Elvis Presley – Elvis - That's The Way It Is

Elvis had reached a crossroads in his career at the dawn of the ‘70s was about to enter a period of unprecedented success. His comeback TV special in 1968 and his triumphant 1969 album ‘Elvis in Memphis’ coincided with the ending of his film commitments which by the middle of the decade had almost torpedoed his legacy. Touring now became a priority but he was also able to produce consistently high standards in the recording studio as well as his masterful 1970 sessions proved. He also acquired a residency at the International Hotel in Las Vegas which was the setting of his first feature film that was not a musical comedy or drama but a documentary of the King is his most appropriate element. The accompanying LP, with the same title as the film, was a hybrid of sorts - not really a soundtrack and not a pure studio album but a combination of both. Working with some members of his show band - including the legendary James Burton, and overseen by personal producer Felton Jarvis, ‘That’s the Way It Is’ sees Elvis as a contemporary, easy listening artist - covering a wide range of pop and country songs that were either recent hits or were chosen specifically by Elvis’ team. “I Just Can’t Help Believin’” opens the record and is very much a harbinger of what he would specialize in for most of the rest of his career - easy listening but a tad maudlin ballads. “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” are brilliant covers of Simon and Garfunkel, the Righteous Brothers and Dusty Springfield respectively. “Patch It Up” is a rockin’ uptempo number that really fires on all cylinders which is nice because most of the songs are the ballads, which was Elvis’ preference at this point. The LP seems to go back and forth between the studio and the live tracks but that doesn’t bother me one bit. What a way to kick off the new decade, before the rigors of his lifestyle began to take their toll. I do feel that the 1968-1973 period of the King’s career had way more peaks than valleys and ‘That’s the Way It Is’ is as good as it gets for this period. And the stranger in the crowd and I will be strangers no more…

Can anyone confirm is this is supposed to be the non-flex pressing or the flex pressing?