Elton John, The #3 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Two

 

(Continued from Part One)

 

Elton released the album Tumbleweed Connection, a #2 effort in the U.K. and #5 in the United States.  This third release, also recorded at Trident Studios, features songs about one of Taupin's inspirations, the American West.  Absent of hits, Tumbleweed Connection is nonetheless loaded with quality songs featuring evocative lyrics from Taupin and melodic compositions from John.  This Top Track* tells the story of a fugitive who is finally caught, but instead of being proud of his reputation, the villain laments it in "Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun".

Like its predecessor and the album that followed, Tumbleweed includes superb string arrangements from Paul Buckmaster.  Three tracks that we will hear, "Country Comfort", "Come Down In Time" and "Burn Down The Mission" were recorded during the Elton John sessions but saved for this album.  Rod Stewart recorded "Country Comfort" on his album Gasoline Alley.  Here is the original.

 

Two fixtures in Elton's backing band, bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson, appeared for the first time as the rhythm section on "Amoreena".  Olsson had played on one of the tracks on the Empty Sky album in 1969.

 "Amoreena" was later used in the opening credits of the 1975 movie Dog Day Afternoon with Al Pacino.  This song tells the story of a young Confederate whose father was killed during the American Civil War.  After putting his father to rest, the son takes up his father's gun to take his place on the battlefield and to carry "My Father's Gun".

Tumbleweed is decidedly melancholy.  "Where To Now St. Peter?" is another brilliant tale about the death of a soldier who is passing over to the other side.  We aren't told about which conflict felled the man, but from the other tracks on the album, Taupin likely was inspired to write it from the American Civil War. 

 

In the superb "Come Down In Time", Bernie and Elton melt together into one, with John summoning the strength to sing each line as if it were his own words and his own feelings.  His piano playing and his imaginative music got a lot of attention, but his emotive, interpretive and solid vocals, especially in his early years, must not be overlooked.

 

We saved the best song on Tumbleweed for last--the fantastic "Burn Down The Mission".  The lyrics tell a basic story but their vagueness leave them open to personal interpretation.  A poor community is oppressed by the greed and power of a rich man, and the protagonist is motivated to take action.  Alas, however, he fails and must suffer the consequences, although he maintains his actions were justified.

This is one of Elton's most complicated pieces in which the key changes four times before returning to the opening key.  He masterfully designed the music to complement the narrative with his slow piano introduction to introduce the character and tell his story.  The middle section, much faster and featuring full instrumentation, is symbolic of the struggle that the hero has undertook.  Finally, after the struggle, the music returns to its basic beginning, representing the defeat of the hero.  

"Burn Down The Mission" is one of many Elton John works of art and such a fan favorite that Elton plays it often in concert.

John's live album 11-17-70 was recorded at A&R Studios in New York City.  Elton and Bernie wrote the soundtrack to the movie Friends in 1971.  Although it stalled at #13 in Canada and #17 on the U.S. Adult chart, it is another of his career best.  Elton's work  was nominated for Best Original Score from a Motion Picture at the Grammys.

 "Michelle's Song" is also featured in the movie.  

 

John released his fourth solo album, Madman Across the Water, in 1971.  It was on this album that Elton and Bernie began to click as a songwriting team to be reckoned with.  

This song, a simple character sketch about a family, is as relatable today as it was then.  "Levon" is about three generations of the Tostig family:  Alvin is Levon's dad and Jesus is his son.  Each is a good man who wants the best for their son, and each wants their son to achieve more than they did.  

Levon owns a fairly successful balloon company, but when Jesus looks at the balloons, he just dreams of becoming an astronaut.  Levon is happy that Jesus wants to improve himself but privately disappointed that Jesus doesn't want to continue the family business.  The theme is universal, but there isn't a father or a son who cannot identify with it.  "Levon" initially peaked at #24.  Proving it's worth and long-term relevance, "Levon" has now gone Gold.

 Looking back almost 40 years later, it is hard to believe that "Tiny Dancer" peaked at #35.  Some Elton John fans insist it is the best song he ever did. From the fact that the single now tops six million in sales, we agree that it is certainly one of his best--it ranks high in our list of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*!  This analysis by Rupert Lenz of Rateyourmusic.com captures the reaction of listeners very well:

             It blew my ears off from the start,

            There's a feel to it I can't describe,

            especially when Elton's voice enters the

            higher registers,

            It's so damn cool.

            And his piano...the strings...

            the guitar licks...

            the way that bass and drums wave the rhythm... 

            somehow loose but just tight enough to 

             make it soar...

             It's just magic.

"Rotten Peaches" is a grand, anthemic piano ballad that is complemented by a Gospel choir (the Cantores em Ecclesia Choir) and features Rick Wakeman of Yes on the Hammond organ.  It is the tale of a prisoner, holding onto a long-lost love, a relationship lost because of his crimes, a relationship he's pining over although it's already gone.

"Goodbye" is the conclusion to the album, a simple ballad that mixes well with the heavy themes of "Levon" and "Tiny Dancer".

Davey Johnston plays the great mandolin on "Holiday Inn", a glimpse into life on the road for Elton and Bernie.  

 

The title song is another of Elton's best and Ray Cooper, who would play on several projects to come, makes his first appearance on an Elton John song.  

Putting yourself in the role of a composer, imagine being handed a sheet of paper with the lyrics of this song by Bernie Taupin.  We don't know if the song is about anyone in particular, nor if the person, who is in a mental institution, belongs there or not.  And Taupin's line "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted" is one of his best from one of the great lyricists of all-time.  

If you haven't heard some of these songs, that is what this site exists for--to possibly expose you to some music you will cherish forever.  Much more to come from Elton John!