The Piano under Elton John’s bum

Why fayeth was nominated to go watch Elton John’s The Rocketman concert with her mother, despite exhorbitant ticket prices:

1. Dad: I don’t want to watch ah kua (flamboyant gay) perform. Besides, he sings for funerals.
   Mum: Sings for funerals??
   Dad: Didn’t he do that song for Princess Diana’s funeral?
   Mum: >.<
2. Brother: I will pay for the exhorbitant tickets because it’s your birthday, Mum, but I will not go
3. fayeth:
   *in Taiwan*
   *crickets*
   *gets nominated as last resort*
   *crickets*
   *not around to protest*

Concert + sore throat + fever = Ccrrrrranky!

As expected, the concert started nearly 30minutes after the time stated on the ticket, but damn was it worth the money (that was not mine).

As soon as he walked on stage with his “Town of Plenty” coat, complete with black dress pants and flame red shirt, the audience was on their feet. Then he granted a few beatific smiles around the stadium, soaked in the love, and started his magic on the piano. I wondered how it feels like to be one person, soaking in the adoration of thousands of fans.

With a camera specially mounted on the piano, we were treated to a close-up view of his fingers working beauty out of the keys. It amazed me, the speed at which those stubby short fingers could sweep their way over the keys, looking like they’d barely skimmed any one of them, yet producing music that was strong.

He regaled the audience with favourites, most of which I did not know. But the largely expatriate crowd and their accompanying spouses & SPGs seemed to know all of them. And boy did they enjoy dancing to it. Here I was, telling myself – it’s OK to come here even though I’m sick because hey, it’s not a rock out kinda concert! Ohhhkay.

Well, I only knew 5 songs – Daniel, Sacrifice, Sorry (seems to be the hardest word), Don’t let the sun go down on me and Your song. And surprisingly, Your Song got the highest rate of participation…and for the first time that night, men’s voices seemed to overpower women’s voices. hmm…have all these men been secretly practising this song to hook the women?

Elton John and his band were obviously having fun, with Elton John frequently jumping up on his piano. Most of his band though, felt like old rockers, what with the long hair and very saggy skin with sunglasses, ala Rolling Stones. Ah well, good music can be enjoyed with eyes closed.

Quote for the night:
Elton John: “I like playing with my band…especially music.”

~ by fayeth on 8 May 2008.