On Stage (February, 1970) [Import, Live]

Elvis really didn't make any great albums in the 1970s; he made one or two good ones as well as some great singles and individual album tracks, which is why the '70s box set Walk a Mile in My Shoes is as good a buy as the '50s and '60s compilations. He also made a slew of live albums--so which ones to pick? Obviously, the 1968 NBC "comeback" special was special, and various recordings exist; still, it's better viewed as a video. The 1972 Madison Square Garden recordings and 1973's Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite often seem zombie-like, and it's basically downhill from there. Thus, it's a toss-up between In Person at the International Hotel, his rockin' first Vegas appearance following his "comeback" TV special, and the Vegas appearance on this CD, recorded a year later--and offering more unique musical fruits. It's Elvis doing songs associated with others (Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Diamond, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Beatles), though "The Wonder of You" became a hit single. The band is hot! Just listen to James Burton's scorching guitar solo on the cover of Del Shannon's "Runaway." The background vocalists are sensational (they help make Elvis's cover of "Let It Be Me" the definitive version), and the whole thing sounds Phil Spector-esque. In fact, "The Wonder of You" sounds so angelic, it's hard to believe it's live. His best Vegas recording. --Bill Holdship