Great live Elvis, but let down by sound quality
Marc Haegeman | Gent, Belgium | 06/15/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Follow That Dream compiled a show from Elvis Presley's Jan/Feb 1972 Las Vegas season. The bulk of the CD (tracks 1-17) consists of multi-track recordings, the remainder is taken from soundboard. Perversely, while the sound quality of the soundboard tracks is totally acceptable, the multi-track recordings (mastered by Lene Reidel) are a disappointment, lacking in punch and clarity, and suffering from a poor mix, especially when compared to earlier releases (e.g. "Burning Love" or the "Walk A Mile in My Shoes" box, or also the recent compilations which boast DSD audio).
Only part of the material here is unreleased, but the overall quality of Elvis' shows in this season is indisputable. 1972 was the year of the fabulous March sessions which gave us gems like "Burning Love" and "Always On My Mind", the rockumentary Elvis On Tour, and Elvis' appearances at Madison Square Garden. Here, at the beginning of the year, we get truly inspired versions of "You Gave Me A Mountain", "It's Impossible" (in an outstanding arrangement and beautifully sung - previously released, but now complete with a false start), "It's Over" (again, what a magnificent performance), "The Impossible Dream", "An American Trilogy", and "Until It's Time For You To Go". Live, Elvis would hardly ever sound as good again as he did here.
Content-wise "An American Trilogy" is a superb CD and it would have been a sure five-star release if it wasn't let down by the sound quality.
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