My Review Of The New "Summer Festival" FTD CD!

[Jungleroom76]

The year 1972 has often been described as one of the best in Elvis' career! BURNING LOVE gave Elvis his first Top 5 hit in a couple of years, while his shows continued to sell out all around the country, including 4 sold out performances at New York's Madison Square Garden. Then, there was Elvis' 33rd and final motion picture...the Golden Globe Award Winning documentary ELVIS ON TOUR, which drew rave reviews from critics and fans alike! Elvis was arguably at the pinnacle of his concert career during 1972, and the latest release from the "Follow That Dream" (FTD) Collector's Label is another prime example of just how at the top of his game Elvis truly was in 1972!

The latest FTD release, SUMMER FESTIVAL, chronicles Elvis' second Las Vegas engagement of the year, in August/September, 1972. Personally, I have a new found appreciation for Elvis' live performances in 1972 because not only was he in fine form vocally throughout the year, but he still seemed to really enjoy performing live and perhaps no other year in Elvis' concert career showcased so many different songs -- Elvis had not yet settled into the usual concert song lineup, as evidenced by many of the performances that he would give in the mid-to-late 70's.

On SUMMER FESTIVAL, we are treated to the dinner show from August 11, 1972 and as usual, the show opens with ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA/SEE SEE RIDER. Don't be fooled by the semi-lackluster performance that Elvis gives the opening number....generally, Elvis' dinner shows seemed to start off slowly and get better as they went on, and that is the case here. Following SEE SEE RIDER, Elvis jumps almost seemlessly into I GOT A WOMAN, which is nice to hear from this show without the AMEN ending that would be incorporated into this song during much of the later 1970's performances.

Next up are two of Elvis' more recent singles, UNTIL IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO GO and YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME. Both songs are performed exquisitely, with the former receiving an above-average treatment for a change, which is refreshing to hear! An impassioned performance of YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELING is up next, followed by a typical in-your-face performance of POLK SALAD ANNIE!! Elvis had recently introduced WHAT NOW MY LOVE into his concert lineup, and this early version is decent but Elvis doesn't seem to be up to the challenge (or is unsure) of hitting the final notes at the end of the song this time around. A better-than-average version of FEVER is performed next, including the usually omitted "Romeo Loved Juliet" verse which is nice to hear included in the song!

The traditional "greatest hits" medley is featured next, and Elvis still really seems to enjoy performing these songs, unlike the later years of his concert career! Excellent performances of LOVE ME, BLUE SUEDE SHOES, the rare-for-1972 ONE NIGHT, ALL SHOOK UP, (LET ME BE YOUR) TEDDY BEAR/DON'T BE CRUEL, HEARTBREAK HOTEL, HOUND DOG and LOVE ME TENDER showcase why Elvis will forever be "The King Of Rock N' Roll"!!

An average performance of SUSPICIOUS MINDS follows the "greatest hits" medley, then Elvis takes a moment to catch his breath and present the BAND INTRODUCTIONS.

An early version of MY WAY is next, including a very unique ending where Elvis chooses to close the song with a low note as opposed to the traditional, almost operatic ending that would make this song a fan favorite of most Elvis shows!! An excellent rendition of AN AMERICAN TRILOGY is featured as the penultimate performance before the show closes with the obligatory CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE.

Following the main performance, fans are treated to 2 bonus tracks from Elvis' midnight show on August 11th, including the medley LITTLE SISTER/GET BACK and a fantastic version of IT'S OVER!

The SUMMER FESTIVAL FTD CD is brought to a close with 5 final tracks taken from Elvis' midnight show on August 12th. Outstanding renditions of PROUD MARY, NEVER BEEN TO SPAIN, FOR THE GOOD TIMES and A BIG HUNK O' LOVE are featured, as is the first 19 seconds of a seemingly impromptu performance of TIGER MAN. What a shame that 19 seconds is all we get of TIGER MAN, for while it starts out a bit disorganized, it quickly comes together into what sounds like a rocking performance!!!

The overall sound quality featured on SUMMER FESTIVAL is very good, although the treble seems to be set a bit too high, causing some minor sound distortion on the songs with more powerful endings, such as WHAT NOW MY LOVE and AN AMERICAN TRILOGY. There are also some minor tape flaws during CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE which cause slight sound dropouts, although this is noted in the liner notes of the CD, so it is not unexpected. Aside from a slightly "tinny" sound in places, the sound quality of SUMMER FESTIVAL is very enjoyable!!

Of course a source of major discussion for most FTD CD's is the artwork, but personally I think fans will find little to complain about with the overall artwork for SUMMER FESTIVAL! Red, white and blue are the main colors used throughout the entire package, including the CD, but it works very well here! The front cover is designed to imitate one of the menus that you would have found in the showroom of the Las Vegas Hilton during Elvis' performances, including a nice, crisp picture of Elvis. Elvis' name and the title of the CD stand out nicely on the front cover as they are presented in a unique red and blue old-fashioned script style text! The inside front cover is bordered with red stars, while the track listing is done again in the red and blue old fashioned script-style text! 3 small photos -- one of Elvis, one of the marquee outside the Hilton Hotel featuring Elvis' name on it, and one showing the lobby of the Hilton are also featured at the top of the inside front cover as well. Under the CD tray, you will find reproductions of Elvis memorabilia from this summer engagement as well as a photo from the engagement as well, all bordered once again with red stars. The back cover simply lists the tracklisting for the CD in the aforementioned red and blue old-fashioned script-style text, bordered once more by red stars, with the same text design and color scheme being used on the CD.

Certainly one listen to the new SUMMER FESTIVAL FTD CD will only help to enhance the appeal of Elvis in 1972! SUMMER FESTIVAL is definitely one of the best releases from the good folks at the FTD label and deserves a place of honor in your Elvis CD library!!

TCB!
Mike

[Tommy]

Hi Mike,

As always you do such a great job with your reviews. This one is a wonderful description of the Summer Festival.

Thank you for the information,

Tommy

[Jungleroom76]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS TOMMY...I AM HUMBLED!!

I'm glad you enjoyed my review....when a CD is so great, such as SUMMER FESTIVAL, it makes writing the review SO much easier!!

THANKS AGAIN for your kind words my friend...I truly appreciate it!

TCB!
Mike

[boogie]

Great job Mike,
nice to read this review, i'll get him as soon as possible....
Thanks...

[jeanno]

Excellent job, my friend!
Makes you feel you need that CD NOOWWW!

[0349054]

Thanks for the review Mike. Was going to get the CD in a while. but im now ordering it ASAP!

[Tommy]

Hi Mike,

Thank you again for all the work you do here. Makes it so much easier to buy or not to buy with your reviews!

Tommy

[Jungleroom76]

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR KIND WORDS!!! I AM DEFINITELY HUMBLED...

I enjoy writing reviews, especially when I hear that they are helping out other fans in deciding whether or not to purchase a particular CD!! I just hope that the CD will live up to all of your expectations, like it did mine!!

I'D LIKE TO SEND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALBERT FOR GRACIOUSLY PLACING THE LINK TO MY REVIEW ON THE HOMEPAGE....I TRULY APPRECIATE THAT MY FRIEND!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

I would definitely be interested to hear what you all think of SUMMER FESTIVAL if/when you pick up your copies!!

AGAIN...MANY THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR KIND WORDS....I TRULY APPRECIATE THEM ALL!!!

TCB!
Mike

[Albert]

[B]I would definitely be interested to hear what you all think of SUMMER FESTIVAL if/when you pick up your copies!!

TCB!
Mike

Normally I receive the FTD's the day that they are released, but with this one something went wrong. I should receive it this week. After reading your review I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks.

[Jungleroom76]

MY PLEASURE ALBERT!!!

I just hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did!!

TCB!
Mike

[Lonniebealestreet]

At this point I'm just sounding like a broken record, but excellent review there, buddy, as always! I'll have to pick this one up soon!

[Jungleroom76]

THANKS PAL!!!

Glad you liked my review, and I certainly think you'll enjoy this one if/when you pick it up!!

TCB!
Mike