In August 2006, Elvis Presley Enterprises and Sony BMG will release the single-disc DVDs Elvis: '68 Comeback - Special Edition DVD and Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - Special Edition DVD. These are follow-ups to the smash hit releases of deluxe edition box sets of '68 and Aloha material in 2004.
The single-disc releases are geared toward reaching the casual and potential new Elvis fans who could be interested in this material but are not ready to commit to the pricier box sets. The single-disc editions also make it possible to get the Elvis '68 and Aloha material into retail outlets that don't carry DVDs above a certain price point. These single-discs will reach a broader market than the box sets have and should make a nice contribution to the growth of Elvis fandom worldwide.
Hopefully, some special content on the single-discs will be pleasing to the serious Elvis fans who already have the box sets and anticipate something new with them in mind on the single-disc releases.
Here are the cover art and content information (a bit more detailed than in the DVD packaging) for these new releases:
ELVIS: '68 COMEBACK - Special Edition DVD
In the 1950's, singer Elvis Presley led the rock 'n' roll revolution in music and pop culture. In the 1960's he concentrated mainly on his successful movie career. By 1968, it had been more than seven years since he had appeared on stage in front of a live audience. In his first television special, clad in his now-iconic black leather suit, Elvis performed classic hits both on stage alone and, in sequences generally regarded as the forerunner of today's popular "unplugged" jam sessions, with friends and original bandmates. The program also included splashy production numbers. Usually referred to as the '68 Comeback Special, the actual name of the program was Elvis. Taped in June 1968 in Burbank, it first aired that December 3rd on NBC - the network's biggest ratings victory that year and the season's top-rated show. It stands today as one of the great moments in rock music history and
as a stunningly brilliant milestone in Elvis Presley's career. After this triumph Elvis poured renewed creative vigor into his recording work, wrapped up his movie contract obligations and returned full-time to the concert stage, beginning a new and exciting era of
the Elvis phenomenon.
Elvis ('68 Comeback Special) (76:12)
A new 2006 edit of Elvis not seen on any DVD release to date, expanded with content not included in the original broadcast. The edits/expansion involve the "black leather" footage. All production numbers appear in their original form for television but for the tweaks/expansions made for 1980s home video releases.
Opening Production Number:
Trouble/Guitar Man
That's All Right
Baby, What You Want Me To Do
Medley:
Heartbreak Hotel
Hound Dog
All Shook Up
Can't Help Falling in Love
Jailhouse Rock
Don't Be Cruel
Blue Suede Shoes
Love Me Tender
Baby What You Want Me To Do - Impromptu jam
Gospel Production Number:
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Where Could I Go But To The Lord
Up Above My Head
Saved
Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
Are You Lonesome Tonight
Trying To Get To You
Tiger Man
When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again
One Night
Memories
Guitar Man Production Number:
Nothingville
Guitar Man
Let Yourself Go
Guitar Man
Big Boss Man
It Hurts Me
Guitar Man
Little Egypt
Trouble
Guitar Man
If I Can Dream - white suit
Credits (with Elvis footage choreographed to A Little Less Conversation)
DVD Promo Spots
The original videotape material for this program has been digitally remastered and restored. The audio, originally recorded in mono, has been digitally remastered and re-channeled for Dolby Digital stereo and 5.1 surround. Presented in its 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio.
NOTE: The two solo mini-concerts and the two jam sessions from which the "black leather" performances were derived are found in their entirety on Elvis: '68 Comeback Special - Deluxe Edition DVD (7-hour, 4-disc set), along with an adapted version of the original broadcast special, the raw elements and unused takes from the production numbers, and a special white suit/black leather suit presentation of Elvis's performance of If I Can Dream.
Having Fun With Elvis In Burbank (09:25)
Elvis had a tremendous sense of humor and during the production of the 1968 TV special there were many funny moments. In 2004, as part of the promotion surrounding the release of Elvis: '68 Comeback Special - Deluxe Edition DVD, there were special screenings of selected material from the deluxe set in Regal Theatres in a number of cities in the United States. In the Regal Theatres program we included a specially assembled 6-minute/16-second collection of funny moments, which audiences greatly enjoyed. This was put together after all content for the deluxe set had been finalized and discs had been manufactured, so it was
not part of the deluxe set. For the single-disc release Elvis: '68 Comeback Special Edition we decided fans would enjoy having this "funny reel" as bonus material, so we went back into the studio to refine and expand it into a 9-minute/25-second feature we know you will love.
Photo Gallery
Photographs of Elvis from the rehearsals and production of the 1968 TV special and the birthday party for Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker at the studio.
Easter Egg (08:33)
An "Easter egg" is hidden content on a DVD. It's not listed on or in any of the DVD packaging or shown obviously on the onscreen DVD menu. You have to find it. It's a popular way of delivering to "in the know" fans special content that the general public might not appreciate fully. If you find the Easter egg, you will get this message onscreen:
Congratulations! You have found the "Easter egg."
Three takes from the Guitar Man production number featuring the dancers' karate segment and Elvis's final portion of the song It Hurts Me were inadvertently left off of Disc 3 of the 2004 release Elvis: '68 Comeback Special - Deluxe Edition DVD. The one tape containing these three takes had not made it into the inventory of raw tapes when the digital transfers used for the deluxe DVD set were made and were found later. We provide these takes here. Enjoy.
ELVIS: ALOHA FROM HAWAII - Special Edition DVD
Elvis Presley made television and entertainment history with his Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii concert, performed at the Honolulu International Center Arena on January 14, 1973. Beamed live via Globecam Satellite to various countries and on a delayed basis to approximately thirty European countries, it first aired in America that April 4th on NBC in edited form, including four "insert" songs shot just after concert. In all, the concert was seen in about forty countries by 1-to-1.5 billion people that year, a global ratings smash. Never before had one performer held the world's attention in such a way. Aloha from Hawaii presents Elvis Presley at the pinnacle of his superstardom, giving one of the most outstanding concert performances of his career.
Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii Concert(63:18) January 14, 1973
The complete concert with the minor deletions made for the American television special restored and with the trendy but distracting multi-screen effects of the 1973 television presentation virtually eliminated.
Opening Riff
See See Rider
Burning Love
Something
You Gave Me a Mountain
Steamroller Blues
My Way
Love Me
Johnny B. Goode
It's Over
Blue Suede Shoes
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
I Can't Stop Loving You
Hound Dog
What Now My Love
Fever
Welcome To My World
Suspicious Minds
Introductions by Elvis
I'll Remember You
Medley: Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
An American Trilogy
A Big Hunk O' Love
Can't Help Falling in Love
Closing Vamp
Credits (with Elvis footage choreographed to the closing vamp.)
DVD Promo Spots
This edit is shorter than the one for this concert on Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii - Deluxe Edition DVD because the opening theme Also Sprach Zarathustra heard while the screen is black awaiting the footage of Elvis's stage entrance to begin is not included and the footage of the cast on stage after Elvis has left and the closing vamp continues to play is not included. Other than that this edit is the same as found in the deluxe set but for a correctional tweak to Elvis's introduction of J.D. Sumner & The Stamps and The Sweet Inspirations.
The original videotape material for this program has been digitally re-mastered and restored. The original multi-track audio has been digitally re-mastered and remixed for Dolby Digital stereo and 5.1 surround. Presented in its 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio.
Post-Concert "Insert" Songs for TV Special (14:30)
The master takes of the "insert" songs for the American broadcast - the four songs that were used and the one that wasn't.
Blue Hawaii
Ku-U-I-Po
No More (not used in the broadcast)
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Early Morning Rain
NOTE: This concert also is found on Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii - Deluxe Edition DVD (4-hour, 2-disc set), which includes the American broadcast version, all takes of the "insert" songs, the entire dress rehearsal concert and the complete raw footage of the "arrival in Hawaii" sequence shot for the original TV special intro.
Photo Gallery
Photographs of Elvis backstage receiving the gold and diamond Hawaiian maile vine "Elvis" pendant worn in the Aloha concerts - a gift from the Kui Lee Cancer Fund, which benefited from the event. Photographs from the Las Vegas press conference Elvis appeared at on September 4, 1972 to announce the Aloha from Hawaii concert television special. Other photos including a shot of Elvis with producer/director Marty Pasetta.
Easter Egg (09:14)
An "Easter egg" is hidden content on a DVD. It's not listed on or in any of the DVD packaging or shown obviously on the onscreen DVD menu. You have to find it. It's a popular way of delivering to "in the know" fans special content that the general public might not appreciate fully. If you find the Easter egg, you will get this message onscreen:
Congratulations! You found the "Easter egg."
Elvis appeared in two press conferences leading up to his Aloha from Hawaii concert TV special. To date, copies of the press conferences in their entirety have eluded us. Here, we provide the portions we have been able to locate so far.
September 4, 1972 - Las Vegas Hilton
November 20, 1972 - Hawaiian Village Hotel
An "arrival in Hawaii" sequence was shot for the Aloha from Hawaii TV special. The complete, pristine raw footage shot by the program's production team is included in the 2-disc set Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii - Deluxe Edition DVD. Here we present some TV news footage that was shot, offering an alternate view of the arrival event.
