Elvis Presley - I'll Remember You - The Live Comparison Series - Volume Twenty One

Throughout Elvis' life, particularly from the sixties onwards, his love for the US' fiftieth state remained undiminished, and it was in Hawaii where he took his final vacation just months before his death.
Encompassing this love of Hawaii, he decided in 1966 to record "I'll Remember You", a song composed by native Hawaiian Kuiokalaani "Kui" Lee, but which had been recorded by Don Ho a year earlier. Elvis' version was recorded in two parts, the instrumental track laid down on 10 June 1966, with Elvis adding his overdub two days later , a practise which Elvis only usually employed during the movie soundtrack sessions which contained the poorer material.
Despite being one of Elvis' finest recordings of that particular period, it was "lost" on release being added as a bonus track on the soundtrack album to his twenty first movie - Spinout.

Version One - 26 January 1972, Opening Show, Las Vegas - The First Live Rendition
This first live rendition was during Elvis' opening show of his sixth Vegas season, but this is the only time he would perform it during that engagement. This version whilst slower than later renditions, like the original studio version, is enhanced with Elvis' vocal being absolutely sublime. Listen out for the beautiful orchestral accompaniment which gets slightly lost in the bigger arenas.

Version Two - 10 June 1972, New York - The First Madison Square Garden Rendition
The first of two renditions of the song that Elvis would give over his four show stint at New York's Madison Square Garden arena in June 1972. As well as this rendition from the second of the four shows, he would also perform it at the final show of the engagement. Elvis would also perform the song a couple of times in the remainder of the tour which encompassed the New York shows.

Version Three - 14 January 1973 - The Aloha version
Although performed at both Aloha shows, being that this rendition is from the main satellite broadcast show, it is the most well known of all Elvis' live performances of the song. As this was to be a benefit show for the cancer charity of the song's composer Kui Lee, it was only fitting that the song should be included, and Elvis introduced the song by referring to the charity. the composer and amount of money raised. A piece of class typical of Elvis shown just before the song began.

Version Four - 27 April 1973, Portland

Version Five - 25 October 1974, Dinner Show, Lake Tahoe - The only known 1974 rendition

Version Six - 27 April 1975, Evening Show, Lakeland, Florida - The "Alfie" Rendition
Introduced the song as 'a song we did on the satellite show in Hawaii'.and with an 'Alfie' one-liner tossed in during the musical intro.

Version Seven - 7 December 1975, Las Vegas - The Last Vegas Rendition

Version Eight - 7 May 1976, Midnight Show, Lake Tahoe - The Final Rendition
Probably the weakest of the versions featured, this rendition even contains a false start!

As with all of these videos, to get the most out of the re-edited audio, I highly recommend you use ear /headphones and turn the volume up as much as you dare!