Yes Elton is back and as great as ever!!
I saw him perform at Blossom Music Center on Monday night (Aug. 17) near Cleveland. He was accompanied by Davey Johnstone, guitar; Charlie Morgan, drums; Bob Birch, bass; Guy Babylon, keyboards; Mark Taylor, keyboards (+guitars?); and backup vocalists Mortonette Jenkins, Marlena Jeter, and Natalie Jackson. (I think I got all this info right; apologies if anything's wrong.)
The weather was great -- totally clear and cool.
He looked great; fitter and trimmer than I've seen him in the past 4 years. His new hair took me a while to get used to, but when I did I liked him in it. It reminds me of how he used to look in the 70s.
Unfortunately, as he mentioned at the very beginning of the concert, he was getting over a cold, so he wasn't in top voice, imho. However, he still delivered the excitement and musicianship only Elton can. Plus some dancing!!
Also unfortunately, I was pretty far back because we didn't hit the road as soon as we meant to. However, one of my companions walked down toward the pavilion and reported that the sound was actually better where we were (I love Blossom's acoustics!)
With binoculars, I could see the stage fairly well. I'll give a detailed description in my next message. I'm going to add spoilers for anyone who wants to go and be surprised. Sometimes I like it better that way. Although he probably varies things slightly with each show.
For those who want a general description, there were some neat stage effects -- lighting, special effects, etc. -- that really added to the atmosphere of various songs. But I don't know what happened during "Funeral for a Friend" -- I was lying back looking at the stars!!
-- Barbara
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
I'm Still Standing
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
Philadelphia Freedom
Burn Down the Mission
Tiny Dancer
Simple Life
The One
I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That
(really
spirited--great piano solo at the end)
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters I and II
(GREAT piano work at
the end; unfortunately I didn't hear it too great as I was waiting on line for
nature's call at that point. oh well)
Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word
Daniel
The Last Song
Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding
When a Woman Doesn't Want You
Whitewash County
Rocket Man
(w/ dry ice, roving search lights, creating
mysterious effects; echo effects/blues piano)
All the Young Girls Love Alice
??? Some instrumental, lots of great piano (don't know title)
Sad Songs Say So Much
(done as a series of gospel/blues
duets with the backup vocalists)
Show Must Go On
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
Bitch is Back
Candle in the Wind
Your Song
(beautiful rendition; his voice was incredible at
this point; done with a lot of feeling)
Return to the concert details.