Elton opened the second leg of his solo tour Friday, May 21st in Bakersfield, California, about a hundred minutes north of Los Angeles. The venue is called "Centennial Garden," a beautiful new hockey/basketball arena that is a miniature replica of the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, only seating about 10,000 as opposed to 19,000 and infinitely more enjoyable in all respects. Oh, and the acoustics are actually good in this venue, unlike the Pond which is a complete nightmare.
Having seen Elton with Ray Cooper three times in 1994, including twice at the intimate Greek Theatre and the night the Disney show was taped, I had some doubts as to how Elton could sustain the crowd (and himself) for nearly three hours without Ray Cooper's antics. He left me with little doubt, and I have no idea why I would ever question this man's ability to put on a show. I know it is said frequently what a genius he is, but to do what he does, with such incredible attention to detail and with so much love for the music, is incredible after thirty plus years.
In Bakersfield, his voice was definitely well rested and sounding unbelievably strong and versatile (particularly the first half of the show). Elton quickly popped on stage at 8:15 with the schmaltzy "orchestral finale" from Aida playing loudly. The ovation for him was deafening and Elton seemed a bit surprised at the reaction. Having seen him nearly 15 times now, I can tell pretty quickly what his mood will be like and this evening's can best be described as very "focused" (much different than somber and cranky, or very enthused, both moods I have seen from him on many occasions). He seemed content, though not wildly enthusiastic but very intent on playing a strong set. He also looks great, having shed some pounds during his layoff, and his hair looks very natural. All in all, the man is truly amazing to do what he does and look as good as he looks - playing for so many hours at a time, with so much passion and for so many years.
After a lovely rendition of Your Song, the set moved along pretty much as has been reported, with Elton introducing many of the songs and noting which album they're from - always a nice touch. So here are some comments, mostly comparing the songs to how I've heard them with the band or from the 1994 Ray Cooper shows.
Your Song - the perfect opener, puts everyone at ease that they'll hear some hits.
Skyline Pigeon - some surprising vocal touches, he really went after this song with great enthusiasm.
The Greatest Discovery - the first highlight of the night. He explained the song and talked about Bernie and the birth of his brother's child. Elton has added a new and very long closing to this that is simply brilliant. A real treat.
Border Song - a surprising crowd pleaser, I suppose since it's on the Greatest Hits album. A very feisty rendition that seemed to really get Elton warmed up.
Talking Old Soldiers - still wonderful, even though he introduces it as a song he doesn't do much, etc…
Daniel - big crowd pleaser, very similar to the gentle version on the Live at the Ritz CD with the different keyboard setting.
Honky Cat - started out rather upbeat, but never quite made it to the full-blown rocker/pianofest I thought it would be. Elton looked at the front row at one point and saw he was getting no pulse whatsoever out of them and it seemed to change his attitude a bit (he just snapped his head back to the keys after seeing the front was unconscious). There was also no crowd interaction singing "woo" at the end of this one, which was a shame. All in all, a good version, but it reminded me that the band version of this one on recent tours, particularly with Bob Birch's bass, has been incredible.
Rocket Man - whoa!!! What a rendition. He really improvised at the end. Clive Franks was using that vocal reverb effect here for the first time in the evening, something he used repeatedly with great effect the rest of the night. Elton kept repeating "She packed my bags" and "pre-flight" during the ending psychedelic sequence. What a rendition! So glad he added this back to the set and I hope it stays. Second major highlight of the night that got a big standing ovation.
Sacrifice - nice rendition. Mentioned it was his first #1 in England and how much that meant to him.
Better Off Dead - great fun though the crowd didn't get into it. Better with Ray Cooper.
House - what a pleasant surprise! He seemed a bit more apprehensive singing this compared to other songs, probably being the first time that I think he has ever done this solo? Great song that I would imagine will really get special vocally as the tour goes on. If he keeps it in the set!! I think he will. I hope he does, as it's one of his most under-appreciated recent songs.
I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues - I am the first to say that this needs to be put on the shelf for a while, but tonight's rendition may have summed up what an incredible talent the man is. To be able to give this song new life is quite a feat. It seemed to start out a little slower than normal and wound up with a rocking, furious piano solo at the end that brought the house to its feet again. I say leave it in the solo set, lose it with the band.
Ticking - Elton introduced this as being as "pertinent today as it was when it was written" or words to that effect, and he made mention of the "violence in our society" and how something has to be done. Thankfully, he didn't say anything about guns, because Bakersfield probably has more gun-carrying NRA members than all of Los Angeles County put together!! Anyway, the crowd seemed to use it for a booze and bathroom break, but Elton really worked to enunciate the lyrics here, especially when he turned his face slightly toward the crowd and sang "fourteen people lying dead in a bar…"
Carla Etude / Tonight - what can you say? Nearly ten minutes of Elton playing like a concert pianist and then breaking into Tonight. Another highlight and something that better be released live one of these days. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That - Again, the dead front row seemed to not help Elton push this song into a different realm. Elton got most of his fan feedback from the area behind the stage for the second half of the show and really played to them, particularly on this. No "play that piano boy" tonight from Elton, just a spirited yell, "Come on!" Just a fun song live that, like Simple Life, improves with age. After this, he went on a big walk-through of the front row and signed tons of autographs and said something to his technician. I feared he was dropping songs, but thankfully that didn't seem to be the case.
The One - nice rendition, although the Greek Theatre version from the Believe single may never be topped in my book, even when he performs it so well like tonight.
Written in the Stars - holds up well lyrically and musically, especially after tough preceeding competition in The One. So much better solo than the over-produced single.
Take Me to the Pilot - virtually identical to the Live at the Ritz version and fun despite the nine millionth live rendition. Clive Franks threw in some cool psychedelic sounds during the closing piano solos that helped fill-in for the lack of Ray Cooper. We were the only people standing during this. The front rows looked like they were sitting in church.
Recover Your Soul - wonderful song solo, seems like a weird place in the set though?
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word - haunting version, just brilliant solo even though he does it about the same everytime, I never tire of it.
Blue Eyes - another highlight. He sings "Blue Eyes" differently than the album version and it really sticks with you (big emphasis on "Eyes"). First time I've ever heard this live solo and a special treat.
Levon - got the crowd going after the three ballads. Misses Ray Cooper here too, sorry to say, but still wonderful to hear it solo. Actually, it reminded me that the rendition with the band on the Big Picture Tour was really special, so surely it'll be released live sometime in the next millenium? Right? Okay, I'll keep dreaming.
Crocodile Rock - uptempo version the whole way, white lights on the entire crowd, everyone standing and singing along. Great fun, and much better than the slowed down version that he did on the Ray Cooper tour.
Don't Let the Sun... - always a classic to end the set, loved the variation on the ending, though this wasn't as drawn out as some recent renditions.
Circle of Life - great choice for the encore. I thought this was the worst opener ever for a tour on the Big Picture fourth (!) leg, but a wonderful song solo and infinitely more interesting.
Bennie - another crowd pleaser. He banged the keys once, then waited about fifteen seconds tempting the crowd to make more noise after an already thunderous ovation. Even as "focused" as he was, Elton seemed genuinely surprised at the crowd's enthusiasm in-between all songs. No under-the-piano antics tonight. He did some sort of take towards the end on an old fifties song that was fun and garnered quite a few smiles amongst the older folk in the crowd.
The Last Song - A good closer even though it is such a somber song. Elton sets it up, almost apologizing for not ending on an upbeat note, but makes a great case for the song and the problems with AID's. Another example where Elton's live version is so much better than the studio version (coincidentally, you can say that for every song her performs live from The One…hmmm…).
Songs I would love to hear that might be worth trying in the solo setting or already have proven to work: Burn Down the Mission, Believe, Blessed, We All Fall in Love Sometimes / Curtains, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, In Neon, Blue Avenue, Empty Garden.
Songs I would love to hear but know I'll be dreaming when I do hear them: You Gotta Love Someone, Hercules, Not Me, I Know the Truth, I Know Why I'm In Love, Healing Hands.
All in all, a remarkable performance that once again breathed new life into some songs that have been done many, many times. It was definitely great to see him on the first night of this leg, because it showed in his voice strength. Also, I know there has been quite a bit of talk about the "ticket guy" and whether or not to approach him about being moved up to the front row. We chose not to even though we had been upgraded before, and after seeing the disaster he picked for a front row, I really regret not trying because Elton needs the front row to feed off of for positive energy even though the rest of the arena cheers loudly (as I said, he devoted much of his attention to the area behind the stage because they are so close and seemed to be a livelier bunch). If you are going to future shows, I would approach the ticket guy as nicely as possible and hope for the best, but give him an easy out. If you are a clean-cut young man sitting in the lower area of the arena, you obviously have a better chance. On the other hand, for the solo shows it is quite nice to be back a bit to get the full, best possible sound (it stinks up front I think). Also, if you are behind the stage, you will have a great view, maybe better than the floor. The only minus is an annoying smoke device that pumps out smoke the entire show on the back right of the stage. The merchandise is so-so as usual. Overpriced, though the program is once again very tastefully done and a must to purchase. Someone on team-Elton loves black t-shirts for some reason, so I passed.
Well, sorry for the long winded review, but I appreciate hearing all of the reviews during the tour and hope this answered some questions for those of you going to see Elton soon. Have fun, and enjoy the music at its finest. And thanks Elton for another wonderful memory. You are truly gifted.
Geoff
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