Elvis Comeback Special Box Set – by Preshias Harris for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
2018 marks the 50th anniversary
of one of the most iconic events in the history of rock and pop music. The
television event originally titled simply ‘Elvis’ soon became known as the ’68
Comeback Special.’ To mark the
anniversary, Legacy Recordings/Sony Music has released ‘Elvis: ’68 Comeback
Special: 50th Anniversary Edition.’
This 50th Anniversary Edition is
much more than simply a re-release of the original taped TV show. It’s a 7-disc
box set that includes the NBC-TV show, ‘Elvis,’ along with enough extra goodies
to keep any Presley fan enthralled for days. A total of seven discs includes 2
newly mastered Blu-ray discs with all-known recordings and rehearsals from the
RCA vaults and NBC’s videotapes, plus never-before released interviews and
out-takes.
It seems hard to believe now, but by early
1968, Elvis was depressed about the way his career seemed have plateaued.
Critics and fans felt the same way: since January 1967, only two of his eight
single releases had charted and didn’t even crack Billboard’s top twenty. He was
churning out movie after movie with ever-weaker storylines and largely
forgettable soundtracks. (The soundtrack album linked to the 1968 movie
Speedway stalled at number 82 on Billboard’s album charts.) Elvis’ frustration
can be felt during one point during the ‘Sit Down’ Show. Sitting in the round
with musicians that include his old buddies guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer
D.J. Fontana, surrounded by a small audience, Elvis stops a song to demonstrate
his famous ‘lip curl.’ “You remember
that don’t you?” he says with a resigned smile.
“I got news for you baby. I did 29 pictures like that.”
In addition to two ‘Sit Down’ Show
recordings, the Anniversary Edition features the full recordings from the two
‘Stand Up’ Shows. You can see Elvis in his element here. He has rediscovered the magic electricity
that first thrilled audiences during his early appearances on the Louisiana
Hayride but now he has the experience and self-confidence that was absent in
the nineteen-year-old Elvis. As Elvis finishes ‘All shook Up’ to rapturous
applause, he says, “It’s been a long time, baby.” This was his first live
performance since 1961 and he makes the most of it. It’s obvious that he’s
enjoying every minute and knows that he needs a live audience, not a movie
camera, to shine as an entertainer.
It’s worth noting that the video and audio
quality is superb throughout and at no point do you feel you’re looking at a
50-year-old tape. The song selection is unbeatable with live performances of
his biggest hits, some of his favorite Gospel songs – that’s Darlene Love
behind him – and just a couple of Christmas songs because the original show
aired on December 3, 1968. (We can be thankful that Elvis and the show’s
producer resisted manager Colonel Tom Parker’s original plan to make it simply
an hour of Christmas tunes.)
The TV show put Elvis back in the spotlight
and revived his career. ‘If I Can Dream,’ a song written specifically for the
show, reached number 12 and the show’s soundtrack album made it to the album
charts’ top ten. Elvis was back doing
what he did best and had never looked or sounded better.
‘Elvis: ’68 Comeback Special: 50th
Anniversary Edition’ is not just another re-tread or a musical curiosity. It is
a superb production that shows why Elvis Presley was – and still is – one of
music’s finest and most original performers. Now we can see him and hear him at
his best.
# # #