John goes through his hits

“No one’s ever written a song about me,” John said during the concert. “This is such a heartfelt song. And … it’s ‘The Hands of Angels.'”

The slow, piano ballad featured Russell alone on the keys with the help of the band’s four talented women vocalists. They almost overshadowed Russell because they seemed to come in clearer and louder.

John then came back out and pointed to the audience and walked to Russell and gave him a hug.
Russell then walked off stage with a cane and John started 1970’s “Burn Down the Mission.”

Then he peformed clear audience favorites “Levon” and “Tiny Dancer” with a noticeably loud audience singalong for each.

The 1971 “Levon” and 1972 “Tiny Dancer” each featured great instrumental backing from John’s band (featuring long-time members Nigel Olsson and who got a loud ovation) and stronger vocals, probably because he wasn’t yelling them like “I’m Still Standing.”

Next came the well received 1970’s “Ballad of a Well Known Gun” and a slightly sped up “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” from 1983.

Both featured splashy lighting displays on the LCD screen and plenty of deserved spotlight on individual band members. 

“Take Me to the Pilot” from 1970 was next and John began with a great showcase of his piano skills with a spotlight before these incredible flashing white and red lights took over and stopped when he started singing his famous lyrics which include “Take me to the pilot for control/take me to the pilot of your soul.” He also would stand up and move his arms to the beat while pointing to the audience which got them more involved.

John then went into 1984’s “Sad Songs” which featured a slightly more uptempo and loose piano than the single which gave the song a more joyous feel than the more somber original.

The audience really got into his rocking uptempo 1974 hit “B**** is Back” while swirls of red and yellow lighting surrounded the stage. John got off the piano chair and took a well deserved bow afterward before walking off stage.

When he came back from the side of the stage, he shook hands with the crowd in the front row and signed numerous autographs to loud cheers.

“Thank you for all of your love,” John said. “It’s amazing how much I love to play for you guys as I get older … You give so much back. Thank you very much.”

John then went into the familar opening lines of 1970’s “Your Song” with a single spotlight before the stage lights went back to normal and his band back joined in.

He ended with “thank you Ontario” and then bowed before the audience.