THE HILLBILLY CAT RETURNS!
Please Note: We do not sell bootleg items.
MR MEMPHIS
August 24th 1970 midnight show
This concert was first released as part of a 2 LP bootleg set back in 1970.
Ok, it is an audience recording but certainly one worth having as it was captured during the iconic "That’s The Way It Is" season.
Dennis Sanders and his MGM film crew packed up 11 nights before this show but Elvis still has his game face on and he gives every song 100%.
Elvis rips through "That’s All Right (Mama)" in double quick time, barely pausing for breath. "I Got A Woman" is a short but rocking version before going in to "Tiger Man". After Elvis has a playful dig at Engelbert Humperdink and Tom Jones he tells us that "Tiger Man" was the second song he ever recorded? (Still no tape has come to light) Come on Ernst, keep digging through those Sun vaults!
"I Just Can’t Help Believing" is just as good as the hit version with an unusual gong ending. Up next is the Righteous Brothers' "You’ve Lost That Loving Feeing", and this version is kicked into touch, full of passion and power. "Polk Salad Annie" has some never before heard drum fills from Ronnie Tutt!
Elvis gets his breath back during the band and celebrity introductions. This was Kathy Westmoreland’s first engagement with Elvis, she would remain part of the group from now on. James Burton shows off his Chuck Berry licks on a kick-ass version of "Johnny B. Goode" and its a pity Elvis didn’t put this in the set list during "That's The Way It Is".
Elvis introduces country singer Jimmy Weakly, The Blossoms, Darlene love and The Osman brothers, he then goes into an off-the cuff version of the Sonny James number When the snow is on the roses, this was put out on the live in Las Vegas box set back in 2001. Mr James is given a shout out from the stage Elvis says he’s one of his and his father’s favourite singers.
Elvis introduces country singer Jimmy Weakly, The Blossoms, Darlene Love and The Osman Brothers. He then goes into an off-the-cuff version of the Sonny James number "When The Snow Is On The Roses". This was put out on the "Live In Las Vegas" box set back in 2001. Mr James is given a shout-out from the stage; Elvis says he’s one of his and his father’s favourite singers.
Elvis cuts loose and has fun for the rest of the show. After "The Wonder Of You", it's 'lets stump the band time', with playful versions of "Heartbreak
Hotel", "One Night" and a "Blue Suede Shoes/Whole Lotta Shakin'" medley.
After a funny version of "Hound Dog", its time to get serious with a knockout version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Even for an audience recording this is one of best versions you’ll hear.
Elvis takes this Simon & Garfunkel classic and makes it his own.
Another showstopper, "Suspicious Minds" almost brings the show to a close, but not quite. Just as Glen Hardin plays the first few notes of "Can’t Help Falling In Love", Elvis stops him in his tracks and goes into "Release Me" - a surprise for everyone, including Humperdink!
Finally, "Can’t Help Falling In Love" brings a great show to an end.
If you track this show down you won’t be disappointed. Elvis “That’s The Way It Is” 1970; what more can you say?