New
Memory Records CD
"Let
Me Be There"
Elvis'
8 February 1974 (midnight) Vegas show
Memory
Records is releasing what appears to be an audience recording
of Elvis live performances from early 1974.
Here
are excerpts from the sleeve notes of Let Me Be There:
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In
early 1974, after the indespensable rehearsal sessions,
a new Las Vegas season began on January 26 with a very
good, if somewhat sedate opening night (released in
2002 as "Something Old, Something New", Memory Records
CD MR 2028-2).
With
the exception of some short jokes, Elvis restricted
his on stage monologues to a minimum and unlike September
1973, he paid full attention to his vocal control. He
strengthened the repertoire with recent Stax Studio
recordings "Help Me" and "Spanish Eyes" in which he
added an extra "Old Mexico" verse not found in his studio
version.
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Also,
older songs i.e. "Sweet Caroline" and "You've Lost That Lovin'
Feelin'" were revived and performed on a regular basis once
again. Other “newies” included the beautiful gospel song "Why
Me Lord", sung as a duet with bass singer J. D. Sumner, and
his very favorite Olivia Newton-John tune "Let Me Be There"
where Elvis reprised the ending often due to terrific audience
response.
The
midnight concert from February 8 was chosen for this release
to illustrate the atmosphere of the season’s progression.
After three somewhat predictable opening cuts, "Trying To
Get To You" is the first excellent performance and it's nice
to hear Elvis giving a full effort to this old Sun Studio
song.
"Suspicious
Minds" is performed with the power, but the real enthusiasm
as heard in 1969 and 1970 is missed here.
"Help
Me" can be considered the very best song of the show. It's
pure joy to listen to the magic of Elvis’ voice during this
song.
Tracklisting:
01.
Also Sprach Zarathustra
02.
C. C. Rider
03.
I Got A Woman/Amen (medley)
04.
Love Me
05.
Tryin' To Get To You
06.
Sweet Caroline
07.
Love Me Tender
08.
Johnny B. Goode
09.
Hound Dog (with reprise)
10.
Fever
11.
Polk Salad Annie
12.
Killing Me Softly (by Voice)
13.
Spanish Eyes (incomplete)
14.
Why Me Lord
15.
Suspicious Minds (with false start)
16.
Band Introductions
17.
Celebrity Introductions
18.
Blueberry Hill (false start only)
19.
I Can't Stop Loving You
20.
Help Me
21.
An American Trilogy
22.
Let Me Be There (with reprise)
23.
Can't Help Falling In Love
24.
Closing Vamp. Bonus tracks (recorded in Las Vegas 27.01.1974
Dinner show)
25.
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
26.
Sweet Caroline
27.
Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On/Mama Can't Dance/Flip,
Flop And Fly/ Jailhouse Rock/Hound Dog (medley)
28.
Spanish Eyes.
(News,
Source: Elvis
Presley Fan Club Czechoslovakia/For
Elvis CD Collectors Only, 5 March 2005)
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