That’s The Way It Is: FTD Edition

Well said Lex!! AWESOME release indeed : ) also my #1! nice article btw

Amen to the review :-)

I'm so glad to read that the product lives up to the expectation! I can't wait for my copy to arrive. Thanks Lex.

It's probably one of the best FTD's.

As I said in another part of this website this FTD version of the CD is cracking with excellent quality sound and a great booklet; Ernst has excelled himself with this release and I really hope that future FTD releases keep up the same incredibly high standard!! It is very easy to knock FTD and I just hope people are as quick to praise a good release when we get one! Elvis On Tour anyone??

i really did wish he would have gone into further deatils about the sound quality...saying it's the best sound he heard doesn't say alot to me...

I look forward to getting this release like nearly everyone. Lex: congrats on finally showing some of your enthusiam for Elvis again..!

This will be a great release. My copy is on his way to my home. Lex is a real Elvis fan Greg Nolan... tell you why ? Because he is a critical Elvis fan. When he thinks an Elvis release or show is bad he is honest and just gives his (critical) opinion. Nothing wrong with that ! I am a critical fan too...when a song, cd release, movie or dvd is not good I will tell that too to anyone who wants to hear (read) that...no problem...

You don't have to sing the praise of Lex to me as a genuine fan ( I don't doubt it for a second!) nor the idea of free speech: I pop off regularly on subjects Elvis and non-Elvis from time to time! I just meant that some of Lex's reviews here in the last year have betrayed a pervasive jadedness towards the release of live Elvis concerts and even FTD's on occasion ("Unchained Melody") that were enough to say: "why is this guy 'reviewing' this title if he's so uninterested?" This is especially apparent when he would reveal that he skipped songs he didn't want to hear.. I think hard-core Elvis fans (that is, those with any interest in import Elvis concerts) look to the likes of reviews by Kees, Mike S., and the down-but-not-out Piers B., who at least have that key ingredient ( interest) in the titles they review --not that they don't get critical. That's neither here nor there: it will be the rare Elvis fan who finds issue with this new FTD.

My opinion is very easy: Just a great release ! And now we are waiting for the outtakes of That's the way it is on DVD... ...don't you think Ton Bruins

Hi Herman. I allready have hours of outtakes on DVD from That's The Way It Is...bootlegs of course...Greg for your information Lex doesn't like the late Live seventy Elvis, especially the year 1977...so what ? That is his opinion, his choice.

Greg for your information Lex doesn't like the late Live seventy Elvis, especially the year 1977...so what ? That is his opinion, his choice Ton: I think that sort of disqualifies him from doing reviews of such titles if it's that widespread or given. I don't know it this is the case but if one has open disdain for the subject -and yes, even on a fan site, we expect *some* enthusiasm for the subject (in this case a late '70s live Elvis album) then pass the review to someone else. Besides, I love a good "very critical" review - but it has to be well-written (you have to listen to the songs in full -and not have look down its nose at the audience, in this case, the readers. Of course it's his opinion, "his choice" - and I'm reminding folks that he has shown an uptick of enthusiasm in his writing and listening. Consider this a positive sign. I'm glad he likes this new FTD----I just ordered the "GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS" FTD--- I hope he liked that too. :)

Greg, you wrote "and not have look down its nose at the audience". That is exactly why I don't like the post 1975 Elvis :-) (disregarding a few exceptions). Still, if I write a review on those shows you can compare them to other reviews I did on that period. The difference in negativity (they are negative for 99%) shows you how it might be in your world ;-). If I write on e.g. Spring Fever (if I remember well) that he sang out of tune on Bridge... and I see 10 people saying they still like it... well that says more about their taste than about mine. And IF you can do it so much better... just mail your reviews to this site. I'm pretty sure they will be placed. Anyway, this article was about TTWII, not about me.

Quote: "a friend of mine who skipped the last 10 or 15 FTDs pre-ordered it immediately" - dude that could have been me you described there, if its not the last 30-50 I've skipped.... I've completely lost count (and interest, sad to say)... However, this release was a "must buy" from the moment I heard about it. And ref. the other discussions I've had on this site regarding reviews: THIS is a good review in my book, close to excellent actually. No "spoilers" by going too much in detail, still a complete description of the release. AND signed by the reviewer. ;)

And now about this release: received my copy yesterday...and what a beauty it is !! Many highlights and a great sound..sessions from "Patch It Up", "Twenty Days and Twenty Nights", "The Next Step Is Love"...beautiful ! Thanks Ernst !

My fav part of Elvis is 70,love patch it up,and love that cool ending,this is how i think of Elvis, on top of it all,expecting this set anyday,and while were thanking ernst,.lets not forget our fellow fans that support this label!

Mature, do you mean your favorite is 1970 Elvis or '70s Elvis? In either event, we know we almsot all rave over the year 1970 --- and I'm grateful his career was so interesting to the end, even if he really became erratic and off-kilter in too much of '76-'77. It's hard to fathom that this album was done in the same decade (and not even a full ten years away) from the very old and tired King (if somehow heroic and vocally-developing ) that we saw by 1977. Lex, nothing personal, of course and I started off praising your positive review. I actually don't think Elvis really ever looked down his nose at his audience but rather continued to hope (and know) that they were with him through the changes and were willing to be nostalgic (and put-up with semi-parodic, tongue-in-cheek versions of his '50s hits) as they too were that much older. To the end, he seemed to be on the same note as much of his audience. Call them star-struck or infatuated but the "Elvis Presley Show" (for better or for worse) was popular to the end. I say that aware that he was too often on automatic pilot but just want to stick up for the fact that sitting in the audience for any number of his "bad" shows of the '70s would be eye-openingly powerful for today's worst cynics--- even with one-arm tied behind his back (by his own donig) he always hit some great moments live.. There's no doubt there are fans that are cluelessly in love with anything he ever muttered or even burped but I still think there is room for a thoughtful appreciation of his '70s concert years and the minute changes each year. I I also don't like ceding ground to those non-fans who conflate inpersonators (the only "Elvis" they really know) with the still-stunningly effective performer of the '70s. I know the article is not about you but some of your previous posts are well-remembered and in high contrast. I again meant to praise your upbeat take here as even now some more rock-oriented fans dismiss TTWII's MOR choice of material. I've been offered to write here before and might just take you on it. I appreciate your willingness to engage in constructive criticism about your writing. Have a good one and TCB, Lex!

Hi Greg. What keeps surprising me in a lot of fans - including you posting - is that they think a few good moments or notes well during an Elvis concert are worth the ticket-price back then or CD-price today? Would you accept a few good notes as value for money or concert experience? I don't. It would be a sad day when Elvis fans sink this low wearing the proverbial "pinks earphones".

I meant 1970,loved the studio material most,there was a joy in his music,while most fans dont dislike 1970,many dont call it there favorite Elvis.as for likeing everything he did,well i dont,and i find some of the concerts just too depressing,i find it a shame also that he didnt do so much of his studio material in concert,but we also know that his fans at that time and these days are very differt,if anyone was gonna fall into a rut it was him,given his mental state adding fans who are easlily pleased was a recipe for disaster!

what a fantastic cd. Right in my top 5 of FTD. Highlights? Many: ive lost you, bridge, how the web, 20 days, patch it up, mary in the morning. This is gonna be a warm weekend; thats the way it should be!

Not to belabor the point away from "TTWII" on FTD but as a segueway, I will say that many of the same critics of '70s Elvis have problems with the fact that he became a "Vegas performer" - with all the (for them, negative) non-rock connotations that once implied - middle-aged or more mature audience, material, etc. All of which is bunk, for as much as I love the '50s rocker (particularly when I was a child and teenager) for as I nudge closer to the age of Elvis in 1975, I prefer the incredible range he had until the very end, able to do a song like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" as well as "Trying To Get To You" and everything in between. Kees: I think it's missing my point to make me out to be an apologist for Elvis' '70s concert grind. I find his '50s run-throughs mostly pedestrian and hard to listen to sometimes but cannot deny that he dug in deep on many songs night after night. Whether I need 87 performances in my collection of "You Gave Me a Mountain" is a question probably not answered here, I'll admit! Sure, we all know what we would prefer he would have done, but are you sincerely telling me that if you were to see, let's say, the best 15 shows of each year from 1973 to 1977, you wouldn't be blown away and love the hell out of the shows? I dare say that such was the man's charisma and execution that even when the glass was half-full (let's say at worst - too much of 1976), it was still damned incredible entertainment----however , again, by his high-standard, not his best and at $30 some-odd bucks a piece, surely each import documenting such titles are for die-hard collectors only but mainly because one can find a more representive showcase in professional audio quality of virtually any year by just owning one of the original RCA officially released concerts and their latest Sony/BMG or FTD upgrades on CD. But we all moved beyond just being "fans" a long time ago and turned into "fanatics" or at least some version of the word "completists." Furthermore, what were the shows where Elvis "hit a few good notes" only? Recall, too, that he was going to towns and places where they'd never seen him in many cases or at least there was a likehood of people seeing him for the first time:it was enver assumed we'd be arm-chair criticising them 30 years later as they are released on CD. By our vantage point in 2008 , we can come up with 100-deep lists of the best concerts, but for a fan in, say, Richmond, Ohio, and yes, even Collage Park, Maryland (I know someone who was there in '74) such shows were one of his or her's best nights of their lives. They saw their idol and thrilled to nearly every song, no doubt. WHen I told her there was a CD of it called CHAOS IN COLLEGE PARK (an neat disc, most agree), I still had to say: "do you own any of his offiical live CDs? You're probably better off with them." As Elvis-philes, years later, we know what the good years were or even the good tours vs. bad tours or better to say, ho-hum tours with minimal sparks. We ought to collect accordingly, too. I just bristle at the free-floating hostility to his '70s concerts. They were hardly high-art (some were in a way) but at their root, they were popular entertanment and didn't promise all the pomp and attitude and critical import that too many (truly) bloated rock acts promise and rarely delivered. I say Elvis delivered for the most part -with no apologies. Does that mean that even I, someone who is building a nice import collection and has or will soon have every FTD is somehow an "Elvis whore" (my words) ? I dont' think so. Many imports I do pass on but I do know that the quality labels are the ones that can be bought on reputation alone. ***************** As a more relevant point, why not put TIGER MAN on this TTWII set, Lex? They raided quite a few other titles released on other post-humous titles like Essential Vol. 4 and this or that boxset. It's a great warm-up tune, no doubt.

Well said Greg Nolan!

Greg Nolan : this is a very, very good statement . Excellent !

I wouldn't say that take 8 of "Twenty days and twenty nights" is 'close to the master' as the reviewer has stated. It has a different style intro, no backing vocals or orchestral overdubs and it comes to a proper ending, not a fade out like the finished and released master!

Hi Greg, thanks for the reply. But you didn't get my point entirely. Of course it would have been the experience of a lifetime to see Elvis in concert, even a mediocre 1977 show. I agree with you there although even serious and critical fans look at the man wit a shade of pink in their glasses. If my memory serves my right even the notorious 50's addict Ger Rijff said something in this line after seeing Elvis just before he died. The point I tried to make is that just because it is Elvis I don't think only a few well sung songs during a concert would have satisfied me. Looking back from 2008 a lot of fans look specifically for the few gems in mediocre shows to tell the world Elvis still had it, even in 1977. For me it should be the other way around, any show should be great and if he messed up, he should have a damn good excuse for doing so. Popping pills or having your manager make the wrong Vegas deal are no excuses in my book. That goes for today's artists as for Elvis. And perhaps especially for a guy who's motto is "Taking Care Of Business".

Hello Kees- I know the expression as "rose-colored glasses" (coloured" to non-Americans) but I know what you meant. I think you're asking too much of each and every show. I fully admit that 1976 and '77 were full of arguably sub-par performances and all but the most religiously pro-Elvis would agree with that. However, I take full issue with those who dismiss Elvis from, say, 1972 onwards or post-Aloha, you name the cut off date. I find much to savor in many of these "touring years" - even given famous bellweathers of his coming demise, such as August '74, etc. From a collecting standpoint, I think the measure might be whether import and FTD CD releases "document" (from a historical perspective) Elvis' progress through the years. Audience tapes have gotten recent upgrades and deluxe treatment on titles like "Red Hot in Vegas" and "Kicking and Rolling" and by definition are for those who value seeing the man's concert years *documented* in a bang-up, premium "keepsake" treatment. Likewise, as FTD releases titles like "Big Boss Man" and "I Found My Thrill," many of us are happy to be along for the ride. I just find it odd that sometimes reviews here seem to question why audience tapes are issued at all (as there is a choice) as well as an under-current of the non-Elvis world view that "Elvis was washed-up in the '70s" ---a huge over-statement with little or no nuance that seems to find favor even here at times. I also find that behind many people who are outwardly stating they don't like Elvis' '70s "mediocrity" are those who aren't all that thrilled that he ever did material like " The Next Step Is Love," "I've Lost You," and other things found on "That's The Way It Is" at the beginning of this supposedly so-so decade. Yes, he died but all things considered I think there are riches to be found in his last recordings at Graceland - and yes, not just a few '70s live shows were top notch, from every year ('76 included) we can find total gems -with the best exception to my ears being 1977 and even then I find at least half of "Elvis in Concert" (RCA, 1977) to feature his most rich and powerful voice yet, albeit on with the Grim Reaper also on stage... As RCA's "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" '70s boxset demonstrated on disc five (not liked by many, I know) : "The Elvis Presley Show" of '70s was a remarkable demonstation of the man's depth and wide-ranging musical interest: gospel, blues, country and western, pop, rock, Latin, you name it. No doubt he slogged through way too many shows (does anyone really disput this?) but I hear even in the worst shows so much that made me like things like "That's the Way It Is" and the movie "Elvis On Tour," and "Aloha From Hawaii." I don't see the '70s as a disaster - I accept that he was human and frail as we all do eventually die. He left a legacy we should stop apologizing for and at least put in context, even if it's a decade we (if pressed) don't actually like that much.

Hi Greg, I agree with most of what you say. I try to listen to each concert - soundboard or audience, 1970 or 1977 - and see if I like it. Sure, concert-wise I find highlights in almost each concert, but that does not mean I - have to - like the entire concert. CD-wise it is a different ball-game. I put on a disc to enjoy a concert. Putting soundboards aside, many audience recordings have been released. Some in enjoyable audio-quality but unfortunately too many in a poor audio-quality. The concert on the latter may be a great one, but if the listening experience isn't there I simply can't enjoy it and I mention that in my review. I may put it in my collection to complete it, for historical reasons, because I like the package (let's not forget that) or simply because I paid good money for it :-). And yes, like most fans, I hope better quality releases of some of the great concerts we have in poor quality pop up some day ... We run this site to inform fans of the news in the Elvis world and share our opinion on all new releases we can lay our hands on. But just like Elvis we're only human, therefor we ad our name and the possibility to ad your own view. Unfortunately too few fans do (and I don't think that's just because they all agree with the reviews we write :-)) Since the day we started, almost ten years ago, this site is for fans by fans; together we enjoy our hobby (even if you like Elvis in 1977 :-))

Kees, just to keep this focused on TTWII ("it's about time!" cries the audience), I'm curious where you come down on the album reviewed above. Do you see it as having troubling signs of his "MOR" (middle-of-the-road) material that took up so much of the '70s? Or is it a gem of the newly-mature Elvis? I think we're closer in agreement (as you said) then might appear to be the case. I take a glass half-full attitude towards life , or at least I try to, and especially with Elvis. I'm all too aware of where it went wrong and would should have been jettisoned from his act. As for '77, I'm someone who are argued with fervor that the "Elvis in Concert" CBS shows should *not* be offically released -save for perhaps a very-limited issue for hard-core fans, so I'm no apologist for '77. I just think he sang the hell out of quite a few songs in that show ("How Great Thou Art," "I Really Don't Want to Know," "Hurt," "Trying to Get to You," and others) and anyone who denies that...."aw, the heck with it.." :) As a fan and a collector, I wrestle with where I should draw the line. But I'll tell you this: labels like Madison, Straight Arrow, Southern Comfort , 2001, Audionics, you name the top import labels: these are automatic buys for just about anyone on this site- they are that good, even if the input of the producers (choice of photos, paper quality, informed notes, context in general) often surpasses the actual "essential listen" aspect of the show's content itself. And that, I argue, is the purpose: to document for posterity (or just hard-core fans) the best of the what many argue is the best singer and entertainer of all time, hands down. Anything to the contrary is just one's anti-'70s Elvis bias coming home to roost. And that's fine, too, but if someone doesn't like or has major beefs about '70s Elvis, they should step up to the plate and admit this front and center. I enjoy responding to reviews (thanks to all the site owners here) and consider that a form of writing but one of these days I'll take you up on writing an actual review. Opinions make the world go 'round and I love a good discussion, debate and even argument., so keep 'em coming..

Greg - you just mentioned a great topic for the next opinion poll. Should ELvis In Concert be released on DVD? Ironically, me , not being a big later 70's fan of Elvis like yourself & others would like to see it released but probably not officially. I'd like to have it just to complete the trilogy of Elvis TV specials but I do find it hard to watch. I remember not feeling this way when I first saw it on CBS in Oct 77. Back then it was just great to see Elvis on TV. Now, Id prob use the DVD skip button a lot. Lex, how about that for a poll?

Hi Greg. TTWII shows Elvis as a solid performer, his performances sound still fresh and energetic after all these years. The pro of this MOR material is that - when it is performed as here - it is timeless. It would have been great if there would have been some more "original material" though :-).

Everyone knows how elvis looked in '77. Everyone knows what happened in '77. Its no secret and no big deal anymore. Just release the special, even if it's on FTD. That concert hasn't done half as much damage to Elvis as all the coasters, ducks and cook books !

Well said circleG ! I totally agree.... give us the 2 complete CBS shows !

This is a fantastic FTD! Probably the best! At least one of the best ones. (P.S.:I want the CBS shows,too.)

In the first place i would say there are almost nothing new. But whe i listen to it ( yes maybe i'm a fool to buy the same again) i enyo it very much. Not only it is one of his best album of the 70's. But the best album op 1970. The sound is amazing. But there are a lot highlights. especcially the roiugh mixes like stranger in the crouwd. Longer but a super version.And Patch it up (take1 ) rocks your balls off. So back off with the remixes. Give every seriues musiclover this cd. its Elvis at his best

This is a great album for sure, and Elvis sounds great but Elvis at his best? No, that was the Memhis album & Elvis Is Back. Also you say best album of 1970? Do you realize that some of rock's all time greatest albums came out in 1970?. This isnt even a rock album really as it leans mostly towards easy listening. Also I wouldnt call a half live, half studio album the best one of that year. Where's the flow? When this LP came out it didnt get half the critical praise of From Elvis In Memphis. Elvis Country, the 1971 LP is in my opinion by far batter.

"At his best" is a reference, I'm betting, to his vocal and overall appeal. And after all, these songs were packaged into two (and then three) LPs. By and large,the studio materia came from what came to known as the Nashville Marathon as described so well in Ernst's book/ "ELvis COUNTRY" came out of those same all-night sessions I agree that it's not a roots album in any way but to call it "easy listening" is a bit dismissive as it's a loaded term for many people, if not myself. A better term might be that it's a more mature Elvis singing for an older (yet not elderly) audience about love and broken relationships. Artistically, I think it's a unique and cohesive album. Does it rock the house? No, but I don't think it was mean to compare to say, the Doors: a totally different aim is apparent. Likethebike over at FECC has written some great defenses of this album in similar terms and yes notes the rock bias of ROLLING STONE that essentially threw this album under the proverbial bus, never mind that they predictably just couldn't get with the level he was at in terms of maturity in material and performance. I prefer ELVIS COUNTRY as well but really they are apples and oranges- from the same legendary 1970 session no less! A deluxe 2008 version of this unique album: bravo!

Greg it is a reference. But the country album is also great. But this superb album was released in 1971 ( if i am right). And yes recorded at the same sessions as the studio song for TTWII. But Steve Elvis was in a good shape.he made some great recordings.But youre right when you said that the memphis lp was superB. And i think his best Album ever. ( In hollan they have some lists with the best album of all time, but i never see this album on this lists,a shame). But i not say his best album of '69 but 1970. But i can't help it,sorry for that. But i also not say that it's a rock album. Buti think the general people has forgotten this great albums. And why ? I think it's because the stupid impersonators and the vision about Elvis in the 70's.

I agree woith both you guys. I have come to love this album more over the years as Ive matured (good reference Greg). But in 1970, as the follow-up to the Memphis LP (I dont count the double Vegas/Memhis LP) , I was a bit let down. SInce I wore out the Memphis LP out I was expecting more of the same mix of songs and just didnt get the same satisfaction from this LP. Also the live/studio thing didnt flow for me as an album. But now Ive come to lappreciate it as Elvis was still vocally superb in 1970. I was happier in 1971 with the Elvis Country LP which I thought was almost as good as the Memphis LP but again let down later that year with Love Letters which I thought was a liit bit Humperdinkish, but by then soft-rock was taking over the airwaves anyway.

For what it's worth I've always thought that TTWII and Elvis Country compliment each other. While they both come from the same studio sessions, they show different sides to Elvis' talent. To describe TTWII, I wouldn't call it 'easy listening', or 'middle of the road' but 'Classy'. It's a very classy album, showcasing Elvis' pure yet powerful vocal sound on some very adult numbers. No one comes close to Elvis for singing these kinds of songs, including Sinatra.

It's a winner! A very enjoyable 2CD set.

A winner indeed! Elvis sounds better over the years help FTD's devoted team and the 7" package makes it almost as valuable as the good old vinyl originals back then. Elvis' voice is so full and deep and present and of course we all know about the quality of his singing - not to mention the material chosen - during these sessions. More of this please! I can't wait to get the Love Letters album... Thanks Ernst and Jean-Marc Juilland and the rest of the team for a brilliant job!