CONCERT REVIEW: Elton John Crocodile Rockin’ in Edmonton
In 1973, it was still OK to leave 10-year-olds in the car by themselves as the adults went to the grocery store or whatever – so one day I was alone in the car and had the radio on for amusement.
Until that moment, music was just a thing in the environment I never thought too much about. I liked it, but none of it meant anything personal to me. But as I sat listening, a song came on that totally grabbed my attention and made me feel something in a way no other song up to that point had. It was Crocodile Rock by Elton John. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since. I even resorted to being a musician to try and grab it back. So, despite the punk rock ethic and disdain for commercial music, I was always able to hold a spot in my heart for Elton John for expanding my horizons in an important way. Judging by the subtly excited and happy crowd at Rogers Place on Friday, Sept. 27 – the first of a two-nighter in the building – I knew I wasn’t alone.
A classy yet somewhat plain stage allowed for Elton to be the flamboyant element in the show. His backing band all wore suits and ties with sunglasses. He was the first man out, sequined glasses and sequined tux glittering in the lights. He sat at the piano and banged out one chord – and we ALL knew what song this was. He waits a few beats. Hits the chord again. Nothing else for the crowd to do except piss their pants in anticipation. Hits the chord again a few more times. What a showman. By the time they kick into Benny and the Jets, the crowd would have done anything he asked. But he wasn’t here to ask anything of us. After 50 years of success he was here to say goodbye and give us one more “go ‘round” with his Farewell Yellow Brick Road show.
As one would expect, this was an overview of an interesting career, and a reminder who the source is of the soundtrack to little bits of our lives. He covered everything from Daniel, to Philadelphia Freedom, to Sad Songs (Say So Much), and of course, the one that started it all for me, Crocodile Rock. Mr. John had us sing the falsetto part.
His band was terrific, one wouldn’t expect anything less. Comprised mostly of players with extensive history playing with Elton since his beginnings: Davey Johnstone on guitar, Nigel Osson on drums, Ray Cooper and John Mahon on all kinds of percussion, Matt Bisonette on bass, and Kim Bullard filled things out with whatever keyboard work Elton didn’t do.
What was probably the best treat was getting schooled on how good of a pianist he is. When you hear the records, see the videos, or even witness the gentle compassionate public image he conveys, you lose sight of the fact that primarily, he is a working musician who is damn good at his job. There is still an angry rocker in there. But he could do anything: honky-tonk country, blues, jazz, the guy is just a killer piano player. It was apt when images of Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis showed on the screen. Elton John, deep inside, is just like them.
Towards the end he told us how he’s been 50 years in the music business; he has a family now, and when he’s done this trip he’s going home to them. It was touching and genuine, and when he thanked us for the years, I believed he meant it.
It was perfect that he did Goodbye Yellow Brick Road as his last song. When it was done, and as we expressed our appreciation, he appeared to rise up to the yellow brick road and walk off into the sunset. Kind of cheesy, I guess. Enough to make Neil Diamond gnash his teeth, anyway. But thanks for the music, Elton. That Crocodile Rockin’ was out of sight.
Mike McDonald is the lead singer and songwriter of Jr. Gone Wild
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