are always welcome
The New York Times wrote that the 3 1/2-hour marathon spanning Elton's career "featured no onstage candles -- not even 'Candle in the Wind' -- but felt ceremonial enough without them."
"The concert gathered strength as it steamrolled along, covering a wide range of material from an expansive career," the Times review continued. "Mr. John's regular five-piece backing band, augmented by the cellist Martin Tillman, sounded crisp and engaged ... And the Brooklyn Youth Chorus managed to bring a sense of uplift, along with some raw power."
The Times added that Elton sang in "an unfaltering voice" and "(projected) an exuberant air," during his record 60th show at the venerable New York arena, which honored Elton's record performance with a banner that imitated the "retired number" 60 as if he was a sports star.
The highlight of the show for the Times was the run of hits toward the end.
"The song preceding that finish-line sprint was more telling, though," the review read. "It was 'I'm Still Standing,' accompanied by a video montage of album covers and outlandish old photographs. The song's lyrics amount to a bitter reprisal, but Mr. John made them sound more jubilant than angry."
The New York Post agreed, pointing out early in its review that former President Bill Clinton kicked off the show with a heartfelt message and special guests Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams were given the honor of introducing Elton's longtime lyricist, Bernie Taupin, who led the crowd in a serenade of "Happy Birthday" to the man of the hour.
"This was one of the liveliest concerts he's played in years," the Post wrote. "The turning point in this show was clearly 'Bennie and the Jets.' With a single strike of a key on the piano, the song's first note unglued most of the fans from their seats. From then on, John owned the Garden.
"The hits were delivered with precision and enthusiasm from that point, including 'The Bitch Is Back,' a star-spangled 'Philadelphia Freedom' that received among the loudest applause, and a rocking 'Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting).'"
The Post also name-dropped a smattering of the many stars in attendance.
"VIP birthday party guests included k.d. lang, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Michael Caine, Donna Karan, Kid Rock and Harvey Weinstein," the Post wrote.
The New York Daily News, meanwhile, chose to concentrate on yet another facet of the epic concert, prominently mentioning the importance of Elton's willingness to mine his deep catalogue of songs and pull out rare gems.
"The material Elton picked for this herculean night (lasting more than three hours) rewarded those who've been paying the closest attention to his career," the Daily News wrote.
"'Sixty Years On' was the perfect opening salvo for the night. Elton performed the song with pluck 37 years ago. Last night, it exuded an earned wisdom. The inclusion of superior catalogue tracks like 'Where to Now St. Peter?' and 'Ballad of a Well-Known Gun' gave the show a freshness ... Even more rare were songs like 1973's 'Roy Rogers' or 1972's 'High Flying Bird,' with its lovely mandolin motif.
"Elton further goosed the songs with tight piano solos, including a swampy jazz extension in 'Madman Across The Water' and a lovely cadenza in 'Rocket Man' that took the tune to a whole new level."
The Daily News also sent a writer to cover the celebrities in the crowd and their reactions to Elton's show.
Clinton was asked by the paper to reveal his favorite Elton song and he replied, "'Candle in the Wind,'" before pausing and adding, "No, 'Philadelphia Freedom'"
Model Elizabeth Hurley picked "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," and actor Eric McCormack tabbed "I've Seen That Movie Too" and told the paper, "No one else will tell you that one."
In People magazine, the writers seemed to be most moved by Elton's performance of his John Lennon tribute, "Empty Garden," and the story he told of its special meaning.
"One of his most memorable MSG shows was in November 1974, when he was joined on stage by John Lennon in what turned out to be the former Beatle's last concert appearance before his death," People wrote.
"'I've never heard a reception like that,' John told the crowd of his performance with a 'very petrified' Lennon. Before launching into 'Empty Garden,' ... he said: 'I hardly ever sing this song ... because it's too upsetting for me to sing it anywhere else. In memory of one of the greatest men, songwriters, John Lennon.'"
The magazine also mentioned Elton's dedication of "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" to his partner, David Furnish.
The Long Island newspaper Newsday summed up the show and applauded Elton's energy, saying Captain Fantastic, "kept the show moving fast, packing 33 songs onto the set list. Backed by a five-man band, including his longtime drummer Nigel Olsson, plus an occasional cellist and more than 60 members of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, John touched on virtually every era of his career, from his early singer-songwriter days to his improbable '80s comeback and even his latest disc, 2006's nostalgic 'The Captain and the Kid.'"
The paper also wrote about the striking images on a huge video screen that chronicled Elton's career full of hit songs and eye-opening wardrobe choices.
"Throughout the evening, a video screen gently mocked John's outfits through the ages -- striped suits, wide lapels, fish-eye glasses," Newsday wrote. "Now dressed in a (relatively) tasteful topcoat with a silver cross necklace, John gamely closed the show with a string of hits from his wilder years."
