleasure of hearing
a newly released concert showing Elvis on top form & really
enjoying himself. While the tracklist and performances are
very similar to other summer 1975 concerts there are some
nice highlights.
This was the June 2nd Monday afternoon show at 4.30pm,
and you can immediately tell that Elvis is in a great mood
as soon as he jokes, “Good evening Ladies & gentlemen my name
is Johnny Cash. What is it Monday afternoon? I have never
in my life done a show on Monday afternoon! Thank you .. ..
good grief!” (This was of course a lie!) Elvis’ hearty laugh
during ‘Love Me Tender’ - when a fan tells him she’s seem
him 3 times in concert - is infectious.
Later on Elvis has a great time singing ‘Why Me Lord’
and teasing J.D. Sumner even more than usual.
At the beginning of ‘The Wonder of You’ there is a cute
moment when Elvis stops the band noting, “Just a minute, hold
it. Old Chinese proverb say, ‘Cannot sing with water in mouth’!”
– very funny. ‘Burning Love’ that follows also demonstrates
that Elvis still had burnin’ love in his soul. An excellent
version where, although he inevitably forgets some lyrics
(& amusingly “la-lass” them!), he still rocks out to a great
ending.
‘I’ll Remember You’ delights as always and Elvis’ enthusiasm
shows with ‘Let Me Be There’ getting a reprise. A real highlight
is ‘Mystery Train/Tiger Man’ where Elvis spontaneously responds
to a request, “Wanna’ hear Mystery Train? Ok, here goes”!
You can hear the crowd go wild as Elvis pulls off an energetic
performance. He’s not holding back.
Technically there are a couple of problems with this
CD. While the audio quality is excellent for a soundboard
(similar quality to other June shows, if a little “trebley”)
there were a few on-stage bass-feedback problems during the
first half. Unfortunately the show is also incomplete with
the start, as well as part of TROUBLE missing.
The final Bonus of ‘Let Me Be There’ in STEREO from March
21st 1976 is strange in that it is almost like a binaural
release. Elvis’ vocal is on the left channel only with most
of the musicians while the right channel basically contains
the drums & organ. It is still a great treat.
Verdict – If you own other June 1975 concerts
then this can’t be an essential purchase. However, the cover
design is first rate and with Elvis obviously enjoying performing
for the 10,000 strong crowd, in great form and in a happy
mood – what more could you want?
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