144 -- Elton John -- Thursday, November 14, 2013 -- Verizon Center -- DC

If you’re a huge Elton John fan, you probably would have loved the show.  If you’re a casual Elton John fan (like me), you probably would have been underwhelmed.  The main issue was I kept comparing it to the show of another ‘old’ performer with an ‘old’ audience: Bruce Springsteen.  Bruce concerts always feel fresh and energetic; this Elton concert seemed to show its age. 

One major thing I will give Elton John credit for is he did play virtually all the hits.  Coming off an Alkaline Trio show that left out a lot of good songs, I at least appreciated that.  Some of those hits, as well as quick hits from the live blog, appear below…
      
--- Nice prompting the audience during the chorus of “Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting.” 

--- “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” and [Baby, You’re] “The One” are meh.

--- All of the audio seems muffled.

--- HA at him standing on top of the piano during “The B is Back” and the bluesy woman Joshua Ledeting the ending of “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.”

--- They weren't kidding with Limited View seats.  It's like watching a movie next right in front of the screen -- if the screen were turned upside down.  You could crane your neck and get the basic plot of the whole movie, but it's awkward and makes you wish you wish you for there earlier (paid for better seats).  He gets out of his seat, walks to us, and directly bows to us after “Rocketman” though. Good for him!

--- Pretty sure they don't offer a senior discount at this show.  If they did, they wouldn't break even...

--- The giant chandelier above the stage is hilarious.  Looks like the Roundup at the Our Lady of Lourdes carnival.

--- “This next song is a tribute to the men, women, and animals, yes, animals, who gave their lives in WW I and II.”  What the?  Lol.  The actual song, “Oceans Away,” off his new Diving Board album, is surprisingly good.   

--- Yay, a big orange circle comes out, time for “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”!  Can’t measure up to the James Porter version, but it’s my favorite Elton song, so it’s my favorite part of the show.   

Grade: B-