This live album 'As Recorded at Madison Square Garden' was originally released in June 1972, was taped at the evening performance and was released just one week after the concert took place at the Madison Square Garden arena in New York City. This show was Presley's first live concert in the Big Apple since the 1950s. Being backed by an eight-piece band, an orchestra and eight backup singers the show itself is the more elaborately produced follow-up to his Las Vegas performances of 1969-1970.

The show itself, from 10^th June, 1972, is more elaborately produced and is a follow-up to his Las Vegas performances of 1969-1970. Elvis backed by an eight-piece band, an orchestra, and at least eight male and female backup singers (including the band Sweet Inspiration) gets cracking once he gets past the opening fanfare of the legendary Richard Strauss’ Also Sprach Zarathustra.

The songs on this LP include masterpieces like Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Space Journey Theme), That's All Right, Proud Mary, Never Bean to Spain, Pork Salad Annie followed by Love Me. With classic versions of Heartbreak Hotel, Love Me Tender, That’s All Right Mama and You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, and You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, this is Elvis for you. .  

Flipping over to Side B you have The Imposible Dream, Hound Dog, Suspicious Minds, American Trilogy, For The Good Times, Can’t Help Falling In Love, among many others. The album clocks 55 minutes. Initially, the album was released as a single LP, but was later released as a double LP vinyl in 2012.

The live recording showed that Presley was in good form for this show and, by all accounts, gave his best on not only the beautiful ballads, but as well as the highly energetic renditions of the harder rocking numbers. The sound is surprisingly close, although you can notice that there is very little audience ambience in the background. His band and the accompaniment, from the guitars to the vocals, it is all captured reasonably well, thus making this one of the best of the big-venue Elvis Presley concert documents available.

The album peaked at No. 11 on the Top 200 US Billboard albums chart on 9^th September, 1972. The album was certified Gold on 4^th August, 1972, Platinum on 20^th May, 1988, double-Platinum on 27^th March, 1992, and triple-Platinum on 15^th July, 1999, by the RIAA.

This is the first official live LP to completely capture an entire Elvis concert front to back and is a great representation of his early 70s feel as he and the TCB Band (Taking Care of Business) (James Burton, John Wilkinson, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, Glenn Hardin and Charlie Hodge), had become much more polished. According to the liner notes in the LP sleeve, The Imperials had been replaced with a different gospel group on backing vocals, JD Sumner and the Stamps, although the Sweet Inspirations remain. Elvis like always is playful with the audience.

This LP is a must for every Elvis fan who loves the King of Rock 'n' Roll. As for me its one of my favorite Elvis live albums. Fun listening to a man who knew people loved him and he loved his people. I still love the album and put it as first rate as usual. This terrific album with Elvis sounds great, like always.

Release date; 10^th June 1972

Label: RCA

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira