Great stuff, man. I had of course heard about the legendary "comeback special" for years, but it wasn't until the late eighties that I was actually able to see it on VHS. But while I agree that the staged production numbers and too-shrill orchestra generally don't hold up anywhere nearly as well as the sit-down jam, the "If I Can Dream" closer has always blown me away.
Here's something I've never really understood: "If I Can Dream" was a hit single — the first to hit the top 40 for him in more than three years — and arguably the best single moment in the special. And he never performed it again.
If I had to guess, I'd say he didn't perform it for the same alleged reason that he performed "Can't Help Falling in Love" way too fast in concert — that he was uncomfortable about being that unguardedly emotional in front of a live audience.
Great story, and oh, how we loved those 'imports'!
I have a single LP version of the Elvis '68 Comeback Special, and I remember those two double LPs well - all with professional-looking deluxe color covers. The same 'label' released a handful of other great Elvis LPs - *far* more worthwhile than anything RCA put out after The King passed.
I've always wanted to get my hands on the Burbank Sessions. I picked up 'Tiger Man' much later, but still...
Great piece!
Thanks! Such a killer set. Appreciate you reading and commenting.
Great stuff, man. I had of course heard about the legendary "comeback special" for years, but it wasn't until the late eighties that I was actually able to see it on VHS. But while I agree that the staged production numbers and too-shrill orchestra generally don't hold up anywhere nearly as well as the sit-down jam, the "If I Can Dream" closer has always blown me away.
Here's something I've never really understood: "If I Can Dream" was a hit single — the first to hit the top 40 for him in more than three years — and arguably the best single moment in the special. And he never performed it again.
If I had to guess, I'd say he didn't perform it for the same alleged reason that he performed "Can't Help Falling in Love" way too fast in concert — that he was uncomfortable about being that unguardedly emotional in front of a live audience.
I can see that. I also have wondered if the Binder-Parker feud had anything to do with it. I guess we'll never know...
Great story, and oh, how we loved those 'imports'!
I have a single LP version of the Elvis '68 Comeback Special, and I remember those two double LPs well - all with professional-looking deluxe color covers. The same 'label' released a handful of other great Elvis LPs - *far* more worthwhile than anything RCA put out after The King passed.
Yes they did!
At least in the late '70s - early '80s - RCA did Elvis justice with those big CD boxes, but that was much later.
They did one in 1980 and another in 1985, but the decades boxes didn’t come out until the 90s!