'Now We've Seen It Too'

Every so often...in other words every show...Elton pulls something special out of his bag of tricks. But once and a while he delves real deep and produces more than a rabbit. In this case one of the quietly burning, slowly but surely climbs to the summit. And what a peak it is...

Whatever way you look at it, the GYBR 40th is currently grabbing some big headlines. The various formats it's being released on in March has got the web shops all in a fluster. But what is even more fluster inducing is the inclusion of a sizeable chunk of the album live on the current tour. Putting to bed the canard that Elton can't sing the old songs in his current vocal incarnation. All the songs he's done so far have been flawless. This one being the exception to the rule. Because it's positively beyond reproach. Or equal!!

The most recent addition from GYBR to the setlist has been I've Seen That Movie Too. Thanks to my friend Richard who was at the show, we can now see it here. The heavy piano, doomy with emotionally wrought lyrics. Elton's vocal...the 21st Century edition...gives it more depth of feeling. With an angrier tone than before. His life experiences adding that bit of method to the delivery. The piano playing is spot on with the recorded version but as per usual live it, it's wider. With nothing screened off. The mindset of the song is laid bare in CinemaScope quality.

The band aren't supporting actors here. Their names are in big letters (slightly smaller than Elton's of course!) but sill appearing prominently on the poster. The song is painstakingly reproduced. It has to be. So many parts in it are key to it's attraction. Nigel's trademark slow drumming at the start is a soundtrack in it's own right. His gig wide fills hammering in their contribution. Kim playing the mountainous string arrangement by Del Newman has every line nailed. No ad libbing here, it's sticks to the perfect script. Angular movements with sweeping and graceful poise. Davey throwing licks in when Elton's vocal leaves the scene free. The instrumental breaks are terrific, it's as if the camera pans over the scene to survey the damage that the drama being played out is wreaking on the characters. 

But then Davey gets his big moment. Scene stealing...possibly. The solo on the album version is one of rocks greatest appearances. The backwards effects giving it a demented sensation. A mind all muddled up and confused. On stage he delivers the big lines. With no flinches. The desperation of the lyrics seep through the solo, the guitar wails in sympathy with the songs attitude. On the second part of the solo, the strings return. Weighty and foreboding. Davey is pushing it to the limit. Overwrought without hamming it. The final chorus has Elton with chest pushed out repeating his position...defiant right to the end.

Elton continues to wow the crowds. Diehards and the floating voters. Who could ask for more...just the rest of the album maybe...