Just wanted to add a few notes to what has already been said. This was only my second time seeing Elton live, and my first with just him solo. The price of the ticket was justifed by Better Off Dead alone -- to hear a rare chestnut like that was phenomenal, and it came well into the set after he'd warmed up. His playing was awesome, and his vocals were as campy and "inspired" as the original recording nearly 25 years ago. Since I've heard many of the songs he plays, even in their current arrangements, so often before (albeit on videos/recordings), it is the "surprise" rare gem that is always my favorite. What a moment. (I have to say, though, that I greatly enjoyed hearing even the "old faves" he trots out over and over again and that I could do without.)
I agree with all who have reported that Recover Your Soul is indeed a revelation on solo acoustic piano. I have to say it was ironic and funny that the song came right after he introduced Bernie Taupin (another great moment that was a total surprise to me) and lauded his great lyrics, since he visibly used the teleprompter more on RYS than any other of the night!! (Of course it makes sense, it's the newest song he's played, and I'm not criticizing, just ribbing.)
I have felt that Elton has played Take Me To The Pilot way too often in concert over the years. However, it is patently obvious that there is something in this song that inspires him tremendously. I maintain that his most inspired playing on record is the 11/17/70 recording of TMTTP. His extended "fantasia" on the song the other night in Atlanta (the only song not immediately recognizeably by fans after only a few chords) was indisputably his most inspired playing of the night -- the song was transformed quite dramatically and his playing was astounding. Although he has performed extended and very rich versions of the song in concert before, this version seemed to me MORE extended and MORE rich than prior versions I've heard. The chords and harmonies he injects into the original structure are so rich and varied and surprising and powerful and, again, inspired. It was a highlight of the night.
Other highlights for me were Carla / Etude / Tonight (Tonight is one of my favorites and he played it great), Ticking, and Bennie And The Jets (that song is quite simply a miracle). It was fascinating to see him quite visibly tense and nervous, and tentative in his playing, at the beginning (Your Song through Border Song) but loosen up by Honky Cat and totally in command of the piano by Better Off Dead.
This is much more than I intended to say. It was a great night.
Al
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