Elton John Rocks Providence, Next Up: Boston
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Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Ken Abrams, GoLocalWorcester Music Critic
Elton John made a triumphant return to Providence Saturday night, making the
Dunkin Donuts Center the second stop on his
Diving Board Tour. Expectations were high for the near capacity crowd and Sir Elton did not disappoint. He covered a number of hits in his 28 song set, including a full album side from “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”
2 Cellos
Opening act 2 Cellos, played two songs, one of which was a raucous version of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” They returned later in the show, adding their strings to several classics including “Levon” and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” The Croatian born duo, (discovered in 2011 on YouTube), “lowered the average age on stage by about 30 years,” noted Elton. “And they’re cute!” he added.
Classic Tunes
Opening with the classic “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding,” the Rocket Man delivered as promised, playing a show full of hits along with a few deep cuts. Next up, a supercharged version of “Bennie and the Jets” had the crowd unabashedly singing along. The best selling single of all-time, “Candle in the Wind,” followed; a version fit for a Princess. He completed the ”Yellow Brick Road” album side with a nice take on the lesser known, but audience pleasing, “Grey Seal.”
Honky-Tonk Blues
Captain Fantastic tweaked a few classics, offering up a funky “Bitch is Back,” with echoes of Jerry Lee Lewis on keys. He featured some boogie-woogie piano licks on mega-hits such as “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man.” He’s clearly at home with his “slap piano” keyboard style, embellishing his chords on a number of tunes throughout the evening.
The Diving Board
With most songs coming from the classic albums of the early 70s, Elton introduced some new music from his recent release The Diving Board. The album has garnered quite a bit of critical praise – many reviewers noting the positive shift back to his original sound. He actually apologized for playing two new songs including “Oceans Away,” a song dedicated to the WWII generation, and “Voyeur,” a song “about my sex life,” he joked. No need for apologies Sir Elton - you’ve earned your keep!
Stellar Band
It’s fair to say that Elton John’s backing band “completes” him. With great soloing and mandolin work from longtime guitarist Davey Johnstone, and a tight rhythm section anchored by drummer Nigel Olssen, the band is entirely tuned in to their leader. His chorus of four background singers, including Sly Stone’s sister Rose, helped out with notes high and low, as Elton seemed to have a little cold, undoubtedly brought on by our late autumn weather.
Still Relevant
In a recent interview regarding his new album, John acknowledged that he is “no longer relevant” in today’s pop music world. That clearly wasn’t the case though, for the 12,000 or so who attended Saturday night’s concert, not to mention countless others who see him annually. There’s no question he’s in a new stage of his career, less concerned about marketing and sales figures. He’s making music to satisfy himself, and in so doing, he’s satisfying his audience.
Elton’s Legacy
Almost 40 years since the celebrated July 4th, 1976 helicopter drop into the old Foxboro Stadium, it’s easy to forget how many big hits Elton has recorded in his career. From “Your Song” and “Crocodile Rock,” to “Philadelphia Freedom” and “Believe,” he’s churned out sixteen #1 hits, and over fifty Top 40 songs. Numerous awards including six Grammys, Kennedy Center Honors, and an Academy Award, cement his superstar status.
Much of the overindulgent drama is gone, but good vibes and great tunes remain. With over 300 million albums sold, not to mention his commitment to numerous social causes, Elton’s legacy is secure. If you missed this one, you can still catch him tonight in Boston at the Garden.
Related Slideshow: The 12 Best Pizzas In New England 2013
According to the Daily Meal, twelve of the America's101 best pizzas can be found right here in New England. Take a look, and find out where you can get your next tasty pie.
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#12 Galleria Umberto Rosticceria (Boston)
Cheese Pizza
Overall Rank: #85
A North End staple, Galleria Umberto is a by-the-slice pizza place that often features lines extending around the block. The interior features no frills, the menu is quite simple, but their cheese pizza has long been been considered to be Boston's best.
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#11 Picco (Boston)
Margherita Pizza
Overall Rank: 76
Located next to Boston Center for the Arts, Picco is a full-service restaurant featuring a wide selection of Mediterranean cuisine. Though the margherita pizza is the reason they made the list, they also have several inventive pie options such as Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash & Fontina, or Roasted Eggplant & Cauliflower.
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#10 Al Forno (Old Saybrook, CT)
Margherita Pizza
Overall Rank: 68
Established in 1992, Al Forno (Not the one in Providence) uses a brick oven heated to over 600 degrees to create some of the best pizzas on the New Haven shoreline. They have received favorable reviews in the New York Times and Hartford Courant, and were named as one of Zagat's "Top 1000 Italian Restauants in America" in 2008.
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#9 Coppa (Boston)
Salsiccia Pizza
Overall Rank: 54
The wood-fired pizza at Coppa compliments a full menu of traditional italian dishes crafted by owner-chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette. Early in his culinary career, Oringer worked as pastry chef at Providence's Al Forno, which also made this list.
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Lamb Pizza
Overall Rank: 41
Scampo, the first-floor restaurant within the famous prison-turned-hotel, Liberty Hotel, features a full menu of inventive italian-inspired cuisine, which also draws on Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. The Lamb pizza, which makes the list, is only one of several unique pie options on their menu.
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Mozzarella, Sausage, and Garlic Pizza
Overall Rank: 29
Established in 1903, the East Boston-based Santarpio's is the three-time defending award winner of "Best Traditional Pizza" by Boston Magazine. The family-owned features New York-style pizza and has become a landmark in the Boston area.
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Sausage Pizza
Overall Rank:27
Colony Grill, established in Stamford's largest Irish neighborhood in 1935, features thin-crust style pizza. Their menu is very simple, including only the staple pizza ingredients, allowing the restaurant to offer "a one-of-a-kind thin-crust pizza that is served simply."
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Melanzane Pizza
Overall Rank: 22
Though they have more than a dozen locations, Regina Pizzeria's original location in Boston's North End serves as a neighborhood staple and landmark. Many of the pizzeria's menu items are old family recipes dating back to its establishment in 1926.
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Italian Bomb Pizza
Overall Rank: 11
Founded in 1934, Modern Apizza features brick oven-style pizzas. Their traditional Italian menu features many great pies and specialty items, but are on this list due to the "Italian Bomb," a pizza covered in bacon, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onion, pepper, and garlic.
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#3 Al Forno (Providence, RI)
Margarita Pizza
Overall Rank: 10
Chef-owners Johanne Killeen and George Germon established Al Forno in 1980 to bring simple renditions of food rooted in various Italian regions to Providence. Their signature margarita pizza has been named to several "best pizza" lists in recent years, such as Food and Wine magazine.
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Tomato Pie
Overall Rank: 7
Sally's, established in 1938 by Salvatore Consiglio, is renown for its thin crust pizza which has been made in the same coal-fired oven for more than 60 years. Salvatore was the nephew of Frank Pepe, whose pizza also made the list.
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White Clam Pizza
Overall Rank:1
Established in 1925, Frank Pepe's Pizzeria's white clam pizza is rated as not only the best pizza in New England, but also best in all of America. The pizzeria uses coal-fired brick ovens, and uses only fresh clams in their most famous pie. Frank Pepe's has been a favorite for many celebrities over the years, including Ronald Regan and Frank Sinatra.
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