Elvis 'Are You Lonesome...' laughing version?

When was this recorded and where? Was there ever an explanation of why Elvis's cheese slipped off his cracker? Was it the high backing vocal?

 

I remember it was a hit single in my country in 1981, but of course that's nowhere near the recording date. But at that point it was the first time that this recording was issued. Indeed, at the time there was a story going round that Elvis was starting to laugh (and obviously couldn't stop) because of the female backing vocals. I don't have the record at hand (haven't heard it in ages, actually), but I think the recording itself feeds that story. He's starting to laugh everytime that shrill backing vocal comes up.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r4nOZVuULQ

 

I love that version!

 

August 26, 1969 - Midnight Show, Las Vegas at the International Hotel.

It is a fantastic show found on FTD's "All Shook Up." Any fan of EP should own this show....

 

http://www.anelvisfan2001.com/AreYouLonesomeTonight.html

 

It was recorded on August 26, 1969 in Las Vegas.

I have read that he began laughing because he saw two girls in the audience trying to pull a toupé of a guy.

 

From wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Are_You_Lonesome_Tonight?_(song)

 

Yes, the bald head is what I've always heard was the legend.
But the way I heard it go was the man in question lifted the toupee off when Elvis delivered the line.

 

That's what I heard, too.

The soprano singer btw is Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother.

 

That version is great. Nice to hear some spontaneity and fun in a live performance.

Also like listening on occasion to the Beatles laughing version of "And Your Bird Can Sing". Great to hear John and Paul yucking it up in the studio.

 

I was just listening to this performance the other night, playing it for a friend who'd never heard it. The version I have is from the three-disc Collector's Gold set.

 

I heard it, and heard about it for the first time, hearing it on the radio this morning...it was funny, but I think I would tire of it after a few listens and never play it again...or maybe once a year

 

The one and only time I've ever heard it up until now, was in October 1989, while I was listening to KRTH (K Earth) here in Los Angeles.

 

This version also appears on the box set Elvis Aaron Presley.

 

Actually, Elvis would frequently - and intentionally - play around with the words in the "talking" part of Are You Lonesome Tonight.

 

Are there any differences between the FTD "All Shook Up" and disc 3 of Collectors Gold?

 

No, same performance. But, it is cool to have the entire show, which is fantastic.

 

Thanks, but I was indeed asking about the show itself. I thought disc 3 of Collectors Gold was supposed to be the whole show, so I was wondering if there was any difference between that and the FTD "All Shook Up" CD.

 

Well, it's definitely one of those chestnuts that gets dusted off every year for the birth/death anniversaries. I'd imagine it got played quite a bit last week.

 

Disc 3 of Collector's Gold doesn't contain a complete show. The songs are taken from several of the 12 complete shows that RCA recorded in '69.

 

Just realized that the version in question can also be found on this new compilation:

http://www.amazon.com/King-Elvis-Pr...322821?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1187633140&sr=1-32

Might be the easiest one to find.

 

I managed to snag it on the CD-single with the original artwork a couple of years back. Seems to be OOP now. Cool little CD though, looks like a 45, black like vinyl - even the data side. Plays just fine.

 

Disc 3 of Collectors Gold is a compilation of different performances from different shows from the August 69 Vegas stand. It is a nice comp, but "All Shook Up" is the complete unedited show and a must-have release for all EP fans.

 

Oops, I didn't realize that. I need to study my liner notes closer.

Thanks!