For over 40 years, Elton John has produced some of the most renowned and identifiable music in the industry. Spirited gems like “Crocodile Rock” and rich, melancholy ballads such as “Levon” have entered the famed abode of rock and roll, as John has constructed an impressive vault of work. With great energy, he and his band brought it all to John Paul Jones Arena last week. Although John’s voice didn’t quite reach both the literal and figurative highs warranted by his legendary status, his talent as an instrumentalist and sheer dynamism as a showman sufficiently carried the show.
John’s voice was unfortunately affected by an extraneous factor — the flu. The singer admitted to suffering a nasty spell of sickness that distorted the clarity and compressed the pitch range of his vocals. The effect of age most likely added to this issue, as many of John’s words were projected in a scratchy and coarse manner. Also, the artist sang many verses at a lower octave than those of their studio versions, and this slightly tarnished some of the flair for which John is known. Despite all of this, however, the overall quality of the show was not significantly tainted since John did not allow his vocal limitations to define the performance.
Much of the man’s brilliance as an entertainer derives from his mastery of subtlety. It is quite amazing how John can energize a crowd simply by periodically diverting his gaze from his piano to his sea of fans. This tactic, in addition to other nonverbal cues like strategically placed smiles, was used to perfection, showing how John truly cares about providing fans with a memorable show.
The concert’s setlist was a balanced, eclectic blend of old classics and newer music. John certainly knows what his fans crave, and this was no more apparent than in his decision to cap both the beginning and end of the show with fan favorites like “Bennie and Jets” and “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting,” while reserving his more modern tracks, like those from his latest album, “Wonderful Crazy Night,” for the middle of the show.
Musically, each instrument augmented the other smoothly. Though John’s band certainly wasn’t the center of the show, its members nonetheless performed their roles admirably and occasionally achieved some individual time in the limelight through overdriven guitar solos or punchy drum tracks. They also displayed a penchant for onstage antics and hilarity. One memorable moment involved a performer recording the crowd with his smartphone, a demonstration of a more contemporary style of mischief. The production values of the show were laudable, as features such as beams of flashing neon lights and a gigantic chandelier added to the glamour and energy of the music.
Elton John’s mammoth presence in the music industry demands the utmost respect, and he certainly delivered on the promises of his lofty reputation. Despite vocal shortcomings, he and his band provided the people of Charlottesville with a highly compelling show, their success no more indicative than in the outward satisfaction of the fans, who danced and sang with the famed performer all night long.
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