An Unforgettable Night in Little Rock (CD - LR, 2007)

Title:

An Unforgettable Night in Little Rock

Label:

Little Rock [LR 010207]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

23

Running time:

62:00

Type of album:

Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2007

Recording date:

April 17, 1972

Release date:

2007

Singles:

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An Unforgettable Night in Little Rock is a bootleg CD by Little Rock. It covers the April 17, 1972 show in Little Rock, Arkansas.

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" and the On Tour Season with an energy that was simply electric. Hitting stages across the country, he wasn't just revisiting his classics—he was reinventing them. Decked out in those iconic jumpsuits, he commanded every venue like it was his personal playground. The way he connected with the audience was something else; it was like he was singing to each person individually. This wasn't just a series of concerts—it was a reinvigoration of rock 'n' roll at a time when music was rapidly evolving.

When Elvis arrived in Richmond, Virginia, to perform a sold-out concert at the Richmond Coliseum on April 10, 1972,  the On Tour Season was already a phenomenon. Every city the King of Rock set foot in was packed with fans—hotels were fully booked, stores experienced surges in sales, and iconic monuments, places and parks were filled with people from all over, just waiting to see Elvis. It had been the same in Hampton Roads and it was the same in Indianapolis, Charlotte, Greensboro, Macon, Jacksonville, Little Rock, San Antonio and Albuquerque.

The April 17, 1972 concert in Little Rock had been released a few times before, but in very poor audio condition. The only release with a nicer audio is this from the small bootleg company Little Rock. It showcases Elvis relentlessly trying to outdo himself at the end of his On Tour Season.

Read the review of the work below.

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- 1. Jackie Kahane Warm Up Act: Comedian Jackie Kahane does his comedy act.

- 2. Also Sprach Zarathustra: The end of the standard fanfare is heard.

- 3. See See Rider: Even though the label promises a better quality, nothing has been made to clean the audio and it still sounds very muffled, with Elvis' voice being the only thing that we can hear a little better. Elvis is enthusiastic, but the tiredness in his voice is very clear.

- 4.Proud Mary: The song gets a good rendition, but there are many others with far superior performances.

- 5. Never Been to Spain: Either Elvis is too tired to do normal tempo versions or the tape is at an incorrect speed - the latter sounding more believable. We can't hear most of the instruments, but the rendition is fair.

- 6. You Gave me a Mountain: Here we find for sure that the problem really is the tape's speed, as Elvis sounds like he's singing right from 1977 into the past. It's a delightful rendition nonetheless.

- 7. Until it's Tome For You to Go: The song gets a passionate rendition while Elvis interacts with his crowd.

- 8. Polk Salad Annie: Tape speed apart, the song makes the audience go crazy and excites Elvis. His karate chops at the end are - as always - a delight.

- 9. Love Me: The 1950s hits section starts. Elvis does an average rendition while interacting with fans.

- 10. All Shook Up: Standard version, but we somehow get to hear Ronnie Tutt's drumming in the back and it helps to make the song feel fresh.

- 11. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel: Kisses and scarfs, with Elvis having some fun.

- 12. Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis is obviously tired, but this rendition is actually quite good.

- 13. Hound Dog: After announcing that this was his "message song" at The Ed Sullivan Show in  1956, Elvis starts the standard slow introduction. The audience screams and has fun with the King of Rock before the explosive.

- 14. How Great Thou Art: Elvis had this Gospel song added to his setlist for the On Tour Season so he could express his adoration for the genre. This is a really nice version with a magnificent ending. The tape fades out right after the song.

- 15.  I Can't Stop Loving You: A fade in brings us to the middle of Elvis' rendition of Ray Charles' hit. He sings passionately.

- 16. Love Me Tender: Elvis plays with his fans and the band before doing a short but good rendition of his 1956 hit while handing out more scarfs and kisses.

- 17. Suspicious Minds: CWith the tape's speed closer to the actual tempo of the song, it sounds fantastic. Elvis has fun with it and delivers a phenomenal ending.

- 18. Introductions: Elvis introduces JD Sumner and The Stamps Quartet, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland, James Burton, John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, Glen Hardin, Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 19. For the Good Times: Kris Kristofferson's hit from 1970 gets a very soulful rendition while attends to his fans.

- 20. An American Trilogy: The medley was already a fan favorite and is received with lots of applause. The rendition if flawless. We have another fade out at the end.

- 21. Funny How Time Slips Away:  As the tape fades in again, Elvis is in the middle of Willie Nelson's hit. The fans scream wildly while desperately trying to get closer to the stage and reach the King of Rock. After the song, Elvis asks for the lights to be turned up and asks if there are any Memphians in the crowd - to which he receives a deafening positive answer.

- 22. Can't Help Falling in Love: The end of the show is standard, with Elvis handing out scarfs and kisses while singing his 1961 classic.

- 23. Closing Vamp: Elvis disappears backstage to the final fanfare and the screams of his fans.