Reply With QuoteThis was a hard choice but I like Elvis On Tour the best. Cooler jumpsuites, newer songs, I just liked 1972 overall more than I like 1970 although I do like 1970 alot don't get me wrong.
Which show is you favourite?
68 Special - The King is back on form after years in the wilderness, the sit down show with Elvis Jamming with his buddies, the stand up show with Elvis in the retro leather suit or the the gospel show, not forgetting the fantastic finale with Elvis in the white suit singing "If I Could Dream".
That's The Way It Is - Back on the road, the King looking fantastic, a new routine a new look, the Jumpsuit making It's debut, behind the scenes rehearsals, a glimpse of Elvis as you had never seen him before.
Elvis On Tour - The Jumpsuits had taken on a new style and elivated the King on stage, there was something old something new, this was Elvis on the road away from Vegas pleasing the crowds as only he could.
Aloha From Hawaii - Perhaps this is the King at his Jumpsuited pinnacle, beamed around the world to millions of fans, this had never been done before and marked a point in his career that would never be surpassed. The Jumpsuit shouted out he was the King and proud to be American.
CBS Special - Perhaps not the defining moment of Elvis' career, but never the less shows us Elvis at his most vunerable where he bares his soul to us the fans to see. There are without doubt some highlights that every fan can share and empathize with.
Difficult to choose I knowbut we all have our favourites and this does not take anything away from the other, they all have there place and make the complete package. I look forward to your replies.
Matt
This was a hard choice but I like Elvis On Tour the best. Cooler jumpsuites, newer songs, I just liked 1972 overall more than I like 1970 although I do like 1970 alot don't get me wrong.
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
I love 1972.
So much energy in his concerts.
Even his studio recordings offer some excellent songs.
Would love to see a remake of Elvis on Tour.
A very hard choice...I voted for "Elvis On Tour" but just to choose something...I like all those shows because there was always something great and particular, especially in the Comeback and in TTWII....I like also the Aloha because of the atmosphere, the jumpsuit (more than the songs he choosed for the show).
It's a cruel question for a fan..
Last edited by ForeverTheKing; 03-25-2006 at 02:16 AM.
I've been watching the 77 special lately and find it oddly compelling. When I first watched it several years ago I found it quite sad and disturbing - but watching it now it's really inspiring. Obviously he's not in top form - yet this is still quite an entertaining show. To see Elvis' true spirit and determination shining thru his cloak of fat and mask of pain - what a showman, what a soul.
I'm not saying it's the best (indeed it's probably the worst of this list) yet right now it's my favorite.
TTWII has the king at his best. joking around, relaxed, and the electricity! Elvis is at his best, i would show this dvd to a non fan and i bet they would have their view changed. superb
sincerely, Scott, a 15 year old Elvis fan
prayers to Jackie my auntie in law, and R.I.P Charlie Hodge, both victims of cancer
That's The Way It Is will always be my favorite because that's what made me a Elvis fan
Great question...
TTWII is my favourite.
It basically introduced me to Elvis and has actually made many non-Elvis-fan people I know admire him! I think he felt under less pressure in TTWII than in the others and so he joked around a lot and was obviously enjoying himself. The very fact that he is enjoying it so much makes me love it to bits! I also think that you get to see Elvis, the man, doing his stuff, very clearly. The jumpsuits are great... my favourite will always be the concha... and he was completely and utterly drop dead gorgeous with the best fashion sense and look in the world! 1970 is my favourite overall Elvis year so yeah... it's TTWII for me. I'm amazed my copies of it haven't worn out I watch them so often!
However, I really do love the others. They're all fantastic and if TTWII wasn't there then I simply would not be able to choose.
Completely agreeOriginally Posted by amzietamzie
The Aloha rehearsal is IMO better than the live telecast more loose and relaxed, but I prefer the song lineup in TTWII as for the CBS it speaks for its self, not at his best but some fantastic moments. TTWII has all the ingredients coming together for me with the added bonus of it still being edgy and new........ The Ultimate performer.
its a hard choice but i would say thats the way it is.
totally in his prime.
still full of energy and excitement.
love all the songs and unlike most people i would rather watch the original and not the special edition.
i suppose because it holds a lot of memories for me.
does any one know what happened to the couple who got married on the original version i wondered if they stayed together?
I completely agree with you...Completely agree there is an energy throughout TTWII that is not there for various reasons in the others. Elvis On Tour has a feel of going through the motions and the eyes just have that spark missing! 68 Special pressure to come back but fantastic all the same, the sit down show is awesome.
The Aloha rehearsal is IMO better than the live telecast more loose and relaxed, but I prefer the song lineup in TTWII as for the CBS it speaks for its self, not at his best but some fantastic moments. TTWII has all the ingredients coming together for me with the added bonus of it still being edgy and new........ The Ultimate performer.
In the Comeback Special I think Elvis obviously, and rightly so, felt under pressure. He was making one of the most crucial and important performances of his life. Even in the sit down sections when Charlie is making jokes and he's with his friends just jamming, he somehow seems more restrained. I don't think he felt that he could mess around as much. The performances are absolutely stunning however and complete and utter evidence why he is the eternal King.
In EOT there are some spectacular performances and moments but sometimes I feel that Elvis is just going through the motions. He doesn't look as excited as in the other shows. However, American Trilogy, I Got A Woman, Bridge Over Troubled Water and so many more are fantastic and he did look healthy and his voice was absoluetely beautiful.
Aloha... well obviously he was under pressure- he was performing live to the world by satellite- the first time such a feat was ever accomplished in history! I also prefer the rehearsal- he looked more relaxed and seemed to interact with the audience more. His performances were amazing though. He completely took my breath away with every single song. But when I watch it, I can't explain it, but something seems to be missing...
EIC is a tricky one. It's an absolutely spectacular performance and Elvis should be proud of it- we all should. However, he does look ill and that really upsets me when I watch it. He still was stunning, beautiful, talented and produced some absolutely AMAZING performances but all the time at the back of my mind I can't help feeling such sadness. I got the feeling that he didn't really want to be there. The fact that he was and he did it to make us happy makes me enjoy it though. EIC is one amazing show in all and deserves far more care, love and recognition than it gets.
All in all... TTWII, to me, just has all the positives of all the others mixed into one brilliant show. The rehearsals and backstage footage are so revealing... the songs are pure perfection and he is enjoying himself. Elvis as a man just seems to jump off the screen and you feel him so much. He looked so happy and healthy and seemed to be really enjoying life and performing. It rubs off on me 100%... I seriously couldn't love a video more. I have both the SE and the original now and still want more!
I would have to say that every single one of these are great, and all of them have something to offer. But I voted for "Thats The Way It Is". Elvis is in tip top shape in every single way, and we see it in every performance both vocally, mentally, and physically. I think that sets TTWIS apart from all the others, because I dont think you can say that about any of the others.
On the hills of Georgia
Across the plains of Tennessee
I've seen and I've done most everything
That a man can do or see
A really nice post amzietamzie and pretty much sums up how I feel
Matt
Thanks!A really nice post amzietamzie and pretty much sums up how I feel
Once you get me started on the topic of TTWII, I can't stop!
I love the other shows, but TTWII shows Elvis at his absolute peak, he had no weakness during this stage of his career. Lets be honest, if we had to show a non Elvis fan film of EP performing in "a white jumpsuit", this would be the film 95% of us would choose.
The "sit down" portions of the 68 Special are my favourite. I can watch both performances all the way through without once gritting my teeth (OK: a slight lie -- Elvis trying for the high notes on "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" is awkward). Elvis is alive. More than alive, in fact -- he's on fire. He cannot be stopped. He wants to keep going and going. And he does. His magnetism leaps off the screen. His talent seems limitless. He goes from one song to the next with equal aplomb. This is a defining moment in his career and the history of popular music.
Things get hazy after that.
I take a mixture of good and bad from the other shows. It's all rather: apple and orangie.
I would have to say the 68' Special, but I haven't seen TTWII yet, but after all the comments on here about it, I can't wait to see it!
franny
You really need to watch TTWII Special Edition man, you are missing out on something.
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
The 68 comeback represents a singer at the peak of his career with the desire to show why he is the King , and TTWII represents the best 70s period in which Elvis sang songs old and new with such passion
I have to third this motion-I had been a fan since 1961 and did not realise how chrismatic he was, how talented he was, how funny he was until I saw this in 1970. He was at the top of his game-and he knew it. His performances were nothing short of brilliant. Saw it in 70 with friends who were not really fans and they gained a huge respect for him that they had not had before.Completely agree
The Aloha rehearsal is IMO better than the live telecast more loose and relaxed, but I prefer the song lineup in TTWII as for the CBS it speaks for its self, not at his best but some fantastic moments. TTWII has all the ingredients coming together for me with the added bonus of it still being edgy and new........ The Ultimate performer.
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