Elvis Presley live at International Hotel - August 3, 1969 Dinner Show

@Niclas610 3 years ago

In 1969,Elvis highly anticipated shows at the newly opened International Hotel - 57 shows in total - were the talk of the town, drawing fans from around the world and racking up record sell-outs in the process. In an interview filmed for the 1972 documentary ”Elvis On Tour”,Elvis spoke about assembling the band: 'I wanted musicians who could play any kind of music. All of the musicians are all handpicked. I auditioned musicians for days and days, drummers and guitar players. I said, 'Who's the best guitar player around?' And they said, 'Glen Campbell and James Burton'. I said, 'Well, Campbell's out, he's on his own so James Burton'.Elvis continues:’There's a lot of good men around me, it was just a matter of finding them. They all just fit in, and fortunately they knew most of my songs. I wanted voices behind me to help add to the fullness of the sound and dynamics of the show'. Backed by the TCB band, which included guitarists James Burton and John Wilkinson, bassist Jerry Scheff, drummer Ronnie Tutt and pianist Larry Muhoberac, his expansive sound was augmented by not one but two vocal groups, the Sweet Inspirations and The Imperials, each disparate in styles and sensibilities, but somehow coalescing into a weighty stew of gospel, soul, R&B and country. The addition of Bobby Morris & his orchestra helped broaden the sound into a huge cinemascope sized production. Elvis walks on stage for this dinner show dressed in his Black Herringbone suit with Red pleats and his Red/black Macrame belt(Original name: Black Cossack Top Two-piece,Other names: Black Herringbone Suit,Description: Black karate inspired outfitBelt:Black karate type belt,Black-Red type belt and Metal Cocnha belt.Pants:Black pants with no kick pleats,Black pants with red kick pleats and Black pants with blue kick pleats. Information: During his very first Las Vegas engagement, Elvis wore several different "black cossack top" combinations ... there were at least three different types of pants for them; the regular full black ones (no kick pleats / inserts), ones that had red lined kick pleats / inserts, and ones that had blue lined kick pleats / inserts'.These karate inspired outfits came in three different colors: black, white and navy blue.Source:elvisconcerts.com). The intro to this concert is very similar to the big band Sinatra era style of music. It's real short and not even worth mentioning. So let's move on... The set list begins with "Blue Suede Shoes" The guitar has a similarity to the early sun sound with it's chording, but I only say that because of how different the sound on this song became in the later years.With this show it's more in the direction of Scotty Moore’s style in the early days.In this version of the song Elvis is at his best with it, the band behind him being some of the best musicians he worked with because of their ability not to overdo the orchestration and cause the sound to come out pretentiously.The second song is "I Got A Woman." And it's a great version. The vocals are blended together well and the hand claps come out clearer than I've ever heard.Elvis puts much more effort into this recording of it than he ever did in years that followed.Next song is "All Shook Up." Before going into it Elvis jokes that there are so many songs that sound like this one and how his band really has no idea what song he's gonna do when he begins playing it on the guitar. At this point of his career Elvis was playing the guitar a lot more on stage than he did later on. This is a fantastic version of the song and the back up vocalists give a good helping hand behind him. There is a great driving drum beat in this version. This song is one of Paul McCartney's favorites as well as Elton John's.”Love Me Tender" follows and it sounds very similar to the studio and movie versions, which is to be expected I guess, though it does vary slightly. It's more like the version he did on the 68 special, though the vocals rise nicely like orchestra instruments with the actual band and orchestra rising up to meet them at the end. Beautiful version.This is probably one of the most brooding songs that Elvis ever recorded.What follows the title to Elvis's first movie is the best version of "Jailhouse Rock" that I've ever heard him do,then it quickly falls into a great version of ” Don’t Be Cruel".A Great version of "Heartbreak Hotel" is next on the set list.As we all know this song inspired more rock and roll musicians than any other song ever recorded. It's known to many as the quentisential Elvis number.A rockin’ version of "Hound Dog” follows.One fact about this song is that Elvis recorded the studio version the day after he sang it to a dog on the "Steve Allen Show." His anger is visible in the studio recording.Steve wound up helping Elvis's popularity despite the fact that the comedian hated rock and roll.An amazing version of "Memories" is next with a great piano intro and continued usage throughout the whole song.This is a song that Elvis really loved.”Mystery Train/ Tiger Man” is absolutely awesome with great guitar solos by James Burton.Elvis follows with the story of his life which is always fun to hear.Next up is ”Baby What You Want Me To Do?".This is a great blues song about a girl and her lover.It's done well on the 68 comeback special and it's also done well during this dinner show.The intro is great and throughout the song the guitar riffs are a little more impressive and refined than the version he did for NBC.This is followed by Elvis big hit from 1960 ”Are You Lonesome Tonight?” Elvis performs a wonderful and very sensitive version of the song.The Beatles tribute comes with the medley ”Yesterday/ Hey Jude”.The band introductions is followed by a very tender version of "In The Ghetto" .This song means as much today with it's theme and lyrics as it did when it was released.And when Elvis performs this song, you believe every word he sings.A powerhouse version of "Suspicious Minds" comes next and it's done just like they did it on the "Elvis In Person”album.The big build up, the dramatic fade, then the big build up again.Elvis really gives everything he’s got at the end of this song.This is a real showstopper!!Next up is the real highlight of a burning 'What'd I Say’ with some great guitar and fabulous call & response vocal work. It is a burst of adrenalin and one of the best live versions ever released.This is the perfect power-packed finale before Elvis really has to say goodnight.There is no doubting Elvis’ sincerity when he says:”Thank you all very much.Especially for you I’d like to do this song..”. ” I Can't Help Falling In Love”is an absolute delight. A lovely very slow tempo version (so unlike his later performances) it is a very different arrangement and almost Elvis a-Capella with the orchestra & The Imperials.Another sensational version. This is Elvis at his most dynamic and it is the sound of The King reclaiming his throne!!