Elton John/CA,USA 1975 Original Master Tapes

Another shocking discovery from Mike Millard Master! This time it’s Elton John. Moreover, Millard was recording the 1975 “WEST OF THE ROCKIES” tour, which was at its peak. The album “ROCK OF THE WESTIES”, which was created by parting ways with long-time friends such as Dee Murray and Nigel Olson and hiring new musicians, topped the charts in the United States for three consecutive weeks. A huge hit. The concert at Dodger Stadium in October was proof of that. This tour was also set up as a tour of large venues, as if to show off the band’s popularity in America at the time. What’s more, instead of using only large venues that can attract huge audiences and having a short one-month schedule, each show can last up to three hours, giving it the style of a champion. But there was. Therefore, the Dodger Stadium show was filmed and later aired as a documentary. However, it was far from a complete recording of the show. Unfortunately, the same dilemma exists regarding audience recording on the same day. “WEST OF THE ROCKIES” is the first complete document of the legendary tour where one stage lasted three hours. Although it was a very valuable release in that it completely recorded the Portland performance in October in that it revealed the whole picture of the peak tour, the original audience recording was of considerable B-grade quality. Combined with the decline of the cassette trade era, it was a very difficult item to listen to (a better quality copy is now available on YouTube). Still, since it was a valuable sound source, enthusiasts did their best to listen to it. But that was 20 years ago. Millard has done it again! He was recording the San Diego Sports Arena performance, the first day of the “WEST OF THE ROCKIES” tour. No wonder that fact itself surprised enthusiasts around the world. For the reason mentioned above, it was thought that there was no proper sound source for this tour. On the contrary, in research books, etc., the bootlegger revealed an episode in which he failed to record at Dodger Stadium, and even though it was at its peak, it was considered to be a tour that was not blessed with sound sources in every sense. Meanwhile, the best audience master that Millard had kept secret while recording finally saw the light of day. As always, the sound was really good this time too. The mirrored seal for peace of mind is also here. Although accompanied by a moderate sense of distance, it still has outstanding clarity. In addition, the sense of realism, which is the greatest strength of audience recording, is exquisitely balanced without being sarcastic. Considering Millard’s recording career, this is probably an early recording, but at this point we have achieved a stable high quality stereo audience recording. I never thought the day would come when I would be able to listen to the full set of the “WEST OF THE ROCKIES” tour with the quality that only he can do! In addition, this San Diego performance is not only the first day of the tour, but as Elton said in the MC, the new album “ROCK OF THE WESTIES” is about to be released at this point. Even the new single “Island Girl”, which will be released as a preview, will be released on this day. Considering the audience packed into San Diego, they could barely hear it on the radio. Despite this, the excitement on this day was tremendous. It is also unique to mirrored recording that firmly conveys that sense of reality, but the yellow cheers that erupt in most songs are amazing. This is a fever that can only happen at its peak. This is because he is an artist who has conquered the United States with the charm of his “songs.” Just listening to that, I can’t help but be moved and think, “This is really the climax…” Therefore, although it is a marathon show that lasts for three hours (with a break of course), it is also a wonderful rock show that does not make you feel the length at all. Nigel Olson, who had been an ally since the band’s debut, left the band, and Roger Pope, who played drums on “ROCK OF THE WESTIES” instead, created a strong rock sound and stadium live sound of this period. Millard’s recording makes it feel real that he was perfect for it. Please take your time to enjoy his extremely crisp drumming. And even though it was a long show, Elton was in great shape singing a number of dazzling masterpieces, which was also unique to the time when his popularity in America was at its peak. When you’re captivated by the way they sing, you don’t even feel that it’s three hours long. Yes, the great thing about the mirrored recordings discovered this time is not only the sound quality, but also the performance content. This culminating marathon stage will conclude with “Pinball Wizard” from The Who’s movie “TOMMY”, which also attracted a lot of attention due to Elton’s appearance, making it the ultimate marathon show full of Elton’s 1975 glory. audience album. Although he has tended to concentrate on releasing items on stage sound sources in recent years, he has finally released a must-have item from Elton’s live performance in the 70’s, which is on par with that masterpiece “TOKYO 1971 FINAL NIGHT”. Please experience the quality of the mirrored section at its full potential, and the excitement that will give you goosebumps while listening to it! Live at San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, CA, USA 29th September 1975 TRULY PERFECT SOUND Disc 1 (77:58)1. Your Song 2. I Need You To Turn To 3. Band Introductions 4. Border Song 5. Take Me To The Pilot 6. Dan Dare (Pilot Of The Future) 7. Country Comfort 8. Levon 9. Rocket Man 10. Hercules 11. Have Mercy On The Criminal 12. Empty Sky 13. Street Kids 14. Intermission Disc 2 (60: 23)1. Intro 2. Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding 3. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 4. Bennie And The Jets 5. Harmony 6. Dixie Lily 7. Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy 8. Bitter Fingers 9. Someone Saved My Life Tonight 10. The Bitch is Back Disc 3 (67:46) 1. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me 2. (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket 3. Better Off Dead 4. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds 5. I Saw Her Standing There 6. Band Introductions 7. Island Girl 8. Philadelphia Freedom 9. We All Fall In Love Sometimes 10. Curtains 11. Pinball Wizard Elton John – vocals, piano Davey Johnstone – guitar, backing vocals Caleb Quaye – guitar, backing vocals Kenny Passarelli – bass, backing vocals Roger Pope – drums James Newton Howard – keyboards Ray Cooper – percussion Cindy Bullens – backing vocals Jon Joyce – backing vocals Ken Gold – backing vocals