Aloha From Hawaii (Deluxe Edition) - Elvis Presley > Reviews > Elvis at his Very Best

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Probably his Greatest Performance
Disadvantages:	None Really

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This in my humble opinion is the king at his absolute majestic best. He never looked better, he never sounded better, and the mix of old and new numbers is, well , inspired!
Date line January 14th 1973, the much maligned 'Colonel' has had an idea to make a World wide telecast using the brand new 'satalite' technology. Elvis will perform some of his greatest numbers as well as some newer tracks to a WORLD WIDE audience LIVE!!! At a rehursal show (also available on cd) Elvis has already recorded the whole show plus a handful of 'Hawaiian' trcks incase of a technical breakdown. The show will be performed infront of a live audience in Elvis's spiritual home of Hawaii. The audience have paid whatever they thought fit for their tickets and far from raising the target of $25,000 the fans have collectively paid some $75,000 for the honour of witnessing this historic live event. So the scene is set, time to press play!
Just listening to that 2001 intro the hairs on the back of the neck of any fan will come to attention. Close your eyes and just hear the excitement from the massive crowd as the king breaks the wings on his entrance acknowledging the crowd with that wonky grin and the 'hang loose' hand gesture. He takes a humble bow, collects his guitar from Charlie then launches into "See See Rider", if I'm frank I've never really understood this song but it's THE opening number of any Elvis concert. Followed by 'Burning Love' which I believe was a current hit of the time, a quick throw away of the George Harrison 'Something' and then one of his finest performances of all time. Now Elvis always included a gospel track in his live shows, infact his proclaimed ambition before becomming a multi platignum selling international megastar was to be a gospel singer! However for this worldwide event he toned down the normal 'How Great Thou Art' or 'Why Me Lord' and snuck in the powerful and emotive 'You Gave Me A Mountain' which he absolutely nails vocally, not an easy feat, I should know this numbers in my live set and it's a challenge, enough said!
The show ebs and flows moodily with 'Steamroller Blues' and' It's Over' stunning performances of 'My Way' and 'What Now My Love' and throw away rock'n'roll with 'Johnny B. Goode' and 'Long Tall Sally'.
Elvis also slots in the beautiful 'I'll Remember You" written by the late Kui Lee who's cancer trust the show is in aid of, then reaches his dramatic crescendo with the practically Wagnerian 'American Trilogy' almost played off with 'Can't Help Falling In Love', incedentally from 'Blue Hawaii" "Elvis has left the building thankyou and goodnight' but not quite cos bless 'em RCA then add on the tracks recorded 'just in case' listen to these as you get your breath back from the concert you've just experienced. If this doesn't move ya you're already dead!!!