Hi John, I differ with you greatly. This is easily a 9/10 album for me - full of lyrical and musical depth, beautifully sung and played, subtle and imaginative. Quicksand and Oscar Wilde, 10/10. It is up there with Elton's and Bernie's very best!
I have the Jewel Box” ive been listening to the song “My Quicksand” alot, very haunting to me... ive never really been interested in Elton’s later work until i got the Jewelbox set but thanks to that one song... im very interested in this album.
The more I listen to this album, the more it grows on me. Whilst there are a few fillers, songs such as Oceans Away, New Fever Waltz, Home Again and Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight) are good. Elton’s piano playing is prominent and it’s a really good band - both pluses. 7/10 overall for me.
I always enjoy listening to Elton's later albums. In fact I probably listen to them more than the 70s classics, maybe because they sound more contemporary to our modern tastes. I like all the tracks you mention and the live recordings he did are excellent on video.
Thanks John and I agree - I probably listen more regularly to the later albums (particularly from The One onwards) than the more established ‘70s classics.
I managed to find a deluxe CD with Gauguin & Fifth Avenue on it, I have to say I enjoyed both of them, And personally- I think Each Dream sequence makes the song that comes after it- better I particularly enjoyed the whole of this album, a few spots maybe a little… uninteresting, but it’s a unique album nonetheless
Hmm, well I listened up to Quicksand and it’s is the better song of the few that I’ve listened to. I simply could listen to it anymore…it was painful as victim of love
This album is interesting because it's so different from anything Elton's done before. And for my money it doesn't get any better than the first five tracks!
I don't like the photo on the cover. It really doesn't make much sense. They didn't have to be literal. It would be much better to see only a diving board without some guy on it. The only worse album covers than this are from Wonderful CN (inlay/booklet is even worse) and the worst of all IMO is the live album 'One Night Only' cover - that was really inexcusable kitsch. Considering the music, I was kinda disappointed with this album. Some truly great songs mixed with many mediocre ones. After hearing this album I really had a feeling that Elton finally 'lost it' or at least 'almost lost it'.Considering 'adult/mature album', to me it was always 'Made in England'. 1. Oceans Away - This sounds like some outtake from the 'Billy Eliiot' musical, but way more boring. Lyrics are ok, but considering composition, this is in my opinion really lazy songwriting/composing. Such a boring and dry song. Musically, nothing interesting is happening here, yet it's still listenable. To choose this as the opening for the album is really a horrible choice. 4/10 2. Oscar Wilde Gets Out - I'm surprised by your quite low rating. To me, this is probably in my top 5 best Elton's songs since 2001. Such mysterious piano riff, great verse and melody. Even 2 guys from my country are playing cellos in that song. I really think it's lyrically and especially musically a very powerful and impressive song. Melody has some similarity with PTR B-side 'Keep It a Mystery', but 'Oscar Wilde' is simply a better song. Without the slightest doubt, this is 10/10. 3. A Town Called Jubilee - This song is pretty weak. It sounds like some mix of 'Porch Swing in Tupelo' and 'Old 67', but the result is much weaker. Really lame piece of music that also sounds somehow tired. 4.5/10 4. The Ballad of Blind Tom - Well, I think that this track is really exciting and very expressive... even kinda 'angry' sounding. It's really a style by Elton that I do like. This one is maybe slightly over the top considering drama, but it's still one of the best tracks on the album. Piano melody is really great, the melody of the verse also... the chorus somehow goes everywhere (both in slightly wrong and right directions), but I still like the song. Without this song, I wouldn't even know about that guy Tom. 8/10. 5. Dream #1 - Very short piano piece that tortures 3 chords with repetitive melody. 2.5/10 6. My Quicksand - A bit of 'Vampire Lestat' flavor. It tries to be special, yet it sounds pretty much uninteresting and boring. Jazzy piano part is the most interesting part of the song (Yes, Grieg is also there). Not for me. 5/10 7. Can't Stay Alone Tonight - For some reason melody really doesn't work for me here. I'm waiting for something to happen in a song while listening to it, but everything stays pretty much uninteresting. Melody in the bridge is beautiful IMO and the best part of the song, but too little and too late. For some reason the style of this song reminds me always of this gorgeous song by Kristina Train: /watch?v=rNyhWXrLv8Y But that song by Kristina actually sounds great and musically elaborated in the right direction. On the other hand Elton sounds here like he actually forgot how to compose a good melody or catchy hook. 5/10 8. Voyeur - Really strange pop song. Elton sounds like he struggles vocally during the chorus. Not a bad song, but also one of those from this album that I can't enjoy. There's simply something 'off' in many of these songs - most probably Elton's vocals and even more mediocre melodies. Not Elton I love. It's almost like he is trying to replicate the sound from mid 70's in some songs and yet he is not successful at it 5/10 9. Home Again - For sure one of the best on the album. Good choice for the 1st single, great lyrics, very good melody (I think chord progression is brilliant), great atmosphere, great piano solo in the bridge of the song. I would say this is really classic Elton. Not the level of 'I Guess... Blues', but the magic is here. Song gets better with each listening to me. I love the melancholy here. 9.5/10 10. Take This Dirty Water - Some type of bluesy-gospel song I guess. Certainly not on the level of 'If the River Can Bend', but probably the first song on the album that doesn't impress me or disappoint me. I like melody and raw sound. A decent song 7/10 11. Dream #2 - Slightly more meaningful than 1st Dream, but still too short and generic 3.5/10 12. The New Fever Waltz - Pretty much nice song, but still without stronger emotional impact. Still, better than most songs here. 6.5/10 13. Mexican Vacation - generic and simplistic bluesy song. Couldn't care less about this. After the brilliant 'Hey Ahab' he didn't need to make this. I'm really confused that you like this one, while you don't like 'In the Name of You' - both quite simplistic and similar songs. To me, the weakest song on the album along with 'Oceans Away'. 4/10. 14. Dream #3 - Now, this is something different and more inspired than the majority of this album. Maybe he should have tried to be more creative in this way. Even for only a minute and a half, this is still a pretty much melodically great piano jazz piece. 8/10 15. The Diving Board - Not bad, but not that interesting. The whole song doesn't develop much during the 6 long minutes and it vocally sounds like some old, fat and extravagant frog is singing. I can still appreciate that heavy bluesy-jazzy atmosphere in this song. There's a certain charm here, but I can't enjoy it much. 5.5/10 Bonus tracks: 1. Candlelit Bedroom - Honestly, this sounds to me better than almost anything on the album. Simple, yet really catchy melody with natural flow. I could even say that I love this track. Unlike the musically disjointed melody of 'Alone Tonight' this really sounds like a classic to me. 8.5/10 2. Gauguin Goes Hollywood - The weakest of 3 bonus tracks. I agree that the chorus is pretty weak here (especially the first part of it). Not a very impressive song even though the verse is pretty nice. Still, too plodding. 5/10 3. 5th Avenue - The best one of bonus tracks. Simple, yet so effective and even emotional song. I like this one a lot. Both verse and chorus are pretty great. The chorus reminds me slightly of chorus of 'Burning Buildings'. 9/10 Did you notice that all 3 bonus tracks have very similar piano intro? I really think that they should put those 2 good bonus tracks on the album instead of some weaker tracks. And to be honest, when you're talking about 'echo on vocal' I really can't hear it anywhere or it is so subtle that it doesn't bother me.
Also, I think I would like much more this album if this is the tracklist: 1. Oscar Wilde 2. 5th Avenue 3. Blind tom 4. Voyeur 5. The New Fever Waltz 6. Can't Stay Alone Tonight 7. Dream #3 8. The Diving Board 9. Candlelit Bedroom 10. Take This Dirty Water 11. Home Again.
Excellent comments as ever. I'm gradually working through your responses because I want to give them time. Home Again certainly stands out for me and I like Mexican Vacation much more than you do. There are some strong lyrics on the album, not always well served by either the production or the melodies. I was excited by the Oscar Wilde track when I first heard it and I do like story songs, like this and Blind Tom. Oceans Away is a good lyric on an important subject but somehow doesn't hit home when it should. Overall, an interesting album which I play a lot.
The more I listen to the title track, the more I actually really enjoy it, it’s a very, “stare off into the darkening evening clouds” kind of song for me, a very somber and relaxing song for me
Originally, in 2012, this was the track listing - I wonder if your feelings about this album would have differed, had this been what actually came out. It feels very different to me, like this. 1. "Oscar Wilde Gets Out" 2. "A Town Called Jubilee" 3. "Can't Stay Alone Tonight" 4. "My Quicksand" 5. "Candlelit Bedroom" 6. "The Ballad of Blind Tom" 7. "The New Fever Waltz" 8. "5th Avenue" 9. "Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)" 10. "The Diving Board"
One of his top 1/3 rd tier albums. Title cut is vast! Superb! Mysterious! And Expansive, like the title. Melody perfect. One of Elton’s best vocals. Fifth Avenue should have been on the album. Voyeur is A melody! A lyric! A vocal! Blind Tom = Ticking. Totally underrated! Oceans away and home again strong as blue avenue! A very under rated album.
It's funny how you like the songs that sound completely generic to me and dislike the songs that I think have musical substance.
I am not a fan of T-bone Burnett‘s production at all, it sounds groggy to me. But the song writing quality on the albums he produced is pretty solid.
Hi John, I differ with you greatly. This is easily a 9/10 album for me - full of lyrical and musical depth, beautifully sung and played, subtle and imaginative. Quicksand and Oscar Wilde, 10/10. It is up there with Elton's and Bernie's very best!
I have the Jewel Box” ive been listening to the song “My Quicksand” alot, very haunting to me... ive never really been interested in Elton’s later work until i got the Jewelbox set but thanks to that one song... im very interested in this album.
Interesting song. What do you make of the production on this album? Do you think it makes the songs sound better or gets in the way of good songs?
@@eltonmusicfan i think the production fits the older Elton perfect
.
I thought Voyeur and Home Again were fantastic songs
Both strong tracks on a fascinating collection. Do you like the production on this album?
@@eltonmusicfan I see what you mean but maybe it is appropriate for his stage of career, life and age. I hear you though
The more I listen to this album, the more it grows on me. Whilst there are a few fillers, songs such as Oceans Away, New Fever Waltz, Home Again and Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight) are good. Elton’s piano playing is prominent and it’s a really good band - both pluses. 7/10 overall for me.
I always enjoy listening to Elton's later albums. In fact I probably listen to them more than the 70s classics, maybe because they sound more contemporary to our modern tastes. I like all the tracks you mention and the live recordings he did are excellent on video.
Thanks John and I agree - I probably listen more regularly to the later albums (particularly from The One onwards) than the more established ‘70s classics.
I managed to find a deluxe CD with Gauguin & Fifth Avenue on it, I have to say I enjoyed both of them, And personally- I think Each Dream sequence makes the song that comes after it- better
I particularly enjoyed the whole of this album, a few spots maybe a little… uninteresting, but it’s a unique album nonetheless
One of my least favorites for sure. Seems rushed and half hearted..
Hmm, well I listened up to Quicksand and it’s is the better song of the few that I’ve listened to. I simply could listen to it anymore…it was painful as victim of love
This album is interesting because it's so different from anything Elton's done before. And for my money it doesn't get any better than the first five tracks!
Thanks. It is certainly a different sound. I'm not sure I like the production but there are some fine songs. Do you like Mexican Vacation?
@@eltonmusicfan yes both versions on the album.
I agree about “Kids in the Candlelight”, I don’t understand why he released home again as a single and not this song.
Yes, good point. It's an excellent live track as well.
I don't like the photo on the cover. It really doesn't make much sense. They didn't have to be literal. It would be much better to see only a diving board without some guy on it. The only worse album covers than this are from Wonderful CN (inlay/booklet is even worse) and the worst of all IMO is the live album 'One Night Only' cover - that was really inexcusable kitsch.
Considering the music, I was kinda disappointed with this album. Some truly great songs mixed with many mediocre ones. After hearing this album I really had a feeling that Elton finally 'lost it' or at least 'almost lost it'.Considering 'adult/mature album', to me it was always 'Made in England'.
1. Oceans Away - This sounds like some outtake from the 'Billy Eliiot' musical, but way more boring. Lyrics are ok, but considering composition, this is in my opinion really lazy songwriting/composing. Such a boring and dry song. Musically, nothing interesting is happening here, yet it's still listenable. To choose this as the opening for the album is really a horrible choice. 4/10
2. Oscar Wilde Gets Out - I'm surprised by your quite low rating. To me, this is probably in my top 5 best Elton's songs since 2001. Such mysterious piano riff, great verse and melody. Even 2 guys from my country are playing cellos in that song. I really think it's lyrically and especially musically a very powerful and impressive song. Melody has some similarity with PTR B-side 'Keep It a Mystery', but 'Oscar Wilde' is simply a better song. Without the slightest doubt, this is 10/10.
3. A Town Called Jubilee - This song is pretty weak. It sounds like some mix of 'Porch Swing in Tupelo' and 'Old 67', but the result is much weaker. Really lame piece of music that also sounds somehow tired. 4.5/10
4. The Ballad of Blind Tom - Well, I think that this track is really exciting and very expressive... even kinda 'angry' sounding. It's really a style by Elton that I do like. This one is maybe slightly over the top considering drama, but it's still one of the best tracks on the album. Piano melody is really great, the melody of the verse also... the chorus somehow goes everywhere (both in slightly wrong and right directions), but I still like the song. Without this song, I wouldn't even know about that guy Tom. 8/10.
5. Dream #1 - Very short piano piece that tortures 3 chords with repetitive melody. 2.5/10
6. My Quicksand - A bit of 'Vampire Lestat' flavor. It tries to be special, yet it sounds pretty much uninteresting and boring. Jazzy piano part is the most interesting part of the song (Yes, Grieg is also there). Not for me. 5/10
7. Can't Stay Alone Tonight - For some reason melody really doesn't work for me here. I'm waiting for something to happen in a song while listening to it, but everything stays pretty much uninteresting. Melody in the bridge is beautiful IMO and the best part of the song, but too little and too late. For some reason the style of this song reminds me always of this gorgeous song by Kristina Train: /watch?v=rNyhWXrLv8Y
But that song by Kristina actually sounds great and musically elaborated in the right direction. On the other hand Elton sounds here like he actually forgot how to compose a good melody or catchy hook. 5/10
8. Voyeur - Really strange pop song. Elton sounds like he struggles vocally during the chorus. Not a bad song, but also one of those from this album that I can't enjoy. There's simply something 'off' in many of these songs - most probably Elton's vocals and even more mediocre melodies. Not Elton I love. It's almost like he is trying to replicate the sound from mid 70's in some songs and yet he is not successful at it 5/10
9. Home Again - For sure one of the best on the album. Good choice for the 1st single, great lyrics, very good melody (I think chord progression is brilliant), great atmosphere, great piano solo in the bridge of the song. I would say this is really classic Elton. Not the level of 'I Guess... Blues', but the magic is here. Song gets better with each listening to me. I love the melancholy here. 9.5/10
10. Take This Dirty Water - Some type of bluesy-gospel song I guess. Certainly not on the level of 'If the River Can Bend', but probably the first song on the album that doesn't impress me or disappoint me. I like melody and raw sound. A decent song 7/10
11. Dream #2 - Slightly more meaningful than 1st Dream, but still too short and generic 3.5/10
12. The New Fever Waltz - Pretty much nice song, but still without stronger emotional impact. Still, better than most songs here. 6.5/10
13. Mexican Vacation - generic and simplistic bluesy song. Couldn't care less about this. After the brilliant 'Hey Ahab' he didn't need to make this. I'm really confused that you like this one, while you don't like 'In the Name of You' - both quite simplistic and similar songs. To me, the weakest song on the album along with 'Oceans Away'. 4/10.
14. Dream #3 - Now, this is something different and more inspired than the majority of this album. Maybe he should have tried to be more creative in this way. Even for only a minute and a half, this is still a pretty much melodically great piano jazz piece. 8/10
15. The Diving Board - Not bad, but not that interesting. The whole song doesn't develop much during the 6 long minutes and it vocally sounds like some old, fat and extravagant frog is singing. I can still appreciate that heavy bluesy-jazzy atmosphere in this song. There's a certain charm here, but I can't enjoy it much. 5.5/10
Bonus tracks:
1. Candlelit Bedroom - Honestly, this sounds to me better than almost anything on the album. Simple, yet really catchy melody with natural flow. I could even say that I love this track. Unlike the musically disjointed melody of 'Alone Tonight' this really sounds like a classic to me. 8.5/10
2. Gauguin Goes Hollywood - The weakest of 3 bonus tracks. I agree that the chorus is pretty weak here (especially the first part of it). Not a very impressive song even though the verse is pretty nice. Still, too plodding. 5/10
3. 5th Avenue - The best one of bonus tracks. Simple, yet so effective and even emotional song. I like this one a lot. Both verse and chorus are pretty great. The chorus reminds me slightly of chorus of 'Burning Buildings'. 9/10
Did you notice that all 3 bonus tracks have very similar piano intro? I really think that they should put those 2 good bonus tracks on the album instead of some weaker tracks.
And to be honest, when you're talking about 'echo on vocal' I really can't hear it anywhere or it is so subtle that it doesn't bother me.
Also, I think I would like much more this album if this is the tracklist:
1. Oscar Wilde
2. 5th Avenue
3. Blind tom
4. Voyeur
5. The New Fever Waltz
6. Can't Stay Alone Tonight
7. Dream #3
8. The Diving Board
9. Candlelit Bedroom
10. Take This Dirty Water
11. Home Again.
Excellent comments as ever. I'm gradually working through your responses because I want to give them time. Home Again certainly stands out for me and I like Mexican Vacation much more than you do. There are some strong lyrics on the album, not always well served by either the production or the melodies. I was excited by the Oscar Wilde track when I first heard it and I do like story songs, like this and Blind Tom. Oceans Away is a good lyric on an important subject but somehow doesn't hit home when it should. Overall, an interesting album which I play a lot.
The more I listen to the title track, the more I actually really enjoy it, it’s a very, “stare off into the darkening evening clouds” kind of song for me, a very somber and relaxing song for me
Yes it seems to be a popular choice.
i think this album would have been better if elton used his band instead of this stiff band.
Agreed. The live tracks he made for the video have a great feel, but this is somehow lost because of the production on the CD.
Originally, in 2012, this was the track listing - I wonder if your feelings about this album would have differed, had this been what actually came out. It feels very different to me, like this.
1. "Oscar Wilde Gets Out"
2. "A Town Called Jubilee"
3. "Can't Stay Alone Tonight"
4. "My Quicksand"
5. "Candlelit Bedroom"
6. "The Ballad of Blind Tom"
7. "The New Fever Waltz"
8. "5th Avenue"
9. "Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)"
10. "The Diving Board"
Closing with The Diving Board would have been a poignant conclusion. I wonder why they changed the order?
One of his top 1/3 rd tier albums. Title cut is vast! Superb! Mysterious! And Expansive, like the title. Melody perfect. One of Elton’s best vocals. Fifth Avenue should have been on the album. Voyeur is A melody! A lyric! A vocal! Blind Tom = Ticking. Totally underrated! Oceans away and home again strong as blue avenue! A very under rated album.
Some fine tracks on this one. What do you make of Mexican Vacation? A good rocker.
Are you skipping The Union? I know it's a collaboration, but it's one of his best out of the 21st Century albums. It really must be in there.
I will do it separately at the end, along with the other collaborations such as Two Rooms.