Everything worked: the blow-up breasts; the naughty neon signs; the bizarre video for "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me;" and most of all the star, Sir Elton John, a delightful, genial, gnome in satin and tails.
At 56, John is far more restrained and gracious than back in the '70s, when his dozens of hits were nearly eclipsed by his flamboyant outfits and showmanship. Though he still pumps his leg at the piano, his foot no longer quite reaches the keys. But he still plays with verve, and though his voice has thickened with age, it underscores the subtle depths and currents of the many classic pop songs he has written with Bernie Taupin.
Much of the credit for The Red Piano goes to David LaChappelle, whose set design and lighting proved the perfect platform for John and his extroverted music, which is at times celebratory, sentimental, and even occasionally cryptic. Just as important were the richly varied videos LaChappelle created to fill the gigantic LED screen. On "Daniel," John noted that LaChappelle's video restored the original meaning to the song that had been lost when a crucial Taupin verse was omitted from the studio recording. Another highlight was the video for "Rocket Man," with Justin Timberlake as a young Elton John backstage during those wild '70s. Though it could easily have been pure cheese, the video instead succeeded in capturing the harried alienation and overwhelming isolation that can come from being at the center of an endless tour.
If there is a complaint, it's that The Red Piano, at around 90 minutes, could easily have thrown a few more songs into the mix. But this isn't a concert. After all the fanfare had died down and John returned to the piano for a gentle reading of "Your Song," it was hard not to feel that The Red Piano, as intended, offers a full experience.