Here I Come... (CD - PA, 2001)

Title:

Here I Come...

Label:

PA [---]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

23

Running time:

60:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2001

Recording date:

November 15, 1971

Release date:

2001

Singles:

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Here I Come... was a bootleg CD released by PA in 2001. It covers the November 15, 1971 concert in Kansas City, Missouri. The work is currently out of print.

1971 started off with good signs for Elvis, although there were doubts in the air. Elvis turned 36 amid the success of "Elvis Country", released on January 2, and was enjoying his last three weeks of vacation before returning to the stage on the 26th in Las Vegas.

But even if the season turned out to be fantastic, bringing many new songs to the repertoire, his enthusiasm was clearly lower than the previous year. Elvis would go to RCA Studio B in Nashville on March 15 and then be out for exactly 2 months, returning to the studio almost forced to finish the second leg of his Nashville Mareathon, which began in June 1970.

Facts about his personal life, such as the constant fights with Priscilla, also bothered him. Everything conspired to make the enthusiasm that had been revived in 1969 slowly fade away.

In the midst of this, Felton Jarvis was tasked with getting Elvis to record a Christmas LP in the middle of May. RCA even allowed Studio B to be decorated with Christmas motifs, including a giant tree, to create a festive atmosphere, but there was a missing spark that had been there in that same studio in June 1970 and now seemed to have gone out.

The July season in Lake Tahoe, the first in the city, brought him several excellent shows, despite his eye problems (glaucoma was already starting to bother him), but not enough to make him forget that he was still in the middle of the Nevada desert. This feeling of dissatisfaction with Las Vegas continued into the August/September season, which was even less enthusiastic than the January/February season. The year that had started on an optimistic note ended with no recording sessions and not many shows.

November 1971 would prove that Elvis' problem was the routine of studio recordings and repeated performances in Las Vegas. While the best concerts of the post-1969 era undoubtedly occurred in the summers of that year and 1970, November 1971 stands out for the dynamics of the performances. The concert on the 10th in Boston, released by FTD in 2010 as "Boston Garden '71", would be the best showcase of this spectacular tour, but Kansas would also host a fantastic show on the 15th.

At this late 1971, Elvis still has some of the fire of 1969 and 1970 in him, as opposed to the subdued performances of early 1972. He interacts with the crowd and apparently still enjoys himself, while early the following year the singer seems to make light of both. The November 15 performance, which occurred one day before the end of the last tour of 1971 and is the subject of this post, is also the last of that year to have audio available.

Below is our review of this CD.

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- 1. That's All Right: The tape begins with Elvis on stage and approaching the microphone. The audio is very poor and seems distant, either due to acoustic or physical issues. The version of the 1954 hit is standard, but well done.

- 2. I Got a Woman / Amen: The beginning part of the medley was cut on this release, probably due to distortion issues. JD does an excellent dive bomb and the song ends in style.

- 3. Proud Mary: As usual in 1971, Elvis doesn't give the band time to cool down and goes straight into the music. The performance is great and this is evidenced by the excitement of the fans.

- 4. Love Me Tender: Elvis thanks everyone for being there and jokes around with the audience. The 1956 hit is performed in a standard way and brings the first moment of direct interaction with the crazy fans.

- 5. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me: The 1970 recording gets the audience going. Elvis sings with a strong voice and in a sensational way.

- 6. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin': It's a shame that the audio quality and the fans' chatter get in the way when trying to listen to this magnificent song. Despite this, Elvis sounds focused and giving his best throughout the rendition.

- 7. Polk Salad Annie: Like the one heard at the November 10, 1971 Boston show, this is another exceptional version in which Elvis skillfully uses his voice and pelvic thrusts to work the crowd - especially the women - into a frenzy.

- 8. Love Me: Elvis catches his breath for a moment and interacts with the audience as the band plays "Coming Back Home, Baby". After recounting how Ed Sullivan hated him on his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956, the singer performs a standard version of his hit.

- 9. Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis doesn't sound interested in this rendition, but it's still pretty good.

- 10. Blue Suede Shoes: Unlike the previous song, here he is fully animated. It is a fast version, but very well done.

- 11. It's Now or Never: The audience goes almost completely silent as Elvis begins to perform this then-rare 1960 hit. The version sounds practically identical to the studio recording and surprisingly already features elements that we would hear in the 1977 renditions.

- 12. One Night: Rare in 1971, this is another one that is almost like the original 1958 recording, but performed at a faster tempo and with bluesy overtones.

- 13. Are You Lonesome Tonight: Fans are once again going crazy with the possibility of winning a scarf or simply getting close to the stage to hear this excellent rendition of the 1960 classic.

- 14. Hound Dog: Starting off slow and exploding into a ferocious rocker, this version of the 1956 hit is performed at a faster tempo and with much more energy than we'd become accustomed to hearing from 1972 onwards. James Burton's solo is delightful.

- 15. How Great Thou Art: Elvis introduces JD Sumner and The Stamps, inviting them to sing with him the Gospel song that won him a Grammy in 1967. The singer's powerful voice echoes through the auditorium as he demonstrates his adoration for sacred music. The ending is phenomenal.

- 16. Introductions: Elvis again introduces JD and The Stamps and proceeds with introducting The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland, James Burton, John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, Glen Hardin, Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and the town orchestra.

- 17. Lawdy Miss Clawdy: Although slower paced than we were used to hearing in 1972, the 1956 recording is well executed and has a nice ending.

- 18. Bridge Over Troubled Water:What follows is a magical and powerful moment in the show. Elvis is in love in this rendition, dominating the music and the audience. The crowd applauds wildly and he delivers a rare and lovely reprise of the final part.

- 19. It's Over: Still rare in 1971, having been introduced in July, the song brings the audience into silent worship. The powerful rendition makes it clear why.

- 20. I Can't Stop Loving You: Without hesitation, Elvis keeps his energy level high. The rendition is standard and Elvis is paying a lot of attention to the fans, judging by the way they scream desperately.

- 21. Suspicious Minds: This showstopper really gets the crowd going. Elvis sings amazingly and being able to hear James' guitar work and Ronnie's drums helps create a different feel. It's an explosive version with a great ending.

- 22. Funny How Time Slips Away (Incomplete): Elvis interacts with the audience and gives his standard speech about "turning the house lights up". Unfortunately, only a few seconds of the rendition are heard before an abrupt cut.

- 23. Can't Help Falling in Love (Incomplete): Only a few seconds-long snippets are heard.