Verdict
The audio recordings have never sounded better and the filmed footage was also improved. It might have been the ultimate "Aloha" release, if everything had been included.
(C) Sony Music Entertainment / RCA Legacy
On August 11, 2023 RCA/Legacy Recordings released a special edition of "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite". For the 50th anniversary of the tv show and the album Sony Music Entertainment offered a boxed set, which included three compact discs, a blu-ray and a booklet. The sound carriers featured the televised concert (as known from the original album), the dress rehearsal and all takes of the additional songs, that were taped after the main show to lengthen the US edition of the tv special. The blu-ray contained the video recordings of these events, the booklet featured liner notes, photos, contemporary promo items, etc.
In late August "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" debuted on the charts in Switzerland (#10), Great Britain (#33), Belgium (#48), The Netherlands (#50), Spain (#50) and Austria (#58). On August 31st the set also entered Billboard's "Physical Sales Chart" and peaked at number 44. Even though the boxed set didn't become a sales monster, the results are quite good for recordings, that are available for up to half a century.
Today the 50th anniversary edition of "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" can be streamed through the various platforms in Hi-Res.
For this project the original recordings were digitalized with 24 bit / 192 kHz transfers, remastered by Vic Anesini and remixed by Matt Ross-Spang. Now everything sounds crystal clear and the new mix emphasizes on the king's voice and his band. The orchestra and the harmony singers have been brought a bit to the background. The concerts sound more punchy and the details can be heared better than ever before.
The filmed material was also reworked. Compared to the de-luxe dvd edition (released in 2004) the colors are a bit different and the picture is a tad sharper. In total it's not a huge improvement, but it has to be considered, that the events was videotaped for television and not filmed on 16mm celluloid. Considering the source it looks great and the uncompressed LPCM Stereo, uncompressed LPCM Surround and Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack leaves a very good impression. However, Elvis arrival at The Hawaiian Village Hotel, which can be seen on the old dvd, is missing here.
For reviews of the shows and the outtakes just tap on the accordant links.
CD 1 (Main Show) CD 2 (Dress Rehearsal) CD 3 (Insert Songs)