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An Afternoon In The Garden
By Sharath Chandran
"Like a Prince from another planet" says the booklet and I am not going to disagree. An Afternoon In The Garden documents the matinee(2:30 pm)show from June 10 1972 in Madison
Square Garden, New York.
The Sound:
Absolutely awesome!!! It beats the evening show by a mile. The sound is so brilliant that its easily the best sounding live concert released by RCA equaled
only by Aloha From Hawaii.
Song wise Breakup:
1.Also Sprach Zarathustra:
Exciting as always....
2.That's All Right:
An excellent version. Probably the best sounding too. The drum roll could send chills down your spine.
3.Proud Mary:
Wow... a powerhouse version. Elvis really puts a lot of effort during the end and the result is one of the most mind blowing versions of Proud Mary
ever...Listen to this one on a top class Hi Fi and I don't think many of you would disagree with what I've said.
4.Never Been To Spain:
A standard delivery. Not excellent but certainly a good one.
5.You Don't Have To Say You Love Me:
A really good version.
6.Until Its Time For You To Go:
A good one. Elvis' voice cracks during some notes.
7.You've Lost That Loving Feeling:
Well sung version. No "hot damn" like in the Evening show.
8.Polk Salad Annie:
Electrifying. The sound here is unbelievable. Listen to the drumming in the last part and you'll know what I am talkin about.
9.Love Me:
Standard Delivery
10. All Shook Up:
Very good version ,again the sound is superb.
11. Heartbreak Hotel:
Good version with James Burton's guitar licks just being outstanding.
12.Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel:
Elvis sang this medley well in 1972.Not very different from the On Tour version.
13.Love Me Tender:
Well sung version.
14.Blue Suede Shoes:
Short but a high energy version.
15.Reconsider Baby:
The only song that suffers a little with Elvis sometimes being off key
16.Hound Dog:
Hound Dog is the usual slow to fast paced version.
17.I'll Remember You:
A very good version especially in the first 1 minute .But in my opinion the Aloha version is the best.
18.Suspicious Minds:
A really good version. Lots of power during the ending.
19.Intro's
20.For The Good Times:
A very focused version. Well received by the crowd.
21.An American Trilogy:
A stand out tune in every Elvis concert. This is probably the best sung song in this CD. This version along with the Hampton Roads version and the Aloha ranks
among my top three performances of this song.
22.Funny How Time Slips Away:
Typical 1972 version. Not bad but certainly not very good.
23.I Can't Stop Loving You:
An excellent version with Elvis' voice cracking during the line" that time heals a broken heart."
24.Can't Help Falling In Love:
OK version ... very good towards the end..
This does not mean that that the CD is flawless. There are minor instances of clicks being heard but this hardly takes away anything from the performances.
The fantastic 8 page booklet with an essay by Colin Escott and tons of other info is another feather in the hat. In all.... sound wise it is much much better than the evening show which unfortunately suffered from a very bad mix.
But as far as An Afternoon In The Garden is concerned I've got just three words to say" WELL DONE BMG."
Sound Rating:9.75/10
Show Rating : 9/10
Packaging :8/10
MUSICIANS & WARM UP SHOW
Comedian: Jackie Kahane
Warm up act: The Sweet Inspirations
High voice singer: Kathy Westmoreland
Backup vocalists:
The Sweet Inspirations: Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell, Estelle Brown
J.D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet:
Donnie Sumner, Bill Baize, Ed Enoch, Richard Sterben, Ed Wideman
Musicians:
Lead Guitar: James Burton
Rhythm Guitar: John Wilkinson
Bass: Jerry Scheff
Piano: Glen D. Hardin
Drums: Ronnie Tutt
Acoustic guitar: Charlie Hodge
Symphony orchestra:
Mr. Joe Guercio & Joe Guercio orchestra
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