Elton John Concert Review

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Elton John Concert Review

Monday, December 12, 2011 10:01 AM

I never thought I'd be saying the phrase "I'm going to see Elton John play at a brewery tonight", and yet here we are.

The Coopers Brewery site in Regency Park, actually has a great space for this kind of event. The premium seats down front are full and further back there are people in folding chairs, sitting on rugs, standing up the back and rather amusingly sitting in chairs on the top of the chicken shop across the road from the site.

Elton John first toured Australia in 1971, which means he has been coming here every few years for four decades. He likes it here and we love him right back. Tonight he leaves us with no doubt why that is.

His eleven piece band sound fantastic as they kick off with Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting and despite fighting off severe bronchitis early in the tour, Elton is in fine voice. I'm Still Standing keeps the pulses racing before a collection of four songs from his fourth album Madman Across The Water. It is a quartet of songs (Levon, Madmen, Holiday Inn and the massively popular Tiny Dancer) that spotlights just what a remarkable talent Reginald Dwight was right from the start. Each song is met with standing ovations from big sections of the crowd and this happens for the entire show. As each song finishes and people leap to their feet, you don't see that too often. The under rated hit from 1975 Philadelphia Freedom leads into extended versions of both Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Candle In The Wind. It easy to forget that the flamboyant showman is also an exceptional pianist. John delivers these songs that means so much to so many with great style. Rocket Man and I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues have everybody singing along, waving lighters and mobile phones.

Often when an established artist starts talking about the new album they are really proud of, an audience can start shuffling it's feet and taking a toilet break (or sadly these days checking Facebook on their phones). So it is a pleasant surprise that Elton's latest album The Union a collaboration with the legendary Leon Russell is full of fantastic songs. The three songs played mid-set tonight, Ay Ahab, Gone To Shilo and Monkey Suit were all great and I suspect there will be a jag in sales after this run of concerts.

But Elton realises new songs isn't why we are here tonight and the rest of the show is wall to wall hits old & new. Sacrifice, Honky Cat, Sad Songs Say So Much. Each is rapturously received by the massive crowd. Daniel, from 1973's Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player, is an absolute highlight for me. It is a timeless and haunting song that has stood the test of time. A couple close to me are weeping as they sing along. It's the kind of song that has been an important part of the soundtrack to people's lives for four decades and sounds fantastic tonight.

Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word, maintains the pensive mood and serves as a breather before the energy level gets pumped up for the run to the finish line. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me is epic tonight and the band, including drummer Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone, who have been with him since 1969 and 1971 respectively, is sensational. One of the backing singers is Rose Stone an original member of Sly & The Family Stone (and Sly's sister).

Take Me To The Pilot has people on their feet and that's where they stay for Benny & The Jets, complete with the audience singing falsetto 'Benny' back to Elton at the bridge. The band rocks out with the still brilliant The Bitch Is Back and Crocodile Rock. People are dancing in their rows, singing along with the "La La La La" bits and having a great time. The band leaves the stage and Elton signs some autographs and shakes some hands before taking his bows and leaving the stage.

He returns and tells us that it is his 16th tour of Australia and how much he loves it here and thanks Adelaide for always being so good to him. Right back at you Elton. Always the consummate performer, some of the crazy antics of earlier tour may be gone, but these days an Elton John concert is as simple as this. One of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time, singing mostly his best loved songs, with an exceptional band, with great panache and fun for over two hours. His one song encore is a sensational rendition of Your Song.

I'd like to finish up with a suggestion for Elton John and his promoters. In two years time he'll be due to tour again. It will also be the fortieth anniversary of the release of his masterpiece double album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Whilst there are always inclusions from this album at any Elton John, I can think of little that would be more exciting that seeing Elton perform this epic album from start to finish. Please consider.

(Words - Ian Bell)