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Elvis - '68 Comeback Special

Elvis - '68 Comeback Special

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Elvis' Historic Comeback
Review: "The 1968 Comeback Special" was the culmination of Elvis Presley's artistic resurrection. He never looked or sounded better, as he sang some of the rawest rock and blues ever recorded. Listening to these classic performances is a transcendent experience. However, to fully appreciate Presley's talents, one must see this revelatory DVD set, which is guaranteed to rock your socks off. The deluxe edition finally includes the unedited, red-hot mini-concerts that comprised much of the original NBC special. If some of the production numbers seem a bit dated by today's standards, Presley certainly does not. This was the performance of Elvis' life -- and it surpassed everyone's expectations. More than 35 years later, "The 1968 Comeback Special" remains a landmark in the history of rock music.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Elvis' Historic Comeback
Review: "The 1968 Comeback Special" was the culmination of Elvis Presley's artistic resurrection. He never looked or sounded better, as he sang some of the rawest rock and blues ever recorded. Listening to these classic performances is a transcendent experience. However, to fully appreciate Presley's talents, one must see the video of this historic TV special. It is guaranteed to rock your socks off. Furthermore, the video includes a few numbers not included in the original 1968 broadcast, such as risque "Let's Yourself Go" brothel segment. If some of the production numbers seem a bit dated by today's standards, Presley certainly does not. This was the performance of Elvis' life -- and it surpassed everyone's expectations. More than 30 years later, "The 1968 Comeback Special" remains a landmark in the history of rock music.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Best Of the TV Specials
Review: After 1960 there would only be three more TV specials filmed, only two of which were aired during his lifetime. They are "Aloha From Hawaii," "Elvis in Concert" and "The '68 Comeback." Of those three, this one is the best. Him sitting around with his old friends from Memphis makes the show a smash, and the fresh 1950's sound was still coming out. You'd think after two years in the army and eight years making movies in Hollywood, his music would've changed dramatically. But no, he's still belting out the old hits in black leather.

Highlights: the medley of "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog" and "All Shook Up," the opening shot where he looks into the camera and says "If you're looking for trouble...," and the new songs "Memories" and "If I Can Dream." I wouldn't trade this special for the world.

The other shows I mentioned were good too; "Aloha From Hawaii" was fun and exciting, and "Elvis in Concert" was interesting because you get to see how his music had changed since the Comeback. What is sad about "Elvis in Concert" is when you see it, you have to look at an overweight, bloated Elvis who looks like he won't last much longer -- and didn't.

But as for the '68 Comeback, rock on. Too bad the DVD is short one song.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Elvis Presley makes a return to giving concerts.
Review: After spending most of the 60's making movies and not giving concerts, in 1968 Elvis made a comeback. On June 27 Elvis Presley began taping. The first song on this video is Trouble. In a concert siting down, he is seen with Scotty Moore and his drummer. But there is no Bill Black because he died in 1965.

Scotty Moore and Bill Black started out with Elvis in 1954 before in 1956 recording songs for sun studios. But in 1956 Elvis starting recording songs for Rca. From songs Heartbreak Hotel to Love Me Tender, Elvis Presley is seen standing up alone on stage performing for more people watching him in the stands.

He aslo sings Are you lonesome tonight?, Guitar Man, Hound Dog and Tigerman. Before starting One night with you, Elvis Presley asks for a strap. And one of his bandmates requests that Elvis Presley stand up and flop his foot up on the chair. He begins singin One night with you and does stand up and one of his bandmates hold the mike up for Elvis. Then after One Night With You, Elvis Presley sings Memoriesb in front of a couple of women one each side of him Then thats all of that. If you was alive when Elvis Presley did this concert than here is the tape for you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Return of a Musical Legend
Review: Critics sometimes have the tendency to over state things. To listen to some of them, you would get the impression that before the 1968 Comeback Special, Elvis was musically dead. The fact of the matter is that during the decade of the 1960's, Elvis had more top 40 hits than the Beatles did and was second ONLY to them in terms of OVERALL Billboard Chart success. If you don't believe me, feel free to check.

What had happened to Elvis before the 1968 television special, is that his talent and popularity was primarily channeled in the direction of making mostly formula pictures and recording a lot of movie sound tracks. This course proved to be commercially successful but creatively stifling. And by 1966, even the commercial merits of this enterprise had began to fade. Record sales and box office receipts were down but not dead. Presley was still popular and successful but not like he once was.

In 1968, he took stock of his declining fortunes and decided to re-engage himself in the frontlines of popular music. The result was this Special and he showed the world that he could still be a cutting edge musical artist. Just like he had been from the beginning of his career until the early 1960's.

The Special was appropriately enough produced by the SINGER Sewing company. A trim, handsome and frequently leather clad Elvis shows both his studio and television audience that he can still rock hard. During the sit down sequence Presley is accompanied by 2 of his legendary back-up musicians - drummer D.J. Fontana and the innovative Scotty Moore. Yet, even with the very capable Scotty by his side, it is Elvis who "swaps axe" with him and plays the electric guitar for most of the segment. He plays ably putting to derision nonsense that he can't. But more exciting is his singing. Using a roughened voice, he belts out old numbers with even greater urgency and ferocity than his original recordings of them.

The stand up sequence is equally exciting as Elvis prances around the stage like a tiger singing some of his greatest hits while accompanied by a full orchestra.

During the Special, Elvis also does a Gospel segment and puts a lot of genuine feeling into these songs. Later he does a musical sketch of sorts where he plays a "guitar man" trying to find his way. Just as the real Elvis was rediscovering himself.

The year 1968 saw a lot of turmoil in America. By nature, Elvis did not discuss his social and political views in public. But he did care about others as evidenced by his many acts of kindness. Presley closes the show by expressing his hope for a better world with an impassioned musical statement called IF I CAN DREAM. A song whose lyrics were loosely based on Dr. Martin Luther King's famous speech.

Since Elvis left us, some people have seen fit to falsely label him a racist because he was from the South. Yet, his personal treatment of people and his commitment to this song show us that he was the very antithesis of that.

This Special represents a pivotal moment in Elvis' career. It is also a significant moment in the history of popular music. TV GUIDE has called it the #1 music special in the history of television. After watching it you will probably agree. Even after 35 years, Elvis remains timeless in it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A must have for any rock collection - an absolute classic
Review: Elvis at his best looking, arguably best sounding, and most creative, plays with his original drummer and guitarist, often in the first "unplugged" format, surrounded by fans on all four sides. Elvis is so close to the audience that it has a surreal quality to it. His voice is impeccable, raw, thick, and tough, at turns sweet and gentle for the ballads, and the skill with which he effortlessly and naturally moves between the two is amazing. This is a one of a kind experience showcasing arguably the best of the best of a brilliant career. Those who don't even think they like Elvis will be converts - incredible.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: poor!
Review: Elvis Presley's 68 Comeback Special is a poor concert. Many songs are turned into medley's(who only wants to hear a partial song?). Also Elvis's performance just isn't anygood, and the setlist leaves a lot to be desired. Not enough big hits, and I hate the gospel medley, awful!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Elvis '68 ComeBack Special , ( THE KING RETURNS )
Review: Elvis The 1968 ComeBack Special I Think Was Great But This DVD Edition Cuts Out 2 Parts And I've Got The Original VHS By Virgin Video But I Also Have The DVD Edition The DVD Is Not Bad I Think Elvis Looks So Cool And So Great After All His Movies In Hollywood I Think The '68 ComeBack Proved He Was Still The King Of Rock 'N' Roll And To Me And I'm Only 12 But That's Not The Pont Elvis Will Always Be The King Of Rock 'N' Roll To Me.
Clinton Horton

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent show of Elvis in his prime.
Review: Excellent video of the "king" in his prime. He was only in his 30's here and his focus and enthusiasim was really evident. The only draw back is that the stereo quality of this video is not what one would hope. His Aloha Hawaii Concert Video has musch better stereo quality. But this is still Elvis at his best!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: the best collection
Review: hey im 26 but i dig elvis he had an amazing voice and was a great song writer and piano player he was cool before the word cool in 1968 the king returned to take back his crown from the beatles this sets awesome you see an older wiser elvis on top of his game theres so many cool moment like women going crazy cause elvis tosses his scarf you really see a legend performing like sinatra or marylin monroe elvis was a real star and no singer today has the voice he did


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