A Huge Elvis Fan Is Disappointed

I have to say that I am a huge Elvis Presley fan. There will never be another performer who captures thieir audience quite like Elvis. It's easy for some people to criticize his later concerts and performances, but I can't seem to do it.



With that said, I certainly CAN criticize this poorly put together boxed set. Most people who buy boxed sets like this are people who already own a lot of the artists other albums and are big fans of the singer and/or band. You probably won't find an ordinary person off the street paying $70 for a boxed set of Elvis concerts. So, my question is this....WHY DOES BMG PUT PREVIOUSLY RELEASED CONCERTS IN THIS BOXED SET?? I already own the "On Stage" concert album. But that makes up the entire Disk 3 in this boxed set. That was dumb. I've also already heard most of the other concert performances from this box set on other albums already released. I was hoping for new concerts and unreleased material from this boxed set. I was disappointed.



How many concerts did Elvis perform in Las Vegas? HUNDREDS!! And yet they chose to put concerts we already own in this boxed set. I just don't know why we can't get some new unreleased material. Yes...I do know why. Because fans like me will still go out and buy these boxed sets because it has the name ELVIS on it. It's a big RIP OFF! And I am disappointed.



If you want some good unreleased Elvis concerts, try to find some import CD's off ebay. They are definitely worth the money! This boxed set wasn't.

Definitive Elvis Live

Throughout the '70s', Elvis released several live albums that showcased his incomparable performing skills. This 4- cd boxed set captures him in Vegas, where he gave some of his best performances for the last 8 years of his life.

Disc 1 is from 1969, when Elvis began his long - running stint at the International. Here is where you'll find electrifying live versions of "Blue Suede Shoes", "Love Me Tender", "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", "Don't Be Cruel", and others. Similarly, his vocal performances shine on "In The Ghetto" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight" (dedicated to Mrs. Parker, the Colonel's wife who was recuperating from surgery). Also included are two monologues that are very interesting and at times very funny.

Disc 2 is essnetially the same setlist as the one featured on "The That's The Way It Is" (the boxed set). But it was recorded on a different than that performance, and there are some welcome additions to the set. He gives a powerful reading of B.J. Thomas's "I Just Can't Help Believin'". Also included are strong cover versions of "Something", "You've Lost That Feelin'", and "Bridge Over Troubled Water", plus the expected hits that became all too prominent in Elvis's early shows.

Disc 3 is very good as well, its only flaw being that none of the tracks are previously unreleased. The first 15 tracks are from 1970's "On Stage". Among the highlights are "Let It Be Me", "Release Me", and his smash hit rendition of "The Wonder Of You" (# 9 in November of 1970). The rest of the tracks are from 1972, when Elvis was going through many problems with his marriage to Priscilla. That pain is documented in several of the songs featured here, such as "It's Over" and "You Gave Me A Mountain" (the latter became a highight in Elvis's mid - '70s' shows). But he also spices things up with rocking versions of "Hound Dog", "A Big Hunk O' Love" and "Little Sister"/Get Back". But the best tracks are the slower numbers, especially his stunning renditions of "The Impossible Dream" and "An American Trilogy".

Disc 4 begins in 1956. The first four tracks are from Elvis's first performance in Vegas. This was around the same time when Elvis was creating the controversy generated from his swiveling on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Milton Berle Show", so his act didn't really go over well with the older crowd. But soon the set gets back on course by covering the 1974 - 1976 seasons. These are very interesting performances because performs his more recent material and some rarely heard songs from the late '50s and early '60s'. Of the former, he barnstorms his way through top - notch versions of "If You Talk In Your Sleep", "Help Me", and "Promised Land". Of the former. he revives "Tryin' To Get To You" (this song is really great live), "My Baby Left Me" and one true Elvis classic, a tender rendition of "It's Now Or Never". He also performs scorching versions of "Burning Love" and "Big Boss Man", plus he does good cover version of "Hawaiian Wedding Song" (another staple in his latter - day shows), "Green, Green Grass Of Home", and "You're The Reason I'm Living". The final 4 tracks are really done with emotion and panache that only The King could pull off. I remember almost crying when I heard how beatifully he pulled he did "And I Love You So". I was very surprised at the inclusion of "Just Pretend". It was never one of his most popular songs, and I was sure he never performed it after 1970. But this version, from December 1975, is even better than the one featured on disc 2. Elvis's voice is very strong on this number, and is heartugging. Next comes the highlight. "How Great Thou Art" features Elvis doing what he does best. Elvis always loved gospel music, and his appreciation for it is shown fully here on this great track. Closing the album (and the set) is a gorgeous rendition of "America The Beautiful" that thus ends the most wonderful compilation of Elvis live.

This set also comes with a booklet that features an insightful essay on Elvis's career in Vegas, plus a brief summary on each disc and a wonderful collection of pictures that show Elvis in different stages of his career. This is a perfect doucment of Elvis's masterful concerts. I highly recommend for everyone.

King of rock 'n' roll? Please

The debut was classic, but Elvis got way too over his head after that. He was not and will never be the true king of rock 'n' roll. Why not give that title to someone who really deserves it, like Jerry Lee Lewis or Hasil Adkins. If you want to but an Elvis album, purchase "The Sun Sessions" or the self-titled. Forget this vegas sellout and check out some Little Richard or The Sonics for some primal rock n roll.