ejblossom

ELTON JOHN IN CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH 6/12/99

     When I was little, I dreaded the days when my friends would have piano recitals. We would file into the closet-like room in the back of a library, as the smell of dated books permeated through the air. And I would sit there, clapping in between Joplin and Gershwin numbers made easy for beginners, wondering if the friendship really was worth enduring that horrid boredom.
     Yet somehow when Sir Elton John brought his solo tour to Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH on June 12, the recitals I once dreaded became a thing of the past. And that�s exactly what it was � an intimate recital of sorts � with one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of our time in the spotlight. As the sun set, John took the stage in a lime green suit and sat down at the black grand piano, in which the reflection of thousands of fans on the lawn could be seen.
     John began the night with �Your Song,� which fittingly was his first hit song in the States. His near three-hour set featuring 29 chart-toppers and rarities alike was breath taking -- a journey down the yellow brick road of popular music from the last three decades � with none other than the Rocket Man as our guide.
     John drew many of the opening songs from his early albums including Empty Sky, Elton John and Tumbleweed Connection. In the process of dusting off old gems such as �Skyline Pigeon� and �The Greatest Discovery,� he was able to capture the innocence of youth through the emotion he put into the performance. Yet when it came to more serious numbers like �Talking Old Soldiers,� John seemed to have a better understanding of the song he recorded nearly 30 years ago. This feeling was present throughout the night, almost as if his vocal and emotional maturity over the years breathes new life into these old classics.
     When John played �Honky Cat,� the crowd responded with great enthusiasm. And John, ever the showman, added improvisations and piano solos to lift the audience from their seats. He also did the same with tunes like �I Guess That�s Why They Call It The Blues� and �I Don�t Wanna Go On With You Like That.� Because it was just John and the piano, the audience really got a feel for how the songs were originally written, how they were meant to me. Stripped down to his roots, John proved that all he needs is his voice and a Yamaha to move a crowd to tears or bring them to their feet.
     Throughout the show, John�s piano playing genius, which is all too often over-shadowed by his band, became wholly apparent. By playing the instrumental �Carla/Etude� and a long impromptu intro to �Take Me To The Pilot,� fans watched on the big screen as his hands pounded the keyboards so quickly that everything seemed like a blur.
     With phenomenal renditions of �Ticking,� Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters,� �Candle in the Wind� and �Levon,� hearing these classics in a quasi-naked performance, it easily reminded everyone of the amazing talents of John�s long-time lyricist, Bernie Taupin. John made reference to Taupin several times during the concert, citing their very strong and successful partnership. However, the relationship between John and his fans could not go unnoticed.
     John seemed to have a special connection between the first few rows and himself   He would continuously peer over his blue-tinted glasses and smile at the crowd, almost as if to ask, �How am I doing, are you having fun?� It seems as thought John has finally realized how much he means to so many people, spanning every generation and race. �No one has better fans than I do,� he said. And he showed his appreciation by making several trips around the stage, graciously accepting bouquets of flowers, signing numerous autographs and stopping to shake hands with adoring fans.
      For encores, John returned to the stage to play �Circle of Life,� �Bennie and the Jets� and �The Last Song.� John�s performance was near flawless, complete with a foot atop the piano and rocking on the piano bench like Jerry Lee Lewis. Foremost, he proved that after a career that spans since the conception of popular music, he can rock just as hard as some of the younger bands on the scene with even more passion and drive.
     The only thing that could ever top this concert would be if John came to each of our living rooms and serenaded us with a recital as we ate dinner and discussed the days happenings. Just as one of the lyrics reads on his 1975 LP, maybe one day Captain Fantastic will make house calls playing all your songs, from the end of the world to your town.

"You're in my blood like holy wine. You taste so bitter, and you taste so sweet. I could drink a case of you, darling, and still be on my feet..." ~ Joni Mitchell