
04-13-2006, 03:19 PM
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High Roller
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 664
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Sir Elton John
SIR ELTON JOHN
Our show this trip was Elton John’s The Red Piano at Caesar’s Coliseum. He was filling in for Celine Dion while she is in Montreal. The 7:30 show was a sellout, 5,000 people. Facing the stage, we set left of the middle. What a great tip from a friend, as that is where the piano is situated.
This talented icon is a first rate showman. Not everyone cares for his music, but I believe no one will argue with his artistry on the ivories. His flair and panache is undeniable. We perhaps like the older Elton, as opposed to the young rising star who began his career in 1969. This mature Sir Elton reflects a personality that is finally at peace with his career and life style which is evident in his confidence and willingness to poke fun at his younger version.
Elton John loves to push the envelope and the evening’s performance was no exception. We saw dozens of children attending this concert with their parents and realized that a more suitable venue should have been sought for them. There were several very sexually explicit numbers that a mature audience found entertaining and not the least bit offensive, after all, this is Vegas. However, it was inappropriate for young eyes and ears.
Elton playfully entertained for 95 minutes with no intermission and only one costume change that was no longer than 4 minutes. The videos on the back screen were a trip down memory lane of an era that has long since disappeared. We had read about the videos and were prepared to find them distracting to the music but we feel that they only enhanced the production.
Dressed in a purple embroidered-back tail-coat, pink satin “bow blouse” long shirt replete with coordinating pink and purple shoes, complemented with pink sparkly glasses, E.J. was as flamboyant as ever. It would have been disappointing if he had gone staid! We like to think of him as our generation’s version of Liberace, perhaps a shade toned down.
He played many of the oldies that had the audience rocking and clapping. He introduced a few new tunes from a soon-to-be released CD. I believe he said it would hit the music stores in November. We found the number on Marilyn Monroe haunting. She was successful and beautiful but so despondent and lonely. Her essence was captured in the video with only Elton playing in the background. It told such a story, as did Daniel. This was a story from our youth, painful as it was. It evoked memories we dare not forget. He spoke briefly to the audience about his love affair with Vegas, which was evident in one musical segment that was a tribute to Sin City. He confided that he would love his own show like Celine has. Wouldn’t that be fantastic! He also expressed his love for the USA. He is grateful to America for his fame and fortune.
He had energy, charisma, talent, and the keen sensibility to be himself with no apologies necessary. He is uniquely—Elton John! |
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