13/8/70 DS - "In perspective" review

[mike Edwards]

Found this interesting review/critique of the show on Elvis For Everybody:

"13th Aug DS – “in perspective”

So here we have the 13th August 1970 Dinner Show. The King in his domain, in his prime, knockin’ ‘em dead?

Following the unusual (and short lived) Opening Theme from the Joe Guercio Orchestra, Elvis hits the stage with a vengeance, launching into a break neck That’s Alright, Mama. “The first record I ever recorded”

“Wellll - I just got through eating too” - I Got A Woman – solid performance, and the show is on!!

“Welcome to the International Hotel, I’m Fats Domino….” Followed by a throwaway 1 minute version of Hound Dog, performed at 100 mph, and a monologue about Gatorade, and a rambling Love Me Tender, where Elvis gets so lost kissing girls he loses the way and does not even realise the song is ending!

Back down to business with good performances of Don’t Cry Daddy segued neatly into In The Ghetto.

Next is a messed up and short version of IJCHB (Elvis messes up feels so small and helpless + no reprise), then Stranger In The Crowd – which is a nice live rarity but:

Elvis messes up the first line – “I was standing on the corner at a quarter to 11” … instead of “I’d been standing... since a quarter after 7”. Thus rendering the next line “and the clock in the window at a quarter to 11” pretty stupid. He then completely screws up the line just the loneliest guy in the town (says crowd) then mumbles the rest. - “Love had found us on the corner at a quarter after 7”!! Hmmm.

The rest of the lyrics are a jumble of right and wrong renditions. A lazy performer who again could not be bothered to learn the words to his own songs?

Make The World Go Away follows, and obviously Elvis is more familiar with this old country standard, and delivers a good live rarity.

Then it’s into Sweet Caroline – a false start shows that again Elvis struggles to remember words to a song that he has been doing since the February engagement. Seems Elvis struggled with this song throughout the 70s. When the song restarts it is a fairly solid performance, broken up with a bit of chuckling towards the end.

Next comes You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. This should be a real show highlight, but again Elvis messes up the lyrics. “There’s no tenderness when you reach out for you…” Hmmm. Then “it just me just feel like crying” then Elvis almost misses the woo woo woo – very sloppy work.

Thankfully Polk Salad Annie (the familiar EAP box set version) is a show stopping performance.

Then it’s into the introductions (including 2 and a half minute long walkabout while Elvis recovers from PSA) – nice for the people up front, but not so good for the rest of the paying customers, or indeed the listener.

We get the usual offensive Tutt Scheff (tough sh’t) joke. James gets introduced as Chuck Berry, Charlie is Kate Smith, we get introduced to the kettle drum player but embarrassingly Elvis forgets to introduce Millie Kirkham and has to be reminded after he starts into his early career monologue. He apologises (“I’m sorry dear, that’s what you call messing up with the numbers, except you don’t say messing…””)

Straight into the abbreviated early career story (complete with the risqué son..bitch Ed Sullivan quip) followed by The Wonder Of You (adequately performed), and a slow & bluesy Heartbreak Hotel. A short, perfunctory Blue Suede shoes follows at 99 mph, complete with more unnecessary Dinner Show profanity (slander my ass all over the place declares Elvis).

On One Night Elvis gives a steamy and cool delivery, followed by an obligatory and short ‘n’ fast All Shook Up. (“That’s 6, I got 44 more to go now.”)

“Let’s Get serious” (at last!) declares Elvis before launching into the sublime Bridge Over Troubled Water. 4 minutes of near vocal perfection. It lacks the drama of 1977, but you can’t fault the delivery or musicianship.

With barely pause for breath, Suspicious Minds kicks off at a pretty fast pace. Why Elvis felt it necessary to add “shove it up your nose” so often is an annoyance, as is “dry the “sweat” from your eyes”. One days classic is the next days throwaway even in 1970 it seems. A barnstorming (and visually impressive no doubt) ending rescues the song somewhat, before a quick “you’re a beautiful audience …. Thank you very much” and into CHFIL. One of the coolest moments of the show comes right at the end when Elvis shouts out “BYE!” (probably from under the gold curtain) after the closing notes.

As ever the crowd was entertained, sloppy performances accepted, not excepted."

[tcb4]

Thank you very much for the review

[Joe Car]

Maybe he just had an off night. I watched my Detroit Red Wings, (who don't have to many bad nights) play like a pile off crap last night, was it because they were lazy? I doubt it since it was a Stanley Cup game. Maybe they had an off night, as perhaps Elvis did on the 13th, which given the level of his performances during that engagement, was unexpected. I know there are days at work, where I do my job better than others, it's called being human!

[Little Darlin]

Next is a messed up and short version of IJCHB (Elvis messes up feels so small and helpless + no reprise), then Stranger In The Crowd – which is a nice live rarity but:

Elvis messes up the first line – “I was standing on the corner at a quarter to 11” … instead of “I’d been standing... since a quarter after 7”. Thus rendering the next line “and the clock in the window at a quarter to 11” pretty stupid. He then completely screws up the line just the loneliest guy in the town (says crowd) then mumbles the rest. - “Love had found us on the corner at a quarter after 7”!! Hmmm.

Hmmmm ain't life a b*tch! Maybe he should have rehearsed it a few more times that nasty 'ol Elvis.

Then it’s into Sweet Caroline – a false start shows that again Elvis struggles to remember words to a song that he has been doing since the February engagement. Seems Elvis struggled with this song throughout the 70s. When the song restarts it is a fairly solid performance, broken up with a bit of chuckling towards the end

Oh I LOVED that bit!

Next comes You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. This should be a real show highlight, but again Elvis messes up the lyrics. “There’s no tenderness when you reach out for you…” Hmmm. Then “it just me just feel like crying” then Elvis almost misses the woo woo woo – very sloppy work.

Aww there there -- must thave been one of the ''reviewers'' favourites and that nasty Elvis messed it up. Shame on him!

Thankfully Polk Salad Annie (the familiar EAP box set version) is a show stopping performance

.

Yep -- agreed -- worth the price of the disc alone imo.

Then it’s into the introductions (including 2 and a half minute long walkabout while Elvis recovers from PSA) – nice for the people up front, but not so good for the rest of the paying customers, or indeed the listener.

Well, I've said it once and I'll say it again -- ain't life a b........

We get the usual offensive Tutt Scheff (tough sh’t) joke. James gets introduced as Chuck Berry, Charlie is Kate Smith, we get introduced to the kettle drum player but embarrassingly Elvis forgets to introduce Millie Kirkham and has to be reminded after he starts into his early career monologue. He apologises (“I’m sorry dear, that’s what you call messing up with the numbers, except you don’t say messing…””)

Ha! Love it -- and so did those in the audience if irrc.

Straight into the abbreviated early career story (complete with the risqué son..bitch Ed Sullivan quip) followed by The Wonder Of You (adequately performed), and a slow & bluesy Heartbreak Hotel. A short, perfunctory Blue Suede shoes follows at 99 mph, complete with more unnecessary Dinner Show profanity (slander my ass all over the place declares Elvis).

Now now Elvis remember the 9 o clock watershed!!!!

On One Night Elvis gives a steamy and cool delivery, followed by an obligatory and short ‘n’ fast All Shook Up. (“That’s 6, I got 44 more to go now.”)

“Let’s Get serious” (at last!) declares Elvis before launching into the sublime Bridge Over Troubled Water. 4 minutes of near vocal perfection. It lacks the drama of 1977, but you can’t fault the delivery or musicianship.

No you most certainly can't!!

With barely pause for breath, Suspicious Minds kicks off at a pretty fast pace. Why Elvis felt it necessary to add “shove it up your nose” so often is an annoyance, as is “dry the “sweat” from your eyes”. One days classic is the next days throwaway even in 1970 it seems. A barnstorming (and visually impressive no doubt) ending rescues the song somewhat, before a quick “you’re a beautiful audience …. Thank you very much” and into CHFIL. One of the coolest moments of the show comes right at the end when Elvis shouts out “BYE!” (probably from under the gold curtain) after the closing notes.

Cos he wanted to and it fit into the song quite well so there!

As ever the crowd was entertained, sloppy performances accepted, not excepted."

Never has a truer word been said!!

There you go Mr/Miss/Ms Reviewer/ Critiquer -- see how you like the bones been picked out of your work

[stevelecher]

"we're filmiing a movie here and instead of 25 songs we had to learn about 75 songs, so if we mess up, please bear with us."

[BigredG]

"we're filmiing a movie here and instead of 25 songs we had to learn about 75 songs, so if we mess up, please bear with us."

More like 35 rather than 25, perhaps 10 of which were new?

[midnightx]

August 13, 1970 an off night?

[BigredG]

August 13, 1970 an off night?

Maybe he redeemed himself in the MS show?

[midnightx]

August 13, 1970 an off night?

Maybe he redeemed himself in the MS show?

Not likely,as you know, he was off on most nights during 1970.

[BigredG]

August 13, 1970 an off night?

Maybe he redeemed himself in the MS show?

Not likely,as you know, he was off on most nights during 1970.

Oh, I did not realise that you were implying that it wasn't an off night because they were all as slipshod. I think that is a tad harsh.

[Mike Eder]

Oh my goodness Elvis told PG rarted jokes in a Vegas casino engagments. Let's ban the sonofa...

[midnightx]

Well, he didn't direct any f-bombs at any paying customers during the summer of 1970.

[BigredG]

Well, he didn't direct any f-bombs at any paying customers during the summer of 1970.

Spoken like a <snip>

!	BIGREDG: Courtesy and Civility are Mandatory! Please stay on-topic. And please also review our Reminder

[BigredG]

Well, he didn't direct any f-bombs at any paying customers during the summer of 1970.

But 3 vulgar references from a Dinner Show far outweighs one off the cuff "f-bomb" from a Midnight show. That is the point.

[mike Edwards]

Not saying that I agree with every point that the reviewer makes but it is refreshing to see comments about a 1970 show that are not 100% fawning to Elvis.

It seems that some here on FECC hold fast to the view that Elvis could do no wrong in 1970 whilst criticising him viciously for very similar failings in later years

[ColinB]

To sit & enjoy seeing Elvis [or anyone] live in concert is very different from sitting at home and listening to an audio recording of the event over & over.

Differences in tempo, fluffed lyrics, bum notes, spoken asides, all unnoticed by the audience at the actual event, become painfully apparent with repeat playing.

One of the draw backs of 'live' recordings.

I might be in a minority here, but I prefer 'cherry-picked' live stuff, like On Stage, rather than complete concerts, where you have to take the rough with the smooth.

[Bill B]

I agree with Joe, I think he was a little off this show and I would love to hear the MS show or the shows of the 14th. That being said, I love 1970 Elvis. And I also agree with Joe about the Red Wings, They better wake up! GO WINGS!

[ekenee]

Maybe he should have used cue-cards?

[Juan Luis]

Not saying that I agree with every point that the reviewer makes but it is refreshing to see comments about a 1970 show that are not 100% fawning to Elvis.

+1... perfect is boring. Flawed a little is much more interesting and objective.

[midnightx]

Not saying that I agree with every point that the reviewer makes but it is refreshing to see comments about a 1970 show that are not 100% fawning to Elvis.

+1... perfect is boring. Flawed a little is much more interesting and objective.

Yes, but let's not go overboard here. Even an artist of Elvis' magnitude in their prime will not deliver a perfect 10 performance every night. But to suggest that Elvis was "off" on some nights during his 1970 summer run of shows in Vegas is reaching for something that simply is not there. Maybe instead of being incredible, he had nights where he was just very good. The blindly devoted fans of his live work from later in the 70's will do anything to bring down an era with an impeccable reputation to show it wasn't much different than later in the decade. It is a misguided approach in every way. Very few artists have ever come close to matching the dynamic level of Elvis' live work from 1969 and 1970 - sadly it wouldn't last.

[mike Edwards]

Even an artist of Elvis' magnitude in their prime will not deliver a perfect 10 performance every night. But to suggest that Elvis was "off" on some nights during his 1970 summer run of shows in Vegas is reaching for something that simply is not there. Maybe instead of being incredible, he had nights where he was just very good. The blindly devoted fans of his live work from later in the 70's will do anything to bring down an era with an impeccable reputation to show it wasn't much different than later in the decade. It is a misguided approach in every way. Very few artists have ever come close to matching the dynamic level of Elvis' live work from 1969 and 1970 - sadly it wouldn't last.

Of course no artist gives a perfect performance night after night. And this show meets your criteria of dynamic live work. I do not think the reviewer questions the dynamicness (?) of the show just the amateiurish delivery of several key songs and the perhaps inappropraite humour/vulgarity

I would not expect a blind worshipper of Elvis in 1970 to readily accept this criticism but it has to be said that this show despite a few high spots is sloppy as you know what! And thats a fact.

[Joe Car]

I think we also have to remember that the night before, (the midnight August 12th show), ranks as one of his all-time greatest performances, so there are a few factors in play.

[joeroberts]

I agree with the reviewer on all points. Not learning the lyrics to his own songs is something few other performers would get away with for very long. And personally I don't think he sings well enough or rocks hard enough to justify it,

But the only reason we would listen to 13/8/70 DS 32 years after Elvis' death is because it is as much or more about the personality as it is about the music.

[midnightx]

Even an artist of Elvis' magnitude in their prime will not deliver a perfect 10 performance every night. But to suggest that Elvis was "off" on some nights during his 1970 summer run of shows in Vegas is reaching for something that simply is not there. Maybe instead of being incredible, he had nights where he was just very good. The blindly devoted fans of his live work from later in the 70's will do anything to bring down an era with an impeccable reputation to show it wasn't much different than later in the decade. It is a misguided approach in every way. Very few artists have ever come close to matching the dynamic level of Elvis' live work from 1969 and 1970 - sadly it wouldn't last.

Of course no artist gives a perfect performance night after night. And this show meets your criteria of dynamic live work. I do not think the reviewer questions the dynamicness (?) of the show just the amateiurish delivery of several key songs and the perhaps inappropraite humour/vulgarity

I would not expect a blind worshipper of Elvis in 1970 to readily accept this criticism but it has to be said that this show despite a few high spots is sloppy as you know what! And thats a fact.

Hey, I'll be the first one to say there were moments of sloppiness during 1970, but that doesn't equate to an off night.

[Cryogenic]

I'll agree with that reviewer about one thing:

The botched lyrics to "Stranger In The Crowd" are annoying. They ruin that performance, for me.

* * *

Also: Elvis didn't take himself very seriously, leading to some very sloppy performances and humour that might rub a more cynically-inclined person up the wrong way. I tend to put these things in the context of Elvis being Elvis, so they don't bother me a whole lot, but they can be frustrating, at times.