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greg archetti's Collection

Elton John   01/14/1998

Ritz Hotel, Paris, France
Source AUD
Media cdr   1 disc
Tech Notes Elton with a solo piano and an audience of 150 people, marking the 10th
anniversary of French radio station Europe 2.
private show !!

by Olivier Flous

Here is the review of what must be the most extraordinary concert a fan can dream of.
As I had told you earlier this week, I was among the
100 privelege few that were lucky enough to have won a seat for the
private concert Elton John was giving in Paris yesterday (Wednesday 14).

The exact place the concert was taking place in was kept secret until
the last minute. All the winners were given an appointement in a big
hotel in Paris at 2pm. The 100 winners were called one by one to be
given their pass to the concert. Then came my name, I showed my
identity card and was given the treasure. I opened the envelope where
my name was written and read on the beautiful card (in French) "Elton
John is glad to welcome you at his private concert at the Ritz Hotel
in Paris at 6 pm". What a wonderful surprise! The concert will take
place at the famous Ritz Hotel, which is said to be the most luxurious
hotel in the world (sadly famous because Lady Diana has spent her last
night in this hotel too). We had to wait 3 hours before going there.
To my surprise, nearly all the winners were real diehard EJ fans. They
were coming from everywhere in France (50 couples from 50 different
cities). In order to wait, one of the fans sat at the piano in the bar
of the hotel and played Elton-only tunes. I was interviewed live on
the radio (Europe 2 that was organizing the event) to describe my
feelings. Needless to say how nervous I was...

Then we went to the Ritz by bus. When we arrived on the Place Vendome
(where the Ritz is) two black Transam Trucking trucks were parked
there, surrounded with Rolls-Royce and Mercedes. Then I realized that
the concert was not just a dream.

We entered the Ritz (after waiting 30 minutes outside because we
arrived too soon). When the doors opened it was all magic. The place
is so beautiful, it's even hard to describe. We were conducted to the
concert "hall". It was the swiming pool area. The pool had been
covered for the occasion (impossible to guess it was a swiming pool
area if you weren't told), with two rows of 4 beautiful chairs on each
side of the room. The roof was painted, magnificient status and
paintings decorated the place. You have to know that Elton's swiming
pool in London was inspired by the Ritz one. The Yamaha piano was
standing there, the stage was about 50cm-high. Of course I had made
everything to be first in line and consequently made my way to the
front row, less than two meters from the piano bench...

At 6pm, Elton was announced by a woman from Europe 2, that had
suggested the idea of the concert to Elton during an interview this
last summer in Nice. Elton arrived, beautifuly dressed with a black
costume with stars embroided on it that were shining everywhere. He
received what must be one of the greatest ovations he ever had. I was
shaking. He was so close to me. Much closer than during a normal
concert when I am on the front row! He immediately waved to me when he
arrived bacause he had recognised me from the concerts in Wembley
Arena in December when I was on the front row too.

He started the concert with a very powerful rendition of Sixty Years
On. I was moved to tears (which had never happened to me in concert
before I must admit). At the end of the song he said "Welcome to the
Ritz Hotel. Congratulations for entering the competition. I have made
a special selection of songs, mostly from the past, for you tonight. I
hope you will enjoy it." Sure we did! "That's the first song that made
me famous" he said and played Your Song. Then came a soulful and
moving interpretation of Border Song.

The public responded very warmly to each song. It was hard to believe
only 100 persons could make so much noise. I was so proud. Elton often
starred at me as he sometimes do with people on the front row.
Everybody in the audience thought "Who is that guy?". I was in Heaven.

Then he played a song he introduced as being "one of my favorite songs
I've ever written. It's a song about loneliness and growing old". It
was Talking Old Soldiers. Every note resonated in the hall, we were
savouring every single note that was coming from the piano. His voice
was at his best. The sound was just perfect. Everything was perfection...

He introduced the next song as being "taken from the same album. It's
also one of my favorite" he said. It was Come Down in Time. When he
sang "some leave you counting the stars in the night" I could feel my
hairs standing on my skin. Then he played a song "about the birth of
my partner's younger brother. It has some of the most beautiful lyrics
Bernie has ever written for me" he said (he did say "my partner"!!).
As you have guessed, it was The Greatest Discovery.

Then we made a jump in time with Something about the way... and Live
like Horses. The piano-solo version is so beautiful, I won't be able
to listen to it again on The Big Picture I'm afraid. I want to keep
the version he sang in mind. Then he played Take me to the pilot with
a 5-minute long intro on piano and a very special ending, like he has
never played before. I made the gesture of "King Kong" at the end when
he usually does it (but couldn't as he was alone on stage). He laughed
when he saw me doing it.

Many fans came to the front row in between songs to give flowers and
gifts to Elton or to have something signed. Unfortunately the security
men were very difident towards everybody and made it impossible to
take photos (I could take two anyway but it was at high risk).

He introduced the next song saying "This is our new single, or rather
MY new single, as there is no one else on stage!". It was one of the
highlight of the evening for me, it was Recover your soul. He could
play the Dooodooodooo on piano, which sounded really great.

Elton continued with a very Rock and Roll version of I guess that's
why they call it the blues. Usually I get tired of that song in
concert but when he played it alone on piano it was incredibly fun.
Nobody could stop clapping in his hands from the whole song. He
continued to rock the audience with ten-minute long version of I don't
wanna go on with you.... His piano playing at the end of the song was
just incredible.

He dedicated The last song to all the people suffering from AIDS and
HIV. He seemed very moved. He played his "first success in France. It
took me a long time you know". It was not until 1976 and Sorry seems
to be the hardest word...

Then he left the stage and after a very warm applause from the
audience he came back and played that wonderful rendition that most of
you have experienced during the last tour of Daniel.

I moved to him to offer him a large photo of him I took in Wembley
Arena in December and which I am very proud of. He looked at it
carefuly and told me "You took it in Wembley Arena, didn't you". "Yes"
I said. "I remember you" he said grinning. I couldn't believe I was
speaking with him, so simply as with an old friend. "Thank you for
your gifts" he said on the microphone.

Then he played Don't let the sun go down on me. He put all his energy
on the song, as he did with all the others. He waved to the "crowd"
once again and slowly left the stage. It was over. The audience
couldn't help clapping non-stop even after the lights had been
switched on. Everybody took photo of the place, or siting in front of
the piano. We just couldn't leave the place where our dream had came
true...

I'm not sure I made justice to that very very special moment in
someone's life. One I will never ever forget.

The concert will be broadcast on Europe 2 on the 9 February at 7.30 pm
(French time). I'm afraid it won't be the whole show but don't miss it
if you live in France.

Eltonly yours, Olivier.
Trades Allowed Yes
Ratings Sound: A-
Owned by greg archetti · Last Updated May 23, 2023