https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krrfgAd4wFc
This is one of Elton’s classic transition techniques between songs. I think it’s cool how you can definitely see that he’s making intentional eye contact with his band members as he navigates them out of the song and into his solo. I like that he uses a lot grace notes in his licks. He uses the whole range of the keyboard in his solo and and the full variety of dynamics. It’s neat how he morphs his improv licks into the popular theme. Then he starts varying that theme and transforming it into the style of his next song (Bennie and the Jets). The youtube caption says he’s high on cocaine, but it’s still an impressive conscious solo to my ears.
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