Elvis: October Encore In Lake Tahoe
Elvis Presley’s Lake Tahoe concerts are legendary because not much is known about this elusive period of the Kings life. In MAY 1973 Elvis cancelled his Lake Tahoe engagments due to ill health – the OCTOBER ENCORE (October 11 to the 14, 1974) was an eight show run to honour his contract with the SAHARA TAHOE HOTEL; to have an audience recorded show in our midst is nothing short of miraculous. New Jumpsuits were worn including: The MEXICAN SUNDIAL & the equally stunning KING OF SPADES suit.
The show starts with a blistering version of “See See Rider” and it’s obvious The King is in good voice and rocking – the song ends with a stunning drum flourish from Ronnie Tutt. Elvis then starts joking and complaining about the white lights which leads to a good version of, “ I. Got a Women” with the usual dive bomber ending and more gags – Elvis say’s, “J.D can go lower than anybody, he can go down to a low flat,” “Charlie’s house” quips a band member. Elvis and the band are up for a good time tonight at Lake Tahoe.
The 1950s classic, “Love Me” is next and there’s plenty of chat from Elvis, some of it not quite audible. Elvis performs a good version followed by a standard “All Shook Up.” The “Teddy Bear’ / “Don’t Be Cruel” medley is performed well enough too. Presley’s 1956 single,”Heartbreak Hotel” is a fantastic performance and fast paced with Elvis singing in a high voice, “play it James,” this really rocks. Fantastic! The Olivia Newton John song “If You Love Me (Let Me Know)” is another good version and very enjoyable. The sultry blues, “Fever” is performed next with Elvis having fun with the lyrics, “Captain Poke & Smithaharness” – “Pocoharness, sounds like a Japanese motorcycle!”Elvis says. A great version.
Ronnie Tutt’s drums start, “Big Boss Man” and it’s a fine version of this Jimmy Reed song. Elvis introduces the next song as his new record “It’s Midnight’ and it’s a cracker! With the King singing, “It’s midnight, GOD KNOWS, I. MISS YOU.” A truly fantastic version. “Hound Dog” is another standard run through but entertaining enough. However, the audience is very loud on this release with audience members shouting for Elvis on many of the numbers. Elvis plays with a squeaky cuddly toy after “Hound Dog” – this shows he was having fun and so were the audience.
The intros are next with fine solo spots from, James Burton” and some bluesy lead guitar playing, finishing with some, funky wah, wah. Ronnie Tutt’s drums and some great bass from Duke Bardwell are also worth mentioning. Charlie Hodge gets introduced as “general flunky, aid to Colonel Parker” and Elvis also introduces Norm Crosby, a warm up comedian for the Tom Jones show and Elvis’s long time friend. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is sung next after J.D Sumner suggested “Old Shep” and Elvis sings his heart out on this classic Simon & Garfunkel song, which ends with a reprise. Superb. A fast paced “Johnny .B” starts immediately with some drop out in sound but only for a few seconds as Elvis performs another great version. The beautiful “Hawaiian Wedding Song” is next up and on the reprise Elvis gives it his best Mario Lanza on, “MY HEART” to end the song.
Another ONJ song is performed “Let Me Be There” the obligatory closer, CHFIL and Elvis has left the building. Two bonus tracks are added from the midnight show,”Why Me Lord” & I’m Leavin’
In conclusion, this is a very fast paced show with Elvis & his band on stunning form kicking a**; plus there’s an evident party atmosphere (Elvis was more loose and relaxed in Tahoe). Definitely one of the best audience recordings I have heard. If only I could travel back in time, now, where’s that time machine ...
