Ruqayyah Snyder
Elton John's Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra was recorded on December 14, 1986, at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. The concert was the last of a series of performances in Australia and New Zealand as part of his Tour De Force tour. The album, released in 1987, features songs from the tour and showcases Elton John's collaboration with the 88-piece Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The album and DVD received praise for their orchestral performances and raw passion, with some critics calling it their favorite Elton John record.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Album Name | Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra |
| Release Date | 1987 |
| Recording Date | 14th December 1986 |
| Recording Venue | Sydney Entertainment Centre |
| Orchestra | 88-piece Melbourne Symphony Orchestra |
| Band | Elton John Band (14-piece) |
| Concert Tour | Tour De Force tour of Australia and New Zealand |
| Conductor | James Newton Howard |
| Album Producer | Gus Dudgeon |
| Orchestra Recording | Leon Minervini and Nic Jeremy |
| Mixing | Graham Dickson |
| Studio | Wisseloord Studios, Netherlands |
| Elton John's Health | Suffering from vocal cord polyps, vocal issues |
| Coughing up blood during the performance | |
| Underwent throat surgery in January 1987 | |
| Voice permanently altered after surgery | |
| Songwriters | Elton John and Bernie Taupin |
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What You'll Learn
Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Elton John's "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra" is the twenty-eighth official album by the English musician, released in 1987. The album was recorded live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 14 December 1986, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, as part of Elton John's Tour De Force tour of Australia and New Zealand. The concert was the last of a series of performances that took place over the final two months of 1986.
The performance consisted of two sets. The first set featured John, his 14-piece band, including backing vocalists and the Onward International horn section, and his flamboyant stage dress, featuring Mohawk and Tina Turner wigs, and some outlandish eyewear. The second set featured John, his band, and the 88-piece Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, with John dressed as Mozart.
The album features most of the songs recorded in the second half of the show, excluding "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting", "Carla/Etude", "Cold as Christmas (In the Middle of the Year)", and "Slow Rivers". James Newton Howard, who had previously played keyboards in John's band during the 1975-1976 tours, joined to conduct and write larger, augmented charts for the orchestra.
The recording of the band was handled by John's live sound engineer, Clive Franks, assisted by Keith Walker and Dennis Fox. The recording of the orchestra was supervised by album producer Gus Dudgeon and carried out by Leon Minervini and Nic Jeremy. The tapes were then taken to the Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands for mixing by engineer Graham Dickson.
The concert was the last to feature John's legendary stage costumes, which he had been using since the early 1970s. It was also his final performance before undergoing throat surgery in January 1987, which prevented him from singing and touring for several months and permanently altered his voice.
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Elton's connection to Australia
Elton John has had a long and meaningful relationship with Australia, dating back to his first performance there in 1971. Since then, he has toured the country 18 times, performing over 200 concerts in Australia and New Zealand.
His first tour of Australia and New Zealand began on 17 October 1971 at Subiaco Oval in Perth, where 4,500 people welcomed him and his band to Western Australia. The tour included six concerts, with only one taking place indoors and all but two being afternoon performances. Crowd sizes grew as the tour progressed, with reports of 10,000 or more people at some shows, and ecstatic fans rushing to the front of the stage.
Elton John has described Australia as one of his favourite countries, stating that some of his most memorable concerts have taken place there. He has also shared several meaningful moments in his life while in Australia. For example, he was in Australia when his friend John Lennon died, and he hired St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne to hold a memorial. Additionally, doctors in Sydney discovered cysts on his vocal cords, which placed his recording and touring career at risk. Elton John also chose Australia as the location for his first wedding, to German recording engineer Renate Blauel, in February 1984 at St Mark's Anglican Church in Sydney.
Elton John's live album, "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra", was recorded in Sydney on 14 December 1986. The concert was the last of a series of performances during his Tour De Force tour of Australia and New Zealand. The performance featured two sets: the first with Elton and his 14-piece band, including backing vocalists and his iconic stage costumes, and the second with the addition of the 88-piece Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, with Elton dressed as Mozart.
Elton John's connection to Australia is indeed special, with the country holding a significant place in his life and career.
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The album's recording and production
'Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra' is the twenty-eighth official album release by Elton John. It was recorded live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 14 December 1986, during the final concert of his Tour De Force tour of Australia and New Zealand. The album features songs from this tour, where he performed alongside his 14-piece band and, later, an 88-piece orchestra.
John's live sound engineer, Clive Franks, handled the recording of the band, with assistance from Keith Walker and Dennis Fox. Album producer Gus Dudgeon supervised the recording of the orchestra by Leon Minervini and Nic Jeremy. The concert was also the last to feature John's famous stage costumes, which he had been wearing since the early 1970s.
The album features most of the songs recorded in the second half of the show, excluding "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting", "Carla/Etude", "Cold as Christmas (In the Middle of the Year)", and "Slow Rivers". James Newton Howard, who had previously played keyboards in John's band, joined him to conduct and write new, augmented charts for the larger orchestra. He also wrote new full orchestra parts for songs that had previously only featured a horn arrangement, such as "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me".
After the concert, Dudgeon took the tapes to Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands for mixing with engineer Graham Dickson, who had also worked on John's previous album, 'Leather Jackets'. The album was released in 1987, and it was John's last show before undergoing throat surgery in January 1987. The surgery altered his voice, and he was unable to sing or tour for several months.
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Elton's health and voice
Elton John's health and voice have been through various changes over the years, with drug use, bulimia, and oversinging taking a toll on his vocal cords. In the late 1970s, he developed vocal cord trauma, scarring, and eventually vocal cord edema. This damage was evident during his 1986 Tour De Force tour of Australia and New Zealand, which culminated in a live album recording in Sydney on December 14, 1986, titled "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra."
John's health issues and vocal struggles led him to undergo throat surgery in January 1987. This surgery was necessary to remove nodules from his vocal cords, which had formed due to the aforementioned lifestyle choices. The procedure was successful, but it did alter his voice, making it deeper and preventing him from singing and touring for several months.
Some fans and critics argue that the surgery itself did not change John's voice, but rather served as a wake-up call for him to adopt healthier habits and improve his vocal technique. John himself has stated that the surgery taught him to breathe properly and watch other people's singing techniques, transforming himself from a "piano player that sings" to a "singer that plays the piano."
Despite the initial challenges, John's voice change allowed him to cultivate a rich and powerful sound that he has effectively utilized in the second half of his career. He has continued to perform and record, adapting his singing style to accommodate his altered vocal range.
In recent years, some fans have noticed a decline in John's vocal abilities during live performances. In 2019, he appeared to struggle with high notes, and in 2022, his voice lacked energy and strength. However, it is important to acknowledge the toll that years of performing and aging can take on a singer's voice. Overall, Elton John's resilience and dedication to his craft have enabled him to navigate health issues and vocal changes while continuing to captivate audiences worldwide.
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The DVD release
The DVD provides an insightful glimpse into Elton John's iconic stage presence. Known for his flamboyant costumes, this particular performance featured Elton John dressed as Mozart during the second set with the orchestra. The DVD also showcases the raw emotion behind the music, as Elton John was facing vocal cord issues at the time, ultimately leading to throat surgery in January 1987.
The release of "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra" on DVD allows fans to relive the magic of this memorable concert. It serves as a testament to Elton John's enduring legacy in the music industry and his special connection with Australia, a country he considers central to many meaningful moments in his life. The DVD is a valuable addition to any Elton John fan's collection, offering a blend of his classic songs, orchestral grandeur, and the artist's unwavering passion for performing.
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Frequently asked questions
'Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra' is the twenty-eighth official album released by Elton John. It was recorded live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 14 December 1986.
The album received positive reviews from customers and critics alike. Customers praised the album's orchestral performance and its raw passion. Critics also commended the string arrangements and Elton John's nostalgic performance.
The album features songs from Elton John's Tour De Force tour, including "Sixty Years On", "I Need You To Turn To", "The Greatest Discovery", "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word", "Candle In The Wind", "Burn Down The Mission", and "Your Song".
The recording is available on Amazon as a DVD, VHS, or audio CD. It can also be found on YouTube and through the Elton John Official Store.
