Quite frankly I was so blown away by "Skyline Pigeon" the first time I heard it on this album that I gave short shrift to the rest of "Here and There." This album's version of "Skyline" is devastating.

The original version of Here and There, issued in 1976, was very brief, with just a few songs from each of the two concerts featured, and I regarded it as an unimpressive album, apparently put together only to fulfil Elton's DJM Records contract . This remastered and expanded edition is a tremendous improvement, with a full 16 additional songs, and much clearer sound than the original LP. As such it gives a much more realistic impression of Elton and his classic 5-piece band live at the peak of their mid-70s success, and because of the length of the performances listening to it is much more of an `experience' than the original LP. There is a good selection of songs, including many hits but also some interesting and less well known Elton album tracks, and there are alternate versions of Your song and Take me to the pilot. You also get the 3 historically very important performances by Elton with John Lennon at Madison Square Garden. An essential album for committed Elton aficionados.

I give Elton John's "Here and There" (as in, London and New York) the all-out five-star, get-this-now-and-enjoy-it-forever rating because it is such a well conceived and crafted live recording. There is just so much going for it.

Firstly, the coupling of the two radically different concerts within the same year is brilliant. Each disc has a very different feel, and yet each one is a completely winning blow-out of a show. They complement each other very nicely.

What do both discs have in common, you ask. On both, you have impeccable musicianship and performance. Elton is in great form, despite an ever so slightly hoarse voice, moreso on THERE. And then he has *THE* band: Dee, Nigel, Davey, and Ray, who are tight, tight, tight! I've always known that Davey and Ray were amazing at what they do, but I once had a rather ho-hum attitude towards Nigel and the late Dee Murray. Listening to these discs, I have gained a better appreciation for the great feel and groove they had as a rhythm section. Too bad Elton didn't keep the unit together longer...oh well.

Both discs include guest performers, and quite interesting ones at that. Lesley Duncan, the writer of "Love Song" from "Tumbleweed Connection", sings with Elton on the HERE disc. If nothing else, it's gratifying to hear the writer of the song given credit and singing along with EJ. The Muscle Shoals horn section plays on a good portion of THERE. Elton knew how to make good use of a funky horn section...so they are a definite plus. And of course, there's the last on-stage recording of John Lennon, who sings on three tracks. I have never really been a Beatles fan, but the very presence of Lennon adds something wonderful to the concert.

Lastly, I have to praise the song selection. HERE focuses on earlier, somewhat more obscure songs (Elton's hits, rather than his mega-hits). I grew up on Elton's mega-hits, and yet I cannot get enough of the older selections on HERE. Songs like "Skyline Pigeon", "Country Comfort", and "Love Song" are simply beautiful, and are a perfect sort of counter-weight to the somewhat heavier, more familiar setlist on THERE. The fact is, both discs wail. And at worst, the songs are played adequately. More often, they are played with the same level of brilliance as they were in the studio.

So I say, go for it. Unless you simply don't like live rock recordings (and I can understand that), I think you'll cherish H&T.

A very good CD, with There (CD2, New York) being slightly more enthusiastic than Here (CD1, England). But, for those only pursuing a live Elton record vice everything Elton, I would strongly strongly recommend Live In Australia (with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) rather than Here & There. Live In Australia is incredibly powerful all the way through with beautiful songs & outright rock'n'roll. Your choice.

when i first heard this album-i was blown away by elton and the bands' performance-this is rock and roll at its' finest-no extra background vocalists-no extra background players-just 5 musicians on a stage -singing and playing their hearts out-this is just as good as 11-17-70---just add davey and ray-and man-u got one kicka-- band-i wish i was old enough to see elton then-though i did get into the "rock" tour at shaffer stadium-missed half of it-not because of me-but anyway-if u like rock and roll in its purest form-and elton to me doesn't perform like that anymore-check out this disc-i first bought it as the single disc-which i thought was really good-when they released the double live cd-i was in heaven-hearing songs from that tour like -"bad side of the moon"-"grey seal"-and ofcourse-"burn down the mission"-it was pure ecstasy-makes u wonder why now he has to tour with a 10 piece band-like i said-raw and uncensored rock and roll-just as it should be-how five musicians can emote this much energy and excitement-and nail it with understated precision-just shows u that when a band is in unison-and performing together as a unit-there is no limit to what they are capable of- just remember-elton doesn't duplicate his hits to sound like his album recorded versions-though there are many of them on this cd)-or his non-hits-as in the original recordings-he gives them more life-(sorry-can't find the right adjectives for my expressions tonight)-but if u want some good rock and roll-no pretense-check this out-its hot-oh-did i forget john lennon?-dudes-his LAST LIVE APPEARANCE-and a great one at that-hearing him brings tears to my eyes-but i know up on the stage he was having fun-thank god we got to all hear him laugh-and playfully and nervously tease elton and the boys and the audience-u know the connection between them was sincere-but to move on-its a good cd-some great rock and roll-and then the inclusion of a sixth musician-(hey hey johnny-"can't you come out to play")- makes this an unforgettable live cd in my collection