Just got in from the most awesome show I've ever seen by Elton. I don't mean awesome, place was rocking, I sat front row, got autographs type show, but an incredible artistic performance. Elton literally played his heart out tonight. His fingers stroked and worked the piano keys into rocking eye brow dancing (his) pieces and then he'd relax you in quieter mellow compositions with fantastic vocals. Despite the actual falling snowflakes seen in Atlanta today, the Fox was HOT!!!
First off I'd just like to say thanks to radio station B-98.5 and our own rower Will for organizing a pre show party. Many more rowers met up pre and post show and it was nice to meet and chat with so many folks representing so many different states. Thanks Jim for this forum that brings such terrific people in contact.
Anyway back to the show. Descriptive details first. The Fox, beautiful place, Moroccan type interior design, ceiling lit up and painted to resemble a starry sky. Very intimate small theater. The stage, similar Versace design of Big Picture tour without opening sail effects. Instead 3 large movie type reels are propped up on stage or are suspended. Versace images get projected off the centers of the two hanging ones. Not having been to the other venues on this tour I can't say if this is standard for this tour or only for the Fox as this place used to be a grand old movie house. Neat coincidence. My general impression, as the music kicked in to announce EJ's impending arrival on stage was that of Oscar night. The piped in music was all orchestration from Aida. ( I've seen the play and recognized the tunes) Listen closely while you wait at the beginning of your show to get a sneak of these new Aida melodies done in grand Broadway style. He appeared on stage as the music crescendoed as if he just won an Oscar. (my opinion, tell me if you get the same impression.)
Elton wore the black Versace suit again, small rhinestone details, and small oval wire rimmed glasses. Piano is still set slightly to the left but does move somewhat more to the middle for you folks on the right.
My feeling is that Elton is performing these shows more like a classical recital. My guess is the black suit stays, most of the tour. Now having said that, don't get me wrong, Elton still cranks away on the ivories and tries to get you going but it's a whole different feel. He's out there naked (not literally guys) and playing his heart out and giving you new twists and just going with the emotion of the night, and whatever feed back you give him he responds back with in his next number. This is at least what occurred here.
Elton was in a jovial mood. He chatted easily in between songs and kept saying "we are going to play", or one time said now "you are going to play"... and started chuckling at his error, he was totally forgetting it was just him alone. He laughed it off as being his alter ego. He did not sign a single autograph tonight, which may have dissapointed some folks but to me this was a show to just sit back and listen and savor. He did pick up a few flowers left on stage (mine being the first bouquet of the night. Yes!) and shake a few hands but his interaction tonight was of a different nature. It was all emotion. You see after DLTSGDOM when he came out for the first encore he received such an incredible sustained ovation that he was literally moved and at one point went to the piano bench put his head down slightly and wiped his eyes. I know there must have been tears there. He did not move or speak for a moment as he was visibly shaken. Atlanta responded incredibly to our hometown hero and our love and applause got to him. After composing himself he then dedicated the next song Circle Of Life to Andres Gallaraga and if you follow baseball you'd know why. Our star 1st baseman was recently diagnosed with cancer and Elton said "you know how I feel about the Braves". Crowd went wild. But the best crowd pleaser was when Elton introduced Bernie earlier in the night. That was a neat introduction and Bernie got a great big hug from EJ. I overheard that EJ has had Bernie visiting him here in town for a few days now so don't know if this will occur at all venues, or whether Atl and Chat. just got lucky with the timing.
The set list stayed the same. Better Off Dead appears to have replaced Amazes Me. Ticking was awesome live, and Carla / Etude was introduced by him saying the next songs were going to be instrumental songs that he'd performed in Australia. Carla / Etude was something Geffen wouldn't let him include on the Live In Australia album. He then said Up Yours. (reference to Geffen) Carla / Etude blended right into Tonight. Another song I haven't heard live, well since 79 with Ray. It made the night!!!! Bennie And The Jets, once again a new version. No playing under the piano antics and stool kicking but he incorporated Great Balls Of Fire right into it (piano only no vocal singing of it.) This really rocked the place.
Elton now thoroughly pumped, came back out for the final encore almost leaping and pumping his fists. He was very psyched at the response and then actually got down on his knees in front of the piano at stage edge and did the I'm not worthy bow a few times. Only to get up and do it some more. In his intro into The Last Song, EJ asked every one to check out the new Esquire magazine to read a great article on Aids and the progress, direction and help still needed in the fight for this cause. He talked quite a few seconds on this article.
So overall the night was a wonderful new exciting way to see Elton. A audio feast for the ears. Enjoy everyone!
Sorry for the length and spelling errors. It's after 1:00 am, and I'm running on adrenaline. Thanks Elton for providing it!! And as the last spoiler writer stated, do whatever you can to get to one of these solo shows!!!!
Lisa
On a follow up note to my Fab Fox spoiler, upon a little more rest, I now recall that Better Off Dead has been moved up into the set list. Elton played it tonight after Sacrifice instead of after The One. Jokingly, I always thought it would be like a cold day in H (hotlanta ) before EJ would ever play the Fox, well by the wee hours after the show, Atlanta was blanketed in a few inches of snow. (Sorry to you out of towners who I had previously remarked at what fine 60 degree weather we had been having.)
Here's a snippet from the AJC review this morning by staff writer M. Longino.
" Judging from the plethora of standing ovations (sometimes it seemed like every song brought the crowd to it's feet), fans loved Elton "unplugged," and the entertainer seemed to share the sentiment as well. Of course, being home seemed to add fuel to the entertainer's seemingly bottomless well of enthusiasm in a show that sold out in less than three minutes (apparently a Fox record). John used his encore to thank the city, saying, "As usual, you've made me feel so at home tonight."
"An especially touching moment came halfway into the set when an emotional John introduced longtime songwriting partner Taupin, who strolled onstage to hug the star in a touching embrace."
A special night indeed.
LJM
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