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Elvis Presley - Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden
On June 9, 1972, Elvis arrived in New York City for his four sold-out performances at Madison Square Garden. He was the first performer to sell out the Garden. Over the four shows, over 80,000 people watched. RCA recorded both the daytime and the evening shows on June 10, and what was issued was the nighttime show. Captured here, this is Elvis when he was very much at the top of his game. This is the King of Rock 'n' Roll, the Mississippi hillbilly who knocked out the world, and here, New York City. Elvis made history with these shows, and when you listen to this disc, it's very easy to hear why.
His voice is perfect. Despite this being the second show in one day, he sounds on fire. He's on, with every track. He blasts into "That's All Right," his first single; he covers classic rock tracks like "Proud Mary" and "Never Been To Spain." He oozes emotion with "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." He remembers his own roots with "Love Me," "All Shook Up," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel," and "Love Me Tender." He salutes New York's own Broadway with a powerful rendition of "The Impossible Dream." He continues with his own legacy with the magnificent "Suspicious Minds" and "For the Good Times." He wows with "An American Trilogy," and he very much leaves you wanting more, as he always did, signing off with "I Can't Help Falling In Love."
From the familiar opening of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" to the closing theme, this is Elvis at his greatest. This is one of his best, the king holding court, Elvis in his element. This is how Elvis went from that early rockabilly boy through the wasted Hollywood years to become the King.
Review by Kathy Coleman.
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