Elton John - Live in Tokyo (February 2nd, 1974)

Elton John Live in Nippon Budokan Tokyo, Japan February 1st, 1974 Audience Recording Sound Quality: A- Attendance: 14,000 Audio cortesy of ‪@GregsynthWizard‬, credits to him This marks Elton John's second consecutive performance at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan, and it features a slightly extended setlist along with a few fresh additions. Compared to the previous night, Elton delivers a more stable and controlled vocal performance—slightly nasal at times, but generally more precise and confident. The band also appears to be in excellent form, maintaining tight musicianship and dynamic energy throughout the evening. During this leg of the tour, the group was already beginning to workshop material for the forthcoming album Caribou, set to be released just months later. Notably, this concert includes the very first live rendition of Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, introduced by Elton himself. The recording quality of the tape is excellent, with only minor cuts, and the majority of the performance is preserved intact. The show opens with Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding, where Elton's vocals are steady, if a bit flat in phrasing, yet he handles the climactic notes with agility. Your Song follows with a delivery closely mirroring the studio version—gentle yet expressive. Candle in the Wind is equally well-executed, showcasing powerful vocal projection. Hercules stands out with vibrant energy, though the singing is slightly flat in parts; nonetheless, Elton’s interaction with the audience adds a playful charm. Rocket Man is vocally restrained, and when the higher notes arrive, Elton opts for a more economical phrasing, making it a distinctive performance. Bennie and the Jets is strong and spirited, featuring bold vocal dynamics. Daniel is musically rich, especially with Davey Johnstone's guitar work providing subtle flourishes—vocally, it is one of the show’s highlights. This Song Has No Title is another strong moment, despite some mild flatness in pitch. Honky Cat delivers well with decent vocals and high energy. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road shines through its falsetto passages, even if a little vocally flat; the phrasing here shows noticeable evolution compared to 1973 versions. The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909–1934) sounds excellent, with Dee Murray’s bass adding significant depth and Elton delivering a solid vocal performance. The debut of Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me is compelling—though somewhat vocally uneven and lacking background vocals, it's still a strong presentation.Elderberry Wine is full of energy, driven by a notably clean and confident vocal delivery. I've Seen That Movie Too is vocally captivating, rich in emotional depth. All the Girls Love Alice carries strong momentum, though Elton’s vocals here lean towards the nasal and slightly strained. Step Into Christmas keeps the pace brisk with a slightly faster tempo, though signs of mild vocal fatigue begin to show. Crocodile Rock is performed with enthusiasm; however, the falsetto backing vocals sound a bit thin. The concert concludes with Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting, an energetic finale, though Elton’s voice reveals some wear by the end. 1. Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding - 0:00 2. Your Song - 13:45 3. Candle In The Wind - 18:12 4. Hercules - 22:24 5. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time) - 31:40 6. Bennie And The Jets - 36:54 7. Daniel - 43:26 8. This Song Has No Title - 47:30 9. Honky Cat - 50:36 10. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 58:00 11. The Ballad Of Danny Bailey (1909-1934) - 1:01:39 12. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - 1:07:22 12. Elderberry Wine - 1:12:51 13. I've Seen That Movie Too - 1:18:52 14. All The Girls Love Alice - 1:24:48 15. Step Into Christmas - 1:32:00 16. Cocodrile Rock - 1:40:56 17. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) - 1:45:42