Not Just Another Saturday Night

Ever since I first listened to the June 1975 Dallas concert that concluded the Elvis Aron Presley box set, I've had a soft spot for the tours Elvis did in the spring and summer of 1975. Maybe his artistic ambitions had faded at the time, but he was back in good shape, full of energy and his voice as impressive as ever. Something that is evident while listening to former FTD releases such as Dixieland Rocks (2001), Southern Nights (2006) and Dixieland Delight (2009).

Now, I'm happy to report that this holds true for the recent FTD addition Another Saturday Night as well. Featuring the evening show from Shreveport on June 7, 1975, Elvis sounds engaged and is clearly having fun. Judging by the screams from the fans in the Hirsch Coliseum, so is the audience. 

“It's a pleasure to be back in Shreveport, because this was my first job, as you know, in Shreveport. And if the sound goes out, it might be my last one!” Elvis kids before starting doing some “old ones” like “Love Me” (followed by “If You Love Me”), Love Me Tender” “All Shook Up,” “Teddy Bear”/”Don't Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog.”

As with all the concerts from the May 30-June 10 tour, this one doesn't take off fully until it's time for “Burning Love,” delivered in true 1972 style right after “The Wonder Of You.” As “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” is then performed after the introductions, promoting his new single, the fans are treated with no less than two of Elvis' best rockers from the 70's at the same show.

Other highlights include “How Great Thou Art” and “An American Trilogy,” the former having Elvis repeating the last verse (“I can do it better than that, see, cause I missed that first part”), the latter receiving an enormous response from the southern audience.

I can also report that, yes, Elvis once again succeeds in getting J.D. Sumner to break up during the second verse of “Why Me Lord,” this time by shouting out, “Sing it baby,” and “Kiss me.”

Even the introductions are more interesting than usual, due to the fact that James Burton is from Shreveport. “Johnny B. Goode” has Elvis singing an extra refrain before launching into the first verse, after which he says, “It's strange how things work out because 19 years ago it was my first job here, and James is from here. And he's my guitar player. It's strange you know.”

And here I am, listening to the very concert where those words were spoken by Elvis, 37 years ago. That's a bit strange, too, don't you think?! But FTD made it happen, and for that I'm grateful.

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