The latest Straight Arrow "Red Hot" release is out, does it live up to its name?
Design
As with their previous releases, the design part of the release is top notch again. A 16 pages booklet with a catching picture on the cover and inside action shots from the 1972 Las Vegas Summer festival and additional concert shots from 1972 and memorabilia. Well written liner notes on Elvis in 1972 and a to the point review of the concert. So get this release for the booklet with a complete review.
Content
An opening with “C C Rider”, “Johnny B. Goode” - getting a full song treatment, not just a quicky during the introductions - and “Proud Mary” shows you the King is on the stage. With songs like “Until It’s Time For You To Go”, “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me”, “What Now My Love” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” the showman in Elvis shows his personal emotions and vocal capabilities. These songs, along with recent studio recordings like “Separate Ways”, fit his personal situation and probably emotions from his divorce from Priscilla. This must have added to good performances of these songs.
Some of the older rockers and classics like “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Heartbreak Hotel” which our man “had” to perform get the quicky treatment, but by now I have accepted that as just a standard part of an Elvis show. Luckily a five minute version of “Suspicious Minds” makes up for that. “Fever” deserves special mention, as it is sung almost acapella with snapping fingers. “My Way” isn’t as touching as the versions from 1976 and 1977 where you hear the pain, but the performance is good. The concert ends with three tracks from August 8, 1972, probably to complete the complete concert experience. Unfortunately there is a big difference in the soundquality.
As a bonus the additional Q&A with John Wilkinson is interesting, you don’t hear the man in the background talk that much.
The release is an audience recording, but a very good quality, the show sounds fresh, not too much bass and Elvis up front.
Conclusion
Most of the rockers “rock” and the ballads are performed like they should, with emotion. This release will get a few spins in the near and more distant future.
Track listing:
01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from "2001 A Space Odyssey") - 02. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 03. Johnny B. Goode - 04. Proud Mary - 05. Until It's Time For You To Go - 06. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - 07. You Gave Me A Mountain - 08. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - 09. Polk Salad Annie - 10. Instrumental Intermezzo / Monologue - 11. What Now My Love - 12. Fever - 13. Love Me - 14. Blue Suede Shoes - 15. Heartbreak Hotel - 16. All Shook Up - 17. Little Sister / Get Back (medley) - 18. Love Me Tender - 19. Hound Dog (slow & fast) - 20. I'll Remember You - 21. Suspicious Minds - 22. Band Introductions - 23. Celebrity Introductions - 24. My Way - 25. A Big Hunk O' Love - 26. For The Good Times (spliced with Las Vegas 13.08.1972 Dinner Show) - 27. Can't Help Falling In Love (Las Vegas 13.08.1972 Dinner Show) - 28. Closing Vamp (Las Vegas 13.08.1972 Dinner Show).
Special bonus: ?
29. An "after season" interview with John Wilkinson, by Tony Prince from Radio Luxembourg, held in Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, September 8, 1972.
Red Hot
By ElvisNews.com / Kees, January 10, 2007 | Music
Ronaldv wrote on
January 10, 2007
this review sounds good to me, I'm waiting for a copy in my mailbox.
You Dont Know Me wrote on
January 10, 2007
Yes this is a 'good' review and certainly a great release!- although probably now with all the official and 'unofficial' releases i won't be needing another August 1972 concert after this one what a hjigh note to end on, special mention must be made of the booklet-so accurate, comprehensive and well put together.YES the KING in August 1972, very interesting comment made about My Way in the review - too, another 'Keeper' from Straight Arrow.
Mystery Rider wrote on
January 23, 2007
Seems to me i've heard these song before, it the same stuff over and over and over again enough is enough when is it going to stop. Just different versions of repeated material will some one please STOP the madness
Ronaldv wrote on
January 27, 2007
I had my copy today, awesome, very good show, splendid version of My Way and what now my love. elvis is not bored! for an audience recording, good sound quality compliments again for straight arrow!!! keep up the good work. next release according the booklet, elvis live on tour april 1972. YES SIR!!
Mr. Songman wrote on
February 20, 2007
Mystery Rider wrote: Seems to me i've heard these song before, it the same stuff over and over and over again enough is enough when is it going to stop. Just different versions of repeated material will some one please STOP the madness. The last I heard, buying these releases was optional. Has something changed?
Greg Nolan wrote on
April 08, 2007
Mr. Songman is right: like much of this site and also FECC and a few others, we're getting into hard-core territory. Most casual but even committed fans will find that the original "MSG" live album on RCA is fine for capturing the era, to say nothing of "On Stage" or "Aloha" or even Memphis '74.
There's an element of truth in that few but the most hard-core will want to hear what is an utterly professional and near assembly-line like Elvis performance, albeit one with the usual heart and soul that was heard so much in '72. So is this essential? Hardly. But it's yet another slice of soul from Straight Arrow, as we are treated to a rare audience-recorded live performance of our hero at full throttle.
There's hardly much to comment on, but it's great listening. I agree that to hear "Johnny B. Goode" given an early and series treatment is quite a kick but coming from the "King of Rock'n'Roll" one wonders how he ever relegated his legacy to "quickie" recaps of this or that '50s hit. This cooks right out of the box.
Likewise, as was noted, "Fever" is an interesting take on the song, for as with most imports, hard-core fans always wait (and find) that something "different" about each and every show and here it is. I also agree that "My Way" is another highlight. I actually think this is one of the better early "My Way" versions, as I've never been that fond of the somewhat stilted "Aloha" arrangment, but there's some fire on this one, as seen in later versions. All told, there's nary a dud to be found here.
The John Wilkinson interview from that year is a true bonus and alone is (nearly) worth the price of the disc, when couple with Straight Arrow's usual informative liner notes and classy selection of photos! What a booklet!
The bar has been raised in the import world and none other than Straight Arrow has done so, with quite listenable audience recordings, no less!
For the hard-core fan: I recommend it unreservedly. This is the lemons-to-lemonade production quality that the import world has been known for, to the should-be envy of RCA/BMG-Sony. If you have the "big ears" to appreciate a quality audience tape, this is a fine addition to your collection.
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Note:
Incidentally, to Elvisnews, the full title is not "Red Hot" but "Red Hot In Vegas."