whats your opinion ?
wich one is the best
ive seen 68 and ive bought it but it had an error and then i traded it and it had the same error again and then i traded it again and it had the same error.

so now im doubting wich one i should get

opinions please?

I'm not really a Elvis fan, but after I saw 68 Comeback Special, I was just astounded. It shows most of the facets of Elvis' career and I think it's one of the greatest comebacks of all-time...

So 68 Comeback Special...
[Edited 8/17/07 6:52am]

other views are welcome

Definately the '68 comeback special. If I Can Dream is one of the most powerful performances I've ever seen.

If you can, get the deluxe version of the 68 comeback special. What charisma! What an entertainer! What a voice!

I love both, but for me 'Comeback' has the edge. The man is on fire, fighting to save his music career and regain some credibility.

Obviously, the live 'in the round' segments are the best, marred only imo by a few too many laughing sycophants surrounding him, even if they were there to give Elvis the moral support he felt he needed to get over his stage nerves. The version of 'Jailhouse Rock' on there is immense.

As to the 'Aloha', we're in a different period, and while the drug use was now starting to take its toll, Elvis is looking good, slim and on the ball (he apparently reduced his 'medications' and got in better shape for the challenge of performing live/ almost live to about a quarter of the world's population).

Having said that, there is an indefinable 'remoteness' to his stage demeanour here overall imo. Whether this is due to nerves, drugs or something else, who knows? Actually, that remoteness kind of adds to the majesty of the event, as the 'Aloha' really showcases Elvis as an iconic performer.

This, along with the (now classic, in its new, re-edited form) 'That's the Way It Is' concert film, are probably the iconic images of the later Elvis. The highlights of 'Aloha' for me are a strong 'Suspicious Minds' and 'An American Trilogy', where he takes visible pride in the way he sings certain passages, smirking boyishly to his backing singers, as if saying 'You didn't think I could do that bit, did you?'.

But if I had to have only one, it would be the 'Comeback' as that has Elvis on the form of his life, hungry for new beginnings and never looking better, showing why he deserves to known as one of THE music performers of the 20th century

Miles said:

I wasn't a fan until that special!
He can butt-kick!

Miles said:

I very much agree with both of your points here and had wondered about his demeanor during Aloha myself. Back when the deluxe packages were announced I read quite a bit more about that event, numerous first-hand accounts from folks who were involved with or attended the show.

The satellite link was quite a big deal back then, and was purchased for only the time period of the live broadcast. If the show ran over the broadcast would have literally halted midstream (or mid-song) on televisions in numerous countries, so there was tremendous pressure on Elvis to stick to the program exactly and pay utmost attention to the timing. Also because of this, the audience was instructed clearly, and numerous times, to be calm, to stay in their seats, to moderate their applause, and in all aspects cooperate with the needs of the broadcasters. All of this was completely contrary to his performing style and the opposite of all public appearances he had made since probably late 54. One can only speculate on the effect this might have had, however there is no question we can see the results in his performance.

Eileen

motownlover said:

How frustrating! Really I hadn't heard about any widespread problems with the set - which version did you get?

I'd expand the choices considered to 68 Special, That's The Way It Is, or Aloha. And I'd purchase them in that order.

Eileen

'68 Comeback Special.


but you want the deluxe version, as the special itself isn't all that good. the editing and production style is very dated. you want to see all of the original, unedited performances that went into making it. they're all killer.