di Paul Purcell (thanks!)
Hello Cork...
it's great to be able to say that again Elton declared last night
as his love affair continued with the best small venue in the world to
see him. Straight in from the off he majestically stomped onstage
with Kim Bullard reflecting his pomp with a sweeping brassy overture to
herald the Bitch back. Davey Johnstone had returned to his trusted
position of chief wingman for the Captain... the leader in his light
blue crystal encrusted jacket with his very position in the world to
our town emblazoned on the back. Fantastic the feedback he
immediately got from the crowd...start as we mean to go on. Levon
with it's extended jam went into extra time... Elton pushed the finish
line further back than usual with the girls in the backing vocals all
egging him on with hand claps and locked eye contact. Not before
Tata Vega had shone on her vocal part of the song. Holiday Inn
with Davey's wonderful mandolin with it's Celtic connection was right
at home. When he did Believe... possibly my favourite
Elton/Bernie song ever... this was a statement of purpose and
ideal. Matt Bissonette's plunging bass lines on the chorus were
outstanding, the boy has done more than well in replacing the late
great Bob Birch. Safe hands indeed... Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
had Elton asking us for our assistance. We had already answered
before he asked the question!! Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies
Bleeding was one of the many highlights for Nigel on the night. The
reason being was that John Mahon had taken ill before the show and was
under the care of the wonderful staff of a Cork hospital. So Nigel
upped his game beyond the world class levels he's established and
filled any gaps with the same power and gentleness that John
provides. On LLB when it got going it was like the old days. His
drum sound filled the air...air that we breathed in and could the fell
the power in our hearts. When it was over, the onslaught of rock
rolling over us continued. It was the turn of All The Girls Love Alice
to keep up the pace. The riff had the headbangers out... and Elton was
the banging the keys in equal measure. But we needed a breather...we're
only human but Elton is on the level slightly above us in that
department so he he duly obliged. When he did Sorry, the string
sound at the start from Kim seemed to last eternity before Elton's
piano came in. On the solo where John would do his discreet yet vital
parts, Nigel assumed the mantle and brought his trademark slow drumming
on the ride cymbal into play to give that section a whole new dynamic.
Beautiful! The Elton did The One solo... by now he was playing grace
notes... the voice and piano held court and the transfixing of everyone
was an at One moment for sure. Then Elton rocked out...no space between
the courses, the crowd were gorging as quick as Elton could feed
us. Crocodile Rock was a wow moment... who may you ask told
me? None other than Elton himself as he mouthed those words as we
LA' LA'd him in adoration. Saturday Night's Alright had Davey doing a
new raspy solo just before the final chants...eye popping and ear
bending it was. As per usual the crowd at the Marquee joined in with
Elton on Your Song... because that's the way it works here... then
Circle Of Life solo send us on our way without a stampede, but we were
joyful. Just when you think with Elton you've seen it all, he proves
there's more to be seen than can ever be seen and more to do than can
ever be done from him. Overall the setlist rocked like nobodies
business, Elton sounded and played with precision and class. The
band were in tremendous form... John Mahon got a tremendous cheer when
his name was mentioned at the band intro's. He must have heard it from
his sick bed. Elton loves this venue. An artist needs a proper canvass
to create his art, the canvass of the Marquee tent is tailored made for
Elton. A majical place he called it. But his majic was the star
on the night ...
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