It’s the Dwight stuff from Sir Elton

Jul 8 2008 by Andrew Welsh

It’s the Dwight stuff from Sir Elton

SUPERSTAR Elton John more than met expectations to prove that even aged 61 he remains a formidable live presence.

In front of McDiarmid Park’s biggest-ever crowd, at the venue’s first major concert, the veteran entertainer embarked with an admirable earnestness on an epic performance that concentrated on wonderful music.

With a good-humoured 16,000-strong audience of all ages turning the Perth stadium into one big summer party zone, Sir Elton - real name Reginald Dwight - took his place at his grand piano and launched himself into a two-and-a-half-hour set that featured most of his greatest hits.

Early highlights included The Bitch Is Back, Tiny Dancer and an impeccable Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, before an enormous roar greeted the opening bars to Daniel.

With a reputation for making petulant outbursts and for being a hard taskmaster, Elton has attracted criticism and devotion in equal measure down the years.

However, there was absolutely no sign of his darker side as he accepted bouquets and politely thanked the fans for their warm ovations.

His band was stripped back to basics, making their power and clarity all the more remarkable.

Original EJ Band member Nigel Olsson took his place at the drum stool, with veteran Scottish sidekick Davey Johnstone providing his trademark thrilling guitar work.

Add in bass and keyboards and that was it. There were no backing singers or brass sections, all the work was done by just five supremely talented individuals who appeared to love what they do.

Tremendous renditions of Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Are You Ready For Love and a near 10-minute version of Rocket Man heightened the ‘feelgood’ vibe at the all-seater venue, with Elton’s booming vocals showing no signs of wear and tear.

Emotional classics Candle In The Wind and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word prompted more than a few passionate clinches in the stands and on the pitch, before the jaunty I’m Still Standing ensured the joint was jumping for the closing stages.

Unsurprisingly, it was anthems from Elton’s early ‘70s prime that dominated, with Bennie & The Jets, Crocodile Rock and Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting warming the fans as the cooler evening breezes drifted in.

Returning for his encore, the flamboyant figure paused for minutes to sign programmes at the stage front.

Having kept the chat to a minimum throughout, Elton won more hearts towards the end by putting in a good word for his hosts, St Johnstone, before closing a memorable evening in style with a blistering Pinball Wizard and his signature tune, Your Song.