Elvis' first legitimate live album remains one of his best. The seven-minute version of "Suspicious Minds" surpasses the studio recording. Another highlight is a rare performance of Willie Dixon's "My Babe." Though abridged, "In Person" displays a revitalized Presley in triumphant form.

When Elvis returns to play before a paying audience in late July 1969, after a eight year, four month layoff to make Hollywood movies, he does so with a vengence. The shows taped in August 1969 capture a 33 year old legend who wishes to remind his audience that the fire still burns. This album is ample evidence of that fire, with an eight minute version of his soon to be number one single "Suspicious Minds" that astonishes. Some of the ballad arrangements are, admittedly, weak and pedestrian, but no fault can be found with the vocalist or musicians. One listen to Elvis's rather ironic version of "Johnny B. Goode" tells the story: they rock the house! Perhaps someday RCA/BMG will see fit to issue a single, complete performance from this engagement, but until then this serves as the best example of the "mature," rockin' Elvis Presley. (Note: two Aug'69 tracks snuck onto the following year's 'On Stage' album, "Yesterday" and "Runaway." The latter, a Del Shannon cover, harbors an amazing James Burton lead guitar solo and Elvis's stunning vocals turn the song from one of longing and regret to triumph. Check it out!)

This is Elvis' first live album, and his best. It doesn't feature one single show, but rather highlights from several shows from his August 1969 engagement in Las Vegas. Elvis was really fired up here. He put his all into every song, even the older songs that he tended to sleepwalk through at later concerts. Four songs made their first recorded appearances here, "Johnny B. Goode", "I Can't Stop Loving You", "My Babe" and "Words". For some reason, they used a version of "Johnny B. Goode" where Elvis forgets to sing the second verse, and instead sings the third verse twice. It still rocks, though. The rest of the songs are live versions of songs Elvis had previously recorded. They are all good, especially the epic seven minute version of "Suspicious Minds". If you only get one Elvis live album, it should be this one.

In 1969, Elvis Presley went to Las Vegas with a lot riding on these shows. His comeback television special on NBC had been a big hit, and his follow-up album FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS was slowly climbing the charts. But Elvis hadn't performed live in nine years. If he flopped (which had happened before in '56), all the positive momentum he had built in the wake of his dreadful movies would grind to a halt. He may have felt as if he were backed into a corner, with the eyes of the world upon him.

Under all that pressure, Elvis came through. He didn't just survive those shows. He went out there with fire in his belly and delivered some stunning rock n'roll -- almost punkish in its intensity. The band backing him is outstanding, especially lead guitarist James Burton. I think this live album is so much better than 1973's ALOHA and the 1972 album recorded at Madison Square Garden. On this CD, he doesn't mail it in. He is giving it all he has. When he bothered to do that (which unfortunately wasn't often), he was the greatest who ever lived.

The 1968 Comeback Special was too brassy and was backed by corny TV sound. But this album from the very 1st season of Elvis's engagement in Vegas August 1969 is clutch. He wasn't sure he was going to make it so he put all he had into this show. He was dressed in black, thin, tan and healthy. He had incredible energy and focus. He has vicious precison in this album. Even the old songs snap with power. He kicks tail. After this season Elvis was never the same. He returned to Vegas in February 1970 playing much more sappy music. His old hits reduced to fast medleys. But this album he cared. There is a balance of romantic songs and some kick tail rock n' roll. He's incredibly impressive and the audience is stunned by his power. This is why he was called the King. His zenith only lasted one summer. His concerts from then on would become sloppy, forgotten words, old songs run through too fast. It sounds like he's on speed. This album is the way Elvis should have stayed, on top of his game, but he didn't.
Blue Suede Shoes (Deadly Precision)
Johnny B. Goode (Played like the 1st time, High Octane)
All Shook Up (Kicks)
Are You Lonsome Tonight
Hound Dog (Slams)
Can't Stop Loving You
My Babe
Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Attack)
Words
In The Ghetto
Suspicious Minds
Can't Help Falling In Love