Elton John sparkles at Dome
http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/05/15/elton-john-sparkles-at-dome
Legendary rocker Elton John, 64, wows the crowd at the Saddledome in Calgary on Saturday, May 14, 2011. This was the last stop on his All Hits All Night Tour. (MIKE DREW/Calgary Sun)
Elton John at Saddledome
4.0 stars
At $165 for floor seats, Elton John tickets are among the most expensive of any current touring act.
But few could complain about not getting their money’s worth after seeing the legendary 64-year-old singer’s marathon concert on Saturday night.
A crowd of about 15,000 filled the Saddledome to listen to John perform the biggest hits of his successful and lengthy career.
Dubbed the All Hits All Night Tour, with Calgary being its last stop, John’s nearly three-hour-long concert lived up to the billing.
Starting with the instrumental Funeral for a Friend, which led into Love Lies Bleeding, the show kicked off with a bang.
Love Lies Bleeding has become better known in the past two years, at least in these parts, thanks to the Alberta Ballet’s hugely successful production of the same name, which is based on the music of John.
He didn’t acknowledge the Calgary based dance company after the song, but he did tell the crowd early on in the set that he’d spent the past week in the city and found out the piano on which he wrote his 1970 breakthrough hit, Your Song, is housed at the Cantos Music Foundation.
The pace and energy of the first hour-and-a-half of the show was set with the raucous piano playing of Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, followed by a fresh, gospel-infused version of his 1971 classic, Levon.
Though he can’t quite reach the high notes he once did, John’s voice is still in decent form. Songs defined by his falsetto – Tiny Dancer and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, for example – actually sounded richer, despite the lack of strong high notes.
He was also helped out by his backing band - featuring Davey Johnstone on guitar, John Mahon on percussion, Bob Birch on bass, Nigel Olsson on drums and Kim Bullard on keyboards – and four female backing singers, including Rose Stone of Sly & the Family Stone.
The audience also did their best to reach those soaring notes for John, especially during the big ‘put-your-arm-around-your-buddy-and-sing-a-long’ chorus of Tiny Dancer.
The British star is famous for his flashy onstage costumes, and though the days of feather boas, funny hats and oversized, star-shaped sunglasses are long gone, his modern garb is still pretty eye-catching.
John was clad in a relatively conservative black suit with a red shirt.
Of course, the suit jacket was adorned with a silken floral design on the sleeves and front, and some sort of sparkly Christian Audigier-style skull/cross/flowers design on the back.
The pint-sized pop singer was in good spirits and jumped up from his piano seat after every song to acknowledge the audience.
He pointed his finger, he pumped his fist and motioned for his fans to make more noise (which they kindly obliged.)
Philadelphia Freedom, Rocket Man and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road kept the fans on their feet, but Madman Across the Water started to lose some of the audience after a few minutes of instrumental jamming. It was played well, but jams and solos are often more entertaining for the musicians than the audience. This song was no exception.
And with a very simple, uncluttered set and basic lighting design, there wasn’t a lot to keep the audience’s interest during that particular number.
After a cavalcade of hits, John moved onto a handful of songs from Union, his critically acclaimed 2010 album with Leon Russell.
When a veteran artist starts playing songs from ‘the new record’, it usually signals time for a bathroom break. But to their credit, John’s audience stayed put as he performed Monkey Suit, Gone to Shiloh and Hey Ahab, which are among John’s most well-crafted songs of the past 20 years.
The energy from the first half the show started to wane slightly, but that’s to be expected as John revisited ballads such Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word and Candle in the Wind.
It was a long show, but judging by the crowd’s warm response after each song, John could have played another hour and they still would have wanted more.
Saturday night’s more than alright for Elton John in Calgary
By Mike Bell, Calgary Herald May 14, 2011 11:08 PM
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Saturday+night+more+than+alright+Elton+John+Calgary/4785824/story.html
Fans enjoy the Elton John concert in Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday night.
Photograph by: Grant Black, Calgary Herald
Fighting?
More like loving. Living. And remembering.
Because while he may be a little older, a little frumpier, a little less flamboyant, and his shows around these parts a little more frequent, a concert by Sir Elton John is no less an event, and no less a love-in — Saturday or any other night.
It’s the opportunity for young and old to don their feather boas, glam themselves up and bond together over songs that have become so much a fabric of pop culture that it’s impossible to remember a time when they and he weren’t a part of our collective consciousness.
Songs that still matter and can still move.
Even one, such as the alluded to Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting), which has been unforgivably hijacked and forever tainted by Nickelback, can still do that when in the hands of the man who made it famous, as witnessed early on in John’s sold out show last night at the Saddledome.
The reason? Because the 64-year-old still has the voice, the willingness to entertain, and the ability to turn those familiar favourites into living and breathing things, and new and vital memories, as he certainly did.
Take Madman Across the Water, perhaps one of John’s lesser known classics, which was turned into a 10-minute epic — complete with elements of the Girl from Ipanema — that never lost the audience’s attention, never seemed a lesser tune compared with others from the evening’s hit-stacked catalogue.
In fact, save for the drawn-out and somewhat bloated evening opening of Funeral For a Friend and Love Lies Bleeding — a song with special significance for this city, considering the Alberta Ballet production of the same name — John never missed a beat, and never let the energy die throughout the two-and-a-half show.
Perhaps it’s because last night was the final night of the tour, but John seemed on a mission not to let it.
Seated for most of the evening at a black grand piano at the front left of a virtually naked stage — there was a small, unassuming screen behind him that gave those fans behind an unobstructed view — he led his superlative backup band through all of those songs letting his musicianship power through, and the songs take over.
Levon, Tiny Dancer, Philadelphia Freedom, I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues, Candle In the Wind, and gorgeous versions of Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word and Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me — the memories they just kept coming, and with a power that belied their sometimes decades-old existence.
No, on the vocal side of things, John can’t still hit those high notes as illustrated by Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, but he still has immense power and he’s tailored the material and instrumentation to those minor age-dictated shortcomings.
And as an entertainer, well, the banter was brief — a reference to the city’s Cantos Music Foundation which houses one of his first pianos was the most interesting — with the focus decidedly on his playing.
And as for his playing, well, there was nothing there in need of compensating for on that side of things.
Extended versions of Rocket Man, Take Me to the Pilot and Bennie and the Jets, in particular, allowed John to showcase his digit dexterity, as he pounded on those keys, reawakening something inside of them, and reigniting those memories.
And even an extended offering of songs from his latest release, the excellent but comparatively unheard The Union, which was recorded with his idol Leon Russell, had their own familiarity about them, and didn’t, despite his sheepishness over wanting to play them, bring things down.
How could they?
It was Saturday night, after all.
A night for many things, especially sensational memories.
Read more:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Saturday+night+more+than+alright+Elton+John+Calgary/4785824/story.html#ixzz1MP0ru1Fa
http://www.hawaiistar.com/2011/05/john-jorgenson-gypsy-jazz-hawaiin-hawaii-on-june-4/
Internationally renowned guitarist, arranger and musical director
John Jorgenson and The John Jorgenson Quintet will celebrate “Gypsy Jazz” at the Hawai‘i Theatre on Saturday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. Jorgenson and friends are performing as part of the Django Would Go! Music Festival, presented by Hulavillle Events. Hawaii’s own Hot Club of Hulaville will open for them.
Led by Grammy-winning guitarist John Jorgenson, The John Jorgenson Quintet creates a unique musical experience that has enthralled audiences around the world and won innumerable accolades and awards. With each member of the group a recognized virtuoso, The Quintet’s style has been dubbed “gypsy jazz” after the dynamic string-driven swing created by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in 1930′s Paris.
Spanning several decades and many musical styles, John Jorgenson first came to national attention in the mid ‘80s as co-founder of the successful country-rock act The Desert Rose Band.
Many diverse artists were drawn to add Jorgenson’s artistry to their own recordings, including Bonnie Raitt, Bob Seger and Barbara Streisand. In the ‘90s The Hellecasters gave audiences a chance to experience John’s fretboard fireworks in an unrestrained venue and the trio’s three original CDs remain favorites of guitarists everywhere. Elton John invited Jorgenson to join his band in 1994 for an 18-month tour that stretched into a 6-year stint of touring, recording and TV appearances.
After discovering Django Reinhardt’s music in 1979, Jorgenson became known “the US Ambassador of Gypsy Jazz.” The John Jorgenson Quintet is the only American act to ever headline the prestigious Django Reinhardt Memorial Festival in France, and has been featured at other “Djangofests” in the US, UK, Germany and Canada.
For the films “Gattica” and “Head in the Clouds” Jorgenson was tapped to recreate Django’s music, and in the latter he even appeared onscreen as Django with stars Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz.
Adding to the international flavor of the Quintet is Dutch bassist
Simon Planting, well known in the gypsy-jazz community from his tenure with legendary Belgian guitarist Fapy Lafertin. Filling out the Quintet are phenomenal young jazz violinist
Jason Anick, fiery rhythm guitarist
Doug Martin, and veteran percussionist
Rick Reed.
The combination of these five incredible musicians creates a sound that has been described as dynamic, romantic, driving, and unforgettable. Legends like Elton John, Earl Scruggs and Duane Eddy along with fellow guitarists such as Tommy Emmanuel, Peter Frampton and Brad Paisley all sing Jorgenson’s praises.
Also on the program is Hawaii’s top band “The Hot Club of Hulaville” featuring
Duane Padilla on violin,
Emmet Mahoney on guitar,
Ricardo Diaz on contrabass,
Sonny Silva on guitar and
Ginai as chanteuse.
Filling out the card will be musical guests and a special appearance by guitar great
Paul Mehling of the Hot Club of San Francisco and
Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks. Plus, audience members shouldn’t be surprised if a special guest or two joins in the fun.
Tickets are available online at
www.HawaiiTheatre.com or by phone at (808) 528-0506. Prices are $20, $25, $30 and $35, with a special “Gypsy Caravan” premium package at $75.00. Gypsies in the caravan receive premium seating and a meet-the-artists reception with champagne, strawberries and cream, and crepes – both sweet and savory.
Other Festival activities include:
- Guitar, violin and bass, workshops and master classes with the performers Saturday, June 4 from 10:30 am to 1 pm. For more information, please call (808) 393.6393.
- A special show on Maui, 6 pm Sunday, June 5 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. There will be workshops and master classes as well beginning at the MACC at 3 pm and a free Gypsy Jam Session at 4 pm. Tickets and information at the MACC Box Office; 242-SHOW (7469) or at www.MauiArts.org.
- For additional information on any aspect of the Django Would Go Festival, please call (808) 393-6393.
The Elton John Tribute
Saturday 14th May 2011
http://www.laccbirmingham.co.uk/live-at-lacc.php
West Midlands based Marcus Andrew has been performing as Elton John for 6 years.
In 2002 Marcus auditioned for ITV1’s “Stars In Their Eyes” reaching the final selection stage (last 100 out of the 30,000 applicants). TV appearances as Elton include “Stars in their Doubles”, Italian media / tv and Channel 4’s “The IT Crowd”. Appearances as himself include “Doctor Who”, “Casualty”, “Mayo”, Nike advert for the World Cup 2006 and finally has had a small feature on The Jonathan Ross Show.
He is represented extensively throughout the UK and Internationally.
His look, vocals and mannerisms are second to none to the man himself.
£7.50 Per Person (exc.food)
Elton John entertained fans at the Brandt Centre.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post, Leader-Post
Elton John
http://www.leaderpost.com/entertainment/Elton+rules+stage/4777107/story.html
Brandt Centre
When it comes to his concerts, Elton John is still delivering quantity and quality to his fans.
The 64-year-old superstar returned to the Brandt Centre on Wednesday for the first of two shows and the 24-song, 160-minute set proved John isn't ready to stroll off into the sunset anytime soon.
Billed as the Greatest Hits Live tour, Wednesday's show featured some of John's favourite songs, some of his fans' favourite songs and a little bit of overlap between the two lists. Throw in five new tunes from his latest album, The Union, and fans of Sir Elton got a huge helping of world class rock 'n' roll.
John took to the stage wearing a long black coat with sequined patterns on the back and arms, black pants, a purple shirt, and sunglasses. The stage was almost barren and lacked a backdrop that allowed fans to fill the seats in the lower bowl of the facility's west end. Although behind the stage, these seats were close enough for the fans to get a good view of the elder statesman of rock 'n' roll.
John's set list hasn't changed much in recent years, so fans must assume the songs fit together so perfectly he doesn't want to disturb the flow by switching the odd song or two. Wednesday's set was quite similar to the sets John played in his earlier dates in Regina in September 2008. Five songs from The Union were added at the expense of songs like "Believe," "Honky Cat," "I'm Still Standing" and "Pinball Wizard."
Most fans probably didn't even notice the slight change in the set list as the vast number of hits in John's catalogue enabled him to start the show with good music that became better and better as the evening progressed. John eased into the show with songs like "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)," "Philadelphia Freedom," "Daniel" and "Rocket Man" before heading to the finish line with the likes of "Candle In The Wind," "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," "Bennie And The Jets," "Crocodile Rock" and "Your Song."
The evening included a number of extended versions of songs, which allowed John to flash his performance chops and inject additional life and spice into the music.
Although the numbers could be considered somewhat selfindulgent, anyone in attendance would likely admit John's talent is special. His extended introduction to "Take Me To The Pilot" left me wondering how he could produce such sound with only 88 keys and 10 fingers.
Before unveiling five songs from The Union, a collaborative effort with Leon Russell that was released in November, John explained the need for playing the new music.
"I know it's kind of hard to hear new music, (because) you want to hear the old hits, but if I don't play the new songs then it's nuts," said John.
The new songs - "Hey Ahab," "The Best Part of The Day," "Gone To Shiloh," "Monkey Suit" and "When Love Is Dying" - sound and feel like Elton John songs, but of course they're missing the history that his earlier hits carry.
John wasn't the only superb musician on stage Wednesday.
John Mahon (percussion), Kim Bullard (keyboards), Bob Birch (bass), Nigel Olsson (drums) and Davey Johnstone (guitar) were simply superb.
John also made extensive use of backup singers Tata Vega, Rose Stone, Jean Witherspoon and Lisa Stone.
While all four ladies sounded great, Lisa Stone shone brightly when featured in the chorus of "Hey Ahab." She released a ridiculously amazing voice that I'm sure took the audience by surprise.
By the end of the show it was difficult to tell what was more impressive, John's singing, his piano playing, or his amazing energy level.
For someone who turned 64 in March, John displayed the stamina of a rocker half his age.
That's good for him, because if Wednesday's performance is any indication, there's still a demand for Elton John in the world of rock 'n' roll.
SET LIST
1. Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
2. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
3. Levon
4. Madman Across the Water
5. Tiny Dancer
6. Philadelphia Freedom
7. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
8. Daniel
9. Rocket Man
10. I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
11. Hey Ahab
12. The Best Part of the Day
13. Gone To Shiloh
14. Monkey Suit
15. When Love Is Dying
16. Sad Songs (Say So Much)
17. Take Me To The Pilot
18. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
19. Candle in the Wind
20. Don't Let the Sun Go Down
21. Bennie and the Jets
22. The Bitch Is Back
23. Crocodile Rock Encore
24. Your Song
Biglietti Elton John Roma | 2011 al Cavea Auditorium Parco della Musica, Roma - mercoledì 13 de luglio de 2011 - 21:00h
http://www.ticketbis.it/biglietti-concerto-elton-john-roma-2-011/en6097?afl=444JWSTFRX
Elton John sarà a Cavea Auditorium Parco della Musica, Roma! Lasciati contagiare dal ritmo di Elton John in questo fantastico concerto. Non perdere l'opportunità di vedere Elton John in diretta e compra i tuoi biglietti prima che finiscano! I tuoi biglietti per Elton John Roma e tutti i tuoi artisti preferiti su ticketbis.it
http://forums.prospero.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=60&nav=messages&webtag=eltonjohn&tid=4196
Vote for Bernie Taupin
www.futurerocklegends.com/artist.php?artist_id=Bernie_Taupin
Look for the Yes or No icons below Bernie Taupin
This site is not affiliated with the Rock Hall
When Elton John was inducted in 1994, he thanked Bernie Taupin. Elton also asked Bernie to come up on stage and he gave his trophy to Bernie. But that is not enough. Bernie Taupin needs to be an actual inductee.
Video footage of the 1994 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony have surfaced on YouTube.
Click on the link below to go to the playlist. The videos that follow will play automatically. The first video is a clip of Axl Rose giving his induction speech for Elton John. The second and third videos are of Axl Rose with Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Bono and Bruce Hornsby backstage at the Rock Hall, and then Elton, Bernie and Axl answering questions from the media in the pressroom.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=htxeYVQnI98&feature=&p=A427A591E7C09704&index=0&playnext=1
Email I received from Terry Stewart, President of the Rock Hall Museum
Thanks for your comments about Bernie Taupin. He is certainly a good choice.
Our Nominating Committee members are very much aware of Mr. Taupin's accomplishments. As a writer, he would fall under the Non-Performer category which is done by a separate committee.
Bernie would qualify as a Non-Performer and his selection is by special committee. To date, there has not been sufficient support.
I voted for Elton John on TheTopTen's list of Best Singers of All Time. You can vote too by following the link below.
35Elton John
Thanks! Please share your opinion: “Sir Elton John is the best singer (studio or alive).
Your comment will appear here as soon as we have had a chance to approve it“Great vocal range, great smoothness in quality. And he has an distinctive voice
“Wide range, versatility, power, and a killer falsetto. This man's voice is pure gold!
“Elton John is probably one of the best male singer... he have such a great voice in live..
http://www.the-top-tens.com/ lists/best-rock-n-roll- pianists.asp
www.the-top-tens.com
Best Rock n Roll Pianists interactive top ten list at TheTopTens. Vote, add to, or comment on the Best Rock n Roll Pianists.
Elton John
“Elton John is the world's greatest pianist. He has the greatest piano playing range. He plays music from all genres including rock, pop, classical, R$B, Gospel and everything in between! He not plays the piano wonderfully. He makes the audience feel that he is playing without effort when in fact, it is very difficult to play, sing and perform. He has been doing this professional for over 45 years!
I have seen him live in concert over 20 times, watched hundreds of videos and viewed videos of his live concerts. He is a master pianist, song writer, performer, producer.. a musicial genius!
I must also mention Billy Joel but he is number 2 behind Elton.
“Elton John is the greatest musician that has ever lived. He is a true musical genius. His ability to play beautiful melodies is obvious, but if you analyze his work you'll discover that those melodies are made up of very complex rhythms and an utter mastery of dynamics. When most bands attempt this, it feels disjointed and forced. When Elton does it, it feels smooth and glorious, and literally sends shivers up my spine. He is the king.
“Elton's various shows are absolutely amazing! One time just solo for 3 hrs with his piano, another evening together in a 2-man-show with percussionist Ray Cooper, another show featuring his 5-man-band, then we have those flamboyant Vegas-Shows (Red Piano and the upcoming Million Dollar Piano) and last but not least he plays concerts with orchestras... Genious!
“Since someone mentioned Juilliard with respect to David Bryan, whoever that is, let us not forget that EJ won a scholarship at age 11 to attend the Royal Academy of Music, where he was a student for five years. And he began playing piano at the age of 3, by ear.
“You must be hard-hearing to not hear that Elton is a wizard on his piano. No one plays like him, not only the notes he's playing, but also the ones he isn't playing. How many songs do you recognize by ONE note? Bennie And The Jets and what else? Nuffing!
“Elton is the best artist of the world: with candle in the wind he has touch the hearts of the world at diana funeral. And before his fiance know him for his fantastic songs like skiline pigeon, indian sunset, rocket man, your song, and many more!
“OMG! Elton wails on the piano in concert. He goes off on these fabulous riffs that make you boogy like there's no tomorrow. I am in heaven every time I see him work his magic on those black and whites.
“Elton John has been one of the most influential piano players of all time. He's truly one of the worlds best piano players as well as one of the best entertainers! Long live Elton John!
“Elton is fluent in just about any musical genre, improvises complex solos every night, and plays with passion... for three hours without a break!
“Starting out at the age he did is amazing in itself. He has consistently come up with hit after hit wowing people everywhere!
“I was honestly so tried to decide, Freddie is great on Love of My Life, but Elton John is the best pianist, in his category.
I<3Queen
“There simply is no one like Elton John. You haven't lived when you haven't heard this man playing his piano live.
“Best piano player EVER! - I dare you to name one song he has written where the piano skills aren't SUPREME!
“In the future Elton John will be at the history books at the same level as Mozart... it's simply a genious!
“Just watch a couple of clips on Youtube of Elton playing live and you'll see he should win hands down!
“Great performer amazing pianist... that's why I can't wait to see him on the Top of this chart ;)
“Not sure who David Bryan is, But I'm sure he would agree about Elton being the Best!
“35 years later, and he still amazes me in concert. He is a truly gifted pianist.
“Listen to him live, and tell me he's not the best. Yeah I thought so.
“When it comes to piano playing, Elton cleans everybody else's clock.
“For those who doubt, they need to see Elton's solo show. Incredible.
“Sorry, there is no contest.. EJ Is the Consumate R^^R Piano Player.
“Elton... it's barely a contest.
freddie Mercury is a singer
“elton john is awesome, listen to rocket man and tiny dancer
“No one can touch him... have you seen him live? Fantastic!
“Hands Down the best piano player in the music industry.
“Candle in the wind is a masterpiece..
vishwathakkar121
Gaga inovou mais uma vez no visual
Gaga inovou mais uma vez no visual
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