Customer Reviews

Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert "Live" From Memphis (DVD Amaray Packaging)

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

In the first few minutes of this DVD, I thought this was going to rank right up there with "That's The Way It Is: Special Edition" or "ELVIS: '68 Comeback Special-Deluxe Edition" but disappointment soon set in.

You see, there's a nice bonus feature (38 minutes) where Ronnie Tutt, Joe Guercio, and Joe Moscheo tell some great stories about their experiences with Elvis, as well as the making of this show. Gordon Stoker from the Jordanaires is there, too, but seems more interested in keeping the spotlight on himself. Anyway, it's a cool bonus feature...but...

They have also spliced portions of this reminiscing segment into the actual concert! And not just between songs (as was done with the original "That's The Way It Is") but DURING songs! It's horribly distracting and for me nearly ruins what could have been such a wonderful DVD.

The 1973 Aloha footage blends so nicely with the 2002 concert footage that the illusion can take you in very easily. It seems like Elvis is there with them!

Unfortunately, they used some really low-quality video footage for the "That's The Way It Is" segments. Much better video quality exists for the "That's The Way It Is" performances, such as on the Special Edition version, so I'm not sure why a somewhat blurry source is used here. This takes away from the illusion a bit, but not nearly as bad as people interrupting to talk in the middle of a song.

A few of the Elvis performances on this DVD are not officially available elsewhere on DVD. They are 1970's "Are You Lonesome Tonight" (cut from "That's The Way It Is: Special Edition" DVD)--somewhat ruined by an interruption as described above, 1970's "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" (available only on "Elvis: The Lost Performances" VHS), and 1972's "How Great Thou Art" (also available only on "Elvis: The Lost Performances" VHS)--interrupted for Stoker to tell a myth.

Here's the full track listing of the concert portion:

Aloha 1973
1.) Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)
2.) See See Rider
3.) Burning Love
4.) Welcome To My World
5.) I Can't Stop Loving You
6.) Steamroller Blues
7.) Johnny B. Goode (has a cool bit of extended "live" solos but they of course interrupt it to explain this)
8.) You Gave Me A Mountain

Vegas 1970
9.) That's All Right
10.) You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
11.) Mystery Train/Tiger Man
12.) Just Pretend
13.) Are You Lonesome Tonight? (including "...do you gaze at your bald head and wish you had hair...")
14.) Walk A Mile In My Shoes
15.) In The Ghetto
16.) Polk Salad Annie
17.) Bridge Over Troubled Water
18.) The Wonder Of You
19.) Suspicious Minds

Aloha 1973
20.) I'll Remember You
21.) A Big Hunk O' Love
22.) My Way

23.) How Great Thou Art - Hampton, VA 1972
24.) If I Can Dream - The Comeback 1968

Aloha 1973
25.) An American Trilogy
26.) Can't Help Falling In Love

This is a great show and must be something to see live (especially since the songs won't be interrupted). All of the performances here, from Elvis to the band to the background vocalists, are top-notch. The sound is usually wonderful.

I could have lived with interruptions between songs, but not during them. Instead of being a DVD I'd play several times a year, I'll probably play this once every couple years as a novelty. A real shame, as this kind of release is not likely to get a redo.

I was at the 1997 show and the 2001 show in Memphis. They were great. This DVD captures the essence of the "Elvis the Concert" shows and does so with great sound and in great picture. Honestly, watching it is very close to being there in person. Elvis never sounded better. I wish they would release a companion CD. It's great seeing Elvis players together again and as brilliant as ever. This is a great release. Thank you EPE for putting it together and finally releasing it to the public. What strikes you is just how timeless Elvis and his music really is. No other singer could do a show like this and seem as fresh and modern as Elvis does. This DVD won't disappoint. Elvis lives!

This DVD is Awesome: The production is fantastic:
It crosses from shots of Elvis & his entourage from previous performances all those years ago to them performing live on stage in 1997 with Elvis up on the Big Screen makes it so very real as if he is actually there live on stage:
The Camera work, musical blending leaves you feeling as if you are in the very front Row and Elvis is singing to only you!

Its a must have for any Elvis Fans collection: I was actually present at that concert in the Pyramid Coliseum in 1997 it was mind blowing then and this Dvd is just as mind blowing for any devoted Elvis Fan

This is a reunion of Elvis Presley's 1970's band playing live in concert with The King on the big screen singing the vocals. On this night the old group, orchestra and back-up singers including the 1950's Jordanaires deliver a powerful performance. The featured musician is guitarist James Burton who is ON. Collectively they keep right in time which is not an easy task when the singer is not really present. The 5.1 channel surround sound brings Elvis Presley to the 2000's. The high point is the moving ballad "American Trilogy". The film clips are taken from his Hawaii concert, Las Vegas shows, "1968 Comeback Special" ("If I Can Dream") and "On Tour". The live audience in Memphis is up for the occasion. However this DVD is not for everyone. The camera shots hold on his band only 1 to 3 seconds average time showing them also in the 1970's and this 1997 concert. Elvis the star gets mixed in between on the big screen at the show and in full format. The presentation comes off like an MTV video concert. Being a fan of Elvis since the 1950's, I own numerous Presley live DVD/Videos. I would rank "Elvis Lives" fifth behind in order: "1968 Comeback Special Deluxe", "That's The Way It Is", "Aloha Deluxe" and "Elvis 56". It makes for a good addition for established Presley fans who can handle the quick shot format and younger fans who embrace these type presentations. "Elvis Lives" is a spirited tribute to his last decade not his whole career. Rockabilly purists would best begin with Presley's 1950's live CD's/DVD's before purchasing this show because the only driving "Sun" rocker on this set is the medley "Mystery Train/Tiger Man".

We are also watching this on our pbs station and it is great. My husband and I are real big Elvis fans and when he heard this would be on he started to tape it and then I decided to go on line to find and here it is on Amazon. I can't wait to get the dvd and watch it without the money donation interuptions. What a great show.

I too sayw this on PBS and then bought it. Really COOL!! A must have for the Elvis DVD collection. It is neat to see the younger generation getting to see what the King is all about while using a bit different band style. Fun to watch and worth the time at the least.

For those of us who never saw Elvis live, I guess this is the closest we will ever come. Elvis looks great and sounds even better. The band sounds good and it's a little emotional when toward the end of the show when they play "How Great Thou Art" and "American Trilogy". The picture quality is great except for the video footage of Elvis in 1970. For some reason, the video quality is barely average for the 1970 shows. On the plus side, the sound is really good and all of the Aloha video footage is really great quality. This is sort of a DVD "jukebox" for Elvis videos in the 70's. People really don't understand how good he really was until they see this video. For example, most folks don't even know that Elvis sang "Brige Over Troubled Water" in 1970. His version is AWESOME and blows away Simon and Garfunkle's version. The version of Suspcious Minds on this DVD is the very best version as well and the song ends with Elvis doing the coolest moves of his career at the end of the song--shaking his shoulders/chest in tempo with the drums. Cool stuff really. "In the Ghetto" is also great. This is a DVD you will play over and over agan and it's worth the small price. I stay in shape watching this video. I get on my treadmill and run while I'm watching the video.

There are really too many highlights to mention. If you are an Elvis fan, this DVD is essential. If you are not an Elvis fan, this DVD should convert you. I would like to attend the 30 year show in Memphis now. That sounds like fun.

I was very surprised to see how this show was produced. You actually had the feeling of being at a real Elvis show! Having live singers and performers was truely unique. For those of us not fortunate enough to have seen Elvis in person, this show gave us a brief glimpse at how the experience must have felt!

It's great to see all the original performers in real time, but there is no comparison to the original 'Aloha' concert

If you have not bought this and are awaiting a bit of information that "tips the balance" then my recommendation is DO NOT FAIL YOURSELF! BUY THIS SUPERB DVD".
I know this is one of those that will get played and played and played. Some of the tracks were so thrilling it was like discovering Elvis all over again. GO for this one if your a fan of the King. Buy it for a friend or loved one who is a fan. Buy it for yourself to find out why people are fans of Elvis Presley. Rock ON!