Search - Elvis Presley :: Aloha From Hawaii - Via Satellite

ELVIS' LAST GREAT TRIUMPH

Kris Butts | 04/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Simply put, ALOHA never sounded better. This new version leaves the original in the dark ages. The mix is much better overall, and much fuller and spacious. You can actually hear everyone involved on the stage now...clearly. Also gone are the stupid fade outs and edits between songs as on the first disc. The part on this new disc where Elvis tells the crowd (after the band intros) that Jack Lord is in the house, and then he says-"Hawaii Five-O man!" is priceless. All the cover art and liner notes are better, and more fitting and classy. I do think that the guitars could have been brought out slightly more, on the rockers especially. But that's just my opinion, and overall I guess it's just nitpicking. The songs and performances are great.Especially..STEAMROLLER BLUES, BURNING LOVE, MY WAY, AMERICAN TRILOGY, SUSPICIOUS MINDS, SEE SEE RIDER, and YOU GAVE ME A MOUNTAIN. My only peeve here is the same as for most all of his 70's concerts. The way that Elvis just seemed to lose interest in most of his older songs, and the way he just tossed off throwaway versions of them a minute or so long with no real passion, as if he just wanted to get them out of the way. Then he would give everything he had to the newer stuff. Compare his performances of HOUND DOG or BLUE SUEDE SHOES here to the 1968-69 live versions. Nuff said! It just irks me when I hear these later tossoffs, and this applies here as well. Otherwise the whole event and this new and very much improved cd of it overall is FABULOUS, and the KING once again shows the world (literally) why he is the KING. John"

Aloha From Heaven

Mike Kurosky | Ft. Worth, Texas USA | 11/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As far as I am concerned this is THE event in music history. Never before or since has an entertainer captured the world as Elvis did in this concert. Elvis wanted to tour the world and see his fans all over and as it happens this was Colonel Parker's answer to Elvis' desire. Even though it was second rate to what Elvis wanted it turned out first class for the fans. It was a multi media event of historic proportion. Elvis Presley was the first and only entertainer to have enough draw to be televised live via satellite. There have been other events via satellite but it has always been multi-celebrity. Elvis was in top form physically and vocally. Surrounded by a full orchestra, a five piece band, a soprano singer and two successful backup groups Elvis once again proved he was King of the music world and better than anyone before or after him."

The fire burns brightest before it goes out

Mike Kurosky | 07/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Someone once said that the "fire always burns brighter, before it goes out." and regarding Elvis's career, and the "Aloha From Hawaii" concert, that certainly seems true.This concert was recorded in January of 1973, and is historic because it was the first live event to be broadcast live via satellite to such a large number of people. The number is legendary, approximately 1.5 billion people viewed this concert, and those that watched the concert will remember how good Elvis looked and sounded. Elvis dieted hard for this telecast, dropping approximately 15 lbs. he was also deeply tanned by the Hawaiian sun, like a championship fighter getting ready for his last title defense, Elvis (knowing how historic this event was) "trained" hard for the event and it showed.His voice was simply awesome that evening...what he may have lost in energy and vitality was easily compensated for, by raw power and sheer presence. Highlights of that show were "Steamroller Blues" "I'll Remember You", and a version of "An American Trilogy" which will literally cause goosebumps.This concert is also historic, because it chronicles entertainment's biggest star, on the eve of the twilight of his career. Although other great moments would be added to this storied career for the next 4 1/2 years, they would become less, and less as the years passed on. This concert was able to cement the foundation for a musical legacy that will never be matched.Highly recommended"