Elvis Sings Johnny B. Goode (CD - Paradise Road, 2021)

Title:

Elvis Sings Johnny B. Goode

Label:

Paradise Road Records [20202010A500]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

32

Running time:

70:30

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2021

Recording date:

September 5, 1970 MS

Release date:

2021

Singles:

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Elvis Sings Johnny B. Goode is a bootleg release by Paradise Road Records. It contains the full concert on September 5, 1970 MS in Las Vegas and a small compilation of the best songs performed at the September 4, 1970 MS concert.

In August 1970, Elvis had been back onstage for a year. The singer had been on a wave of incessant successes since he returned to the music world with the 1968 special, having recorded two LPs - From Elvis in Memphis and Back in Memphis - and several singles in 1969 and making a wonderful first season in Las Vegas after eight years away from the stage, wich generated a third LP (Elvis in Person at the International Hotel).

MGM filmed Elvis during rehearsals and performances in Vegas from July 14th to August 13th, 1970. RCA also recorded the rehearsals and concerts for further use in the film's soundtrack album (although it ended having only four live tracks). Works to create a perfect “Elvis world” idealized by the Colonel lasted until a few hours before the first show. It all went perfectly smooth.

On September 5th, Elvis was three days away from the end of the Vegas season. He was having a lot of fun on stage and this showed on his dynamic, humour packed concerts. Of course some of the same old songs had to be done for the show's sake, but the King of Rock was free to improvise and bring a lot of unforgettable moments to his audiences.

Below is a review of the September 5, 1970 MS show.

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- 1. Orchestra Intro: A generic orchestra intro plays while the fans find their seats.

- 2. Opening Vamp: Ronnie Tutt's drums announce that it's time for Elvis.

- 3. That’s All Right: The tape sound is average, but Elvis and all instruments and backing vocals can be heard. This is a very rocky version and the singer has a strong voice throughout.

- 4. I Got a Woman / Amen / I Got a Woman: The "well, well, well" routine is set aside and the song starts right away. The rendition is pretty well done and the tempo is a little faster than usual. The singer does a little snippet of "Amen" that sounds amazinf and then the song ends.

- 5. I Walk the Line / Monologue: "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Golden Nugget, my name's Johnny Cash." Elvis sings one line from Johnny Cash's hit and then does the usual explanations about why he has to drink a lot of water and his Gatorade.

- 6. Love Me Tender: The usual monologue about how he looked when he started is done and then the singer introduces the song. Different from most versions of his 1956 hit, this is a short and sincere version but the female fans still go wild.

- 7. Elvis Talks "the Flu": "I should tell the ones that got kissed, I've got the flu... The ones I didn't, I'll kiss you later."

- 8. I've Lost You: An average version with a magnificent work by Elvis and his backing vocals.

- 9. I Just Can't Help Believin': “A beautiful song out by B. J. Thomas.” Elvis does a wonderful version with a nice mid section and a different and very welcome orchestral ending.

- 10. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin': This is a slower than usual version where the orchestra and the violins steal the scene in the first part and James Burton's guitar sounds amazing from the mid section on.

- 11. Polk Salad Annie: The female fans near the tape recorder go into ecstasy in anticipation of Elvis' pelvic movements. Elvis jokes a lot during the rendition and does an unexpected break before launching into the usual karate chops at the end.

- 12. Introductions: Elvis does the usual joke of introducing his band members to themselves and then quickly introduces The Sweet Inspirations, The Imperials and Kathy Westmoreland.

- 13. Johnny B. Goode: "My favorite guitar player is James Burton." James does his solo with Chuck Berry's song and it's just fantastic.

- 14. Introductions: Elvis continues the introductions with John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, Glen Hardin, Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 15. Bob Dylan Impersonations / Celebrity Introductions: Elvis impersonates Bob Dylan and then introduces Tony Romo, Paul Anka and Shelley Winters.

- 16. The Wonder of You: "I had a song come out this year that's been really big for me. Sounds impressive, but it was a 45 [rpm]." Elvis kids a little in a few parts of the song, but it's a very nice version overall.

- 17. Monologue / Heartbreak Hotel: "I did a song in 1956 called 'Heartbreak Hotel'. It's a little like the International Hotel, except without these ugly dolls on the walls." Elvis talks about the "funky angels" in the showroom and jokes about the hotel cleaning staff. He ends up talking so much that the song itself has only 30 seconds.

- 18. All Shook Up: Elvis starts the song right away, but stops it immediately when someone in the audience gets his attention. He does a small false start of his 1957 hit again before giving up on it.

- 19. Blue Suede Shoes: Elvis does a good and quick version of another of his hits.

- 20. Hound Dog: The singer does his usual joke about how to sing the song  to a girl. Unfortunately this version is incomplete, as the tape might've run out and had to be turned over.

- 21. Bridge Over Troubled Water: "We'd like to do a very beautiful song for you now." Elvis does a sober and fantastic version of his new recording.

- 22. Can’t Help Falling in Love: The song brings the show to an end.

- 23. Closing Vamp: A generic closing vamp plays while Elvis leaves the stage.

BONUS

- 24. La Bamba / I Walk the Line: All the bonus songs in this CD come from the September 4, 1970 MS concert. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Landmark. My name is Trini Lopez." Elvis sings two lines of Lopez's hit and one of Johnny Cash's before talking about his water and Gatorade.

- 25. I've Lost You: The violins do a great work at the start of the song. It's a nice version overall.

- 26. I Just Can't Help Believin': Elvis sings with passion and the band, backing vocals and orchestra show why they were hand picked by Elvis. This is a smooth and beautiful rendition that again ends differently.

- 27. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin: An amazing but standard version.

- 28. Polk Salad Annie: This might be one of the quietest versions ever, but it still has an explosive ending.

- 29. Crying Time: Elvis sings a few lines of Ray Charles' 1965 hit by request.

- 30. Johnny B. Goode: While introducing James Burton, Elvis asks his guitar player to play Chuck Berry's hit. James' does a smashing solo and Elvis sings along.

- 31. My Way: Elvis introduces Trini Lopez and Paul Anka, then sings one line of Anka's hit.

- 32. One Night: A standard and very good version.