Live In Australia With The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra [LIVE] - John, Elton (CD 2001)

Every since I saw Emerson, Lake and Palmer on the Works tour with the full orchestra in tow, I have been a sucker for this type of presentation. This does not mean I think every song that throws in a violin is great. It just means that I happen to enjoy the rich, full sound that only an orchestra can provide.

With that little insight into my thinking let's take a look at a very under appreciated album by Elton John. This album I found in a bargain bin and wondered why I have never heard of it before. A live recording of Elton John and no one had ever heard of it?? Puzzling. So, buying it, I expected the worse.

I did not know Elton's earliest work that well. This was my introduction ! and I happy that I received this education! What a strong and great album for those quiet times.

The album starts with "Sixty Years On". I had never heard this song before and was totally impressed with it. The orchestration is magnificent. A tender song that is delivered in a very powerful way by John. Bernie Taupin is a master lyricist and it is never more evident here.

As a matter of fact, this seems to be an album almost dedicated to Taupin. Every song on it is a tale by a great writer, delivered by a master storyteller.

The song "I need you To Turn To" sounds as if it was written to be played this way. It almost has a baroque feel and tempo that is not in the original version.

I cannot say enough about "The Greatest Discovery". This is a masterful tune about the birth of a child. If you want to know what being a true songwriter is all about. Just listen to this song. A masterpiece. In this setting just simply breathtaking. I would have bought the album for this song alone but there is also some other great music too!!!

The song "Tonight" becomes a piece worthy of any symphony. It seems to take on a life of it's own under this beautiful arrangement. Elton's piano work also seems to just go a notch or two under this setting. This song will leave you morning for the couple that this song is about. the grandioso finale will overwhelm! Right into the sparse piano to finish the piece.

"Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" This song carries the same melody line as the studio version but that is where the similarities end. A very powerful song the first time around, you will have a hard time listening to the original after this!

The next song, "The King Must Die", is played closer to the original than any other song on this album. Still the orchestra backing enhances this song enough to make it still better than the original. Especially the percussion. Kettle drums that produce the thunder as only the can do.

"Take Me To The Pilot", at first seemed out of place. After a few times through, I started to take a liking to it. This is the first time that you hear any electric guitar on the album and even hear it is sparse. Only where needed. This song really takes off and when it does I start to see why it was included. The orchestra behind Elton also rocks out on this tune. He is showing us what he is capable of doing on this song!

"Tiny Dancer" starts out just as you have always heard it. With his normal band playing it as they always have, about halfway through the strings come in for a brief interlude and then as the song continues we are a treated to the blending of old and new. There is no comparison as to which half of this song holds up best.

A somber piece of music such as "Have Mercy On The Criminal" is begging for this type of arrangement. The guitar mixture with orchestra backing creates such a rich texture to this piece, you are completely drawn into the story.

"Madman Across The Water" does well by the treatment it gets here. This song doesn't gain as much as the others on this album. But that doesn't mean that it suffers either. It is very listenable and enjoyable but it does not have the same effect or power as the other music here.

"Candle In The Wind". Again here, Elton starts it out as the straight ahead song that everyone loves and guess what, he ends it the same way. The only song with no strings, but are they needed here? I think not.

I have always loved the song "Burn Down The Mission". A bluesy tune that turns it up a notch at mid point and then comes back down again until the almost revival type finish. The subtle use of the orchestra in this piece really makes it much much stronger.

"Your Song".....What can I add about this song. A true masterpiece by both John and Taupin. Again, all you have to do is envision what the orchestration does for it! From the sound here I think that he should expand his band to 96 members!!!!!!!

The final song is the haunting "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" How many remember the video of Elton and George Michaels singing this song? Remember the power that George added to the song? Well, George, you have been replaced!!! By the 88 members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
A fine and fitting end to a great undiscovered album by Sir Elton.

I really think that he sees himself (and Taupin) as the Mozart of this era and you know what, he may be right!