From Down Under
Part Two
by Geoffrey Mc Donnell (Australia)
1973
Honolulu, HA
January 12th E/S
sung with
great longing and another great version running for around 4:13- however the
mix of sound doesn't seem as good (especially the flute solo) as the next
version.
Honolulu, HA January 14th E/S * Perfectly performed, with great longing and
tenderness, All-held a sincere ending after the Flute solo @ around 3 mark.
Slightly longer @ 4:20.Surely visually this is
The version of An American
Trilogy performed to perfection!? Even the drop of sweat from Elvis forehead
seems to drip at the right moment for effect!
Las Vegas January 26th O/S unfortunately cut from my tape of the show.
Las Vegas January 27th M/S well sung again, All-held. Another great version
well appreciated by the fans.
Las Vegas January 28th M/S
fine version well sung till the end.
Las Vegas January 29th D/S
Decent version, All-held. hut, hut, hut sung till ending. DONT THINK TWICE -
(Madison CWP 02) (Released 2000)
Las Vegas
February 5th D/S
another
well sung and measured version. ITS A MATTER OF TIME (Fort Baxter - 2093)
(Released 1993)
Las Vegas
February 5th M/S
well sung in
good voice and All-held sung well till the end.
Las Vegas February 9th D/S his voice seems to have power here! Pretty decent
version.
Las Vegas February 10th D/S seems in good strong voice here. Excellent
version performed.
Las Vegas February 10th M/S well sung, but his voice seems less strong
watered down a bit-great version though.
TURNING UP THE HEAT IN LAS VEGAS (Memory Records MR 2029-2) (Released 2003)
Las
Vegas February 11th D/S
results in
a fine ending in better voice.
Las Vegas February 12th M/S Another great version, All-held and hut,hut,hut
till the ending.
Las Vegas February 14th D/S All-held, well sung but his voice isnt as
strong, but good effort.
Las Vegas February 15th D/S * Elvis sounds like hes having his cape put on
at the start I wish I was in the Doctors office. Elviss voice sounds hoarse
and weak, watery and at one point he coughs and struggles to sing-clearly not
well for this version. However Elvis gets good applause for his effort.
Las Vegas February 16th D/S sincere version softly sung. Lacks the full
power though.
Las Vegas
February 17th D/S well
sung again, All-held and despite his voice not being the best he still delivers
a good version.
Las Vegas February 18th M/S straight version hut, hut, hut to the end and
chants to conclusion in a good version.
Las Vegas February 19th D/S another fine version well sung right till the
end.
Las Vegas
February 19th M/S another
sincere version,hut,hut,hut-great ending.
Well sung.
Las Vegas February 20th M/S softly
sung but well performed throughout.
Las Vegas February 22nd M/S Disneyland version. sing it boys. +more
comment from Elvis. All-held a less good version.ok only.
Las Vegas February 23rd D/S * sincere version, a show highlight.
Especially when after an excellent version he reprises the ending! Truly
Excellent outstanding version.
Las Vegas February 23rd CL/S Lord Glory Hale-luliahAll-held, huh, huh huh
100% sincere version, well appreciated by the audience. Afterwards Elvis
mentions that the flute player hasn't missed a note in 125 times and all the
singers etc get praise here.WHAT NOW MY LOVE (X-Entertainment) (Released
2005)
Elvis struggled with his voice this Las Vegas season (especially coughing with
Phlegm), yet 99% of the time attempted to deliver the best versions he could (at
the time) of An American Trilogy. Especially by the last day of the engagement
he proved his voice had recovered with the outstanding versions performed that
day. Quite obviously at times around 15th February his voice was
lost and watery/weak voice is present ( if at all ) but he tried to deliver An
American Trilogy as a sincere concert highlight and (usually) succeeded.
Matching Aloha at best there are many, Many great versions to appreciate in
1973 and although its a long time since August 1972 its inclusion as a 1973
staple is well received.
Phoenix, AR April 22nd 3.00 pm
A brief
comment from Elvis precedes his performance which I found sounding a bit
watery All-held and extra effort is given at the end.
Anaheim, CA April 23rd E/S A
measured version All-held and hut,hut,hut at the ending in a very good version.
Anaheim, CA April 24th E/S lengthy applause here to a serious version,
All-held and also very good.
Fresno
25.4.73 E/S
Trilogy was
press reported to be very good version, better than the lackluster A/S.
Portland, OR April 27 E/S Another good version, All-held, yeah baby
hut,hut,hut fine ending to a pretty good version.
BACK IN PORTLAND (Live Archives EPE 1012) (Released 1993)
Spokane, WA
April 28th E/S
Disneyland version, giving a passable version only NOT absolute best.
Seattle, WA April 29th A/S straight version, but unfortunately incomplete on
my tape.
Seattle, WA April 29th E/S There is a pause at the start before a straight
version. All-held and a good version.
Lake Tahoe 7th
May 1973 M/S
Elvis very
briefly thanks the audience for their applause during the song-then adds that's
enough so he can continue. All-held and hut,hut,hut ending in a great version
where he also gets the band to hit it. Unfortunately this is the ONLY Tahoe
1973 version I have heard and yet it was performed several times this season.
Mobile, AL June 20th E/S
Disneyland version-twice! All-held reasonable version only here.
Uniondale, NY June 22nd E/S straight version. All-held, good ending ok
version and best Uniondale version.
Uniondale, NY June 23rd A/S Disneyland version 3 times! And even the
Stamps sing Disney too!-terrible. However very strong ending.
BORN TO GIVE US FEVER (Sundial Productions SP 201) (Released 1995)
Uniondale, NY June 23rd E/S
Disneyland
version All-held and another fine ending.
Uniondale,
NY June 24th 3.00 pm
Disneyland
again x 2.All-held, hut,hut,hut ending to a fair ending.
Pittsburgh, PA June 25th E/S sincerely sung, All-held, hut,hut,hut and
another fine version-good.
Pittsburgh, PA June 26th E/S Another great 1973 version shouts
Hutt,Hautt,Hutt before his truth is marching on very nice.
Cincinnati, OH June 27th E/S sincere version,yeah lord Glory, all-held
another excellent version.
St.Louis
28.6.73
A press
review quoted Highlight of the show where during the finale nothing was
held back.
Atlanta, GA June 29th E/S Excellent straight version and the fans just go
totally nuts loving it!
Atlanta, GA June 30th A/S Disneyland mentioned once. All-held and fine
ending.
Atlanta, GA June 30th E/S Disneyland mentioned once. All-held and another
fine ending.
Nashville, TN July 1st A/S
sincere version, all-held (noisy
fans!)hut,hut,hut to an extremely good ending.
Atlanta, GA July 3rd E/S
changes words at the start to
Disneyland All-held and an outstanding ending, but faulted.
Las Vegas August 6th O/S '' What's that damn noise back there? A dog
barking? '' ( Elvis reference to the whirring machinery lowering a screen ),God!
the moons falling! ( A reference to the projection screen dropping down? ) I wish
you were too, apart from all this from Elvis there is great drumming and a good
ending to a basically stuffed up version as Elvis didn't like the projected
image theatrics he viewed.
Las Vegas August 7th D/S sung with great longing, straight version, All-held
and a fantastic ending which causes the fans present to go nuts.
Las Vegas August 7th M/S serious version sing it, sung with longing,
another excellent version with a fantastic end-great!
Las Vegas August 8th D/S In the land of cottenGreat drumming and All-held.
Great ending and well appreciated by the enthusiastic audience.
Las Vegas August 8th M/S serious version, not rushed. Another excellent
version.
Las Vegas August 9th D/S Disneyland version. Fine ending to a Disneyland
version.
Las Vegas August 9th M/S sung with great longing. All-held another good
version.
Las Vegas August 10th D/S Great drumming, sing it Fellas, very good
version-very moving and excellent version well received.
Las Vegas August 10th M/S serious version.All-held,excellent version with a
pretty good ending.
Las Vegas August 11th D/S sung with longing, All-held.another excellent
version with great ending. Here the Fans REALLY like it!
Las Vegas August 11th M/S
spoilt by Elvis replying to the Stamps singing I wish I was in Dixie I wish you
were Too, but otherwise beautiful flute solo and nice ending.
Las Vegas August 12th M/S sung with great longing, hang it, beautifully
sung All-held hut,hut,hut good version.
Las Vegas August 14th D/S sung with longing, All-held. Another excellent
version with a great ending.
Las Vegas August 15th D/S sung sincerely, All-held.good version with a good
ending.
Las Vegas August 18th D/S
sung sincerely, all-held.huh!-another
very good version.
Las Vegas
August 18th M/S
A version
VERY much appreciated by the Vegas audience and indeed its sincere and a very
good version. Elvis chants Huh,Huh,Huh before the last verse.
Las Vegas August 19th D/S yeah my friends,lookaway Disneyland.All-held,
fine ending to a weird start.
Las Vegas August 19th M/S straight version-tenderly sung, All-held.Great
voice, sincere but not the best of endings.
Las Vegas August 20th M/S
*
straight version-All-held, well sung and another excellent version. A
PROFILE, THE KING ON STAGE
(Fort Baxter 161095) (Released 1995)
Las Vegas
August 21st D/S
Disneyland,
I wish you were too. All-held, starts non-serious but ok ending to a sent up
start.
Las Vegas August 23rd M/S sing it fellasAll-held, fine version in great
voice.
Las Vegas August 25 M/S oh I Wish laughs out loud at the start. Elvis
simply cannot stop laughing and this becomes a part laughing version in almost
the same way the 1969 laughing version of Are You Lonesome Tonight did.
However he gets better half-way through though. All-held and an ok ending.
Las Vegas August 26th D/S Beautifully sung again (even though he laughs
during the song again!) despite the laugh well sung throughout.
Las Vegas August 26th M/S laughs at the start-Lookaway sing astray
Dixielandhut,hut,hut fine ending to a different start.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT (Memory Records MR 2027-2) (Released 2002)
Las
Vegas August 27th M/S
Look away
Kathy, Disneyland Version. Repeats bound to die, +other comments fair version
only.
Las Vegas August 28th D/S Disneyland version. Fine end to a Disneyland
version.
Las Vegas August 28th M/S like to get serious, oh I wish,I wish-look up
Kathy. All-held and a fine end to a less good start.
Las Vegas August 29th D/S sung with longing, All-held, another fine version.
Las Vegas August 29th M/S straight version All-held. Yet another great
version.
Las Vegas August 30th D/S straight version, All-held, fine version and
ending pretty good too.
Las Vegas August 31st D/S straight version tenderly sung. All-held another
excellent version well appreciated by the fans.
Las Vegas August 31st M/S serious version All-held. Fine ending and
no-joking here.
Las Vegas September 1st D/S
says he ought to get serious. Gets
words mixed up in look away a serious version though. All-held passable
version.
Las Vegas September 1st M/S Whoo! Disneyland-twice! All-held, fine end to a
not too serious version. After Elvis says Jimmy Mullidore has played the flute
part 142 times on it.
Las Vegas September 2nd 3am/S At the start before singing properly Elvis
says:-Don't turn the Flag on until the beat picks up After the Stamps sing
their part Elvis adds I Wish you were too! All-held and an OK end, but spoilt.
Las Vegas September 2nd D/S Elvis talks at the start, but a sincere version,
All-held well sung and an excellent ending after an indifferent start.
Las Vegas September 2nd M/S Oh I Wish sort of false start. Disneyland version All-held to a fine
ending.
Las Vegas September 3rd D/S Before starting Elvis is answering a fan, and a
little talking during the song as he attempts a serious version.hush-twice you
know your daddys bought his eye messing up the lyrics in a poorer version.
Las Vegas September 3rd CL/S At the start of "American Trilogy" Elvis
sang, "Look away, Disneyland," and urged the Stamps to: "Sing it, Fellas, sing
it now, do it!" And he emphasized the word "Disneyland" in their solo verse of
the song. Elvis sang the remainder of the song completely seriously.
He took time to fans, afterwards: " I'd like to say something about the
song that we did before, 'American Trilogy'. The guy that plays the flute solo,
Jimmy Mullidore, he's played it 144 times and never missed a note. Thank you -
stand up, Jimmy. The trumpet players, they've actually split their lips blowing
so hard, really. Still despite all of Elvis embellishments around the
musicians its still NOT his best
version.
Trilogy
Theatrics
From
1972-right through Aloha and the previous Vegas season their was no special
affects during An American Trilogy but with the opening show in his August/September 1973 season that all changed with
6.8.73 O/S Theatrics Lamar
had a suggestion during the pre-opening night rehearsals ( that Elvis could cancel
if he liked-but he reluctantly agreed ) For this opening show ONLY an attempt was
made to project images of the American Civil war and the like on a circular
projection screen revealed up high at the back of the stage during the Battle
Hymn part of An American Trilogy- Lamar and the Hiltons lighting man had a
round projection screen drop down from overhead (with audible whirring of
machinery)-(at this point Elvis comments incredulously what that the Moon
coming down?) and slides are projected on the screen of slaves being auctioned
on the block and cruel overseers walking about with whips. As the Battle Hymn
commences, the Lincoln monument appears on the screen, followed by stagy movie
footage of the Civil War. Confused by all of this Elvis finishes the number, but
afterwards is mad and ensures that the ONLY thing to be presented in future is
An American Flag to be unfurled during the closing All my Trials.( This explains Elvis annoyance at the The Las Vegas
September 2nd 3am/S when the Flag is unveiled too early ) Clearly Elvis didn't
want the Flag unveiled at the back of the stage until the last part of the song
All my Trials had started. In 1974 The Memphis paper review too
especially mentioned THIS Act as
being one of many highlights of that 20.3.74 show ( Flag unveiled during the last
part of the song ) As yet Im not sure who's responsibility it was to unveil the
Flag- Charlie Hodge?) But it became a Patriotic event in many shows from late
1973-1974 and versions of Trilogy. However this Flag unfurling might have
stopped after the short May tour ( remember Robert Hillburns criticism ) as Fan
Christopher Brown cannot remember seeing any flag during the Niagara Falls
24.6.74 A/S or later at all in 1975.
1974
Las Vegas
January 26th O/S
Great
opening version! All-held and at the end great.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW (Memory Records MR 2028-2) (Released 2002)
Las
Vegas January 26th M/S
Disneyland-and says it twice! Powerful version after this unfortunate joke
start.
Las Vegas January 27th 10pm Stamps + brief comment by Elvis but really
another near perfect version with beautiful flute solo. On FTD I Found my
Thrill CD release
Las Vegas January 28th D/S straight version, fine/excellent.
Las Vegas January 28th M/S straight version another excellent version.
Las Vegas January 29th D/S All-held well sung,another great version of this
song.
Las Vegas January 30th D/S Disneyland
version- this is a pity as otherwise its very good and although the crowd laugh
at Disneyland it demeans the song.
Las Vegas January 30th M/S another Disneyland version rest of the song is
serious though.
Las Vegas January 31st D/S Disneyland (audience laughs) fine ending after a
joke start.
Las Vegas January 31st M/S straight version All-held another excellent
version.
Las Vegas February 1st D/S straight version until later he says
Disneyland.-fine ending.
Las Vegas February 1st M/S Great drumming throughout, another great version
till end.
Las Vegas February 2nd D/S another very good version and lengthy audience
applause afterwards.
Las Vegas February 2nd M/S Another beautiful version great ending and really
excellent!
Las Vegas February 3rd D/S good version, poor recording sounding just as
good as before.
Las Vegas February 3rd M/S another great version committed throughout Great
drumming/Singing.
Las Vegas
February 4th D/S
another
superb version All-is held and great ending well received by the appreciative
audience.
Las Vegas February 4th M/S another great version sung right to the ending.
Las Vegas February 5th D/S
another sincere version, excellent.
Las Vegas February 5th M/S straight and good-fine ending-excellent version.
Las Vegas February 6th D/S well sung,sincere,All-held, softly sung great
version.
Las Vegas February 6th M/S well sung again, another great version.
Las Vegas February 7th D/S All-held another tenderly sung version, show
highlight great ending ( Boot released as a vinyl record )
Las Vegas February 7th M/S
wild crowd tonight, better version than D/S more animated and hut,hut,hut fine
ending.
Las Vegas February 8th D/S
another good version just slightly less
good than last nights excellent one.
Las Vegas February 8th M/S * Elvis holds the word All.. And gives us a
mighty fine version with no jokes.
LET ME BE THERE (Memory Records MR 2045-2) (Released 2005)
Las Vegas
February 9th D/S
well sung
another great version well sung until the ending.
Las Vegas February 9th CL/S great drumming throughout, another excellent
version.
Tulsa,OK March 2nd 1.30 pm
good solid version right up to the ending.
Auburn,LA March 5th E/S another
great version, appreciative fans go nuts.
Montgomery,AL March 6th E/S well received by fans another excellent on
tour version.
Monroe March
7th E/S
another
great version-All-held and another great version.
Roanoke, VA March 10th E/S nice flute solo and a 100% sincere 1974 version.
LIVE FROM ROANOKE (Sundial Productions SP 301) (Released 1995)
Murfreesboro,TN March 14th E/S
good
straight version, All-held and sung in Excellent Voice with a great ending.
Knoxville, TN March 15th E/S
Disneyland? Well sung, but ordinary performance here.
Memphis,TN March 16th A/S sincere version but not the best of endings ok
only.
HELLO MEMPHIS! (Rock Legends Acum CD 1005) (Released 1997)
Memphis, TN March 16th E/S
another
pretty good long version, I think he says Disneyland early on but difficult to
tell.mis-dated and released on fire of
the King
Memphis, TN
March 17th A/S
Disneyland
version ruining this version, fast drum beat and Elvis emphasises last note.
Memphis,TN March 17th E/S
possible Disneyland version.
Richmond,VA March 18th E/S
Elvis says sing it after the Stamps have started(and he had already said that,
but otherwise its a very decent 4 minute version with a good ending.
GUARANTEED TO BLOW YOUR MIND (Luxor
4931 - 1) (Released 1997)
Memphis, TN
March 20th E/S
*
Elvis knew his audience, and he gave them what they wanted to hear. Where better
than in the Bible belt to sing Southern Gospel songs with such heartfelt
inspiration? Even Trilogy, though not technically a gospel song, has overt
gospel references and resonates with everything that is the American South. With
the audible audience reaction to Trilogy, it's a wonder why the canned applause
was ever included in the original release? 'An American Trilogy' is outstanding;
a display of pathos and Elvis performs a magnificent straight version here.
Piers
Beagley summed things up better than anyone I
know saying this '
American
Trilogy'
shows off the wonderful acoustical dynamic & power of being in the auditorium -
just listen closely to the 'All My Trials' section. During the song the American
flag was actually unfurled on stage and of course there is that special crowd
reaction when Elvis sings
"In Dixieland where I was born."
The song certainly meant more to Memphis history that in Hawaii.
Los Angeles, CA May 11th A/S
Good version
another excellent version.
Los Angeles, CA May 11th E/S Disneyland version, sincere ending after the
joke start.
Robert
Hillburn reviewing the Los Angeles show seems VERY critical of Elvis
performance of '' An American Trilogy '' saying it is Given a disproportionate build
up (and) smacked of self righteous Patriotism.
Lake Tahoe May 16th OP/S
Disney/Dixieland version, a good end to the Disneyland start.
Lake Tahoe
May 17th M/S
Disney/Dixieland version, annoying that he ruins this song in this way.
Lake Tahoe May 24th D/S good version well received by fans another excellent
version.
Lake Tahoe
May 25th D/S
*
same as bonus song on Baxter set-fine version again.
...AND THE KING FOR DESSERT (Fort
Baxter 2203) (Released 1998)
Lake Tahoe
May 26th D/S
Disney/Dixieland version, They were born, NOT as good a version, strong sound
though.
Unknown
Dated Version.Look away,Lord
Look away and I Said Glory (one more
time) His Truth Lord is Marching on. All is held and its a pretty
decent version. (Probably the new version
on soundboard as on Madisons A Legendary Performer Volume 8 CD?)
Whilst I am certain this new version comes from Tahoe 74 (same show as
Hound Dog on legendary performer Vol 7) I don't know the exact date. It was
incorrectly dated on the legendary performer vol.8 sleeve notes. Its possible it
might be around 22nd or 23rd May because its sung without
the Disneyland send up ( apparent in versions earlier this season) but doesn't
match up with any versions already listed here.
Fort Worth, June 15th A/S
Decent version, all-held. Pretty good
version.
THE MAN IN WHITE (Lone Star A131415) (Released 2002)
Fort Worth,
TX June 16th A/S
Yet another great version and ending.
Amarillo, TX June 19th E/S
good version sung straight with no mucking around.
Des Moines,IA June 20th E/S
Disney/Dixieland version.All-held and a fine end, but joke start.
Providence,RI June 22nd A/S Disneyland AGAIN! Good audience applause.
Philadelphia,PA June 23rd A/S
Disneyland + high voice, They were born, fine end to a poor start.
Niagara Falls,NY June 24th A/S
Disneyland version, rest of it sung ok.ROCKIN' AGAINST THE ROARIN' FALLS (Groti
GR-R 105) (Released 1994)
Niagara
Falls,NY June 24th E/S
gets a bit
tetchy telling his singers to Sing it, but pushes onto a fine ending.
CONQUERING THE FALLS (J.R. 6/94) (Released 1994)
Columbus,OH June 25th E/S
well
sung,and another VERY good version the audience appreciate.
Louisville, KY June 26th E/S Elvis says in a high pitched voice sing it,
but otherwise apart from this its a serious version All-held and a good
ending.
Omaha, NE June 30th A/S Disneyland/Dixieland
and moch high voice asking the Stamps to sing it, All-held, and a fine ending
to a Disneyland Start version.
Omaha, NE July 1st E/S Elvis stops
after the start of trilogy ONLY before complete version of Bridge over
Troubled Water!
The Trashing
of An American Trilogy
Part Three Coming Soon