Happy Birthday Elton John; New archival concert release out now

Since today is Sir Elton John’s birthday, it's a good time to remind fans about the stellar new archival concert release that came out earlier this year from Rocket/Mercury/UME Records on digital, 2CD, double LP vinyl formats as well as streaming services.

Live From Moscow, John’s 1979 performance alongside percussionist Ray Cooper, was initially transmitted via England's BBC Radio 1 and remastered by Bob Ludwig in 2019 from the original BBC analog tapes.

Recorded amid the tour for A Single Man, the show made history at the time because John was the first prominent Western pop star to play in Russia. The LP version was previously available as a 2019 Record Store Day exclusive.

The intimate May 28, 1979 solo sets on electric and grand pianos find the legend in fine vocal and instrumental form. He frequently adds captivating flourishes and extends the length of some fan favorites and hit singles ("Rocket Man" is a prime example).

John has said this 16-song concert (and tour) were among his most memorable ever and it's easy to hear why with these passionate, no frills arrangements. Disc 1 highlights include opener "Daniel," "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and a riveting take on Marvin Gaye's "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" that verges on jazz territory.

Among the Disc 2 standouts are "Bennie and the Jets," where John suggests the restrained seated Russian hotel audience sing along and starts with a vaudeville song snippet. The crowd responds by loudly clapping and cheering, while a manic Cooper really goes to town on the tambourine. Then there's the exciting medley of "Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting (plenty of bongos and frantic piano pounding action) and The Who's "Pinball Wizard" plus the closing "Crocodile Rock" ("This wasn't one of my favorites," Elton tells the crowd) with the Beatles' "Get Back" and "Back In The U.S.S.R."

Full track listing:

1. Daniel

2. Skyline Pigeon
3. Take Me To The Pilot
4. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
5. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
6. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
7. Candle In The Wind
8. I Heard It Through The Grapevine
9. Funeral For A Friend
10. Tonight
11. Better Off Dead
12. Bennie And The Jets
13. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
14. Crazy Water
15. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) / Pinball Wizard
16. Crocodile Rock / Get Back / Back In The U.S.S.R