I had dreamt a thousand times of an event such as this but the spectacular concert DVD is way beyond any of my Elvis reunion fantasies. It is fabulous. The voice and footage of Elvis magically backed live by the original members of his 1970s band using latest technology. Run this DVD in a good player with quality sound equipment and you will be mesmerised. Play it loud and you will believe you are standing on the same stage.
The band members still look and sound good 30 years on, and very obviously still got it all together. Also on stage are the Imperials, The Sweet Inspirations, the Stamps Quartet, and the Jordanaires. There is of course an obvious physical contrast between them now and the ever youthful Elvis beaming down from the gigantic screen, but this doesn't take anything away from the overall performance. And it seems they enjoy backing Elvis now as much as they did in 1970, 1972, and 1973, which is when most of the performances date from. This is apparent from the moment Elvis 'takes the stage'. From there on it is non-stop excitement. Elvis runs through some of his finest 70s concert material - in 2002 sound. The performances are powerful and sounding brand new. Notable absentees from the stage include John Wilkinson (rhythm guitar), Kathy Westmoreland (backing vocals), and of course the late JD Sumner of the Stamps Quartet.
The choice of songs is excellent, although I would have dropped You Gave Me A Mountain (not suitable for this event) and My Way (I much prefer his later 1977 more dynamic rendition). What about I Just Can't Help Believin' or Blue Suede Shoes from 1970 instead?(stunning versions). But that's only a personal opinion and I'm sure they know best.
The DVD comes complete with a bonus feature - interviews mainly with number one drummer Ronnie Tutt and conductor Joe Guercio, on the concept and complexities of the show. If there is a criticism, it is that they have intrusively placed snippets of these interviews in the middle of a couple of songs to perhaps explain a relevant point. Apart from detracting from the performance, it does become a little testy after the second or third viewing.
I STRONGLY recommend this DVD. For fans and non fans - you must see this. Thanks to the genius who put this show together.