Father Time
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5/22/2023 12:48:45 PM
Elton John, Last Show in America - Dodger Stadium
I saw this is on Hulu, been saving it for the right time. My life is pretty tricky these days, with work and with family life, I've been needing a little spiritual uplifting. Anyway Sunday night seemed to fit the situation. I had a bottle of Jack Daniels, and the big screen to myself, put it on knowing what was in store.
Elton was the music of my growing years, high school. We would play 8 tracks in the car and the songs that did it for my gang the most were Philadelphia Freedom and Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting, also The Bitch Is Back was a go to favorite at Costy's, our hangout pizza restaurant. I could never hear those songs without thinking of those free times. I was the one with the car so I felt popular at the time. We went to see Elton in Philadelphia when Philadephia Freedom was #1, one of the best nights of my young life. I also saw him in Anaheim several years later when I lived in LA. It was during that show I realized what an absolute freak of nature the guy born Reginald Dwight is. He never played a song the same way twice, what a phenomenal piano whiz he is, you can't overstate just how naturally brilliant the man is.
The first song he released during my record buying life was Levon. This song lyrically was so different than any of the love songs on the radio, it was one of a kind. I spent hours trying to figure out what it was about, and the NY Times said God is dead and Alvin Tostig had a son today.
I still remember the day my mom brought home the 45 for Crocodile Rock when it was first released cause she knew I liked Elton. The record had a strange black label unlike the other Elton singles. It was like he knew this would be the song that elevated him to superstar status and nothing would ever be the same again. I put the song on to listen and yeah, it was catchy but it sounded very derivative to me. but it was #1 in like 3 or 4 weeks, meteoric.
but I digress, I sat down to watch his final American show and it was only a couple songs in when I realized my life would be flashing before my eyes on this night. The first sound from the stage was the opening chord to Bennie and the Jets, one of Elton's more unique hits. He played the chord 5 or 6 times I guess to build up anticipation. One lyric struck me which resonated throughout the night.
So stick around
You're gonna hear electric music
Solid walls of sound
Elton is considered a piano guy but in fact, as we heard thru 2 hours of his hits, his band puts out a huge rock sound. He is rock, don't let anybody tell ya otherwise.
That song, Levon, it was as rockin' as any song you're ever gonna hear, he played an extended rock version and afterwards he was so exhausted he practically fell over. but it was absolutely great.
There was an amazing, adventurous, extended version of Rocket Man that was a total showstopper in every way. It was so creative, they pulled out all the stops.
The version of Someone Saved My Life Tonight was incredible, possibly the best song in the concert.
Likewise for his concert staple, Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, very inspired version of that.
The selection of songs couldn't have been much more perfect, he did Border Song, Take Me To The Pilot and Burn Down The Mission from his early days and chose one of his greatest deep cuts as a surprise, Have Mercy On The Criminal. I would've liked to have heard another track from Blue Moves outside of the single but I wasn't surprised about that. I would've also liked to hear his version of Lucy in the Sky but no dice on that either.
He had Brandy Carlisle, Kiki Dee and Dua Lipa as guest singers.
I was thinking about how freedom is a theme of a number of the songs he performed, very relevant to current times when a lot of the political talk is of what freedoms we should have and not have.
He of course brought Bernie out near the end and I think often about how much his words have affected my life, still do. We won't see many others the likes of Elton and Bernie, this was an emotional night for moi.
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