Friday, October 4, 2013

'All Mixed Up And Mad As Hell'



The great thing about this blog is that's it's proactive and reactive. If something brews up, I'll be here when it boils. As is the case with this update. I've already focused on Home Again, in it's live form, on an earlier post some weeks past. But like most things in the Elton world events can sometimes overtake us. So at the moment I'm on the hard shoulder coming up on the inside. This latest video clip has only just surfaced and is a treat. But it's also generated a lot of discussion elsewhere, the pro's and con's of recent performances being put sharply into context. Let's dive in (pun intended) and see what's happening.

This is the 'definitive' live visual version to date...for a number of reasons. The primary one being that it's properly mixed and recorded. Probably due to the fact they almost certainly took the sound from Elton's 'people'. There's currently a lot of debate on various Elton forums as the quality of recent performances of the song. One point that has eluded a lot of those observers is that most TV broadcasts feature sound mixes that can only be described as being as stodgy as last weeks porridge left to deteriorate. The Emmy's version had the low end of the choir up too high and made the male voices sound like monsters on occasions whilst the Ellen show versions spectrum was so narrow that I think it may even be in mono. Both clips, whilst visually a great record, are poor in sound terms. Not to be taken as definitive. Same goes for the BRITS Icons awards example, amateurish sound mix for the most professional of artists. Not fit for purpose...

...whereas the one above ticks all boxes. The thing is, probably with the exception of the BRITS Icon version which had to be done twice to Elton's satisfaction, the ones I mentioned are all fantastic versions but are let down by inadequate broadcasting. But the USC version should be held up as a shining light of what can and should be done. But what is truly remarkable that even on an official release things can go arfways. The version from the Capitol Records playback is indeed poor, as has been noted elsewhere. Mexican Vacation from that showcase...if it can be called that...didn't do any justice to Elton's vocals. Home Again from said showcase again isn't up to par...because it was the first time they did it with that combo (live) I'm sure they'll use that as an excuse. But as I keep mentioning here, perspective is key. What seemed good then is now consigned to the also ran category. The recording is tinny, the piano sounds nothing like it does in real life. The bass button is definitely turned down to 0...

...whereas the one above is a definitely an 11 on all counts. The piano is warm and great depth is reached. The band flesh it out, not flabbily but with tight lean muscle. The highlight moment of the song, the solo and it's buildup, maintains the piano upfront ethos whilst still allowing the choir to sound strong without overpowering. Adam Chester's hard work on the arrangement is clear for all to hear. Even the 2Cello's on the second part of the solo can be clearly heard as they gradually creep in and increase tempo. The brass still has that hanging feel, it drifts in and out to good effect. The harmonies of the girls in the band can also be detected over Elton's vocal which is strong as per usual, no hint of these colds and flu's that some contributors always seems to notice when he's on the telly. TV puts pounds on you, not infections. It's very annoying when people take some of these crappy broadcasts and use them to dissect over Elton's, the band's and the general setup of things to use as a template as to what's going on. Every conceivable theory from Elton having nothing short of whooping cough to the band being given something to do to pass the time are typical of the insights explored. My advice...only advice not an edict...disregard those sub par examples and take the USC one as a how to do. The others are a will not do...

Hopefully this USC show will be broadcast in some near future like right now. The multi camera angles make me suspect it will, the mix of band, orchestra and new songs all done on the same bill sounds like too much of a good one to keep under wraps. Doesn't it?! Knowing our luck it probably does...a word or several on the performance. The song is probably the most accessible from the album, therefore it translates well live. And of course, goes without saying on this blog, gazumps the studio version and puts a tin hat on it. It's a real full on moment when Elton does the final chorus, his lifting it up of a tad hits Home, as they say. Again...

No comments:

Post a Comment