Sir Elton John performed for a sold-out audience Friday evening in Norfolk. I was among the 10,000 crammed into ODU’s Ted Constant Center for three hours, a welcome break from tax season. I enjoyed the concert but wish he had ditched the entire segment of songs with Leon Russell (the set list is here) and instead sung more of his hits.
His voice was wonderful, if lower than it used to be. Early on, the sound system was quite clear – I could hear the percussionist’s shakers, for example – except for the guitar, which I found strange. As the concert wore on, it seemed they turned up the volume, but even that was OK. I’ve long admired his piano playing and that did not disappoint.
What was really strange, though, was his lack of engaging the audience. This New York Times review from his concert two days describes it:
For most of the concert, though, he seemed happier to yield control to the songs. In a show without much background video or other distractions, Mr. John put himself across evenly, speaking little, tottering around the stage a few times in a black long coat, motioning for applause.
For a very long time, I felt like I was an intruder in a private jam session. He rarely spoke between songs and it wasn’t until he got to “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” that he even invited the audience to sing along.
And that whole Leon Russell thing was really weird. I’ll admit – I never heard of Leon Russell before Friday night, despite his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last week. Besides, I didn’t go to hear Russell (who sounded a lot like Willie Nelson but looked like one of the guys from ZZ Top).
I didn’t expect that John would be the over-the-top performer that he used to be – after all, he’ll be 64 this week – but I thought he’d sing enough of his old songs that it wouldn’t matter.
I’m sure he’s tired of singing the same songs; after all, “Philadelphia Freedom” was released in 1975. Which could be why he sang it so fast. But I never tire of hearing it and based on the audience response, I wasn’t alone. “Daniel,” his hit from 1973, was, unfortunately, cut from the set list.
I’m glad I went – it was good to see one of the performers I listened to as a teenager on WGH, even though he didn’t sing enough of the old songs for me. Another item on my bucket list complete.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Vivian:
I surprized you had no idea who Leon Russell was/is. Did he perform “Tight Rope”?
His Vegas concert @Caesars – we went a few years ago – was all that you say you missed in this one at the TED. Background video, props and much more engagement with his fans and oldies.
“(who sounded a lot like Willie Nelson but looked like one of the guys from ZZ Top).”
Glad to see nothing has changed with Leon in the last 30 years;-)
I had seen Elton in 2003 when he was in Norfolk, he did many more of his old stuff then. I agree he doesn’t disappoint especially at his age. For me he goes up there with the other great concerts I have seen, beginning with Elvis, you are never sorry you went!
My, my,
In government would you comment so harshly on someone you had not even researched? Yet you paid $ to see a concert seeking old music, not knowing Sir Elton has made MANY changes this past year, including a Grammy nomination for ‘The Union’ songs with Leon. His honored guest Leon Russell IS a new Hall of Fame member, yet your comment on his hair style was at best a lame attempt to babble. Stay home with your 45’s and don’t write a review when unprepared!
A Concert enthusiast of Leon and Elton!
Dru – obviously you haven’t read the comment policy here, as personal attacks are not allowed. The only one unprepared here is you. It is quite rude to attack the host.