This is really cool where they have original concert footage of Elvis and then brought in the original musical performers and background singers to bring back a live Elvis. Lots of great songs on this DVD. A must for King fans!
Movie Reviews
Excellent Release
Lon S. Roberts | Atlanta, GA | 03/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"
Could've been one of the best Elvis DVDs...
elvistrek | Richmond, VA | 04/14/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Elvis Lives:
Pamela Matheson | Melbourne, Victoria Australia | 09/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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"
ELVIS TRIBUTE STARRING HIMSELF
Avalon Don | Huntington Beach, California United States | 04/08/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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"."
Elvis Presley
Anthony C. Saitta | Oceanside, NY | 03/06/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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.