Memories: The '68 Comeback Special [Original recording remastered, Live]

Elvis Presley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 13, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 13, 1998
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered, Live
• Label: Bmg / Elvis
• ASIN: B00000D9VY
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,320 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Tiger Man presented the complete 8 p.m. show for the first time; this 2-volume set unveils a whole lot more-it's the most complete '68 Comeback Special collection ever! Included are five unreleased "Stand Up Show" songs, the complete "Sit Down Show" (with a whopping nine never-released performances) and a whole lot more-35 tracks in all! And three previously unreleased songs from dress rehearsals offer a rare glimpse of Elvis in preparation mode. A suitably majestic celebration for the 30th anniversary of one of the King's shining moments.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elvis rocks like only Elvis can, September 22, 2002

By 

D. McClure "Magnum Opus" (Wilmington, DE United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Memories: The '68 Comeback Special (Audio CD)

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.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sorry guys, but he WAS the King, September 13, 2000

By 

Greekfreak (Pusan Korea (South)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memories: The '68 Comeback Special (Audio CD)

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 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elvis's Renaisance, November 18, 2001

By 

John Peterson "bigtimemusiclover" (Marinette, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Memories: The '68 Comeback Special (Audio CD)

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.