To start, Elvis and his band, The Imposters, came out and played a few songs, starting with a rocking “I Hope You’re Happy Now”, “Mystery Dance”, and “Radio Radio”. What a great 1-2-3 punch, and they were just getting started! It was time to pull the first couple of people out of the audience and let them spin the wheel. Elvis was joking around with them and hamming it up as he was talking about the wheel and it was all quite a hoot, in the best sense of the word. Anyway, you get the idea. It continued on like this for about two hours total. When main set ended, the crowd was roaring for an encore. Which of course happened.The complete set list is below, and included two Beatles songs also.

BTW, I have more crappy cell phone pix and maybe even some crappy cell phone video, which I may try to post soon too. All in good time.

The songs, with a few comments by me…

Overture

I Hope You’re Happy Now

Mystery Dance

Radio Radio

 

Spectacular Spinning Songbook Selections

Stella Hurt

Green Shirt – these next three were referred to as his “color songs”

Almost Blue

(The Angels Want To Wear My) Red Shoes

Veronica – A bit slower and more laid-back than the album version

Chelsea – awesome keyboards in this and most songs

Beyond Belief

Shot with His Own Gun

Girl – Beatles cover

Sulky Girl

This Year’s Girl

Party Girl

Clubland

Man Out of Time

And Your Bird Can Sing – Beatles cover

Oliver’s Army

 

Finale

A Slow Drag With Josephine – solo, just Elvis

Pump It Up – slow, bluesy version that segued into the old classic song “Busted”

The Other Side of Summer

Alison – extended ending that had a few lines from Over The Rainbow, Wind Cries Mary, and something else, was it from West Side Story?

(What’s So Funny About) Peace Love and Understanding – a rocking finale!

It was a great show and Elvis was in fine form, whether singing or playing guitar or joking around with the wheel spinners from the audience. He’s one of the best songwriters ever and his stage presence and vocals have only improved over time. Plus, his band is top-notch. Long-time keyboardist Steve Nieve was awesome as always. Pete Thomas is a really good drummer and the bass player was no slouch either. I loved how there were songs from Elvis’ entire career. I could nit-pick and say, what, no “So Like Candy” or Watching The Detectives”? But he has hundreds and hundreds of songs and he can’t do them all.

Do you have an opinion? Leave me a comment below!

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My first picks are down below too, along with the other people’s. Read John’s and the other picks below, see if you agree or disagree. Then feel free to let me know your opinions and maybe some of your picks.  You can email me or just leave a comment below.

John M:

With a Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker – The Beatles
All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix – Bob Dylan
Stormy Monday – Allman Brothers – T-Bone Walker
Twist and Shout – Beatles – Isley Brothers
Respect – Aretha Franklin – Otis Redding
Because the Night – Patti Smith – Bruce Springsteen
Woodstock – Crosby Stills Nash – Joni Mitchell
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor – Prince
Blinded by the Light – Manfred Mann – Bruce Springsteen
Feel a Whole lot Better – Tom Petty – Byrds
She’s Not There – Santana – Zombies
Freeway Jam – Caligator – Jeff Beck
Honorable mention
California Girls – David Lee Roth – Beach Boys
Wish You were Here – John McCloskey – Pink Floyd

Michael F:

Baker Street – Foo Fighters – Gerry Rafferty
Landslide – Smashing Pumpkins – Fleetwood Mac
Higher Ground – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stevie Wonder
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer – George Thoroughgood – John Lee Hooker
Turn The Page – Metallica – Bob Seger
You Really Got Me – Van Halen – The Kinks
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds – Bill Shatner – Beatles
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Guns ‘n’ Roses - Bob Dylan
Live and Let Die – Guns ‘n’ Roses – Paul McCartney
I Shot The Sheriff – Eric Clapton  – Bob Marley
I Will Survive – Cake – Gloria Gaynor
The Man Who Sold The World – Nirvana – David Bowie

Toby W:

Darling Nikki – Foo Fighters – Prince

Larry T:

Ring of Fire – Wall of Voodoo – Johnny Cash
One of my favorite tunes by Mr. Cash. But Stan Ridgway and the voodoo boys tear it up.

Pimpa’s Paradise – Damian Marley – Bob Marley
Jr. Gong puts a new spin to one dads classics.

Hotel California – Gipsy Kings – The Eagles
It’s all about the the Dude – “I hate the f**king Eagles, man.”

The Red Rooster – Howlin Wolf – Willie Dixon
From the London Sessions, The Wolf, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts, what a set.

The Red Rooster – Rolling Stones – Willie Dixon
Great Jagger/Richards version. Back when they wanted to be a blues band.

Almost Blue – Diana Krall – Elvis Costello
Diana puts her on style to a very good Elvis ballad.

Red Red Wine – UB40 – Neil Diamond
Ali Campbell turns a piece of Niel Diamond schlock in to a reggae classic.

Take Me To the River – Talking Heads – Al Green
New wave at it’s best.

Maggie’s Farm – The Specials – Bob Dylan
English 2 tone version of Bob, you got to love it.

Dub Side of the Moon – Easy Star All-Stars – Pink Floyd
This isn’t a song but a whole album. Clever idea.

My picks, to start at least

Satisfaction – Devo – The Rolling Stones
Purple Haze – The Cure – Jimi Hendrix
Everybody Knows – Concrete Blonde – Leonard Cohen
I Can’t Make You Love Me – Prince – Bonnie Raitt
Creep – The Pretenders – Radiohead
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – Elvis Costello – The Animals
I Want You – Fiona Apple – Elvis Costello
Kiss – Tom Jones – Prince
I Fought The Law – The Clash – Bobby Fuller Four
Hazy Shade Of Winter – The Bangles – Simon and Garfunkel
Real Love – Regina Spektor – John Lennon
Route 66 – Depeche Mode – Nat King Cole?
Born To Run – Cowboy Junkies – Bruce Springsteen
Oops I Did It Again – Richard Thompson – Britney Spears
Rocket Man – Kate Bush – Elton John

So what do you think?

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