Elvis Presley’s The Best Of The ’68 Comeback Special is a new companion album to “Elvis All-Star Tribute,” NBC’s upcoming star-studded special celebrating “The King of Rock ‘N’ Roll’s” unforgettable 1968 television special.
An ideal set for longtime Elvis fans and newcomers, “The Best of the ’68 Comeback Special,” comprises the Elvis recordings and performances that inspired the upcoming tribute and showcases a new version of the legendary closing number, “If I Can Dream,” as heard in the new special — featuring Elvis’ original vocals alongside new performances by Carrie Underwood, Shawn Mendes, Post Malone, Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton. The album features 15 Elvis performances from the “stand-up” and “sit-down” shows filmed for the ’68 broadcast, plus three original studio recordings to represent songs that appear in the new special.
The original special, recorded over several sessions in June 1968, featured Elvis playing the songs that mattered most to him, in his first live performance since 1961. When it aired on December 3, 1968, the special was the week’s highest-viewed television program, re-establishing Elvis as a driving force in popular music. The special was recently revisited in 2018 in the 5CD/2 Blu-ray Disc box set ’68 Comeback Special: 50th Anniversary Edition.
NBC’s new two-hour program will pay tribute to Elvis Presley’s “’68 Comeback Special,” recreating the iconic night with musical performances, a showcase of rare footage and interviews with Pricilla Presley and Steve Binder, the director of the original special, plus a special appearance from Lisa Marie Presley.
“Elvis All-Star Tribute” is being produced by Ken Ehrlich for AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. Ehrlich is one of event television’s most prolific producers, from the annual Grammy Awards telecast, which he has produced since 1980, to numerous single artist and event specials including the Global Citizens Festival, which he produces for MSNBC.
Tracklisting
1. Trouble / Guitar Man (Opening)
2. Heartbreak Hotel (First “Stand Up” Show)
3. Hound Dog (Second “Stand Up” show)
4. All Shook Up (Second “Stand Up” show)
5. Can't Help Falling In Love (Second “Stand Up” Show)
6. Jailhouse Rock (Second “Stand Up” Show)
7. Don’t Be Cruel (First “Stand Up” Show)
8. Blue Suede Shoes (Second “Sit Down” Show)
9. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (First “Stand Up” Show)
10. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (First “Sit Down” Show)
11. One Night (Second “Sit Down” Show)
12. Love Me Tender (First “Stand Up” Show)
13. Trying To Get To You (Second “Sit Down” Show)
14. Love Me (Second “Sit Down” Show)
15. Memories
Bonus Tracks:
16. A Little Less Conversation
17. Suspicious Minds
18. Burning Love
19. If I Can Dream – Elvis Presley & other artists
Tracks 1-15 Recorded June 1968 at Western Recorders Hollywood, CA and NBC Studios, Burbank, CA for the Elvis (NBC TV Special)
Track 16 recorded March 1968 at Western Recorders Hollywood, CA
Track 17 recorded January 1969 at American Sound, Memphis, TN
Track 18 recorded March 1972 at RCA Studios, Hollywood, CA
Track 19 recorded October 2018 at Universal Studios, Universal City, CA
