I was 18 when I wrote this review back in 1993 for The Elvis Beat #4, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden (RCA), recorded by Elvis Presley, produced by Felton Jarvis. Recorded June 10, 1972, Madison Square Garden (New York). Released: June 1972. Re-released: 1992 (CD).
As Recorded At Madison Square Garden was Elvis’ first live album to consist of one complete concert, instead of songs excerpted from several different shows. This was also his first live album not recorded at the Las Vegas International Hotel. The result is a front row seat for the listener to hear Elvis in concert at Madison Square Garden.
From the rumblings of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey) that opens the album to the announcement that Elvis has left the building that closes it, listeners are taken on a journey back to 1972 to witness Elvis at his near best.
He performs his standard hits (as usual a little different than previous versions) and a variety of new songs as well, the best of which is “The Impossible Dream.”
Songs:
- “Also Sprach Zarathustra”
- “That’s All Right”
- “Proud Mary”
- “Never Been To Spain”
- “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me”
- “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'”
- “Polk Salad Annie”
- “Love Me”
- “All Shook Up”
- “Heartbreak Hotel”
- “Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel”
- “Love Me Tender”
- “The Impossible Dream”
- “Introductions By Elvis”
- “Hound Dog”
- “Suspicious Minds”
- “For The Good Times”
- “American Trilogy”
- “Funny How Time Slips Away”
- “I Can’t Stop Loving You”
- “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
- “End Theme”
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
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