Elvis Presley: The Searcher

A Quick Look at ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER Soundtrack [Pastimescapes blog]

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ELVIS: THE GREAT PERFORMANCES (1990) and ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER (2018) soundtracks (Front)

ELVIS: THE GREAT PERFORMANCES (1990) and ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER (2018) soundtracks (Front)

Just a couple of shots of the beautifully packaged soundtrack to the upcoming HBO documentary Elvis Presley: The Searcher. This is the 3-CD version. 1-CD and vinyl versions are also available. The soundtrack hit stores yesterday.

I threw a standard-sized CD case in there for size comparison (The Great Performances).

ELVIS: THE GREAT PERFORMANCES (1990) and ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER (2018) soundtracks (Back)

ELVIS: THE GREAT PERFORMANCES (1990) and ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER (2018) soundtracks (Back)

I’m not opening this until after I watch the documentary, so this is all I can really say about the soundtrack for now. Both parts of Elvis Presley: The Searcher premiere Saturday, April 14.

See below for the documentary’s trailer:

Searching for Elvis in 2018 [Pastimescapes blog]

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Elvis Presley in 1968

Elvis Presley in 1968

Elvis Presley would have turned 83 today. Elvis is gone, but what is ahead for his fans in 2018?

A new HBO presentation, Elvis Presley: The Searcher, will air in the spring. This three-hour documentary will span the majority of Elvis’ career, ending with the 1976 Graceland sessions only months before his death.

The Searcher has the potential to reach a broader audience than other Elvis projects in recent years. Sony will be releasing a soundtrack CD in conjunction with the documentary. Presumably, this will contain many of the typical greatest hits, but I hope it contains a few hidden gems as well.

It has been over 15 years since the smashing success of ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits, which reigned at the top of the Billboard charts in October 2002 – propelled by JXL’s fantastic remix of “A Little Less Conversation.” Can the new HBO documentary fuel similar success?

For 2018, there are a couple of other Elvis products I hope hit the market. ELVIS: ’68 Comeback Special – Deluxe Edition deserves a Blu-ray release in the original program’s 50th anniversary year, as does Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii – Deluxe Edition in the original’s 45th year.

Since both specials were unfortunately shot on video, there is not much to be gained in terms of picture quality on Blu-ray. However, audio quality could be upgraded and minor production glitches on the DVD versions could be resolved.

What Elvis releases are you hoping for in 2018?

Before I sign off, I want to point you over to Wellsy’s SoulRide blog. A series called “This is the Story: The Best Recordings of Elvis Presley” has the following Elvis birthday week coverage:

Wellsy has compiled some great lists here, but be sure to check out that last Top Ten link in particular for an insightful look at different approaches to being an Elvis fan.

While I have experienced many of the same characteristics in some first generation Elvis fans as Wellsy mentions, one thing I always keep in mind is these first generation fans made Elvis and, thus, gave the world to him, and him to the world. Without them, fans from subsequent generations like Wellsy or me would not have this vast catalog of music to explore and enjoy.