Elton John:The Red Piano

Elton John:The Red Piano Review



Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)
 




2009 Advisor
MikeMaroon
Chattanooga, TN

The Rocket Man Blasts Off in Vegas

5 star rating

Loves concerts
Pros

    Elton John at his best, Great, great songs., A true showman

Cons
    Definately PG-13., Too short

APR
3
2009
 
 
I've been to a lot of concerts in my life and I've never been to another that equaled the sheer energy and showmanship of an Elton John concert.  So, since I knew I'd likely never take a trip to Vegas and/or cough up the $125.00 a ticket to see the highly touted The Red Piano show at Caesar's Palace, I did what I hoped would be the next best thing.  I went to Best Buy and plunked down 20 bucks for the DVD.    I was not disappointed.  Since 2004, EJ and his band have played hundreds of shows, taking over the famed stage once occupied nightly by Celine Dion.  He even cracks wise about it during his performance, stating that she gets to move around the stage, which is why she's still the "human Q-Tip".   Elton, on the other hand, has sat behind a piano for 35 years, which is why he, well, isn't. 

The DVD set comes with a DVD (who wouldathunk?) of his performance, another DVD of  "rare and unseen footage" from backstage and two audio CDs, just in case you want to hear the show in the truck or car, or what have you.  There is also a small booklet with the set list, some reviews and EJ's description of the show.  And it is some show.

If you were around in the 1970's you know what an over-the-top extravaganza an Elton John concert could be.  The combination of great pop songs, written by he and Bernie Taupin, along with the wild costumes and sets and his extra-long (sometimes topping 3 hours) shows, are what made him the icon he was and still is.  The Red Piano gives us a taste of that and evidence that, even in his early 60's and wearing a pace-maker, Elton has no immediate intentions of slowing down.

The show takes place on the grand stage at Caesar's Palace, and at no time does all that space go to waste.   Elton and his big red Yamaha grand piano occupy a big star shaped platform stage left and his band is right behind him.  This band has been together a long time and it shows in their musicianship.  Elton rightly calls them one of the best bands on Earth.
Behind the stage is a mammoth movie screen, about 30 feet high and long as the stage itself.  It serves as the backdrop and enlightenment for a lot of his songs.

The 14 song set list on this DVD begins with one of his most popular songs, Bennie and the Jets.  The full house audience (pretty much every show, which closes this month, after a 4 year run, is a sellout) is immediately on their feet and pretty much stay there the whole 90+ minutes.
Before the song, Elton explains how his record company wanted the song as a single while he fought it, saying it would never be a hit.  Only when he learned the song has be come the most played record at a popular R&B station in Detroit, did he relent.  Of course it went #1 all over the world.

Daniel is a song with, to some folks, cryptic lyrics, but beautiful nonetheless. EJ explains how he chopped of the last verse when he put music to it, and that's why it's so hard to understand.  A beautiful film by David LaChapelle in the background as Elton sings, gives us a clue to the song's meaning.

Rocket Man becomes an epic dissertation on loneliness as Elton stretches it out and the excellent video for This Train Don't Stop There Anymore with Justin Timberlake as a young Elton plays in the background.

Another highlight in a show that's pretty much ALL highlights is Candle In The Wind.  A reverent hush comes over the audience as EJ sings this sad ode and a video montage of Marylin Monroe plays in the background.  You can actually feel finality of her goodbye at the end when she closes the door and briefly waves good-bye.

The rest of the set list includes, Philadelphia Freedom, Believe, Answer in the Sky, Tiny Dance, Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me, Pinball Wizard, The Bitch Is Back (complete with a Pam Anderson pole dance), I'm Still Standing (and a video homage to Elton's long career), Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting, and finally, Your Song (which he dedicates to his fans)

THE BOTTOM LINE

Anyone with any sense knows Elton John is the true king of pop, not Micheal Jackson. With each song performed, the stage gets cluttered with more and more balloons, blow-up figures and neon signs, symbolizing the fullness of his career.   If you've been to an EJ concert you know what an experience they are.  In its own way, The Red Piano tops all that.  It is eye-popping dazzling, fun-loving entertainment mixed with nostalgia, right up till the size 236 quadruple D cup plastic boobs burst out onto the stage.   And, if you like Elton at all, you should see this.  Best 20 bucks a music lover could ever spend and it's available only at Best Buy.  I haven't been there, but I do have the T-shirt ( a friend brought me one back when she went), but man, I wish I coulda been there.  GRADE: A

Last edited on Apr 05, 2009



I_thumb_up Elton John:The Red Piano is recommended by MikeMaroon

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about MikeMaroon’s Review

 


MikeMaroon wrote on Jun 29, 2009 at 12:37PM

In response to piano-jane's comment from Jun 29, 2009 at 5:46AM:

Thank YOU!

piano-jane wrote on Jun 29, 2009 at 5:46AM

Wow Mike, good review...thanks

PattyTherre wrote on Apr 13, 2009 at 10:26PM

I saw Elton John and Billy Joel live and it was an awesome show but I have to admit, Billy Joel was much more of a storyteller than Elton. Still, great music! This sounds like a winner.

GigiandAdonai wrote on Apr 4, 2009 at 8:18PM

This sounds awesome and for $20 you got a really good deal! I remember when my family went to see Elton in concert a few years ago. They didn't invite me b/c they didn't think I cared for his music. What! I love his more classic pieces from the 70s and 80s. I would almost be tempted to buy this set myself. Thanks for introducing me to the product--not the man ;+)

JovialCougar wrote on Apr 4, 2009 at 8:53AM

Sounds like a good collection. I hate it when they leave out some of their top songs so you'll buy some other DVD too.

AngelaWLaFon wrote on Apr 3, 2009 at 5:34PM

It does sound light all highlights. I would love to see him live too if it didn't mean living the sticks.

AngelaWLaFon wrote on Apr 3, 2009 at 5:34PM

It does sound light all highlights. I would love to see him live too if it didn't mean living the sticks.

GrandmawsOpinion wrote on Apr 3, 2009 at 2:35PM

My freshman year in college I saw Elton John for the first time and he just keeps getting better! The true diva of pop!

LaurieM wrote on Apr 3, 2009 at 2:28PM

I want a copy ... ahem .. cough cough ... ;)

BayouBengal wrote on Apr 3, 2009 at 1:50PM

A classic...


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