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Destination USA

By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, April 11, 2014 | Music

FTD released an invalid set dedicated to the visit of British fans to the summer gig in Vegas, 1972. Could it have been a winner, this September 4 Dinner Show?

Design

I saw some harsh, if not nasty comments on the work by the researchers of this project. They almost looked personal and full of jealousy. If even I think it was harsh… well, it must have been. These people totally miss the target and aim at the wrong people. Of course it’s a bloody shame that FTD messes up with the tracks, that there is no quality control on that side. Also they should hire proofreaders and professional editors, especially looking at the price the customers have to pay for their items, but don’t blame the wrong people for that!

Having said this, I think it’s a nice product research wise. Probably since my native tongue isn’t English either (and I might even make the same mistakes) I don’t have too much problems with the use of language. It’s obvious that there has been put a lot of work in it and yes, I am too lazy (and don’t have enough money) to research everything myself. Too bad if there are errors in it, since I would take it to be the truth. Even if there is one show more or less I wouldn’t sleep a minute less...
Anyway, the package is nice all together, with pictures from the engagement, memorabilia and all the usual stuff.

Content

As most know by now FTD replaced the first two tracks with the first two of an earlier release. They will replace the CD with the next batch, but still, it is *BEEEP* UNBELIEVABLE a thing like this happens. The worst thing is that I see a lot of reactions like “who cares, they will replace it” or “things like this happen”, as if it is normal to make errors like this. And yes, I know, mistakes happen, but having no quality control at all… is a bloody shame!

Anyway, let’s have a look at the content like not too many people can - by comparing it to the original excitement of being there, like Rita Overhead, who was there and even supplied some of the pictures in the booklet.

“The first thing that you will notice about "Destination USA" is that the first two tracks are not from the 4th September show. So the show really starts with Johnny B. Goode If you happen to get the disc with this fault on it, the best way to find out if it is the incorrect version is the first track - the "2001 Theme" this version is more 'disco sounding' it most certainly wasn't like that when I saw the show or any of the other shows before the 4th.

When I first heard Elvis sing "Until It's Time For You To Go" on the 31st August, I was so amazed. After two fast rockers and then slowing the tempo down you realise that his voice was so ... perfect! I still get that feeling when I listened to the disc, even after all these years!

"Polk Salad Annie" is still as fantastic as ever - with Elvis adding some ad-libs during the song, like asking, "What are you doin' Ronnie... what are you doin' - fool" the ending is great, you feel as though you want to copy Elvis by swinging your arms around like he does, you just can't keep still. This has got to be one of the best versions ever. And I was there to see it all!

"What Now My Love" has always been one of my favourites, so dramatic, every performance of this song that I saw was the same. I just can't explain the feeling of seeing Elvis sing this live and same applies to "My Way" but unfortunately Elvis didn't sing this song at this show.

Now, "Fever" is pure Elvis from the fifties. Legs, arms, body moving everywhere. I remember the way he looked at the audience whilst performing this, he was teasing us all the while, and he knew how to get his audience worked up!

Next follows a selection of hits starting with "Love Me" - there's plenty of audience reaction, with Elvis telling a girl who was trying to get a scarf... "you gotta work for it kid." Then follows a quick version of "Blue Suede Shoes" no matter how short the song is, Elvis still puts his heart and soul into it. The tempo is then slowed down for "Heartbreak Hotel" this is another great version, at one point of the song Elvis sings "you be so sweaty you could die..." after a great instrumental break from James Burton, Elvis carries on with the song and he still cannot get through it without having a bit of a laugh, then ending the song with a great little growl.

"All Shook Up" follows, and again this is done very quick. "Love Me Tender" slows down everything and we all know why, even if you have never seen Elvis on stage! Again, Elvis knows just how to tease the girls who are waiting for a kiss, at one point Elvis says to a girl "It don't come that easy..." there are plenty of quips during the song and all the time Elvis manages to make a great version of the song with a superb rousing ending with Elvis saying "Anyway... on with the show man - Teddy Bear." Now this is something else for me because all the shows that I saw before this show Elvis never sang "Teddy Bear" or "Don't Be Cruel" so it was something new to me. During "Don't Be Cruel" Elvis sings 'please let's forget the past, before I kick your..." this was something new to us back then! Towards the end of the song he stop slightly to tell a girl "let me think about it, I don't know if I wanna give you this scarf or not" and then he carries on with the song. What follows next is another bonus - a fantastic version of "Little Sister" and "Get Back" again not sang during the other shows that I saw. This is Elvis at his best.

Elvis finishes the oldies with "Hound Dog" again he teases the audience from his opening words ... "I was on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1956 and they filmed me from the waist up...." after a longish dialogue he goes into a slow version and finally ripping into a faster tempo.

Slowing the mood down Elvis tells us that he would like to perform one of his favourite songs "I'll Remember You" - beautifully sung as only Elvis can do. It's so amazing how he can change the mood so quickly, one moment you are jumping for joy then the next moment there is a little tear in your eye with the way Elvis performs such emotional ballads.

"Walk That Lonesome Road" follows, I've read where some fans have questioned why this was included on the disc. This is one of those songs that Elvis doesn't sing, just The Stamps with J D Sumner taking the lead. To see it is so funny, Elvis just cannot stop clowning around during the song and you can hear the audience laughing - Elvis had just thrown a glass of water over the singer with Elvis apologizing at the end saying "fantastic, thank you fellers... sorry you got a little wet there - nothing personal." I'm glad that the song was kept in because Elvis's humour comes through perfectly.

We all know about "Suspicious Minds" it's always been the highlight of any show and this is no different. At one point of the song Elvis asks "what's that amplifier doing there... I thought Kathy was warming up man!

The band introductions are next making a joke about the young ladies who opened our show tonight as 'The Sour ... The Sweet Inspirations' there's no jokes about Kathy this time. At one show I saw, someone throwed some ladies underware on to the stage and Elvis quickly picked them up and placed the garment on his head and started to walk around the stage and then saying to Kathy... "Are these yours Kathy" After the band introductions Elvis introduces the Fan Club. I remember that we all gave a big cheer when El

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mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 11, 2014
The febuary live tracks that are multi track dont belong on this release,the feb tracks should have been put on one set but of course they were threw onto several releases including a silly book with plenty of errors. Its funny when people say well i like the classic albums because they take everything and put it into one place yet the same label takes the feb multi tracks and scatters them,its not what a collectors label should be about,its just messy and money motivated.
harriemuskee wrote on April 12, 2014
I have never seen such a stupid comment. I have seen 6 shows in 1972. And all the shows where top notch. It was then the best show in town. He was the talk of the town. Elvis experience was better than seeing That's The Way It is. His voice, his looks and his movements on stage and the light. Never seen by any other performer. Even the big stars where impressed. Like Rita, I had never dreamed that the show I saw was released on CD.
Natha wrote on April 13, 2014
I love to read Rita's comments. That is what it is all about: the actual experience coupled with the listening to the cd. That is much more valuable to me than the opinion on the cd itself. Elvis was an experience too! I agree with Lex concerning the gospels. I don't like to listen to them, UNLESS they are sung by Elvis, the Star, not by others. Luckily on a cd there is a skip button. Unfortunately at shows I have to sit through it. About the messing up: yes it is stupid, clumsy, unprofessional, not fitting an expensive collectors label, etc. On the other hand, at least I am happy that they will replace it. This not taking the mistakes for granted. But practical. Maybe because I am (by now) used to their releases that are hardly ever flawless.
You Dont Know Me wrote on April 13, 2014
Good release and CONCEPT by FTD just a pity about the flaws!~ A pity the running time on disc #2 was a good 30 minutes short of what it could have been. disc #1 is 'ok' not a bad show by any means and certainly in its 3rd outing in best ever 'sound quality' just a pity so much of the show was 'medley's or forgettable performances.1st time ever 'stamps ' solo though :roll: :wink: bonus tracks make up for disc #1 due to QUALITY and nice performances...sound clearly improves on last 3 'rehearsal' tracks. a good + decent release but unfortunately due to these reasons and bummer of 1st 2 tracks from 1974 a flawed release my rating 8/10 :|
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 19, 2014
Feb ,1972 multi track release is what should have happened,not scattered,this release might be great if you were there not so much if you were not,and again the 72 mutli track recordings r out of place.
Bouma wrote on April 25, 2014
I received a copy a few days ago but was discouraged listening as I found something looking like an elephant sat on it after opening the parcel, as usual with the ftd's I order. Am I the only affectionado dealing with this? I stopped ordering ftd's years ago because of this and would welcome recommended sellers.
Lou A wrote on April 27, 2014
Bouma , if you got your copy from Shop Elvis .com , I'm not surprised. My copy of Destination USA arrived in good shape , but I've gotten my share of bent ,and flattened FTD's from Shop Elvis . They just don't know how to package fragile items properly .
Jerome wrote on April 28, 2014
Well on my copy actually did sat an elephant...
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on April 30, 2014
Then call them and ask to speak to a manager,why keep something damaged,i get replacements when my come damaged.
Jerome wrote on May 01, 2014
I thought you were the manager?..
hankfnsw wrote on June 05, 2014
How do you get a replacement if you bought a copy from ebay?
ElvisSacramento wrote on June 07, 2014
The reason why I haven't yet bought this recent FTD release is because of FTD's major error on the first two tracks. I only order FTD releases from the ShopElvis online store here in the United States. I fully expect that FTD has completely stopped selling any copies with the invalid first two tracks by now. I plan to buy this recent FTD release in August when I get around to ordering a copy of the next FTD release "The Return to Vegas" and the recent FTD releases "Elvis" and "Love Me Tender".
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on June 12, 2014
Shopelvis will have your replacement in few months lol and probally damaged lol.
Dazman wrote on July 12, 2014
Just got my copy last week with the replacement CD. Haven't read the booklet yet, but I did flick through it. It's good to see some good shots of Elvis during the actual concert. Musically its not as tightly wrapped as some of the previously released shows. Fever was a disaster. It's also a pity that songs like 'Proud Mary' and 'Lovin' Feeling' were dropped from the set list by this time. But it's still not without it's highlights which are a tight 'Johnny B. Goode' which I reckon is an excellent choice for a second number considering the overkill of the 'I Got A Woman/Amen' medley got from 1973 onward. 'Polk Salad Annie' was a fun listen, a slightly longer Little Sister/Get Back medley with a 3 verse version of the former song, Big Hunk O' Love and You Gave Me A Mountain. On the second disc, the multi-tracks seem to indicate that this was a really good show with Elvis really digging deep on his 'then' new numbers - worthy contenders for their respective masters. The rehearsals however don't really get much better than what was previously released, though it's interesting to hear Elvis' version of 'Steamroller' in it's genesis.