Music Review: Elton John's 'Live From the Rainbow Theatre With Ray Cooper' spotlights a rich catalog
Deep cuts from John's rich catalog are given the spotlight on 'Live From the Rainbow Theatre With Ray Cooper.' The 13-song set was culled from a six-show residency in London in May 1977, with John at the piano and his longtime percussionist, Cooper, joining him for the second half of the show.
The album initially received a limited release on vinyl for Record Store Day and will be available digitally and on CD for the first time beginning Friday.
While John, of course, performed his biggest hits during the residency, the album wisely focuses on often overlooked material, pointing to the astounding quantity of quality songs John produced early in his career.
That includes 'Cage the Songbird,' a lilting tribute to Édith Piaf from the underrated 1976 LP 'Blue Moves.'
Another highlight from that album is the cabaret jazz ballad 'Idol,' which shows John could have thrived in a lounge had the rock star thing not worked out.
The piano man's playing here is closer to Liberace than Little Richard, because ballads predominate, and Cooper's role is tastefully restrained. Even when the tempo gets brisk on 'Better Off Dead,' the song is delightfully hammy operetta rather than rock 'n' roll.
From start to finish, John sings with relish: He knows how good these songs are. 'Where To Now St. Peter?' features an especially vigorous vocal, including full-throated falsetto.
'Live From the Rainbow Theatre' underscores John's lyricist Bernie Taupin's vital role in their songwriting partnership. The album opens with 'The Greatest Discovery,' a pairing of sweet sentiment and a charming melody, while 'Ticking' is a gripping tale set in Queens that anticipated America's epidemic of gun violence.
John introduces 'Ticking' and two other songs by noting he doesn't perform them often, or often enough. Banter elsewhere is mostly brief and stiff, but his droll wit does surface in one exchange with a spectator.
'How are you tonight? Nice handkerchief,' John says, before telling the rest of the audience, 'He hasn't washed that in three years.'
The 1977 performances took place as punk and disco were knocking John off his pop pedestal and ending his years-long reign as a consistent hitmaker. 'Live From the Rainbow Theatre' offers a reminder that not all of his superb songs were singles.
___
More AP reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/music-reviews
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
5 hours ago
- Time Business News
Best Soundtracks from Popular Movies
Music plays a vital role in filmmaking, setting the mood, enhancing emotions, and making scenes unforgettable. A great movie soundtrack can elevate the entire viewing experience and even become iconic on its own. Over the years, some movie soundtracks have transcended their films to become cultural phenomena, influencing music lovers and movie buffs alike. Here's a look at some of the best soundtracks from popular movies that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. The soundtrack of The Lion King is a masterpiece blending African rhythms with Broadway-style songs. Composed by Hans Zimmer with songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, it features unforgettable tracks like 'Circle of Life,' 'Hakuna Matata,' and 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight.' The music perfectly captures the film's themes of life, loss, and hope. James Horner's haunting score combined with Celine Dion's powerful ballad 'My Heart Will Go On' helped make the Titanic soundtrack one of the best-selling movie albums of all time. The music beautifully complements the epic romance and tragedy of the film. This soundtrack is a nostalgic mix of 70s and 80s pop and rock classics, curated to reflect the quirky, retro vibe of the film. Songs like 'Hooked on a Feeling' and 'Come and Get Your Love' helped the movie stand out and brought renewed popularity to these hits. Howard Shore's epic orchestral score is an essential part of the Lord of the Rings experience. From sweeping themes that evoke Middle-earth's grandeur to intimate melodies for the characters, the soundtrack adds depth and emotion throughout the trilogy. Disney's Frozen soundtrack, featuring songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, became a cultural sensation. The anthem 'Let It Go' became a worldwide hit, empowering listeners of all ages with its message of self-acceptance and freedom. John Williams' legendary score is one of the most recognizable in film history. From the iconic Star Wars Main Theme to character motifs like The Imperial March, the music defines the space saga's tone and legacy. The Pulp Fiction soundtrack mixes surf rock, pop, and soul, perfectly matching Quentin Tarantino's eclectic and stylized storytelling. Tracks like 'Misirlou' and 'Son of a Preacher Man' remain timeless favorites. This modern musical features original compositions by Justin Hurwitz that celebrate jazz and romance. Songs like 'City of Stars' and 'Audition (The Fools Who Dream)' won critical acclaim and added emotional layers to the story. Curated and produced by Kendrick Lamar, the Black Panther soundtrack blends hip-hop, R&B, and African musical influences. It complements the film's themes of culture, identity, and power, with tracks that stand out both in and outside the movie. Yann Tiersen's whimsical and melancholic score perfectly matches the quirky Parisian atmosphere of Amélie. The soundtrack's delicate piano and accordion melodies evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia. A memorable movie soundtrack not only supports the story but also creates an emotional connection that stays with viewers long after the credits roll. Whether it's orchestral masterpieces, catchy pop tunes, or genre blending hits, these soundtracks have made their mark on both cinema and music history. Next time you watch a movie, pay close attention to the music it might just become your new favorite soundtrack. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Fox News
10 hours ago
- Fox News
Grammy-winning artist says she was encouraged to have an abortion after unexpected pregnancy
R&B singer-and-songwriter Victoria Monét revealed she was pressured to have an abortion after learning she was pregnant with her daughter, during an appearance on former First Lady Michelle Obama's podcast on Wednesday. Monét, who won Grammys in 2024 for best new artist, best R&B album and best engineered album, shared about how motherhood impacted her career after giving birth to her daughter Hazel in 2021. Not everyone in her professional circle was supportive of her pregnancy, she recalled. The singer explained it was difficult to share the celebratory news because she understood it might not be received well by her business associates. "So when I got pregnant, I was an independent artist. I was working with this company called Platoon working out of the UK. And when you're an artist, though you're a human, you're technically the business," Monét said on the podcast. "So, to have to explain to someone who is a partner in your business that your business may slow down because of pregnancy, is difficult, but it's also something that you're supposed to feel celebratory about." Platoon is a London-based music distribution and creative services company which helps boost independent artists before they sign deals with major labels. After breaking the news to her business partner over Zoom, Monét said she was given a presentation telling her how difficult and expensive it was to raise a child. "In retrospect, it was really, really disheartening," Monét admitted. "I had a person on my team, though the intentions were good, really, really hurt my feelings because they made a PowerPoint presentation to me about how difficult it will [sic] be for me." "And the finale of the presentation was, what's the rush? So, it felt like an encouragement to get an abortion. So that was really, really hurtful," she shared. Monét called it a "very emotional" experience but said it left her with a "fight" to prove that motherhood didn't have to derail her career. "And I walked out of that meeting…with that same fight that I had when I left home. I'm going to do this. It's my body, and I'm going to make it work even if it's hard," she recalled. She didn't believe the person meant to "harm" her but wanted her to understand that having a child was a "big decision" that would impact her career. Ultimately, the incident came "full circle," she explained, because one of her most popular songs, "On My Mama," she wrote about becoming a mother. "She's been the biggest blessing," Monét said of her daughter. "I had these preconceived notions that having a child would suspend my career or make things even more difficult, but God just was like, 'nope,' but it's been so fun." Fox News Digital reached out to Platoon for comment.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Elton John joins the band in Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues first look
Rob Reiner recently revealed that the premise of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is the band having a viral moment of an old song coming back into popularity. In a way that plot is mirrored in the original film, This Is Spinal Tap, doing tidy numbers at the box office when it was re-released earlier this summer. All this to say there's an appetite for more from the band—and to whet that appetite, Wednesday saw the release of some first look photos from the upcoming sequel, featuring a guest appearance from the real life legend Elton John. 'Forty-one years after the release of the groundbreaking mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, the now estranged bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls (Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer) are forced to reunite for one final concert,' a synopsis for the new film reads. 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues also marks the resurrection of documentarian Marty Di Bergi (Rob Reiner), who once again tries to capture his favorite metal gods as they contemplate mortality—and the hope that their 12th drummer doesn't join them in The Great Beyond. Joined by music royalty Paul McCartney and Elton John, Spinal Tap wrestles with their checkered past to put on a concert that they hope will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock 'n' roll.' Spinal Tap II: The End Continues features a number of musical cameos, including Metallica's Lars Ulrich, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Questlove, McCartney, and John. Some of these non-comedians may have found the shoot challenging, given that—like the original film—the movie is entirely improvised without a script. But 'They were all great. Paul McCartney is really funny. I mean, really funny,' Reiner recently told Entertainment Weekly. 'And Elton was spot on. He knew exactly what he wanted to say, and either you can do it or you can't do it. But these guys are used to being asked questions. They've been asked a million questions over their careers by reporters, and so they were totally comfortable, and you'll see what they say. It is good.' Spinal Tap II: The End Continues premieres in theaters September 12; you can check out the new photos below. Spinal Tap interviewed; Photo: Bleecker Street & Authorized Spinal Tap LLC Spinal Tap on stage; Photo: Bleecker Street & Authorized Spinal Tap LLC Elton John performs with Spinal Tap; Photo: Bleecker Street & Authorized Spinal Tap LLC More from A.V. Club Eddington breaks COVID cinema out of quarantine E! News gets the axe again Infamously thin-skinned president takes South Park's bait Solve the daily Crossword
