EAP Index World: Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden (Single/LP

Title:

Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden

Label:

RCA Victor [LSP 4776]

Format:

Number of tracks:

Running time:

53:00

Linked to:

Official discography

Year:

1972

Recorded:

June 10, 1972 ES

Released:

June 18, 1972

Singles:

"An American Trilogy / The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (Apr/04/1972)

Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden is Elvis' 81st LP and 185th audio work (including singles and EPs). It contains the complete 8:30 pm show on June 10, 1972 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the penultimate of only four Elvis performances in that city in the 1970s.

1972 had arrived and Elvis had left behind some of the enthusiasm that had permeated the first three years of his return to the stage and serious recording. Priscilla had filed for divorce in December of the previous year and his personal life was beginning to weigh heavily on his work. The success of his early albums between 1969 and 1971 still echoed, but the end of the excellent material recorded at American Sound Studio and the "Nashville Marathon" at RCA Studio B brought times of difficult transitions.

At the beginning of the year, "Elvis Now" and "He Touched Me" would close the unreleased releases; there would be leftovers from recording sessions and re-releases irrelevant to RCA, as in the case of the budget album "Elvis Sings Hits From His Movies, Volume 1", released on May 31 of that year, which in addition to deceiving fans with a title that did not match with the status of most of the songs featured on the album, it didn't add anything to Elvis' career.

On stage, however, everything was going from good to better. Shows were still sold out and Elvis now had contracts for specials (among them "Aloha From Hawaii", which was originally to be broadcast on November 18, 1972) that would change the course of his career to something more meteoric, but some concepts for works were having difficulties in RCA.

Recordings made live in Las Vegas in February would be the target of the LP "An American Trilogy", which for unknown reasons did not get off the ground; between March and April, MGM filmed Elvis rehearsals and concerts in some cities for the upcoming documentary "Standing Room Only", which would also get an album with that title, but for some reason the idea was abandoned and the cinematic special renamed to "Elvis On Tour" even with the graphic arts already prepared and the song list, which would include "Always On My Mind" and "Separate Ways", defined.

In June, Elvis would perform for the first time in New York, at the famous Madison Square Garden. There would be four shows between the 9th and 11th of that month, with RCA recording the two concerts on June 10th for possible future releases. There was also the presence of professional cameras, probably from MGM, pointing out that the performances from that day might be included in the next documentary.

A populous city in its own right, New York was impassable in those days, full of fans from all over the United States and the world who would help break a record never before achieved: Maximum capacity at all four shows. In all its history, Madison Square Garden had never received 80,000 people to see a single artist.

With both shows in hand, RCA had to decide whether to release them in full on a double album or each as their own solo record or combine parts of each other to create a third show. After some deliberation, and with the Colonel banning a double album due to the extra expenses it would have, RCA decided to edit and release the 8:30 pm concert on July 10, 1972 as Elvis' next LP, largely because the audio captured was much higher than the 2:30 pm performance.

While this is reason enough for a logical choice, it missed rare renditions that were only made at the afternoon show, such as "Until it's Time For You to Go" and "Reconsider Baby".

At the beginning of the LP we have "Also Sprach Zarathustra", which would be heard for the first time on an Elvis record, followed by an explosive "That's All Right" that normally opened his shows since August 1970. Creedence Clearwater Revival's success "Proud Mary", also present in the performances for two years, continued to electrify the audience of 20,000 screaming fans. "Never Been to Spain" had been added earlier that year and was always welcome, as were "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" in the sequence.

It is a pity that "Burning Love" was not included in the setlist of the shows in New York, but "Polk Salad Annie", which appears displaced from its natural position before the band's performance, fulfills the role of being a heavier rock that gives Elvis the opportunity to show off his karate chops and pelvic thrusts that drove women so crazy.

Elvis opens the 1950s hits medley with "Love Me," which draws a standing ovation followed by general hysteria from the audience. "All Shook Up" runs faster than usual, as does "Heartbreak Hotel" and the "Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel" medley, which pulls off "Love Me Tender" and the scarf and kisses distribution session to the crazed fans. Then a touching version of "The Impossible Dream", sung here for the last time, brings the TCB Band introductions and gives Elvis about a minute and a half to rest and rehydrate.

Then, a soft version of "Hound Dog" leads to an apotheotic ending that resembles the 1950s rendition and another of the great hits of the King of Rock, present since 1969, the powerful "Suspicious Minds", which gives yet another chance to show off his moves and drive the ladies wild, especially during one of his squats, when he replaces a line in the song with "I hope this suit don't tear up, oh baby!"

After two songs that were taxing on his physique and breath, "For the Good Times" brings a moment of relief and romantic stillness amid a fresh handout of scarves. "An American Trilogy" continues the show in a tone of patriotic adoration, followed by "Funny How Time Slips Away", which normally announced the end of the performance and gave Elvis the opportunity to thank the audience for their presence and hand over more scarves and kisses. Here, "I Can't Stop Loving You" has the final stanza repeated by Elvis and works as another thanks to the fans' affection, bringing "Can't Help Falling In Love" and "Closing Vamp" that announced the effective end of the show.

Due to a series of work conflicts and the speed at which the album would hit stores, RCA did not sell a promotional single from the LP. Thus, the album promotion was due to the single "An American Trilogy", a live version recorded on February 16, 1972 in Las Vegas, released with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" on the B-side on April 4 that year, but no visual announcements about the album.

The LP with the show was sold on June 18, 1972, just eight days after recording, and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 200. The work was certified Gold on August 4 of the same year, Platinum on May 20, 1988, 2x Platinum on March 27, 1992 and 3x Platinum on July 15, 1999. Along with "Aloha From Hawaii: Via Satellite", the record was one of Elvis' best-selling works of the 1970s.

RCA released the 2:30 pm show on June 10, 1972 for the first time in 1997 under the title "An Afternoon In the Garden". "Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden" would be re-released by Sony Legacy on November 13, 2012 in a box set that also included the afternoon show and a booklet. On the same day and also on Sony Legacy, "Prince From Another Planet" was released, which in addition to both presentations and a larger booklet, included a DVD with a documentary, the complete press conference of June 9, 1972 and amateur footage of the concerts on the 10th.

With nothing more to add, FTD never reworked the album, having only released an amateur audio of the June 9 show in 2017.

Below is a review and audio of the concert.

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- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: As usual, the fanfare heralds the start of the show. Probably because we are used to it, the original mix of the LP is what we like the most.

- 2. That's All Right: Right from the start we can note that the execution speed is faster - either because it was done like this live or because it was accelerated so that a simple LP could contain the entire show. Elvis' performance is full of enthusiasm.

- 3. Proud Mary: There's a little feedback at the beginning of the track, but nothing that spoils anything. Listen to James Burton's melodious guitar responses and the backing vocals and you'll be in heaven. Perhaps because Elvis is tired, this version is a little less fantastic than the afternoon one.

- 4. Never Been to Spain: Although the overall mix is not the best, this version still has its value for having a well pronounced bass, a phenomenal guitar and a good participation of the orchestra and backing vocals. Elvis gives his all, as always.

- 5. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me: The orchestra is the star of this track, with the violins sounding magnificent at first and then slowly being replaced by brass and backing vocals as Elvis delivers a quiet but impressive rendition.

- 6. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin': "Thank you. You're a beautiful audience, thenk you very much." With a well-placed bass section in the mix, this version resembles the 1970s in many ways. Elvis delivers a solid, soulful rendition.

- 7. Polk Salad Annie: Elvis' voice sounds extremely tired as he thanks the audience. Overall, the version is very good, but it doesn't have the same cohesion as the one made just a few hours earlier. The mix favors Elvis' voice, part of the orchestra and backing vocals, but the bass - which makes all the difference in this track - is not there. In the end, the force with which Ronnie Tutt hits his drums seems to indicate that Elvis is putting on one of his best displays of karate chops.

- 8. Love Me: Starting his 1950s hits medley, Elvis seems bored with the song.

- 9. All Shook Up: A disposable just to please and serve fans.

- 10. Heartbreak Hotel: There's a good mix here and Elvis enjoys it.

- 11. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Nothing special here, just another routine song to hand out scarves and kisses.

- 12. Love Me Tender: "My first movie, ladies and gentlemen." The fans take over the track, but you can still hear that Elvis sounds extremely bored and tired.

- 13. The Impossible Dream: "We'd like to do our version of 'The Impossible Dream'." The classic that closed most of his shows in 1971 is performed here in an exceptionally fantastic way. Even the mix is perfect. There isn't a mistake to be noted and Elvis correctly exclaims at the end: "Good God!" It's a shame that he'd never sing this song again in his career.

- 14. Band Introductions: Elvis quickly introduces JD Sumner and The Stamps (Rich Sterban, Ed Enoch, Donnie Sumner, Bill Baize) The Sweet Inspirations, (Estelle Brown, Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith), Kathy Westmoreland, James Burton, John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff , Charlie Hodge, Glen Hardin, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 15. Hound Dog: "This is a song that I did on The Ed Sullivan Show, in 1912." Unlike the afternoon version, there is no echo in the track. Elvis' voice sounds tired, but he still treats the song well.

- 16. Suspicious Minds: While it's slightly better than the afternoon version, there's not much to add here. The mix correctly privileges the drums and backing vocals in the right places and the ending is very good.

- 17. For the Good Times: It's the bass that drives the track here. Elvis sings softly as he attends to his fans and the band does a great job.

- 18. An American Trilogy: This is a more laid-back version than the afternoon one, with Elvis joking and even scaring the fans who scream wildly with his "what?" at first. With no muffled instruments in the mix, this is a great version.

- 19. Funny How Times Slips Away: For some reason, Elvis' whole line about "now that you've seen us..." sounds distant. The rendition itself is very good and Elvis doesn't joke much at the end or make his usual funny comments.

- 20. I Can't Stop Loving You: This is proof that Elvis was always thinking about his audience and how to improve his performances. He makes a sensational rendition, but still feels the need to improve its ending and repeats it to the delight of the audience.

- 21. Can't Help Falling in Love: "From 'Blue Hawaii', ladies and gentlemen." Elvis finishes the show rather hastily, without even thanking the audience. The version here is the routine one.

- 22. Closing Vamp: As always, it's the end of the show.

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RECORDING SESSION

Date:
June 10, 1972 ES

Studio:
---

Location:
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

Musicians:
Voice: Elvis Presley
Guitar: Charlie Hodge, Elvis Presley
Lead guitar: James Burton
Rhythm guitar: John Wilkinson
Bass: Jerry Scheff
Drums: Ronnie Tutt
Piano: Glen Hardin
Maestro: Joe Guercio
Orchestra: The Joe Guercio Orchestra
Backing Vocals: JD Sumner, The Stamps Quartet, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland

Sound engineer / Recording engineer:
Felton Jarvis

JUNE 10, 1972, 8:30 PM, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Also Sprach Zarathustra
That's All Right
Proud Mary
Never Been to Spain
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
You've Lost That Loving Feeling
Polk Salad Annie
Love Me
All Shook Up
Heartbreak Hotel
Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
Love Me Tender
The Impossible Dream
Band Introductions
Hound Dog
Suspicious Minds
For the Good Times
An American Trilogy
Funny How Time Slips Away
I Can't Stop Loving You
Can't Help Falling In Love
Closing Vamp

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SESSION LOGS

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ASSOCIATED SINGLE AND LP TRACKS (RCA, 1972)

AN AMERICAN TRILOGY (SINGLE)

April 4, 1972

1. An American Trilogy (16/02/72 MS)
2. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

ELVIS AS RECORDED AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN (LP)

June 18, 1972

1. Also Sprach Zarathustra
2. That's All Right
3. Proud Mary
4. Never Been to Spain
5. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
6. You've Lost That Loving Feeling
7. Polk Salad Annie
8. Love Me
9. All Shook Up
10. Heartbreak Hotel
11. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
12. Love Me Tender
13. The Impossible Dream
14. Band Introductions
15. Hound Dog
And other 6 tracks

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SONY LEGACY RE-RELEASES

Title:

Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden - Legacy Edition

Label:

Sony Legacy [88725 43854 2]

Format:

Double CD

Number of tracks:

Running time:

114:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Official Discography

Year:

2012

Recorded:

June 10, 1972

Released:

November 13, 2012

Singles:

---

With nothing new besides the remastered audio, Sony Legacy makes the June 10, 1972 shows at Madison Square Garden available. This would be the first re-release of the 8:30 show since the original LP. The first CD contains the following tracks:

JUNE 10, 1972 ES (8:30 PM) [ORIGINAL LP]

1. Also Sprach Zarathustra
2. That's All Right
3. Proud Mary
4. Never Been to Spain
5. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
6. You've Lost That Loving Feeling
7. Polk Salad Annie
8. Love Me
9. All Shook Up
10. Heartbreak Hotel
11. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
12. Love Me Tender
13. The Impossible Dream
14. Band Introductions
15. Hound Dog
16. Suspicious Minds
17. For the Good Times
18. An American Trilogy
19. Funny How Time Slips Away
20. I Can't Stop Loving You
21. Can't Help Falling In Love/Closing Vamp

Following, the 2:30 pm show is re-released after 15 years of the original RCA edition. The second CD contains the following tracks:

JUNE 10, 1972 AS (2:30 PM)
1. Also Sprach Zarathustra
2. That's All Right
3. Proud Mary
4. Never Been to Spain
5. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
6. Until it's Time For You to Go
7. You've Lost That Loving Feeling
8. Polk Salad Annie
9. Love Me
10. All Shook Up
11. Heartbreak Hotel
12. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel
13. Love Me Tender
14. Blue Suede Shoes
15. Reconsider Baby
16. Hound Dog
17. I'll Remeber You
18. Suspicious Minds
19. Band Introductions
20. For the Good Times
21. An American Trilogy
22. Funny How Time Slips Away
23. I Can't Stop Loving You
24. Can't Help Falling In Love/Closing Vamp

Wrapping up the work, Sony provides a 24-page booklet with photos and facts about the shows.

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Title:

Prince From Another Planet - Deluxe Legacy Edition

Label:

Sony Legacy [88691 95388 2]

Format:

Double CD + DVD

Number of tracks:

Running time:

167:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Official discography

Year:

2012

Recorded:

June 9 and 10, 1972

Released:

November 13, 2012

Singles:

---

As with "Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden - Legacy Edition", Sony Legacy makes available the June 10, 1972 shows at Madison Square Garden with remastered audio. However, this box has some new features, such as the availability of the performances in the correct sequence that they happened and a DVD with several extras. The first CD contains the following tracks: