Best track on "Recorded live on stage in Memphis" LP 1974

Post by **dreambear** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 12:50 pm

The sound of the general health check up late 1973, that could be heard on the Good times album, was still heard on march 20 1974. I still remember the day as a 12 year old boy, when I gave this album a first spin. I was so surprised to hear Elvis sounding so young again. When you hear the FTD version, it´s easy to hear that the show isn´t so focused as the MSG or the Aloha concert, but there´s a smoothness in his voice, not heard on record since the recordings from 1970. The setlist is pretty standard for the period, but for the listener in 1974, it was actually the first chance to hear a live version of "I got a woman" on a RCA album! Trying to get to you is a powerhouse performance.

What do you say about the rock medley? It would have been nice if Elvis had recorded a full version of "Mama don´t dance". Why me Lord is boring in my opinion, but was a new song and shall of course be included in the poll. "How great thou art" is far from boring, and in my opinion way better than the "In concert" version. Perhaps not in voice volume, but in voice control.

Did Elvis start " I can´t stop loving you" with "Blueberry hill" on more occasions? It sounds like an idea of the moment, but the musicians follows nicely. Help me is on par with the studio version.

I got a lot of critic by exclude "trilogy" from the aloha poll, so here it is again. Perhaps not so perfectly performed here as in aloha, but the middle section ("so hush little baby...") is the best known in my opinion. The vibrato reminds me of the perfect controlled vibrato of the early 60´s.

Let me be there is excluded because of it´s inclusion of the forthcoming "Moody blue" poll.

Both "Lawdy, miss Clawdy" and "My baby left me" gets respectful treatments from Elvis.

I like a lot of the versions here (even "See see rider") but I must vote on the big show stopper here: "How great thou art".

Vote on and have a merry, merry Christmas!

Kind regards

Björn

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 3:17 pm

This is my favorite show from 1974. Since "How Great Thou Art" won him a grammy, who am I not to vote for it?

Post by **Wilko** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:37 pm

Voted for 'How Great Thou Art' but I like like most of the performances on this album. One of my favourite live albums!

Post by **familyjules** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 5:49 pm

How Great Thou Art is a towering performance. It's actually my favourite Elvis recording of all. Probably. The power of it. Makes your hair stand up on end, your teeth rattle, and your ears pop!

Jules

Post by **Lennart** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:54 pm

Tough choice but I voted for "My baby left me"
I wish he had done it more often instead of "All shook up" and the other oldies he got tired of doing.

Lennart

Post by **ColinB** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:06 pm

dreambear wrote:...I like a lot of the versions here (even "See see rider")...

But not enough to include it in the options...........................

Post by **midnightx** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:28 pm

It was a strong album. Why isn't "See See Rider" listed on this poll? It is one of the best post-1970 versions available. From what is listed, "Trying To Get To You" gets my vote.

Post by **ColinB** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:53 am

midnightx wrote:It was a strong album. Why isn't "See See Rider" listed on this poll? It is one of the best post-1970 versions available. From what is listed, "Trying To Get To You" gets my vote.

It's a sad fact, but these polls, with their limit of 10 options, are not really suitable for subjects like setlists or 'best-track-on-the-album' type of things.

Some titles have to be eliminated before the polling even begins !

Post by **RickM** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:18 am

This was 1 of the 1st Elvis albums I ever bought & remains a peronal favourite. Spliting hairs here but I'd go with "trying to get to you"

Post by **keninlincs** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:53 am

always loved the rock medley on the album

Post by **elvisa** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:40 am

Dreambear...this is not an easy one.......I like the whole thing

...it`s one of those albums that I play a lot.... my vote went to Lawdy miss Clawdy, but I could easily have voted for them all...

Post by **dreambear** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:23 pm

midnightx wrote:It was a strong album. Why isn't "See See Rider" listed on this poll? It is one of the best post-1970 versions available. From what is listed, "Trying To Get To You" gets my vote.

Mainly because it was included on the "On stage" album poll. Most of the other tracks here were "new live versions" on record (for those who had watched On tour, had of course heard Lawdy, Miss Calwdy and I got a woman!)

The other option was to remove "trilogy", but I still remember what happened the last time I removed that track....

Blame it on the ten options limit.

Kind regards Björn

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:02 pm

Shouldn't "Let Me Be There" be on this list - since its first outting was on this LP.

Post by **dreambear** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 5:59 pm

Matthew wrote:Shouldn't "Let Me Be There" be on this list - since its first outting was on this LP.

Perhaps, but it would have excluded some other track, that someone would like to vote on. Most important is the possibility to vote, and that chance is on Moody blue.

//Björn

Post by **midnightx** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:15 pm

keninlincs wrote:always loved the rock medley on the album

That is the Doc's favorite too.

poormadpeter · Post by **poormadpeter** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:32 pm

The rock medley gets it for me, but this is a much under-rated live album - and is a better listen in its original state than in the uncut version in my opinion.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:42 pm

Not for me.

While I've always liked the original album, I prefer the FTD version, which features a very good "Steamroller Blues."

Post by **midnightx** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:47 am

The original album sequence was actually well done. Yes, Steamroller Blues would have been worthy of inclusion, but really, most of what was cut from the original LP represented filler. It is great to have the entire show available, but tracks like the lifeless Don't Be Cruel/Teddy Bear medley do not add much.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:38 am

midnightx wrote:tracks like the lifeless Don't Be Cruel/Teddy Bear medley do not add much.

Which is one way of looking at it. I prefer to look at it as lighthearted interaction with the audience. While it may not be exciting to sit and listen to CD after CD, the audience was loving him and dying to get their hands on a precious scarf -- not to mention Elvis was enjoying his fans.

Post by **KevR** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:18 pm

Lonely Summer wrote:"How Great Thou Art" gets my vote, the best version of this song IMHO. It's also nice to hear "Why Me, Lord" done straight, but my mom heard that and thought I was playing the record at the wrong speed! Really a nice concert. Maybe not as much of an event as Aloha, but he's more relaxed here, having fun ("duh moon tood till, on blueberry hill"), and vocally in great form. Nice to hear him do a few 50's classics that are not treated as throwaways ("My Baby Left Me", "Trying to Get to You", "Lawdy Miss Clawdy"). Those fans, though....Elvis is trying to sing "Help Me" and some girls are screaming at him...how he kept his concentration with that going on amazes me. I guess he got used to it, but still!!

Couldn't agree more, finally decided to vote for My Baby Left Me since it's unique to this album/period and of course has Elvis tipping a wink to one of composer Arhur Crudup's other (totally different

) composition's..... Ah dada dee dee deedee indeed!

Post by **monkboughtlunch** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 5:22 pm

dreambear wrote:The sound of the general health check up late 1973, that could be heard on the Good times album, was still heard on march 20 1974. I still remember the day as a 12 year old boy, when I gave this album a first spin. I was so surprised to hear Elvis sounding so young again.

This recording is an anomaly. While he doesn't sound as good as he did in 1970, he certainly sounds healthier than many shows from 72/73.

As you noted, perhaps this is a direct result of his late 73 hospital detoxification. He actually sounds a little better in this live March 74 recording than he did during the Dec. 73 post detox Stax sessions!

His voice is rich and clear and he doesn't seem to be under the influence of downers (which plagued his delivery on some 73 shows and certainly some later 74 shows).

I liked the FTD of this live show, though I think the amount of digital reverb used is a little over the top.

JerryNodak · Post by **JerryNodak** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:58 pm

If it were listed I'd vote for "Let Me Be There." Since it isn't I'll go with " Trying To Get To You." I don't care for Elvis' Live version of HGTA (Grammy Award not withstanding). Too over the top. Prefer the more understated studio version.

JerryNodak · Post by **JerryNodak** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:44 am

Yes, I agree this version is understated compared to EIC. Memphis version is over the top. EIC version is waaaaaaaaaaay over the top. I like that version even less.

The Colonel's Art Dept? No problem. I love "Separate Ways" and "Sings For Children." Just to name two tacky covers. So tacky they're good.

Post by **sylvain** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:58 pm

How great thou art

Post by **jeanno** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:14 pm

The roaring Trying To Get To You. Classic rendition but also completely different rendition of the song compared to the 68 sit-down performance and the original SUN cut.

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