Elvis Presley - Make The World Go Away - The Live Comparison Series - Volume Seventeen

"Make The World Go Away" was the third from last song rehearsed by Elvis during his 24 July 1970 rehearsal in RCA's Hollywood studios for the upcoming Las Vegas engagement. The most interesting aspects about this recording are not necessarily the rehearsal of the song but the after discussion with his band members in which he explains quite candidly about the problems he had recording the song. Elvis had recorded the song jut weeks earlier at RCA's studio B during the celebrated "Nashville Marathon". It was recorded on 7 June 1970 and the problems that Elvis is heard discussing would explain why it was one of only four songs recorded at these sessions which required a spliced master, taken in this instance from takes one and three. It would then take it's place as the closing track on his critically acclaimed "Elvis Country" album later that year. Version One - 13 August 1970, Dinner Show - The First Live Rendition The song's solo August 1970 appearance was during the sixth show of Elvis' third Las Vegas engagement was during the dinner show of show six, on the thirteenth of the month. This show was notable for the handful of songs that were included that had not yet been performed in front of MGM's cameras as they filmed "That's The Way It Is" and some of those songs would be one night only performances or sang on stage by Elvis for the final time. Originally seen in the Lost Performances, it's inclusion was for the benefit of MGM who were filming during production of "That's The Way It Is". Ironically however, no footage from a show which contained several one off performances for the benefit of filming, was included in the final edit of the original 1970 version of the movie. Another good performance showing Elvis' singing could be both powerful and tender and this song seems to work almost as well live as in the studio, with wonderful guitar accompaniment by James Burton. Version Two - 26 January 1971, Opening Show - Las Vegas Version Three - 27 January 1971, Midnight Show - Las Vegas Version Four - 8 August 1973, Midnight Show Version Three would surely have been the last time that Elvis would have sung the song on stage but for a piece of spontaneity during his 8 August Midnight show. After singing 'Release Me' instead of closing the show, he decides to give a surprise rendition of 'Make The World Go Away'. This final version is shorter as it lacks the guitar break of earlier versions, but is still given a committed performance by Elvis. 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!