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Elton John - Top Five Albums Review
Overall 5.00 of 5
(by 1 user)
Get back, Honky Cat, I got EJ's five best albums for you!
Open-minded, a classic rocker, a fan of good music
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APR
19
2008
He had me at "When", for it was at THAT moment music, for me at least, changed forever. I had just become acquainted with one Reginald Dwight, or as he was known by then, Elton Hercules John. And I was, as many people became, a full-fledged Elton-a-holic.
To say Elton John was the biggest pop star of the early to mid-seventies doesn't begin to convey the reality of it. If you grew up in those times, you understand, if you didn't, well, I'm not sure I can explain it. But, I'm just stupid enough to try. From 1972 to 1976, in a sky filled with pop stars, John shown brightest. He was EVERYWHERE. Releasing an new album every six months or so, his music was all over the radio. Pick up any teen magazine, at any time, and there was a fair chance Elton John graced the cover. If not, there was almost certainly story about him between it's covers. He had 7 consecutive #1 albums, sold on the strength not only of the music, but his over-the-top stage performances as he sold out stadiums and arenas all over the world.
I believe he is still popular today, at age 61, simply because a star that blazing hot cannot completely flame out in a mere 30 years. He's released more than 50 albums, sold over 250 million copies of those albums and, as a testament to his enduring popularity, set a record that may never be even approached, much less broken. From 1970 to 1996, Mr Elton John had at least one single hit the Billboard Top 40 every year. every. single. year. Simply amazing.
Of all those albums only one was a stinker. If you find "Victim of Love" in a bargain bin somewhere, avoid it like it would give you herpes just by touching it. Really. Elton goes disco. It wasn't pretty.
All the other albums range from masterpieces to wildly uneven. I'm gonna give you the masterworks. If you only know the Elton John of "The Lion King" or his later adult contemporary stuff, well, you just don't know the Elton I know. The Elton John who is sometimes referred to as the "father of piano rock". The EJ who could mesmerize with beautifully haunting melodies and turn right around and shake you down to your core with some good ole rock and roll. Here. Here is the Elton John I love. Right here.
5. MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER- Picking the 5 best Elton albums is unbelievably difficult, but I start with this one. Released in late 1971, this one took on a dark, almost melancholy tone unlike any of his other work. Showcasing hauntingly beautiful piano melodies, almost all the songs are long and Taupin paints some rich portraits and sweeping landscapes in words. "Indian Sunset" is an affecting story of a song, reflecting Bernie's ever growing fascination with the American west. The title track is a study in paranoia. "Tiny Dancer" was the most popular single from this set and "Levon" is probably my favorite. "He calls his child "Jesus", cause he liked the name". One of many stellar Taupin lyrics. Shoulda been a single: "Rotten Peaches"
4. GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD- For my money the best double album ever. Elton and Bernie are all over the place here and, while the album is a little uneven, the pop brilliance of "Bennie and the Jets", "Harmony", "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting', and "Candle in the Wind" more than make up for it. I saw my first EJ concert in Saarbrucken, Germany and he opened with the lead track from GBYBR, "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding". Starting quietly, it swells to an all-out rockin piano instrumental, finally giving way to an angry break-up song that nearly screams. Its an 11 minute slice of Elton heaven showcasing his ability to write a tune and Taupin's magical touch with a lyric. Besides, what other album has lesbian whores, masturbation AND Roy Rogers? Shoulda been a single: "Grey Seal", "Harmony".
3.TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION:- There are many, many people who think this is Elton's best. Its pretty dang close. A true "concept" album, the John/Taupin team honed in on the Old West, this is probably their most expressive work. Elton had not yet developed the flamboyant style that would later define him. Instead, its easy to get lost in his storytelling as he was able to take Taupin's fiercely personal lyrics and interpret them intimately. Strangely, there were no singles released from this early work, probably because the country feel didn't lend itself well to pop radio. "Burn Down the Mission" and "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun" are classic songs, anyway. Shoulda been singles: "Country Comfort" and "Where to Now St. Peter".
2. HONKY CHATEAU- Released in May 1972, this is the album that unleashed "Elton John-Superstar" upon the world. "Rocket Man" and "Honky Cat" were both top 10 singles and "Crocodile Rock" became his first #1, staying there for 3 weeks. From the rollicking opening track ("Honky Cat") to the bluesy rockin "Hercules" at the end and the cynical "I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself" in the middle, EJ is all over the place and moves from the ranks of "singer/songwriter", to true pop artist who discovers that magical "hook". This collection has some classic moments, including the truly magical "Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters". Shoulda been singles: "Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters", "Susie (Dramas)".
1. CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY- The lone single from this set, "Someone Saved My Life Tonight", had been on the radio for weeks in May 1975, which is also significant in it was month I graduated from high school. I loved that song so much, the day the album came out I was in my 1967 Ford Falcon and on my way to the Woolworth, where I found one last copy on 8-track (In those days Elton John albums flew off the shelves as quick as they could put them out). I snatched it up and ran back to the car, tore the wrapper off and shoved it into my Spark-o-matic 8-track player. I was not disappointed. THIS is Elton John and Bernie Taupin at their pinnacle. Their first concept album since "Tumbleweed Connection", they focused on their own story as they chronicled their rise to the top of the heap. It became the first album in the history of the Billboard charts to debut in the #1 position and rightly so. it plays like 10 tightly woven together vignettes, highlighted by Taupin's often brilliant wordplay and John's tight melodies. "We All Fall In Love Sometimes" is one of the most beautiful songs never to be a single and the finale, "Curtains" is just masterful, fitting for these guys who are two of the best ever at what they do.
Its pretty obvious the music of Elton John has a special place in my heart. Listen to these albums and you might just discover that magic, too.
Last edited on Apr 21, 2008
Elton John - Top Five Albums is recommended by MikeMaroon
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