Elvis Presley

As Recorded At Madison Square Garden [Sony]

The New York Times headline says it all: Like A Prince From Another Planet. That was what kicked off the review for Elvis’ June 1972 engagement in the heart of NYC. He played four dates at the arena, selling each out at 20 000 people per gig. Strangely, it was the first time Presley had played New York since 1956. Now, he was back in jump suits, side burns and back by a very large band that included backing singers, an orchestra and the powerhouse unit of James Burton [guitar], Jerry Scheff [bass] and Ronnie Tutt [drums].

When it was first released on vinyl, legend has it that Elvis’ manager, Col. Tom Parker, sped up the tracks to get more material on the platter. The original album was later remixed and remastered for CD. In 1997, Elvis’ matinee show at the venue was also released as Elvis An Afternoon In The Garden. Both of those concerts are now housed in this twin CD digi-pack set.

Each concert opens with Also Sprach Zarathstra and then it’s into his first hit, That’s All Right. Most of the King’s fifties’ hits get a workout alongside Suspicious Minds, his take on Tony Joe White’s Polk Salad Annie and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary. It’s hard to pick favourites, but his cover of Mickey Newbury’s American Trilogy is stunning: as is his interpretation of You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling. The Afternoon show is a little longer and beats out the evening show by a snip.

[rating: 4/5]

Sean Sennett