Fan Review By Tony Centofante.

The adventure begins ten days prior when I attended Paul McCartney in Atlanta. I had decided to see him instead of Elton since it may be the last time Paul goes out on tour (and Elton probably has 20 or 30 more years left in him!). Out of curiosity, I went to the box office to see if Elton was sold out. It was not. But, that was not the best part. I was able to get $65 front row side stage (compared to $125 plus service changes for other parts of the arena). I was right next to the ramp from where Elton walked on to the stage. The way the section was laid out you actually felt like you were on the edge of the stage looking directly at Elton! Everyone around me could not believe what great seats they had for the price paid.

For those wondering why Elton did not sellout Atlanta instantly, consider that Philips Arena has concerts in the next two months by Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond and U2. I also think this is why Elton is doing such a long show so as to distinguish himself from the rest of the pack.

If the shows at Madison Square Garden last week were his career best, then last night at Philips Arena in Atlanta would have to come in at a close number two.

It started at 8:10 p.m. with Elton greeting his American hometown audience. He said he was so happy to be in a city where he could go to bed after the show without getting on a plane. Then, Elton explained the format of the show quickly ending the suspense for those who may have traveled thousands of miles to see it. The show would begin with the album recorded in town Peachtree Road and then the jukebox section would be next. What? For those who were holding their breath Elton put their minds at ease. Then, Captain Fantastic would be played. And finally ending with more from the jukebox. So, before the first note was played it became apparent this would not be a copycat of the Boston and New York shows.

The new material was warmly received. Elton had fun with some of the intros. He introduced "They Call Her The Cat" by saying it was about a sex change and then adding that "I think some of the people in the front row know all about that". And then before "Freaks In Love" saying this is about most of us who are not perfect and have not had plastic surgery, facelits, buttlifts, lipo, etc. And then he started laughing and said "Except for the people in the front row!" It was nice to see Elton go off from his usual tightly worded scripts.

"Porch Swing In Tupelo" and "Answer In The Sky" sounded better than the album versions. "Turn The Lights Out When You Leave" was introduced as "our next single" and the Teri Hatcher video played on the screens.

The best of the new songs on this night was "All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful)". It soared to an exciting conclusion with help from the choir.

It was 8:50 p.m. after the first eight songs. No idea as to what would be played next. Looking at the Boston and New York setlists, I thought to myself it would be better to not play two albums in a row but have "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" separate them to keep the casual fans from getting bored. Elton must have realized that too because once the fog started to fill the arena it became clear that would be the next song.

The song that needs to leave the setlist "Daniel" followed and as has become tradition that is my cue to go walk around for a few minutes.

I returned to my seat in time for another new intro to "Take Me To The Pilot" followed by "Rocket Man" with another new outro. Those who say it's the best version ever may be right. "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" was dedicated to Ray Charles.

After "Tiny Dancer", Elton introduced everyone on stage. And then the moment the diehards had been waiting for. It was 9:50 p.m. and the Captain Fantastic section was next. The title song was well done. I was most excited to hear "Bitter Fingers" as that is the only one of the songs I've never heard live. It was a good version but slower than the album version as Elton seemed to have a hard time keeping up with the pace of it. Surprisingly, he skipped "Tell Me When The Whistle Blows" and then went straight into "Someone Saved My Life Tonight".

One thing I started to notice at this point in the show was that everything started to sound just a little slower than usual. It could have been Elton being deliberate not wanting to miss a note in front of his hometown audience or maybe he is human after all and is actually a little tired after a series of marathon shows. Everything still sounded good but nothing towards the end of the show blew me away as being the best ever.

The final Captain Fantastic tune "We All Fall In Love Sometimes/Curtains" was intoduced as his best love song ever and dedicated to his writing partner Bernie Taupin.

At 10:30 p.m., Elton said "Let's rock out" before launching into "Philadelphia Freedom". But, in my mind I was still listening to the Captain Fantastic album and the last bonus track on it. I thought that was a genius setlist decision to place the Captain Fantastic section at this point in the show.

And of course the standard favorites to end this four part show. The only disappointment was that "Empty Garden" did not make it out of Madison Square Garden.

Anyway, I came within an inch of Elton as he walked by me for the encores (oh well, shaking hands with him at an Asheville solo show in 1999 will have to do). I saw Elton's Personal Assistant Bob Halley (yawning during "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting...I wonder how many times he has listened to all the hits?). And I saw Elton's dog walking around the side stage area not bothered at all by the decibel level.

The 32nd song was "Your Song" and Elton walked off the stage for the final time at 11:20 p.m.

Following is the complete set list of the Atlanta show on October 1, 2005:

• Weight Of The World
  
• Porch Swing In Tupelo
  
• Answer In The Sky
  
• Turn The Lights Out When You Leave
  
• My Elusive Drug
  
• They Call Her The Cat
  
• Freaks In Love
  
• All That I'm Allowed
  
• Funeral For A Friend
  
• Love Lies Bleeding
  
• Bennie And The Jets
  
• Daniel
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Rocket Man
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy
  
• Bitter Fingers
  
• Someone Saved My Life Tonight
  
• (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket
  
• Better Off Dead
  
• We All Fall In Love Sometimes
  
• Curtains
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• Sad Songs
  
• Levon
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• The Bitch Is Back
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
• Crocodile Rock
  
• Your Song

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