Elton John - Live in Milan (June 11th, 1984)

Elton John Live in Teatro Tenda di Lampugnano Milan, Italy June 11th, 1984 Audience Recording Sound Quality: A+ Attendance: 5,300 Audio cortesy of ‪@GregsynthWizard‬, credits to him After an 11-year absence, Elton John returned to Italy for the second time, performing two nights at the now-defunct open-air Teatro Tenda di Lampugnano in Milan. This recording captures the first evening, June 11, 1984. Vocally, Elton was in remarkable form—strong, solid, and consistent throughout most of the performance. His band, already renowned for their energy, seemed even more dynamic and inventive in their arrangements. The recording stands out as a top-tier audience tape, boasting exceptional fidelity that captures even the subtlest nuances of each instrument—likely achieved from a prime seat with professional-grade equipment. The only interruption is a cut in “One More Arrow,” most likely due to a tape flip. The show opens with an outstanding rendition of “Tiny Dancer,” regarded as one of the finest of the tour, with a clear and smooth tone free of any strain. “Hercules” bursts with energy and precision, driven by tight musicianship from Davey Johnstone’s guitar work, Dee Murray’s bass, Nigel Olsson’s drums, and Fred Mandel’s rhythm guitar. “Rocket Man” shines with Elton sustaining an impressive falsetto throughout most of the song, demonstrating exceptional control during the improvisational section. “Daniel” is delivered with finesse, elevated by Fred Mandel’s prominent keyboard textures. “Restless” is performed with a fierce, almost aggressive vocal edge, perfectly matched by the band’s flawless playing. “Candle in the Wind” highlights Elton’s vocal control, while “The Bitch Is Back” becomes a showcase for Davey, whose guitar solo bursts with creativity; Elton’s phrasing here avoids the growl often heard in other performances. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” sees Elton unleashing his full vocal power, particularly after the first chorus where he belts the lines with pure chest voice. The set continues with a vibrant “Sad Songs (Say So Much),” followed by an electrifying “Bennie and the Jets,” where Elton’s rapid, aggressive phrasing builds in intensity as the piano lines accelerate to a breakneck pace. “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” demonstrates his refined vocal control, despite a slight lyric change in the final verse, complemented by Fred Mandel’s rich synthesizer work. “Philadelphia Freedom” is both vocally solid and musically tight, while “Blue Eyes” delivers a beautiful, understated elegance. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” emerges as one of the evening’s highlights—vocally steady, if slightly worn, and perfectly supported by the band. “Kiss the Bride” is spirited and punchy, with Elton emphasizing each phrase with vigor. “Too Low for Zero” is excellent despite a couple of off-key piano notes, and “I’m Still Standing” maintains a relentless pace, blending powerful vocals with inventive band interplay. Before “Your Song,” Elton warmly greets the crowd with “Grazie Milano!”—the performance is captivating, though the piano slips out of tune in the final chorus. “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” roars with aggressive, high-energy delivery, easily ranking among the tour’s finest renditions. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” suffers from a slightly off-key piano intro but remains a gem, with Elton humorously altering the lyric in the second verse to “Walls Pork Sausages” instead of “Vodka and Tonics.” The night closes with a spirited “Crocodile Rock.” 1. Tiny Dancer - 0:00 2. Hercules - 6:38 3. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) - 12:00 4. Daniel - 21:39 5. Restless - 25:34 6. Candle In The Wind - 30:10 7. The Bitch Is Back - 33:56 8. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - 38:09 9. Sad Songs (Say So Much) - 43:37 10. Bennie And The Jets - 47:24 11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - 58:25 12. Philadelphia Freedom - 1:02:10 13. Blue Eyes - 1:07:16 14. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - 1:10:11 15. Kiss The Bride - 1:13:43 16. Too Low For Zero - 1:18:31 17. I'm Still Standing - 1:24:18 18. Your Song - 1:29:04 19. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) - 1:32:52 20. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1:39:45 21. Crocodile Rock - 1:42:42