Music review: Elton John – 无毛视频楲ive from Moscow 1979无毛视频�
As a huge Elton John fan, I was delighted to learn that his latest release would be of his performance at Moscow无毛视频檚 Rossiya Hall in 1979.
John delivers a captivating performance as he masterfully engages the crowd with his piano wizardry, heartfelt vocals and poignant lyrics, penned with writing genius Bernie Taupin.
Broadcasted at the time by BBC Radio 1, the recording has been remastered to stunningly capture the landmark event with a 16-song set that contains tracks from some of his best albums like 1969无毛视频檚 无毛视频淓mpty Sky,无毛视频� 1972无毛视频檚 无毛视频淗onky Chateau,无毛视频� 1973无毛视频檚 无毛视频淒on无毛视频檛 Shoot Me I无毛视频檓 Only the Piano Player无毛视频� and 无毛视频淕oodbye Yellow Brick Road.无毛视频�
As one of the first Western rock stars to appear behind the Iron Curtain, John considerably tones down his flamboyant live show by performing one set alone with only his Steinway grand piano and electric Yamaha CP80. Ray Cooper, John无毛视频檚 longtime percussionist, provides additional accompaniment as part of a stirring second set for the adoring Russian fans.
A touching offering of 无毛视频淒aniel无毛视频� opens the album and gently prepares the audience for the beauty and elegance to follow.
The true brilliance of John is witnessed during his moving versions of 无毛视频淭ake Me to the Pilot,无毛视频� 无毛视频淩ocket Man无毛视频� and 无毛视频淒on无毛视频檛 Let the Sun Go Down on Me.无毛视频�
The first set closes with the heartbreaking tribute to Marilyn Monroe on 无毛视频淐andle in the Wind无毛视频� and a surprising cover of 无毛视频淚 Heard It Through the Grapevine.无毛视频�
The second act contains some of my all-time favorite John and Taupin creations. 无毛视频淔uneral for a Friend无毛视频� still manages to give me goosebumps every time I hear its graciously haunting farewell serenade and the vulnerability and hurt described on 无毛视频淭onight无毛视频� is simply magical.
The addition of 无毛视频淏etter Off Dead无毛视频� is a delicious treat. Originally from 无毛视频淐aptain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy,无毛视频� this track is a featured number on the 1975 masterpiece carefully crafted by John and Taupin during the height of their success.
John pleases the crowd with a closing medley that consists of 无毛视频淐rocodile Rock,无毛视频� 无毛视频淕et Back无毛视频� and 无毛视频淏ack in the U.S.S.R.无毛视频�
Hopefully, the audience that day knew just how lucky they were to be in the presence of musical royalty.
Clint Rhodes is the 无毛视频-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.