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In 2004 Follow That Dream Records released an album called "Polk Salad Annie". It features RCA's recording of the midnight show on February 15, 1970. The start of the concert wasn't taped by the sound engineer, but Sony's own collector's label made up for it by adding several bonus tracks. The compact disc is housed in a 5" digipak, which was designed with pictures from 1970 and 1969. The audio was mixed by Dennis Ferrante and mastered by Lene Reidel.

 

I Got A Woman

The recording omits "All Shook Up", the first song of the show. The engineer didn't start his equipment until the middle of "I Got A Woman". Elvis performs the song with a lot of power, at the end he has to cough.

Long Tall Sally

Jokingly Elvis causes a false start, but then he sings the rock'n'roll classic with more energy than he did back in 1956. At the age of 35 the king was at the peak of his powers! Afterwards he welcomes the audience to the Flamingo Hotel and flirts with a bunch of slightly hysterical ladies. While he drinks some whater, Charlie Hodge can be heared saying off-mike, that one of the females looks like Priscilla, to which the king replies "yeah".

Don't Cry Daddy

The ballad is presented a tad faster then on the record and Charlie's harmony voice is quite loud in the mix. Nevertheless it's a very good performance.

Hound Dog

After some jokes about the good ole' days Elvis fools around with the intro of "Hound Dog". The rock'n'roll classic is sung with a lot of power, today the king even bothers to sing the second verse instead of constantly repeating the four lines of the first one.

Love Me Tender

Now Elvis announces the title song of his first movie, which he claims to have made in 1926. Of course it was in 1956, but he certainly came a long way since then and to him it must seem like a different age. He certainly has changed in the last 14 years. As expected, it's not a serious performance of the somewhat boring ballad. The king uses it to kiss some of the ladies. It's some kind of circus, but very entertaining.

Kentucky Rain

While presenting the a-side of his latest single, Elvis jokingly changes the lyrics and has to laugh about his own joke. Later he also suffers of a coughing attack. For RCA this track is unusable, but it's entertaining.

Let It Be Me

The power ballad gets a serious and heartfelt rendition and is one of the highlights of the show.

I Can't Stop Loving You

Just like on his current album "From Memphis To Vegas / From Vegas To Memphis" Elvis and the band are running at full throttle.

Walk A Mile In My Shoes / In The Ghetto

Now Elvis couples Joe South's "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" with his own "In The Ghetto". Musically and textually the songs fit well. Unfortunately the king has to cough again, so the rendition cannot be used for the current recording project. 

Sweet Caroline

Before he sings "Sweet Caroline", Elvis bestows a lucky lady with a kiss. He dosen't take the tune too serious, changes the lyrics and fools around. So once again the performance cannot be released on the planned album, but is very entertaining for the people in the showroom.

Polk Salad Annie

The king fools around with the story of Annie, which is quite amusing. In the middle of the performance something happens on stage or right before the stage. Elvis has to laugh out loud and even a few decades later it's quite entertaining to hear this version of the swamp rock.

Introductions

Once again Elvis takes care of the ladies, then he introduces his singers and musicians. In-between he has to cough several times, but that doesn't keep him from joking around. 

Suspicious Minds

The previous years' mega seller "Suspicious Minds" is presented with a lot of body action. Elvis moves and shakes, the ladies go bananas. 

Can't Help Falling In Love

With a few words the king bows out, sings "Can't Help Falling In Love" and the curtain comes down.

Release Me (February 19th, dinner show)

Elvis and the musicians have to coordinate themselves, because this is just the third live performance of this song. It's loose as a goose and the king obviously enjoys, what he's doing.

See See Rider (February 17th, midnight show)

Once again the lead vocalist has to adjust himself with the band. It's another new song and Elvis has trouble to find into the tune. The result is worth listening to, but certainly not good enough to be released on an album.

Proud Mary (February 19th, dinner show)

For me this is one of the highlights of this compilation. Elvis and his group are rocking the house in unique style. Great stuff!

The Wonder Of You (February 18th, dinner show)

Here we get the premiere of "The Wonder Of You". It's not a good performance. Elvis forgets the lyrics, the Sweet Inspirations' harmony vocals are out of tune and the slower tempo turns the whole thing into a dragging affair.

Release Me (February 18th, rehearsal session)

The engineer starts the equipment in mid-song. Elvis is very motivated, sings some of the instrumental parts and chears his harmony singers on.

See See Rider (February 18th, rehearsal session)

Compared to the live performance on the previous day, this version sounds more coordinated.

The Wonder Of You (February 18th, rehearsal session)

The rehearsal gives a somewhat chaotic impression. Here and there the band flounders, The Sweet Inspirations come in too early and Elvis has trouble to remember the lyrics.

 

Verdict

Despite having a cold, Elvis delivers a very good and entertaining show. The album scores with its great sound quality and several bonus tracks.

 (C) Follow That Dream Records / Sony Music Entertainment