Elton John: Blue Moves - Disc 2 of 2 CD Track Listing

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Elton John Blue Moves - Disc 2 of 2 (1976)
Originally Released October 1976\nSingle CD Edition Released June 29, 1988\nRemastered Double-CD Edition Released August 12, 1997\n\nSingle Disc Version Is Missing Four Songs:\n1) Cage The Songbird (For Edith Piaf)\n2) Shoulder Holster\n3) The Wide-Eyed And Laughing\n4) Where's The Shoorah?\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: An unprecedented year in the making, the two-record Blue Moves was Elton John's opening farewell, a dreary song cycle full of self-pity and recycled melodies by an artist who had finally run out of gas. The inevitable hit was "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," although "Tonight," the album's other memorable song, was just as indicative of the low emotional ebb of the John-Taupin team. As the Mamas and the Papas once said in an album title, "Farewell to the first golden era." -- William Ruhlmann\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nElton John's Last Good Album From The 1970's, November 28, 2001 \nReviewer: John Kwok from New York, NY \nBy the time Elton John and Bernie Taupin collaborated on "Blue Moves" they were probably suffering from burnout due to excessive recording and touring. Yet it should be regarded as one of their best 1970's albums, though not quite in the same league as "Madman Across The Water", "Honky Chateau", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Captain Fantastic" or even "Rock Of The Westies". My favorite tunes on this album include "Tonight", "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word", "Chameleon", and "Cage The Songbird", Elton's and Bernie's wonderful tribute to French chanteuse Edith Piaf. Unfortunately, there's a bit of filler to wade through here, most notably "Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance)", their early attempt at cashing in on disco. Hence, it's not quite as strong an album as Elton's "Jump Up", nor is it as enjoyable to listen. Original album producer Gus Dudgeon and his team do yet another wonderful job in enhancing the recording's sound quality using the latest digital image bit remastering. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nBlue Moves Beautiful, October 2, 2001 \nReviewer: Michael Kerner from Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. \nFor Elton John, this was his final full length collection of songs with Taupin in the 1970's. I really enjoyed this collection with all of its heart. I feel sorry that they stopped selling this record in stores. The collection marks standards Tonight, Someone's Final Song, and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. Any Elton John fan would adore this collection. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nEJ's Burnout album, February 4, 2000 \nReviewer: James Noble \nyou'll either love this one, or be bored and depressed by it. The whole mood of the album is one of sadness and bleakness. This is basically a CD you listen to after you just broke up with a loved one, and you want to feel sorry for yourself. Not his best overall, but in its own sad way, its a very good one. Yes, there are some filler songs here and like most double albums, Blue Moves is one CD too long. However, if you figure out which tracks to skip, Blue Moves is one of his most moving and gloomy albums.The album cover and name basically say it all. Try it! \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nRainy Day Elton, December 31, 2001 \nReviewer: Dan Cooper from Washington, DC USA \nWhen this album was released in 1976, EJ was the biggest entertainer in the world, but he was exhausted and frustrated with his celebrity. As a result, Blue Moves is easily his most introspective and sad album. Generally panned because it only included one "hit" (albeit one of the most beautiful songs he ever sang), "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," Blue Moves nonetheless is a hidden treasure that should not be overlooked by fans of Elton's 70s work. Among the highlights: gorgeous harmonies from Crosby & Nash on several tracks, an early session appearance from ace saxophonist David Sanborn, the lush orchestration of the London Symphony Orchestra, and some tasteful charts that stretch from introspective folk to gospel to R&B. Also, this is the best sounding EJ album, with a soft mix that accentuates everything from Elton's piano (of course) to Davey Johnstone's always beautiful guitar work to Ray Cooper's perfect percussion accents. This is a great rainy day album. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nElton Gets Down, November 10, 2001 \nReviewer: Curt Alliaume from Illinois United States \nThe last album Elton John recorded before he and lyricist Bernie Taupin temporarily split up, Blue Moves is definitely a hit-or-miss affair. A double LP for no apparent reason other than it seemed time (heck, it had been three years since the last studio double Elton released, in which time he had issued three more single studio LPs), Elton had lots of melodies, but Taupin seemed bereft of ideas (thus three instrumentals). Aside from the hit "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," there's nothing here one would recognize from the radio (unless one is a huge fan of "Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)"). Somewhat mopey, with a pile of guest stars (The Brecker Brothers, David Crosby and Graham Nash, Toni Tennille, Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys, the Cornerstone Institutional Baptist and Southern California Community Choir), Blue Moves is useful, but not a necessity to add to a record collection.\n\nProduced by Gus Dudgeon (it would be the last time Elton and Gus would work together for nine years), who helpfully adds in the liner notes "As the original producer, I would have used this [digital processing equipment] at the time, had it been available for mastering." Thanks, Gus. I would have used a rifle to stop the charging rhino in Africa had it been available; too bad all I had was a water pistol.\n\nNote: Avoid the one-disk CD version MCA issued years ago, which deletes four(!) songs. The version now available (with any luck) is a double CD, albeit with no bonus tracks, at a relatively low price. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nMore mature effort, October 28, 2001 \nReviewer: Quinn Miller from Cleveland, OH \nBlue Moves generally receives critical panning from the music industry when compared to his earlier works. And on initial listens, one is inclined to agree with those reviews. Blue Moves is a full-bodied work that takes repeated listens and sometimes a bit of patience to fully appreciate. All but gone is the bouncy pop fun that made up the better parts of albums like "Rock of the Westies" and "Caribou". Although, this is still occassionally in evidence here in the songs "Boogie Pilgrim" and "Bite Your Lip (Get up and Dance)," both of which feature huge backing vocals. But the majority of Blue Moves is made up of out-of-character, downtrodden and reflective material such as the hit single "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" and especially the truly depressive "Someone's Final Song." Standouts here would have to be the lamenting "Tonight" (which gets an awesome emotional performance 10 yrs. later on the "Live in Australia" album), overall cool rocker (with strings!) "One Horse Town," jazzy lounge-lizard tribute "Idol" and trademark ballad "Chameleon". The overall effect this album always has on me is that it's one overblown, compelling mess that somehow end up seeming like a accidental masterpiece. Elton himself often says this is one of his favorite albums, and surely one of his most personal. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe Other Great Elton Double Album!, January 13, 2001 \nReviewer: DAVID A LINDSAY from Reston, Va. \nLong before there was a Sting, Bruce Hornsby, or Dave Matthews, and before he was writing Broadway crap for Disney movies and re-writing old songs to dead princesses, Elton John was considered a SERIOUS musician. His first couple of albums reflected somber, sober piano compositions steeped in classical, jazz, R&B, and old time rock and roll. With the help of lyricist Bernie Taupin, Elton's songs explored unknown musical territory and he burst upon the scene like few artists (with the exception of the Beatles) had before him Unfortunately around the late 1970s that all changed and with Superstardom under his belt, Elton evolved into the clownish annoyance that he is today. Blue Moves, his second Double Album is an underated masterpiece featuring instrumentals (count 'em-three!), tributes to Edith Piaf (Cage the Songbird) and Elvis Presley(Idol)- Replace the lyrics about 1950s with 1970s and the refernces to bloated, burn-out might be Elton himself), and one mighty fine top forty hit (Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word).Word is EJ and Bernie were a tad depressed when they prodcuded this one but hey, you'd be depressed, too, if your last album was Rock of the Westies! Too bad most folks will buy Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and never check out this one. It's the "Last Late great Elton Album Ever" and it was all downhill from here! \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nElton's Blue Period, June 21, 2000 \nReviewer: Gary Gardner from Northeast Harbor, ME \nEJ's "Blue Moves" album, in its new remastered format, is the most uncommercial (and longest) effort ever released by the artist, up to the present day. It should not be listened to by anyone gauging their interest in his overall work. Although it seems like it is a downer album, it is fairly balanced out by good rockers like "One Horse Town" and "Between Seventeen and Twenty." It contained only one hit song, "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word." But there are lots of good reasons to listen to the whole thing. Unlike most of Elton's 70's efforts, this one relied more on feeling than pure hooks. Those looking for the infectious grooves had better look elsewhere; the songs on this album, for the most part, are definitely more cerebral and at times a bit unnerving. Songs such as "Someone's Final Song" (a suicidal musician saying goodbye to the world with nary a regret) and "Idol" (which, though referring to a 50's crooner whose seen better days, could have been about Elton himself) may be too difficult to listen to. This was the last album that Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin worked on for a number of years; they ended (though temporarily) on a whimper, not a bang. This piece, if you are in the mood for it, fits the bill. But fledgling EJ fans may want to save this one for last. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\n18 gems from Bernie & Elton-at the peak of their powers, April 8, 1999 \nReviewer: adam.buckley1@virgin.net from London , England \n"Blue Moves" ranks alongside "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" as an Elton John masterpiece and although not as well known or as commercially successful as the Candle In The Wind/Bennie & The Jets (et al) featuring LP it is no less valid as a jewel in the John/Taupin crown.\n\n"Your Starter For" segues into "Tonight" - an all time Elton classic where the strings conjur up haunting echoes of the naive but beautiful songs from the Elton John LP , but the music has evolved in those five or six years and it shows - emotionally tugging at the heart strings , a paean to the pain of a relationship beyond repair. "Tonight" is such a strong piece of music that it moves you whether on LP in a studio setting as it is here or even stripped down on stage (as in the To Russia With Elton concert from '79).\n\nThen comes the electrically charged "One Horse Town" a powerful rock number with those sweeping (almost too-busy) strings where the protracted final notes merge into the masterful melodies of the Beach Boys tinged and influenced "Chameleon" (apparently one of Elton's personal favourites) and then the easy loose-limbed "Boogie Pilgrim" (oh Lord I never felt better !). \n\nThe set continues with "Cage The Songbird" (a magnificent cri de coueur , a semi-tribute to chanteuse Edith Piaf) . \n\nThe good feeling "Crazy Water" is the musical embodiment of the cover art - "on the bench , on the beach , just before the sun had gone , I tried to reach you , plain-faced and falling fast you looked so vacant like an empty shell , whose life had passed up on the ocean" Taupin wrote so sweetly , so effortlessly then - every line had something. \n\nThe Bonnie & Clyde/Frankie & Johnny pastiche of "Shoulder Holster" wraps up side two (CD Disc One) leaving no clue as to the highly emotional string-laden ballad yet to come.\n\n"Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" - another EJ/BT classic. "Out Of The Blue" - restored on the Remastered CD edition is a fine (if overlong) instrumental reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac's The Chain from their Rumours LP.\n\n"Between 17 & 20" is Taupin giving us another slice of life , a rites of passage number , while the "Wide Eyed and Laughing" is Elton's foray into the Sitar presenting a multi-tracked haze featuring erstwhile members of The Hollies.\n\n"Someone's Final Song" rivals anything George Michael cares to put out these days but is a rather tragic affair (and kind of depressing). "Where's The Shoorah" has a gospel air with the use of a Church organ.The recording techniques employed here are utter perfection - hear the true STEREO effect ! Unbelievable ! Less really is more.\n\n"If There's A God In Heaven" is one of Taupins' most soul searching lyrics asking the seemingly unanswerable - if there is a God why doesn't he do something ?\n\n"Idol" is a perfect blend of a Jazz/Blues melody and deep deep meaning creating a wave of nostalgia (not in a "Crocodile Rock" way , but it still takes you back to a time long gone , not tacky , not slick , but as the song says "the fifties shifted out of gear , he was an idol then , now he's an idol here , but his face has changed , its not the same no more and I have to say that I really liked the way his music sounded before") . \n\nAnother instrumental follows featuring electronic harpsichord in "Theme From A Non Existent TV Series" and then the all out full-tilt dance number of "Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance!)" as the big finale. \n\nElton is a fifty-something now and arguably a bit over-the-hill but in 1976 he was at the peak of his powers.\n\nBernie Taupin has seldom bettered the rawness , the depth of feeling , the sheer desperation , the challenging range of emotions expressed here.\n\nBlue Moves is their tour de force.\n\nThis CD set (in its remastered form) is a real must-have treasure. You don't need to be a fan to enjoy it. \n\nHalf.com Album Credits\nBrecker Brothers, Contributing Artist\nBruce Johnston, Contributing Artist\nDavid Crosby, Contributing Artist\nDavid Sanborn, Contributing Artist\nGraham Nash, Contributing Artist\nRev. James Cleveland, Contributing Artist\nToni Tennille, Contributing Artist\nGus Dudgeon, Producer\n\n\nAlbum Notes\nAlso available on CD and cassette on MCA [76732 6011].\n\nNOTES:\n\nPersonnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, harpsichord); Davey Johnstone (guitar, mandolin); Caleb Quaye (guitar); Michael Hurwirz (cello); David Sanborn (saxophone); Barry Rogers, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker (horns); James Newton-Howard (piano, organ, synthesizer); Kenny Pasarrelli (bass); Roger Pope (drums); Ray Cooper (percussion); The Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Choir, Southern California Community Choir, Bruce Johnston, Graham Nash, Curt Becher, Clark Burroughs, Joe Chemay, Jon Joyce, Cindy Bullens, Ron Hicklin, Toni Tennille, David Crosby, Gene Morford (background vocals).\n\nEngineers include: Gus Dudgeon, John Kurtlander, Earl Mankey.\n\nRecorded at Eastern Sound, Toronto, Canada. Includes liner notes by Gus Dudgeon.\n\nAll tracks have been digitally remastered by Gus Dudgeon. \n\nBLUE MOVES was Elton John's first double-album since 1973's GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD and his last full collaboration with Bernie Taupin before taking a two-year break from the lyricist. MOVES also signaled the end of a Golden Age marked by a string of wildly successful albums (including the aforementioned ROAD and CARIBOU) and non-stop, sold-out tours. This melancholy 1976 release includes what would be EJ's last Top 10 hit for three years ("Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word") and is loaded with numbers reflecting the ennui and burnout both John and Taupin were experiencing at the time ("Between Seventeen And Twenty," "If There's A God In Heaven [What's He Waiting For?]"). Elsewhere, John and Taupin write songs in tribute to Edith Piaf ("Cage The Songbird") and a depressingly debilitated Elvis Presley ("Idol"). \n\nDespite the inclusion of these and other heart-wrenching compositions like "Tonight," John's irrepressible upbeat attitude comes to the fore on tracks such as the Caleb Quaye instrumental "Your Starter For..." and "One Horse Town," a peppy song about life in the rural South. Most gratifying is a collabora
This rock cd contains 10 tracks and runs 43min 46sec.
Freedb: 690a400a
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