FTD released another complete 1969 show, this time on 7” format.
Design
With Elvis in this shape one can’t go wrong. The booklet has no liner notes, just the show information, like tracks, musicians, producers, Vic Anesini and photo credits.
In the booklet are some pictures of memorabilia, like the menu, a few live shots (the known ones) and great pictures of the press conference.
Content
As stated above, Vic Anesini did the mixing and mastering, so there is no real need to say something about the sound, but I have to do it: absofabletastic!
The show itself is – to most – familiar. No surprises, or it must be that during the Hound Dog speech Elvis reaches his (probably) hightest level of corniness, so much it almost needs to be x-rated. The songs get the furious treatment like on all shows from this gig released before… I only wish he could reach this level for some more years. The life story gets a bit boring by now, but it belongs to the show and it is a kind of funny every now and then. The fantastic version of Baby What You Want Me To Do (to me one of the absolute highlights of the disc) wakes you up completely, in case you fell asleep during the story.
Conclusion
Nothing unexpected, but Elvis at his best is always welcome, especially in a quality presentation and sound like this release has!
Fantastic release ! Very good versions of Suspicious Minds (long intro) and What'd I Say ! Pure energy !
I agree, great show! I only wish there would have been some color picture in the booklet, but otherwise an excellent release. TCB
This may be my favorite of all the 69 concerts released so far. Keep 'em coming Ernst. As a matter of fact ,I would love to see a box set of all of the 69 concerts that Sony has multi track tapes or soundboards of . My favoreite period for "live " Elvis !
This concert (or one of the others from Aug. '69) should be hot candidate for a vinyl release. There has never been released a COMPLETE 1969 concert (or 1970 concert for that matter) officially on vinyl!
I would love to see a complete August 1970 concert on FTD vinyl as well:-) Should be released at the same time as a Sony Legacy of TTWII with the original album on CD1 and one complete concert on CD2. This classic album really deserves a Legacy treatment! And with an added concert the original idea behind TTWII would be fulfilled.
To keep the original feel of the original album, no rehearsals etc. should be added as disturbing "bonus" (we have all that on other releases). Only the studio versions of I've Lost you and Patch It Up should be added to the original album. Keep it clean, focused and classy:-)
I can never get enough of Elvis live in '69. I love to listen to the concerts chronologically. I also agree its high time we got a concert from August 1970 - preferably 'complete' and 'unedited' this time ;)
I tired of Elvis '69 complete concerts long ago. No more for me. But I'm glad they're being made available for those who want them.
I'm glad to have this one, and agree with Lex's review. I am also in agreement Jerry in that I'm through with Aug. 69 shows. There's just not enough difference in the songs and the in-between song dialogue. It's almost beginning to sound too scripted as I hear more and more of these shows. Hopefully, this is FTD's final release of this amazing period in Elvis' career - a great show, great set list, and flawless mixing by Vic Anesini. My advice, get this one, and turn the volume up and be prepared to rock. There's a reason why Ernst used this show as his choice for a "Classic" album release. I'd say Ernst and FTD have done a superb job with this part of Elvis' career. Next.....
Troubleman, when it comes to Elvis it seems like color photography wasn't invented in 1969. The Fans made color-photos of him. But officially ... no way. When Elvis gave his late 60's press conferences (wedding, comeback) there wasn't even a microphone on his desk. In New York 1972 they needed 20 microphones to get at least the heavy edited, patched together, sounds like recorded under a blanket press-conference recording. The U.S. made it to the moon. But when it comes to technical equipment it always seems like Elvis was famous in the stone-age.
I've just heard this release and I have to urge every Elvis fan (and everyone else) to go buy it, it is really great. I especially like this version of "Words", it is the best version that I can remember to have heard. I also really like the booklet, but I would have liked a few liner notes. I have no problems though with the black and white pictures, I actually think that they are a little more "classy", if you can say so. The sound is really great also, maybe the best sound for a 69 concert so far .
Well, isn't it time we have a 1969 FTD release on Vinyl. ? This time with a picture cover from q 69 concert, unlike the original Vinyl release which had a 68 Special photo (!). Unfortunately FTD have even replaced the picture record covers ! This release deserves a booklet, and a few color photos in it, will not hurt. Why can't official release packaging be as good as the earlier Japanese or the unofficial Vinyl releases ? This one, 68 Special and Aloha deserve special treatment.
Nice release,although ftd need to stop with the typos,how about another multitrack release! April 9, 10,14, 1972,stop waiting on the dvd release that aint coming. Or one of the 2 shows left from august 1970. A break from soundboards please!
Another quality release from FTD. Nice to have the complete concert even though most of it has been released before.
I don't mind having the remaining multitrack recorded concerts from this season also. The sound and mix on this one is outstanding. And I must admit I really enjoy the energy during Suspicious Minds and What'd I Say here. Now we can pick our favourite performances from all the shows we have had so far and make our own favourite compilations! Keep 'em coming Ernst!
its also nice to hear the great introductions of the stars in the house especially his love for Nancy Sinatra and even calling him Thomas Jones.
Alanfalk I do not understand why you say Words is the best version you have ever heard like it is a version newly released. It is the same version that came out in 1969 in From Vegas To Memphis/From Memphis To Vegas LP and has been on several CD titles.
Maybe I like this so much because I mostly remember the 1970 version, or it could be because the great sound on this make it sound better, anyway when I'm going to seek this song out in the future, then I will grab this release. Hope that cleared it up for you :)
Yes, thank you. This version of Words has always been my favorite. The piano introduction reminds me a bit of Chopin. I am looking forward to my copy of this CD. I am waiting to order it with GI Blues V2, Memphis V3 and Moody Blue all at the same time.
While many would prefer this mix of 'Words' over the original "In Person" album with Elvis sounding more up front on "Hot August Night", I personally would go for the mix on EIP - why?? Just listen to the haunting depth of those magical gospel pipes of the Sweets especially during the line "dedicate them all to me" you gotta love it !! It's one of those rare occasions where I don't mind Elvis taking the back seat. Imperials were a treat as well. My overall favourite version though is from "One Night in Vegas" - just ! Slightly more upbeat which still works well and well underpinned by Jerry's bass playing during the instrumental part giving it more momentum.
Great to see that people like different versions and mixes of the same song, in a way you can say that that justify the different mixes and the many shows from the same season (not that it need justifying in my world :), ) .
