When this series began, I wondered if there was any merit in the inclusion of any song which was purely sung during a single tour or engagement. This was based on an assumption that songs of this type would not be given sufficient time to evolve to the extent that there would be any significant difference between versions. Whilst this is true to some extent, there are many differences between versions and they are often subtle and only evident during a close listen and “Let It be Me” is one such example.
Listening through the versions whilst compiling this video I was quite surprised as to where the differences were and in what form they took. I also felt that describing the differences defeated the purpose of these videos and I leave it to you to comment on these in the comments below.
In addition, instead of selecting just a few of the performances, this video includes all eighteen known recorded versions of the song. These range in quality from soundboard, which bookend the video, professionally recorded multi track recordings, found in the central portion and audience recorded versions. The audience recorded version range in quality from excellent to…well, the not so good to put it mildly.
If the response to this video is positive then other single engagement songs will be used in future volumes in this series.
Elvis' return to live performances in Las Vegas went better than he could ever have imagined. On the crest of a wave after the huge success of the TV special and then a highly satisfying recording session at American Sound Studios in his home town of Memphis followed by 57 consecutive sold out shows at the International Hotel all to critical acclaim.
His second Vegas engagement which began on 26 January included TEN new additions to the setlist which was a mixture of oldies, contemporary covers and recently recorded and released singles.
One of the covers that Elvis chose, and the FIFTH new song of opening night, was the Everly Brothers 1960 hit 'Let It Be Me'. Originally written by French duo Pierre Delanoë (lyrics) and Gilbert Bécaud (music) and titled 'Je t'appartiens' it was given English lyrics by Mann Curtis and called 'Let It Be Me'.
In the ten years between the Everly Brothers hit and Elvis including it in his live stage show it was covered by many different acts and perfromers Nancy Sinatra, Bobby Gentry and Tom Jones amongst them. It is perhaps the version recorded by The Sweet Inspirations in 1967 which resonated most with Elvis as they had incorporated a gospel feel into their version and this is certainly evident in the Elvis versions.
All versions recorded in The International Hotel Main Showroom, Las Vegas.
00:00 Version One – 26 January 1970, Opening Show – The First Rendition
03:38 Version Two – 3 February 1970, Dinner Show
07:10 Version Three – 5 February 1970, Dinner Show
Versions Four to Eleven – The RCA Multi Track Recordings
11:15 Version Four - 15 February 1970, Midnight Show
14:44 Version Five - 16 February 1970, Midnight Show
18:24 Version Six - 17 February 1970, Dinner Show
22:20 Version Seven - 17 February, Midnight Show
25:39 Version Eight - 18 February, Dinner Show
28:58 Version Nine - 18 February, Midnight Show
After the success of "In Person" RCA decided to set up recording equipment at Elvis' next Las Vegas engagement which ran from 26 January until 23 February 1970 to a view of making what would become the "On Stage" album. It would probably have been more prudent for the recording to take place, as per TTWII later in the year, towards the beginning of the run but in their wisdom RCA chose the third week for making their recordings. To put some perspective on this out of fifty seven shows RCA recorded between shows forty one an forty nine meaning that Elvis may not have been at his best but even so many of the songs recorded are absolutely superb.
None of these nine shows were recorded in their entirety with Felton Jarvis and the RCA team concentrating on getting some new material to avoid duplicating any of the content from the "In Person" album. The resultant "On Stage" album concluded with the wonderful "Let It Be Me" which was taken from his show on 17 February, Midnight Show and it is the undubbed version which is presented in this video. In all RCA recorded eight versions of the song during taping and all are included in this mid-section.
14:44 Version Twelve – 20 February 1970, Dinner Show
18:24 Version Thirteen - 20 February 1970, Midnight Show
22:20 Version Fourteen – 21 February 1970, Midnight Show (Incomplete)
25:39 Version Fifteen – 22 February 1970, Dinner Show
28:58 Version Sixteen - 22 February 1970, Midnight Show
Version Seventeen - 23 February 1970, Dinner Show
Version Eighteen - 23 February 1970, Closing Show
The final live rendition.
