Best track on "As recorded at Madison Square Garden" LP 1972

When listening to this album, I get a strong desire for an upgraded version. The sound is very "Muddy". The TCB-band was probably at their peak in the summer of 72. Very tight, hot and all songs are speeded up. What about Elvis? Solid shows, very professional, without reaching the class of Hampton roads in april the same year. Because of the poll limits of ten tracks, most of the oldies will disappear as their just throwed away. The slow start of "Hound dog" is fun and it´s nice to hear the public reaction in "Love me tender".

The oldie that is performed serious is "That´s all right" and is energic sung by Elvis. Proud Mary was my favourite track as a child I thought the drums were so cool. I still prefer this version over his 1970 recording (not vocally).

"Never been to Spain" is a fantastic recording, but it was even better in Las Vegas a few months earlier.

As I am a man of my words, I´ll keep my promise to include "You´ve lost that loving feeling" and "You don´t have to say you love me" on this poll (they were excluded on the TTWII poll). They were better done in 1970 though.

Polk Salad Annie 1972 compared to his 1970 version almost sounds like an another song. The quality of the earlier is probably wasy better, but the musicians are really cooking here.

"The Impossible dream" is quite impressing here. Elvis reaches higher notes here than on the february version, inluded on "He walks beside me".
"For the good times" is also well done and the singing is smooth.

The mighty "American trilogy" is still good here, despite the shout from Elvis). But i prefer earlier versions, especially from the april tour.

"I can´t stop loving you" is powerful and gets a kick ass performance. It will get my vote.

Please vote on and have a wonderful summer!

Kind regards

Björn

Yes, this is a great album, and deserves a sonic upgrade. On any given day I could vote for almost every cut as the best. My fave has always been "The Impossible Dream."

On vinyl the mix is good. I actually like the blues Hound Dog as it was a pretty cool change from how he would rush through it later. Polk Salad and Never Been To Spain are fantastic but I picked the former. The bass solo just gets me.

I´ll stick to my original favorite back in 1975 when I bought this album, Polk Salad Annie!
I could give my vote to almost any song as it is one my alltime favorite albums.

I still remember the excitement of hearing this record for the first time, WOW, Elvis was on fire.
After Elvis death there has been a lot of great concerts releases both officially and unoffically and some of them are better than this one but before aug the 16th, this was, along with Elvis in Person, my absolute favorite record.


Off to see the Boss in a moment but still voting for the King

Lennart

I still prefer this version over his 1970 recording (not vocally).

Why not vocally? I think he sings it much better in 72, without bellowing / shouting "rollin, rollin" as he does in 70 ruining it for me. In this version from 72, I love the way he attacks the 2nd verse too - a great performance and my pick.

A great album, and I wish it could sound more like the feb 72 recordings quality wise.

I Can't Stop Lovin' You is the album's high point for me. An absolute tour de force of a performance. The band cooks, and both Elvis and Ronnie are on fire! I love the way Elvis hollers out the opening line in a gravel voice.

This track should have been on the 70's box.

The Impossible Dream

I vote for For The Good Times.
My favourite as it's not rushed like others.

I still prefer this version over his 1970 recording (not vocally).

Why not vocally? I think he sings it much better in 72, without bellowing / shouting "rollin, rollin" as he does in 70 ruining it for me. In this version from 72, I love the way he attacks the 2nd verse too - a great performance and my pick.

A great album, and I wish it could sound more like the feb 72 recordings quality wise.

For me, it´s the raw edge in the voice. But vocals are still good on the 1972 version.

///Björn

I Can't Stop Lovin' You is the album's high point for me. An absolute tour de force of a performance. The band cooks, and both Elvis and Ronnie are on fire! I love the way Elvis hollers out the opening line in a gravel voice.

This track should have been on the 70's box.

And distorded guitar from James. A rarity apart from 1969.

//Björn

James always had a raw edge sound on his guitar right the way through the 60s and 70s. But nowerdays, even though he still plays telecaster, it has a totally clean country-picking sound which I don't like, especially when used on Elvis The Concert. I wish he'd use the same amp sound he had back then, it's far more dynamic!

I Can't Stop Lovin' You is the album's high point for me. An absolute tour de force of a performance. The band cooks, and both Elvis and Ronnie are on fire! I love the way Elvis hollers out the opening line in a gravel voice.

This track should have been on the 70's box.

And distorded guitar from James. A rarity apart from 1969.

//Björn

Yeah, JB plays some sizzeling fuzz tone licks on ICSLY.

Without any hesitation I Can't Stop Loving You despite I'm a huge Polk salad Annie fan...

You've Lost That Love And Feelin' and Never Been To Spain are my faves from this excellent album..

Never Been To Spain, but only because there are better versions of An American Trilogy to be had.

Jules

"The impossible dream" is the winner. The next poll will come about 10-12 days. See it as a promise or a threat

Thanks for voting!

//Björn