Elton John - Live in Milan (June 12th, 1984)

Elton John Live in Teatro Tenda di Lampugnano Milan, Italy June 12th, 1984 Audience Recording Sound Quality: A- Attendance: 5,300 Audio cortesy of ⁨‪@GregsynthWizard‬ , credits to him After delivering the first of two shows in Milan, Elton John returned to the Teatro Tenda di Lampugnano for a second night. Unlike the opening performance, this concert took a very different turn, largely due to Elton’s shifting mental state, which became more evident as the evening progressed. From Sad Songs (Say So Much) onward, he began altering tempos, throwing in playful yet misplaced phrasings, mumbling, and laughing between lines—behavior that suggested he may have been under the influence of alcohol or other substances. While his vocal strength remained intact, the sharpness of his focus and discipline contrasted noticeably with the previous night. The most dramatic moment came during Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting), when Elton inadvertently stepped offstage and fell into the orchestra pit, fracturing his arm. The shocking news was later confirmed in Italian by a promoter addressing the audience. The recording of this night, though taped from a far distance, is of reasonably good quality, with only slight cuts between songs. The show opened with Tiny Dancer, which resembled the previous night’s rendition but sounded rougher, with Elton’s voice briefly cutting out before the first chorus. Hercules and Rocket Man lacked the same energy as before, with the latter delivered in a flatter tone, though it was intriguing to hear Elton experiment with improvised vocal lines. Daniel came across as solid, while Restless marked a slight improvement in energy, with Nigel Olsson adding dynamic texture through his drumming. Candle in the Wind stood out as one of the night’s strongest performances, beautifully sung with delicate vocal embellishments. By contrast, The Bitch Is Back felt half-hearted, Elton opting for lower tones and sounding somewhat uninterested. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me was handled steadily, while Sad Songs (Say So Much) showcased a more commanding vocal delivery. The mood shifted again with Bennie and the Jets, where Elton injected humor with exaggerated phrasings and laughter, ultimately losing his concentration by the third chorus, even changing “Magazine” to “TV screen.” Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word remained convincing, and Philadelphia Freedom worked overall, though Elton occasionally slurred his words. Blue Eyes was another highlight, confidently performed, but I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues suffered when Elton forgot parts of the lyrics and improvised awkwardly at the end. Kiss the Bride had similar issues, with missed words and off-key moments, while One More Arrow faltered both vocally and instrumentally, rushed in phrasing and lacking cohesion. Too Low for Zero restored some balance, sounding sharp and well-executed, and I’m Still Standing carried renewed energy, with a faster tempo than usual that gave it an extra punch. Your Song was heartfelt and well-received, setting up a lively Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)—ironically one of the strongest moments of the night despite the accident. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road shone with humor as Elton playfully swapped “Vodka and tonics” for “Salad and sausages,” and Crocodile Rock ended the concert on a spirited note. 1. Tiny Dancer - 0:00 2. Hercules - 6:44 3. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) - 12:15 4. Daniel - 22:22 5. Restless - 26:26 6. Candle In The Wind - 31:10 7. The Bitch Is Back - 35:00 8. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - 39:00 9. Sad Songs (Say So Much) - 44:49 10. Bennie And The Jets - 48:40 11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - 1:00:27 12. Philadelphia Freedom - 1:04:12 13. Blue Eyes - 1:09:13 14. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - 1:12:10 15. Kiss The Bride - 1:15:47 16. One More Arrow - 1:20:12 17. Too Low For Zero - 1:24:30 18. I'm Still Standing - 1:30:21 19. Your Song - 1:36:44 20. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) - 1:40:33 21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1:50:20 22. Crocodile Rock - 1:53:12