This album to me is the definitive Elton John collection. The choice of songs is impeccable. Mostly made up of songs from the early years of the John-Taupin relationship, it is the definitive way Elton should be heard. The older songs such as "Sixty Years On", "The Greatest Discovery", and "The King Must Die" are rare nuggets that reveal a time when the writing styles of the duo was very raw. In my opinion, the version of "Tonight" is a lot richer sounding than the version on "Blue Moves". "Tiny Dancer" and "Burn Down the Mission" are Elton concert staples, but are given added luster with the addition of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. And of course this is the album that brought "Candle In The wind" back to the masses. Released as the single from the album,it brought Elton back to the Top 10 after approximately 4 year absence. True Elton fans know that right after this album was recorded, Elton had nodules removed from his throat. Knowing this adds to the rawness of his vocals and the emotions from the recordings.(Elton did not know the severity of his throat problems at the time.) Given all of this, "Live In Australia" defines Elton John's career and is a cornerstone of his catalog that all fans should have. If I am introducing someone to Elton John, this is the album I would buy them.

Elton John is one of my all time favorite artists. His melodies along with Bernie's lyrics go together very well. Elton's performace on this show was nothing short of amazing. Especially considering that at the time he was battling a cocaine addiction, an eating disorder, alcoholism, depression, and throat problems. The highlight of the whole night was when he play the seven minute song Tonight from his Blue Moves album. That is one of the best songs I have heard. The only thing that would have been better is that they played the whole concert since they only played the second half where he had the whole orchastra. Nonetheless I still loved it. Elton sounds like he just threw himself into this project and the results are nothing short of amazng. This is a must for any Elton fan. The other bad thing, not that I'm complaining, is that there are more slow songs than fast songs. Still this is a must for any Elton fan like me.

Why should it not work? Well,considering the not so great quality of the albums he released during this period; BREAKING HEARTS, ICE ON FIRE, LEATHER JACKETS and REG STRIKES BACK, the mid-eighties were a period of Elton John's music that I am not fond of at all. Also at this time Elton got married either as a publicity stunt or to allay any suspicion of being gay. He was alo trying to kick a drug habit as well a finally ending a soured recording contract with David Geffen. And on top of all this his voice was overworked and almost completely shot.

So out of all this he makes a live album in 1986 with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and makes in my opinion one of the best live albums I have ever heard. Conduted by James newton Howard, it allows Elton sing songs not normally heard live. Only four of the fourteen tracks were singles and he delved into his early albums and sang quite a few lesser known songs. In fact none of his songs from 1977 through 1986 were included. Also the first four tracks are Elton with only the orchestra and the band do not make an appearance until Track #5 (SORRY SEEMS...)

But I think what makes the album so special is that he was certainly going through a very rough time (again!). And the rasping, rough vocal only adds to the appeal.

Track listing is given at the end and there is no real need to analyse the songs in detail. But in most cases, they are ideal for a full orchestra accompaniment. The only song without orchestra is CANDLE IN THE WIND, much more restrained and in my view, much better than the studio version. However it is just wonderful to hear songs like MADMAN ACCROSS THE WATER, SIXTY YEARS ON, THE KING MUST DIE, THE GREATEST DISCOVERY, BURN DOWN THE MISSION get the full treatment.

One of the best tracks is TAKE ME TO THE PILOT. It stands out even more as it is the only fast-paced song on the album. Maybe one or two more fast songs would have helped vary the tempo but overall i do not care as the album is very rewarding anyway.

Some tracks are over the top. HAVE MERCY ON THE CRIMINAL was always way too bombastic for me and unfortunately his raspy vocal gets swamped by the orchestra. TONIGHT sounds too much like cheesy Gershwin and the orchestra is too loud for the sad, yet tender lyric. The album version on BLUE MOVES is much better as it is more understated. YOUR SONG is also better on the studio version with its subdued strings.

But it is a very unique live album and it is not a rehashed Greatest Hits Live. If you only know EJ for the hits, go discover these great early songs with great melody and great lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It ranks up there with Elton John' best albums. Just be prepared for the rasping hoarse vocals.

1. Sixty years on (5.08)

2. I need you to turn to (2.34)

3. The greatest discovery (3.48)

4. Tonight (7.26)

5. Sorry seems to be the hardest word (3.30)

6. The king must die (4.58)

7. Take me to the pilot (3.54)

8. Tiny dancer (6.06)

9. Have mercy on the criminal (5.28)

10. Madman across the water (6.20)

11. Candle in the wind (3.46)

12. Burn down the mission (5.27)

13. Your song (3.48)

14. Don't let the sun go down on me (5.28)

This is Elton John's version of Billy Joel's "Songs From The Attic"; it's one of the finest live concert rock and roll albums I've heard, eclipsed in enthusiasm - if not quality - only by John's "Here And There". Clearly this is the live album Elton John fans expected from him, highlighting his great music and Taupin's brilliant lyrics from their most significant songs of the 1970's. I doubt I have heard Elton sing with such conviction on songs like "The King Must Die", "Tiny Dancer", "Tonight", "Burn Down The Mission", "Your Song" or "Candle In The Wind". All of these are vividly fresh interpretations, which he managed to sing well despite serious vocal problems at the time (Almost immediately after these performances with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, he had throat surgery.). I doubt I have heard Paul Buckmaster's orchestral arrangements played with such warmth and elegance before than here from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with former Elton John band member James Newton Howard at the podium. Ray Cooper is back as rock and roll's finest percussionist; the band is lead by guitarist Davey Johnstone, another long time member of Elton's band; other musicians include long-time Elton John Band drummer Charlie Morgan, bassist David Paton, and keyboard player Fred Mandel. Gus Dudgeon does a much better job here than on "Here and There" in producing a live Elton John performance; the recording is comparable in quality to what you'd expect from a 1980s recording of orchestral classical music.

I first listened to this when I was a teenager, riding in my father's car. It was the first time I had heard a whole orchestra perform with a modern musician and it blew me away. "The Greatest Discovery" moved me to tears and you can really feel the emotion Elton put into making this album.