Closing Night 1975 (CD - Audirec, 2015)

Title:

Closing Night 1975

Label:

Audirec [AR-197512152]

Format:

Double CD

Number of tracks:

34

Running time:

93:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2015

Recording date:

December 15, 1975 CS

Release date:

2015

Singles:

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Closing Night 1975 is a bootleg CD from the AudiRec label. It covers the closing show of Elvis' penultimate season in Las Vegas on December 12, 1975.

1975 was a troubled year for Elvis. Without having recorded anything in the previous year, his career survived on leftovers from the 1973 sessions, re-releases of classics on budget albums and compilations that extended to the absurd album "Having Fun With Elvis On Stage", idealized and released by the Colonel in 1974 , which featured only Elvis talking in concerts from 1969 to 1973.

Due to health problems that landed him in the hospital in mid-January 1975, Elvis wasn't able to start his stage work until March, when he made a Las Vegas run to cover the one that had been canceled in January.

The national tours, between April and July, had a little more luck, but Elvis' inconstancy harmed several concerts. His delicate state of health meant that the shows were real roller coasters, one time with the singer reaching great peaks of overcoming and another with the worst possible moments. By the end of July, he had managed to get all his group hating his behavior on stage and sometimes walking off in anger in the middle of the show.

On August 18, Elvis started a new season in Vegas, even though he was not in the best shape and that the best thing would be to recover away from the stage. With a 104º F fever and a toothache, the King of Rock performed for three days before becoming convinced that he really should have listened to the advice of doctors and friends. With no alternative, he had to cancel the shows and add the missing ones to a December season - this, without a doubt, excellent - in the city.

It's a real pity that we dont have a soundboard of that season's closing show, because it would certainly be a best-seller. Elvis was with his wits as keen as ever - as confirmed by the soundboards of December 13 and 14 concerts - and having as much fun as he could. On top of that, his voice was also very clear and strong.

Below is the review of this  double CD.

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CD 1

- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: The show begins. The audio is amazingly well preserved for a then 40 year old tape.

 
- 2.  See See Rider: Another amazing fact about the tape is that, because the fans did their best not to register their reactions on it, it almost sounds like  a very bad soundboard.

This version has an incredible energy and Elvis sings really well.

- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: The "well, well, well" routine is really good and quite long, and Elvis has fun with his fans. This is another excellent 1975 version.

- 4. Love Me: Elvis greets the audience and does his usual speech about all the songs he'll sing and his Gatorade before doing a standard version of his 1956 hit with the also usual kiss-and-scarf action.

- 5. Tryin' to Get to You: The King of Rock interacts with the audience a little more before doing this 20 years old classic. This version is out of this world, with Elvis's voice sounding stronger than ever.

- 6. And I Love You So: The slower pace of this version is a nice touch. Listen to Kathy Westmoreland's wonderful highs!

- 7. All Shook Up: "I want to do a medley of my records... 78s." The singer does the usual throwaway version to return to the kiss-and-scarf routine.

- 8. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Throwaway, but with a nice beat and Elvis having lots of fun with his fans.

- 9. Hound Dog: Elvis starts his 1957 hit almost like his 1972 versions and it ends in a very welcome funky beat.

- 10. Dialogue: The King of Rock talks to his fans to rest a little. He also receives some gifts for him and Lisa.

- 11. I'm Leavin': There's a request for the song and Elvis starts it right away. This was one of the highlights in any show, as it was a really rare for Elvis to do it after August 1974. It's been five months since he had last sung it, but he and the band do a nice work on this 1971 classic.

This is the last live rendition ever.

- 12. You Gave Me a Mountain: The showstopper is next and this is a wonderful version, though without any news.

- 13. Polk Salad Annie: As usual, Elvis works hard and gives his all in this. The tempo is quite exciting and we the funky feel at the end is spectacular.

CD 2

- 1. Band Introductions: Elvis introduces JD Sumner & The Stamps Quartet, The Sweet Inspirations, Sherrill Nielsen, Kathy Westmoreland and John Wilkinson.

- 2. What'd I Say: James Burton does his solo.

- 3. Drum Solo: Ronnie Tutt does his thing.

- 4. Bass Solo: Jerry Scheff plays the Blues.

- 5. Piano Solo: Glen Hardin does his part.

- 6. School Day: Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra are introduced.

- 7. School Day: Elvis asks the orchestra to repise their part with a solo from their guitarist, Tony.

- 8. Just Pretend: With his extremely powerful voice for 1975, Elvis does a great version of this beautiful song.

- 9. How Great Thou Art: A masterful piece of Gospel, it gets an astonishing reprise of the ending.

- 10. Softly, as I Leave You: One more brilliant performance by Elvis, Glen Hardin and Sherrill Nielsen.

- 11. America the Beautiful: A respectful version, but Elvis doesn't reach the final notes.

- 12. Burning Love: Unfortunately, this is just a false start as Elvis tells the audience that he'll have to go backstage to take some medicine for his throat.

- 13. Sweet Sweet Spirit: Meanwhile, the singer leaves the stage free for JD and The Stamps to do one of their - and Elvis' - favorite Gospel song.

This is the last live rendition ever.

 

- 14. Little Sister: Elvis returns to the stage and decides to do songs that don't demand a lot of his voice. The 1962 hit gets a fair version.

- 15. One Night: The King tries to do a more challenging song, but it's clear at the beginning that his voice hasn't come fully back yet. It's a great rendition, nonetheless.

- 16. Until it's Time For You to Go: Elvis sounds really tired here and resorts to interact with his audience to try and hide it. It's no wonder, as the show was already 75 minutes long.

- 17. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: Elvis opens up to requests and a fan can be heard asking for "If I Can Dream". After interacting a lot with fans, the singer does a rare full rendition of his 1971 recording. This is a sure showstopper, no doubt. 

- 18. Mystery Train / Tiger Man: Back to the more demanding songs, this medley of 1955 hits gets a fair version.

- 19. O Sole Mio / It's Now or Never: Elvis announces his 1960 hit and makes a good version of "O Sole Mio" in broken Italian. From it, the singer jumps right to the English version and does a good rendition overall.

- 20. Can't Help Falling in Love: Elvis thanks his staff, musicians and the audience before singing his 1961 hit. Unfortunately, the tape is almost totally damaged at the end.

- 21. Closing Vamp: The fanfare ends the show.