Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds - The Live Comparison Series Volume 6

Wherever you are in the world and from whatever generation you belong to, almost everyone is familiar with "Suspicious Minds' and the song with whom it is associated. Despite being over fifty years old the song still sounds as fresh and vibrant as it did when released in August 1969.
The eighth and final take that Elvis cut of the song at American Sound Studios in Memphis on 22 January 1969 would become the RCA master once overdubs were added.
The song would then go on to become not just a massive worldwide hit but one of the most famous songs ever recorded and almost immediately an integral part of the Elvis Presley live stage show. In spite of it's huge success, the studio version was never released on a regular Elvis album in his lifetime but was to be found on the 4 LP boxset "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Volume 1" in 1970. In fact it took until 1981 and the release of "Greatest Hits Volume 1" for it to appear on a single LP album!

Do you agree with these choices? Let me know which versions you prefer or could have been included!

00:00 Version One
This is the first known live recording of what is now regarded as one of Elvis' signature songs. Written by Mark James and recorded at American Studios in Memphis on January 23, 1969 Elvis immediately included it in his setlist on his return to live performances on July 31st 1969
What is remarkable about this first version is just how close it sounds to the studio master that music fans, not just Elvis fans, know and love.

07:47 Version Two
From the same engagement as the first version but included to show how in the space of a few weeks it has already quickened in tempo!

14:09 Version Three
From Elvis' opening show of his second Las Vegas engagement on 26 January 1970 and once again the tempo has quickened and Elvis' interpretation has also changed.

18:33 Version Four
To the majority of Elvis fans, his rendition of Suspicious Minds from his 12 August 1970 Midnight Show in Las Vegas, which was featured in the original That's The Way It Is movie, needs no introduction.
The iconic image of a sweat soaked Elvis, his hair a mess, the chains from his suit ripped on one side from their mountings due to his excursion into the audience and being visually exhausted, is eclipsed by a performance which is the culmination of one of the greatest shows that Elvis ever gave.
However, as YouTube would not accept that upload, the other TTWII version from 11 August Dinner show has been included.

24:31 Version Five
The first of the versions taken from Elvis out on the road and these early tour versions almost raise the roof!!

29:25 Version Six - 1971
The second of the versions to be taken from a tour show and what a powerhouse rendition. Elvis would movie considerably during these renditions and many karate moves were included.

34:35 Version Seven - 1972
A very small segment of this was included in Elvis - On Tour. Maybe more footage exists - let's hope we eventually see it!!

39:20 Version Eight - 1973
Suspicious Minds and 1973 automatically makes Aloha spring to mind but this version comes from a substantially better show and is a finer version if still too fast compared to 1969 and 1970.

43:37 Version Nine - 1974
Taken from a very unusual show in Houston where the very small stage meant there was no room for Joe Guercio and his orchestra!!

47:21 Version Ten - The Final Live Version
Bearing little resemblance to the 1969 studio master, this final version was performed due to an audience members' request.

As with all of these videos, to get the most out of the audio, I highly recommend you use ear /headphones and turn the volume up as much as you dare!

As with all of these videos, to get the most out of the re-edited audio, I highly recommend you use ear /headphones and turn the volume up as much as you dare!