"An Evening With A Rock and Roll Icon"
Dec 05 '00
“An Evening With Elton John” may have been what this concert series is called, but I would call it “An Evening With a Rock Icon”! To say that I am a huge Elton John fan or that he is my favorite musician would be false but Elton John is still one of the most talented and best pianists and performers around. I purchased my ticket to the December 3rd show in Tulsa Oklahoma to listen to, see, and be entertained by truly a rock and roll icon.
John’s show went off right on time at 8:05pm with stage and set that was very plain and simple. As the lights dimmed and the applause began, I could just feel the anticipation of 6,000 baby boomers ready to sing along to a man that they listened to for so long. A beautiful black Yamaha baby grand piano on a stage surrounded by lights and speaker sets that surprisingly put out a wonderful sound. Elton was in a red suit, which looked like cotton, on the back of his jacket in glitter and sequins was the word Medusa. Under the jacket was a plain black t-shirt, topped off with black patent leather shoes. Off both sides of the stage were two large projection screens, which really helped the audience see all aspects of the show with very good quality.
The show was on and Elton opened up with one of the best love songs of all time “Your Song”, from there the show kept a steady pace with breaks after every song for a standing ovation and Elton spreading waves and kisses to the audience. This concert was solo, Elton John at a piano playing to the audience, as intimately as he could. No back up singers, no other visible musicians, Elton John making music for his fans, brilliant. I was fortunate to get a set list from the soundboard on the floor; the following is the set list from the show in order of the songs that were played.
1. Your Song
2. Greatest Discovery
3. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
4. Border Song
5. Daniel
6. Harmony
7. Honky Cat
8. Rocket Man
9. Tiny Dancer
10. Philadelphia Freedom
11. American Triangle (Song written for Matthew Shepard)
12. Nikita
13. Sorry
14. Blues
15. Ticking
16. Carla Etude
17. Tonight
18. Pilot
19. The One
20. Blue Eyes
21. Crocodile Rock
22. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me
23. Circle of Life
24. Benny and the Jets
25. Candle in the Wind
Unlike most other contemporary concerts I have been to, Elton paused after each song for an ovation and a sip of soda, then he hit the next song running. I was personally entertained the entire evening even when honestly I probably knew half the songs on this set list. I enjoyed sitting back and listening to Sir Elton John play the same piano he has played for absolutely millions of others across the world. Wow, what an experience.
Elton played his main set, and then he came back out to do two encores, Benny and the Jets and Candle in the Wind. During the second encore he came out in a black nylon-jogging suit and proceeded to play Candle in the Wind. While he was playing this song, I couldn’t help thinking, “This is the same man and the same song that played at Princess Diana’s funeral for hundreds of millions of people around the world!” Elton John is a rock icon, whether or not you like his music, this man has survived over 30 years, entertaining people around the world, Knighted by the Queen of England, supporter of AIDS charities in quantities of dollars that would make ones head spin and one of the worlds true humanitarians. I would recommend attending any show of his regardless of the price (our seats were $67.50 per seat); he is a wonderful musician with a heart bigger than his small frame.
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Epinions.com ID:
Techsan
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Member: Todd
Location: Tulsa, OK
Reviews written: 44
Trusted by: 17 members
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