Elton John - Live in Birmingham (June 23rd, 1984)

Elton John
Live in National Exhibition Centre
Birmingham, England
June 23rd, 1984
Audience Recording
Sound Quality: B+
Attendance: 14,400

Audio cortesy of ‪@GregsynthWizard‬, credits to him

After the Leeds concerts, Elton John continued his European Express Tour with three consecutive nights at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. This recording captures the first night, marking the final stretch of his 1984 European tour before its grand conclusion at the iconic Wembley Stadium. Elton’s vocals throughout the show are remarkably strong, often leaning toward an aggressive and forceful phrasing, while his band—Davey Johnstone on guitar, Dee Murray on bass, Nigel Olsson on drums, and Fred Mandel on keyboards—delivers tight and dynamic performances that elevate many moments of the set.

The concert opens with “Tiny Dancer,” where Elton’s voice shows slight hoarseness and his piano playing falters in spots, but the energy quickly stabilizes. “Hercules” follows with great precision; most of the earlier raspiness fades away as the band shines musically. “Rocket Man” is powerful, though Elton pushes his voice to the limit, creating a sense of controlled strain that adds intensity. “Daniel” is steady and well-performed, while “Restless” stands out as one of the fiercest numbers of the night—Elton’s vocals are bold and gritty, and the band enriches the song with vigor and precision. “Candle in the Wind” sounds excellent, though Elton skips the final line, and “The Bitch Is Back” bursts with raw energy, showcasing Elton’s voice at full throttle, complemented by Dee’s resonant bass and Davey’s sharp guitar work. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” features some rough vocal edges but remains a strong rendition. “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” begins with a unique piano introduction, and Elton delivers it with conviction. “Bennie and the Jets” brings a playful twist—Elton alters his phrasing humorously, a common trait in this era’s performances.

“Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” is solid and sincere, while “Philadelphia Freedom” maintains its lively spirit, slightly less intense than other tour versions but still dynamic. “Blue Eyes” is beautifully performed with a darker tone, and “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” highlights Elton’s vocal strength from start to finish.“Kiss the Bride” has a lyrical slip during the first verse, yet the band’s musical backing keeps it strong. “One More Arrow” is gentler compared to other shows, featuring a softer approach and delicate falsetto passages. “Too Low for Zero” is outstanding, with Elton once again pushing his voice powerfully without losing control. “I’m Still Standing” bursts with vitality; Elton’s vocals are robust, though the background harmonies occasionally drift off pitch. Still, the performance remains impressive. “Your Song” is tender and well-delivered, leading into “Saturday Night’s Alright (for Fighting)”, which radiates raw energy and enthusiasm. Elton fully immerses himself in the performance, his voice commanding and intense. The concert wraps up with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Crocodile Rock,” with great vocals on each performance of the songs.

1. Tiny Dancer - 0:00
2. Hercules - 6:43
3. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) - 12:05
4. Daniel - 21:19
5. Restless - 25:10
6. Candle In The Wind - 29:38
7. The Bitch Is Back - 33:17
8. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - 37:21
9. Sad Songs (Say So Much) - 42:52
10. Bennie And The Jets - 46:30
11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - 57:44
12. Philadelphia Freedom - 1:01:24
13. Blue Eyes - 1:06:32
14. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - 1:09:23
15. Kiss The Bride - 1:12:38
16. One More Arrow - 1:16:57
17. Too Low For Zero - 1:21:09
18. I'm Still Standing - 1:26:48
19. Your Song - 1:32:25
20. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) - 1:36:08
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1:44:28
22. Crocodile Rock - 1:47:15