ALBUM REVIEW CREW EPISODE 62: "ELVIS- NBC TV SPECIAL"
On the 62nd Episode of the Album Review Crew of Shout It Out Loudcast, Tom, Zeus & special guest, singer, guitarist and bassist from the Ace Frehley Band, Gene Simmons Band and also Rock City Machine Co, Ryan Spencer Cook, review the 1968 legendary album from Elvis Presley, "NBC TV Special" or better known as the "1968 Comeback Special."
By 1968 Elvis had not performed live since 1960. Although, his movie career had been a tremendous success, even making him the highest paid actor in Hollywood, Elvis was not satisfied creatively. His music had been basically soundtracks to his movies and Elvis was frustrated. Since Elvis rocket stardom was born out of his legendary television performance, Elvis and along with young television producer Steve Binder, created a TV Special that would become affectionately known as the 1968 Comeback Special.
Ignoring his manager Colonel Tom Parker's insistence that the TV Special be a Christmas theme event, Elvis & Steve Binder created a TV Special that would end up being the highest rated tv show of the year gaining 42% of the television audience. This special brought the KING back!
The television special including various types of performances. Elvis performed some of his greatest hits, sometimes alone, sometimes with his original band in an intimate round setting, sometimes in sketches and even with dancers and gospel singers. The songs were varied and styles as well, matching Elvis' versatile appeal. The audience was young and attractive and Elvis wore various outfits, including the leather outfit which has become legendary and synonymous with this performance.
Elvis never looked as good or sounded as good as well.
The album went to number 8 on US Billboard charts and eventually platinum. There are numerous variations of this album and special releases that include a lot of the songs not featured in the television special. But all versions, include his incredible medley of Trouble / Guitar Man and the medley of his biggest hits like Love Me Tender, Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, All Shook up and more. The album does include his single, If I Can Dream, which may be Elvis' greatest performance of all time.
As usual the boys breakdown and dissect the tracks and rank the songs. They then rank the album and the album cover against the previous albums reviewed on the Album Review Crew.
This was obviously Zeus' pick.
So as Eddie Murphy says, "We got to win this race!" and we want to thank you, thank you very much, you're a beautiful audience thank you!