www.elvis-presley.website

The ultimate site about the king of the analogue age

 

 

All Shook Up

After the orchestra has entertained the crowd we hear a drum stakkato. Then the band joins in and Elvis appears on stage. His assistant hands him a guitar and the king throws himself into a powerful rendition of his mega seller from 1957.

I Got A Woman

Now Elvis sings the word "well", which is purposely repeated out of tune by The Sweet Inspirations. Their boss quips "Shut up" and starts to sing the Ray Charles classic "I Got A Woman". He really attacks the song and obviously loves to sing it.

Long Tall Sally

The king fools around with the intro, but then he rocks the house all along the way. Afterwards he jokingly welcomes the crowd to the Flamingo and tries to play the trumpet. He isn't successful, but it's an entertaining skit. Jokingly Elvis comments "The tempo of the show is moving very well".

Don't Cry Daddy

After three oldies in a row it's time for a recent song. In December of the previous year Elvis has socred a top10 hit with the ballad "Don't Cry Daddy" and today's rendition is just as good as the one on the single.

Hound Dog

Elvis uses the intro of the rock'n'roll classic to crack some jokes and tell the crowd, that he'd prefer to sing stuff like "Everybody Loves Somebody", but the people would suspect, that he couldn't move anymore. The song itself doesn't include more than four lines, but that's enough for Mr. Presley to rock the house.

Love Me Tender

Just like the previous August "Love Me Tender" is nothing but a tool to kiss the ladies at the edge of the stage. Today one of these females turns out to be Priscilla Presley! Elvis reacts to her joke by saying "I recognized that girl".

Kentucky Rain

With "Kentucky Rain" Elvis presents another new song, the follow-up of "Don't Cry Daddy". It isn't selling as well, but it's a good, mature popsong. Music like this certainly fits him and he delivers a very good performance.

Let It Be Me

Now Elvis covers "Let It Be Me" and even manages to surpass the original. Great stuff!

I Can't Stop Loving You

While the audience still applaudes Glen D. Hardin starts to play the opening chords of "I Can't Stop Loving You". His boss joins in and delivers a powerful rendition. Boy, he's running at full throttle!

See See Rider

Elvis now changes the prepared setlist and announces "Let's walk a mile and stop. No, let's do SEE SEE RIDER". So we get to hear the old blues classic instead of the more recent "Walk A Mile In My Shoes". The king has introduced "See See Rider" in the middle of the engagement, because he needed more new material for the planned live album. However, Elvis has turned the good old "See See Rider" into a hard rockin' blues and everybody performs with zest.

Sweet Caroline

In contrast to the opening show "Sweet Caroline" zips along nicely. Jokingly Elvis turns the line "...and spring became the summer" into "...and spring became the mattress".

Polk Salad Annie

Without giving the audience time to applaude Jerry Scheff starts to play the bass intro of "Polk Salad Annie". After dozens of performances it sounds smooth and the musicians are reacting to Presley's every move in astonishing perfection. After the performance is over it appears that the band is starting all over again, but they are just jamming to give Elvis a minute to catch his breath.

Introductions

Jokingly Elvis claims to work with The Four Aces (Imperials), Chuck Berry (James Burton), Steve Allan (Glen D. Hardin), Kate Smith (Charlie Hodge) and Leonard Bernstein (Bobby Morris).

Lawdy Miss Clawdy

Because it's closing night the king wants to do something special and so he takes the seat behind the piano. First he tries to play "Blueberry Hill", but he doesn't get past the intro. Then he opts for "Lawdy Miss Clawdy". Everything sounds a bit off the cuff, but it's a charming performance. Afterwards Elvis claims to have been known as Fats Domino in the past, but has lost some weight. Not a very sensitive kind of humor. Ironically it wouldn't take more than six years until Elvis himselvis played in the same weight class.

Heartbreak Hotel

Up next is "Heartbreak Hotel", the king's first number one hit. He performs it just as well as back in 1956.

One Night

Elvis meets the applause by promising to sing 462 of the 480 songs he recorded. Then he asks for his electric guitar and accompanies himself on "One Night". His guitar playing is as rudimentary as his piano skills, but his abilities as a singer certainly make up for these shortcomings.

It's Now Or Never

The king keeps the instrument and continues with "It's Now Or Never". Even though his biggest hit (and the best sold single of the 1960s - worldwide!) isn't on the setlist, it obviously was rehearsed. For a spontaneous performance it works astonishingly well.

Suspicious Minds

Elvis gives his guitar back to Charlie Hodge and says "Take it on!". Within a second the band begins to play "Suspicious Minds" and the king uses the song to move all accross the stage and drive the ladies wild with his antics.

Can't Help Falling In Love

Because this is the final night of the stint Elvis takes more time than usual to say goodbye. He thanks all the people behind the stage and especially mentions Lamar Fike (lights), Bill Porter (sound) and Colonel Parker (management). When he realizes, that Parker isn't in the room, he ironically suspects that he might be in the casino, trying to get even. Of course Elvis also mentiones Felton Jarvis (producer) and promotes his forthcoming appearances in Houston. Then he segues into his usual closing number "Can't Help Falling In Love". The recording ends with a speaker hawking the souvenirs, that were sold in the lobby of the showroom.

 

 (C) Follow That Dream Records / Sony Music Entertainment