Remembering Elvis Presley Today: Expanded 50th Anniversary Edition of 'Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' out now

I have a special connection to this album. My mother played it constantly when I was a child. I even memorized the ad-libs. Read below for all the details of this great release...

As Elvis Presley fans across the world mark the King of Rock 'n' Roll's passing today (Aug. 16) in 1977, there is a great new reissue of 'Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite' out now to celebrate its 50th anniversary through RCA Records/Legacy Recordings.

The record-setting global concert telecast/double live album has been newly remixed and remastered and sounds better than ever. It is available in a 3CD + Blu-ray combined package as well as in 2LP and digital configurations.

Check out Elvis' live interpretation of James Taylor's "Steamroller Blues": LISTEN HERE

Today, Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis presents the "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii 50th Anniversary Concert" as part of Elvis Week 2023 festivities. SiriusXM has run various special programs in conjunction with it. 

The 50th anniversary edition of Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite is produced by Ernst Jørgensen and newly mixed by Grammy® Award-winning recording engineer Matt-Ross Spang.

The set includes the original concert, rehearsal show and after-show recordings and rehearsals including "Blue Hawaii," "Hawaiian Wedding Song," "No More" and "Early Morning Rain." The deluxe set includes a 28-page booklet featuring highly informative liner notes by former LA Times music critic Randy Lewis, rare photos and memorabilia from the event, and the first-ever visual release of Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite on Blu-ray.

Also, for the first time in one authorized package, is the entirety of the original January 14, 1973 performance, the previous night's dress rehearsal with a live audience (recorded in case of technical mishaps during the satellite transmission), several bonus tracks inserted into the US broadcast of the event and a Blu-ray transfer of the concert film. 

After the audience introductions, one reinstated bit of dialogue from previous editions that I immediately noticed was when Elvis gave a shout out to actor Jack Lord in the crowd because Elvis was a fan of the show "Hawaii 5-0."

Archival producer Ernst Mikael Jørgensen and Memphis-based recording engineer Matt Ross-Spang have fully remixed the album from the original 16-track live recordings—first captured on tape by mobile engineer Wally Heider and newly digitized for this release with audiophile 24-bit, 192 KHz transfers.

The Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite program was produced and directed by television veteran Marty Pasetta, who'd done specials for Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Glen Campbell and had experience in Hawaii with Don Ho. Pasetta employed split screen techniques and quick cuts to mirror the energy Elvis & Co. put out on stage. Prior to the special, he convinced Elvis to lose some weight in order to look his best for the camera as well as for the need to include audience interaction. 

The telecast also regularly offered extreme close-ups bringing viewers into contact with Elvis with an intimacy that even those in the audience didn't have.

This collection is highly recommended for diehard fans. You get a real sense of the excitement from listening only to the music and then seeing the visual in a clearer picture quality is a welcome bonus. Hard to believe the film is 50 years old. 

Track listings:

Elvis Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite - 50th Anniversary Edition (3 discs + Blu-ray)

Disc 1: Recorded live at the Honolulu International Center Arena January 14, 1973, 12:30 AM.
1. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey)
2. See See Rider
3. Burning Love
4. Something
5. You Gave Me A Mountain
6. Steamroller Blues
7. My Way
8. Love Me
9. Johnny B. Goode
10. It's Over
11. Blue Suede Shoes
12. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
13. I Can't Stop Loving You
14. Hound Dog
15. What Now My Love
16. Fever
17. Welcome To My World
18. Suspicious Minds
19. Introductions by Elvis
20. I'll Remember You
21. Medley: Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
22. An American Trilogy
23. A Big Hunk O' Love
24. Can't Help Falling In Love
25. Closing Vamp

Disc 2: Recorded live at the Honolulu International Center Arena, January 12, 1973, 9:00 PM.

1. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey)

2. See See Rider
3. Burning Love
4. Something
5. You Gave Me A Mountain
6. Steamroller Blues
7. My Way
8. Love Me
9. It's Over
10. Blue Suede Shoes
11. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
12. Hound Dog
13. What Now My Love
14. Fever
15. Welcome To My World
16. Suspicious Minds
17. Introductions by Elvis
18. I'll Remember You
19. An American Trilogy
20. A Big Hunk O' Love
21. Can't Help Falling In Love
22. Closing Vamp

Disc 3: Recorded without an audience at the Honolulu International Center Arena, January 14, 1973, 3:00 AM, as special bonus songs for the U.S. version of ALOHA FROM HAWAII.

1. Blue Hawaii -rehearsal, takes 1-2
2. Ku-U-I-Po – rehearsal
3. Ku-U-I-Po – take 1
4. Ku-U-I-Po - take 2 (incomplete)
5. Ku-U-I-Po - take 3 (incomplete)
6. Ku-U-I-Po – take 4
7. No More – take 1
8. No More – take 2
9. No More - take 3
10. No More – take 4
11. Hawaiian Wedding Song – take 1
12. Hawaiian Wedding Song – rehearsal
13. Hawaiian Wedding Song - take 2
14. Hawaiian Wedding Song – take 3
15. Early Morning Rain – take 1
16. Early Morning Rain – take 2

MUSICIANS:

Guitar: James Burton
Guitar: John Wilkinson
Guitar & Vocals: Charlie Hodge
Bass: Jerry Scheff
Drums: Ronnie Tutt
Piano: Glen D. Hardin
Vocals: J.D. Sumner & The Stamps
Vocals: The Sweet Inspirations
Vocals: Kathy Westmoreland
The Joe Guercio Orchestra

www.elvisthemusic.com
www.elvis.com
www.legacyrecordings.com