Elvis The Great Performances is a revealing three-volume (3 DVD) collection contains legendary performances, intimate video clips and never-before-seen footage that spotlights Elvis' extraordinary career in music on stage and off.
Elvis at his best! Recommended.
Searching for a real American idol? Well, look no further. Over the course of these three marvelous discs (totaling about 160 minutes and over 40 songs, including repeats), we are nearly overwhelmed by the charm, charisma, and sheer talent that made Elvis Presley so extraordinarily popular and influential. There are songs from television shows (emphasizing the mid-'50s appearances that helped cement his iconic status), concerts, and movies, along with interviews, some revealing (mostly silent) home movies, and photos galore. And by favoring the music Presley made in his earlier years, as well as by loading the discs with complete, uninterrupted performances, executive producer Andrew Solt and company show us how Presley combined country, gospel, and R&B to make rock & roll the most vital pop culture phenomenon of the past 50 years. This is the mother lode, and a must-have for longtime adherents and newcomers alike. DVD bonus options include a discography, a filmography, and 'trivia tracks' on all discs. -- Sam Graham
These recycled and re-energized Andrew Solt videos distinguish themselves with an embrace of Elvis Presley the performer, primarily in his raw, younger years. The hits are all here, coming back to life via a remarkable Dolby 5.1 audio mix that gets and deserves the 'Rhinosonic' seal of approval. Purists have the option of a stereo (2.0) mix, but they'd be missing out on audio that gives this rock `n' roll music a fresh, wide-open feel -- room to twist and shout. 5.1 mixes often sound forced when delivering straight-ahead rock, soul or country, but a quick A-B comparison makes the choice an easy one. Bill Black's bass thumping through the subwoofer is a thing of sonic beauty.
The videos do a decent job of telling the familiar tale of a Memphis truck driver and mamma's boy who ascended to pop fame matched only by the Beatles. The definitive look at Elvis' greatest year remains the docu 'Elvis '56,' but Solt too understands the thrill and the importance of Presley's breakout run.
The images are all full screen. Quality of the footage ranges from ragged to pristine, with the criteria seeming to be quality of performance.
Discs 1 and 2 of the set ('Center Stage' and 'The Man and His Music') are narrated by Presley pal George Klein, who keeps the chatter to a minimum, letting the music flow.
U2 singer Bono narrates Disc 3 ('From the Waist Up'), which focuses on Presley's seminal TV appearances in 1956 and '57. Bono has a lot more to say than Klein, of course, but most of it is interesting.
Easter eggs include Presley 'jamming' with Liberace in a dressing room (no audio, alas) and a terrific 'King Creole' trailer.
Volume I: 'Center Stage' captures Elvis' undeniable physical appeal. From his first performance that shocked a nation to one we ek before his death, Elvis' captivating stage presence and irresistible charm were constants to the end of his life.
Volume II: 'The Man and the Music' offers a glimpse into Elvis' private life and the difficult realities of his unprecedented fame. Featured are rare home movies of Elvis' friends and family as well as the recently discovered first recording of 'My Happiness.'
Volume 3: 'From the Waist Up', narrated by Bono of the rock group U2, follows Elvis' path to stardom. Following the remarkable trajectory of an unknown singer to icon in 12 months, are featured in many of Elvis' television appearances, culminating with his legendary performance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Elvis The Great Performances - Elvis Presley DVD
