Prince From Another Planet - Brilliant!

I've watched clips of Elvis at MSG before and thought he was past his peak but this product has changed my mind! Wow, Elvis really took it up a level at these concerts and the footage shows him smiling and having a great time on stage. He doesn't look bored and although the moves are not quite as 'spontaneous' as in TTWII, they are still exciting - especially the karate in Suspicious Minds. The sound is great and the band is really cookin. Elvis' voice is rich and full and everything's at perfect pitch. The song choice on the afternoon show is particularly well paced (unlike the very pedestrian setlist chosen for Aloha from Hawaii.) I especially liked the bluesy Heartbreak Hotel, Never Been to Spain and Reconsider Baby. Hound Dog was great fun. I even liked the sped up PSA! The afternoon show is my favourite of the two concerts. I would have liked some pics to fill in the blanks on the dvd and an option to skip to the footage only but this is a small gripe. Overall, I found the package excellent with a great accompanying booklet - 9/10.

quote="heathbarclay"]I've watched clips of Elvis at MSG before and thought he was past his peak but this product has changed my mind! Wow, Elvis really took it up a level at these concerts and the footage shows him smiling and having a great time on stage. He doesn't look bored and although the moves are not quite as 'spontaneous' as in TTWII, they are still exciting - especially the karate in Suspicious Minds. The sound is great and the band is really cookin. Elvis' voice is rich and full and everything's at perfect pitch. The song choice on the afternoon show is particularly well paced (unlike the very pedestrian setlist chosen for Aloha from Hawaii.) I especially liked the bluesy Heartbreak Hotel, Never Been to Spain and Reconsider Baby. Hound Dog was great fun. I even liked the sped up PSA! The afternoon show is my favourite of the two concerts. I would have liked some pics to fill in the blanks on the dvd and an option to skip to the footage only but this is a small gripe. Overall, I found the package excellent with a great accompanying booklet - 9/10.[/quote]
Spot on!
He's so cool on 'That's All Right' - just after the guitar solo he stands back with guitar for a second, then again before the final guitar thrust; so cool and assured--- reminds me of his performance from TTWII SE opening (Mystery Train/Tigerman).
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On PSA he stands with his eyes closed composing himself for the last chorus before the stunning finish. Like you say he's smiling and totally focused - brilliant!!!

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Last edited by a mess of polk salad on Thu Jan 03, 2013 10:49 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Yes. His voice sounds full and clear.

If only, but that's just one of the problems with these new mix/masters.

Yes. His voice sounds full and clear.

If only, but that's just one of the problems with these new mix/masters.

I can't fault the new masters...

Great article in the new Essential Elvis mag --

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It is a very nice set, just a shame the sound quality leaves a lot to be desired. Well done Michael Brauer and your damned compressors, you ruined something that had a lot of potential. Oh well, at least there's the Legacy Edition.

Sorry to say, but the PFAP remixes just doesn't do it for me, I listened to them once and the original mixes (as found on the Legacy Edition) will remain the go-to mixes for me. It's somewhat hard to describe the approach taken here but to me these remixes almost sound like a stereo fold-down of a surround mix, reminiscent of the sound usually present on DVDs with a high degree of digital manipulation (incl. delays and compression).

The main detraction for me is the distorted vocals that now sound completely unnatural, lacking in analog warmth plus mixed a bit too low for my taste. Elvis' vocals should be the center piece of any mix, sadly they are not the center piece here. Perhaps this approach works well in conjunction with the video product but in terms of pure audio enjoyment this type of manipulation is definitely a step back and way too modern for my taste.

Maybe listening to the new mixes isn't enough to soak it up. When I first heard the new mix I was not sure but after repeated plays I now love the Brauer mix. T o me Elvis' voice sounds full and clear. Also the concert sounds exciting to listen to with all instruments balanced well. I haven't yet got the Legacy version and don't know whether I will due to cost but at the end of the day it's down to your taste.

But here's a test: If you can decipher what Elvis say's on "Polk Salad Annie" (afternoon show footage) when he puts his thumb up to someone in the crowd ––" go down by the .......?" on the LEGACY edition I may indeed buy a copy.

Cheers

Yes. His voice sounds full and clear. That's what I get out of it also.

Have you done a side by side comparison of the legacy reissues?

There is more clarity from Elvis' vocal track on the 1972/1997 mixes than the 2012 mixes.

There is more clarity from Elvis' vocal track on the 1972/1997 mixes than the 2012 mixes.

I dont listen to the older CDs Now I've got PRINCE FROM ANOTHER PLANET - the new release does the job fantastically...

If you prefer the previous releases than that's up to you but I really can't praise the new release enough.

From the DVD –– to the new Brauer mixes –– to the fabulous artwork and essayed booklet –– it's all absolutely brilliant!!

Just play it loud –– yeah baby!!

I dont listen to the older CDs Now I've got PRINCE FROM ANOTHER PLANET - the new release does the job fantastically...

If you prefer the previous releases than that's up to you but I really can't praise the new release enough.

From the DVD –– to the new Brauer mixes –– to the fabulous artwork and essayed booklet –– it's all absolutely brilliant!!

Just play it loud –– yeah baby!!

What "older CDs" are you referring to? I am referring to the Legacy Edition of Madison Square Garden, which was released simultaneously with Prince From Another Planet. It is as much a new release as Planet.

I agree that the package of Prince From Another Planet is excellent - well, apart from the CD/DVD slots which is a complete failure in design, and of course the audio...

"Scotty! I need more power! I mean, I need more compression!"

"I canna do it captain, she's givin' all the compression she's got!"

I dont listen to the older CDs Now I've got PRINCE FROM ANOTHER PLANET - the new release does the job fantastically...

If you prefer the previous releases than that's up to you but I really can't praise the new release enough.

From the DVD –– to the new Brauer mixes –– to the fabulous artwork and essayed booklet –– it's all absolutely brilliant!!

Just play it loud –– yeah baby!!

What "older CDs" are you referring to? I am referring to the Legacy Edition of Madison Square Garden, which was released simultaneously with Prince From Another Planet. It is as much a new release as Planet.

I agree that the package of Prince From Another Planet is excellent - well, apart from the CD/DVD slots which is a complete failure in design, and of course the audio...

"Scotty! I need more power! I mean, I need more compression!"

"I canna do it captain, she's givin' all the compression she's got!"

The 1997 release...

Maybe I should get the LEGACY release too? But money tight and 'Prince' Deluxe does the job well imho.

Sorry to go on but I'm absolutely loving this set! I've always been a fan of Elvis' 1970 performances and not so keen on EOT etc. Well, vocally at least, some of the songs performed at MSG are almost on a par with TTWII, e.g. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me and You've Lost That Lovin Feelin. The oldies are treated pretty well - above average for the period, I'd say. The ballads are great and American Trilogy is outstanding. You can see that Elvis is really into it. Such a shame that the whole concert wasn't filmed professionally. It is far superior to Aloha.

Sorry to go on but I'm absolutely loving this set! I've always been a fan of Elvis' 1970 performances and not so keen on EOT etc. Well, vocally at least, some of the songs performed at MSG are almost on a par with TTWII, e.g. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me and You've Lost That Lovin Feelin. The oldies are treated pretty well - above average for the period, I'd say. The ballads are great and American Trilogy is outstanding. You can see that Elvis is really into it. Such a shame that the whole concert wasn't filmed professionally. It is far superior to Aloha.

Yes I love it too. Been watching and listening non-stop...I agree he's very much on 1970 form; his whole demeanour -- very cool and classy performance on 'That's Alright' and others - PSA rocks and 'Suspicious Minds' is sensational...

And 'Trilogy' as you say...

Just can't get enough ...brilliant!!

To compare to Aloha, well that's something different altogether...But for the quintessential early 1970s performance MSG is the behemoth...

P.S. read the ALOHA article in Essential Elvis mag.

Cheers

My wife bought me the Prince From Another Planet set. First I loved the artwork and the packaging......very nice work! Second I played the Evening Show first and right off the bat I was very satisfied with the way it sounded. It's far better and far more superior in every way to the original release in my book. I will say its the best the Evening show has ever sounded.......well done. Third I listened to the Afternoon Show and although it was good I still prefer the original release An Afternoon In The Garden, its sounds better......Good but not better then Afternoon In The Garden. Lastly I watched the dvd and I loved it. Elvis looked like a god and I only wish the guy who filmed the Afternoon Show would have been able to film the whole thing.....again well done! Was this set worth buying? Your damn right it was. It was worth it for the new remastered sound of the Evening Show and the dvd alone in my book not to mention that the packaging was top notch. This to me is an essential set that every Elvis fan should have in their collection. Now I hope they do this for Aloha in the near future.

The good thing about the sound is that both shows now have almost the same, consistent sound.
The afternoon show is better with the new mix, the bass is more upfront.
AITG always sounded thin to me.
The evening show is interesting, I'm not sure yet what I prefer.
The original mix always had this 'in your face' sound which I liked.
The Brauer mix is more polished.
Close call.
The DVD could have been perfect, too bad for the gaps.

In any case, we can now choose from the different mixes

The good thing about the sound is that both shows now have almost the same, consistent sound.
The afternoon show is better with the new mix, the bass is more upfront.
AITG always sounded thin to me.
The evening show is interesting, I'm not sure yet what I prefer.
The original mix always had this 'in your face' sound which I liked.
The Brauer mix is more polished.
Close call.
The DVD could have been perfect, too bad for the gaps.

For years I 've wondered how good Elvis was at the gardens -- now we have some stunning footage -- the DVDs perfect to me!
We're very lucky to have this...

Sorry to say, but the PFAP remixes just doesn't do it for me, I listened to them once and the original mixes (as found on the Legacy Edition) will remain the go-to mixes for me. It's somewhat hard to describe the approach taken here but to me these remixes almost sound like a stereo fold-down of a surround mix, reminiscent of the sound usually present on DVDs with a high degree of digital manipulation (incl. delays and compression).

The main detraction for me is the distorted vocals that now sound completely unnatural, lacking in analog warmth plus mixed a bit too low for my taste. Elvis' vocals should be the center piece of any mix, sadly they are not the center piece here. Perhaps this approach works well in conjunction with the video product but in terms of pure audio enjoyment this type of manipulation is definitely a step back and way too modern for my taste.

Maybe listening to the new mixes isn't enough to soak it up. When I first heard the new mix I was not sure but after repeated plays I now love the Brauer mix. T o me Elvis' voice sounds full and clear. Also the concert sounds exciting to listen to with all instruments balanced well. I haven't yet got the Legacy version and don't know whether I will due to cost but at the end of the day it's down to your taste.

But here's a test: If you can decipher what Elvis say's on "Polk Salad Annie" (afternoon show footage) when he puts his thumb up to someone in the crowd ––" go down by the .......?" on the LEGACY edition I may indeed buy a copy.

Cheers

Yes. His voice sounds full and clear. That's what I get out of it also.

Have you done a side by side comparison of the legacy reissues?

Yes I listened to my Franklin set version and it should be the same as the Legacy. To tell the truth, they are both great and worth having but I like the Prince version more. Either way it is a win win situation for all of us.

There is always the Legacy edition for us audiophile purists. But I am also very happy with the "Prince From Another Planet" set cause to my ears, the mixes,masterings have an acceptable compromise between audiophile grade audio and "modern" sounding live recordings. Sounds very good played through my high-end sound system and great in my car, Bose player etc. "Play it loud" indeed!

There is always the Legacy edition for us audiophile purists. But I am also very happy with the "Prince From Another Planet" set cause to my ears, the mixes,masterings have an acceptable compromise between audiophile grade audio and "modern" sounding live recordings. Sounds very good played through my high-end sound system and great in my car, Bose player etc. "Play it loud" indeed!

Spot on. Yes it's got that live sound and as you say played loud it sounds fabulous.
As L.Ray say's it's win win whatever you listen to...

...played loud it sounds fabulous.

Is there any other way to play it?

...played loud it sounds fabulous.

Is there any other way to play it?

No!
Good advice from Ernst...

My wife got me this set for Christmas...no local outlets had it here. I have no complaints whatsoever.... love love love it. The packaging is excellent, the CDs sound good to me, and the DVD footage is great too. People here are talking somewhat surprised that Elvis was that good in 1972; as someone who saw the show in Fort Worth, TX on that June tour, he was most definitely on his game for that run of shows. Great times, man....great times.

My wife got me this set for Christmas...no local outlets had it here. I have no complaints whatsoever.... love love love it. The packaging is excellent, the CDs sound good to me, and the DVD footage is great too. People here are talking somewhat surprised that Elvis was that good in 1972; as someone who saw the show in Fort Worth, TX on that June tour, he was most definitely on his game for that run of shows. Great times, man....great times.

What a post - brilliant!!!

People here are talking somewhat surprised that Elvis was that good in 1972; as someone who saw the show in Fort Worth, TX on that June tour, he was most definitely on his game for that run of shows.

What shows bookend the MSG concerts?
And do we have them on bootlegs?
If so, how do these concerts compare
to MSG?

People here are talking somewhat surprised that Elvis was that good in 1972; as someone who saw the show in Fort Worth, TX on that June tour, he was most definitely on his game for that run of shows.

What shows bookend the MSG concerts?
And do we have them on bootlegs?
If so, how do these concerts compare
to MSG?

Yes it would be very interesting to compare the bookend shows...