Elton John: Elton John CD Track Listing

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Elton John Elton John (1970)
Originally Released August 1970\nCD Edition Released September 1987\nRemastered + Expanded Edition Released February 20, 1996\nGold CD Edition Released N/A\nJapanese Mini LP Version Released September 27, 2001\nHybrid SACD Edition Released November 9, 2004\n2001 Victor Entertainment, Inc. - Japan\n\nAlbum Details (Mini LP CD Packaging)\nDigitally remastered Japanese limited edition featuring a miniature LP style sleeve for initial pressing. \n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Empty Sky was followed by Elton John, a more focused and realized record that deservedly became his first hit. John and Taupin's songwriting had become more immediate and successful; in particular, John's music had become sharper and more diverse, rescuing Taupin's frequently nebulous lyrics. "Take Me to the Pilot" might not make much sense lyrically, but John had the good sense to ground its willfully cryptic words with a catchy blues-based melody. Next to the increased sense of songcraft, the most noticeable change on Elton John is the addition of Paul Buckmaster's grandiose string arrangements. Buckmaster's orchestrations are never subtle, but they never overwhelm the vocalist, nor do they make the songs schmaltzy. Instead, they fit the ambitions of John and Taupin, as the instant standard "Your Song" illustrates. Even with the strings and choirs that dominate the sound of the album, John manages to rock out on a fair share of the record. Though there are a couple of underdeveloped songs, Elton John remains one of his best records. (The CD reissue includes the bonus tracks "Bad Side of the Moon," "Grey Seal," and "Rock 'n' Roll Madonna.") -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\n2 & 1/2, April 16, 2001 \nReviewer: dandare7 (see more about me) from Columbus, Ohio \nThis is where it all started..well, if you don't count "Empty Sky". I love Elton John's music, I have for a long time, and this album is essential, but it's not one of my favorites.."Your Song" is still a nice touch, while "I Need You To Turn To" scores more points(check out the "Live In Australia" version), but "Take Me To The Pilot", this version of it is pretty horrid. It doesn't sound as catchy as it would on different live releases. "No Shoe Strings On Louise" is one of the better songs on here, with a definite Stones influence; "First Episode At Hienton" makes me feel like jumping out of a window; "Sixty Years On", while not a terrible song, the strings are too much at times; "Border Song", again, sounds better live; "Greatest Discovery", a touching song, but one I don't find myself indulging in too much, "The Cage", filler; "The King Must Die", there is something somewhat moving about this one, but it is still overblown. As for the bonus tracks, "Bad Side Of The Moon" is overproduced; "Grey Seal", I kinda like it, though I can't tell you why; "Rock N'Roll Madonna" is a catchy, Jerry Lee Lewis type rocker. To sum it all up, I think all of Elton's "Classic Years" albums are worth having, including this one, but this is my least favorite, with the possible exceptions of "Caribou" and "Empty Sky". I think the strings present the biggest problem on this album..just overly dramatic in a lot of places, and a little hollow at times as well. If you want to hear the strings put to good use, check out "Madman Across The Water". \n\nHalf.com Album Credits\nRobin Geoffrey Cable, Engineer\nGus Dudgeon, Producer\n\nAlbum Notes\nThe 1996 reissue of ELTON JOHN includes three songs that were not on the original album: "Bad Side Of The Moon" (originally the B-side to the "Border Song" single), and both sides of the "Grey Seal"/"Rock N Roll Madonna" single. This is an earlier version of "Grey Seal" than on the GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD album. The album has been digitally remastered by the original producer, Gus Dudgeon, using original master tapes and digital processing equipment at 20-bit resolution. According to Dudgeon (ICE newsletter, January 1996), the results are "100% better" than the two previous American CD issues. \n\nPersonnel includes: Elton John (vocals, piano, harpsichord); Paul Buckmaster (arranger, cello); Clive Hicks (acoustic guitar, guitar, 12-string guitar); Frank Clark (acoustic guitar, acoustic bass); Colin Green (guitar, Spanish guitar); Caleb Quaye, Roland Harker, Alan Parker (guitar); Skaila Kanga (harp); Brian Dee (organ); Diana Lewis (Moog synthesizer); Dave Richmond, Alan Weighll, Les Hurdie (bass); Barry Morgan, Terry Cox (drums); Dennis Lopez, Tex Navarra (percussion); Barbara Moore, Madeline Bell, Leslie Duncan, Kay Garner, Tony Burrows, Tony Hazzard, Roger Cook (background vocals). \n\nOriginally released on MCA. Includes liner notes by John Tobler and Gus Dudgeon.\n\nThis is part of Rocket's Elton John: The Classic Years series.\n\nElton John's second album was his first to be released in the U.S., and the difference between it and its predecessor, EMPTY SKY, is palpable and immediate. ELTON JOHN opens with "Your Song," a halting ballad that is one of the most moving love songs in the modern pop canon, and goes on to include such memorable cuts as the haunting "Sixty Years On" and the proto-Elton rocker "Take Me To The Pilot." It was after hearing the demo for "Your Song" that Steve Brown, the song-plugger who produced the first album, suggested John find a proper producer for the follow-up. Thus began John's fruitful association with Gus Dudgeon and arranger Pau\n\nQ Magazine (08/01/1995)\n3 Stars - Good - ...an accomplished diverse collection of...sophisticated material...
This rock cd contains 10 tracks and runs 39min 49sec.
Freedb: 6509530a
Buy: from Amazon.com

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