ShareElton John and his band performing his Wonderful Crazy Night Tour at 3aaa County Ground Derby on Sunday 4th June 2017.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
The legendary musician that is Elton John was at the 3aaa County Ground in Derby last night as part of his Wonderful Crazy Night tour.
Having last played in Derby 38 years ago, it was heightened security that unfortunately marked his return but that did not put off this huge crowd who had waited patiently in the queue to gain admission, because this iconic musician was well worth waiting for.
Having recently recovered from a ‘potentially deadly’ illness contracted whilst on tour in South America, this young 70 year old showed that he can still hold an audience in the palm of his hand and keep them there all evening.
Coming on stage to rapturous applause, wearing red tinted glasses and a sparkly black coat he opened with The Bitch Is Back and the crazy night began. With 30 studio albums to his credit, and a back catalogue so long, there was never going to be time for everything. But last night he revisited eleven of them with the likes of I Guess That’s why They Call It The Blues from 1983’s Too Low For Zero and the rarely played Take Me To The Pilot from his self titled 1970 album.
He showcased his subliminal keyboard skills on new tracks from his latest album, Wonderful Crazy Night, with the up tempo Looking Up and the beautiful A Good Heart, whilst Levon got an extended piano jam, backed by his long term collaborators Davy Johnstone on guitar and Nigel Olsson on drums.
With Bennie And The Jets and Daniel coming early in the set, they propped up a great many of his biggest pop hits. I Want Love was played before a backdrop of We love MCR and LDN and was given its due respect from a silent crowd, whilst their reaction was hard to beat for Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me. A stately, mellifluous piano solo introduced Rocket Man and the ovation at the end of it drew him away from the piano as he acknowledged the crowd’s applause from each corner of the stage.
He also threw in another couple of rarities with Have Mercy On The Criminal from his 1973 album Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player and Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock n’ Roll) from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Finishing with fans favourite Crocodile Rock, the crowd were on their feet for a rip roaring Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting.
Finishing off with a subliminal Candle In The Wind, Elton John showed just why he is still attracting huge crowds after nearly fifty years of playing his music. He is a genuine music legend who still entertains.
