ElvisNews.com: The 8th Wonder Of The World

The 8th Wonder Of The World

By ElvisNews.com/ Lex, May 20, 2012

Venus just released this reissue of Madison’s Event Number 8 from 2000. Is it really an improvement?

Design

The package is a bit more luxury than the Madison version. The three panel fold-out brings an original newspaper review (not too positive) and some shots from the gig. It’s sober and well tasted.

Content

The sound quality is certainly better, even more clear than Madison’s outing. For the remaining I can stick to what we wrote about Event Number 8 12 years ago:

“Well, what's special on a(nother) live show from March 1974? The most important is that this show in the huge Houston Astrodome is without an orchestra. So it's pure Elvis with his band. Because the audience is far away from the stage it is hardly audible. This makes the show almost sound like a rehearsal. The set Elvis used this show is pretty standard, but the "strange" accompaniment makes it more than interesting. Probably because of this simple setting the oldies like "Trying to Get to You" and "Johnny B. Goode" are among the best tracks of the show. The instrumental break in "Polk Salad" makes you almost wish Elvis never started with an orchestra, the TCB-band is by far enough. The ultra long "Closing Riff" highlights James Burton and also Ronnie Tutt as great musicians (once again), it is a pity that there's hardly an "Opening Riff".
The sound-quality of the show is more than fair, although a lot of people will miss the "feeling of being there", because of the lack of audience-sounds.”

Conclusion

This is still one of my favourite live shows, since the overdone orchestra is missing. I wonder if this release is worth buying if you have the original. For those who missed that one, The 8th Wonder is a great opportunity to add a ‘strange’ show to the collection.

same day personal loan

guaranteed payday loans

one hour cash advance

Give Your Opinion

Next item:
Another Saturday Night

Previous item:
Blue Hawaii – The Expanded Alternate Album

Elvis Presley on: eBay

, iTunes, Amazon, Sheetmusic

Reactions

alanfalk (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 15, 2013report abuse

This is begging for an official release.

Pastorjoe (profile/ contact) wrote on Oct 29, 2012report abuse

"On MSG Elvis says,"okay Bob," just before Polk Salad. Bob had requested Polk Salad Annie backstage before the show. Elvis was acknowledging that before he sang the song."

The "BOB" in question has long said to be Bob Heis, the Elvis photographer. He shot MSG and was a newbie photographer. He didn't use any filters and none of the photos came out very good at all. The colored jumpsuit washed out the face and body in the photos. He requested before the show that Elvis sing Polk Salad Annie, and obrtained an autograph thru one of Elvis security men. As the strains of Polk Salad Annie started, Elvis say's "OK Bob" to acknoledge he is singing what was requested of him. I am sure Bob Heis can tell the story beter than I an, I am remembering an article from his fine fan club newsletter many moons ago.

alanfalk (profile/ contact) wrote on Sep 24, 2012report abuse

It´s funny, when people talk bad about anyone else, there are just being honest. Well I prefer Elvis´way, not putting anyone else music down or telling the world that he is the best or most popular (even though he was ). I also love that Elvis wasn´t a snob music wise, but always sang and recorded what HE liked, not thinking about what was cool. Elvis made so much different and marvelos music that I would never complain about the few mediocore songs he did, because those still had his voice on them, and then they can never be bad. If FTD put this concert out then I will buy it.

lray (profile/ contact) wrote on Aug 7, 2012report abuse

On MSG Elvis says,"okay Bob," just before Polk Salad. Bob had requested Polk Salad Annie backstage before the show. Elvis was acknowledging that before he sang the song.

Boxcar (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 15, 2012report abuse

If you put these CDs in sound analyzers it shows mp3 as source !! Anybody has an idea what's going on here? Is Venus cleaning up internet crap now?

snowplow floater (profile/ contact) wrote on May 29, 2012report abuse

Still though, i'm pretty sure, he said "Ok Bob", right before "Polk sallad Annie""

snowplow floater (profile/ contact) wrote on May 29, 2012report abuse

Thanks Johnny, this is a great site and i like you all. Anyway, one thing i've noticed about Elvis live recordings in the seventies is that, he said different things and then when they were reissued some of his comments were removed, the Elvis in Concert show being a prime example, it was on u tube that i listened to MSG, i thought when i posted that, he said that, but then again i could be wrong!!, i'm no expert, just a fan.

Johnny2523 (profile/ contact) wrote on May 29, 2012report abuse

Snowplow Floater, Elvis actually says ''Cape off'' and charlie takes his cape off.

Orion (profile/ contact) wrote on May 28, 2012report abuse

The vocals are indeed cleaner and more up front on this release. Perhaps it's not from another source, but the fact that editing / mastering tools have improved in the 10+ years since this came out on the Madison release. Either way, it's an enjoyable show that's not your typical sounding soundboard from this era. If you don't have the Madison set, this one should be in your collection if just for the historical purpose.

Pedro Nuno (profile/ contact) wrote on May 28, 2012report abuse

Steve V I'm with you 100%, as i said it many times. This is the Elvis i love, the sound i love, the 70's that never were... Not that what we have (Elvis and the big band and voices) is bad. No it is not bad at all. It's fantastic and very good. I just find that Elvis alone is better. I prefer Elvis The rocker than Elvis the crooner. Just that.

snowplow floater (profile/ contact) wrote on May 28, 2012report abuse

Maybe he said "Its good to see you Bob" maybe i need to listen to it a again it s a Jameson night, forgive me.

snowplow floater (profile/ contact) wrote on May 28, 2012report abuse

Anyway Steve V, its nothing personal, i just listened to Elvis Live at Madison Square Gardens, the original version and correct me if i'm wrong, but did he say"Thank you Bob," you know the best song writer of all time, after Bill Monroe, of course!!!

snowplow floater (profile/ contact) wrote on May 27, 2012report abuse

Yeah well, you should read Keith's book 'life' and he said that after what Elvis did in the 50's, you know the innovater, then as far as Keith is concerned, Elvis could do what ever he liked. I'm not a Beatles hater, i just think they are overrated, there are better songwriters and better singers, but we don't want to be starting World War Four here, they have some good songs and albums, together and solo and i think Elvis is one of the most honest people ever, you know he always said Rock 'n' Roll came from the blues and gospel. Elvis evolved into a fantastic vocalist, if that's possible, as for critics, rock media and rivals, well they have their opinion but it doesn't mean they are right, just because they have the power of Goliath, lets face it They have the media behind them and Elvis was always considered poor white trash, but really he was Memphis royalty and you know that.

Steve V (profile/ contact) wrote on May 27, 2012report abuse

George is telling Elvis waht to do? Arent you reading a little more into this than what he actually said which was state his opinion? It was also the opinion of many music critics and fans alike including me. Also some of the MM expressed the same opinion. He had the best damn rythym section in the world but how could you tell when there was My Way, Impossible Dream and other overblown songs. Wish he would have done more of his hits or other 'with it' songs instead that stuff. Thats the problem with Beatles haters, everything they say gets taken out of context. So they were outspoken and honest. You know where they stood at least. I remember Jagger in 1966 saying Elvis has been turning out rubbish for years. It made me mad at the time, but I was fooling myself. Looking back, he was 100% correct. Tell me, when was ELvis ever so honest?

snowplow floater (profile/ contact) wrote on May 27, 2012report abuse

I'm not so sure, how could he have pulled off the drama of American Trilogy and How great thou Art, without an orchestra and that lovely blend of singers. From day one, he wanted to be in a gospel choir but commercial pressures dictated otherwise. its like saying George Harrison should have stayed in a boy band and never grew his beard and just played straight pop, instead of experimenting with sitars. That's my biggest problem with the lads from Liverpool, so arrogant, telling Elvis what to do.

Natha (profile/ contact) wrote on May 23, 2012report abuse

Steve V, I fully second your observation. I read that ELVIS didn't realise how fantastic a voice he was (hence his appreciation for guys like Nielson!!). Ever since I came across ELVIS I fell for his voice, his unique sound. Yet he preferred blending in on records (I read somewhere). A pity. And indeed, if he had just been with the TCB band it would have been fabulous. If it had only been 'on the road'. The pepople came for him and not for the bulk of those behind him. If he had only realised all this!

Steve V (profile/ contact) wrote on May 23, 2012report abuse

He should have released (fired) the orchestra and most of the the screeching background singers long before this show. As George Harrison said after MSG, just him & the rythym section would have been superb.

You Dont Know Me (profile/ contact) wrote on May 22, 2012report abuse

I am not bothering with this release and i indeed listen to Elvis on Sennheiser earphones every day!~

Ciscoking (profile/ contact) wrote on May 21, 2012report abuse

I won`t buy it again either..just because of sound improvement that is marginal.. as many wrote. Only noticeable with an expensive equipment and Sennheiser earphones. Just for newbies of interest.

Natha (profile/ contact) wrote on May 21, 2012report abuse

I'm happy I got my copy. The sound is great and it is for me a pleasure to hear ELVIS up front, as I always prefer that. The presentation is definitely not up to Venus standard, it is quite mediocre. It reminds me of the format of FTD. Yet I keep in mind that it is the music that is most important.

Ton Bruins (profile/ contact) wrote on May 21, 2012report abuse

The sound quality is certainly better, but again with those re-releases, if you have the CD "Event Number 8" from 12 years ago (!), the question is if one would buy it again...I don't buy it again, I simply download it..:)

whetherman (profile/ contact) wrote on May 20, 2012report abuse

I agree that the sound is improved but I found the artwork pretty poor for Venus, for example I've hunted over every square inch of what there is and I'm unable to find any reference as to when this show was recorded or even where it was recorded. A bit of an oversight perhaps. I do know though, so don't tell me!