Still Wielding That Old Magic! (LP - VVR, 2016)

Title:

Still Wielding That Old Magic!

Label:

Victory Vinyl Records  [---]

Format:

Double LP + DVD

Number of tracks:

20 (LPs)

Running time:

140:00 (LPs + DVDs)

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2016

Recording date:

April 5, 1972

Release date:

March 2016

Singles:

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Still Wielding That Old Magic! was a double LP and DVD box set released in limited edition (500 copies) in 2016 by bootleg label Victory Vinyl Records. It contains the complete April 5, 1972 show in Buffalo, New York, which officially opened the recording season for "Elvis On Tour".

After 8 years of making mediocre films in Hollywood, Elvis had never seen his name so prominent as in the years 1968 to 1972. After the days of his new rhythm explosion in the early 1950s, this was the best productive period of his career.

When news of Elvis' possible return to the stage took over the media in mid-1968, no one could have predicted the resounding success that the '68 Comeback Special would have on American TV. From then on, all of the King of Rock's releases in the next four years would be received with unparalleled success and, despite their ups and downs, only served to prove Elvis' artistic superiority and his ease in transitioning between genres.

In the Vegas sphere, it goes without saying that the flame was getting higher and higher in 1972. Always packed audiences eagerly awaited the King of Rock's shows and Sin City was experiencing the height of its commercial boom. New songs were in Elvis' repertoire, and with all the enthusiasm of his triumphant return that had not wavered after three years and the success of his two previous live albums, both he and the Colonel and RCA came to the conclusion that it was time for a new album with parts of the shows - or even a complete one - and a documentary.

Between March 27 and April 5, 1972, while "Elvis on Tour" was being filmed, Elvis used RCA Studio C in Hollywood and the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in New York to record some tracks, including "Always On My Mind", "Separate Ways" and "Burning Love", and to rehearse the new arrangements and songs that would become part of the repertoire in the following days.

The show on the night of April 5, 1972 in Buffalo kicked off the recording of concerts for "On Tour", being one of the most sought-after events by fans in the region because Elvis had never performed in the city before (and would only return in 1976). The electricity generated by the expectation of seeing and hearing the King of Rock up close is one of the highlights of this concert.

Read the review of the work below.

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LP 1

SIDE A

- 1. Also Sprach Zarathustra / See See Rider: The standard fanfare since 1971 kicks in. Now set as the opening number, Elvis seems more enthusiastic about the song than you might expect, despite the microphone feedback at the end.

- 2.Proud Mary:Performed since 1970, Creedence Clearwater Revival's hit song gets the crowd going. Fans go crazy over Elvis' famous pelvic movements and the rendition is very good.

- 3. Never Been to Spain:  Getting straight to the point, Elvis doesn't waste time between songs. The version is great to listen to and the King of Rock puts all his soul into the interpretation.

- 4. You Gave me a Mountain: But it's the new songs that really interest Elvis, and this one comes from his January/February stint in Las Vegas. Delicate and delightful, it features Elvis absorbing the meaning of the lyrics and performing them in a moving way.

- 5. Until it's Tome For You to Go: The song sends fans into a frenzy, as it offers their first chance to get a scarf or a kiss from Elvis. The rendition is standard, but full of feeling.

SIDE B

- 6. Polk Salad Annie:  The audience erupts in screams from the very first chords of the song. Elvis is excited and sings with a strong, focused voice, offering a spectacle of extreme quality, both visually and aurally.

- 7. Love Me: The "oldies" appear for the first time in the show. Elvis is enthusiastic and greets the fans with affection.

- 8. Blue Suede Shoes: Standard rendition, it continues the distribution of kisses and scarfs.

- 9. All Shook Up: Standard but very enthusiastic rendition.

- 10. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Kisses and scarfs, but with an even more enthusiastic Elvis.

- 11. Hound Dog: Elvis really enjoys himself before this performance. The slow introduction before the explosive finale is met with deafening cheers from the audience.

LP 2

SIDE A

- 12. A Big Hunk O' Love:  This is a really rocking version of the 1958 recording. Elvis sings well and performs his classic magnificently.

- 13. I Can't Stop Loving You: With his voice still warm, Elvis produces a very good version of Ray Charles' hit.

- 14. Love Me Tender: Handing out more scarfs and kisses, Elvis entertains the audience as he sings the 1956 hit.

- 15. Suspicious Minds: Compared to previous versions, it seems like a routine interpretation to lead into the band's introduction. The musicians' introduction was cut from the source, however.

SIDE B

- 16. An American Trilogy:  Elvis doesn't talk much, a characteristic of his 1972 shows, and goes straight into the classics that were already highly anticipated in his performances. The rendition is very well done and, perhaps, the best of the entire show.

- 17. Johnny B. Goode:  Elvis was in love with this Chuck Berry classic, which shows in his magnificent rendition.

- 18. Lawdy Miss Clawdy:  The 1956 hit again starts the distribution of scarfs and kisses. The fans scream for Elvis' attention and he promptly complies.

- 19. Funny How Time Slips Away:  Inevitably, this Willie Nelson hit always announced that the show was coming to an end. Elvis' calm rendition is almost completely drowned out by the screams of the fans desperately trying to get closer to the stage.

- 20. Can't Help Falling in Love / Closing Vamp: The end of the show is pretty standard, with Elvis handing out scarfs and kisses as he sings the 1961 classic and disappearing backstage to the final fanfare and the screams of his fans.

DVD

- 1. Buffalo Rehearsal: 10 minutes of footage from the rehearsal at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium on the afternoon of April 5, 1972.

- 2. Hampton Roads Concert: Complete footage of the 2:30 pm show on April 9, 1972 in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

- 3. Richmond Concert:3 minutes of footage from the April 10, 1972 show in Richmond, Virginia.