Elvis Presley - Words - The Live Comparison Series - Volume Sixty Five

On his return to live performing on 31 July 1969, it could quite reasonably be perceived that Elvis played it safe as far as his set list was concerned. It was heavily loaded with 50's hits and some from the early 60's. There was also a couple of recent hits and recordings with "Suspicious Minds", "In The Ghetto" and "Memories", with the latter a likely nod to his recent TV special.
In regards to "Suspicious Minds", it was performed at every show, probably because it was due for release as a single in the second week of the engagement. There would be a few single performances of recent recordings, but these would be for the benefit of RCA, as they were present with their recording equipment for tapings intended for what would become the "In Person" album.
Contemporary covers were also kept to an absolute minimum, with only four used, and of those only two, The Beatles' medley of "Yesterday / Hey Jude" would be regulars throughout the four week run. "Funny How Time Slips Away" would be be used occasionally, but The Bee Gees' “Words” would appear just in time to coincide with the presence of RCA.
Rehearsal versions of "Words" would feature in both 1970 and 2001 versions of Elvis – That’s The Way It Is, and we first hear of it in Culver City, on 14 July, as Elvis and the band discuss the problems that they had performing it on the stage, and this may help to explain why it had been dropped in January 1970.
Much like a composite of rehearsals of "Twenty Days and Twenty Nights" was used in order to move the 2001 version of the film on from Culver City to those at The International Hotel's convention center on 4 August, a similar tactic was also employed using "Words". In the case of the latter it was used as a tool with which to move from the Convention Center to the stage rehearsals in the main showroom on 7 August.

This entry in “The Live Comparison Series” features all five known versions of “Words” performed on stage by Elvis.
All renditions recorded in The International Hotel’s Main Showroom in Las Vegas.

00:00 Version One – 24 August 1969, Midnight Show
02:36 Version Two – 25 August 1969, Dinner Show

05:20 Version Three – 26 August 1969, Midnight Show – The RCA Live Master
This was the version originally heard on the “Elvis In Person” live album released in October 1969.

08:00 Version Four – 10 August 1970, Opening Show
The first of two versions filmed for, but never used in, Elvis – That’s The Way It Is.

10:40 Version Five – 12 August 1970, Midnight Show – The Final Rendition
Leaving the best to last, it is no surprise that this was part of Elvis’ legendary 12 August 1970 midnight show. It also signifies essentially the point of that show where Elvis’ performance began to hit the stratosphere!!
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!

Видео Elvis Presley - Words - The Live Comparison Series - Volume Sixty Five канала The Ultimate Elvis Channel by Leon