Last night, Elton John presented a sold out concert at the Bryce Jordan Center, in State College, PA.
The four hour drive was justified by over two and one half hours of musical bliss. Elton in my opinion is the most relaxed I have even seen and also seems to be enjoying himself immensely on this tour.
We were lucky enough to secure some first level seats near the stage, on the right side. This gave us a view of the piano with Elton visible from just above the waist and also privileged us to his "fancy footwork" as he pounded the piano. What a performance!
He wore an electric blue suit, similar to his Oprah Interview, (Eltoooooooooooon Jooooooooooooohn!!! Sorry just had to throw my Oprah imitation in there :)!!!) with a plain black t-shirt underneath. The view also gave us a mirrored reflection of Elton in his piano throughout the show. Needless to say, to me this was breathtaking.
The crowd no doubt was eclectic but seemed to have the flavor of the college town. I would describe it somewhat subdued, even though everyone gave Elton an extraordinary welcome.
It was reported in the paper there this morning, that a couple got married in the lobby, right before the show!
Elton, being very humble extended his gracious appreciation to the crowd by accepting flowers and signing some autographs at the encores. Elton even reached up to two fans that were in the seating behind the stage and signed their programs. He then circled around the front and signed for everyone that reached out to him. It was incredible to watch.
Several times during the show, he was pounding so hard on the piano, and the drums were beating along with him. During that time, I couldn't tell if it was my heart or an out of body experience! :)) His facial expressions were priceless and the music a memory that will be in my life or a long time. During Bennie he crawled under the piano and several times during the show he sat and posed on the piano offering his "characteristic sideways grin". SNAFF offered a moving experience with he Davey and two others jamming together at the piano with Elton on top of it.
The set list was as follows:
Simple Life The One Grey Seal (I don't think I have heard this live except in the70's.) GBYBR (With many high notes I might add!) Honky Cat CYFTLT Tiny Dancer IGTWTCITB If the River Can Bend IDWGOWYLT DLTSGDOM The Last Song Daniel Love's Got a Lot to Answer For TMTTP (With a new opening piano solo) SATWYLT MIE Believe (With a nice opening voice echo "I Believe") SSMLT Philadelphia Freedom Levon Bennie and the Jets SNAFF First Encore: Sand and Water (Starts this song without singing piano and uses expressive hand movements) Bitch is Back (Great expressions!) Second Encore: Your Song
It appeared that Elton still had a cold. The tissue count was high (poor thing!). His voice was not effected and he gave 100%, a true showman and humble human being. Another great show, and Elton, you fit into the BIG PICTURE very well!
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