The stage was bright and colorful, looking like a giant, multicolored, kaleidoscope at times, with a huge video screen taking up the entire upper portion of the backdrop. The Brooklyn Youth Chorus was positioned behind the band, just below the video screen, and elevated one level above the main stage.
They made their first appearance five songs into the set during "Ballad of a Well Known Gun," adding some excellent background and harmony vocals throughout the remainder of the set. They were especially impressive during "Burn Down The Mission," helping Elton turn this performance into one of the most compelling I have ever heard.
One of Elton's most powerful and enduring ballads, "Levon," was given an alternate arrangement this night, which I didn't particularly care for. I can certainly understand the man wanting to change things up after performing the song for more than 35 years, but his vocals, in particular, sounded terrible on this performance. Some of these old classics you just don't want to see messed with too much either.
Fortunately, the bonus material includes an amazing 1971 performance of the song from the old BBC2 television show Sounds For Saturday. The difference in his vocals was stunning.
Elton more than made up for it next, when he rewarded the audience with a moving performance of "Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny)", where he first talked about the night in 1974 when he was joined onstage by a petrified John Lennon, who had agreed to do so if the song they made together, "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night," ever made it to #1. It did.
Elton introduced the song with the following remarks: "I only ever sing this song at this place, because it's the only place that is appropriate to sing it, and because it is too upsetting for me to sing it anywhere else." What a treat it was to see this rare performance played so marvelously.
At this point, the music is put on hold temporarily as Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams take the stage to give Elton, "a man who used to make Liberace look Amish," according to Williams, his birthday tribute.
They eventually welcome Elton's long-time lyricist (40 years this year) Bernie Taupin to the stage, to lead the crowd, which included such celebrities as Michael Caine, Kiefer Sutherland, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Rosy O'Donnell, Brian Wilson, and Mr. Rock Star himself, Bill Clinton, into singing "Happy Birthday."
When the show continues, it is more of a run through of the greatest hits. It is during the ballads like "Daniel", "Rocket Man" and "Tiny Dancer", where Elton's diminished vocals really start to show their weakness. In 1986, Elton lost his voice during his Australian tour, and he underwent throat surgery later that year. He has certainly made an admirable recovery, but the inclusion of all of the amazing vintage performances on these DVDs, really show how much has been lost.
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