ELVIS ’68 Comeback Special 50th Anniversary Remastered

[scissorpuppy]

Hopefully they’ll release a Blu-Ray only version. Right now, just a deluxe CD/Blu-Ray edition is available for pre-order. Even though the original footage is from 60’s era videotape, it has undergone a remastering process.

https://store.graceland.com/collecti...sary-edition-1

"Elvis Presley – '68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition) is the definitive chronicle of one of the greatest rock 'n' roll performances ever televised: Elvis Presley at the peak of his powers. For the first time ever, all previously-released audio and newly-restored video from the taping of the special will be available in one package – including unused performances and studio outtakes that spotlight the real Elvis. The package contains an entire disc showcasing the legendary sessions for the special recorded with Elvis and the Wrecking Crew.

’68 Comeback Special (50th Anniversary Edition) is the definitive chronicle of the now legendary NBC-TV show, Elvis. After years of making formulaic movies, Elvis was finally unleashed to perform live again on an intimate stage with his original sidemen, Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana. Playing “That’s All Right”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” and many of his great hits, the sheer rawness and excitement of the performances attracted unanimous critical acclaim. Greil Marcus in his book Mystery Train said, “If ever there was music that could bleed, this was it”. 1968 was a profound year for America. Martin Luther King had been assassinated, and while Elvis was making the special, Bobby Kennedy was shot. The closing song “If I Can Dream” encapsulates every emotion that Elvis and the entire production crew felt during the making of the special. NBC-TV’s Elvis is as raw and inspirational today as it was in 1968.

This 50th Anniversary Edition includes all the known audio recordings from RCA’s vault and all the videotaped performances are here for the first time on Blu-ray.

For millions of fans, including a young Bruce Springsteen, the Elvis ‘68 Comeback Special was a life-changing event. “I remember I waited for weeks for the ’68 Special," Springsteen recollected recently. "I knew it was coming. I can remember exactly where our TV was set up in the dining room, the exact place I was sitting. I mean, it’s one of those things that’s imprinted on my memory forever."

CAREER-DEFINING ’68 COMEBACK

7-Disc definitive box set chronicles the pivotal NBC-TV ’68 special called Elvis and takes you behind the scenes in audio and remastered 4:3 Blu-ray video
Contains ALL KNOWN recordings/rehearsals from the RCA vaults and from original NBC-TV videotapes
80-page book includes a new, oral history on the special, crafted from interviews with producer Steve Binder, recording engineer Bones Howe, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Priscilla Presley, Emmylou Harris, Scotty Moore conducted for Thom Zimny's 2018 documentary, "Elvis Presley: The Searcher.”
The book also features rare photos and memorabilia and full recording data
Over 7.5 hours of footage across 2 newly mastered Blu-ray discs, overseen by Thom Zimny.

DETAILS:

5 CD / 2 Blu-ray, 80-page book housed in hardshell slipcase
Number of Discs: 7
Label: RCA / Legacy Recordings
Release Date: November 30, 2018

CD 1
- The Original Album

CD 2
- First "Sit Down" show
- First "Stand Up" show

CD 3
- Second "Sit Down" show
- Second "Stand Up" show

CD 4
- First rehearsal
- Second rehearsal

CD 5
- The Wrecking Crew Sessions

Blu-ray Disc 1:
- Elvis NBC TV Special originally broadcast on December 3, 1968
- Black Leather Sit-Down Show #1 - June 27, 1968
- Black Leather Sit-Down Show #2 - June 27, 1968
- Black Leather Stand-Up Show #1 - June 29, 1968
- Black Leather Stand-Up Show #2 - June 29, 1968

Blu-ray Disc 2:
- Trouble/Guitar Man TV Show Opener - June 30, 1968 - All Takes and Raw Components
- If I Can Dream TV Show Closer - June 30, 1968 - All Takes
- Huh-Huh-Huh Promo - June 30, 1968
- Elvis Closing Credits Without Credit Roll - June 30, 1968
- If I Can Dream Special Music Video 2004 - June 30, 1968
- Gospel Production Number - All Takes and Raw Components
- Guitar Man Production Number - All Takes and Raw Components
- Blu-ray Special Feature Re-Cut"

[seagal]

On January 9th NBC will celebrate the 68 Comeback Special on TV with a special show that features:Ed Sheeran, Adam Lambert, Shawn Mendez, Jennifer Lopez and many more...

They all sing Elvis Songs from the 68 Comeback Special. They tried to create the same atmosphere as back in 1968 by sitting the audience as near as possible to the artists.

They already taped the Show. I will air on NBC on January 9th.

[MaskedRider]

Wow! I can't wait to get this!

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by seagal

On January 9th NBC will celebrate the 68 Comeback Special on TV with a special show that features:Ed Sheeran, Adam Lambert, Shawn Mendez, Jennifer Lopez and many more...

They all sing Elvis Songs from the 68 Comeback Special. They tried to create the same atmosphere as back in 1968 by sitting the audience as near as possible to the artists.

They already taped the Show. I will air on NBC on January 9th.

I would rather have pencils rammed into my ears than sit through this.


Pre-ordered the box set though. I consider myself an average Elvis fan but loves me some Comeback Special. My dad is getting one also from me for Christmas as he is a die hard. All of these huge music box sets coming out within the same month is a killer...and a killer of the wallet.

Edit: amazon.com order page. https://www.amazon.com/Special-Fifty...16&ref=sr_1_16

[Neon Rabbit]

I pre-ordered this just to see what the price is by the time it's released, but I'll more than likely be cancelling it. I really wish there was a no frills option. Don't get me wrong it looks like a nice set and all, but I already own a number of other elvis music and video releases and for me this set just seems like overkill. Alot of this material seems like it has already been released before. I'll probably just hold onto the DVD unless a stand alone Blu-ray is released.

[bongozoid]

I own the deluxe CD box set, but for sure will be ordering this. Love this special so much - really is what turned me into an Elvis fan. Can't wait!!!

[Movie_Matt]

It's The King.....nuff said.

[albabe]

Just curious if anyone picked this up and how the BRs look and if the CDs are that reprocessed Stereo? Wasn't the 2004 release Fake Stereo?

[John_Drake]

Multiple reviews on Amazon pan the PQ of the BD. A lone review in German however states that there is an advance over the DVD but that no one should expect miracles as the original source was video.

[Rzzzz]

Does anyone think we will get a "blu ray only" release of this?

[bongozoid]

I just picked this up. If anyone is still looking for info, I would say the picture is no improvement over the DVDs.

What I'm actually disappointed about is that it doesn't include the Special Edition that was released after the 3-disc set went out of print; that version actually inserted the 'It Hurts Me' segment to its original place - on the blu-ray there is no way to watch the feature with that in place.

[albabe]

Originally Posted by bongozoid

I just picked this up. If anyone is still looking for info, I would say the picture is no improvement over the DVDs.

What I'm actually disappointed about is that it doesn't include the Special Edition that was released after the 3-disc set went out of print; that version actually inserted the 'It Hurts Me' segment to its original place - on the blu-ray there is no way to watch the feature with that in place.

Thanx for the info!

[Dmovieman]

This set finally got low enough that I was able to justify a purchase. Love me some Elvis. Amazing set. Purchased from Amazon and it came in decent shape (a rarity anymore). Just one ding on the bottom corner but not too bad to have my head explode over it. Amazing set and the book is fantastic. From what I can see the Blu-rays are a very definite step up from the DVD. No doubt about it. Everything looks crisper and sharper, to me at least.

My one question for those that may know, concerns the Audio CDs. When this special was filmed originally did they do separate mono recordings simultaneously as it was being taped or was all the audio copied from the video tapes? I would think it would be recorded separately and that RCA would have handled that but I am not sure. I know some track on the original album were studio recorded. Does anyone on the forums know for sure? Thanks in advance.

[L Ray]

Originally Posted by Dmovieman

This set finally got low enough that I was able to justify a purchase. Love me some Elvis. Amazing set. Purchased from Amazon and it came in decent shape (a rarity anymore). Just one ding on the bottom corner but not too bad to have my head explode over it. Amazing set and the book is fantastic. From what I can see the Blu-rays are a very definite step up from the DVD. No doubt about it. Everything looks crisper and sharper, to me at least.

My one question for those that may know, concerns the Audio CDs. When this special was filmed originally did they do separate mono recordings simultaneously as it was being taped or was all the audio copied from the video tapes? I would think it would be recorded separately and that RCA would have handled that but I am not sure. I know some track on the original album were studio recorded. Does anyone on the forums know for sure? Thanks in advance.

The live portion (leather suit) recorded in front of a live audience was TV audio recording on video tape. The rest of the show was recorded in stereo. On the video you hear the whole thing in mono. I guess they thought it would sound better not to go back and forth between stereo and mono. But on the CDs you hear both stereo and mono.

I agree that the Blu-ray is a step up.

[strumdogg]

Heath did a short unboxing of the 50th set:

Elvis Presley 68 Comeback Special Unboxing | 50th Anniversary | Box Set - YouTube

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