***3/4

Many of Elvis Presley's latter-day concerts were marred by overblown production, mediocre arrangements, and a decidedly slick, Vegas-like feel, but the clumsily titled "Elvis In Person At The International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada" avoids those pitfalls on most of its twelve tracks.

Backed by a fine, muscular rock n' roll band featuring guitarist James Burton, Presley and the band performs very well on songs like "All Shook Up", "Suspicious Minds", the gospel-like "Words", and a great R&B-styled "I Can't Stop Loving You" (which would have been ever better if the Imperials and the Sweet Inspirations, who provide backup vocals, would have shut up).

"My Babe" is a surprisingly good attempt at a genuine blues song (credited to "Dickson", rather than "Dixon"), but unfortunately it starts to unravel half way through.

Elvis rambles a lot during the spoken introductions, and a couple of songs are speeded up too much for their own good, causing them to lose their "groove" (an 80-second "Hound Dog" is a particularly bad example). And I've just never liked "Can't Help Falling In Love"; the melody is trite and predictable, and the lyrics are saccharine.
But most of the twelve cuts are really good, and James Burton deserves a lot of credit for his gritty lead guitar playing.
Not an essential purchase for casual fans, but a pretty good one nonethelesse.

Elvis's Short Lived Comeback Peak

The 1968 Comeback Special was too brassy and was backed by corny TV sound. But this album from the very 1st season of Elvis's engagement in Vegas August 1969 is clutch. He wasn't sure he was going to make it so he put all he had into this show. He was dressed in black, thin, tan and healthy. He had incredible energy and focus. He has vicious precison in this album. Even the old songs snap with power. He kicks tail. After this season Elvis was never the same. He returned to Vegas in February 1970 playing much more sappy music. His old hits reduced to fast medleys. But this album he cared. There is a balance of romantic songs and some kick tail rock n' roll. He's incredibly impressive and the audience is stunned by his power. This is why he was called the King. His zenith only lasted one summer. His concerts from then on would become sloppy, forgotten words, old songs run through too fast. It sounds like he's on speed. This album is the way Elvis should have stayed, on top of his game, but he didn't.
Blue Suede Shoes (Deadly Precision)
Johnny B. Goode (Played like the 1st time, High Octane)
All Shook Up (Kicks)
Are You Lonsome Tonight
Hound Dog (Slams)
Can't Stop Loving You
My Babe
Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Attack)
Words
In The Ghetto
Suspicious Minds
Can't Help Falling In Love

His Best

Yes .. these were his best performance(s), marred only by the engineers mix which is just awful. Hopefully, one day we will get more tracks from 1969, properly mixed which would make this an all time best.