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18 of 18 found the following review helpful:
Elvis rocks like only Elvis canSep 22, 2002
By D. McClure
"Magnum Opus"
Just for truth's sake, on disc 1, Elvis was not singing to taped music (or karaoke as it was condescendingly referred to), it was done live - I've SEEN THE OUTTAKES. You can see the band, and you can see if he makes a mistake the band stops. The only part that the vocals were dubbed were the story sequences, for obvious resons. He also jams with the band for a while during the stand up part playing lead electric blues guitar. You'd be surprised how good he really was on the guitar, no hendrix, but definately a Neil Young. I heard Elvis do guitar solos, oh yeah, the boy can play. And also, he has SO MUCH ENERGY on disc 1 it's mind-blowing. The sound quality is crisp, the bass is pumping, and Elvis vocals portray him as the grass-roots blues singer he is. Another thing is, you get a good glimpse of Elvis' sense of humor in this 2-disc set, which is good for seeing his humanity. That today a singer who gets involved with drugs is pitied and coddled, and Elvis gets called childish names is beyond me, but that's how comfortable it is to agree with a stereotype. Well, no stereotype here, you will hear why Elvis will remain the #1 Artist of all time.
17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
 Sorry guys, but he WAS the KingSep 13, 2000
By Greekfreak
Essentially this album is two parts--the over-the-top concert section where Elvis is pacing back and forth, and the unplugged set on the 2nd disc, which is pretty much the only thing that recommends this album.Don't get me wrong, his voice hit its peak around this time--just compare the strength of these renditions to the 50's and 60's master recordings; you'll find there's no comparison. But the first disc is ruined by anemically taped music which is no more than Elvis doing Karioke. The song selection isn't bad; ditto the gospel medley. But disc one is NOT Elvis at his best. Disc two, on the other hand, is the killer. It's far from perfect, filled with humour, and proves that all you need is heart and soul (you either got it or you don't) to make an audience feel what's real. Sparse acoustic guitars and just Elvis' voice make this disc kicking beyond belief, especially 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy', 'One Night', 'Baby What You Want Me To Do', and especially 'Love Me'. 3 stars for the first, 5 for the second, which is why this is only a 4 star rating.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Elvis's RenaisanceNov 18, 2001
By John Peterson
"bigtimemusiclover"
For those who were paying attention, Elvis's music in the sixties were mostly confined to soundtrack recordings which were some of the lamest to be ever issued on vinyl, which is what makes his comeback so remarkable. This was no special where Elvis is crooning Christmas carols (which is what Colonel Parker wanted in the first place). This was do or die for Elvis's future to be taken seriously as an artist. It's hard to imagine what direction Elvis would've taken had this comeback special flopped. Fortunately (for him and for fans all over the world) it didn't. The first disc concentrates on the elaborate production numbers. Although it loses some of its luster without the visuals, there are some fine moments here; "Trouble/Guitar Man" is a terrific opening number (in my mind Elvis rocks harder here than the King Creole version), and the gospel medley, "Memories", and "If I Can Dream", to name but three songs, are as moving as anything Elvis recorded up to this point. The second disc features the informal "ringside" concert sequence and it is as incredible and soulful as other reviewers have alluded to. The same thing can be said really about the whole package. (So is the video of this program, which I also totally recommend.) For Elvis diehards, this is an absolutely essential 2-CD set. But even if you're not don't let this stop you from enjoying the moment when Elvis stopped singing appalling junk for equally appalling movies by laying his (artistic) life on the line and truly recapturing the "Keys to the Kingdom". Peace.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Welcome to NBC and the Elvis Presley Special!Jan 07, 2007
By Johnny Heering
"trivia buff"
This is a two CD set by Elvis Presley devoted to what is popularly known as "The '68 Comeback Special". It was a television special that aired on NBC in 1968. The "comeback" part refers to where Elvis' career was prior to the special. He had been making a lot of bad movies, and he hadn't had a Top Ten hit since "Crying in the Chapel" three years earlier. The special featured a mixture of production numbers and live performances in front of a small studio audience.
Disc 1 begins with the show's opening production number, a medley of "Trouble" and "Guitar Man". Then we get the songs from the "stand up" performances. No, this isn't Elvis doing stand up comedy. It is a live performance of Elvis singing some of his biggest hits with a full orchestra. There were two of these "stand up" shows, and the CD features the "best" performances from them. For the most part, these are great, but "Blue Suede Shoes" doesn't really work with the big arrangement it's given here. Next, all nine minutes of the production number called the "Gospel Medley" is featured. Then we get "Memories", which was the second single released from the show. Next, "A Little Less Conversation", which was recorded for the show but not used (a remix of this song became a big hit just a few years ago). Then the production number called the "Road Medley" is featured, appearing for the first time in all it's 15 minute glory. The first disc closes with "If I Can Dream", the great first single from the special.
Disc 2 leads off with three songs from the "dressing room rehearsals", where Elvis and his friends work out what they want to do for the "sit down" shows. Speaking of which, one of the complete "sit down" shows is next, and makes up the bulk of the disc. There were two "sit down" shows filmed, and the other one is featured on a CD called Tiger Man. These shows were designed to feature Elvis in an intimate setting, playing songs with his buddies and joking around. The instrumentation is sparse, with Elvis on guitar supported by his original guitarist Scotty Moore, his first drummer D.J. Fontana (banging on a guitar case), his pal Charlie Hodge on guitar and his movie stunt double Lance LeGault on tambourine. Elvis is clearly having fun here, and it's a real treat to listen to, mistakes and all. The CD ends with the version of "If I Can Dream" that Elvis sang live to end the show.
This set features some of the best performances of Elvis' career. He sounds invigorated throughout, and his enthusiasm shines through to the listener. This is truly a "must get" for any Elvis fan.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
****1/2. Presley at his bestNov 11, 2004
By Docendo Discimus
This two-hour reissue is sort of a companion volume to MCA's September, 1998 disc "Tiger Man", which contains the complete set from the second of two concerts given by Elvis Presley on June 27, 1968.
It is pretty much just an expanded version of the original "NBC TV Special" album, featuring almost two dozen previously unreleased takes, including several alternates, which means that "Baby, What You Want Me To Do" is here in five (!) different versions.
That may be a bit too much for some, but the quality of the music is high all the way through. I am particularly fond of the tunes recorded with just a small group which includes 50s band members D.J. Fontana and Scotty Moore, and it is very enjoyable to hear Elvis Presley playing and singing with such conviction...he even plays a pretty mean R&B-styled rhythm guitar!
A must-have for Elvis fanatics, casual Elvis fans should also find this 35-track double CD to their liking. Most of the best-known classics are here, including "Heartbreak Hotel", "That's All Right Mama", "Jailhouse Rock", "Trying To Get To You", "Hound Dog" and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", as well as several slightly lesser-known (but often very fine) songs, such as "One Night", "Guitar Man" (in a medley with "Trouble"), and "When It Rains It Really Pours".
I don't own very many Elvis Presley-albums, and I'm not really that big a fan. But if you only ever get one Elvis-CD, make sure you get either this one or the original NBC Comeback Special soundtrack. This is Presley at his best and most accessible.
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