Spoiler for Huntsville: 3/19/99
One word: amazing! I didn't think he could get any better, but somehow Elton managed to give a flawless performance as the closer of the first leg of his solo tour. Seeing the first, second, and last shows gave me an idea of how his solo performances evolved, and over the course of this tour it's clear that Elton "ironed out the rough spots," leaving only one way to go out: perfectly. Elton was having the time of his life.
The only changes I witnessed in the set list between Chattanooga and Huntsville were the omission of Friends and Come Down In Time, and the addition of Written In the Stars, Crocodile Rock, and Rocket Man. The flow of the set list was wonderful, although I did wish he had kept Come Down In Time rather than Sorry Seems To Bet The Hardest Word. Also, he took The One at a better tempo that he had earlier in the tour, but still had trouble on the first chorus of Better Off Dead.
While chatting with Clive Franks before the show, my friends and I mentioned how much we enjoyed the echoing effects in such songs as Levon and Sacrifice. Later that evening, as we listened to Elton's rich voice carry through the arena, we were greeted with the additional echoes we craved - care of Clive. Those who missed the show were denied a treat from the sound booth, and those who were there may recall the surprise oldie added in for this show only. Rocket Man, ever so appropriate in Huntsville, found its way into the set list in the first third of the show (directly after Honky Cat). It inaugurated the three-consecutive-song collection which highlighted the entire tour. Rocket Man, Sacrifice, and Better Off Dead, played together Friday night, sounded better than ever as Clive artfully and plentifully added echoes to each of these songs. Those in attendance in Huntsville might remember echoes in a total of eight out of twenty-eight songs (done in Daniel, Rocket Man, Sacrifice, Better Off Dead, I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Recover Your Soul, and of course, Levon).
Everything was closer to perfection than I'd ever experienced: the sound, the lights, Elton's voice (although he still hasn't quite figured out Ticking), and even the audience. I was skeptical at first with the crowd when, as at the other show I had seen, they remained docile through Honky Cat; however, their response to Crocodile Rock was overwhelming. Security that evening was unusually tight in most places, and most of the night people trucking to the stage had been denied access to Elton - until he busted out the Rock. At this time in the show I was over with Bob Halley, and both of us looked up as the flood gates opened and a mass of people thronged toward Elton. So many people rushed the stage that Security eventually gave up. Elton got the floor standing stageside and singing along happily, even cutting out for a brief period to let us fill in parts of the song. Immediately following Crocodile Rock came Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, and the view was amazing as dozens of little yellow flickers from audience members' pocket lighters illuminated the whole arena. After finishing up with Bob and admiring the view once more, I went down to the floor (going over the wall which had been constructed along the perimeter of the floor) and took my spot, stageside in front of Elton, where I stayed through both encores.
I asked Bob to tell Elton that Huntsville was the very best I'd ever seen. I thoroughly hope that Elton is proud of what he accomplished on Friday. For this tour, my thanks go out to Valerie, Erik, Jenny, and Erin - the best E-team yet, and the true Believers that yes, baby's got no legs. Here's to many more (but "we don't know where?" right, Valerie?)
Shine a Light, Kristy "So much excitement..."
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