Here's the scoop on the show as I saw it from nosebleed seats (section 222). Elton came onstage in a red and white plaid suit, gold cross earring in the right ear, and semi-darkened granny specs. He told us to expect a long show, and he delivered. Still, he didn't look as good as I'd remembered. Maybe it was just the lighting (which was not especially good) on him, but he looked pale and tired. It's hard to say because I was looking at him on the screen, but it looked to me like the long tour was getting to him. I saw him in Boston less than three months ago, and in that time he looks to have aged 5 years. His voice, though, was as full and strong as ever, and by the end of the night he had more color on his face.
I was disappointed mostly with the crowd -- people watching wasn't very good because it was mostly bluehairs -- not meaning older fans so much as I mean older people who *aren't* his fans. The first 10 rows or so really got into it (although it took them a bit of time to get going), but most everyone else seemed pretty dead... it's hard to say for sure. I don't think he has a huge following in Sacramento. There were some fans, though, who really got into the show, and that was a lot of fun (until Security told them to sit down).
Elton, for his part, didn't do much jumping around the stage (as is pretty usual, I guess) but he really livened it up the end -- sitting on the piano, playing under it, and he stood up a lot too. Davey was really rocking and so was John; Bob and Billy looked like they were having a good time too. I figured Elton might take it easy on us, but he spared nothing even though he knew he was going to be recording the following day.
Here we go song by song:
Circle Of Life -- an odd choice, I think, as the opener. I don't like it in concert, and I certainly wouldn't have chosen it as the starter. I say dump it, go back to opening with Love Lies Bleeding.
Grey Seal -- I like how he still plays his older stuff, but I've never felt this was one of the stronger songs from the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road sessions. Dump it, put in Bennie instead.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road -- Yes! This song gets better every time he plays it. Keep it.
Honky Cat -- Again, yes! Love those solos! (Davey plays a mean banjo.) Keep it.
Tiny Dancer -- Not one of my favorites, but great in concert. Who doesn't smile when you're hearing Elton live, singing "Piano Man, he makes his stand in the auditorium..."
Levon -- Almost works. He's got such a great backing band though; dump this and play Madman instead.
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues -- "I simply love you more than I love life itself." 'nuff said. Keep it.
I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That -- Good on the album, better in concert. He'd never do it, but I'd love to hear him put Crystal in the place of this one.
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me -- Vocals on the second verse sounded just like the live w/ George Michael version. I've never been crazy about the album version, bit it works well live. This would have been a great time for them to do something creative with the lighting. Keep it (only if the lighting improves).
Daniel -- A nice rendition, but this is where the show died. Dump it and put in Cocodile Rock.
Rocket Man -- Not as good as the long version with Ray Cooper, but Davey made it memorable with his solo. Keep it but put it later in the show. Here: insert High Flying Bird or Empty Gardens (Hey Hey Johnny).
Roy Rogers -- He introduced this one, saying that as a kid ("decades and decades ago") he was introduced to America through Westerns, and this was a tribute to Roy Rogers, who just recently died. It's a nice idea, but again, the show lost its pulse. And with som many amazing songs on the GBYBR album, why play this one? Try Social Disease (hmm, Davey + Banjo = good song, especially in concert).
Crocodile Rock -- A must-have in any live show. Needs to be earlier. Here: Harmony.
Your Song -- As always, dedicated to the audience. I never tire of hearing this. Keep it right here.
Recover Your Soul -- He did this solo with piano. Can't say I'm crazy about it; still sounds too much like Blessed. Especially since this follows Your Song, I'd love to hear I Need You To Turn To in this place instead. Bring in the harpsichord.
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part I -- Yes! I'm so glad he's playing this. Davey and John on dueling mandolins is gorgeous. Move this down a slot, then follow with Part II to get funky again. But since we've already started the sequence, Take Me To The Pilot needs to go here.
Philadelphia Freedom -- Shine a Light! :-) A real winner, especially in concert. Again, the lighting could've been really cool here, but it wasn't. Keep this, improve lights.
Simple Life -- Drop this. He tries to use this as an intro to The One, but he doesn't need to.
The One -- Gorgeous, sincere, again, better each time he plays it. Always and Forever, keep this.
Sad Songs (Say So Much) -- Nice to hear this one live! Faster, better than the original. Definitely keep this.
[band intro] -- Rocket Man should go here, the long version, with the band intro just like for MIE. It worked really well then -- keep that.
I'm Going To Be A Teenage Idol -- it's cute, but not the best from Don't Shoot Me. It needs to go back on the shelf.
The Bitch Is Back -- Love this live. Keep it, move it to encore 2, put The Big Picture here instead (TBP live -- yes! -- with Davey and John at the helm -- too sweet to imagine!)
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting -- Keep it, move it down as song 2 of encore 2. Put Live Like Horses here instead.
Encore 1: Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds -- He does a nice cover of this one (always), but I wish he'd stick to his own stuff. Bring out the harpsichord, insert Skyline Pigeon.
Great Balls Of Fire -- No need to explain why he does this. I understand why, but again, I'd be happier without the covers. Here: Made In England.
Encore 2: Bennie And The Jets -- Awesome live (go figure), needs to be earlier. Instead: The Bitch Is Back and Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting.
There it is -- almost 3 hours of bliss... I might add that he changed clothes before siging Bennie as encore 2, coming out in knee-length black shorts (cute! shows off his perfectly hairless legs), a yellow T-Shirt, black blazer (a little more loose than his plaid one), sneakers, and glasses (like the ones on the cover of MIE).
Also, most of the songs he played featured an extended bridge. This is a great trick which I hope he keeps up. The benefits are twofold -- a chance to show off Elton at the piano, Davey at the guitar or banjo, and John on the sax -- all while getting a minute to catch his breath and rest his voice.
I'm always amazed at Elton's stunning performances. He truly gives one hundred percent at each and every show, and he mentioned to us how lucky he feels ("the luckiest in the world"). He really loves his fans, and it comes through in his concerts. I think that's what sets him so far apart from others, who see it more as a job. When he shakes hands and signs autographs, you can really see how much he loves performing. That's what makes his shows so special. Thank you, Elton. See you in Oakland.
Shine a Light, --Kristy :-) "Looking on, she sings the songs -- the words she knows, the tune she hums..."
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