Elvis Presley – Live In Philadelphia | CD

Elvis Presley – Live In Philadelphia | CD
The Spectrum, Philadelphia – November 8, 1971 | Evening Show
Elvis Presley – Live In Philadelphia takes collectors back to Elvis' November 8, 1971 evening performance at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Released by the Ampex label, this CD presents the concert from an audience recording and captures Elvis during one of the most exciting periods of his live career.
The varied set list brings together his original rock 'n' roll classics, contemporary material, gospel and some of the powerful ballads that had become an essential part of the Elvis concert experience.
From That's All Right, Heartbreak Hotel, One Night and Hound Dog to Polk Salad Annie, You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', How Great Thou Art, Bridge Over Troubled Water and Suspicious Minds, this Philadelphia concert offers an impressive overview of Elvis on stage in 1971.
A particularly interesting inclusion is The Impossible Dream, making the closing section of this concert especially attractive to live-performance collectors.
A Special Night in Philadelphia
Elvis' performance at The Spectrum demonstrates just how varied his stage repertoire had become by late 1971.
The rock 'n' roll years are represented by classics such as That's All Right, Johnny B. Goode, Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, One Night and Hound Dog, while more contemporary material includes You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' and Suspicious Minds.
The concert also provides room for Elvis' more dramatic vocal performances, including How Great Thou Art, Bridge Over Troubled Water and The Impossible Dream.
An Unusual Band Line-Up
Another interesting aspect of the Philadelphia show is the presence of drummer Jerome “Stump” Monroe, associated with The Sweet Inspirations. His playing gives the concert a somewhat different musical character from performances featuring Elvis' regular drummer.
Elvis was also backed by a 15-piece orchestra of local musicians conducted by Joe Guercio, adding further weight to the live sound.
For collectors who enjoy comparing different Elvis concerts and band line-ups, this makes the Philadelphia performance particularly interesting.
Complete Concert Using Two Audience Sources
The main source for this release is an audience recording presented by Ampex as a newly sourced tape at the time of release.
Unfortunately, the person recording the concert ran out of battery power near the end of Bridge Over Troubled Water. Rather than ending the CD with an incomplete concert, material from a second recording source was used to complete Bridge Over Troubled Water and provide the remaining songs.
The Impossible Dream, Suspicious Minds and Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp therefore come from this second source.
This should be regarded as a historical audience recording rather than a professional soundboard or multitrack recording, but the sound is described as good for this type of source.
Collector's Digipack
The historical recording is presented in an attractive digipack featuring photographs taken during the Philadelphia concert.
Combined with the unusual line-up and fascinating set list, Live In Philadelphia makes an interesting addition to a collection devoted to Elvis Presley's 1970s concert years.
Track Listing
1. Also Sprach Zarathustra – 0:40
2. That's All Right – 2:22
3. I Got A Woman – 2:05
4. Love Me Tender – 1:46
5. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me – 2:06
6. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' – 4:13
7. Polk Salad Annie – 3:06
8. Johnny B. Goode – 1:47
9. Love Me – 1:44
10. Heartbreak Hotel – 1:41
11. Blue Suede Shoes – 1:09
12. One Night – 1:36
13. Hound Dog – 1:25
14. How Great Thou Art – 2:41
15. Band Introductions – 1:17
16. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy – 2:02
17. Are You Lonesome Tonight? – 2:30
18. Bridge Over Troubled Water* – 4:11
19. The Impossible Dream** – 2:38
20. Suspicious Minds** – 6:01
21. Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp** – 2:08
* Spliced with the second recording source.
** Taken from the second recording source.
Product Details
Artist: Elvis Presley
Title: Live In Philadelphia
Label: Ampex
Catalogue Number: CD02-2021
Release: 2022
Format: CD / Digipack
Recording: Live audience recording
Concert Date: November 8, 1971 – Evening Show
Venue: The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sound: Good audience recording  
Elvis Presley – Live In Philadelphia is available from your Elvis specialist Bennies Fifties and the online Fifties Store.