This review was submitted to the 22nd Row, but Gladys' email no longer works.
Gladys: If you read this I hope you don't mind me using it on my page. Send me your current email address so I can include full credit for your work.
Elton put on a great show at the Pond Saturday night! It was my fourth show, and I was psyched. He was wearing a silky, fern green suit with the Versace logo embroidered in silver sequins on the back. He had on a pair of indescribably shaped purple glasses, and a gold earring that was a hoop with a crucifix in it (little bigger than his normal ones). For the first encore he changed into a pair of gold framed Lennon glasses. For the final encore, he wore a black sportcoat with silver rhinestones in the shape of whirlpools, with a canary yellow T-shirt, canary yellow shorts, and his Nike tennis shoes. Elton was in a great mood, making lots of faces and getting into some great jams! the overall sound was good, but the acoustics of the pond left a little to be desired. Here's the set, complete with my remarks (If you want a big surprise you should read this).
Circle of Life - This was good, but not the best opener. they also went straight into it without the chants I had heard that they would do.
Grey Seal
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Honky Cat
Tiny Dancer - crowd didn't cheer nearly as much for the "L.A. Lady" line as they did at the Forum.
Levon - This ended with the best jam I've ever heard from Elton and Co.
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - this featured Davey on his Captain Fantastic guitar, and John on his Yellow Submarine guitar
Daniel
Rocket Man - (here's that big surprise) Before the song, Elton told the crowd how lucky we were that they we had attended that night, because he had a special guest. I expected some big name music guy, but guess who it was. JIM CARREY!!!!!!!! Elton and Jim duetted on the number with Jim in one of Elton's maroon leather jackets with crucifixes on it, and a pair of his blue glasses. Jim was a good singer, but when he chimed in for the second verse, he sang the fourth verse. it was absolutely hilarious. During Elton's little piano solo, Jim sat on his bench and bashed his head on the lower end of the keyboard. After the "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids" line, Jim said "But I've done pretty well." As the song finished instead of "I think it's gonna be a long, long time" they both sang "I think it's gonna be frickin' forever."
Roy Rogers - brilliant, but Mahon's percussion replication of the horse hooves was probably unnecessary
Crocodile Rock - big crowd-pleaser
Your Song - during the song, the monitor showed a couple in the front with a girl who was hugging her teary boyfriend (very touching)
Recover Your Soul
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Philadelphia Freedom
BAND INTRO - he referred to Billy Trudell as having "Fabulous Hair", and said Davey "Is the father of six children...........in California alone!!!!"
Simple Life
The One
Sad Songs - not as big of an audience reaction as I expected.
Something About The Way You Look Tonight
The Bitch is Back - AWESOME!!!!
Bennie And The Jets - unfortunately I was distracted from the piano solo by a fistfight that happened in the row behind me (I was on the floor, so it was a little unnerving)
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - very true to the recording
Great Balls Of Fire - GREAT!!!!!!!
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting- He switched this with Bennie. It was great, but the sound was real weak on the final chord. it was weird, because the audio effect was BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-boom
It was a great show although Teenage Idol was gone. Interestingly enough, though he seemed to be in a good mood, he did very few autographs. The crowd was average, not overly enthusiastic, but not dead either. I did, however get quite a few dirty looks for refusing to sit down, or stop singing, clapping, and dancing. Since Elton plays so many songs for casual fans, don't you wish they'd give him more of a reaction?
There was a couple a few rows in front of me who would try to dance in the aisles, and promptly be moved back by security. Also, as a final note, there is lots of new merchandise available including stuffed bears, coffee mugs, and lots of T-shirts and sweatshirts (all very pricey though).
Gladys
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