Fan report by Marcel Zürcher. Photos by Peter Bucek.

After the great Grenoble gig we were in the best mood to see Elton & Ray for their last 2009 show in Paris. The Great Amphitheatre inside the Palais de Congres looked like a big cinema arena. Just before Elton played one chord, we realised, that there was again – as it was in Konstanz in July 2008 – an audience, which was absolutely amazing and ready for the show.

Elton was even more relaxed as he was in Grenoble – and so he sang with a clear voice and played stronger. After the most songs there were standing ovations by the fans. After "Funeral For A Friend/Tonight" they didn’t find an end. Elton took 2-3 times to start with "Better Off Dead" – but we motivated him and Ray to stand up again. In fact, as the seven concerts were a big success, Elton announced many more European dates with Ray for 2010.

The improvisations during "Levon", "Take Me To The Pilot", "Honky Cat", "Crazy Water" and "Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)" made it clear: Elton & Ray were definitively in a good cooperation again.

We were surprised, that Elton came with normal glasses to the stage after "Crazy Water". He began to sign hundreds of autographs on the left. During the session followed the next surprise: He took his glass case and gave his sunglasses, which he wore during the show before, to a young boy in the audience. Wooah, what a noise at this moment came from the whole arena – Incredible!

During "Saturday Night’s Alright" Elton animated the fans with 'clap your hands' – the whole arena did it – and brought Elton a big smile on his face … everyone wanted that CD-Box at the end – ConcertLive had a lot to do!

These intimate shows with all those surprises gave us – as long-time-fans – the smell of being part of the very first Elton concert. How refreshing that was! And which entertainer is performing during 3 full hours without a break and completely live today?

Merci, Elton and Ray, merci beaucoup!

Following is the complete set list of the Paris show on October 2,2009:

Elton solo

• The One
  
• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• Border Song
  
• The Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes
  
• The Emporer's New Clothes
  
• The Weight of the World
  
• Rocket Man
  
• American Triangle
  
• Skyline Pigeon
  
• Nikita
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Original Sin
  
• Your Song

Elton with Ray Cooper

• Funeral for a Friend/Tonight
  
• Better Off Dead
  
• Come Down In Time
  
• Levon
  
• Indian Sunset
  
• I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself
  
• Daniel
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Carla Etude
  
• Blessed
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Honky Cat
  
• Crazy Water
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)

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