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What a b-Elter!
Dec 9 2003
Elton John, NEC Arena
By Andy Coleman, Evening Mail
Sir Elton made it a night to remember as he stormed through his greatest hits and fan favourites in an exhausting two-and-a-half-hour show.
Tho sold-out arena thrilled to the extended version of Rocket Man, sang along to an exhilarating Crocodile Rock, and danced away to Im Still Standing.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the classic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album so the concert, one of only four UK dates, kicked off with the records opening tracks, Funeral For A Friend and Love Lies Bleeding.
Later there was the original version of Candle In The Wind and Bennie And The Jets, as well as rare airings of All The Girls Love Alice and Harmony.
Elton reached further back in time, to 1970s Tumbleweed Connection, for Come Down In Time.
His band included the trusty Davey Johnstone, who provided some sizzling guitar in Philadelphia Freedom, and percussionist John Mahon who seemed to want to prove he could throw a tambourine higher in the air than anyone else.
Less agile was bassist Bob Birch who spent the show seated on a stool after slipping a disc.
But 56-year-old Elton showed he could manage very well on his own as the band left the stage leaving him alone with his piano for Sacrifice, Come Down In Time and Candle In The Wind.
He took time out to tell the audience what he has planned for next year - two musicals, two songs for movies, collaborations with Brian Wilson and Bruce Hornsby and the recording of a new album.
Oh, and hes back at the NEC on June 29 for a show with a 108-piece orchestra and 50-voice choir.
It will take something that grand to top last nights performance.
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