Elton John - Live in Bournemouth (December 3rd, 1982)

Elton John
Live in Winter Gardens
Bournemouth, England
December 3rd, 1982
Audience Recording
Sound Quality: A-
Attendance: 3,800

Audio cortesy of ‪@GregsynthWizard‬, credits to him

After a string of performances across UK cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Nottingham, Elton John brings his tour to the Winter Gardens in Bournemouth. This particular concert stands out not only for its musical quality but also for the impressive vocal performance Elton delivers throughout the evening. While there are a few phrasing missteps here and there, vocally he sounds remarkable overall. The band, as always, maintains tight and flawless musical chemistry. The recording appears to have been captured from a seat situated some distance from the stage, which slightly affects clarity during Elton's spoken segments. Nevertheless, the overall sound quality is outstanding—arguably one of the finest audience recordings from the UK leg of the tour.

The concert kicks off with a fiery rendition of “Love Lies Bleeding.” Elton’s voice is a touch raspy at first, but he delivers a powerful version and nails the climactic final note. “All The Girls Love Alice” follows, featuring progressively stronger vocals and a beautifully cohesive instrumental performance. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” is a major highlight—Elton sings it with strength and emotional depth, while the band provides a rich sonic backdrop, vocally and instrumentally. “Better Off Dead” is short but intense, and “Empty Garden” shines with stunning harmonies from Dee Murray, Davey Johnstone, and Nigel Olsson. Elton’s lead vocal here is heartfelt and resonant. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is magical, introduced by an improvised piano solo. Vocally, it’s exquisite, with Elton showcasing a gorgeous falsetto, and Dee adds a clever improvised bass line during the second chorus. On “The Bitch Is Back,” Elton retains a gritty tone but avoids growling the lyrics, offering a solid take. “Pinball Wizard” shares a similar rough-edged delivery.

“Song For Guy” serves as a beautifully atmospheric interlude, leading into a special segment where Elton moves across the stage to perform “Elton’s Song” on his Yamaha CP-80 electric grand. His falsetto work here is delicate and superb. He then switches to the Fender Rhodes to perform “Chloe,” displaying both vocal agility and emotional nuance. “Where To Now St. Peter?” is performed with a brisk tempo and vibrant energy, with the band truly shining as Elton adds expressive falsetto embellishments. “Blue Eyes” is calm and soothing, while “Where Have All The Good Times Gone” injects energy back into the set, although Elton momentarily runs out of breath during one section. “Rocket Man” is playful and inventive, with vocal improvisations and expressive piano work that make the performance truly memorable. The momentum continues into “Bennie and the Jets,” where Elton engages the crowd and experiments vocally. Unlike later renditions, this version feels more restrained yet creatively spontaneous. “All Quiet On The Western Front” is masterfully delivered, with Elton and the band offering dynamic vocal interplay. “Your Song” features unique vocal phrasing and charming improvisations by Elton, adding a personal touch to one of his most beloved ballads. The main set closes with an energetic “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting),” played at a brisk tempo and performed with great vocal enthusiasm.

The encore begins with “Daniel,” delivered in a familiar and steady manner. “Crocodile Rock” follows, fast-paced and filled with strong falsetto sections, capturing the fun spirit of the night. Elton concludes the show with an exhilarating medley of rock ’n’ roll classics—“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” and “Twist and Shout.” He sings with speed and charisma, interacting joyfully with the audience and closing the evening.

1. Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding - 0:00
2. All The Girls Love Alice - 10:37
3. Someone Saved My Life Tonight - 15:29
4. Better Off Dead - 22:54
5. Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) - 25:45
6. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 30:56
7. The Bitch Is Back - 34:04
8. Pinball Wizard - 37:54
9. Song For Guy - 42:38
10. Elton's Song - 49:41
11. Chloe - 52:50
12. Where To Now St. Peter? - 57:37
13. Blue Eyes - 1:04:39
14. Where Have All The Good Times Gone - 1:07:52
15. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time) - 1:13:16
16. Bennie And The Jets - 1:24:53
17. All Quiet On The Western Front - 1:36:27
18. Your Song - 1:42:06
19. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) - 1:45:51
20. Daniel - 1:52:48
21. Crocodile Rock - 1:56:35
22. Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On / I Saw Her Standing There / Twist And Shout - 2:00:09