Description
Elton John With Ray Cooper – Live From Moscow – Double Vinyl Records
Recorded on May 28, 1979, and officially released 40 years later in 2019, Live From Moscow captures one of Elton John’s most unique and intimate performances. Unlike his usual full-band, stadium-filling concerts, this show featured only Elton on piano and legendary percussionist Ray Cooper, making for a stripped-down, raw, and electrifying performance. The concert was part of Elton John’s groundbreaking 1979 tour of the Soviet Union, making him one of the first Western rock stars to play in the USSR at the height of the Cold War.
The album is a masterclass in musicianship and showmanship, proving that Elton’s piano playing and vocals alone were enough to captivate an audience. The setlist is a mix of his biggest hits and deep cuts, including classics like Rocket Man, Daniel, Your Song, and Candle in the Wind. The arrangements are often more dramatic and improvisational than their studio counterparts, with Elton’s booming voice and virtuosic piano flourishes adding new dimensions to familiar songs. Ray Cooper’s wild, theatrical percussion brings a unique energy to tracks like Bennie and the Jets and I Heard It Through the Grapevine, turning them into explosive, extended jams.
The setlist showcases the storytelling magic of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, from the youthful nostalgia of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to the heartfelt sincerity of Skyline Pigeon. The stripped-down format allows the lyrics to take center stage, making for an emotionally resonant performance.
Live From Moscow was finally given an official release in 2019 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the historic tour, allowing fans to experience this legendary moment in Elton’s career. The recording captures not just the music, but the significance of the event itself—a Western rock star playing in the Soviet Union, bridging cultural gaps through the universal language of music. For Elton John fans, it’s an essential listen—a rare, raw, and powerful performance that highlights his brilliance as both a performer and a storyteller.
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Elton John’s historic first tour of Russia with Ray Cooper. Taken from the original BBC broadcast masters.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Daniel
Skyline Pigeon
Take Me To The Pilot
Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Candle In The Wind
I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Funeral For A Friend
Tonight
Better Off Dead
Bennie And The Jets
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Crazy Water
Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) / Pinball Wizard
Crocodile Rock
Get Back / Back In The U.S.S.R.
