14. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues (Elton John - Live In Edinburgh: 6/21/1984)

While I'm uploading shows from the 1988 leg of the Reg Strikes Back Tour, I am continuing my side objective by uploading the rest of the European Express Tour upgrades that will coincide with that tour leg's respective TierMaker episode. This upgrade to Edinburgh 1984 is an improvement other any previous copy that was on this channel as the clarity and fidelity are of a higher quality. By re-transferring the original tape I've had for years with using better equipment, the results are much more pleasing compared to earlier uploads. While not 100% complete, most of the show is available for you to enjoy! This concert is one of my personal favorites on the European Express Tour of 1984 due to everything just flowing nicely and everybody putting in top notch performances. On the subject of the performances, they can rank amongst some of the finest on this tour. Similar to the previous concerts from Belfast and Leeds, everything on this show seems to be performed with an added edge when compared to most of the pre-UK shows. Elton and the band seem extremely focused on the tasks at hand and deliver every song with great energy and passion. As on most shows from this tour leg, Elton’s voice is in excellent form and his performances are often on the level of the other acclaimed shows from this part of the tour. The rest of the band also shine on this recording with Dee having a fantastic night at the office (despite the quality, his playing is superb throughout the whole show). Now, time to write about the performances! “Tiny Dancer” ranks among the best versions from the era as Elton’s vocal tone is mostly clean and the vocal harmonies sound excellent in the chorus sections. “Hercules” is an aggressive and energetic version with Dee and Davey really giving everything they have all throughout the performance and Elton delivers the song with some added punch behind the vocals. “Rocket Man” is another excellent version from the tour as Elton’s voice is strong throughout and the improvisation section contains some great work from everybody on stage. “Daniel” sounds amazing as the vocal harmonies are great throughout and Elton passionately delivers the song. “Restless” is among the best-ever live versions as Elton aggressively delivers the song with added gusto in spots, and the rest of the band add to the intensity by showing off their prowess as well. “Candle In The Wind” is sadly cut, but what we have sounds great with Elton delivering the ending embellishment cleanly. “The Bitch Is Back” is another top notch performance with Elton really going for everything he has and Davey’s guitar solo sounds excellent. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” sounds amazing at this show as Elton backs off the more aggressive singing and sings the Caribou classic with a bit more of a pristine sound compared to other versions. This is definitely a candidate for the best version from the tour! “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” sadly has a cut, but the performance is otherwise fantastic with Elton singing the song passionately. “Bennie And The Jets” has Elton having fun the verses with various tonal and phrasing changes. He also delivers a hilarious third chorus with funny phrasing on “mohair suit” and goes full-blown macho on the “read it in a magazine” line. “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” sounds great overall with Elton smoothly singing the song, and “Philadelphia Freedom” once again is marred by a heavy cut, but what is featured sounds great! “Blue Eyes” has Elton smoothly singing the song and really shows off his improved lower range prowess. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” has Elton alternating between a more relaxed vocal tone and an overdriven one that can blow willy-willies away (that one’s for you, ncf1). “Kiss The Bride” is an energetic version with Elton passionately delivering the song and he sounds extremely powerful throughout. “One More Arrow” sounds nice at this show with Elton singing the song mostly smoothly and his soft tone sounds similar to Belfast’s version. “Too Low For Zero” ranks among the best versions ever as Elton sings the song amazingly and gives a little extra on the piano. “I’m Still Standing” is a step up from Leeds’ version on the backing vocals side of things, but a step down on the musicianship side as the band nearly train wreck the song before Davey’s solo spot. “Your Song” is a great version with Elton sounding clean and smooth on the vocals. “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” is a juggernaut of a version with the musicianship being crazy and Elton being completely into the performance. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is cut, but is otherwise a sound performance, and “Crocodile Rock” ends this energetic show with Elton having fun with the lyrics, phrasing, and various vocal tones! ENJOY!!! Note: Before “Your Song,” a snippet of “Strangers In The Night” is performed.