Candle In The Wind [Live]

[BiteUrLip]

Recorded live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 14 December, 1986.

[BiteUrLip]

The best version of this song, to me. It grows really well towards the end.

5+ stars.

[dougs]

"Candle in the Wind" live in 1986 from LIVE IN AUSTRALIA:

Elton finally created a tour featuring a symphony orchestra - in this case it was the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.  EJ had played the occasional show with an orchestra but this tour in Australia featured a larger section of music to tap into (1970 to 1986) and used long-time band musician James Newton Howard to be arranger and conductor of these EJ songs.  The songs were treated to tremendous arrangements.  "Candle in the Wind" however, was not given an orchestral treatment.  It was just Elton on piano with some underlying electronic keyboard supporting the song.  This is the tour where Elton's voice began to fail due to growths on his vocal chords which, understandably, had EJ quite worried.  There were widespread health concerns.  Despite these worries, Elton delivered an emotional version of the song.  It was impressive watching Elton make his way through the song overcoming his voice issues as best as he could.  It was raw and powerful.

This live version from LIVE IN AUSTRALIA was released as a single and had big success;  #4 in Ireland, #5 in Canada and the UK, and #6 in the US.  "Candle in the Wind" had not been released as a single in North America until this version from 1986.  The original GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD version from 1973 was released as a single in Europe and in Australia & New Zealand in early 1974 as the fourth single from the album.

Rating: 5 1/2 stars

Doug

[newloneranger]

I prefer it live with the band, still a pretty good version though.

4 1/2 stars

[rocketman]

4 stars...It was a surprise (to me, anyway) hit; I'd have never guessed this rendition of an long time FM favorite would climb the charts as it did. I guess there was untapped potential; the song itself, considering that the studio version was never released as a single, is instantly recognizable and widely known. Of course, the 1997 version (interesting that the song would appear in three iterations over three decades, spaced almost evenly apart) would end up as a mega-seller that honored Princess Diana as a lyrically reworked ode to the tragically deceased friend of Elton and international figure.


Personally, this rendition just barely rings the bell at 4 stars - I appreciate Elton's effort, but I often skip it when listening to the concert album.