Okay, to take
it ahead... Elton John... pardon` - Sir Elton John belongs to those
artists, who are still selling every venue out around the globe... Yeah
well maybe not in Papua New Guinea or on the Cook Islands. But I presume,
you know what I mean. Elton John is Music History, is a living legend
and belongs to the whle game. Though nowadays he gambles mainly with his
famous soft ballads. But never mind, it is a fact, that the meanwhile 63
year old Reginald Kenneth Dwight a.k.a. Elton John and new dad of a son,
is still one of the greatest Pop/Rock Artists. Next to the music his
passion also goes to soccer and charity, and that's not only his Elton
John Aids Foundation. And as a good friend of the english Royals, he had
been knighted in 1998. In 2002 Elton received in addition to that the
honourable doctor by the Royal Academy of Music. Well, I spare more
facts here. Because everybody interested, knows Elton John and his
biggest hits anyway.
Munich's Olympiahalle is
once again sold out (everything would be unthinkable anyway).
And from granddaddy 'till
grand-grandson everybody is here tongiht. The arena is seated, though,
which means, there are about 8.000 in here, instead of the usual 12.000
when not seated.
Elton
John is an early bird, as he starts his shows at 7.30 p.m. and takes his
place behind the piano. Not because he's too old, or has to go to bed
that early. The reason is more or less, that he always flys back home to
England after every single show - whereever he is, because as he says
so: he can only sleep in his own bed. Well and our Munich Airport closes
it's doors at 11 p.m. -
So Elton's set is finished with one encore by about 11 p.m.
Apart from those facts,
Elton John don't need a supportact - for what? So let's get it done and
the mastro steps on stage justi in time and sits behind his piano. And
there he stays for the next 2 1/2 hours.He only gets up for the usual
grands and thank you's.
Well what else to say? This present tour is not as big and colourful as
the last one... you know that one with the red piano...
And some people, who've seen Elton last time, have noticed this fact.
Tonight it's purism which rules the outfit - Elton, his band and some
light effects in the background and of course the two big screens left
and right hand side - that's it.
By the way Band... this
one shouldn't be neclected. Most of all Nigel Olsson on drums, who is
with Elton since the middle of the Seventies, but also has a
solocarriere. Also to mention is bassist Bob Birch, who is in the band
for 20 years now. And there is guitarist Davey Johnstone, who is with
Elton since the beginning of his carriere. Johnstone has also a few solo
records out. To complete the line up, there is percussionist John Mahon
and keyboardist Kim Bullard as well as 3 background singer and 2
chellists.
Elton John is very
fashionable with his black suit with the flowers, only maybe a few sizes
larger.But never mind, we are here for the music and not for a
fashionshow. And what do we get here? Ballads, ballads and again ballads
(see setlist) Unfortunately songs such as ‚I’m
Still Standing’ or ‚I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That’ are
missing. But therefore we get all those soapy love songs etc, who have
their class - no doubt about that... and he and his band perform in an
excellent way.
(c) ejfan3333 (one of the few faster songs
- just sound a little numb in this clip)
Let's put it that way....
for my taste, Elton could have shaken the cocktail a bit better, so that
not all the ballads come in a row. Because despite the fact of the
brilliance, you could slightly get bored by all these slow tunes after
each other. A little chilli wouldn't do any harm, would it?! But who
cares, Elton can manage to satisfy his fans here including an over
length set and his famous 'Crocodile Rock'. That's not to ignore....
Most of all,when the fans
don't stay on their seats anymore, but rushing to the very front. And
despite the tight time schedule, Elton patientally signs many autographs
from up there. Then he's gone, vanished in the night just to be at time
at the airport for the last take off... And as most of us know, the way
to Munich airport is far - very far indeed.....
http://web.eltonjohn.com/
