Really enjoying watching Elton tonight. Probably been on before but just how did a slightly pudgy balding piano player become quite so huge at the time?
Some ace songs.
Reg on BBC 4
by 20 Comments
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
P.S.
I’m generally a spangly indie guitar kinda guy so his, ahem, ‘oeuvre’ is not my usual thang.
His book is worth reading even if your not a fan, but stronger on autobiographical anecdote than career progression. Thus we learn that Elton was was the toast of the LA music scene and well on his way to being a huge star before he ever got laid, but entire records are passed over with sentences like ‘I had just recorded an album called Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’.
His eponymous album is just so good. It’s the one I go to most. I just think it’s as simple as he made some great songs and was a phenomenal live performer.
Agreed. That, the 17-11-70 live album and a copy of the 1974 Greatest Hits is where I stop.
But I just can’t get over quite how huge he was in America!
Loved GBYBR and some of the ones before but the quality started to slip and once he started to appear in the tabloids I found it all a bit undignified and lost interest. I think there was probably a good album in there somewhere, voice, piano, minimalist but if he made it I haven’t heard it. Do enlighten me Massive.
Captain Fantastic is my favourite EJ album. I think it might just what you need.
There’s a certain “milking it” period through the late 70s and a tabloid frenzy of the 80s. Elton seemed to lose grip but kept trying.
Songs From The West Coast (2001) is the best since the 70s heyday. Give it a try, the best since Captain Fantastic.
Yes, the West Coast album was a great set, somewhat out of the blue at the time.
Thanks I’ll try it.
Following on from the Captain Fantastic suggestions, you may also want to try the “Captain and the Kid” album from 2006 – a sort of follow up and in my mind, his best later period album.
Here’s the gorgeous Tinderbox from the album,,,,,
We watched and found it pretty good. Honourable mentions to Rumer who has a voice like Karen Carpenter and boy it showed, out in front practically on her own. Especially compared to Plan B. Jesus, his voice is really really bad: both weak and off key. Christ knows what EJ saw in him. Were they on the same label?
We thought Rumer was just incredible. Effortless and elegant. She can really sing. Unlike many other young female artists of the last ten years that I could mention.
It is incredible to think that he dismissed Sacrifice. That song has the most beautiful melody – thank God someone thought otherwise and allowed it to see the light of day.
I like much of his well known stuff but only have GYBR.
His autobiography is ace.
I always thought that the other half of the double A side, Healing Hands, was vastly superior to Sacrifice. I’m with Reg on that one.
The album he was promoting on the Roundhouse show, The Union, is a damn fine record.
Saw him live for the only time on the GBYBR tour a few years ago. His voice was well past it’s peak but it was an enjoyable evening. Think I like his 80s hits the best, I’m Still Standing, I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues, Blue Eyes etc
And I thought “Rocket Man” was brilliant.
His first ten albums were, in my eyes at least, his best. After that quality control tailed off a little from “Blue Moves” onward with the occasional decent single but nothing like the quality of the albums that came before. Then he stepped right back into it with The Union collaboration with Leon Russell which, I think, is a great album.
Did you know his personal trainer is a rabbit? It’s a little fit bunny.
Someone threw an Elton John record at me. No harm done, I’m still standing.
I know Saturday night is alright for fighting, but no apology.
I guess sorry seems to be the hardest word
Everyone who is released from jail gets given cream cheese.