Last night was the concert at the New World Music Theatre, and it rocked! I was not looking forward to being in the lawn, but due to the fact that I was halfway across the country when tickets went on sale, and very poor, I feel lucky to have gotten those. It had rained that day, so that made it look even worse. My friend didn't get here till 6pm due to terrible traffic, and we were grabbing a spot on the lawn at exactly 8:04p.m. I couldn't believe Elton hadn't started yet. This is the third concert I have been to, second this year, and he has always started at exactly 8p.m. at the others. I think is was around 8:15 when he finally started.
The car ride to the show, I had rented "To Be Continued..." from the local library, as I am not fortunate enough to own a copy myself. I was getting very excited as we were listening to it, and I kept saying, "I love this song" to every thing that came on. Eventually my friend asked, "Is there any song you DON"T like?" It took me a minute, but I did come up with one.
We were lucky that a nice man moved over a little for us, and we were pretty close to the front of the lawn, on the left side as you are facing the stage. When we sat down, I looked at the stage and could see two cloths hanging down, one with a picture of an angel, and one with a sun or something. I just assumed the piano was in between the two clothes, which made me very upset, cause there was a huge pole in my view of what was between the two clothes. I was very crabby and resigned myself to watching the show on the two tv screens, when Circle of Life began playing, and the two clothes lifted up, and Elton was to the left of the pole, and I had a perfect view of him!! It made my night!
To the best of my memory, the set(I will probably get the order wrong) went like this:
Circle of Life: Good song, I like it better than Can You Feel the Love Tonight, but I wonder why he chose it as an opener. After seeing FFAF/LLB as an opener in April, this did not compare!
Elton then welcomed us all and said it was good to be back, and said a special hello to those of us on the lawn
Grey Seal and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: Both excellent songs, and I will never tire of hearing GBYBR live!
Levon: During this song, he had a neat echo going, that he did in other songs, too, but I liked this one on the line "spends his days counting in a garage by the motorway" you could hear the echo of "counting...counting...counting"
Honky Cat: Really got the crowd moving, the lawn was still pretty inactive...
Tiny Dancer
Teenage Idol: I never thought I would hear this song live! I like this song, and find it humorous. My friend that I was with had never heard it and got a kick out of it.
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues: My absolute, favorite, all time best Elton song! In my continual war with someone who is also a member of the row about what song is the best, I will give you that he does play it fast, but it's still the best!
I Don't Wanna Go on With You like That: This song is awesome live! Elton had a great intro to it, and really spiced it up! Comes in a close second as second best live song.
Don't let the Sun Go Down on Me
Your Song: At the previous two concerts I have been to, he always played this last, and dedicated it to the city he was in, I found it strange to be in the middle.
Recover Your Soul: This and Your Song he did solo, which was beautiful
Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters, Part 1: The third in a series of slower songs he did, but still an excellent song.
Simple Life and The One: Had a good intro to Simple Life, and some cool effects on the screen for The One.
Daniel: Elton dedicated this song to some friends he had in the audience
Roy Rogers: This was an exciting moment of the show for me, because of the 22 albums of Elton's that I own, I do not have Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (yet!!) and I had never heard this song before, so it was exciting to hear something new, for me. I couldn't understand the lyrics too well, and wonder if people at the concert who do not know all the words by heart have the same problem with other songs? I did like the song, however, and it was refreshing to hear new stuff.
Crocodile Rock: The lawn jumped up and boogied here! There were some neat Crocodile type patterns playing on the screen,and sometimes it would circle the picture of Elton playing.
Something About the Way You Look Tonight: He dedicated this to those in the audience who were on a date, or wished they were and said "Go for it!"
Sad Songs: I had never heard this live before. It seemed very upbeat. I leaned over to my friend and said, "I'm not sure if I like this live or not" It was the first negative thing I had said the whole night and he jokingly responded, "bitch, bitch, bitch" I couldn't help but make a bad pun and add, "the bitch is back" He didn't get it till two songs later...
Philadelphia Freedom: Elton goes, "Let's rock and roll!" From this point on, the lawn was on their feet! During the dancing that was going on, I noticed two boys, about ages 7 and 8 I would guess, dancing like crazy to the song. It was very cute. I was thinking that someday if I get married and have kids, I would like to take them to an Elton concert. I hope he's still going stong by then! I think it is much more influential music than some kids I babysit for that are obsessed with Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls.
The Bitch is Back: My joke was understood here, and I got a good slug on the arm for being a smartmouth :) This is a great song live, and very easy to get into.
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting: Another classic for live in concert, I will never tire of hearing this. I think it was a great closer.
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds: Have never heard this live, and it was cool. There were some neat effects on the screen during certain lines.
Great Balls of Fire: Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of Fire! What more can I say?
Bennie and the Jets: I was a little bit skeptical when I heard this was to be the final encore, but it was a great choice. My friend had been waiting all night to see Elton play under the piano, and I told him to get his binoculars ready, cause he was going to do it. (So far, the only thing he had used the binoculars for was to try to figure out what Elton was drinking, cause he didn't believe me when I said "Diet Coke") That's another thing that will never get old, watching him play from under the piano! The man has talent. My friend was amazed.
Overall, I think that this was the best of the three concerts I have been to, due to a lot of things, including the setlist and the effects. The show was only about 2 and a half hours, but still was incredible. For those who want to read what the Chicago Tribune thought, www.metromix.com is supposed to have an overnight review posted. I checked at about 4pm today and it wasn't up yet, but it should be there shortly, and it will be printed in the Chicago Tribune tomorrow (sunday)
To those still going to the concerts, enjoy!
-Dee
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