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Here's my report from the Elton John concert Friday night, Sept 9 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia:

First, the set list of  the Peachtree Road Tour:

Weight of the World (Preceded by thunder and lightning and rain effects)
Porch Swing in Tupelo
Turn The Lights Out When You Leave
My Elusive Drug
They Call Her The Cat
Freaks In Love
All That I'm Allowed
Pinball Wizard
Bennie and The Jets
Daniel
Take Me To The Pilot
Rocket Man
I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues
Tiny Dancer
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word (Elton talks first about Ray Charles)
Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Philadelphia Freedom
Sad Songs (Say So Much)
Levon
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
I'm Still Standing
the Bitch is Back
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting

Encore One
Crocodile Rock

Encore Two
Your Song

Total time: Concert started at 8:05, ended at 10:45

Best Comment by Elton: When introducing Freaks In Love, he said "this is for the 90% of us who aren't skinny, lifted, or Botoxed...I mean, who cares about Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt?"

This was an incredible show... The first 8 songs were, of course, not widely known by the audience. That's unfortunate, because the Peachtree Road songs are excellent, and played live they take on a whole new dimension. The backing vocals by the nine-member Voice of Atlanta choir lent an air to the sound. Highlights of this portion of the show were a rocking They Call Her The Cat, and for me personally, a wonderful All That I'm Allowed. The video presentation with it of less fortunate people helped me realize how fortunate I was to be there, and the audience seemed spell-bound by the video.

Since most of the crowd (it appeared to be a sellout) did not know the Peachtree songs (but did give Elton a warm reaction to each one) the audience was like a tight spring being held down - and Pinball Wizard and the virtual hit parade that followed allowed them to release that built-up tension. The place rocked the rest of the night. with the highlight being the run of songs from Philadelphia Freedom, which totally raised the roof of the Wachovia Center, right on through to Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting, another song that the audience just loved and of course sang along with.

There seemed to be a special reaction too for Take Me To The Pilot, Levon, and Funeral For A Friend. It was obvious that this audience was well-schooled in Elton's early material, even the non-hit 'cult' favs like Pilot and Funeral For A Friend..

The Music: The band was powerful and lively. Bob Birch's bass sounded muscular, and keyboardist Guy Babylon and percussionist John Mahon were excellent. Mahon came out from behind his percussion set near the end to play around, tossing tambourines in the air and handing his drumsticks to fans. Nigel Olsson got the loudest ovation when the band was introduced, and he played extremely well, with loud double thwacks on each drum in his kit at the end of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me for a very impressive song wind-up. I loved the choir, which not only added great vocals but danced heartily during the rock numbers, getting the fans to do the same.

Elton John: His voice was a good as ever. The man can certainly sing And his voice was loud and clear, never drowned out even by the huge wall of sound the band produced. At one point He graciously signed autographs for fans near the front, taking his time and trying to get to everyone he could reach.

This was truly a night I'll always remember. I got to see Elton John for the fifth time, and, since it was my first concert attended since 1999, I've now had the privilage of seeing and hearing him live in each of the past four decades.

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Yesterday I made my first visit to Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia, home since last season to the Philadelphia Phillies. The last time I attended a Phillies' game, I sat in the concrete bowl known as Veteran's Stadium.

The difference between the two facilities is amazing. The new ball park is spacious, beautiful, and very conducive to the enjoyment of the game. There are open lines of sight wherever one sits or stands. The brick and steel structure reflects an old ballyard feel while at the same time being state-of-the-art. Bathrooms are spacious and clean. Concession stands abound, and the park personnel were very courteous.

The Phillies beat the Florida Marlins 8-4 in a game they led 8-0 going into the 9th inning. As fun as the game was, it was the stadium itself that caught my attention even more. And, flanked as it is by the Eagles' two year-old stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, and by the relatively new Wachovia Center, Citizen's Bank Park completes an beautiful sports complex in downtown Philadelphia.

Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia as seen from the left field gate. 36,419 were in attendance yesterday as the Phillies beat Florida 8-4 behind seven shutout innings by pitcher Vincente Padilla, who also hit a two-run triple.

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