The preparations for the "Elvis Summer Festival 1972" started on July 26th at RCA's studio in Los Angeles. As usual the king and his band prepared a selection of songs before they moved on to Vegas and met the harmony singers and the orchestra. This first string of rehearsal sessions lasted until July 28th. Further sessions were held from July 31st and August 1st at the Las Vegas Hilton. Here the group rehearsed at the Theatre Royale and was met by the harmony vocalists. From August 2nd to 4th the preparations were moved to the Showroom Internationale, where the band and the vocalists were joined by the orchestra.

We get to hear the final rehearsal session, which took place on August 4th. A few hours later the curtain would raise for the grand opening night. It's not a professional recording, the session was taped with a simple cassette recorder. It's an audience recording without an audience, so to speak. The material was first released in 2012 by FTD on an album called "3000 South Paradise Road". The recording sounded good for what it was, but MRS was able to improve it quite a bit. Of course it's still far from perfect, but it sounds more natural now. Besides that, it's always great to hear Elvis and his crew working on the performances we all know and love. Especially interesting are the tunes, the king didn't sing on stage.

The song was on the previous tour's regular setlist, so it's no real challenge. It's a good rendition. After Elvis admits, he had just woken up, somebody whistles "Welcome To My World".

This one also was a regular feature of the current live shows, so it's another short refresher. Elvis jokes a bit here and there.

The same applies here. The performance is very strong and certaily would have delighted any audience.

Now Elvis wants to try his new single "Burning Love". After a false start the king stops the second try, because he thinks, the tempo is to slow. The third attempt is successful. The band knows their parts, but Elvis has some trouble remembering the lyrics. He fluffs a few lines and at times he sings pure drivel. The ending is rehearsed separately. However, "Burning Love" would not be performed during this Vegas season.

This one also is a new song. The group fails on the intro, but the second try works well and turns out to be a full-flagged performance. Even though there wasn't any mistake, Elvis wants to rehearse "What Now My Love" once more. Again the result is nothing but great. Afterwards the king discusses parts of the arrangement with Joe Guercio ("It could be softer on the first bridge, louder on the second") and chats with the group.

Now Elvis suggests "Let's do MY BABE". The intro doesn't work, so the king simple begins to sing and the band joins in. Originally the song has been played a few times during the great stage comeback in 1969, Elvis had rediscovered  "My Babe" during the previous tour. The performance is not as intense as back in 1969 and at times the whole thing sounds like a jam. But it's a charming performance. In the end Elvis would perform "My Babe" a few hours later during the opening show, but never attempt the r&b song again.

The courntry ballad was performed during the last two tours, but never with the string section of Joe Guercio's orchestra. So Elvis includes the song here, just to make sure it works well on stage. The string arrangement is tasteful and the performance itself is very good.

This one is a real surprise, because it's a track from his 1969 album "From Elvis In Memphis". It's not one of the best known songs from this longplayer and Elvis has sung it on stage just once. Nevertheless he remebers it and obviously likes the ballad very much. After a false start a very good performance evolves and it's rather sad, that he never presented it to a live audience.

For this season the king wants to include a new oldie in his show. The classic "Fever" is performed much tamer (and better) than in later years. At one point Elvis fluffs the lyrics, but otherwise everything works well.

Spontaneously the king starts to sing "Blueberry Hill" and the band joins in. Jokingly Elvis alters the lyrics and sings "You forgot to take the pill on Blueberry Hill". He isn't sure about all the lines, but it's a jam and played just for fun. Afterwards the recording fades out.

When it fades in again we are in the midst of "Little Sister". As usual Elvis tags his own hit to The Beatles' "Get Back". The medley wasn't performed for some time, so it needs a quick refresher.

The ballad was introduced in early 1972, but never made it on the standard set list. After a false start everything works out well. Before moving on, the king goes over the string arrangement once more.

Another song, which Elvis had started to perform in January. Since then he included it in almost every show, but due to the complex arrangement and the addition of the string section he wants to make sure, that it works out on stage 100%.

The king had rehearsed The Beatles' hit for his "Elvis Summer Festival 1970", but sung it on stage just twice. However, in early 1971 "Something" was performed on a regular basis. Now the singer plans to bring it back and rehearses it once again. Finally he wouldn't present the ballad during this Vegas stint, but include it in his "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" tv concert and sing it on stage once in a while during 1973.

After another edit the king and his crew try out "Faded Love". At first they have trouble to find into the country tune, but then it works quite well. Just like "Something" Elvis wouldn't sing "Faded Love" during this "Elvis Summer Festival 1972". However, he would present it a few times in 1973.

The musical soap opera was introduced in early 1972 and has been sung on a regular basis. So this performance more or less is just a refresher, especially for the orchestra. On tour Elvis doesn't use the complete cast, but mostly the brass section.

Now the singer wants to go over "I'm Leavin'". After having released it on a single last year, the ballad was featured in his live shows quite a lot. But in 1972 he hasn't performed it on stage yet and, as it would turn out, didn't do so during the remainder of the year. In 1973 and 1974 Elvis would present it on stage from time to time. Nevertheless this rehearsal version works very well.

Maybe because everyone in Vegas sings "My Way", Elvis wants to do so, too. He and Glen D. Hardin try to find into the song, but have trouble with it. Finally it works and a very tender and intimate performance evolves. Now the intro is rehearsed once more. At the end Elvis says "At nine o' clock I will have the show together...somehow".