Season's Greetings From Vegas
Label:
Sundial Production [SP 101]
Format:
CD
Number of tracks:
26
Running time:
68:30
Type of album:
Concert
Linked to:
Unofficial discography
Year:
1994
Recording date:
December 2, 1975 OS
Release date:
December 1994
Singles:
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- 2. See See Rider: Another amazing fact about the tape is that it managed to get all the bass sounds and give us a different perspective of the band's work. We can hear that Elvis is in an extremely good shape - vocally - and mood. This version has an incredible energy that was lacking for a long time now.
- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: The "well, well, well" routine is well done and the fans are really into the show - as is Elvis. This version is actually very good from start to finish and there's no fooling around with the lyrics or the tempo.
Season's Greetings From Las Vegas is a bootleg CD from Sundial Production label. It covers the opening show of Elvis' penultimate season in Las Vegas on December 2, 1975. The CD is currently out of print.
- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: The show begins. For a 1994 transfer of a 1975 tape, the audio is amazingly well preserved.
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.
Below is the review of this CD.
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- 2. See See Rider: Another amazing fact about the tape is that it managed to get all the bass sounds and give us a different perspective of the band's work. We can hear that Elvis is in an extremely good shape - vocally - and mood. This version has an incredible energy that was lacking for a long time now.
- 3. I Got a Woman / Amen: The "well, well, well" routine is well done and the fans are really into the show - as is Elvis. This version is actually very good from start to finish and there's no fooling around with the lyrics or the tempo.
- 4. Monologue: Elvis welcomes the audience and says that it's been a few weeks since he's been in the hospital (referring to his prescription drugs overdose on September 1st that year), but that he's got some rest and a lot of fruit juice.
- 5. Love Me: The 1956 hit properly starts the kiss-and-scarf season. Elvis sings very well, but it's the usual throwaway.
- 6. Fairytale: This song was fairly new in the set and still had a little of the studio version beat. Elvis has a lot of fun with it and asks for a reprise of the last stanza.
- 7. Big Boss Man: A song that Elvis loved, it's done here in a very upbeat way. We can hear Ronnie Tutt's and Jerry cheff's work above the rest of the band and Elvis, making it very enjoyable.
- 8. It's Midnight: This is a song that was already becoming a rarity and this is its third to last version on stage. Elvis is in a very good mood and talks about Memphis at the beginning, giving us an excellent and cohesive version with a nice, strong voice.
- 5. Love Me: The 1956 hit properly starts the kiss-and-scarf season. Elvis sings very well, but it's the usual throwaway.
- 6. Fairytale: This song was fairly new in the set and still had a little of the studio version beat. Elvis has a lot of fun with it and asks for a reprise of the last stanza.
- 7. Big Boss Man: A song that Elvis loved, it's done here in a very upbeat way. We can hear Ronnie Tutt's and Jerry cheff's work above the rest of the band and Elvis, making it very enjoyable.
- 8. It's Midnight: This is a song that was already becoming a rarity and this is its third to last version on stage. Elvis is in a very good mood and talks about Memphis at the beginning, giving us an excellent and cohesive version with a nice, strong voice.
- 9. Early Morning Rain: Elvis had only sung this song once in August 1974, so this is "the" ultimate rarity in this show, even more because it's an uptempo and full version. He'd do another version on December 7 and then it'd only return to the set in April 1976, already as a solo by John Wilkinson.
- 10. And I Love You So: The slower pace of this version is a nice touch here. Elvis sings wonderfully.
- 11. Tryin' to Get to You: A song from 20 years ago, it really baffles the audience. Elvis even manages to do a few tweaks in the keys here and there, but unfortunately can't reach the last note.
- 12. All Shook Up: After talking to a sassy fan, the singer does the usual throwaway version to return to the kiss-and-scarf routine.
- 13. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Throwaway, as always.
- 14. Hound Dog: Elvis starts his 1956 hit almost like his 1972 versions and it makes the audience go wild. It's a short version and Elvis cuts it right at the end, but a good one.
- 15. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin': The Righteous Brothers' hit is next and the audience is electrified by it. This version is so cohesive and well done that if you'd hear it without knowing where it comes from, you'd probably mistake it from a 1970 version - and Elvis even does his "if this suit wasn't too tight!" line.
- 16. Monologue: "You know, since it's around Christmas season, I did a Chistmas album about fifteen years ago and one of the best songs out of it is called 'Blue Christmas'." The monologue is interrupted by the female fans begging for kisses.
- 17. Blue Christmas: The first attempt to do the song is cut short.
- 13. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Throwaway, as always.
- 14. Hound Dog: Elvis starts his 1956 hit almost like his 1972 versions and it makes the audience go wild. It's a short version and Elvis cuts it right at the end, but a good one.
- 15. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin': The Righteous Brothers' hit is next and the audience is electrified by it. This version is so cohesive and well done that if you'd hear it without knowing where it comes from, you'd probably mistake it from a 1970 version - and Elvis even does his "if this suit wasn't too tight!" line.
- 16. Monologue: "You know, since it's around Christmas season, I did a Chistmas album about fifteen years ago and one of the best songs out of it is called 'Blue Christmas'." The monologue is interrupted by the female fans begging for kisses.
- 17. Blue Christmas: The first attempt to do the song is cut short.
- 18. Monologue: Elvis explains that he had forgotten the chord changes for the song.
- 19. Blue Christmas: The second attempt goes well and it's a wonderful version. Elvis even asks to repeat the last stanzas.
- 20. Polk Salad Annie: As usual, Elvis works hard and gives his all in this 1975 version of a song that had become a classic in his shows. The tempo is quite exciting and we can feel that Elvis is moving around and showcasing his famous karate chops.
- 19. Blue Christmas: The second attempt goes well and it's a wonderful version. Elvis even asks to repeat the last stanzas.
- 20. Polk Salad Annie: As usual, Elvis works hard and gives his all in this 1975 version of a song that had become a classic in his shows. The tempo is quite exciting and we can feel that Elvis is moving around and showcasing his famous karate chops.
Right after the song, Elvis introduces the band - it was cut from this CD, which is the only source available for this concert.
- 21. My Boy: Introduced in 1973 to the shows, this song is another that was becoming a rarity and this is the second to last live version. The emotion in Elvis voice is palpable and the rendition is just amazing.
- 22. How Great Thou Art: As always, the Gospel awakens Elvis' spirit. He sings with a delightful reverence and does an amazing version of this classic that was much missed when not performed. His voice is strong and his delivery is almost impecable. The singer reprises the ending with mastery.
- 23. Mystery Train / Tiger Man: Elvis asks the audience for requests and one fan shouts "Blue Moon"; boy, that'd be the day! The King resorts to a more familiar song. One of Elvis' favorite medleys is presented here in a more uptempo version similar to the 1970 ones.
- 24. Softly, as I Leave You: Elvis introduces the song and Sherrill Nielsen as he used to do whenever he'd sing this poem. Overall, it's a very smooth and emotional version.
- 21. My Boy: Introduced in 1973 to the shows, this song is another that was becoming a rarity and this is the second to last live version. The emotion in Elvis voice is palpable and the rendition is just amazing.
- 22. How Great Thou Art: As always, the Gospel awakens Elvis' spirit. He sings with a delightful reverence and does an amazing version of this classic that was much missed when not performed. His voice is strong and his delivery is almost impecable. The singer reprises the ending with mastery.
- 23. Mystery Train / Tiger Man: Elvis asks the audience for requests and one fan shouts "Blue Moon"; boy, that'd be the day! The King resorts to a more familiar song. One of Elvis' favorite medleys is presented here in a more uptempo version similar to the 1970 ones.
- 24. Softly, as I Leave You: Elvis introduces the song and Sherrill Nielsen as he used to do whenever he'd sing this poem. Overall, it's a very smooth and emotional version.
- 25, America, the Beautiful: 1976 was right around the corner and Elvis decided to put this song in his repertoire as an homage to the country's 200th anniversary. This is the first version ever - and a beautiful one.
- 26. Can't Help Falling in Love: Elvis quickly bids the fans farewell and then does his 1961 hit while giving the last scarves and kisses out.
- 26. Can't Help Falling in Love: Elvis quickly bids the fans farewell and then does his 1961 hit while giving the last scarves and kisses out.
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