In 2007 Sony's own collector's label Follow That Dream Records released a compilation of tracks, that were recorded in February 1972 for a project called "Standing Room Only". Due to the success of the album "On Stage - February 1970" RCA wanted to produce another longplayer of that style and had Felton Jarvis and Al Pachucki taping individual tracks between February 14th and 17th. But when Elvis signed with MGM for a documentary of his concert tour in April, RCA thought it would be a better idea to present an accordant soundtrack album. Finally this plan was also abandoned and a recording of one of the shows at Madison Square Garden was released. During Elvis' lifetime just "An American Trilogy" and "It's Impossible" saw the light of the day.

With this compilation Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon, the guys behind Follow That Dream Records, tried to reconstruct a complete concert. As a bonus "An American Trilogy" also includes several tracks, that were recorded through the mixing desk during the opening show on January 26, 1972. The audio quality of the stereo recordings is excellent, while the soundboard material can be rated as average. However, the performances themselves are excellent.

Elvis started to use the "Einleitung, Oder Sonnenaufgang" from Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra" in early 1971. The audience knew the piece from the movie "2001 - A Space Odyssey". Afterwards the band takes over with the usual "Opening Riff" and the king appears on stage.

I don't know if the song sequence of the album "On Stage" lead to the decission, to use "See See Rider" for the opening of the concerts. But the combination of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" and "See See Rider" is great and Elvis more or less stuck to the idea until his final show. The old r&b standard sounds slicker and more grandiose here, but it lacks the edgy energy of the album version.

This is another one from the "On Stage" album, once again the 1972 edition sounds slicker. But this time it's an improvement, especially the bass-vocals of JD Sumner.

Three Dog Night's "Never Been To Spain" was newly added to the set list. The performance here is a bit reserved, I like the later renditions better. 

This is another new addition to the show and once again it's presented in subtle style. But this time I prefer it to the often over-dramatic rendition of the later years. To me this is one of Elvis' best performances of the song.

Compared to later presentations, "Love Me" is performed slower here. The arrangement is closer to the original, which I like very much.

This one is a far cry from what can be heared on the album "From Memphis To Vegas / From Vegas To Memphis". Elvis obviously doesn't care for the song at all.

Another lackluster rendition of two mega sellers.

Elvis suffers a coughing attack and says "Excuse me, while I die". But he survives and sings "Hound Dog". First in a slow and bluesy style, than in the well known rock'n'roll tempo. But once again it lacks the drive and commitment of his earlier performances.

The medley of "Little Sister" and "Get Back" is sung much better and quite entertaining.

This performance is known from the album "Elvis", which was released by RCA in the summer of 1973. Follow That Dream Records also presents the preceding false start. Suddenly the king forgets the lyrics and cancels the procedure audibly irked. However, his second try is flawless. By the way: This was the only time Elvis sang "It's Impossible" during this engagement and the last time he performed the song at all.

I like this performance better than the one on the "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" album. In early 1972 Elvis was in much better voice and his rendition of the ballad is perfect.

Alluding to the recording project, Elvis says, that there was another song, that has to be done. Compared to the version on the album "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden" the tune is done in a slower pace, which fits it much better. For a while the king considered to be "The Impossible Dream" his next single, but finally he went for "An American Trilogy".

In contrast to many other oldies, this one is presented with a worked out arrangement, featuring a guitar solo and a piano solo. So it's not one of the quickies and Elvis obviously likes to sing it.

This is another excellent performance! I cannot say anything else, it's just marvellous by any means.

The ballad from the movie "Blue Hawaii" is sung in lackluster fashion. Elvis is busy shaking hands and giving away scarfs. Somehow I cannot understand, why he didn't end his shows with a bang, with stuff like "An American Trilogy". For me "Can't Help Falling In Love" is some kind of letdown.

Now we get to hear the live premiere of Elvis' current single. It's a very good performance, much better than the studio version.

The 1972 incarnation of "Polk Salad Annie" is slicker than the earlier renditions. It's also faster and without the spoken introduction. It's still very good, but not as great as in 1970. 

The king doesn't invest as much energy in the oldie as he used to do, but in general it's a solid performance.

Here Elvis presents another great rendition of this power ballad. The lead vocalist, the choir, the orchestra - they all do a stunning job!

The classic is played slower than in the movie "Elvis On Tour" (1972) and on the album "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis" (1974). I like this earlier rendition better.

Very few fans might have expected to hear a bonus track from the "Spinout" album! Elvis sings the ballad very softly and with a lot of emotion. Great stuff!

Just like "Polk Salad Annie", the 1972 incarnation of "Suspicious Minds" sounds tamer than the previous ones.