Live In Australia With The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra [LIVE]

Elton John

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: June 29, 1987
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000002O88
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,384 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #16 in	Music > Pop > Live Albums > Singer-Songwriters
  #19 in	Music > Pop > Live Albums > Vocal Pop
  #25 in	Music > Pop > Live Albums > Pop Rock

Track Listings

1. Sixty Years On - Elton John

2. I Need You to Turn To - Elton John

3. Greatest Discovery - Elton John

4. Tonight - Elton John

5. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word

6. King Must Die

7. Take Me to the Pilot

8. Tiny Dancer

9. Have Mercy on the Criminal

10. Madman Across the Water

11. Candle in the Wind

12. Burn Down the Mission

13. Your Song

14. Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Elton John Collection, May 13, 2004

By	Todd Foster (UNited States) - See all my reviews

This album to me is the definitive Elton John collection. The choice of songs is impeccable. Mostly made up of songs from the early years of the John-Taupin relationship, it is the definitive way Elton should be heard. The older songs such as "Sixty Years On", "The Greatest Discovery", and "The King Must Die" are rare nuggets that reveal a time when the writing styles of the duo was very raw. In my opinion, the version of "Tonight" is a lot richer sounding than the version on "Blue Moves". "Tiny Dancer" and "Burn Down the Mission" are Elton concert staples, but are given added luster with the addition of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. And of course this is the album that brought "Candle In The wind" back to the masses. Released as the single from the album,it brought Elton back to the Top 10 after approximately 4 year absence. True Elton fans know that right after this album was recorded, Elton had nodules removed from his throat. Knowing this adds to the rawness of his vocals and the emotions from the recordings.(Elton did not know the severity of his throat problems at the time.) Given all of this, "Live In Australia" defines Elton John's career and is a cornerstone of his catalog that all fans should have. If I am introducing someone to Elton John, this is the album I would buy them.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I got connections, April 24, 2004

By	Clifton Santiago (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This is by far my favourite Elton John album, because my Dad's on it!!! He was 1st cellist in the Melbourne Symphony at the time. He doesn't get a mention in the liner notes sadly, but he is on the video many times. And call me liar if you will, but I did meet the man after the concert, I was 8 though (damn). His signed photo is hanging behind me.

But enough about me. As for the album, I just liked how a lot of the less popular songs were performed. Almost in the same ideal as Metallica's S&M, but of course Elton's songs are alot easier to orchestrate. Tiny Dancer, Don't Let the Sun and Tonight were my favourites.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Elton John Live Album, December 19, 2002

By	Anthony Nasti "Tony" (Staten Island, New York United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This is by far Elton John's best live album. Recorded during a time when both his career and his vocal chords were litteraly in rock 'n' roll jeopardy, Elton bounced back with an astounding live album that features the songs that you tend to hear very much rather than the monster hits.

The stirring "Sixty Years On" is highlighted by a grandoise performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Elton's haunting vocal perfomance. And anyone who says that his vocal problems could stop him from hitting the high parts on songs are put to shame on his towering performance of "The King Must Die".
Elton also does a stirring revival of "Madman Across The Water",
done hear in a screeching style with a dark string performance by the orchestra. The version of "Candle In The Wind" was a huge international hit, and this moving solo performance by Elton blasts the version he wrote for Princess Diana out of the water.
Elton's energy is evident on rocking performances of "Take Me To The Pilot" and "Burn Down The Mission", complete with his percussive piano playing. And though we're all probably sick to death of listening to it, his stellar performance of "Your Song" begs repeated listens. Elton's vocal performance on the finale
"Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" shines, and he shows that he's more than just a candle in the wind.