Currently the single best "mature" live Presley album, this would be rated five stars if it simply drew from tunes recorded at his Memphis '69 sessions or more of Elvis's own classic back catalog. Despite the preponderance of covers from this Jan/Feb'70 session in Vegas (just Presley's second visit, I might add), his vocals and the band's performance are both superb. The is the last time Presley would sing with the "fire" in his voice first heard in his 1968 TV Special rebirth. At this point in his career he is a valid and creative artist, just coming off of a number one single and an amazing album release of his 1969 Memphis sessions, 'From Elvis In Memphis.' And, as bodyguard Sonny West notes, he's "thinner than a rake and handsomer than ten movie stars." The decline wouldn't set in for a few more years, and this is how I want to remember Elvis in the 1970's.

Far from your standard Elvis live album, ON STAGE eschews umpteenth performances of "Hound Dog," "Heartbreak Hotel," et. al and offers up Presley's exquisite interpretations of some of the most popular songs of the 20th Century. Key tracks: a propulsive "Proud Mary," massive hit "The Wonder of You," and a gorgeous "Let It Be Me." His enthusiasm for the songs herein is obvious throughout, and Presley's in top form vocally -- he even manages to pull off a rockin' re-working of Engelbert Humperdink's "Release Me!"

I have been a devoted Elvis fan for more than 20 years and own over 600 recordings by Elvis and this album is one of his best. Every Elvis fan should own this one. I listen to this album over and over and never tire of it. This was Elvis at his best vocally, physically, and emotionally and he really shows it off on this album. Each song is done to perfection. You will NOT be disappointed with this one.

This album captures Elvis at his live best-encapsulating a combination of Elvis putting forth a maximum effort yet also very confident and in control.Elvis never wrote his own songs so he had to rely on others' songs-no matter,he always seemed to make them his own,usually bettering the original,such as this album's "Polk Salad Annie", "Release Me" and others. OK,well maybe he didn't better the Beatles on "Yesterday" but his version can certainly stand on its own. Sound quality on this CD is very good,even allowing you to hear some of the fans' comments,such as "you're just knocking yourself out to make everyone happy" gushed by one female fan as Elvis tried to catch his breath after "Polk Salad Annie". My only negative to this CD is that it doesn't have the opening and closing riff which would help it "feel" like a whole concert, but that's a small negative.Also,if you're looking for Elvis' treatment of some of his standards, you won't find many here,but there's plenty of that on other albums-this album is very unique in the line-up of Elvis' live albums,and is a must buy.

Yes, this *is* your parents' Elvis Presely: a mature perfomer in a new role. This is early enough in Elvis's "comeback" phase so that you hear his finest performances filled with the energy and newfound confidence that came with his revived career. Some regard this as his best live album. In any case, it features a mature, powerful performer at his prime.