Call it the Rosetta Stone of today’s piano pop, the pinnacle of Sir Elton’s recording career or the triumph of 17 indestructible melodies over some of the lamest lyrics ever crayoned to paper. (Seriously, there’s no bigger testament to the title song’s sheer gorgeousness than surviving a chorus of wall-to-wall goofspeak like “where the dogs of society howl,” “can’t plant me in your penthouse,” “howlin’ old owl in the woods” and “huntin’ the horny-back toad.”) This much is indisputable: It’s one of the biggest-selling and most beloved LPs of all time, and at least a half-dozen tracks are firmaments in the pop canon, among them “Bennie and the Jets” and the evergreen “Candle in the Wind”—though our favorite remains one of John’s most rollicking toss-offs, the manic “Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock ‘n’ Roll).” Performing the album in its entirety to benefit NARAS’ MusiCares Foundation are Edwin McCain, Don Henry, Jeff Black, Emerson Hart, Reeves Gabrels, Natalie Henby, Rick Schell, Benton Blount, Brad Cotter, Melissa Mathes and Stowe Shockey, with lifelong Yellow Brick Road fan Dave Harrison (drums), Robert Kearns (bass), Tony Obrohta (guitar), Michael Webb (piano) and others serving as house band.
Thu., Dec. 11, 8:30 p.m., 2008
Thu., Dec. 11, 8:30 p.m., 2008
