Customer Reviews

Elton John - Live in Australia [VHS]

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This review refers to the J2 Communications VHS edition of "Elton John Live in Australia".....

If you love Elton John and are a collector of his works, this is a must have. It was recorded live in concert in Dec 1986 and is a real treat for the eyes, the ears, and the soul.

It is a 95 minute tape, the first half with the band opens with a little of "Funeral For a Friend" and goes right into a rousing rendition of "One Horse Town." It is fun to watch as well as listen to as Elton performs in his outrageuos wigs, costumes and antics. There are extended versions of "Rocket Man" and "Benny and the Jets", where in this live performance he adds quite a bit more including a little boogie-woogie.Elton gets the audience going with "Benny" as he lies on the floor while playing the piano. Also in this first half we are treated to "Sad Songs", "Daniel" ,"Bitch is Back", "That's Why They Call it The Blues" and "I'm Still Standing".

The second half Elton is donning a powdered wig and a sparkly white tuxedo(looking like Mozart reincarnated) and is joined by the wonderful sounds of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by James Newton Howard. You may recognize this name if you are a film buff. He scored much of the billant music for movies such as "The Sixth Sense" and "Grand Canyon"(and many others). They open with a beautiful take on "60 Years On", and continue to mesmerize with 'I Need You To Turn To",and "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word". Then a beautiful tribute to Marilyn Monroe with "Candle in the Wind"(this one brought a lump to my throat), and a touching rendition of "Your Song" before he has everyone up on their feet for "Saturday Night's All Right For Fighting".

The whole concert is great to watch as well as listen to. The energy of Elton, the musicians and the audience is contagious. You can hardly help yourself from cranking it up and maybe singing along. Terrific colors and sound on this Hi-Fi Stereo VHS. If your used to just watching DVDs the picture probably won't seem as crystal clear to you but it's really well worth the view.

Other songs included are "Take Me to The Pilot", "Burn Down The Mission","Blue Eyes" and "Don't Let The Sun Go Down".

It left me smiling and a little nostalgic, and also wishing I was there at that concert. But mostly still humming all those great EJ songs!

If you know an Elton John fanatic (or if you are one), this is a great addition to any collection. Enjoy...Laurie

This was a sad video to watch,... The voice got strained & rough, but,
being the Legend that he is,made it! The live versions of
"Pilot" & "Candle" are epic! Extremely powerful, even if his throat was gruffy. "Amadeus" John Rocks!!!

NOONE SELLING THIS TAPE BOTHERS TO TELL YOU IT WAS RECORDED ORIGINALLY ON EP. I FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY BY BUYING IT AND THEN PLAYING IT AND BEING VERY DISSAPOINTED AND THEN I READ THE ORIGINAL BOX BY RADIOVISION INTERNATIONAL, HAPPENSTANCE LIMITED, J2 COMMUNICATIONS AND SAW IN SMALL PRINT THAT IT WAS RECORDED ON EP WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR THE POOR QUALITY...NOT WORTH BUYING IT AT ANY PRICE-TRUST ME OR YOU'LL ALSO BE VERY DISSAPOINTED...WAIT FOR IT TO BE RELEASED ON DVD IF IT HASN'T BEEN ALREADY AND SHAME ON ALL THOSE SELLING IT WHO DON'T TELL YOU IT IS RECORDED ON EP BEFORE YOU BUY IT!