I was fortunate to have heard, and recorded, the original live broadcast that supplies the content of 11-17-70. I was 15 years old. I recorded it onto a 7" reel-to reel tape deck at 15fps and must have listened to it a hundred times. I never understood why the original broadcast, in it's entirety, complete with full introduction, joking and bantering and encore was never produced. I remember Elton remarking that he had cut his hand and saying something about possibly bleeding to death before he finishes the next song.

I'd pay a fair price for a bootleg copy, as my old reel-to-reel version was lost in 1975.

This is NOT your father's Elton John. Powerful, raw and spontaneous, this captures the true essence of what turned everyone on to Elton John in the first place. Reginald is young and full of energy, but without the bling that kinda clouded things a few years later. I can't even thing of a weak spot on the original, and although the addition of all the stuff culled from 11-17-70 has kind of weakened the package, Elton-Nigel-Davey nail it with possibly the best live recording of all time ... really!

This album gives today's listener an idea of what the deal was about Elton John. Unusual melodies and harmonic chords which grabbed you; quirky subjects and off-beat, often intelligent lyrics (thanks to Bernie Taupin), and some wonderfully manic and physical piano pounding. By 1974-75 the original hard rockin' EJ was gone and The Eternally Mr. Fabulous was what we got in his place.

Gus Dudgeon should spend the rest of his life on Earth trying to make up for the nearly complete ruination of one of the best live albums of all time. I would most certainly box his ears if I every met him, because he is obviously NOT using them. It is my fond hope that this recording will someday be restored to as close to its original form as possible.

This album is one of my favorites. It reminds me in a way of a early MTV unplugged show. 60 years on is my favorite cut. Elton's melodic piano playing along with Dee's heavy base performance makes chills run down my spine. Of coarse the 18 minute burn down the mission melody is tops! It just goes to show you that Elton knows how to Rock and just have a great time jamming with Dee and Nigel. A must have for any Elton fan for sure.