This 2CD set features a live performance recorded on 4 September 1972, during the last night of Elvis’ seventh engagement in Las Vegas at the Hilton Hotel.
The show is presented in stereo.
A bonus CD of remastered rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, is also included.
The accompanying 40-page booklet - featuring rare photographs and memorabilia from the final evening – also includes liner notes that set the scene.
This is a follow up to their successful 4cd set ‘Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972’
EIN's Piers Beagley provides an in-depth review of this recent MRS release
Compilation produced by Joseph Pirzada,
design by Kev Reape. DES Remix, audio Restoration and Remaster by Studio D.
August 1972 found Elvis back at the Hilton for his 7th Las Vegas season. The year had certainly been an emotional roller-coaster ride. Starting with the low of Priscilla & Lisa’s departure on New Year’s Eve, Elvis then had to rise to the challenge of the ‘On Tour’ documentary as well as his fabulous June Madison Square Garden concerts.
1972 was still within the first exciting seventies period for Elvis performing live and in a positive move Elvis added 2 new songs to his line up, ‘What Now My Love’ and ‘My Way’, as well as adding the excellent ‘Fever’ live for the first time. Elvis had recorded ‘My Way’ in the studio the previous year but it was a low-key affair. Inspired by an audience however, it would become a perfect concert choice.
While Elvis would never return to the dynamic action of 1970 he boosted the musical depth of his performances during 1972 by using a powerful & varied selection of songs that helped show off his richer voice, as well as introducing added Karate moves.
In the last month I have received three new Elvis releases, MRS Closing Night 1972, RDM ‘Elvis Presley Rock ’n’ Roll No.1’ and FTD ‘The How Great Thou Art Sessions’, all containing Elvis material that I have bought multiple times before and all purchased one more time because they promised better audio quality. Hopefully these 2023 versions will be the last time I will ever need to buy them.
First, let’s look at MRS 'Closing Night 1972'.
This features Elvis’ Closing Night Dinner Show from September 4, 1972.
This concert was first released back in 1998 on the bootleg ‘I'll Remember You’, then on the Madison 2009 bootleg ‘A Hilton Double Shot’, then FTD’s official ‘Destination USA’ in 2014 (all spoilt by cassette tape hiss) and now this 2023 MRS version. And being an avid Elvis collector I have bought them all basically because every release has promised an improvement in audio quality.
To be honest the disappointment has always been that this wasn’t the final Midnight show but that soundboard has never been found. But, as you will see later on, this was in fact the longer show.
The Package
Following on from their 'Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972' this MRS set
continues the slim Book / CD combo package. Two CDs with one front and back
within easy to pull out cardboard sleeves.
By the end of the season Elvis was disappointingly no longer wearing his paisley-shirts and jacket but was back to his usual jumpsuits.
The 40 pages feature a good selection of images of Elvis performing on stage, around fifty in total and all of them featuring Elvis in his 'Adonis' jumpsuit he wore at the dinner show or 'Blue Swirl' that he wore at the Closing Show along with a few of him in his 'Eyelet' suit that he also wore in the last few days of this summer season
Super-fan Judy Palmer is credited for all the stunning 'Blue Swirl' photos
The concise sleeve notes describe how Elvis managed to maintain his momentum over 60 concerts, two each night, and how the newspaper reviews were positive..
.. The critics’ reviews were uniformly positive. Variety reported that Elvis, "… showing more discipline this time than last, he has a smooth-running turn with a welcomed absence of horseplay and inside gags with his musicians.. with the legend at his best.."- a clear reference to his renewed focus when on stage. Meanwhile, fans were ecstatic about his vocal power and his consistent performances. As the accompanying audio to this release proves, Elvis was on top form at this time.
It also notes that following his final concert Elvis would appear at the 'Aloha' broadcast announcement. Elvis was exhausted and it showed. As always Col Parker sure was whipping his horse.
Unusually a few typos have slipped through in the MRS design this time, albeit minor. 'I'm Leavin' was co-composed by Michael Jarrett (with 2 ts) and it is Mort Shuman (not Shumen) - however Chuck Berry certainly didn't compose ‘You've Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’!
Interestingly Albert E Brumley is credited for 'Walk That Lonesome Road' which is part of the discussion as to whether J.D Sumner actually composed or purely re-arranged this very old hymn.
Audio Quality: Anyone who tries to tell you that MRS’s audio engineer 'Studio D' doesn’t do a sensational job needs to hear this CD. Both the bootleg Madison release and also the subsequent FTD release were still degraded by terrible tape-hiss. Even on the more recent FTD ‘Destination USA’ you can hardly hear the piano intro of ‘I’ll Remember You’ because it is buried in hiss. And not only tape-hiss, but it is mono and Elvis sounds like he’s singing down a telephone line. Similarly tracks like ‘What Now My Love’ also sounded terrible.
This MRS version is a remaster revelation. ‘I’ll Remember You’ sounds glorious as do all the songs especially tracks such as ‘Fever’ that need more audio-depth and space.
As an example, please listen to this audio clip. First is the FTD version followed by the new MRS version of ‘I’ll Remember You’. Beware as the FTD audio is so quiet at the start - But You be the judge.
Note that I have not changed the audio levels, these are taken straight from both CDs.
The audio mix is more of a “Vintage mix” this time with Burton’s guitar on the right and rhythm section on the left, Elvis' vocal in the middle. The Orchestra is nicely separated but Glen Hardin’s piano being on the right channel does sound rather strange to me.
The second “Bonus CD” of Elvis’ Rehearsals are again a stunning improvement making them truly listenable and worth a repeat spin.
CD1 - Dinner Show September 4, 1972 - 58 minutes.
From the start of the 2001 intro / See See Rider with the thumping rhythm section, the new “Stereo” master places you in the middle of the audience which adds even more impact to the build-up.
'Johnny B. Goode' that follows is a super treat since, while introduced to his set list this season back on August 16 (that's a date to remember), this is the only soundboard version that we have of this song in this season - and it is a cracker. This is a great start with James Burton's guitar ringing nicely in this great stereo mix.
Oddly there was no 'I Got A Woman' or 'Proud Mary' this night.
A delightful 'Until It's Time For You To Go' follows and then a fine 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me'.
'Polk Salad Annie' with the cheeky “What are you doing Ronnie?” intro, ups the tempo and you can notice Elvis’ slight laugh in his voice showing that he was obviously still enjoying performing this classic on stage. “Everybody says it was a shame, as her daddy was a lame brain.. whoo” he jokes. The audio mix is excellent giving a nice space between percussion Elvis, JD Sumner and JB’s guitar. Elvis was working hard for a dinner show and there is a great “chick-a-boom” Sweets ending.
At this point Elvis finally welcomes the audience, “we'll try and do all 482 songs tonight”, before noting, "I'd like to get serious for just a moment" which introduces a very fine 'What Now My Love'.
The stereo orchestration really aids this performance and you can hear Elvis’ vocal with much more clarity. Compared to any previous release this is sensational.
‘Fever’ is serious and sexy with great finger-snaps in stereo. You can hear the audience lapping it up, a nice clean bass, no cassette hiss and there’s a fab “whooo” tease double-ending. Whatever Elvis on-stage did gets a huge ovation from the crowd!
Next follows a long run of Oldies-but-Goldies and what is noticeable here is that Elvis treats them with more respect than usual. (Especially if the last CD you listened to was a 1974 triple-pack!).
‘Love Me’ is not rushed for once, ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ with cool piano, even ‘All Shook Up’ are all fine performances.
Ok, Elvis does kiss-the-girls during ‘Love Me Tender’ and ‘Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel’ but then he’s back for a serious ‘Little Sister / Get Back’ again sounding fabulous in stereo.
Even the slow-fast ’72 version of ‘Hound Dog’ – or is that “nothing but an… aardvark, bush-hog, wart-hog, cricket, frog, bush-baby” – is enjoyable.
‘I’ll Remember You’“one of my favourite songs” is delightful, Elvis sings it with delicious emotion with the swirling Orchestra in stereo really helping to create a brilliant version. Listen at 01:20 as the backing-vocals come in to help Elvis’ pleading, “To your arms someday, I’ll return to stay.. ‘til then…” just beautiful.
Elvis introduces J.D. Sumner to sing his own composition ‘Walk That Lonesome Road’. While it does showcase JD’s super-deep voice he annoying shows-off at times. Elvis notes, “Fantastic, thank you fellows.”
A rather average ‘Suspicious Minds’ follows - “I hope this belt don’t cut me in two, Lord!" - although I’m sure the audience loved it.
The Introductions are short and sweet before Elvis introduces the British fan club... “who came all the way from England, there’s about 250 of them here. Hope you enjoy the show, thanks for coming over.”
The final section is a treat with Elvis singing a lovely ‘For The Good Times’ followed by an absolute rocking ‘Big Hunk O’ Love’ and then a brilliant ‘You Gave Me A Mountain’ – which for some reason Elvis had not sung during the first half of this Las Vegas season, choosing to sing ‘American Trilogy’ instead. Afterwards Elvis adds, “That’s a good song” and it gets a huge applause.
“Thank you very much, you're a very good audience ladies and Gentlemen, there’s a song in Blue Hawaii we’d like to do” and then ends with ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ and heads back up to his suite to rest before his final show.
EIN NOTE: The Midnight final performance is available as an audience recording and it is interesting to compare. While Elvis does seem more enthusiastic, knowing that it is the end of the season it is however not as energy-packed as a lot of his closing night shows. The only songs added to the final show set list were My Way and Mystery Train/ Tiger Man - while Elvis dropped four songs from his earlier Dinner Show ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Little Sister / Get Back’, ‘For The Good Times’ and also ‘Big Hunk O’ Love’. In fact somewhat surprisingly the final show was a lot shorter than this dinner performance.
At last we have an audio remaster of this final night concert that is truly listenable. I now realise how much the cassette hiss of the previous releases really did lessen my enjoyment as this is actually a very fine show and well-worth revisiting.
CD2 - Rehearsal Tracks 4th August 1972 - 75 minutes
This rehearsal cassette was previously released on the FTD ‘3000 South Paradise Road’.
Once again MRS’s audio engineer has again removed the majority of the background hiss, which again was my complaint on the previous release making it a little hard to want to revisit.
When I first played this MRS version I did not recall it as being the same rehearsal as it sounded so listenable. This cassette of Elvis’ rehearsal show was recorded without permission and so while obviously an “Audience recording” it now sounds much better and even works in "Stereo". Previously I noted that the audio quality only suited loud-speakers but now it is actually fine headphone listening. James Burton’s guitar, the orchestra and backing vocals are all not only separated but much clearer here and not buried in hum and tape hiss.
It becomes a much more enjoyable listening experience and I have already played it several times.
The highlights are songs new to this season ‘My Way’, ‘What Now My Love’ and ‘Fever’ while ‘Burning Love’ had only been performed twice in concert before.
Other real surprises well worth repeat listening are
- ‘My Babe’ Elvis rarely returned to this great blues song after August 1969 and it would only be performed on the Opening Night this August 72 season - and that was for the last time ever.
- ‘True Love Travels On A Gravel Road’ Elvis never did try it after the one-off in 1969.
- ‘Faded Love’ only sung a handful of times live in 1973 and never on stage this season.
- ‘I’m Leavin’ revisited a lot in 1973 and 1974 but not performed at all in 1972.
- ‘Blueberry Hill’ again not performed live on stage until two years later in 1974.
With this official confirmation of what Elvis did rehearse on-stage in the showroom it seems all the more disappointing that he didn’t vary his set-list more often.
All the above are great ‘Bonus Tracks’ but these are the key songs worth investigating..
‘What Now My Love’ is a serious rehearsal and is the one new song that Elvis really wanted to impress with. "Take it from the top again" says Elvis after the first run-through. Elvis works through the song getting the blend of vocals and orchestra just right. "It could be softer on the first bridge, louder on the second" he suggests and "I don’t want Kathy to be too strong". Less over-the-top here, in this quality you can hear how impressive it would have sounded if it ever had been recorded in the studio.
‘True Love Travels On A Gravel Road’ taken nice and slowly with Elvis’ vocal working perfectly with the J.D. Sumner & the Stamps backing-vocals. "Down through the years we've had hard times and tears, and we'll stay together no matter how strong the wind blows" is sung with a lovely emotional delicacy here. The MRS audio improvement really helps the orchestra and backing vocals shine. Three years after recording the song Elvis wants to rehearse it yet still doesn’t try it in front of an audience. What a shame.
‘Fever’ as a very sparse, fabulous rehearsal with only finger clicks and Jerry Scheff walking bass. Had this been a professional recording this would be the first release of Elvis singing this classic since the original 1960 ‘Elvis Is Back’ session! This “on-stage” version is superb to hear without an audience.
I’m a sucker for any version of ‘I’ll Remember You’ and this neat rehearsal is delightful, especially with the cassette-hiss removed and orchestra in focus. This would have been new to this Vegas orchestra and there is some discussion before the beautiful second version. Afterwards Elvis and the orchestra violins continued to practice to get the start perfected.
‘I’m Leaving’ is another beautiful rehearsal although not in as good audio quality as the 1974 studio rehearsals (‘Sunset to Vegas’). However with the improved MRS audio upgrade and in stereo - this version sounds very sweet. While performed extensively on-stage in 1971 Elvis never actually sang it in concert in 1972 and only returned to it in 1973.
‘My Way’ Elvis tries two rehearsal versions of this new song and with the light piano arrangement they are delightful to eavesdrop on. A lovely and delicate version, a nice rehearsal, just Elvis and the piano. The first attempt without the usual violins is beautiful, giving a very different and more fragile feel to the ‘My Way’ lyric. With the cassette hiss removed this is a delight. It sounds so bare, just Elvis pouring his heart out to an empty theatre with the fine stereo ambience.
When the orchestra truly kicks you realise that it is a real shame that a lighter arrangement wasn’t tried occasionally. “Sounds pretty good" says Elvis.
The MRS audio remaster here works a treat, with Elvis a cappella to Glen D Hardin’s piano and the light rim-shot of Ronnie Tutt. There is a lovely touch @01:35 as Elvis finally drifts into the picture with.. "Regrets I’ve had a few". It’s exquisite.
It is such a shame that this rehearsal wasn’t professionally recorded but the audio improvement here makes eavesdropping on this whole session a collector’s delight.
Overall Verdict: This MRS 2cd set of the Closing Night of Elvis' 1972 Summer Festival is a treat, nicely wrapping up the whole season with a cracker final dinner show plus some delicious rehearsals. At last we have an audio remaster of this final night concert that is truly listenable and I now realise how much the tape-hiss of all the previous releases really did lessen my enjoyment. Removing the bad cassette hiss and emphasising the instrumentation with a "Stereo remaster" not only elevates Elvis and the musicians' performances but also places the listener right into the middle of the audience.
The Bonus CD, with similar brilliant audio remastering work, also adds some real interest as Elvis rehearses all too many songs that he wouldn't perform live on stage in 1972. Plus the delight of songs that he would never record in a studio but recorded here without a live audience.
The MRS ‘Opening Night 1972’ is the essential purchase but this double-set of ‘Closing Night 1972’ is a very neat addition and the near perfect bookend to this MRS examination of Elvis’ 1972 Summer Festival. Highly recommended.
CD1 - 4th Sept 1972 (Dinner Show)
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra
02. See See Rider
03. Johnny B. Goode
04. Until It’s Time For You To Go
05. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
06. Polk Salad Annie
07. Elvis Talks to Audience
08. What Now My Love
09. Fever
10. Love Me
11. Blue Suede Shoes
12. Heartbreak Hotel
13. All Shook Up
14. Love Me Tender
15. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel
16. Little Sister / Get Back
17. Hound Dog
18. I'll Remember You
19. Walk That Lonesome Road (JD Sumner & The Stamps)
20. Suspicious Minds
21. Band Introductions
22. Elvis Welcomes British Fanclub
23. For The Good Times
24. A Big Hunk O' Love
25. You Gave Me A Mountain
26. Can't Help Falling In Love
CD2 - Las Vegas Rehearsal (4th August 1972)
01. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
02. Until It's Time For You To Go
03. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
04. Burning Love
05. What Now My Love (Take 1)
06. What Now My Love (Take 2)
07. My Babe
08. For The Good Times
09. True Love Travels On A Gravel Road
10. Fever
11. Blueberry Hill
12. Little Sister / Get Back (incomplete)
13. I'll Remember You
14. An American Trilogy
15. Something
16. Faded Love
17. You Gave Me A Mountain
18. I'm Leavin'
19. My Way (Take 1)
20. My Way (Take 2)
'ELVIS: Opening Night 1972' MRS CD Review: Elvis’ first 1972 Las Vegas season ran from January 26th through February 23rd, 1972. Elvis was in great shape both physically and vocally, and he was once again serious about performing.
While a large number of fans think that Elvis started losing inspiration and impetus after the power-year of 1970, his rejuvenation of his first live performances in 1972 demonstrate another more positive aspect. Introducing the new songs 'You Gave Me A Mountain', ‘I'll Remember You’ , 'A Big Hunk O'Love' and the brilliant 'An American Trilogy' would enrich Elvis’ live shows for the rest of his career. So while Elvis collectors may have heard the bootleg recording multiple times before, you have never truly enjoyed this concert, or appreciated its importance, until this sessional MRS audio Remaster.
Elvis was in superb form and this set-list - along with the new MRS audio remaster - is truly sensational. Check out EIN's detailed review here
(CD Reviews;ElvisInformationNetwork)
'Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972' MRS CD Review: This 4CD set contains a varied selection of live performances drawn from Elvis’ seventh engagement in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel during Elvis’ summer festival in the month of August 1972.
It features the 11 August Dinner and Midnight Show plus 12 August Dinner and Midnight Show. For the first time ever these performances are released in "Stereo". Bonus rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, are also included.
The accompanying 40-page booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia and liner notes help set the scene.
Key songs include My Way, Fever, Its Over, Until It’s Time For You To Go, American Trilogy, What Now My Love, Little Sister/ Get Back, Never Been To Spain, For The Good Times and A Big Hunk O' Love'.
Elvis was in superb form and with more new songs in his set-list sounding even better with the new MRS audio remaster it is a power-packed set.
MRS presents 'ELVIS: September 1970' in-depth Review:MRS's new 2CD deluxe set features a new previously unreleased soundboard from 2nd September 1970 and a bonus CD that covers the final rehearsals at the International Hotel on August 10th before the start of the summer festival.
In September 1970 Elvis was still excited to be back on stage and performing for his fans. Newspaper reviews of his concerts wrote about the excitement and fun Elvis was having back on-stage.
This brand-new previously unknown concert captures Elvis feeling 'loose-as-a-goose' yet still performing with a real intensity. His live versions of ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' were truly exceptional this evening.
The accompanying 40-page booklet of the CD deluxe includes rare photographs and memorabilia taken during these engagements along with introductory notes.
'Summer Festival 1970: The Rehearsals' In-Depth Review:MRS's new triple-CD set 'Summer Festival 1970: The Rehearsals' was released last month.
The CDs contain rehearsal highlights from one of the most memorable periods in Elvis’ career - his captivating performances at The International Hotel Las Vegas in the summer of 1970. With remastered audio and accompanying 40-page booklet the package is aimed at the general public, plus Elvis collectors who could not afford last year's FTD fan club deluxe release.
Elvis’ glorious rehearsals on 24 July at RCA studios are the real key to this release. Twenty seven classic performances and with Elvis not only rehearsing the familiar songs we would all come to know from the MGM movie but also songs he would never perform on stage.
MRS 'Elvis:Back In Living Stereo' in-depth Review: The new MRS set contains 6CDs of essential 1960-1962 master recordings, plus rare alternate outtakes - including plenty of officially unreleased material - and all of the personal home recordings Elvis made during the 1960s.
The 100 page book, with text from Gordon Minto, includes rare unpublished documents and photographs, supported by a comprehensive text discussing each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1960-62.
Musically the packed cds - over seven hours - present a stunning look at Elvis recording in the early sixties before the shine wore off. The "Master" sessions nicely contrast with the looser "Outtakes" discs and with Elvis getting even more uninhibited on the Home Recordings. - Very unihibited with a certain Nancy Sharpe!
But with so much thrown into the mix, and some tracks in poor audio quality, have MRS packed "Too Much" into the one release.
'Elvis - Made In Germany’ In-Depth Review: The new MRS 'Elvis - Made In Germany – The Complete Private Recordings’ 4CD set contains more than 3 hours of the private recordings Elvis made while off duty in Germany when he was serving as a soldier in the US army during the 1958 -1960 period and, includes rare tracks from a recently discovered tape comprising over an hour of unheard personal recordings. The 152-page hardback book contains rare photographs and documents plus a comprehensive text provided by Gordon Minto, which discusses each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1957-58, before focusing on the private recordings he made in Germany.
The BONUS CD features the essential RCA studio masters from 1957-58.
With such an expansive book, along with hours of Elvis jamming with his friends in Germany, there is plenty to discuss as well as finding out what extra material this set contains over the official releases.
'The Complete ‘50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' In-Depth Review:This MRS 'The Complete ‘50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' 5CD/Book combo pays tribute to Elvis Presley’s complete music recordings made for his movies during the 1950s.
The 5CDs contain the complete works of the master and session studio recordings made for each of Elvis’ movies during the 1950s, and all tracks have been remastered.
The 200-page book focuses on each of the recording sessions held for the four motion pictures made between August 1956 and March 1958.
The comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and documentation.
So what surprises will collectors discover in this new set, what is in this new collection that FTD have missed and how good will the audio sound.
‘ELVIS: Studio Sessions 1956' In-Depth Review: MRS newest release, a massive 3CD/172 page book compilation "Elvis Studio Sessions ‘56 The Complete Recordings". The 172-page book, with text by Gordon Minto, focuses on each of Elvis’ studio recording sessions during his first year of national stardom - from the first one in January, held in Nashville, then later in New York, before finishing his final session of the year in Hollywood in September. The full and comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and pieces of documentation. The 3CDs contain the complete archival master and session studio recordings of Elvis Presley from 1956, along with bonus interviews. All 90 tracks have been remastered and restored. Also for the first time on CD is the complete ‘The Truth About Me’ from an original US 45rpm flexi-disc. Also included are all the out-takes from this interview.
Once again MRS release a first putting all of Elvis' key 1956 Studio Session masters onto one disc, with the addition of two other fully-packed cds of 1956 material and a stunning 172 page book. But what does this set offer over other previous releases Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new volume from MRS to find what is on offer. Includes stunning example photos & a detailed audio investigation. (Book Review: Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)
