Presley Show Heavily Loaded With Standards
by James I. Carnes
Gazette Mail
July 13, 1975

Elvis Presley's third and final Charleston concert Saturday night was much like the first: hectic, exciting, entertaining, and just a little disappointing.

"He didn't sing "Kentucky Rain?" somebody moaned. "No In The Ghetto?" another asked.

Well, he couldn't do everything, although during his three hours and 15 minutes total time on stage here, he tried.

His act included about 20 tunes each time, although most of them were the same. A "Big Boss Man" or "An American Trilogy" were thrown in to add variety to a set that was heavily loaded with such standards as "Hound Dog," "All Shook Up," "Teddy Bear," "Don't Be Cruel" and "Love Me Tender."

Presley's stage show is a quickly paced affair, with gags, big buildups, solos and sighs firmly planned. Backup singers were well-cued. They stand to sing, then slip back to their stools until the next time.

ELVIS VOICE is still strong - surprisingly so at times. He is able to rise to high notes, hit them and hold them full-force, yet at other times be sloughs off entire words, refusing to sing them, letting the Sweet Inspirations do the work. It is baffling that he might not be able to do them, but that is the impression at times.

On such songs as "How Great Thou Art," however, hr shows amazing ability to hit and hold the notes strongly.

Presley took some liberty with song lyrics, interjecting remarks into both "Why Me Lord" and "How Great Thou Art." They detracted from the gospel nature of the tunes and did not set well with some members of the audience. The transgression, though, was not enough to anger the crowd.

Civic Center sound for this concert series was quite good. With speakers suspended above the stage, sight lines from the audience were not blocked. The orchestra's sound was bright and brassy, loud and highly amplified but not fuzzy. The music carried well to the fully packed far reaches of the arena.

The capacity crowd Saturday - each of three shows was sold out - listened attentively to the three warmup acts which seemed calculated to whip the excitement for the star.

When Presley appeared, there was pandemonium, and not that many people seemed concerned what he sang, how he sang, or even if he sang.

He did, however, and he did it well. The Elvis Presley concert is an enjoyable show, and judging from a remark by Presley on stage Saturday, he might return for more. "If you want us back," he said, "just let us know and we'll do it again sometime."

But for now, Presley is gone.

Courtesy Of Archie Bald