Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2010 > April > 11 > Entry
Live review: Elton John at the Erwin Center
(Alberto Martinez AMERICAN-STATESMAN) - Photos: Elton John at the Erwin Center
UPDATE: Elton John’s Saturday night show at the Erwin Center was the highest-grossing concert ever at the venue. Sir Elton sold $1.308 million worth of tickets, surpassing Luciano Pavarotti’s previous record of $1.2 million.
When Elton John and his band, including original members Davey Johnstone on guitar and Nigel Olsson on drums, opened with “Funeral for a Friend/ Love Lies Bleeding,” followed by “Saturday Night’s Allright for Fighting” at the Erwin Center Saturday night before a sellout crowd of 16,000, you had to wonder how they were going to top that. And for two hours they didn’t, though an extended “Rocket Man”- the concert’s centerpiece- came close.
Other highlights included “Levon,” which was turned into a gospel stomp at the end with Sir Elton’s furiously staccato piano runs, the epic “Madman Across the Water,” a quite lovely “Daniel” and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me,” with the night’s most stirring vocals.
But the show didn’t really lift off until the end of “Burn Down the Mission,” when, following that legendary piano workout, Elton said “come on down” and invited the audience to jam up in front of him. The faces of delirium took the show to a different level.
Nobody is more aware of his audience than Elton John, who’s always sensationally talented, but puts on his best show when the crowd’s totally into it. His goal seems to be to try and get his fans to wake up the next day with faces sore from smiling. After just about every song Saturday night, he sprung from his bench and ranged the stage, mouthing “Come on!” But after playing “Bennie and the Jets,” his cheerleading was unneccessary. The pre-encore set closed with “The Bitch Is Back,” “I’m Still Standing” (the theme song of his AARP years) and the classic inhibition-flushing “Crocodile Rock.”
I’ve seen Elton John several times since 1974, when he was the biggest thing since the Beatles, and he’s never sang and played better than on Saturday night. At age 63, Elton can still hit the high notes on such early career classics as “Tiny Dancer” and “Honky Cat.” And on the brand new “You’re Never Too Old To Love Somebody,” from an upcoming duet record with his hero Leon Russell, Elton shows he’s still got a jazzman’s mind on the 88s.
At one point, Elton addressed a man in the front row who looked to be about 35- the median age of the crowd. The guy had been singing every song at the top of his lungs and raising his arms as if the music would charge him even further. Elton seemed to be playing to the man several times and they locked energies on “Philadelphia Freedom” (my least favorite Elton John song, by the way). “What’s your name?” Elton asked, after saying that he’s seen the man at most of his shows lately. His name is Rich and he told his idol that Saturday night was his 167th E.J. concert. “Well, I love to play for you,” Sir Elton said. “Whenever you’re in the crowd, I know it’s going to be a good show.”
And it was. Thanks, Rich.
Elton John setlist 4/10 Erwin Center
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
Levon
Madman Across the Water
Tiny Dancer
Philadelphia Freedom
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Daniel
Rocket Man
I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues
Sad Songs (Say So Much)
Take Me to the Pilot
Something About The Way You Look Tonight
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
Candle in the Wind
You’re Never Too Old To Love Somebody
Honky Cat
Burn Down The Mission
Bennie and the Jets
The Bitch Is Back
I’m Still Standing
Crocodile Rock
Your Song
Circle Of Life
Follow Austin Music Source on Facebook and Twitter.
Permalink | Comments (18) | Categories: Reviews
Comments
When commenting, we ask that you keep things civil and abide by our Visitor Agreement. To report comment abuse, click here.
By Chris and Lezlie
April 11, 2010 3:21 PM | Link to this
I thought the show was great! I went expecting his voice to be tired and sad and it was ready and raunchy! He indeed hit many of the high notes he is famous for, my wife saw him in 1974 as well and said that this show was as good as that one. He came out without an opening act and played for 2 hours and 45 minutes!!! At 63 years old Elton proved that he can still rock the house!!!
By Terri Johnson
April 11, 2010 4:09 PM | Link to this
Breathtaking. Inspiring. He is still the master of the ivories - after all these years. Love him.
By Donnie Hogan
April 11, 2010 7:02 PM | Link to this
I thought the show as great as well. At 63 yrs., to come out without and opening act and play for almost three hours straight is amazing. He did attempt to get the crowd into it after every song. For the most part, the crowd was responsive. However, as a UT student, it wasn’t the first time I’ve been in the Erwin Center and wished the crowd would have been a little more lively. From my perspective, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Amazing show, especially at his age.
By Erika Barragan
April 11, 2010 7:26 PM | Link to this
Alberto Martinez is right , I woke up this morning with a sore face of smiling so much.Elton John is a class act!At 63, he still awesome.My husband and I starting dating in the early 70’s and we have grown up with Elton John’s music.We have been married 36 years and last night he made us feel 20 again.It was a magical evening.I didn’t want the show to end!
By Steve B
April 11, 2010 8:28 PM | Link to this
Nice review except for the “high notes” comment. His voice was powerful, clear and sounded great, except that he made no attempt at all to hit the high notes. Those who follow him know that he had throat surgery a few years ago and that incident, combined with normal aging process has transformed what used to be a beautiful tenor to a nice baritone. HIs famous falsetto is clearly now non existent and he has adjusted accordingly.
By TXC
April 11, 2010 9:04 PM | Link to this
It was a great show indeed. But, not sure what the reviewer was listening to. Elton did not hit any of the high notes. He sang about an octave lower. It sounded great, but definitely there were no high notes.
And, from where I was sitting the famous fan “Rich “looked to be in his mid 50s, not 30s.
But that’s not really here nor there.
Elton sounded great, and without a doubt put on a fantastic thow
By TXn
April 12, 2010 1:13 AM | Link to this
^Ugh this show must have been exhausting for the last commenter. She wasn’t hearing any high notes, cause she was high.
:) - THX SirElton
By Alan B
April 12, 2010 8:57 AM | Link to this
Mr Corcoran was spot on, the show was amazing and the highlight was the opening FFF/LLB. I hope you were in you’re seat at 8:10 to see it! The rest of the show made for one of the best I’ve seen in the FEC. PLEASE HELP… they passed out flyers at the show that gave instruction on how to buy a copy of Sarurday Night’s concert. Didn’t make it home with the flyer and there is no reference to it on the EJ website. If you have that info (I seem to remember a website), please post it!! A great show that I would see again & again, (Did anyone get Rich’s number??)
By Superfan Rich
April 12, 2010 9:48 AM | Link to this
Very nice review and thanks for mentioning my moment - it truly was a great thrill. Austin is a super town - I had much fun all weekend visiting from New York. For what’s worth, several members of the band help Elton with those high notes. 167 shows is no joke, I have the ticket stubs to prove it going back to 1976 - and I’m 48. Rock on Austin!
By Superfan Rich
April 12, 2010 11:10 AM | Link to this
Alan B - the recording is available at simfylive.com of course i bought 5 copies!
By TLJ
April 12, 2010 1:47 PM | Link to this
Elton John performed a wonderful concert, and I thoroughly enjoyed every song sung. I was mesmerized by his piano playing ~ he truly is a musical genius! I could have listened to him for another 3 hours, but I reckon that is why Rich has been to many, many of his concerts ~ Keep rockin, John. Your music will never go out of style!
By TXC
April 12, 2010 2:59 PM | Link to this
Congratulations Rich! That’s awesome. Sorry i overshot your age. I was quite a few rows away. And thanks for verifying what I knew about the high notes. The band sounded great helping out.
By Janis
April 12, 2010 5:10 PM | Link to this
I went expecting to enjoy the show but I had no idea I would walk out of the Erwin Center with the biggest smile I’ve ever had after a concert. He was fabulous and far exceeded my expectations. He was so gracious and appreciative of his audience and he looked like he was really having fun. A three hour sing-a-long! Thank you, Sir Elton!
By Marissa Sanchez
April 12, 2010 5:17 PM | Link to this
This was my first time to see Elton John and he was AWESOME! I can’t wait to see him again!
By David
April 13, 2010 1:13 PM | Link to this
Anyone who said that he hit the high notes was not at the show
By Bobby
April 13, 2010 3:07 PM | Link to this
What a fun night my friend and I had at the concert! Two missing songs that I wish he had sung: “The Last Song” and “Nikita”. Also, the show was not two hours, it was two hours and forty minutes! It started at 8:15 and was over at about 11:00.
By Jeffee
April 15, 2010 11:21 AM | Link to this
As several of the comments indicate, he did not hit those high notes, nor did he try. But high notes weren’t missed because his voice was strong and melodic, unlike some other aging musicians who talk through their songs. And any deficiency in the high octave singing range was made up for by his solid mastery of the piano in all forms (boogie woogie, jazz, etc.). This concert rendition of Levon (never one of my favs) just knocked my socks off!! What’s with his lead guitarist changing guitars every song?
By ppdub73
April 19, 2010 4:54 AM | Link to this
The reason why Davey changes guitars is that each song requires a different sound. So as not to have every song sound the same. Great to see that Elton was well recieved in Austin.