In Person At The International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada

EDITORIAL REVIEWS .COM When Elvis Presley's late-1960s comeback is discussed, talk ly centers on two events--his 1968 NBC-TV special and the recordings made in Memphis at American Studios shortly thereafter. There was actually a third key event--Presley's first Las Vegas engagement in 13 years (he flopped the first time), which kicked at the brand-new International Hotel on July 31, 1969. The event is downplayed now since Vegas has become so synonymous with the King's decline--but this was a revitalized Presley, and, for the most part, he rocked. The white jumpsuits and "My Way" would come later for this show, Presley wore a black karate suit and was backed by one of the hottest rockabilly bands on earth, with the legendary James Burton on lead guitar. Presley does early hits, Sun stuff, a Willie Dixon blues tune, and his latest singles ("In the Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds"). The furthest he steps outside his oeuvre is a cover of the Bee Gees' "Words." If only he'd continued in this vein. As it is, this stands with Onstage, February 1970 as his finest live recording. --Bill Holdship

Elvis in Person at the International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada (CD) by Elvis Presley