The legendary TV Special filmed on Elvis Presley’s last concert tour has now been released on DVD. This new remastered edition is the best DVD version that has surfaced so far according to the update on Elvis Unlimited.
Synopsis:
“We’re here to entertain you, and to make you happy. So just enjoy yourself, and leave the driving to us” said Elvis to an adoring crowd on his last tour. Elvis had been doing just that for over 20 years - entertaining his fans and making them happy.
Two shows were filmed by CBS on what was to be Elvis’ last concert tour. The June 19 appearance in Omaha, Nebraska and the June 21 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Only three songs were used from the Omaha performance in the final special, which was broadcast on October 3, 1977.
“If you haven’t guessed by now, you’re on television” Elvis said with a characteristic grin to the audience at the June 21 show. “Don't let the lights and cameras throw you, and try not to throw the lights and cameras if you can help it.”
Elvis In Concert was Elvis’ first filmed production in four years after the blockbuster Aloha From Hawaii television special. The contrast in his appearance between the two shows is striking. He was obviously way overweight, said Elvis’ friend Joe Esposito, a few years after Elvis’ death.
Although he did look ill during the filming was the magic still there. Elvis was also still singing great! Just hear Elvis singing thru touching and powerful performances of songs like How Great Thou Art and his latest RCA single Hurt.
Chapters:
Elvis Fans Comments
Getting Ready For The Show
Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey)/Opening Riff
See See Rider
That’s All Right
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
Teddy Bear, (Let Me Be Your)/Don't Be Cruel
Elvis Fans Comments
You Gave Me A Mountain
Jailhouse Rock
Elvis Fans Comments
How Great Thou Art
Elvis Fans Comments
I Really Don't Want To Know
Elvis Introduces His Father
Hurt
Hound Dog
My Way
Can't Help Falling In Love
Closing Riff/Interview With Elvis’ Father
Special Message From Elvis’ Father
Playing time 55 min.
Director: Dwight Hemion Writer: Annett Wolf
Elvis In Concert – 30 Years Anniversary DVD Edition Out Now
October 05, 2007 | Video
Sean Ryan wrote on
October 05, 2007
Well there's an old saying 'Never judge a book by its cover' but in this case i will.Even though its a DVD the cover says this should be avoided.Maybe if the makers would have a spent some more money on a decent cover this might improve the sales.Not getting my money im afraid.
Harvey Alexander wrote on
October 05, 2007
Another get rich quick product from Denmark. Seems like an unlimited amount of this stuff comes from the same source.
byebye wrote on
October 05, 2007
Allthough I do like this special for numerous reasons, this blurr cover sucks and gives a more depressed and unnecessary dramatic image to a content that´s on the contrary funny and filled with a lot of heart. Those Danish proffessionals...
Palle wrote on
October 06, 2007
Heck, I have a version of this special on my computer, however if it is in good quality then I'll buy it as I want to own it on a dvd; but god darn it -- I can't compare the quality
Mystery Rider wrote on
October 06, 2007
Well I guess this must be shown to all who have not seen it, i do want to remember Elvis in a different light . and EPE by hiding it is just not showing the end of a life story. Yes he was Fat yes he looked bad however it is part of what he was, remember him as you will. To me he will always be the man who put our music on the world map.
Elvisnites wrote on
October 06, 2007
We followed him through thick and thin. As he said himself-its hard to live up to an image.
TupeloJak wrote on
October 06, 2007
Love to see this done properly for once.....I don`t think it would have seemed so bad from the very start if it hadn`t been so poorly made.....love to see it released with the full shows,backstage footage...the whole works. It has been well documented that Elvis was in poor health,and that many of his shows from this time were well below par.....but for me many of the performaces had a charm of their own....nobody likes being overweight and not looking their best...I admire the mans courage....right or wrong,better or worse he did what he did.......and I am grateful for all of it....So can I pleeeeaaaase have the three disc,remastered,complete "Elvis In Concert"??!!!....Are you reading this Santa?!!
Jerome wrote on
October 06, 2007
I'm really happy they left in the fan comments.. anyone agrees ? :-))))
JerryNodak wrote on
October 07, 2007
I watched this special when It first aired on CBS in October of '77. I didn't expect Elvis to look good, but still I was stunned, saddened. I don't wish to view this ever again. No matter the format or quality.
Steve V wrote on
October 09, 2007
Im with Jerry Nodak on this. Dont need to see Elvis in all his Sundial suit glory staring out at customers from any store's DVD shelf. I can hear the critics now with their comments. I dont agree with those that say Elvis was brave to go ahead and do this TV show. Quite the opposite. He should have been brave enough to tell the old fat bastard I quit and I am not doing these one nighters anymore. I need new direction! But no, he didnt have the balls or care anymore. It was all downhill after Aloha in my opinion. There were no more challenges and his personal life was a mess. This concert was mostly bad , a few good performances here & there but Elvis never should have been on stage in 1977! Just compare it to 5 years earlier.
Ruthie wrote on
October 10, 2007
A very misleading piece of marketing. When one sees 30th anniversary DVD one assumes its refering to the 30th anniversary concert in Memphis this past August - not something done 30 yrs ago.
Elvisnites wrote on
October 11, 2007
Steve V-I can understand Jerry Nodak's comment, but I'm having a hard time understanding yours. I don't give a rat's a** about critics. Yes, it was the fault of the (not repeating) because he bleed him dry. Elvis was having money problems which is why he was doing these one night stands. Ba**s have notheing to do with it. Have you ever seen him in concert? he was electric. May 28, 1977 in Philly he was just as powerful as he was 5 years before. From the time he walked out on stage until he left, you could feel the sparks fly. The only reason I would not buy a concert cd is because of the audio, not the performance. Yes he was starting in a new direction (in my opinion). He showed that in the Moody Blue album. The man was trying and gave his all to his fans. If he shouldn't have been on stage in 1977, it was because of his health, not his performance.
Steve V wrote on
October 11, 2007
Elvisnites - Ive seen him in concert 5 times 1972 (MSG) and 1973 & 75 on Long Island. I cannot believe he was just as powerful in 1977 as those years because he was not in good enough shape to be. If thats how you feel fine, but I believe you have blinders on my friend. I was very upset upon viewing this TV show in 1977. I still have the original tape I made the night it aired but havent played it in years. The way he looked that night (and 1976) also fueled many of the bad impersonators that people think of when Elvis is mentioned. I believe the new direction may have been the Feb 1977 Nashville session that never happened and that was soley Elvis' fault. The musicians and the songs were waiting. I guess he didnt care enough.
Greg Nolan wrote on
October 13, 2007
There's a chock full of new "Elvis in Concert" debates on FECC about every few weeks, so there's little need to reprise that here! Jerry's comments are severe but there's a lot of truth in it. On the hand, others rightly point out the better songs he did, the heroic aspects of his being able to eventually pull out a good show as well as arguing that a new more favorable edit is needed, top-quality footage of the last pro-shot concert, and that at this date, little damage can be done by releasing this officially, etc. etc. !! That said, I can't see this being better than Star's "LOVE COMING DOWN" set which most agree is the best one going in the import world - that is, if you're dying to have this stuff! I agree- the cover does *not* inspire confidence in a quality upgrade. Thumbs down! Until I hear otherwise, I'll be sticking with the boys at STAR!
John4126 wrote on
October 15, 2007
Elvis nites - Just what was the new direction Elvis was taking with the Moody Blue LP? How many original tracks did he record - Felton JArvis could barely scrape enough material together to make up an album. Steve V - as ever your opnion is spot on - Elvis did not have the will or know how to say no to Parker, however ive never been too impressed with Aloha from Hawaii of which i consider Elvis to be give a fairly lack-lustre performance. Know any non Elvis fans who can sit through the whole thing? However, the release of this would cause me no problems - maybe something along the lines of a FTD release on DVD?
Elvisnites wrote on
October 15, 2007
John-Sorry, let me be more specific. Moody Blue-written by Mark James. Way down and It's easy for you. Asked why he didn't do more rock and roll, he said because everyone who is writting now a days are recording them, what leaves very little left. Not exact words but close enough. This is just my personal opinion and I'm sure everyone has their own. We all see Elvis in our own light, but it pains me to see self acclaimed fans tear him apart. There are enough non fans doing that.
mature_elvis_fan75 wrote on
October 15, 2007
Greg maybe we want our own Elvis in Concert deabte? as for giving bad shows,you can include,73,74(alot of them)76 & 77,for whatever reasons,its the truth,as for Elvis in concert on dvd,its not going to happen as far a officially releases one,youll do good to get Elvis On Tour!
Steve V wrote on
October 16, 2007
John4126 - You are right on. Moody Blue was just a thrown together album to make a commitment date by RCA for a new LP. There was no new direction. Wasn't Let Me Be There on an LP before? A few good tracks is not a new direction and these were recorded at the time of the Blvd LP, not for Moody Blue per se. There were no recordings in 1977. As for not doing Rock songs, Elvis said that in 1972 at the MSG press conference and is somewhat of a copout. He had to be really forced into doing Burning Love (one of his greatest) and just wasnt interested in rock songs anymore. I will say For The Heart was a great song, and Way Down was ok also, so things were better than they were a few years prior. Pity the Nashiville Feb 1977 never took place. Songs sounded promsiing.
Elvisnites wrote on
October 16, 2007
Arm chair quarterbacks. It's so easy to say what some else should have done with their life and how they should have acted and felt.
dbacke1 wrote on
October 21, 2007
I have written about this subject a few times before, and I will continue to plead my case until a high quality release of this material takes place. This is The King's farewell, and it deserves the best treatment possible. I have seen the bootleg versions of the Omaha and Rapid City concerts, and I truly feel that perhaps a 3-DVD set, re-engineered and re-mastered, is in order. This would look and sound great if brought up to today's standards. Elvis was in good voice, and the TCB Band was in top form. This set should consist of the original CBS special, Omaha concert, Rapid City concert, and there should be added extras such as backstage footage and other material not previously released or seen. I think a neat angle would be interviewing all of the fans and other individuals who were interviewed for the original special, and following up with them as they are today. After all, they were a part of history. An aggressive media campaign by EPE would help a lot. Are you hearing this, Mr. Sillerman?
JerryNodak wrote on
October 28, 2007
Personally, I am not interested in WATCHING the CBS EIC special ever again. Nor the full length concerts connected with it. But you go right on pleading your case. That's your right. Just understand that you're likely to be very old before this footage ever sees a mainstream release. Now, if Sony/BMG/FTD wants to release an upgraded, deluxe, audio version of EIC soundtrack, I'd be glad to LISTEN.