That's The Way It Is: Legacy Edition

1970年にリリースされた『That's The Way It Is』(邦題:エルヴィス・オン・ステージ)のレガシー・エディション
1960年代、映画出演が活動の中心でライヴ活動を行っていなかったエルヴィスが、1968年にステージにカムバック。そして、本格的にライヴ活動を再開した1970年11月にRCAからリリースされたスタジオ音源8曲と4曲のラスヴェガス公演のライヴ録音が収録されたLP『That's The WayIt Is』に、シングルのオリジナル・ヴァージョンとアウトテイクが追加収録された＜CD1＞と、'70年夏に行われた衝撃のラスヴェガス公演シーズンの中から、これまで未発表だった音源が多数収録されている8月12日ディナー・ショウの模様を収録した＜CD2＞で構成された“That's TheWay It Is”のレガシー・エディション。

Elvis' live albums from the early '70s contain a substantial store of quality material -- dinner-show horn charts, strings, grandstanding vocals, and all. This 1970 offering from Las Vegas proves to be one of his best (it's actually the soundtrack to Denis Sanders' documentary of Elvis' summer run at the International Hotel). Acting on his affinity for country-pop figures like Campbell and Mac Davis, Elvis especially shines on the slow to mid-tempo ballads "I Just Can't Help Believin'" and "Just Pretend" (both seamless blends of torch song glitz and contemporary rock elements). And to provide the requisite amount of sweat for those nightly towel giveaways, the King works out extra hard on showstoppers like "Patch It Up" and "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me." Throughout the album, Presley sounds as commanding and powerful as he ever would and gets optimal backing by well oiled, Nashville-to-L.A. session luminaries like guitarist James Burton, bassist Jerry Scheff, and drummer Ronnie Tutt (Aretha Franklin's '60s backup singers, the Sweet Inspirations, deserve special mention as well). Also available as a deluxe three-disc set (including expanded concert highlights and rehearsal takes), That's the Way It Is is essential listening for Elvis fans, both die-hard and casual. ~ Stephen Cook|