What's your favourite: Aloha or rehearsal?

[rockinrebel]

I’ve always thought that the main show was a much stronger performance from Elvis, and I think the new edit of the show underlines that point.

It’s amazing to think that the two Aloha shows are the only complete Elvis concerts that are available to buy, and I think one of the reasons why many fans are drawn to the rehearsal show is because it is more reminiscent of a regular tour show. Elvis obviously wasn’t under the same sort of pressure as he would be during the main performance, and therefore despite the odd mistake, we see more of the little ‘in jokes’ that we as fans can identify with.


One of the great things about the new edit of the main broadcast is that this humour also comes through during the main performance, and despite the added pressure that we know Elvis was under, I was left with the impression that he was still enjoying the performance, and growing in confidence as the concert progressed.

[veronik]

As I've received the (amazing!) DVD-set of The Aloha, I could finally compare the differences between the Aloha, the rehearsal and the US tv version of The Aloha. During the rehearsal Elvis was much more loose, his hair was different (much blacker). But the 'real' Aloha is the real deal of course.

So what's your favourite Aloha version? The rehearsal? The 2004 re-edited version of the Aloha? Or perhaps the version of the Aloha that was broadcasted in the United States (with the multi-angle shots etc.)?

Please vote folks

The rehersal.I have both........the VHS and DVS.And I still like the rehersal better.I also like the end when Elvis is call to sing ...was it one or two more songs?anyways I like that part of the show.Elvis looks so handsome!!!Has anyone seing that part?

TCB
Veronik

[pacer1965]

In my opinion Elvis sounds much better in the Aloha from Hawaii concert than he does in the rehearsal concert. I have listened to these on many occasions on cd (as I'm sure alot of fans have) and I still like Aloha from Hawaii better. Elvis does seem more relaxed when you watch him in the rehearsal show though.But Elvis looks better in the Aloha from Hawaii show.

[JerryNodak]

I don't care for the rehearsal. It's Aloha for me.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

For me Aloha from Hawaii is split into two different era's, if you look at the rehearsal you see the 1972 look e.g. the on tour look, long hair and slender look, the actual Aloha show you see the Elvis from 1973-1974. It was never the same after the haircut. Might be just me

Matt

[pacer1965]

I voted for Aloha From Hawaii 2004.And I like Elvis' hair better in Aloha.I thought it made him look younger

[Scottishthistle]

Definately Aloha from Hawaii concert he was on top form!

[Davey]

My vote went to the 1973 tv version. Strange I know, but this was the 1st Elvis video I bought and may have even been the 1st video I bought overall. It has been a part of my life for 18 years now, and I'm just not as familiar with the rehearsal & the 2004 edit for it to overtake the original one. They are nice to have though.

[Mr. Songman]

I have a question about this....I noticed that Elvis said he was doing the broadcast show the next night and I read in the notes written by Dave Marsh that he did the broadcast show the very next night, but the dates in the booklet say the rehearsal was on Jan. 12 and the concert was on Jan. 14. I'm confused. Did he do the show the next night or 2 nights later??

He did the show the next night. However, it was after midnight when the show started, so that would have made the date January 14th.

[LeMond]

I like the original 1973 broadcast the best.
I especially love the split-screen montage that they did.
It's very retro and nostalgic. Love it !

[jason7890]

Having seen all versions now, cut, uncut, edited, re-edited, rehearsal, real thing etc. etc. etc. I'm split.
Some songs he did better in the rehearsal, some in the real thing. His hair looked better in the rehearsal, his face looked better in the real thing. He forgot an awful lot of lyrics in the rehearsal for which he apologized and during the real thing large cue cards were held up so he couldn't mess up, not that much anyway
So it's pretty much 50/50. I prefer my concert fave American Trilogy from the real thing, if only because that one has the best flute solo from all versions that I've heard of this song and Elvis is spot on in his delivery :worthy:

his hair looked terrible in the rehearsal probably why he had it restyled,
both performances are a bit lethargic but my vote is firmly with the aloha live broadcast, mountain, what now my love, trilogy, big hunk all spot on versions

[Elena/The Russian EP Fan Club]

I like both shows.

But I guess Elvis felt not well during Aloha rehearsal.

[Leroy]

Wow! A lot of different opinions. Here's mine. But first a little intro. A couple of years ago I watched "Aloha" right after "On Tour". That was a huge mistake on my side because "Aloha" disappointed and depressed me. In "On Tour" Elvis sparkled and was musically in top shape. In "Aloha" he was miles away, unsecure and his eyes didn't sparkle.

In those days I saw bits and pieces of the "Rehearsal Show" but always in a bad quality so it was hard to judge.
When the DVD box set came out I finally had the chance to compare.
I vote for the "Rehearsal". Pure personal reasons. I find the "Satellite Show" to stiff, too tight and sometimes too slick. In my opinion pure a marketing thing and it didn't had anything to do with the Elvis we knew. And he still had no spark in his eyes.
Besides I like the audio mix of the rehearsal better. More drums, more bass. More a concert instead of a performance. And I think the difference lies in that last line.
A concert is a happening while a performance is nothing more than perfection.
Okay, during the "Rehearsal" he mumbled, he stumbled, making a mistake and then making a face en get on with it. That's the Elvis I like.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

It's interesting to see the vote on this 21 v 22 so close to call

It would appear to split people right down the middle

Some Pictures to help decide!!

Rehearsal



Satellite Show



Matt

[P.S. Annie]

I vote for the "Rehearsal". Pure personal reasons. I find the "Satellite Show" to stiff, too tight and sometimes too slick. In my opinion pure a marketing thing and it didn't had anything to do with the Elvis we knew. And he still had no spark in his eyes.
Besides I like the audio mix of the rehearsal better. More drums, more bass. More a concert instead of a performance. And I think the difference lies in that last line.
A concert is a happening while a performance is nothing more than perfection.
Okay, during the "Rehearsal" he mumbled, he stumbled, making a mistake and then making a face en get on with it. That's the Elvis I like.

Well said That is exactly how I feel about it.

[rockinrebel]

The “Aloha” broadcast could never have been like “TTWII” or “On Tour”. In the case of the documentaries, if Elvis made a mistake or gave a bad performance he knew these bits would end up on the cutting room floor. Therefore, he was able to relax, enjoy himself and indulge in the little ‘in jokes’ on stage that we are now all familiar with.

“Aloha” presented and entirely different set of circumstances. The show went out live to a number of different countries worldwide, crossing different cultures and religions. Any off the cuff remark or gesture, which may have been seen as amusing in one part of the world, could also have been seen as offensive in another.

Therefore, Elvis toned his act down, and gave a more controlled performance, but because the show isn’t as exciting visually as say “TTWII” or “On Tour”, I think some fans underestimate just how well Elvis performed in the early hours of January 14th 1973.

Just take some of the performances in isolation for example:

“Steamroller Blues”
“You Gave Me A Mountain”
“It’s Over”
“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”
“An American Trilogy”

All great performances, and all recorded live in one take with an audience of millions watching and no margin for error. These are the points worth considering.

[Captain Elwood David]

RR has hit the nail squarely on the head.

Aloha - The Main Event, ....... was an exception & an exceptional venue. It's simply perfection on multiple levels.

The Rehearsal is not "better" per se, because it is just that - a rehearsal. Some great performances, yes, ....... a much looser Elvis, yes, ............ a more natural Elvis, yes, ......... a better reflection of reality, yes, ...... but, ....

Elvis' goal for The Main Event was P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N, .... and that's exactly what he gave.

As stated earlier, both are essential, mesmerizing, & I'm glad we have them now to enjoy in near perfect quality.

Aloha is one of the images that I prefer to remember Elvis best as & how he was. Quintessential 70's EP.

(Generally speaking: If any of us had been there in-person to witness, I highly doubt that any of the criticism I hear today of The Main Event ....... would or even could be uttered at that time - in reality. I think it is always best to keep things in there proper perspective ......... as RR has so aptly pointed out. Besides, ... Elvis just made it look easy - maybe too easy ........ )


- Capt. "EL."

[Joe Car]

I would say rockinrebel (as usual) hit the nail on the head. I do however love the rehearsal show as well, mistakes and all. The highlight to me of the rehearsal show was the incredible What Now My Love.

[P.S. Annie]

RR has hit the nail squarely on the head.

Aloha - The Main Event, ....... was an exception & an exceptional venue. It's simply perfection on multiple levels.

The Rehearsal is not "better" per se, because it is just that - a rehearsal. Some great performances, yes, ....... a much looser Elvis, yes, ............ a more natural Elvis, yes, ......... a better reflection of reality, yes, ...... but, ....

Elvis' goal for The Main Event was P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N, .... and that's exactly what he gave.

As stated earlier, both are essential, mesmerizing, & I'm glad we have them now to enjoy in near perfect quality.

Aloha is one of the images that I prefer to remember Elvis best as & how he was. Quintessential 70's EP.

(Generally speaking: If any of us had been there in-person to witness, I highly doubt that any of the criticism I hear today of The Main Event ....... would or even could be uttered at that time - in reality. I think it is always best to keep things in there proper perspective ......... as RR has so aptly pointed out. Besides, ... Elvis just made it look easy - maybe too easy ........ )


- Capt. "EL."

I can understand what your saying capt'n but for me Elvis is perfection, the man who could mess up things, who had fun while performing, had contact with the audiance. All these things I miss a little in the official show, and I understand why, but that is not the perfect Elvis for me.

[Captain Elwood David]

I can understand what your saying capt'n but for me Elvis is perfection, the man who could mess up things, who had fun while performing, had contact with the audiance. All these things I miss a little in the official show, and I understand why, but that is not the perfect Elvis for me.

I hear ya, PS. Annie .........

Just different perspectives, that's all.

As for me, ..... I'm a bit the opposite here. "On Tour" is great, so is TTWII SE, etc., ......... but I like The Main ALOHA Event precisely because EP has cut out all of the horseplay & is 100% seriously down to business for the entire concert; it's a nice change of pace to view sometimes. (EP was starting to let loose, however, there towards the end though ---> throwing water on Glen, It's still there, ..... they just cut it out.)


- Capt. "EL."