Elvis
' live albums from the early '70s contain a substantial store of quality material -- dinner-show horn charts, strings, grandstanding vocals, and all. This 1970 offering from Las Vegas proves to be one of his best (it's actually the soundtrack to
Denis Sanders
' documentary of
' summer run at the International Hotel). Acting on his affinity for
country-pop
figures like
Campbell
and
Mac Davis
,
especially shines on the slow to mid-tempo ballads
"I Just Can't Help Believin'"
"Just Pretend"
(both seamless blends of
torch song
glitz and contemporary
rock
elements). And to provide the requisite amount of sweat for those nightly towel giveaways, the King works out extra hard on showstoppers like
"Patch It Up"
"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me."
Throughout the album,
Presley
sounds as commanding and powerful as he ever would and gets optimal backing by well oiled, Nashville-to-L.A. session luminaries like guitarist
James Burton
, bassist
Jerry Scheff
, and drummer
Ronnie Tutt
(
Aretha Franklin
's '60s backup singers,
the Sweet Inspirations
, deserve special mention as well). Also available as a deluxe three-disc set (including expanded concert highlights and rehearsal takes),
That's the Way It Is
is essential listening for
fans, both die-hard and casual. [A Digital Legacy Edition was released in 2014.] ~ Stephen Cook