Review | Elvis Presley: Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite
Source: Cinema Sentries
March 29, 2013
There are a number of reason this set is a 'must' for Elvis fans, but the biggest is that it collects everything that was recorded for that momentous occasion in one set. First and foremost is the remixed edition of the original 24-track double-LP Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite. That album and show is deservedly famous, but this set also includes the not-so-well-known concert recorded on January 12, 1973.
Leaving nothing to chance, Elvis performed a 'full dress rehearsal' concert on January 12, which was kept as a backup, just in case there were any problems with the big satellite broadcast to follow. Things went perfectly though, so what came to be called The Alternate Aloha stayed in the can for the next 15 years. With the eternal interest in all things Elvis, RCA released The Alternate Aloha in 1988. And now, for the first time, both shows are available together in this ultimate Aloha set. You may note the discrepancies in the above dates, with the shows being in January, but not aired in the United States until April. While the concert was broadcast live via satellite to most of the world, it was held back for nearly four months in the United States. That was because at the time, Elvis On Tour was playing in movie theatres, and Colonel Tom Parker did not want to cannibalize ticket sales by airing Aloha on TV until after the film had run its course.
When it did air, it was a very exciting event. I'm giving my age away somewhat by saying I do remember it. Of course at the time, my musical taste veered a little more to The Partridge Family than Elvis, but I certainly enjoyed it. To tell the truth, what I remember most was his incredible outfit, and how exciting it all was. You could feel it, and even though I only knew a few of the songs, the whole spectacle was something that stayed with me over the years.
I never bought the album though, so hearing this set is really the first time for me in nearly 40 years. I must say the electricity in the air still comes through as strong as ever. Elvis used the dramatic 'Also Sprach Zarathrustra' as his opening music, and it really sets the stage. As the music builds, the audience just roars, and it is still as exciting as ever.
The first song is 'See See Rider' and Presley is in top form. The original 1973 double-vinyl album contained 24 tracks, which the first CD duplicates. The second, Alternate Aloha disc contains that previously mentioned 'dress rehearsal' show, plus five bonus tracks. This is where things get interesting. There are a couple of differences between the two concerts. For one thing, the January 12 show featured 22 rather than 24 tracks. But there are five more songs that were recorded for the U.S. broadcast after the main event which did not appear on the original vinyl set. After the big show, Elvis and the band recorded 'Blue Hawaii', 'Ku-U-I-Po', 'No More', 'Hawaiian Wedding Song', and 'Early Morning Rain.' These were only shown on the April 4th American telecast, and left off of the original double-LP. They were appended to the CD reissue of Aloha From Hawaii in 1998.
So with this Legacy release, we get a grand total of 51 tracks, and it is all top-flight Elvis material. The main body of both concerts are nearly identical, with a couple of exceptions. Classic Elvis hits such as 'Hound Dog', 'Burnin' Love', and 'Suspicious Minds' were performed at both shows, as well as some great covers. The first of these was his version of George Harrison's 'Something.' Elvis delivered this great song with everything he had, and I'll bet even the ex-Beatle was impressed with it.
Other highly notable covers include 'Welcome To My World', 'My Way', and 'Fever.' As noted, the January 12 concert contained 22 tracks, and the January 14 one boasts 24. The broadcast concert actually features three songs that were not performed at the dress rehearsal, 'Johnny B. Goode', 'I Can't Stop Lovin' You', and 'Medley: 'Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.' The 22nd track on the Alternate Aloha is 'Closing Riff', which really does not qualify as a 'song', but that is where the number 22 comes from.
To get technical about it, there are really only 19 songs on the Alternate, as the 'Introduction' ('Sprach Zarathrustra'), 'Introductions by Elvis', and 'Closing Riff' are not really Elvis songs, but are tracks on your CD. There is no 'Closing Riff' on Via Satellite, so the actual number of Elvis songs on that one is 20. Got it? Nit-picky stuff really, but those are the major differences.
The most important point is that Elvis was in excellent form during both shows, and it most definitely comes through here. Presley's huge fan-base is kind of a pre-sold audience, so in closing I would like to address the average Joe. Like myself, really. I have always liked him, but would never be considered among the 'fanatical' members of his audience. Still, I find this to be an excellent 'one-stop' for two great performances of The King playing live. It was a major event, and deservedly so.
I am not going to say that Aloha From Hawaii is all the Elvis you need, because that would be silly. For 'live' Elvis though, the argument could be made (for those on a limited budget at least), that this one would suffice. There is no question that this is the definitive edition, and Elvis Presley was absolutely in top form on both nights. For the curious, Aloha From Hawaii is not a bad place to start to see for themselves just what all the fuss was (and remains) all about. Long live the King.
Buy Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite 2 CD Set
Review by Greg Barbrick, Cinema Sentries.
Disc 1: The 'broadcast' [second] show recorded January 14, 1973
Selections: 1. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey), 2. See See Rider, 3. Burning Love, 4. Something, 5. You Gave Me A Mountain, 6. Steamroller Blues, 7. My Way, 8. Love Me, 9. Johnny B. Goode, 10. It's Over, 11. Blue Suede Shoes, 12. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, 13. I Can't Stop Loving You, 14. Hound Dog, 15. What Now My Love, 16. Fever, 17. Welcome To My World, 18. Suspicious Minds, 19. Introductions by Elvis, 20. I'll Remember You, 21. Medley: Long Tall Sally/ Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, 22. An American Trilogy, 23. A Big Hunk O' Love, 24. Can't Help Falling In Love.
Disc 2: The 'dress rehearsal' [first] show recorded January 12, 1973
Selections: 1. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey), 2. See See Rider, 3. Burning Love, 4. Something, 5. You Gave Me A Mountain, 6. Steamroller Blues, 7. My Way, 8. Love Me, 9. It's Over, 10. Blue Suede Shoes, 11. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, 12. Hound Dog, 13. What Now My Love, 14. Fever, 15. Welcome To My World, 16. Suspicious Minds, 17. Introductions by Elvis, 18. I'll Remember You, 19. An American Trilogy, 20. A Big Hunk O' Love, 21. Can't Help Falling In Love, 22. Closing Riff , Bonus songs: 23. Blue Hawaii, 24. Ku-U-I-Po, 25. No More, 26. Hawaiian Wedding Song, 27. Early Morning Rain.
Buy Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite 2 CD Set
Elvis Presley | A Musical Prodigy
Elvis' musical style, as a musician and impact as a vocalist and stage performer
The Fifty Voices of Elvis Presley
1977 CBS TV Special
Elvis Presley | Hawaii | January 14, 1973
Jack Lord and Elvis Presley
Interview with Aloha From Hawaii producer, Marty Pasetta
When Elvis Said 'Aloha' From Hawaii, The World Watched
Mindy Campbell 'Aloha' flight attendant remembers Elvis 1973
Kui Lee Cancer Fund
Beyond The Reef | The Elvis Presley Hawaii Connection
Elvis Presley in concert, Hawaii November 10, 1957
Elvis Presley Honolulu Stadium, Hawaii November, 10 1957
Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite | Fact & Fancy
Aloha From Hawaii Press Conferences | 1972
Elvis Presley | Aloha From Hawaii Press Conference: September 4, 1972
Aloha Press Conference: September 4, 1972
Elvis Presley | Aloha From Hawaii Press Conference: November 20, 1972
Aloha From Hawaii | The Concerts
Elvis Presley | Arriving In Hawaii: January 9, 1973
Elvis Presley | Aloha From Hawaii Rehearsal Concert: January 12, 1973
Elvis Presley | Receiving an award, backstage: January 13, 1973, before his Aloha Concert
Elvis Presley | Aloha From Hawaii January 14, 1973
Aloha From Hawaii | The Reviews
Gold Crown awarded to 'King' Elvis | Review Aloha From Hawaii
Elvis Presley | 1973
January
Elvis Presley Hawaii | January 9, 1973
Elvis Presley Aloha From Hawaii Rehearsal Concert | January 12, 1973
Elvis Presley Hawaii | January 13, 1973
Elvis Presley Aloha From Hawaii | January 14, 1973
Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite | Fact & Fancy
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | January 22, 1973
The Elvis Presley Hawaii Connection
February
Elvis Presley and Jack Lord | Las Vegas | February 10, 1973
Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali | February 14, 1973
Elvis Presley Las Vegas | February 18, 1973
Amazing Grace | Elvis Presley's Hilton suite, Las Vegas, NV | Friday, February 23, 1973
April
Elvis Presley Phone Bill | April 2, 1973
Elvis Presley April 22, 1973 (3:00 pm). Phoenix, AZ.
Elvis Presley April 24, 1973 | Anaheim, CA
Elvis Presley April 26, 1973 | San Diego, CA.
Elvis Presley April 28, 1973 | (3.00 pm) | Spokane, WA.
Elvis Presley Center Arena, Seattle, Washington | April 29, 1973
Elvis Presley with fans after arriving at the Seattle airport | April 29, 1973
June
Elvis Presley Municipal Auditorium | Mobile AL | June 20, 1973
Elvis Presley 3pm Long Island Ny | June 23, 1973
Elvis Presley Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale | June 24, 1973
Elvis Presley Cinncinnati, OH. | June 27, 1973
Elvis Presley Atlanta | Omni Coliseum | June 29, 1973
Elvis Presley Atlanta | Omni Coliseum | June 30, 1973
July
Elvis and Lisa Marie Presley | Atlanta | July 1, 1973
Elvis Presley Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee | In Concert | July 1, 1973
Elvis Presley Atlanta | July 3, 1973
August
Elvis Presley The King's Court fan club | August 31, 1973
September
Elvis Presley September 3, 1973 | Caught In A Trap
Tom Jones and Elvis Presley shake hands | On stage, September 4, 1973
October
Elvis and Priscilla Divorce Court Appearance | October 9, 1973
CD Releases
Elvis (Fool) FTD Special Edition 2 CD
Raised On Rock - FTD Special Edition 2 CD
CDs | In Concert
FTD Soundboard Recorded Concerts
FTD Stereo Recorded Concerts
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.