MRS ''ELVIS The Raging Tiger Closing Night 1974' -EIN in-depth review

There is no doubt that Opening Night 1974 - with a completely new set-list - is one of the key concerts of Elvis' 1970s career – a unique re-vamp to his well-known live routine. (see MRS 'Opening Night' release)

Sadly Closing Night 1974 was memorable for very different reasons. There can be very few Elvis fans who do not know about the emotional troubles that Elvis laid bare for all to hear in his Closing Night 1974 performance “Desert Storm”.

However with such a stunning Opening Show, along with some exceptional mid-season performances, I feel that there is no point in keeping this Closing Night set for bootleg fans only and that MRS is right in the fact that 50 years later we can be honest with Elvis collectors and let them hear for themselves.

In 1996 Peter Whitmer, a clinical psychologist, published the insightful book, The Inner Elvis: A Psychological Biography of Elvis Aaron Presley, Elvis’ Closing Night 1974 performance is examined in detail in the book. It explains…

Audio quality: Right from the start - even though it is an Elvis monologue - this new STEREO version places the audience all around you. Glen D Hardin on piano is left channel, James Burton too, JD Sumner on the right channel and it immediately feels as if you were part of the audience.

When ‘I Got A Woman’ kicks off, compared to the mono bootleg, Elvis' voice is now clearer in the mix, the backing vocals right, organ and piano left, and you can feel so much more of the live atmosphere. You can easily tell Elvis is full of energy and the following ‘Until It's Time To You To Go’ is a beautiful stereo mix.
The swirling orchestra on ‘It's Midnight’ sounds fantastic while a track like ‘Softly As I Leave You’ with piano left, Elvis speaking in the centre and with Sherrill Nielsen singing right, is stunning.

With Elvis’ voice clearer in this presentation all that roller-coaster emotion is even more palpable in this mix.

The Music
Las Vegas Closing Night Show 2 September 1974 – CD1 45 minutes & CD2 41mins

To be honest it is a shame that a soundboard never captured the start of the concert as unfortunately the tape starts with a blast of annoyance from Elvis as he complains about his microphone setup.

It's an obvious stimulant induced blast of anger while in the background (in stereo) James Burton and Glen D Hardin play the opening chords of ‘I Got A Woman’ as they pray for Elvis to get back on track. At one point Elvis covers the microphone with his hand to make it deliberately muffled noting, “It sounds like some of the movies I first made". Elvis then suddenly pulls himself together and starts laughing and joking about how the “low notes” are created on stage.

Finally kicking off the funky ‘I Got A Woman/ Amen’ Elvis is now full of ‘amphetamine energy’ with him kicking on the powerful ‘Amen’ noting, “One more time. Sing it baby sing it". It is obvious that Elvis is putting far more energy and soul and emotion into this sing-along than normal.

It is a true sign of the emotional highs and lows that Elvis would experience on this dramatic night as he teases his audience with the “Let me see if this all works, one leg and then the other” workout which lasts longer than in any other live performance - and the band funkily play along.

Elvis then explains in (too much) detail how he wants JD to repeat the B-52 dive-bomber ending to much amusement from the crowd.

Even without any previous knowledge in just the first 10 minutes fans will realise that this is an Elvis concert like no other.

Elvis announces himself as “Bill Cosby” (who had filled in for him at his two August 26 cancelled shows) and comments about that fact he had recently received his eighth-degree karate black belt.

‘Until It's Time To You To Go’ then demonstrates how unfocussed Elvis was feeling “Hello Judy" as the TCB band and orchestra try and create a calm against the storm of Elvis' distraction. The stereo here really emphasises the drama of what was happening that night.

‘If You Love Me Let Me Know’ that follows is an enthusiastic version seemingly getting the concert back on-track. Elvis puts in more energy than usual - “Get on it JD”.

Fans have to remember that 1974 was the year that Parker tried to screw his client with the hopeless ‘Having Fun With Elvis On Stage’ – and 50 years later we now get to hear something far more emotional and pertinent to Elvis’ personal state at the time.

‘It's Midnight’ - “a new song that we have coming out in about two weeks" - sounds beautiful in stereo. On the line “Where is all my self-control? I'm burning way down in my soul, and needing you” Elvis says directly to Priscilla who was sitting in the audience, “Listen Cilla”.

Knowing that Elvis was singing this directly to Priscilla helps explain Elvis' passion and resentment. The ending is super-powerful “I miss you, Lord knows, I miss you" and at the end it almost sounds as if Elvis is in tears.

Straight into ‘Big Boss Man’ “get on that horse son!” again features Elvis in full-blooded passion. It’s full-power with no let up and Elvis totally pushing the band and singing along to the solos. On a night like tonight Elvis was the real driving force on stage – sadly it would be less than two years later that it would end up with TCB band having to drag Elvis along.

‘You Gave Me A Mountain’ is an immediate change to another emotion-packed song. Elvis expressively expressively speaks the verses as if he’s sharing his story…
... “Blamed for the loss of his wife, You know Lord I've been in a prison
For something that I’ve never done, It's been one hill after another
Lord, I've climbed them all one by one”

Elvis then emphasises his feelings, and the anger he shows on “she took my reason for living" is actually scary. One can only imagine what Priscilla would have been feeling sitting in the audience.

No other version carries the emotion of Elvis’ “mountain” more than this version and this passionate rendition gets a huge standing ovation, the biggest of any live performance of this song – Elvis notes, “Fantastic ladies and gentleman, that’s beautiful”

Afterwards follows some ‘Priscilla dialogue’ were Elvis sounds very much like a guilt-ridden man trying to justify his failings, noting “I want to make one thing clear this song has nothing to do with me personally or my ex-wife Priscilla who is here." Then rather embarrassingly says, “Let them see you. She’s a beautiful chick.”

Elvis then introduces Lisa Marie and “my girlfriend Sheila” who is also sitting in the audience.

Following all this Elvis rather comfortingly explains about himself and Priscilla, "We're the very best of friends and we always have been. Our divorce came about not because of another man or because of another woman, but because of the circumstances involving my career. I was travelling too much, I was gone too much. It was just an agreement that I didn't think was fair to her because I was gone so much .. So therefore as decently as you can do that type of thing we just made an agreement ... to always be friends and be close and care because we have a daughter to raise.”

Elvis states that no one was to blame for the situation but then ridiculously continues by belittling her boyfriend Mike Stone saying, “She likes the Stud, she likes the Stutz. Mike Stone ain't no stud.. okay, forget it. She liked the Stutz and so I will give her the Stutz. Stone only wishes he was a Stud, you know.. Nice guy.”

More pertinent to the pharmaceutically induced situation might be Elvis’ comments, “God help me” and “Damn I've got a toothache”!

There is more rambling in his introduction to ‘Softly As I Leave You’ being a true story, and his old friend Judy Spreckels who is also in the audience gets introduced, “I don't know where she's been... She's a wild-woman.”

‘Softly As I Leave You’ was new to this Las Vegas this season and again is a very emotional version. In fact Elvis becomes annoyed by the rattling coming from the tables – he was well-over these casino seasons by now - and rightly notes "I hope you'll quit rattling the glasses until I've told the story, please."
With Glen D’s piano left, Sherrill Nielsen's vocal on the right and Elvis in the centre the song is fabulous in stereo and you can really feel the ambience of being in that audience.

Again it gets a big applause with Elvis noting, “I couldn't ask for a better audience in the world believe me” as he goes straight into a fast and rocking ‘Hound Dog’.

‘An American Trilogy’ has a short false-start before it gets serious. Even though he is somewhat distracted Elvis still pours real emotion into every lyric, far more than usual. Unusually Elvis also sings along in the background during the flute solo, “Look away, Lord, look away"

Again it gets an explosive audience reaction but Elvis doesn’t stop and it's straight into ‘It's Now Or Never’ sung very seriously if a little OTT. Elvis plays with the melody but tonight there is no annoying loud-trumpet and Elvis teases the audience with a quiet ending. This is another very unique version.

The ‘Band Introductions’. Being in a chatty mood the introductions are fairly lengthy but we do get some unusual solos tonight, along with Elvis’ genuine appreciation of his band. Of the extended solos he notes, ”we ain't got nothing but time.”
James Burton is introduced as “One of the funkiest chickin’- Pickin’ son-of-a-guns you will ever meet in your life" and gets to play a unique solo spot with Elvis edging him on with “Get that wah-wah, do some ‘Shaft’.”
(The stereo certainly makes the solos more interesting!)

Elvis’ new vocal group VOICE then get a special introduction and their own spot in the show.

‘Bringing It Back’ (written by VOICE pianist Greg Gordon) is a surprising highlight in STEREO because now you can clearly hear Elvis singing the bass-line as he notes to the audience, “I’m doing the bass.”
Elvis’ input was far more concealed on the mono-bootleg.

This delightful version is basically piano and vocal harmonies with just a touch of Ronnie Tutt percussion.
This is surely an insight into what it would have been like when Elvis had VOICE come over to his house to join him for some improvisations.
This live performance with Elvis singing bass is unique - six months later Elvis would record the song for his ‘Today’ album.

Elvis then notes, “I want them to do one more song called ‘Aubrey’ this was a song by a group called Bread but they never sang it like this cat can...”

‘Aubrey’, another VOICE solo, really benefits from being in stereo. Similar to ‘Softly As I Leave You’ Elvis speaks some of the key lines while Sherrill Nielsen sings, and now you can clearly hear Elvis’ part. Again, another unique performance for our collections.

(Note: At the concert VOICE, with Per-Erik ‘Pete’ Hallin on piano, also performed ‘I Couldn’t Live Without You’ but it was not recorded on the soundboard cassette, it can only be heard on audience recordings)

Afterward Elvis says, “I just wanted to share with you some of the talent we have up on stage here. If you dig it we’ll share these things with you. It's our last show… we don't care.."

Unfortunately Elvis does care about some of the recent press reports he has been reading and now explains how he has only ever missed a few shows due to sickness and starts needlessly rambling about his liver biopsy. "The doctor comes in and says don't look at me. He takes a needle this long and goes right between the ribs and pulls out a piece of your liver..”,

He then thanks ‘Bill Cosby’ who filled in on his cancelled shows but unfortunately he's not in the audience.

He then introduces Vicky Carr “we both sing from the gut” and points out that he sang ‘It's Now Or Never’ especially for her earlier on in the show. Unfortunately she then confesses that she missed it because she arrived late!

“God, now I've got to do it all over again!" Elvis exclaims, and extraordinarily he performs it again for the second time. It certainly was a very odd night.

The second version of ‘It's Now Or Never’ is again sung over-dramatically as if Elvis was trying to prove his vocal prowess to Vicky Carr. “Ole” he notes!

A dramatic ‘Let Me Be There’ follows with Elvis again really pushing his vocal super-hard and bellowing the end of the song.
And with plenty of applause it gets a powerful OTT reprise.
Again, Elvis never sang this song in the same way at any other concert.

(Note: The MRS stereo puts Charlie Hodge’s duet with Elvis perfectly in the centre, while keeping the other backing-vocals on the right-hand channel. It's clever stuff from MRS ‘Studio D’ engineer)

Keeping up the pace “Whooo” Elvis is straight on to a funky and karate laced ‘If You Talk In Your Sleep’. Fans in the audience reported that ‘Charlie Hodge once again dutifully stood his ground whilst Elvis "attacked" him’ – one can only imagine! JB’s funky wah-wah guitar really drives this version along and The Sweets’ call-and-response on the right channel increases the cool funk factor.

After introducing Ed Parker his karate instructor, Elvis goes into the infamous 'Drugs dialogue' where he tackles the tabloid rumours about his paternity suit (John O’Grady’s book is discussed which is neatly included in a photograph in the MRS booklet - see above) and then sounding somewhat guilt-ridden Elvis then goes on to tackle the tabloid rumours about him being on drugs.

"I don't pay any attention to rumours. I don't pay any attention to movie magazines. I don't read 'em, because they're all junk! When I hear rumours flying around .... I got sick in hospital, you know in this day and time you can't get sick ...... you are ‘STRUNG-OUT’, well by God I tell you something friends, I have never been strung-out in my life .... except on you.”

Elvis does have a point when he adds, “That is dangerous, that is damaging to myself, to my little daughter, to my father, to my friends, my doctor, to everybody, my relationship with you, my relationship with Priscilla”.

Ending with the infamous “I will pull your goddam tongue out by the roots” it's an extremely angry rant and completely out of character in front of his loving audience. However they still applaud and cheer at his extremely disturbing ramblings and it all feels very uncomfortable.

And then there is the weirdest about-face when Elvis suddenly asks “How many of you saw the movie Blue Hawaii?” and adding “Let me get out of this mood” and goes straight into a passion-laden ‘Hawaiian Wedding Song’. It is the most astonishing turnaround.

During the song (@0.55) Elvis is handed a Bible by a fan and mid-song he notes, “Thank you my honey that's beautiful. I take this and yet (they say) I am strung out!.”

His mood does indeed lift as towards the end of the song he is laughing as he duets the final lines a cappella with Kathy Westmoreland.

Wrapping up Elvis then thanks his soundman Bill Porter, introduces his father and once again finds that Col Parker is also not in the audience! Semi-joking Elvis comments “Out playing roulette..I know where he is, him and Bill Cosby out there talking mash and drinking trash!”

In the final moment of weirdness Elvis thanks his loving audience - and they are indeed seriously applauding him – shows off his jewellery and then thanks them as, “you helped pay for it!”

‘Can't Help Falling In Love’ ends this crazy show with Elvis again bellowing the final lines until his voice actually cracks! And then it was back to his Hilton suite to decompress.

Elvis seriously needed help and sustenance. So what did Col Parker do? - He put out ‘Having Fun With Elvis On Stage’ the following month with Elvis, his only client, getting just 15% of the proceedings!

Note: I do believe that the various Priscilla / drug dialogues are worth listening to in order to help try and understand Elvis’ poor state of mental health at the time but they can always be ‘skipped’ on subsequent playings.

Overall Verdict: There is so much to absorb in this emotional roller-coaster ride of a performance, and some of it is indeed very confronting. However it is a truly passionate show full of genuine emotional truths and rage. Elvis’ emotional soul was open and he wanted to share it with his loving audience.
To be honest the bulk of Elvis’ 1976 / 1977 concerts were such predictable uninspired shows - where Elvis performed the same routine over and over - which listened to once offer nothing more to the Elvis story. Elvis’ Closing Show 1974 is nothing like that.
Most fans would agree that in 1976 /77 Elvis was so worn out that he should have been in hospital to recuperate his physical health but in September 1974 it was Elvis’ inner turmoil that was the issue.
This was a unique performance.

Knowing the bootleg I was expecting that MRS would have chosen to cut out the VOICE solo songs to make it a cheaper single CD set, however both ‘Bringing It Back’ and ‘Aubrey’ reveal so much more in stereo and are definite one-off highlights. These should be in your Elvis collection.
Not only that but every song is sung with a real passion and anger not heard in any other Elvis performance.
Of course Closing Night 1974 is a traumatic listen but it is part of Elvis history that I feel is far more important in the understanding of Elvis’ amazing legacy, than any of the 1976 / 1977 very sub-par uninspired soundboards that have recently been released.

With MRS having released the 1974 'Opening Night' and 'Closing Night' I am hoping that a double-pack of the best concerts from Elvis’ 1974 summer season is being considered for the near future.

CD1 – Vinyl Side A&B
Microphone Dialogue
I Got A Woman / Amen
Karate Dialogue
Until It's Time For You To Go
If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
It's Midnight
Big Boss Man
You Gave Me A Mountain
Priscilla Dialogue
Softly As I Leave You
Hound Dog
An American Trilogy
It's Now Or Never (1)

CD2 – Vinyl Side C&D
Band Introductions/Solos
Bringing It Back (Voice)
Aubrey (Voice)
Introductions Continued
It's Now Or Never (2)
Let Me Be There
If You Talk In Your Sleep
Drugs Dialogue
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Jewellery Dialogue
Can't Help Falling In Love

'From ELVIS Recorded Live In Memphis 1974' MRS CD Review: From the MRS label 'From Elvis In Memphis – Recorded Live 1974' is out as a double-CD Deluxe set and also as a 2LP Gatefold sleeve.
The 2CD set includes two performances from his hometown of Memphis. The first concert is from March 16 1974 (Afternoon Show), marking his return after 13 years, followed by a second concert on March 17 1974 (Evening Show).
At his Memphis 'Opening Night' Elvis put on one of the tightest and most impressive concerts for the whole of 1974. And in newly remastered 'MRS STEREO' this is a real delight.
This Sunday night March 17 concert neatly captures a different mood with Elvis up for some fun and so it compares rather nicely to the total professionalism of Elvis’ stunning opening performance.
Both shows remastered in 2025 by MRS to "true Stereo" sound as if they could be RCA Multi-tracks – you will never play any previous versions again if you get to hear these.
Essential for your collection.
EIN's Piers Beagley provides an in-depth review of this recent MRS release
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

Get MRS 'Live In Memphis 1974' - Amazon-US CD - - or AmazonUK CD-set or UK Double-Vinyl

'ELVIS: 'Down In The Alley' Opening Night 1974' MRS CD Review: The new MRS single-CD deluxe-set features Elvis’ opening night show at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel on 19 August 1974 at the start of his eleventh season, during which he performed an almost completely revamped set-list.
At no 1970 concert did Elvis perform so many unique songs, ‘Down In The Alley’, ‘Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues’ and debuts of ‘Promised Land’, ‘It’s Midnight’ plus ‘If You Talk In Your Sleep’ and ‘If You Love Me (Let Me Know)’. ‘Softly As I Leave You’, ‘My Baby Left Me’ and ‘I'm Leavin'’ - It was an astounding Opening Night.
For the first time ever, the original recording has been newly remastered and mixed into STEREO.
The original cassette always sounded rather dull and muffled whereas live concerts are a visceral, exciting experience. They are spatial and energising which is not recreated via mono recordings, they need to be STEREO and dynamic. These MRS concert releases help drag the dullness into the light.
EIN's Piers Beagley provides an in-depth review of this recent MRS release
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'ELVIS: Live At Houston Astrodome 1974' MRS CD Review: The new MRS single-CD deluxe-set contains Elvis’ major performance at one of the USA's biggest venues, The Astrodome, and for the first time ever presented in STEREO.
The Houston show is a truly important performance since there was no room for the usual orchestra and so it was just Elvis, the TCB band and backing-vocalists.
This made the concert completely unique with Elvis not only having to be truly focussed – there were no kiss-the-girls interruptions – and the whole team had to produce a powerful sound, big enough to impress the distant crowd in the massive stadium.

Of all the performances that MRS have released in STEREO this Houston concert is one of the most impressive, demonstrating the power of Elvis and the band in concert that had been previously hidden in the earlier lesser quality mono releases.
EIN's Piers Beagley provides an in-depth review of this recent MRS release
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'ELVIS: On Tour 1974 California' MRS CD Review: The new MRS 3CD Deluxe-set contains three performances from Elvis’ five-day tour of California in May 1974, during which he performed in front of 60,000 fans, including an attendance by the legendary British rock band, Led Zeppelin, whom he met afterwards.
The pack includes 66 live tracks plus Bonus Tracks the ‘Home Recordings’ of 'Spanish Eyes' and 'Let Me Be The One'.
For the first time ever the shows are presented in stereo and with the tape speed correct. The accompanying booklet includes rare photographs and memorabilia dating from this short tour.
The 3CD set includes Elvis' performances from May 11 Inglewood Forum L.A, May 12 afternoon show Fresno and also May 13 San Bernardino.
The speed correction and new stereo mix breathes new life into the shows and the result is very impressive indeed, capturing Elvis still performing with a real energy.

EIN contributor Shane Brown reviews this new set, with added comments from EIN's Piers Beagley.
(CD Reviews, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork)

'Las Vegas: On Stage Feb 1973' MRS CD Review: The new MRS 4CD Deluxe-set contains three performances recorded in February 1973, during Elvis’ eighth engagement in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas shows took place weeks after the historic satellite TV show, Aloha From Hawaii, was filmed and broadcast on 14 January.
All shows are presented in stereo for the first time ever.
All shows are presented in stereo for the first time ever.
A bonus CD of remastered rehearsal tracks that were recorded the day before Opening night is also included.
The accompanying booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia and liner notes which set the scene.
... This latest release from the Memphis Recording Service is an interesting one and manages to shed new light on the post-Aloha Elvis Las Vegas season that many fans have largely dismissed.

EIN contributor Shane Brown reviews this new set, with added comments from EIN's Piers Beagley.
(CD Reviews, Source;ShaneBrown/ElvisInformationNetwork)

MRS CAMDEN ‘Made in Germany – Private Recordings’ Review: From the budget MRS Camden label this CD features personal recordings taken from a recently discovered tape made by Elvis while stationed with the US army in Germany in January 1959.
What is so fascinating about this period is that, although The Colonel stopped Elvis recording anything professionally in Germany, Elvis was still bursting with music. Elvis was jamming at home on multiple songs that he would later record professionally for RCA. These original jams on songs such as ‘His Hand In Mine’, ‘Like A Baby’, ’I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen’, ‘I Will Be True’, ‘Danny Boy’, ‘The Fool’ even an attempt at ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’ plus ‘There’s No Tomorrow’ are totally enthralling.
Historians always talk about Elvis vast knowledge of every musical genre and here is proof of his influences.
A lot of fans, including myself, would truly appreciate a “Best Of” these home-recordings and just in time for Christmas 2024 the budget label ‘MRS Camden’ have done exactly that.
EIN's Piers Beagley checks out this new budget release just in time for Christmas.... - Buy it TODAY for Christmas!
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'ELVIS: At 3am Sahara Tahoe 1973' MRS CD Review: This Deluxe 2CD set features two shows from Elvis’ May 1973 engagement at The Sahara Tahoe in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Included is a rare 3am charity performance as well as the midnight show from the previous night.
Both shows for the first time are presented in stereo.
The accompanying booklet includes memorabilia and rare photos along with liner notes that set the scene.
Despite having to perform three concerts in the one evening, Elvis was feeling inspired and although it was 3am he still treated the ‘Mother’s Day’ benefit more like a Closing Night performance. Elvis was in extremely jovial spirits, teasing the band and adding some crazy lyrics. He also added unique live versions of ‘My Way’, ‘Faded Love’, ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ and a rare ‘It’s Over’.
With the cassette hiss removed, the musicians and backing-vocals in stereo and Elvis’ vocal raised to the correct level, this MRS release sounds just like an RCA recorded multi-track and is the best representation of the “real Elvis” live in 1973 that fans could hope for.
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley checks out a sensational STEREO Elvis double-pack.
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'ELVIS: Closing Night 1972' MRS CD Review: This MRS 2CD set features a live performance recorded on 4 September 1972,during the last night of Elvis’ seventh engagement in Las Vegas at the Hilton Hotel.
The show is presented in stereo. A bonus CD of remastered rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, is also included.
While Elvis is perhaps not as full-blast as on the 'Opening Night' here MRS's 'Studio D' engineer has done some brilliant audio remastering, removing the bad cassette-tape-hiss of all previous releases. Emphasising the instrumentation with this "Stereo remaster" not only elevates Elvis and the musicians' performance but also places the listener right into the audience.
This night Elvis rocked into 'Johnny B. Goode' and even performed the golden-oldies with some real respect.
It's a great show.
Go here as EIN's Piers Beagley discovers something new in this re-release - the near perfect bookend to MRS' examination of Elvis’ 1972 Summer Festival.
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

MRS CAMDEN reviews: The UK MRS label have re-released 3 CD titles on its new alternate budget label 'MRS CAMDEN'.
- One Night In Pearl Harbor 1CD
- Elvis On Television 1956 - 1960 2CD
- The Complete 1950's Live Recordings 3CD
All three were released late November 2023.
The releases on MRS CAMDEN are scaled-down budget versions priced for the mainstream market. The titles have slight changes from the original MRS deluxe versions and now come in a Digi-Sleeve packs with small booklets.
There are minor upgrades on each release but they still all pack a punch and cover important sections of Elvis' historical journey. Going from 1954 to 1961 it is one incredible rockin’ trip.
EIN's Piers Beagley checks them out as possible Santa bonus treats...
If you are in the UK and order them on Amazon you can still get them delivered by Christmas Day!
(CD Reviews; Source: ElvisInformationNetwork)

'ELVIS: Opening Night 1972' MRS CD Review: Elvis’ first 1972 Las Vegas season ran from January 26th through February 23rd, 1972. Elvis was in great shape both physically and vocally, and he was once again serious about performing.
While a large number of fans think that Elvis started losing inspiration and impetus after the power-year of 1970, his rejuvenation of his first live performances in 1972 demonstrate another more positive aspect. Introducing the new songs 'You Gave Me A Mountain', ‘I'll Remember You’ , 'A Big Hunk O'Love' and the brilliant 'An American Trilogy' would enrich Elvis’ live shows for the rest of his career. So while Elvis collectors may have heard the bootleg recording multiple times before, you have never truly enjoyed this concert, or appreciated its importance, until this sessional MRS audio Remaster.
Elvis was in superb form and this set-list - along with the new MRS audio remaster - is truly sensational.
Check out EIN's detailed review here

(CD Reviews;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'Las Vegas Summer Festival 1972' MRS CD Review: This 4CD set contains a varied selection of live performances drawn from Elvis’ seventh engagement in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel during Elvis’ summer festival in the month of August 1972.
It features the 11 August Dinner and Midnight Show plus 12 August Dinner and Midnight Show. For the first time ever these performances are released in "Stereo". Bonus rehearsal tracks, recorded days before the engagement began, are also included.
The accompanying 40-page booklet includes rare photographs, memorabilia and liner notes help set the scene.
Key songs include My Way, Fever, Its Over, Until It’s Time For You To Go, American Trilogy, What Now My Love, Little Sister/ Get Back, Never Been To Spain, For The Good Times and A Big Hunk O' Love'.
Elvis was in superb form and with more new songs in his set-list sounding even better with the new MRS audio remaster it is a power-packed set.

Go here for EIN's in-depth review .
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

MRS presents 'ELVIS: September 1970' in-depth Review: MRS's new 2CD deluxe set features a new previously unreleased soundboard from 2nd September 1970 and a bonus CD that covers the final rehearsals at the International Hotel on August 10th before the start of the summer festival.
In September 1970 Elvis was still excited to be back on stage and performing for his fans. Newspaper reviews of his concerts wrote about the excitement and fun Elvis was having back on-stage.
This brand-new previously unknown concert captures Elvis feeling 'loose-as-a-goose' yet still performing with a real intensity. His live versions of ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' were truly exceptional this evening.
The accompanying 40-page booklet of the CD deluxe includes rare photographs and memorabilia taken during these engagements along with introductory notes.

EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new collection and enjoy a hilarious ride-with-the-king.
(CD Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'Summer Festival 1970: The Rehearsals' In-Depth Review: MRS's new triple-CD set 'Summer Festival 1970: The Rehearsals' was released last month.
The CDs contain rehearsal highlights from one of the most memorable periods in Elvis’ career - his captivating performances at The International Hotel Las Vegas in the summer of 1970. With remastered audio and accompanying 40-page booklet the package is aimed at the general public, plus Elvis collectors who could not afford last year's FTD fan club deluxe release.
Elvis’ glorious rehearsals on 24 July at RCA studios are the real key to this release. Twenty seven classic performances and with Elvis not only rehearsing the familiar songs we would all come to know from the MGM movie but also songs he would never perform on stage.

EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new collection and discover some neat surprises along the way.

(CD REviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

MRS 'Elvis:Back In Living Stereo' in-depth Review: The new MRS set contains 6CDs of essential 1960-1962 master recordings, plus rare alternate outtakes - including plenty of officially unreleased material - and all of the personal home recordings Elvis made during the 1960s.
The 100 page book, with text from Gordon Minto, includes rare unpublished documents and photographs, supported by a comprehensive text discussing each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1960-62.
Musically the packed cds - over seven hours - present a stunning look at Elvis recording in the early sixties before the shine wore off. The "Master" sessions nicely contrast with the looser "Outtakes" discs and with Elvis getting even more uninhibited on the Home Recordings. - Very unihibited with a certain Nancy Sharpe!

But with so much thrown into the mix, and some tracks in poor audio quality, have MRS packed "Too Much" into the one release.

Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley check out the positives and negatives in their in-depth review.

(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'Elvis - Made In Germany’ In-Depth Review: The new MRS 'Elvis - Made In Germany – The Complete Private Recordings’ 4CD set contains more than 3 hours of the private recordings Elvis made while off duty in Germany when he was serving as a soldier in the US army during the 1958 -1960 period and, includes rare tracks from a recently discovered tape comprising over an hour of unheard personal recordings.
The 152-page hardback book contains rare photographs and documents plus a comprehensive text provided by Gordon Minto, which discusses each of Elvis’ RCA studio (non-film) recording sessions held during 1957-58, before focusing on the private recordings he made in Germany.
The BONUS CD features the essential RCA studio masters from 1957-58.

With such an expansive book, along with hours of Elvis jamming with his friends in Germany, there is plenty to discuss as well as finding out what extra material this set contains over the official releases.

Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release

(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

EIN's reviews of other MRS releases:

The Complete 50s Movie Masters Session Recordings

Elvis Studio Sessions '56 The Complete Recordings

The Complete Works 1953-1955

Elvis On Television 1956-1960

Elvis Live in the 50s The Complete Concert Recordings

Off Duty with Private Presley

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley

Memphis Recording Service Volume 2 'The Rise of Elvis Presley' 1955

Memphis Recording Service Volume 1 'The Beginning of Elvis Presley' 1953-1954

'The Complete ‘50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' In-Depth Review: This MRS 'The Complete ‘50s Movie Masters And Session Recordings' 5CD/Book combo pays tribute to Elvis Presley’s complete music recordings made for his movies during the 1950s.
The 5CDs contain the complete works of the master and session studio recordings made for each of Elvis’ movies during the 1950s, and all tracks have been remastered.
The 200-page book focuses on each of the recording sessions held for the four motion pictures made between August 1956 and March 1958.
The comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and documentation.

So what surprises will collectors discover in this new set, what is in this new collection that FTD have missed and how good will the audio sound.

Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson & Piers Beagley provide an in-depth review of this new MRS release

(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

‘ELVIS: Studio Sessions 1956' In-Depth Review: MRS newest release, a massive 3CD/172 page book compilation "Elvis Studio Sessions ‘56 The Complete Recordings". The 172-page book, with text by Gordon Minto, focuses on each of Elvis’ studio recording sessions during his first year of national stardom - from the first one in January, held in Nashville, then later in New York, before finishing his final session of the year in Hollywood in September. The full and comprehensive text is complemented by rare and previously unseen photographs and pieces of documentation.
The 3CDs contain the complete archival master and session studio recordings of Elvis Presley from 1956, along with bonus interviews. All 90 tracks have been remastered and restored. Also for the first time on CD is the complete ‘The Truth About Me’ from an original US 45rpm flexi-disc. Also included are all the out-takes from this interview.

Once again MRS release a first putting all of Elvis' key 1956 Studio Session masters onto one disc, with the addition of two other fully-packed cds of 1956 material and a stunning 172 page book. But what does this set offer over other previous releases
Go here as EIN's Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley check out this new volume from MRS to find what is on offer. Includes stunning example photos & a detailed audio investigation.
(Book Review: Source;ElvisInformationNetwork)

'ELVIS: The Raging Tiger'

Closing Night 1974

MRS 2CD package

- Review by Piers Beagley

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