Tuesday, May 5, 1998 - The Michigan Daily - 13
4Rocket Man' blasts into 'U'
By Curtis Zimmerman like something out of "This Is Spinal Tap" but had
Daily Arts Writer musical talent that would make even the stingiest
A strange occurrence happened last Wednesday classical composer take notice. During their
night in Crisler Arena. As Elton John performed, extended jams the guitar players often tried unsuc-
the stadium crowd did something that it has rarely cessfully to steal the spotlight with powerful solos
done since the days of Jalen Rose and Chris and crazy antics.
Webber. It completely rocked. They did manage to win over a few audience
0 This insanity could be attributed to the fact that members in the front row by throwing dozens of
there were few college students in the audience. picks at them, which the crowd mercilessly clam-
Instead it consisted of mostly 30- to 60-year olds ored for. Even Elton's back-tip singer and sec-
trying to relive their glory years ott "The Yellow ondary percussionist battled for spotlight time as
Brick Road." they danced about the rear of the stage.
Originally slated to perform on April 25, the When the show passed the two-hour mark,
show was postponed because Elton reportedly had Elton nearly came into top form, playing heartfelt
throat problems. This seemed to haunt him early in renditions of "The Last Song" and "Something
the show as his voice About The Way You Look Tonight." He dedicated
faded when he tried to the latter to all the good-looking people in the
reach the higher notes. ,|||| crowd and all of those on a hot date.
As the night pro- !|| But it was his performance of "Benny and The
Oessed, Elton doused his Elton John Jets" that reminded everyone of the Elton John
pain with gallons of Diet seen on VH Legends. During the tune, he kicked
Coke which he tilted ever- his stool out from behind him in true Jerry Lee
so-slightly for the camera. Crisler Arena Lewis fashion and banged out the solo.
It must have been April 25 He played die piano in all positions, including one
something in the handed while on his back. He followed this up with
Nutrasweet because by an equally stunning rendition of "Saturday Night"
the end of the evening his After a well-deserved five-minute rest, Elton
voice clearly improved. returned for his first encore with "The Bitch is
He took the stage Back." He than paid homage to Lewis with "Great
yearing a trademark pur- Balls of Fire." Although the guitar solos seemed a
e suit and pink sun- little out of place in this piano anthem, it was still
glasses. The large set an amazing sight as the entire crowd screamed out
seemed a little crammed in the small arena, mak- "Kiss me baby, Mmm feels good"
ing it feel more like a gigantic club. After bringing the older audience members
Throughout the night he played newer hits such back to their high school years. he left the stage
as "Tie Lion King" alongside old favorites like once again.
"Rocket Man" and "Crocodile Rock." Repeatedly Fittingly, Elton returned for his second encore
he brought more to the songs than what is featured wearing a Michigan Football national champions
on his albums, taking them to new heights by jacket. After apologizing for the cancellation and
adding long piano solos. his raspy voice, he dedicated his final piece "Your
Elton's band also contributed immensely to this Song'' to everyone in the crowd.
*iptivating show. The seven-piece group looked He played this song without the aid of his band,
'Streets' paved in gold-for I
Despite a delayed show and sore throat, Elton John rocked Crisler Arena last Wednesday night. In his
purple suit and pink sunglasses he had the entire audience on its feet.
then left the stage for the last time, nearly three healed. But that really didn't seem to matter since
hours after he began. no one seemed to care. Elton demonstrated that
One could argue that Elton John is slightly past even on an off-night he's still a better rocker than
his prime, and true, his oice wasn't completely most will ever be.
By Amy Barber
Daily Arts Editor
I lroughout recent years I he Dase
Matthews Band has been collecting
an abundanice of fans, airactintr
*arms of concert-goers from venue
to senue acros the counry and sell-
tng albums like hotakes.
But the trW' impi resse icc om-
plishme t is tlhit the group has
achies ed this success despite an
almost complete lack Of attention
from mainstream radio and me di.
Well, until last year that is h
DMB's hit single "Crash Iio \I i
transformed one of music s best kept
secrets to pol's latest trend.
I his change left niany dedicated
is worried that maybe, follow ing
this new found commercial success, a
new DMB style would emerge is ith
the goal of appealing to the masses.
The question of whether DMB
would sell out was left to be answered
with the release of "Before These
Crowded Streets."
Last Tuesday the album put an end
o all anxieties, making it clear that
e group's music will remain as
unique and creative as ever.
"Streets" takes more risks than any
album DMB has done in the past. Its
diversity is amazing, as the style of
music changes drastically from song
to song.
Despite a few filed Attenpts, the
majority of the risks taken on this
album are highly successful an the
album is extremely entertaiinG.
"Last Stop" hris a supernitural,
very Mid-ELsitein sOUnd tO it. It is
intense and ven frig''htcning, but a
great song. And pow crfITl! yrcs such
as "Scream /Right is isn iiOW tic
Shut pli you big
lie" add to its
intensity.
This style is
lUxtaposed with
happer, lighter
sOngs such is
"Panitala Naga
Pampai" and
"Pig.lr" cu
tracks sucii
as these are
successfully
The Dave
Matthews
Band
Before These
Crowded Streets
nMG/RCA
the rendition tn "Streets" isn't quite as
praiseworthy as its predecessor.
One noteworthy aspect of "Streets"
is a g'iiest iappearnce oi two songs br
Alanis Morisette, ho makes an
impressive Ciriitlbuitiii'i i Iito back-
ground voacs.
UnfrtunateIs, here ic intances
in w.i'cli DllB's creativity is si si
successfl. IlTe cheerful, romn
"Stay' is a rciiarkable tunebit. it
band's addition of R&B ba groind
vocalsi the chorus is quite urnel-
coie.
Ith ia' al has apparently lost
some i i t zingiii bity to ai
together. ie longr songs nt
"Streets" i1h extensive itstrumttental
sectiIs Us don't contain the excite-
ment or astomishing volin solos we
have heard in DMB's past work. The
inStrummreitals iII "Dreaming Tree"
actually sound more like elevator
music than modern rock.
Not all songs lack instrumental
genius, however. The blend of the
violin, guitars, bass, viola, cello and
drums in "The Stone," for example, is
as superb as ever.
Although the album marks a risky
creative leap for DMB, fans can
breathe a sigh of relief now that
"Before These Crowded Streets" has
been released.
PA RT _ PA win atrip for twoto...
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energetic and
optimistic, with lyrics including
"Come and relax nowut/ Put your trou-
bles down."
Another of the albiM's triumphs is
its studio version of "Halloween,"
previously released live on
"Remember Two Things."
As one of DMB's finest songs, the
decision to record a new version of
"Hallowceen' was a good one, although