RAINFOREST review

By Ejfan1973

Just got back from Sinatra Night at Carnegie Hall -- they did it his way, and they did it with his orchestra. This show was quite a departure from the ones I've seen in the past. It was all-Frank, all-night.

The show began with Elton, Sting and James Taylor singing Well, Did Ya Evah from High Society. For the final chorus they were joined by Billy Joel, Don Henley, Tony Bennett, Charles Aznavour, and Sandra Bernhardt. Everyone was wearing black, except Sandra who was wearing grey. It ranged from Billy in a suit jacket and tie to Sting in full tux. Elton was wearing a black Versace suit, like those he's been wearing on his tour -- solid black with rhinestone-edged lapels and the Versace-medusa symbol on the back.

Most of the show, the performers just took turns interpreting Sinatra songs. The set list is as follows: (*NOTE: not sure if this is the actual title, but it's often repeated in the lyric)

• Well, Did Ya Evah -- All
• I Wish I Were In Love Again -- Tony Bennett
• I Get A Kick Out Of You -- James Taylor
• Here Goes -- Don Henley
• Witchcraft -- Sting
  (A highlight, this song really suits Sting's vocal style)
• One For My Baby, And One More For The Road -- Billy Joel
  This was a real highlight. One For My Baby is among my favorite Sinatra songs, and of all the performers there, Billy sounds the most like Frank. He introduced the song by setting up a scenario of a guy alone in a bar late at night (It's a quarter to three, there's no one in the place but you and me . . .) Smooth, suave, cool.

Then Trudy Styler came out and gave a brief speech and showed a video on the current Rainforest situation. The main point is that with the loss of rainforests many species of plants and animals are also being lost, and with them potential cures for disease.

• I've Got You Under My Skin -- Charles Aznavour
• Love And Marriage -- Elton John
  This was Elton's finest moment of the show. During the instrumental bridge he went over, put a veil on Sting and two began to dance. During the final chorus of the song, Elton went over, sat on Billy's lap, and gently kissed him on the head. It was too cute.
• Something Stupid -- Elton and Sandra Bernhardt
  As he was introducing Sandra to the stage, Elton referred to her as a fabulous diva and that he had had a lot of experience with divas last week. He seems to be taking the whole Tina tiff with good humor. They really hammed it up, and they actually sounded quite good together. There was some serious flirting going on. Sandra has a far better singing voice than a speaking voice.
• That's Life -- All

The second half began with Sting introducing Ricky Martin. He told of his recent experience at the Grammies where after Ricky's very stimulating performance of his Grammy nominated song, Sting's wife Trudy led the charge of women to the stage.

• I've Got The World On A String -- Ricky Martin
  (lotsa salsa in this one -- muy caliente)
• Come Fly With Me -- Elton John
  (For this half of the show he wore a purple suit -- finally -- a color!)
• My Funny Valentine -- Charles Aznavour
• These Boots Were Made For Walkin' -- Sandra Bernhardt
  (And "these boots" were purple suede)
• I've Got You Under My Skin -- Billy Joel
• In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning -- Sting
• Night And Day -- James Taylor
• Angel Eyes -- Don Henley
• My Way -- Bill Murray
  This was the only real surprise of the evening, and it certainly qualified as the comic high point (if you don't count Elton and Sting dancing in the first half). He did it is his wonderful "lounge-act" style made famous on early episodes of Saturday Night Live.
• The Lady Is A Tramp -- Billy Joel
  (I was really hoping Elton would do this one)
• How Do You Keep The Music Playing -- Tony Bennett
  For a man of his age, it's amazing how he can sustain those long notes -- very impressive.
• New York New York -- Ensemble finale
  (This was a foregone conclusion) They all came out wearing Frank Sinatra-style black hats.

Overall, it was a very good show. Excellent performances and good choices of songs. But, even though over 20 songs were performed, the show lasted only 90 minutes not including the intermission. WAY TOO SHORT. And, of course NOT ENOUGH ELTON. In past years he's performed more. Billy particularly shined this year. The Sinatra-style really suits him, and he chose the best songs to sing.

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