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Post by BiteUrLip on Jan 2, 2021 17:07:17 GMT
From 1979 Live From Moscow (With Ray Cooper).
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Post by BiteUrLip on Jan 2, 2021 17:10:31 GMT
The first part (SNAFF) is interesting and filled with energy, but unfortunately the intensity drops for me during PW. And of course, it would be much better with full band, which is the reason why I don't much care about this live album.
4 stars.
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Post by dougs on Jan 4, 2021 19:14:51 GMT
"Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" & "Pinball Wizard" from LIVE FROM MOSCOW:
In 2019 the LIVE FROM MOSCOW album was released on double vinyl initially for RECORD STORE DAY 2019 and then digitally in 2020. The album featured tracks from one of Elton's famous concerts from Russia from 1979. As was the norm with that (eventual) year-long tour, EJ played the first half solo and was then joined by percussionist and friend Ray Cooper for the second half of the concerts. To finish off the evening Elton would ramp things up in rock n' roll fashion by playing his fast guitar-based songs such as "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" and "Pinball Wizard" as well as a selection of other famous tunes by other artists such as The Beatles.
"Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" and "Pinball Wizard" became frantic as the two musicians onstage do their best to reproduce the energy of the originals - without guitars, drums, and bass. The intro is well done and the effort includes audience involvement. These songs "felt" good live but don't necessarily benefit from repeated listening. Rock n' roll is meant to be raw and edgy. These performances (sans guitar) are certainly raw and generally good fun across its 9 minutes of music. They don't quite capture what EJ and band generally achieve. Regardless, they offer up a unique interpretation of the two famous songs.
The best of the LIVE FROM MOSCOW concerts and from other concerts across the world in 1979 with Ray Cooper were EJ's piano-based songs like "Sixty Years On" and "Where To Now St. Peter?" and "Rocket Man" plus a superb combo of "Funeral For A Friend / Tonight." Those songs were worth the price of admission. The setlist went truly deep. Elton focused on his piano playing and vocals in creating often great fresh and vibrant renditions of his songs. The electric piano work on later versions (autumn 1979) of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" is stunning.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Doug
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Post by newloneranger on Jan 15, 2021 16:52:57 GMT
its pretty good. Would be better with the entire band.
4 stars
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