This rehearsal for Elvis Presley's historic January 1973 satellite broadcast, Aloha from Hawaii, provides a fascinating contrast to the better-known, often lionized TV concert. While minor technical glitches and a few bet... more »ween-songs remarks betray its run-through status, this performance trumps the broadcast in musical terms, its headliner more focused and vocally confident, his mood more relaxed and carefree alongside the next night's intermittent tensions. For loyal fans, it's a worthwhile companion; for more skeptical viewers, the rehearsal tapes underscore the mounting pressures, signaled the next night, that would soon pull the King inexorably from his throne. For video release, the program includes most of the pre-concert sequence seen on Aloha from Hawaii before cutting to the rehearsal footage. This is Elvis poised at a turning point, now far from the Memphis truck driver who metamorphosed into rock & roll icon 18 years earlier, sifting Vegas glitz and Hollywood drama into his show. The remarkable Presley stage band (boasting legendary guitarist James Burton) is reliably tight and powerful, and the song list is identical to the telecast, save for bonus tracks subsequently added to that program. --Sam Sutherland« less
"In January 1973, Elvis filmed his awesome Aloha From Hawaii TV show. THAT is the video to buy for a great look at Elvis. He plays the same songs as in this show, but he plays better in the real concert. Here, he is tense, boring, unprepared and stiff. He completely forgets "Burning Love," he has mistakes in a lot of his other songs, and he does LESS songs than in the live broadcast.The Elvis presented here is more along the lines of the 1977 Elvis, you know, the one who skipped verses of all the songs in "Elvis In Concert." 1977 brought a fat, nervous, unfun Elvis, much like the Elvis here -- nervous and unfun. Do yourself a favor and spare this for the TV broadcast. (I bought them both around the same time on VHS but could certainly live w/o this one.)"
Elvis: Alternate Aloha (VHS)
elvisfanglenn | N.C. United States | 12/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I own the VHS Video of Elvis: The Alternate Aloha. I own the original release of it. This is the second release of it. I'm so thankful that I got it when I did, cause the first release of it that I have, is unedited, uncut, nothing was taken out of the first issue of it that I have, but on this second issue of it, they edited out 2 very important songs; "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Johnny B. Good" because of legal issues. the 2 songs were up for renewal of contract and because of that, those 2 very important songs were edited out of the video. It's a Great Video, Awesome to say the least! Editing out those 2 songs did take away what Every Die-Hard Elvis Fan like myself should NOT be without, but they just did what they had to do by law. Anyway, This Video is just the greatest, even though they edited a few min. out. I MEAN THIS, "NO "TRUE" ELVIS FAN SOULD BE WITHOUT THIS VIDEO". If you are a "True" "DieHard" Elvis Fan like me, go ahead and order it!!Glenn-North Carolina"
Not Elvis at his best...
Julie A.K. Ross | 03/10/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I am going to have to disagree with the reviews of this so far. I, too, own the VHS version of this DVD and I was shocked the first time I watched it. I must add that I am also a die-hard Elvis fan and have been since I was a little girl in the 70's, so the 70's Elvis is the one I am most in tune with. I thought this performance was sloppy and I was saddened to see that Elvis was undeniably stoned during this performance. He looked glassy-eyed and was slurring his words. I was astonished to see how he pulled it together for the flawless official performance. Also, look closely and you will see they have girded him up for the satellite performance..it looks like he lost 15 pounds overnight. As you can tell, I have watched and analyzed the 70's Elvis and can always tell when he's not quite all there. So for Elvis fans, this is a must-see as it gives a glimpse of what was to come and gives an understanding of the life he was leading. For the average viewer, rent the official version."
A more relaxed Elvis
Julie A.K. Ross | 07/24/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I own this DVD along with the orginal Aloha from Hawaii. I prefer this one as Elvis seems more relaxed. Except for forgetting a few words in "Burning Love", he is superb both in voice and delivery of all of the other songs in this concert."
A MORE RELAXED ELVIS
Craig Newell | Las Vegas | 06/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I actually prefer this rehearsal to the original Live ALOHA broadcast. Elvis is more relaxed and loose compared to the official ALOHA Concert. One interesting note is that after this rehearsal, Elvis got a haircut for the live broadcast. His hair is much longer in this alternate version."