Customer Reviews

One Night With You [VHS]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was extremely disappointed in the DVD. On the VHS version released years ago, there were two sessions--each with a different audience. The first session is loose, funny, and Elvis is obviously nervous. He then wants to play Scotty's guitar, but can't find a strap to hold the guitar while he stands up. There is joking around about this. He sends the first audience out with a comment that a second audience is coming in. There is disappointment in the group, to which Elvis answers, "Hey, I only work here!"

This entire first session is DELETED from the DVD version of "One night with you!" The DVD is only the second session, which has less energy, less FUN--there is no fooling around with the musicians on stage with Elvis. Elvis looks and sounds great, but the DVD is short and, in my opinion, cheats the buyer out of half of the black leather suit sessions. The VHS version is better in that it contains EVERYTHING--but then, DVD is DVD. Still, I'd rather watch the VHS version, even though I'm a die-hard advocate of DVD technology. It's just not enough Elvis on the DVD version, especially if you have the VHS version.

I don't know why EPE decided to delete one audience session (and couldn't get clearance for one of the songs--Are You Lonesome Tonight) for the DVD version.

If you're an Elvis collector, buy it knowing it is not complete; otherwise, I'd go find the old VHS version.

Summary: I was totally bummed out with this DVD. Elvis would not have liked what they did with cutting his performance either!

Elvis never looked or sounded better. Reunited with his original band from the Sun Studio days, Elvis sits in an informal "unplugged" style setting and rips through some of the classics that made him a star. He reaches back to his country/blues roots to bring out the raw power of the kind of rock and roll he created. He's at his best when he has to improvise, especially when he wants to stand but the mic is too low. Elvis is like a fighter trying to unleash the musical fury inside.

I have always been an Elvis fan. He was/is the greatest performer/singer that ever lived. The Beatles were great, and beyond all others in musical accomplistments, except for Elvis, who far outranks them. In this DVD, one is able to experience him in the "unplugged" setting with a few of his "friends", including Scotty Moore, & D.J. Fontana. I had not seen any of this show since I first experienced it in 1968. Back then, we thought that he did it just to put the Beatles, (then at the height of their influence), in perspective. He did that.

But while viewing the program last night, I realized some things that are apparent now to me, that I would not have taken note of back then. I was a little uncomfortable with the way that everyone with him was dressed in red jumpsuits, while obviously adhering to careful agreement to every word Elvis said. They were indeed, the "yes-men" that have been revealed so often in the literature written since his death. After all the technological advances since that time, it seemed strange to see him passing guitars back and forth to Scotty Moore. Fontana used a guitar case as a drum, which gave an annoying "cardboard" sound when the DVD stereo sound was used. If this was done today, there would no limitations observed in the quality of equipment used, even in an "informal-unplugged" setting. Elvis even sang the last song, "Memories", to what sounded like a karaoke tape being played off-stage. Today, there would have been an orchestra behind him for accompaniment. Also, the between song chatter would have been much better planned. At one point, Elvis made reference to the "Music of today", saying that he "liked" the Beatles, and another group,(I cannot remember), before adding "and the rest" in a very flippant, unimportant manner. He really seemed to me to be doing this show as if it had just been suggested to him an hour ago. There was almost no preparation at all.

Having said that, let me now say that he pulled it off wonderfully! ONLY Elvis could do a show in this manner, and have it be a classic! His impromptu singing was as remarkable as I remembered it to be. No human voice was ever as beautiful as his! My wife lived all her life in another country until she married me a few years ago, and she had NEVER seen him on video before, till last night. All she could talk about was how handsome he was! He sang one masterpiece after another, and ALL she could talk about was how "beautiful that man is!" Her face seemed glossed over thoughout the whole show, as if she had been hypnotized! She was STILL talking about his appearance when I left for work this morning!! I am not sure that I am comfortable with her reaction to him, even with him being dead!

There will never be another performer like he was, and this DVD is proof of that! As long as these films of him exist, there will be people wanting to experience watching him as he was in 1968. There has not been any performer to appear on the horizon of entertainment in the years since his death, that even remotely approach the charisma, and talent, of this man. This DVD is a treasure, and highly reccomended to most people.

I am not a big Elvis fan. But this tape is astounding. This is one of the most soulful, passionate performances I've ever heard by anyone. It belongs in the collection of anyone who really loves rock 'n roll.

This is the first sit-down session of two recorded by Elvis for his 1968 comeback special. The full audio of the second session is available on the CD "Tiger Man." This DVD is a must-have for any Elvis fan because it features The King singing and playing the guitar in a casual setting.

Elvis and the band sit in a circle flanked by a sedate audience (his vocals are not obscured by screaming women as usual). As you watch the show you can witness Elvis beginning the program nervous and tired, warming up as he progresses. This is most evident in the song "Baby What Do You Want Me To Do," which he sings quietly early in the performance and again in two reprises. By the third time Elvis has hit his stride, jamming his lead guitar and infecting the audience with vocals issuing from his soul.

He jokes with his band members, blatantly reads and makes fun of the script for the show, forgets the words to "Heartbreak Hotel," shares anecdotes about some of his earlier shows, and pokes fun at his trademark sneer.

The DVD offers two sound options off the main menu - the Surround Sound option actually draws attention to the shortcomings in the audio equipment used in the recording. I prefer to listen to the original Mono recording. If you are looking for high-quality sound, you had best purchase "Tiger Man," since it appears that some of the kinks from the first sitting featured in "One Night With You" were worked out before the second sitting.

I say this because I watch it over and over, loving it more and more each time. Elvis, dressed in black leather, rocks and jokes along with "That's All Right Mama," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Blue Suede Shoes" and many more classic songs from his early days. This, along with "Aloha From Hawaii" and "That's the Way It Is," is the greatest film ever. "There's something wrong with my lip...I did 29 pictures like that...'Elvis will talk about first record' (then someone in the audience says "a little late.") 'Elvis will talk about not being able to touch body with hands..." Only an example of the many jokes you'll uncover in this remarkable package. Elvis at his raw, undrugged, rockin' best; don't pass up this extraordinary concert. (NOTE: Get this instead of the DVD; it is a rip-off.)

THIS IS EXCELLENT QUALITY FOOTAGE, AND FOR ELVIS FANS ITS AN ABSOLUTE MUST SEE - THIS IS TAKEN FROM THE 68 COMBACK SPECIAL, BUT IS A CONDENSED POWERFUL PERFORMANCE - THIS IS ELVIS AT HIS ALL TIME BEST - THIS ONE YOU GOTTA HAVE - DONT PASS THIS UP -
IF YOU CANT DECIDE BETWEEN THE 68 COMBACK SPECIAL OR THIS, PICK THIS ONE - MRH

I have a collection of Elvis movies and of all his concert video's, this is one is my favorite. He's stunning singing his old classics, in a relaxed setting with his old band from the 50's. Looking awesome in his black leather suit, he really looks his best. I highly recommend this concert, and also Elvis-Thats the way it is.

It's way overpriced, poor value and there's a much better alternative from Amazon. As most reviewers have noted, Elvis did two sets in front of an audience and the "One Night with You" DVD is just one of them. Well, why not spend less than half the price of this DVD and buy the 3-DVD set that includes the 1968 comeback special, BOTH of the sessions that were edited for inclusion in the special AND two more DVDs of outtakes and alternate versions of other segments from the special? It's really overkill since the best material is on the first DVD, but this "One Night with You" DVD is a rip-off. Amazon sells the 3-DVD set for $40.00; "Used and New" copies start at less than $26.00. Do a search for "Elvis Comeback Special: Deluxe Edition" and be ready to buy the best of - and too much - Elvis!

I have read all of the reviews on the 1968 Elvis VHS tapes, they were never on the same tape, not entirely. The VHS version televised on ABC is called "Elvis: 1968 Comeback Special" It is mostly the polished version with big band music, however they did put in a couple of the 'Rehearsal' and was produced by ABC for VHS Video.

The "Elvis - One Night With You" was from the same studio, this version was done by HBO in one of the first 'Unplugged series', which had Elvis throughout the entire uncut session recorded by ABC. Here he is wearing his all black leather suit, it is more raw and as good as I have ever seen him, in fact I like this version much better than the ABC 'aired' Special with him doing several different styles and clothing changes.

HBO purchased the footage ABC never did show in 1984, and produced and released "One Night With You" in 1985, I have both original VHS tapes. I was looking for a DVD version as the VHS is beginning to degrade, but I would want it as is on the VHS and not altered in any way. Many of the reviewers here say that it is somewhat different, if so, I am not going to spend over $100.00, for something which has been changed. For less than the cost of this DVD, I can purchase the equipment to re-digitize the old VHS even in High Definition and look and sound as though it was just released with the sound re-done in Dolby Digital, 5.1 or 7.1 surround in 32 bit sound, just like you were sitting there.