#10 - Better Off Dead - Elton John - Live Million Dollar Piano (Las Vegas) 2012

Now, for the very first time I can now present some amazing uploads! The first known recording of one of Elton's Million Dollar Piano shows, which are running at the Cesar's Palace Coliseum in Las Vegas. The show is from the 12th of May 2012 and is therefore brand new. The show was recorded on an iPhone which gives us a fine sound quality, though with a lot of distortion throughout the recording. Moreover, there are some cuts throughout the recording but this is the only thing we have from a Million Dollar Piano show. But let's get on to the show!
The show opens with the soundtrack to the film \"2001: A Space Odyssey\" followed by The Bitch Is Back. I still think that Elton sounds much better than previous years and a lot of Elton rough voice has vanished. Elton sounds fresh and clean (well, apart from the distorted sound), and delivers a great version of the song. He also plays a great piano solo during the song! Elton is funny throughout the show and makes jokes both about Rod Stewart, Celine Dion, Cher, and himself! These jokes can be heard on the opening remarks. Levon is a fantastic with an awesome piano solo and with fantastic backing vocals (I really hope Elton will stick to the fantastic ladies!). Elton talks about his Yamaha grand pianos while introducing Blossom (The Million Dollar Piano). Elton talks about the features on the piano which has a microwave and an aquarium. Elton sings a tiny snippet of Don't Go Breaking My Heart, complaining that the piano doesn't have Kiki Dee in it! Elton holds a very beautiful speech before playing You Song, telling the story behind the song and how it was written. Elton also mentions that this year is the 45th year Bernie Taupin and Elton John have been writing together -- stunning! Amazing performance of one of the greatest songs ever written -- Elton plays it without the band nor strings and makes it very intense.
During these shows Elton has decided to include some more obscure songs from his catalogue. These songs are Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters, Better Off Dead, Indian Sunset, and Blue Eyes (which are not performed very often). I've missed Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters in the set for a long time as it is one of my all-time favorite songs and it is really a true gem. A couple of years ago it was a part of Elton solo set, but has not been played with the band since 2007 (Elton 60). This version is very good with Davey's mandolin and the backing vocals -- amazing! Better Off Dead is often performed with Ray Cooper (which is also present at this concert). This version, however, doesn't feature the band, but is played with Ray Cooper like on their two-man show. But we have excellent vocals on the song! Indian Sunset, which is so to speak the most obscure song during this show. The song is also played only with Ray Cooper on percussion. Fantastic a cappella intro and Elton's voice is in top shape in his age. Ray Cooper has to be one of the best percussionists in the world! He gives new dimensions to Elton's songs and I love this version of the song. Elton dedicates Blue Eyes to late Elizabeth Taylor.
Afterwards follows some of the big hits: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Philadelphia Freedom etc. I'm glad we have Ray Cooper's tambourine back on Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. Some of the tempos are rather fast, some are comparable to some of Elton's 80's performances. For instance, Philadelphia Freedom is very fast as well as Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting! 1:14 on I'm Still Standing, Nigel makes a mistake and he leaves a beat out, but he quickly returns and plays without fails the rest of the song. Also the tempo here is fast! Also, Elton proves that his voice is still able to hit some high notes! He hits C5's on Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting which quite beyond amazing! People who thought he had lost his falsetto should listen to this! The last number is Circle Of Life, which has not been played with the band since 1998. A great comeback for a great song!
- Enjoy!