Design
The design of this limited edition re-issue (2,500 copies) is really top notch. A sturdy glossy cover that really gives you a deluxe feel. Compared to this my original looks old and mat. The printed inner sleeve, made from sturdy paper, is a nice reproduction featuring advertisements for Elvis’ album and soundtrack catalogues. Even in 1970 fans must have seen how Elvis had matured from his first LP to the rocker that graces the cover on this live album.
The disc itself comes on 180 Gr. transparent red colored and good sounding vinyl with the original orange label. The only difference with the original release I could find is that this edition comes with a different poster featuring the cover-art of the album instead of the 1968 picture and the hype-sticker for the poster.
Content
Most fans will know this great album by heart. This second live album, featuring recordings from August 1969 and February 1970, from the International Hotel in Las Vegas showed our man in his prime. He added contemporary hits like 'See See Rider', 'Yesterday', 'Polk Salad Annie' and 'Proud Mary' to his own set, perhaps not adding something extra to the originals, but he did show his craftmanship as an all-round entertainer.
This album rocks from the opener ‘’See See Rider’ - not yet a throwaway - until the closing with ’Let It Be Me’. Although most of the ten songs from this set would return to his set-list in years to come, up to his last performance at the Market Square Arena on June 26, 1977, they would never really rock like on this album (with a few exceptions of course).
The big hit from this album was ‘The Wonder of You’, a No.1 in the U.K., where both the single and album would sell better than in the U.S.. The only complaint I have on this album is that it runs too short, for just 32 minutes.
Conclusion
This album shows how a re-issue should be done, quality all around. It would have been nice if it had been released last year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original release.