From New York to Chicago (CD - SR Records, 2010)

Title:

From New York to Chicago

Label:

SR Records [---]

Format:

Double CD

Number of tracks:

50

Running time:

122:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2010

Recording date:

June 11 and 17, 1972 AS

Release date:

2010

Singles:

---

From New York to Chicago was a bootleg by SR Records released in 2010. It contains the complete shows from June 11 and 17, 1972 in New York and Chicago, respectively. The work is currently out of print.

In 1972, Elvis' career was going very well. The return to the stage had been magnificent, his two documentaries were well talked about, and Hawaii was waiting for him.

In June of that year, he would arrive in New York for a series of four shows at Madison Square Garden that would mark the first and only time he would perform in the city in the 1970s. Managing to reach the maximum capacity at Madison Square Garden, something never done before, Elvis established himself as an artist of a category that few would reach.

After leaving New York, Elvis passed through Indiana and Wisconsin over the next four days. On June 16th he would arrive in Chicago, Illinois, for three shows at the consecrated Chicago Stadium.

On the afternoon of the 17th, Elvis' performance was one of the most phenomenal of the period. Without the time limits imposed by the Colonel for performances at Madison Square Garden, the singer was able to put several of his favorite songs on the setlist. There were also the rare "One Night", "Reconsider Baby", "My Babe", "Something" and "Release Me", besides "It's Now or Never", "Johnny B. Goode" and "How Great Thou Art".

Never officially released, these performances were united for their magnificence on the bootleg "From New York to Chicago" by SR Records in 2010. Even with low quality amateur audio, the concerts epitomize Elvis' power of adaptation and performance when excited and free to shape his presentations.

Below is a review of the concerts.

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CD 1 - JUNE 11, 1972 - NEW YORK, NY

- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: Although the CD marks this as a part of the early fanfare, it actually doesn't exist. What we hear is the beginning of "That's All Right", with Elvis entering the stage.

- 2. That's All Right: The audio from this source isn't the best and there's a lot of noise, leaving the tracks extremely muffled and unintelligible at times. Elvis is in great shape and, from what we can hear, he does an excellent rendition.

- 3. Proud Mary: The atmosphere is electric during the rendition, although it is very similar to so many others already made.

- 4. Never Been to Spain: Elvis begins his fan interactions with this slower song. The execution speed is probably too slow and the tape speed could be to blame for this. Overall, it's a pretty good version.

- 5. Until it's Time For You to Go: Fans scream during the rendition and it looks like Elvis is listening to them. The version is the standard for the time.

- 6. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me: Elvis does a false start and then starts the song again. There's nothing new here, other than another very well interpreted version.

- 7. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin': Tape speed hurts this version, but nothing that's unbearable - other than a cut right through the middle of it. We can hear Elvis giving it his all and the backing vocals go along beautifully.

- 7. Polk Salad Annie: In 1972 Elvis had already changed the length and arrangement of this song. This new version is heavily reliant on the bass, which does a phenomenal job on the solo. The finish also sounds excellent.

- 9. Love Me: The 1950s medley begins. Elvis sounds more enthusiastic than the night before and, overall, the version really is better.

- 10. All Shook Up: A throwaway, but well executed.

- 11. Heartbreak Hotel: The tape speed hurts the rendition, making it look a lot like the post-1975 versions.

- 12. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Elvis does a good version, even if this is one of the ones he already found boring.

- 13. Love Me Tender: "My first movie, ladies and gentlemen." Elvis sounds bored, but the fans are still screaming wildly waiting for a scarf or a kiss. There is a slight distortion on the tape, but nothing that bothers too much.

- 14. Blue Suede Shoes: Unfortunately, we can only hear a few seconds of the rendition because the tape runs out. When the sound returns, Elvis is finishing the song.

- 15. Hound Dog: The 1956 hit starts without Elvis introducing it, as usual this season. The version is very good and has a slightly different ending.

- 16. I'll Remember You: Being a relatively new song on the setlist, Elvis gets a little lost with the lyrics - although it's almost imperceptible. The jewel that would be the version of Aloha begins to be molded.

- 17. Suspicious Minds: The rendition begins with a light feedback - which had already become a hallmark of Elvis' shows at Madison Square Garden. The version has a good rhythm and Elvis goes along with it. As he strikes his poses, he makes the comment that would become standard practice: "I hope this suit don't tear, oh baby!"

- 18. Band Introductions:  Elvis briefly introduces JD Sumner and The Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland, James Burton, John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, Charlie Hodge, Glen Hardin, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 19. For the Good Times: A slow but pretty good version.

- 20. An American Trilogy: Despite having entered the repertoire in January, this song was already becoming one of the most anticipated in concerts due to the tremendous success of the April single. Elvis delivers a strong, cohesive version that excites the audience. The effusive applause fills the arena at the end.

- 21. Funny How Times Slips Away: "It was great to be here, you were a fantastic audience." The whistles and screams from the fans are deafening and almost drown out Elvis' rendition. Overall, it's a good version that serves to let the audience know that the show is nearing its end.

- 22. Can't Help Falling in Love: "You are a beautiful audience. This song is from 'Blue Hawaii', just for you." The 1961 classic warns the audience of the imminent end of the show as Elvis delivers the last kisses and scarves.

- 23. Closing Vamp: The fanfare, heard for a few seconds, officially marks the end of Elvis' last show in New York in his career.

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CD 2 - JUNE 17, 1972 AS - CHICAGO, IL

- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: Unlike CD 1, here we have the full fanfare. The audio is a little worse.

- 2. That's All Right: At some points, we cAN barely hear Elvis and the band. However, where possible, we note that everyone is in good vocal shape and Elvis is enjoying himself.

- 3. I Got a Woman: Rare in 1972, this is only the second time Elvis has performed it this year. Here we don't have the jokes with JD and the dialogues that would become classic - and sometimes monotonous - later on. Elvis does a solid version and ends spectacularly.

- 4. Love Me Tender: What shows that Elvis was in control of his repertoire at that point is the fact that this song appears so early in the set. Fans love it and go crazy for a second of Elvis' attention. The rendition is standard.

- 5. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me: Having returned to the setlist on June 9th, this song has always been a fan favorite. Elvis does it in a sensational way and ends it with great enthusiasm.

- 6. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin': Another one that returned on June 9th, is one more opportunity for Elvis to show all his vocal power. From the audience's reaction, everyone likes what they hear.

- 7. Polk Salad Annie: This is probably one of the best versions of June, even surpassing those at Madison Square Garden. Both Elvis' performance and that of the band and orchestra are excellent and the bass at the end is phenomenal.

- 8. Love Me: The medley of 1950s hits begins. While handing out scarves and kisses to the female fans, he still delivers a good rendition.

- 9. All Shook Up: A throwaway, again with more attention to the fans.

- 10. Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis is still in the fan attending stage, but the version is one of the best of this medley.

- 11. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel:As usual, Elvis has a lot of fun during the rendition of this medley, but he still sounds bored.

- 12. One Night: Another rarity, performed just 3 times in June, is one that delights fans and Elvis, who exclaims, "Oh, Lord!"

- 13. Reconsider Baby: This supreme rarity appears here for the third and final time in 1972. Previously, it was only done once in 1969; later, it would only return in December 1976. The Blues here is much heavier than what we are used to listening to, which is a nice change.

- 14. It's Now or Never: Another that appears here for the second of only 3 times in 1972, is one of Elvis' favourites. He gives a solid, phenomenal rendition as he hands out some scarves to fans.

- 15. Johnny B. Goode: Done only twice in June, it starts suddenly and sends the audience into a frenzy. The version is interrupted by a loud explosion, which causes Elvis to start over. The performance is excellent and the crowd applauds along.

- 16. I Can't Stop Loving You: Elvis gives an emotional rendition and uses his vocal power to accentuate the strongest parts. The finish is simply out of this world.

- 17. Hound Dog: "In 1956 I was on The Ed Sullivan Show and they filmed me from the waist up. I did this." The version is standard, with a false start.

- 18. Suspicious Minds: Unfortunately, the beginning of the song was lost when the tape was turned over. What can be heard throughout the rendition are fans screaming wildly as Elvis does his pelvic thrusts and hands out scarves and kisses. The finishing with karate chops sounds sensational.

- 19. Band introductions: Elvis does the usual quick introductions during this period. JD Sumner and The Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland, James Burton, John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, Glen Hardin, Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra are introduced.

- 20. My Babe: The audience applauds effusively when Elvis begins the rendition of yet another rarity, this being the penultimate time it would be presented. It has been a year since the singer has performed it for the last time, but he gives it his all and the audience claps to the rhythm of the music for the entire duration.

- 21. Something: It looks like Elvis was really looking forward to toasting everyone's rarities tonight. This is the only time he would perform this song in 1972, which makes it even more special. The tempo seems a little faster than usual and very tasteful.

- 22. Release Me: Not as rare as the previous one, this is the third and final rendition of 1972. The audience takes the song with enthusiasm and Elvis does a beautiful rendition.

- 23. How Great Thou Art: Although present since 1970, this was still a somewhat difficult song to find in concerts. The version here is very similar to the 1967 album in some aspects, but already very close to what we would get used to hearing later on.

- 24. Funny How Time Slips Away: Elvis doesn't do the usual introduction to the song here, asking for the lights to be turned up. This may be explained by the duration of the show - usually big shows didn't last more than 1 hour at the time -, which already reached 55 minutes. The version is the usual, with Elvis handing out scarves and kissing fans.

- 25. An American Trilogy: This was still a song Elvis was in love with. His rendition is heartfelt and very well done, with the singer pushing the band and backing vocals to excel in their interpretation.

- 26. Can't Help Falling in Love: Without even saying goodbye - again, the likely cause is the time - Elvis performs his 1961 classic as he gives his fans his last moment of attention.

- 27. Closing Vamp: The fanfare announces the end of the show. Elvis would only return to Chicago Stadium over 4 years later, in October 1976.