Elton John performing at the 2014 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, June 15, in Manchester, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Elton John’s classic songs, from “I’m Still Standing,” “Rocket Man,” and “Philadelphia Freedom,” to “Crocodile Rock,” are featured on Eagle Rock’s new DVD release “The Million Dollar Piano.”
Footage for The Million Dollar Piano
was captured over multiple nights in 2013 at John’s residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
John has been playing there since September 2011. His most recent gig spanned 16 shows between March 29 and April 26.
The film features classic Elton John tracks from across his extraordinary career performed either with his band, solo, or with percussionist Ray Cooper.
The multimedia staging is phenomenal with jumbo screens behind the stage illustrating the songs and the piano itself acting as a screen for graphics and animations.
Among some of the other DVD hits are “Your Song,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” “Circle Of Life,” “Blue Eyes,” “Bennie And The Jets,” “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” and “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.”
“Indian Sunset,” a track off Elton’s 1971 album Madman Across The Water, is included as well.
It’s just John on piano with percussionist Cooper delivering a breathtaking solo. Cooper, a long-time John collaborator, is spectacular. This track alone is almost worth the full admission.
Along with the 19-song set from the show, the DVD includes a bonus feature, “The Making Of The Million Dollar Piano.”
It goes behind-the-scenes at his concerts, including telling comments from Director Chris Gero and Rocket/Creative Director Tony King.
We especially loved Patrick Woodroffe’s tale about being given the initial set designs on a cocktail napkin!
In addition, there are four extra tracks filmed in Kiev in 2012: “Candle In The Wind,” “Sacrifice,” “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” and “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.”
John is one of the most highly acclaimed and successful solo artists of all time. He has earned 35 gold and 25 platinum albums, reflecting sales of more than 250 million records worldwide. He holds the record for the biggest selling single of all time.
Having been an Elton-fan since his first solo album in 1970, this is a must-have for any collection.
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Brad LeBeau, Angelo Babbaro, Victor Kastel, Heather Moore, Victoria Horne, Steve Walter, Lincoln Foley, David Salidor, Sharon White, Marsha Stern, Deb Caponetta, Randy Alexander, Tony King, David Furnish, Ed Wrobleski, Mark Simone, Tom & Lisa Cuddy, Scott Shannon, Zach Martin