Brian Quinn
03-19-2012, 05:00 PM
The Saturday show of Elvis In Concert is not perfect but then Elvis was always a mixture of the inspiring and irritating. Some of the songs are included because they are crowd pleasers, songs like The Wonder Of You, My Way and What Now My Love.
These numbers deter many but when they are played live through a modern PA with Elvis supported by a band that was once considered the best that money could buy, the listener soon suspends criticism. Elvis In Concert defines Elvis quite well.
On oldies like I Got A Woman and Heartbreak Hotel he rocks with real force while his performances of How Great Thou Art and Bridge Over Troubled Water stand apart from anything delivered by other performers. In his 1971 review of a Boston concert, Jon Landau wrote that "once you had seen Elvis sing Bridge Over Troubled Water you could die". He was right. Last night I saw Elvis sing Bridge and How Great Thou Art which is even better. But, I will not say anything to avoid tempting fate.
Finally, we have the performances that show Elvis can be hip. Again the memory of 'Suspicious Minds’ alone would be sufficient to face death but it is complimented with fabulous versions of ‘Polk Salad Annie’ and ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’. No other singer has ever attempted or mastered so much.
Elvis In Concert may flatter what Elvis often delivered on stage in the 70s but at his peak he was more than capable of delivering the show that so enthralled the quite young audience in Manchester. No wonder we stay loyal. My only criticism is the 50s melody in the first half which drags. This is taken from his Las Vegas shows. His black and white 50s performances or the hits medley from the 68 TV Special would be better.
Elvis In Concert has never had a bad review so the technology that supports the show works. Elvis also plays his part. His talent and a personality that is second to none.
Brian (y)
These numbers deter many but when they are played live through a modern PA with Elvis supported by a band that was once considered the best that money could buy, the listener soon suspends criticism. Elvis In Concert defines Elvis quite well.
On oldies like I Got A Woman and Heartbreak Hotel he rocks with real force while his performances of How Great Thou Art and Bridge Over Troubled Water stand apart from anything delivered by other performers. In his 1971 review of a Boston concert, Jon Landau wrote that "once you had seen Elvis sing Bridge Over Troubled Water you could die". He was right. Last night I saw Elvis sing Bridge and How Great Thou Art which is even better. But, I will not say anything to avoid tempting fate.
Finally, we have the performances that show Elvis can be hip. Again the memory of 'Suspicious Minds’ alone would be sufficient to face death but it is complimented with fabulous versions of ‘Polk Salad Annie’ and ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’. No other singer has ever attempted or mastered so much.
Elvis In Concert may flatter what Elvis often delivered on stage in the 70s but at his peak he was more than capable of delivering the show that so enthralled the quite young audience in Manchester. No wonder we stay loyal. My only criticism is the 50s melody in the first half which drags. This is taken from his Las Vegas shows. His black and white 50s performances or the hits medley from the 68 TV Special would be better.
Elvis In Concert has never had a bad review so the technology that supports the show works. Elvis also plays his part. His talent and a personality that is second to none.
Brian (y)