I was 18 when I wrote this review back in 1993 for The Elvis Beat #4, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.
Elvis In Person (RCA), recorded by Elvis Presley, produced by Felton Jarvis. Recorded August 22-26, 1969, International Hotel (Las Vegas). Released: November 1970. Re-released: 1992 (CD).
Elvis was at his musical best in the years 1969 and 1969, a period encompassing the ELVIS televions special, the Memphis sessions, and his triumphant return to live performances. The Elvis In Person CD, arguably his best album, captures the Summer 1969 Las Vegas concet engagement that brought him back before an audience after years of movies.
The contents of Elvis In Person had previously been released as Record One of the two-record set From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis in late 1969.
He performs every song on this album with the skill of a true master, from rockers like “Johnny B. Goode” to beautiful ballads like “Words.” With only one or two exceptions, each song on Elvis In Person is the greatest live rendition ever released by him. Never before and never again was Elvis so unbelievably awesome as he was in 1968 and 1969.
Although his subsequent live albums certainly deserve merit, none would exceed the magic of this album. After so many years of mediocre movie soundtrack albums, Elvis was finally back.
Songs:
- “Blue Suede Shoes”
- “Johnny B. Goode”
- “All Shook Up”
- “Are You Lonesome Tonight”
- “Hound Dog”
- “I Can’t Stop Loving You”
- “My Babe”
- “Mystery Train/Tiger Man”
- “Words”
- “In The Ghetto”
- “Suspicious Minds”
- “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
Rating: 10 out of 10
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