In November 1970 RCA Victor deleted the double album "From Memphis To Vegas / From Vegas To Memphis" and released the tracks on two separate longplayers instead. Neither one made it on Billboard's "Top LPs Chart", but there was a constant request and the label kept them in the catalogue. Especially "Elvis In Person At The International Hotel" performed very well and was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2011. On Spotify the album accumulates more than 160 million streams.

To increase the recognition factor the artwork was borrowed from the original double album.

On the streaming platforms "Elvis In Person At The International Hotel" is presented the way it was issued in 2016 as part of the set "The Album Collection". For this project all tracks were scanned with high-resolution equipment and remastered. Therefore the album can be presented with the golden Hi-Res emblem. The better sound of these versions is owed exclusively to the new mastering (the elimination of interfering noise). Because first one cannot turn an analogue recording into a high resolution recording just by scanning the tape with hd equipment and second even an old cd with 16 bit/44.1 kHz exceeds the auditory sense of a human being. The double album has a running time of 68:44 minutes.

The album was recorded between August 24th and 26th, 1969 at the International Hotel in Las Vegas/Nevada. The engagement was regarded to be a sensation at the time, because Elvis performed in front of a paying audience for the first time since 1961 and filled the biggest showroom of the city twice each night for four weeks. His band consisted of James Burton (guitar), John Wilkinson (guitar), Charlie Hodge (guitar & harmony vocals), Jerry Scheff (bass), Ronnie Tutt (drums) and Larry Muhoberac (piano). The line up was completed by The Bobby Morris Orchestra. The harmony vocals were provided by The Imperials (Terry Blackwood, Mimmie Murray, Roger Wiles and Armond Morales) and The Sweet Inspirations (Emily Houston, Myrna Smith, Estelle Brown and Sylvia Shemwell).

Follow That Dream Records released a collector's edition of "Elvis In Person At The International Hotel", which included the tracks of the original release, additional live recordings and a complete concert. Today this release is obsolete, because in 2019 Sony Music Entertainment / RCA Legacy released a boxed set with all concerts, that were recorded for the project. And in contrast to the FTD releases, the newer set is available on the streaming platforms in Hi-Res audio. For a review tap HERE.

The live set starts with a driving intro, that leads into the rock'n'roll classic "Blue Suede Shoes". In contrast to the king's re-recording from 1960 he is running at full throttle and almost bursts of energy. The performance was recorded during the midnight show on August 25, 1969.

Elvis' cover version of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" rocks like hell. The king is on fire and James Burton offers some driving licks. To make it short: This song simply cannot be performed any better, this is the ultimate version. It was taped during the midnight show on August 24th.

Now the album returns to the midnight show of the previous day. "All Shook Up" is played much faster than the studio version, but it fits the tempo of the show. 

Elvis welcomes the audience and cracks some jokes. Then he sings "Are You Lonesome Tonight". The arrangement sounds very "vegasy", but it's certainly not bad. By the way: The track was taped during the midnight show on August 24, 1969.

Once again we jump to the midnight show on August 25th. The following four tracks were recorded during that show, too. Elvis announces the message song of the evening and describes a romantic setting in which he is going to kiss his lady. Suddenly he belts out "You ain't nothing but a hound dog" and you can really feel the shock of the audience. Even though he just repeats the same four lines over and over again, he does it in a very powerful and hard rocking style.

In contrast to Ray Charles the king fueled the ballad with energy and performed it much faster. He made the song his own and I like his version best.

Here Elvis covers Little Walter's huge r&b hit from 1955 and once again makes the song his own. 

Without doubt "Mystery Train" is one of Elvis' best SUN singles and this live version is a highlight, too. Elvis couples it with "Tiger Man", a song the fans knew from the budget album "Elvis Sings Flaming Star & Others " and the re-run of the tv special "SINGER presents Elvis". The medley is pure rock'n'roll, especially Ronnie Tutt (drums) and James Burton (guitar) give everything.

After so many oldies and classics Elvis obviously wants to show, that he is in touch with the current pop music, too. The arrangement has little to do with The Bee Gees' original version. I like the king's interpretation much better, especially because he gives his harmony singers an opportunity to shine. For me, this is the definitive version of "Words".

Now we jump to the dinner show on August 25, 1969. In the spring Elvis had scored an international hit with "In The Ghetto" and so it was a logical step to present the song on stage, too. Compared to the studio recording the tempo is faster and the arrangement sounds "vegasy". It all doesn't even come close to the atmosphere of the studio cut, but it fits the tempo and style of the show.

The current single is presented in an 8minute powerhouse version. It's obvious that Elvis gives everything he has and delights the audience with extensive body english. Once again the tempo is faster than in the studio, but this time it's in favor of the song.

Elvis bows out with "Can't Help Falling In Love", the best known song from his blockbuster "Blue Hawaii". It's a sloppy performance, that doesn't even come close to his great studio recording. But it's the end of an exhausting concert and therefore it's ok. Just like "Suspicious Minds", "Can't Help Falling In Love" was recorded during the dinner show on August 26, 1969.