Search - Elvis - The Great Performances Box Set on DVD

Good rocking tonight in 5.1

Flipper Campbell | Miami Florida | 08/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These recycled and re-energized Andrew Solt videos distinguish themselves with an embrace of Evis Presley the performer, primarily in his raw, younger years. The hits are all here, coming back to life via a remarkable Dolby 5.1 audio mix that gets and deserves the "Rhinosonic" seal of approval. Purists have the option of a stereo (2.0) mix, but they'd be missing out on audio that gives this rock `n' roll music a fresh, wide-open feel -- room to twist and shout. 5.1 mixes often sound forced when delivering straight-ahead rock, soul or country, but a quick A-B comparison makes the choice an easy one. Bill Black's bass thumping through the subwoofer is a thing of sonic beauty. The videos do a decent job of telling the familiar tale of a Memphis truck driver and mamma's boy who ascended to pop fame matched only by the Beatles. The definitive look at Elvis' greatest year remains the docu "Elvis '56," but Solt too understands the thrill and the importance of Presley's breakout run. The images are all full screen. Quality of the footage ranges from ragged to pristine, with the criteria seeming to be quality of performance. Discs 1 and 2 of the set ("Center Stage" and "The Man and His Music") are narrated by Presley pal George Klein, who keeps the chatter to a minimum, letting the music flow. U2 singer Bono narrates Disc 3 ("From the Waist Up"), which focuses on Presley's seminal TV appearances in 1956 and '57. Bono has a lot more to say than Klein, of course, but most of it is interesting. "Waist Up" aired on VH1 a few years back. Easter eggs include Presley "jamming" with Liberace in a dressing room (no audio, alas) and a terrific "King Creole" trailer."

Decent Set, Nothing More

Julie A Ross | Pleasant Hill, CA United States | 10/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first two discs of this set are really good, with much material that I had never seen before. The problem comes with disc three. The narrator (Bono of U2) will not be quiet, and frequently disrupts the music. To make matters worse, many of the performances on disc three are repeats. Surely they must have tons of footage they've yet to show. This is a good set, and one that I'd reccommend despite of the flaws. They includde songs from Elvis' movies, lip-synch performances, TV appearances, and home movies. What more could you want?"

I should have listened!

D. R. Bulley | Midwest, USA | 04/29/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I should have listened to the Amazon.com reviews. Many of them said it looked like the same footage on each disc just from a different angle or a different song from the same concert. I didn't want to believe it but its true. However, I would recommend that you buy disc 1 and not the set. It is the best and captures every side of Elvis you will see in the other two. The version of "Unchained Melody" was fascinating. Not only was it very emotional and definitely touched me, but also shocking how heavy he was and was filmed just two months before his death. It may sound crazy but for me it was like a farewell song."

Elvis- The Great Performances- Three Disc Set

rabon quicksall | Tacoma, Wa United States | 08/29/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Each disc keeps repeating what has already been shown on the other disc. I was disappointed because of this. One disc should
have been devoted to his rise in stardom and the other two should
have featured performances of Elvis doing what he did best
"Entertaining"."