October Encore in Lake Tahoe (CD - Memory Records, 2007)

Title:

October Encore in Lake Tahoe

Label:

Memory Records [MR 2055-2]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

23

Running time:

57:30

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2007

Gravação:

October 13, 1974 MS

Release date:

September 2007

Singles:

---

October Encore in Lake Tahoe is a CD by the Czech bootleg label Memory Records. It features the complete midnight show of October 13, 1974 in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, erroneously dated as the 10 pm performance of that same day. The CD is currently out of print.

Although Elvis performed some memorable shows in early 1974, the September/October tour of that year was not one of his best. The Las Vegas summer season had ended on September 2nd with the infamous concert now known as "Desert Storm" and the fall national tour had kicked off with the famous - and also infamous - performance known as "Chaos in College Park" on  September 27th, often cited as the lowest point of Elvis' career.

Fortunately, the King of Rock had improved his mood and health a lot for October, which would mark the last month of tours that year. Elvis' South Bend show on October 1 (released by FTD in 2003 as "Dragonheart") went better than expected, although it was notable that Elvis struggled a bit, as his voice still wavered at times.

Things got a lot better from then on, with Elvis really kicking ass everywhere he went until October 9th. As with "Dragonheart", the shows in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 2nd and 3rd, Detroit on the 4th, the two Dayton shows on October 6th that were sold on a massive scale on bootlegs, and the great show in Wichita on the 7th were proof that Elvis could do much better than the last few months if he had the right support. Apart from Dayton, all other shows were released in full or as bonus tracks by FTD in 2019 as "St. Paul to Wichita - October '74".

The last shows of 1974 took place in a short season in Lake Tahoe, from October 11th to 14th. Elvis was still in good shape after the terrible month of September, and he really made a point of showing it, but all his problems were already starting to loom on the horizon again. He sang from his soul as he always did, but part of him worried too much about what might come next.

But more than the fantastic concerts themselves, perhaps the most important thing to note about this short season is that it was here that Elvis first wore his now-famous Mexican Sundial jumpsuit. The CD cover shows Elvis wearing it, but only because Memory Records got the date wrong for the show in the first place.

Elvis wearing the Mexican Sundial suit on October 12, 1974 MS

The King of Rock first used it on the midnight show on October 12, 1974 and then repeated it on the 10 pm show on the 13th, which Memory Records thought was what we hear here. In fact, this audio is from that day's midnight show, where Elvis last wore the 1974 American Eagle jumpsuit.

As for the Mexican Sundial, the singer last used it in 1974 at the closing show on October 14, as he felt that gabardine was too heavy and not breathable. It would return to the stage two and a half years later, as its elasticity helped smooth out Elvis' physical changes.

Below is our review of this work.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: The fanfare announces the beginning of the show.

- 2. See See Rider: Elvis starts the concert with a breath he lacked for a long time. He interprets the music with mastery and doesn't miss or drag any words. The notes are performed phenomenally and the singer even inserts new vocal inflections into the song. The finish is fantastic. He even has a bit of acerbic wit: "Who fixed the microphone? Did 'Jerky Kahoon' - Jackie Kahane do this again?"

- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: Elvis skips the "well, well, well..." routine and immediately starts the song. His interpretation is much faster than what we are used to hearing in this period and everything seems to end too quickly. The "striptease" routine sends the ladies completely out of their minds before an incredible dive bomb by JD Sumner - which Elvis asks him to do again because "with all kidding aside, he can go lower." JD then does his "engine cutting out" and brings the song to a definite end.

- 4. Love Me: With no time to waste, the song starts and resumes faster than usual - in fact, at just 1 minute and 20 seconds. Of course Elvis uses this for the now familiar "kiss and scarf" moment, but he actually sings the whole time.

- 5. All Shook Up: "Love Me" barely ends and we already hear the first notes of his next song. It's a throwaway 53-second version, but very well executed.

- 6. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Elvis really rushes this set, starting one song after another without even pausing for a moment. Of course, Tahoe's time limit - 1 hour - may have been a deciding factor in this. As Elvis sings, more kisses and scarves are given to the audience.

7. Heartbreak Hotel: This great home recording really has everything we need in its mix. The version sounds so good that it almost resembles many soundboards we have available with low quality. The rendition itself is average.

- 8. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): Even if it sounds sped up, the music has its value for the show. Elvis really liked it and seems to be having fun the whole time.

- 9. Fever: The "no break" stint continues and Elvis offers one more to the audience. He laughs and makes puns as he sings and interacts with his fans.

- 10. Big Boss Man: Not the best version out there, but certainly one of the best. JD can be heard over all the instruments on the speakers.

- 11. It's Midnight: "This next song is a new record we have out, ladies and gentlemen. Hope you like it." It's amazing how magnificent this version sounds. Elvis even makes a small key change and the audience can be heard noticing it.

- 12. Hound Dog: Just a show-filler so Elvis can do more of his "kiss and scarf".

- 13. Band Introductions: Elvis introduces Voice, The Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner and The Stamps, John Wilkinson, "Funky" James Burton (with a short solo), Ronnie Tutt (with a solo) and Duke Bardwell (also with a solo).

- 14. Lawdy Miss Clawdy: As usual in this period, Glen Hardin is introduced with this song. Elvis introduces Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra after the song. He apparently forgets about Kathy Westmoreland.

- 15. Celebrity Introductions: Elvis introduces a few celebrities.

- 16. Bridge Over Troubled Water (With Reprise): As noted earlier, this amateur tape is of such high quality that we are treated to an up close and personal version of this wonderful song. Elvis uses all of his vocal power to deliver a very solid performance beautifully accompanied by the orchestra and backing vocals. Kathy Westmoreland's parts might sound a little lower, however. The song is so well received by the audience that Elvis reprises the last part even more perfectly.

- 17. Johnny B. Goode: Part of the setlist since 1969, the song comes right after the end of "Bridge...". It's a standard version for the time.

- 18. Hawaiian Wedding Song (With Reprise):  "How many of you saw 'Blue Hawaii' on the television? The most requested song deom that film is the 'Hawaiian Wedding Song'." Elvis does a lovely rendition, then jokingly comments that Kathy Westmoreland "loves this song because every night she gets a scarf and a lei [with the sexual meaning of 'lay']". He then asks to reprise the ending and does so on a very high note which prompts Kathy to follow him.

- 19. Let Me Be There (With Reprise): Elvis continues to put high notes on this beautiful rendition. It's really fast, but he does a rerun at the end to make it last a little longer.

- 20. Can't Help Falling in Love: "You're a beautiful audience. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen." The show ends and Elvis is still in a very good mood and making many key changes as he sings and gives the last kisses and scarves out.

- 21. Closing Vamp: A short snippet of the closing fanfare can be heard.

BONUS

- 22. Why Me Lord: The last two tracks on the CD are extras from the 10pm concert on the same day. To JD's dismay, Elvis repeats his jokes about "all that booze you've been drinking" and breaks him. Overall, it's a pretty good version with a good banter.

- 23. I'm Leavin': Despite being played at nearly every show in the August/September season in Las Vegas, this song was a rarity by this point. After that it would only appear in 4 more shows in 1975 before being dropped entirely. It's a very average version, though.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------