Aloha From Hawaii
Release Date- Feb. 1973
Peak Chart Position- #1 (US) #11
(UK)
Track Listings- Also Sprach
Zarathustra / See See Rider / Burning Love / Something / You Gave Me A
Mountain / Steamroller Blues / My Way / Love Me / Johnny B. Goode / It's
Over / I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry / I Can't Stop Loving You / Hound Dog
/ What Now My Love / Fever / Welcome To My World / Suspicious Minds / Introductions
By Elvis / I'll Remember You / Long Tall Sally-Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin'
On / An American Trilogy / A Big Hunk O' Love / Can't Help Falling In Love
/ Blue Hawaii / Ku-U-I-Po / No More / Hawaiian Wedding Song / Early Morning
Rain /
Recorded- Jan. 14 1973 at H.I.C.
Arena, Honolulu
Musicians- Guitar: James
Burton, John Wilkinson, Charlie Hodge
Bass: Jerry Scheff
Drums: Ronnie Tutt
Piano: Glenn Hardin
Vocals: J.D. Sumner & The Stamps, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy
Westmoreland
With The Joe Guercio Orchestra
Aloha From Hawaii: Via Satellite was Elvis'
biggest and most famous concert, as it was seen by over a billion people
worldwide. It was beamed across the globe via the Intelsat IV satellite
making it at the time the most seen concert ever. It only made sense
when Elvis (who rarely admitted so) declared that he was nervous
about the show. There was no reason to be nervous. Elvis gave
a great performance and this is one of the greatest live albums ever.
From the opening strains of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" we realize to the
close of "Can't Help Falling In Love" Elvis is in complete control.
"See See Rider" is pure energy as is "Burning Love" which was Elvis' latest
hit at the time. "You Gave Me A Mountain" is a beautiful song to
which Elvis really seems to have a connection with, especially considering
his marital problems with Priscilla at the time. "My Way" is grand
and it's a testament to Elvis' ability to sing this song because really
he and Sinatra were the only people on the planet able to sing it.
But Elvis did it better. "It's Over" is really powerful and done
with great emotion. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is touching as
is "What Now My Love". "Suspicious Minds" is possibly Elvis'
finest song and this is a great epic version. "I'll Remember You"
is done beautifully, possibly the highlite of the show. Either that
or "Suspicious Minds". "An American Trilogy" is sung like only Elvis
could sing it. The song is rich and powerful. "A Big Hunk O' Love"
is great fun which leads perfectly into the closer. But wait !!
It isn't over yet ! After the show, Elvis recorded five other songs
to air as part of the American TV special. They haven't been available
on the same album as the rest until this 25 Aniversary re-release.
Good move by RCA. These songs are far more mellow, and subdued than
the high energy performance which preceded it and they offer a great balance
to the album. "Hawaiian Wedding Song" is particularly done well.
This is a landmark album which every Elvis fan should own.
***** out of *****
Thanks For Reading !
If you have comments, suggestions or reviews of your own, email
me at
mmandziuk@hotmail.com
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