Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Once again, TWO different years. Two radically different shows. Two brilliant performances. That's the short report on Elton John's record thus far at Blaisdell Arena.
Elton John delivers
a brilliant show
This year, he and his band stick
almost entirely with his '70s hits,
performing with passion
and verveSecond show tonight
By John Berger
Star-BulletinLast year's solo show was easily one of Hawaii's best concert performances of Y2K. This one, with Elton wrapping up his "One Night Only" tour supported by an excellent band, will certainly stand as one of the best concerts we will see here in 2001.
He thrilled fans here last year with a superb set that ran almost three full hours and consisted of fresh arrangements of familiar hits and a fascinating cross-section of songs less well known in the United States that date from his earliest days as a solo artist in the '60s.
This year, he and the band are sticking almost entirely with '70s hits. He performed last night without a break or a costume change -- a pink jacket with black sequined appliques and black trousers with a single red stripe along the seams sufficed.
Elton apologized several times for feeling a bit subpar vocally, but he performed with passion and verve throughout the evening. The occasional vocal glitches actually added emotional impact in his powerful alternate arrangement of "Levon" about 30 minutes into the show.
It was easy in the stadium rock era to watch the costumes and overlook Elton's talent as a pianist. While the show last year was a perfect showcase for Elton as pianist, the quality of the sound mix last night allowed fans to appreciate his command of the keyboard. "Levon" was one of the hits he did not do last year, and its reworked arrangement gave this year's crowd a fine example of Elton's power and presence as a pianist.There were many other magic moments as well. "Your Song," his first Top 10 U.S. hit, had never seemed as romantic as it did last night. "Tiny Dancer" was again a glorious surprise -- the gloriousness inherent in the song itself; the surprise factor being that it was one of his least successful American singles.
ELTON'S enchanting "Candle in the Wind" opened a mini-set of songs from the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" album. He continued with "Benny and the Jets" and the album's title song before switching eras slightly with "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" and "Philadelphia Freedom."
"Crocodile Rock" was again the party song of the show. The crowd seemed less of a get-up-and-dance group than the fans a year ago, but Elton got them up with that one.
And "Come Together" proved an excellent choice as a tribute to the Beatles.
Anyone who remembers the early days of the Elton John Band in Los Angeles (think "Empty Sky" album) could particularly enjoy seeing Nigel Olsson back with him on drums. Olsson was phenomenal last night and appeared to be having a great time. Guitarist Davey Johnstone (a veteran of the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" era) and bassist Bob Birch added charisma up front as members of the band.
The breadth of Elton's appeal was reflected by the range of ages in the crowd. Local teen stars Janel Parrish and Jennifer Perri were there. So were Puakea Nogelmeier, City Council Chairman John Yoshimura, Waikiki showroom veteran Nephi Hannemann and his brother, Mufi. Twenty-something local business exec Donnie Trujillo was back to see Elton after catching the solo show last year and pronounced this one excellent as well.
Elton closed with "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." He looked tired but happy and left the fans satisfied but ready for more. A spokesman for promoter Tom Moffatt said yesterday that a few tickets are available for the second show tonight. Once again, Elton is here with a show worth seeing twice.
