Written by: George Gibson
Photo Credits: Derrick Owen
There was dancing in the aisles at EMCA’s Epic Elton show last Friday in the Pinawa Community Centre. The sold-out crowd was enthusiastic in its appreciation of the seventeen classic Elton John songs performed by Jeff Scott and his four piece band.
The catchy uptempo toe-tappers like Honkey Cat, Tiny Dancer, and of course Rocket Man animated the crowd in the first set. Many in the audience had been to see the big screen bio-pic and demonstrated their knowledge and enjoyment of the music. The first dancers hit the floor to move to Daniel. Clapping along was common and there were sing-alongs as well, some solicited and some simply spontaneous.
To start the second set, Bennie and the Jets was easily recognized at the first pounce on the keys. This was followed by I’m Still Standing which may have been the best performance of the show. Crocodile Rock, Your Song, and Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting brought dancing and hearty sing-alongs, the latter piece accompanied by a colourful and appreciated balloon drop followed by an immediate standing ovation. The encore of Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me elicited more singing and even some emotional lighted arm-waving.
For me, although the energetic pieces were well done, the band seemed most comfortable and the lyrics most clean in the ballads. The lead guitar was strong throughout, with a memorable guitar solo in Rocket Man. The electric keyboards, bass guitar and drums sounded spot on and Jeff’s piano was powerful, delicate, and practically perfect.
Jeff and the band got the music near perfect. They got the mood right (Jeff’s costuming was wonderful). They pulled four hundred concert-goers into a magic trip to the 70s and 80s with Elton John, and the four hundred happily responded.
What did you think of Epic Elton?
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