Sir Elton John new Album

[Doc]

I picked up a copy today and so far I am really liking the tunes. Totally back to his "madman-tiny dancer-burn down the mission-capt fantastic Early days. Really nice pre synth rock, with the usual country cum brit/pop/blues elements.

Elton has always had a voice with character; meaty, warm and with a bite.

I'll have a lot more to say tomorrow, I love the opening cut, something about Richard Nixon..etc....darn it, its al out in the car.........well. alas, tomorrow.

He's writing back in the old school, HIS old school, the meat and potatoes jamming style that made him famous between 1968-1975. What a band. Davey Johnstone is indispensible; Nigel Olson---you can not do better; John the percussionist is fantastic and adds much. The whole band is terrific. Guy Babylon is the comprehensive keyboard magician that makes his genius look easy. He is consummate at providing synth power to Elton's music. He becomes a full orchestra, a string ensemble, brass, organs, futuristic sounds--whatever, whenever, and however. Quite the player and the programmer.And seems to pull it all together in his head with not a piece of music anywhere.

Buy it. I found a good newspaper interview by Elton about it in the hometown paper.Will scan and post tomorrow.

[LOVELYRITA]

Gee, I wonder if he'll return with some more PID/PWR clues?

Hey, don't shoot me for asking....

[Doc]

I am listening to "The Captain & THE KID" for a couple of days to get familiar with all the songs.
I find it infectious so far. The man is a consummate songwriter and knows (with his band) how to make a really rockin' production. The complementary riffs and fills from Davey, Guy, etc, et al-----it always works and altogether an Elton John recording has a signature style that sets it apart from everyone else in the rock-pop world.

I have to get these lyrics from someplace--I am hearing some real interesting things. Not really PID/PWR so much, well, so far not that I have heard any at all; but their is clever commentary about life and politics and stuff, but its under the radar and cleverly set down into the music so that you really just groove with the tune-------but I think Taupin has some lyrics well worth commenting on when any of us have the chance.
I am just slow to formulate............

I really like the EQ and mixing in general. The drums and bass really pop forward when they need to; the back up vocals are the typical velvet smooth wash--those tall, stacked chords, held notes with Johnstone sailing along the top.

On first hearing, I thought maybe Elton's lead vocals were a bit dry of effects, but I got used to it, and in the overall sound of the recording, it really works. He can still sing with grit and power, and well in tune (that used to be the minimum, why do I mention it?, but there are new acts today who can't sing in tune) I think he keeps the range a little more medium than in the old days-----his stratospheric high notes of Yellow Brick Road and Caribou are not so frequent, now settling for a rich, confident, mature, gutsy mid range.

The first number (Postcards from Richard Nixon) opens with piano and Elton singing, instruments add on and its ends very full.

I really enjoy the piano's riffs in the opening.

"Tinderbox" is a pretty heavy song-----powerful message about, I think, the potential danger
that has evolved in the world from forces that we've been ignoring-----I have to really listen again, but I think its a caveat about the hot political climate i the middle east, and the reality of terrorism-and how it's all like a tinderbox--one spark and it could all ignite.

Anyway---I think this album is a good one for us to dig into, for maybe reasons besides PWR.


"Blues Never Fade Away" -----Bernie knows how to capture the poignancy of story telling about real life situations and Elton commits his words to the perfect melodic/harmonic structure. Even the piano intros and segues tell the story.

"And how did we get so lucky?
Targets on the rifle range.
Who makes the call and who gets to choose?
Who gets to win it and who gets to lose?
It's like throwin' dice in the belly of the blues,
And Blues Never Fade Away."

I may need to check those words.....

More tomorrow.
Buy the CD..