Both “Don’t Cry Daddy” and “In The Ghetto” were recorded by Elvis at American Sound in Memphis during his January and February recording sessions. A more in depth analysis of these songs can be found in the descriptions of previously posted videos of earlier versions of the songs.This rehearsal version was filmed by MGM’s cameras during the production of Elvis – That’s The Way It Is within the Convention Center of Las Vegas’ International Hotel. Elvis would have six days of rehearsals in the hotel before his opening show on 10 August 1970 and this 4 August session was the first of those. The rehearsals would move to the stage of the main showroom on 7 August where Elvis and the band would be joined by the orchestra and the final rehearsal would take place on the afternoon of 10 August, just hours before Elvis’ first show of the season.MGM would continue principal filming during the first six shows of the season but it would not be until the final of those half dozen shows that Elvis would perform this medley. As it appears that the performance was a one off, it is reasonable to presume that it was included purely for the benefit of the MGM cameras.This rehearsal shows that with over six days until opening night and nine days before the live rendition that it does not appear to have been a last minute decision to segue the songs into a medley.The songs had of course previously been performed on stage by Elvis as stand alone versions and this rehearsal seems to be the first time it was sung as a medley. Just minutes before this version, Elvis can be heard discussing this with Charlie Hodge but decides to sing an impromptu version of “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” before finally rehearsing the medley.
