THE ON STAGE SEASON
Disc One
The latest release from the “Follow That Dream” collectors’ label brings together the remaining material from Elvis’ second Las Vegas engagement in the winter of 1970. It’s good to finally have these shows officially and they are the perfect companion to the other “On Stage” collections we’ve had in recent years. Elvis and his crew met up in Los Angeles to begin two weeks of rehearsals before the January 26th opening. They worked hard putting together a fresh repertoire. Elvis wanted the show to have a more contemporary feel and would cover songs made famous by artists as diverse as Credence Clearwater Revival, Neil Diamond, the Everly Brothers and Joe South.
Elvis couldn’t hide his disappointment when he learned that Ronnie Tutt wouldn’t be with them on this trip. Although his replacement Bob Lanning was a top LA session player, he lacked both the style and power that Ronnie brought to the show. Glen D Hardin, who was on James Burton’s original wish-list as piano player was now free of studio commitments and able to join the line-up.
Glen remembers: “Elvis and I hit it off right away one night at the end of a rehearsal. He was fooling around with the Everly Brothers’ hit “Let It Be Me he.” He said, “Man, I’d love to put that in the show.” I said, “Leave it with me I’ll see what I can do.” So, overnight I put together an arrangement but didn’t tell Elvis. I had the orchestra play it as he was walking in the following day he just loved it.”
With the likes of Dean Martin, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Juliet Prowse in attendance on the opening night, Elvis finds it hard to shake off his nerves during the opening numbers, “All Shook Up” and “That’s All Right”. “Proud Mary” would feature on the original on stage album and would become a concert favourite over the next few years. Elvis plugs “Don’t Cry Daddy” next, which was enjoying a stay in the top 10 singles chart on both sides of the Atlantic at the time. “Teddy Bear” and “Don’t Be Cruel” were put together as a medley for the first time during this season.
Elvis has shaken off his early show jitters by now as he lets rip on “Long Tall Sally”. I’ve always loved the song “Let It Be Me” and this premiere rendition is one of the real highlights on this FTD; it’s an outstanding version. “I Can’t Stop Loving You” would become a standard and would go on to feature on no less than four live albums between 1970 and 1974.
The Joe South song “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” was first done in a medley with “In The Ghetto” during this engagement, although it was edited as a standalone track for the “On Stage” album. After a plug for the album “From Elvis In Memphis”, we are treated to a rare live version of “True Love Travels On A Gravel Road”; another standout on this CD. Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” is another first time performance. We get, not so much a ‘false start’ but more of a ‘false ending’ here - nevertheless it’s still well done. Up next is Tony Joe White’s anthemic “Polk Salad Annie”.
Elvis goes to work here, although the version recorded by RCA a couple of weeks later is much better. After the band intros, Elvis sings his latest single “Kentucky Rain” which is well received. Glen D adds some colourful touches to “Suspicious Minds” and Elvis sings it well, but Ronnie Tutt’s artistry is clearly missed. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” brings this entertaining show to a close.
FTD