The Wonder of You (CD - FTD, 2009)

Title:

The Wonder of You

Label:

FTD [FTD 082] [88697 55515 2]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

21

Running time:

68:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

FTD discography

Year:

2009

Recording date:

August 13, 1970 DS

Release date:

December 2008

Singles:

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The Wonder of You was FTD's eighty-second CD. It covers the 8:30 pm show on August 13, 1970 in Las Vegas. The work is currently out of print.

When Elvis returned to the stage on July 31, 1969, the success was so great that it overshadowed the celebrations of man's landing on the Moon eleven days earlier. Euphoria took over Las Vegas in a way that hadn't been seen since the city's beginnings, with overcrowded hotels, people from all over the world on the Sunset Strip and the International Hotel breaking records for reservations and ticket sales for a newly opened establishment. Elvis' reception was more positive than he expected and nervousness over the "failure of 1956" in the city soon turned into enthusiasm for more shows on his part and recordings by RCA that would result in the LP "Elvis in Person at the International Hotel".

Elvis would return to the International showroom five months after his first season, on January 26, 1970, with solid plans to record another live LP. But his triumphant return to the stage after 9 years of hiatus and many mediocre films required something big to celebrate the achievement, which the Colonel arranged with MGM. Contract signed, Elvis was tasked with giving his best in front of the movie cameras in the August/September 1970 season, resulting in the incredible "That's the Way it is".

Although MGM tried to show everything about that season, a lot of material was left out. RCA also had no interest in releasing complete Elvis shows at that time, meaning tapes of unused performances were left aside. One of the cases is this presentation, at 8:30 pm on August 13, 1970, the last recorded for the film. Having spent decades on dusty shelves, it ended up losing its shine until it was completely forgotten. Of course, there are other factors to consider when it comes to whether or not to launch a show, and it appears that the case here is that Elvis actually sounds very tired from his two-show-a-day routine. Parker could have known better and prioritized quality over quantity in that season, which ran from August 10 to September 8, 1970, but it was still something special and a great challenge for Elvis.

In 2009, FTD decided to work on the show to see if there was potential for an official release. The record company called back audio editor Vic Anesini, who had magnificently remixed the version of "Elvis in Person" released a few months earlier, to try to revive the recording. He used his most modern techniques and ended up creating a completely new show, where the vibration of the band and orchestra together with the backing vocals almost manages to completely hide the tiredness in Elvis' voice.

Below is a review of the concert.

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- 1. That's All Right: The crystal clear sound of the band and backing vocals is noticeable from the first second. There is a priority on Ronnie Tutt's drums and Jerry Scheff's bass in the mix, followed by James Burton's guitar and some instruments from the orchestra. Elvis actually sounds quite tired from the first words of the song, but the version is still extraordinary. "Thank you. That's the first record I ever recorded."

- 2. I Got a Woman: After a brief "well", Elvis explains: "I just got through eating too, man, it's tough, you know." This is the version present in Sony's 2000 box set, although it appears listed there with the wrong date. A good version, but with very prominent brass that is sometimes distracting.

- 3. Hound Dog: "Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the International Hotel, I'm Fats Domino... I did a song about 1900, uh... When was it, man? I think it was before the Stock Market crash." Elvis doesn't do his sexual pun routine about his girlfriend with a big square eye here, at MGM's request. He only briefly comments that it's about that story and notes that he has "a hard time riding a red snake" (referring to the pattern of his jumpsuit).

The version is very short, just a minute long.

- 4. Love Me Tender: "Excuse me during the night, I have to go back here and drink water and stuff because it's... Especially stuff. It's straight vodka, that's all." After taking some time to rest and joke with the audience, Elvis talks about the next song: "I did a movie in 1900... When I was just a baby, really... I did a movie and the title song to that movie went like this." After a few seconds, the singer stops the music: "That's how it went, boy,  just right down the hill."

The rendition is standard, with Elvis dedicating himself to his fans. He tells someone about his method of knowing whether or not he can kiss the girls: "Only if the guy smiles, man, do I kiss her." 

- 5 & 6. Don't Cry Daddy / In the Ghetto: "I have a record that came out last year, and it went like this." The 1969 hit takes on a new sound here, with Elvis more centered in the mix and the instruments leveled. This is the last time he would sing "Don't Cry Daddy" and, even tired, the version is spectacular. It joins in a medley with "In the Ghetto" and was oddly split into two tracks on this CD, also appearing here in one of its latest renditions.

Overall, the medley is very good, especially since it was the only time both songs were performed that season.

- 7. I Just Can't Help Believin': "BJ Thomas has out a new record, ladies and gentlemen. I don't particularly like it, but, uh... No, I really think it's a beautiful song and I'd like to sing it for you now." Tired, Elvis does a short version in which he slurs part of the lyrics and laughs.

This version had previously appeared in "Writing For the King", but here it sounds renewed with Anesini's mix.

- 8. Stranger in the Crowd: "See, what's happening is, we're doing this new film here and we have to do a lot of new songs, so... We'll try to get the ones that you like and everything, but we got to do a lot of new ones, so just bear with us. This is a new song that I recorded in an album, it should be out in 1982."

Elvis clearly loves performing the song, but the fact that he got a part of the lyrics wrong was perhaps decisive for this to be the only rendition of it in his entire career. James Burton's guitar, almost absent on other releases, shines magnificently here.

- 9. Make the World Go Away: "I just did a country album, ladies and gentlemen, with a lot of my favorite country songs in it, and in the album there's one that was written before Roy Acuff was born... which is about 1800. It's a beautiful song, I hope you like it." This is the first of only 4 renditions of this song. The orchestra was well positioned in the mix and even Elvis' tiredness adds a different feel to the rendition.

- 10. Sweet Caroline: "It's time to go to work now", Elvis comments as the song starts. He gets the lyrics wrong and stops it after less than 30 seconds. The second attempt is very good, given the circumstances. The orchestra sounds wonderful.

- 11. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin': It's known that the most masterful rendition of this song, which had entered the setlist on the 10th of that month and year, was performed the night before, but here it doesn't even seem like Elvis is interested in it. His fatigue contributes to him forgetting or changing parts of the lyrics. Despite that, this is one of the best of the night.

- 12. Polk Salad Annie: This sensational version was previously released in the box "Elvis Aron Presley" from 1980, but the new mix makes a lot of difference here. The more prominent orchestra helps with the tempo, while the bass directs the feel towards something closer to 1970s funk. Increasing the volume of the backing vocals at the end was a masterstroke.

- 13. Introductions: Elvis quickly introduces The Sweet Inspirations, The Imperials, James Burton (as Chuck Berry), John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, Glen Hardin, Charlie Hodge (as Kate Smith), Joe Guercio and his orchestra, and Eddie Graham. In the audience, the singer introduces Art Carney. When remembered by Charlie, the King of Rock introduces soprano Millie Kirkham.

For some strange reason, Elvis decides at this point to give a truncated version of his monologue about how he got started in his career, citing only his TV appearances in the 1950s.

- 14. The Wonder of You: "I had a record out last year, that... this year? This year, wasn't it? It did pretty good for me, I'd like to sing it for you." The only filmed version of this classic, it features an Elvis who, despite being tired, tries to overcome himself but is unable to elevate this version to the level of the single from April of that year. His voice is positioned further back in the mix, while the orchestra appears prominently.

- 15. Heartbreak Hotel: A short medley of hits from the 1950s begins here. The singer's apparent fatigue causes him to almost drag out the lyrics at the beginning, but, as always, this is a song that cheers him up.

- 16. Blue Suede Shoes: With a hoarse voice, Elvis orders the song to start. Again, it's a version hampered by his fatigue.

- 17. One Night: Similarly, the version is pleasing, but not the best. The boost that the Sweets try to give Elvis is magnificent.

- 18. All Shook Up: "Thank you. We've only got about 42 more to go, so..." Elvis chooses the song and the band is not prepared, starting it with just Ronnie Tutt on drums. It's a quick version, just for the record.

- 19. Bridge Over Troubled Water: "Let's see, that's six. I got 44 more to go. Let's get serious now." Incredible as it may seem, Elvis' tiredness helps create a magnificent melancholy in this rendition. He sounds a little restrained at times, perhaps because he wants to preserve his voice for the midnight show.

Anesini's decision to put the orchestra and backing vocals in the spotlight couldn't be better.

- 20. Suspicious Minds: The drums are nice and clear here. Nothing like last night's classic performance, but Elvis is still having fun. For some strange reason, the brass section loses time and sounds terrible. However, Elvis is still excited about playing this classic, even though he is tired.

- 21. Can't Help Falling in Love: "You're a beautiful audience, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all very much." With the standard rendition of the 1961 classic, one of the best shows of the August/September 1970 season comes to an end.