Burning Bright in South Bend (CD - PA, 2008)

Title:

Burning Bright in South Bend

Label:

PA [---]

Format:

CD

Number of tracks:

27

Running time:

81:00

Type of album:
Concert

Linked to:

Unofficial discography

Year:

2008

Recorded:

September 30, 1974

Release date:

2008

Singles:

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Burning Bright in South Bend is a PA CD released in 2008. It contains the September 30, 1974 concert in South Bend, Indiana. The work is currently out of print.

There's no doubt that Elvis was going through a rough patch at the start of 1974's fourth national tour, which would also mark a year since his divorce became official.

The band and the audience noticed a drastic difference: the enthusiasm had ceased to exist and a mentality of constant irritation had emerged.

No wonder the shows at the beginning of that tour, from September 27th to 29th, became known as "Elvis' worst", with the one on the 27th being titled "Chaos in College Park".

On the occasion, John Wilkinson would later say: "He was slurring. It was obvious there was something terribly wrong with his body. It was so bad the words to the songs were barely intelligible. College Park let us know that they wouldn't have him back. We were in a state of shock. Joe Guercio said, 'He's finished..', I remember crying."

Fortunately, Elvis recovered enough after a much less troubled show on September 29 in Detroit, and left renewed for South Bend, where he would perform for the next two days.

His mental state on the 30th was clearly better than that seen days before and Elvis was more excited, propelling the band with his voice rather than being a helpless hostage to it (such a frightening lack of defense would recur in 1977). His indelible mark, his voice, seemed to falter at times, but he tried to correct small mistakes by playing vocal pranks on the notes and, when he felt more tired, stopping to chat with the audience and crack a few jokes.

At this point in his career, Elvis was already terribly tired of the 2,200-per-show crowd at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, and working to entertain those 12,301 paying guests in South Bend was a more than welcome challenge.

  Below is a review of the content available on the CD.

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- 1. See See Rider: According to Geoff The Chef in the album jacket of FTD's 2003 "Dragonheart", on October 1 "Elvis was visibly struggling as he entered the stage... Right from the get-go, the musicians on stage noticed that something was wrong. Elvis' vocals were weak and lackluster, and his delivery lacked focus and power."

The singer really did sound out of tune at times, but he certainly doesn't sound all bad here a day earlier. What we hear is a standard, well done version.

- 2. I Got a Woman / Amen: What sounds really bad is the tape source. Apart from points where the audience calms down, it's really difficult to understand most of the jokes and comments Elvis does. Washington Post critic Larry Rohter noted that the Cole Field House had "horrendous acoustics" and that perhaps a small majority of people did not even hear Elvis on his review of the October 1 concert.

After interacting with fans for a long time, the rendition begins. Elvis' voice sounds good and healthy, producing a very enjoyable version. After his "striptease" routine, he asks JD to perform his famous dive bombs.

- 3. Elvis Talks: "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Elvis is gonna be here in a minute, I'm his double. No. I'm Wayne Newton, really." After some quick quips, Elvis acknowledges the audience and interacts with his fans for some time.

- 4. Love Me: An editing error causes the audio of "I Got a Woman" from an unrelated concert to briefly leak in for a few seconds—a glitch that repeats several times throughout the recording. The tape resumes and we hear a standard, but exciting version of Elvis' 1956 hit.

- 5. Blue Suede Shoes: This is perhaps the first song that Elvis really focuses on. And it's an amazing version.

- 6. It's Midnight: The longer intro for the song works really well. There seems to be a significant improvement in Elvis' voice and performance here. He performs an emotional, very touching version of the single that would be released the following day.

- 7. Big Boss Man: Elvis' high energy performance continues. When compared with versions from the previous days or even the following few, this is an amazing version.

- 8. Fever: A very nice fan request, but still a throwaway as usual.

- 9. Love Me Tender: The song is actually performed very well and Elvis seems really focused.

-10. Hound Dog: Quick and entertaining, too bad it's a mere 80 seconds long.

-11. If You Love Me (Let Me Know): Added a month and a half earlier to the fixed setlist, Olivia Newton-John's hit is next and it sounds refreshing. Elvis is enthusiastic in his rendition and the band and backing vocals really dig it.

- 12. Bridge Over Troubled Water: Now, this is an even bigger showstopper than it already was. At a time when Elvis was struggling with some very dark inner demons, this version is powerful - filled with amazing vocalizations and performed brilliantly from beginning to end.

- 13. Elvis Talks: The singer interacts with the audience, but the audio quality is too poor to make out what's being said most of the time. The only standout moment is when Elvis acknowledges a fan’s request for "Suspicious Minds" with a casual, "We’ll see." Despite the anticipation, the song wasn’t performed that night.

- 14. Introductions: Amid lively fan interactions, Elvis introduces the members of Voice, The Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner and The Stamps Quartet (individually), and Kathy Westmoreland—jokingly telling the audience they've been having an affair for four years.

- 15. Intro - J. Burton: Elvis introduces James Burton, John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Duke Bardwell and Glen Hardin.

- 16. Lawdy Miss Clawdy: Elvis uses Glen Hardin’s piano solo as the perfect opportunity to launch into one of his favorite songs. This particular rendition feels especially worthwhile—rich in emotion and musicality.

- 17. Introductions (cont.): Elvis interacts with the audience and introduces Charlie Hodge, Joe Guercio and his orchestra.

- 18. Killing Me Softly: Elvis invites Voice to perform the song that had been Roberta Flack's biggest hit in 1973. In addition to promoting the group that the singer had assembled and managed indirectly, this section of the show became common from 1974 onwards and served to let him catch his breath.

- 19. Polk Salad Annie: Although it already sounds almost identical instrumentally to the 1977 versions, Elvis still delivers an outstanding vocal performance and captivating body movements that truly engage the audience.

- 20. Why Me Lord: "I'd like to ask The Stamps to sing one of my favorite songs." A reverent silence fills the venue as JD Sumner’s powerful voice reverberates through the crowd. Elvis lightens the mood with a well-timed joke aimed at JD—earning a laugh and effortlessly breaking the tension.

- 21. All Shook Up: A brisk, 50-second rendition crafted purely to delight the fans.

- 22. Teddy Bear / Don''t Be Cruel: Elvis' voice is fine, but as usual, this is a throwaway version, just used so he can hand out more scarves and kisses.

- 23. You Gave Me a Mountain: Elvis pours his heart out in this performance. He brings a fresh emotional depth to the song, exploring unique vocal interpretations and softly reciting the most weighty lines. At times, he even seems to choke up—making this an especially powerful rendition.

- 24. Let Me Be There: Another Olivia Newton-John hit and one of Elvis’s favorites, this song receives a fresh, vibrant rendition.

- 25. Hawaiian Wedding Song: After talking to the fans for a while, Elvis does a good version of the closing song from the 1961 movie "Blue Hawaii". Although the moment pleases the audience, it seems tied to Elvis’ earlier comment about Kathy, hinting at a personal connection beneath the performance.

- 26. Johnny B. Goode: Elvis delivers a playful twist on Chuck Berry’s classic, singing lines not found in any of his previous renditions and even improvising new lyrics. It’s a fun, energized performance that showcases his flair for reinventing familiar hits.

- 27. Can't Help Falling in Love: The song that closes the show is yet another opportunity for fans to receive kisses and scarves. The "Closing Vamp" plays while he bows to the audience and disappears backstage.