Music review: Elton John – 鈥楲ive from Moscow 1979鈥�
As a huge Elton John fan, I was delighted to learn that his latest release would be of his performance at Moscow鈥檚 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鈥檚 鈥淓mpty Sky,鈥� 1972鈥檚 鈥淗onky Chateau,鈥� 1973鈥檚 鈥淒on鈥檛 Shoot Me I鈥檓 Only the Piano Player鈥� and 鈥淕oodbye Yellow Brick Road.鈥�
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鈥檚 longtime percussionist, provides additional accompaniment as part of a stirring second set for the adoring Russian fans.
A touching offering of 鈥淒aniel鈥� 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 鈥淭ake Me to the Pilot,鈥� 鈥淩ocket Man鈥� and 鈥淒on鈥檛 Let the Sun Go Down on Me.鈥�
The first set closes with the heartbreaking tribute to Marilyn Monroe on 鈥淐andle in the Wind鈥� and a surprising cover of 鈥淚 Heard It Through the Grapevine.鈥�
The second act contains some of my all-time favorite John and Taupin creations. 鈥淔uneral for a Friend鈥� still manages to give me goosebumps every time I hear its graciously haunting farewell serenade and the vulnerability and hurt described on 鈥淭onight鈥� is simply magical.
The addition of 鈥淏etter Off Dead鈥� is a delicious treat. Originally from 鈥淐aptain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy,鈥� 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 鈥淐rocodile Rock,鈥� 鈥淕et Back鈥� and 鈥淏ack in the U.S.S.R.鈥�
Hopefully, the audience that day knew just how lucky they were to be in the presence of musical royalty.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.