I've always thought the ballads were the stronger tracks on this album. Hoop of Fire is one of my favorites of his from the 80s. Don't Trust That Woman, Heartache and Angeline are all pretty miserable, IMO. Don't Trust being a huge personal annoyance and one of that I can barely listen to. Seems like this could have been a decent album without all the synths and production fakery.
Leather Jackets was the first album I owned myself on LP when it was given to be as a christmas present in 1987. I loved it at the time and it actually made number 6 in australia and Heartache all over the world made the top 10 here as well. I loved the album and could never understand why no song was on the very best of album released in the 90s. It wasn't until much later I found it the album wasn't a hit elsewhere. My favourite track on the album is Hoop of fire because I love the melody and I like the backing vocals as well. Elton has actually stated he thinks this song is very classy. Paris is another great song and I think it should have been the first single for the album because I reckon it would get a lot of airplay. It is a nice vocal from Elton as is the final track I Fall apart. I still find the album a lot better than its reputation, even today , I wished at least Paris was played on the Tour de Force tour in the band section. It was played on the Ice on Fire tour so not sure why it was dropped from the setlist and This town was still there. Although I love this town. Slow Rivers got a lot of airplay in Australia as did Heartache although I am less fond of Heartache now . Anyway, I do think its better than its reputation and I will never change my mind on it
I mostly agree with you about LJ. 1. Leather Jackets - Everything sounds so cheesy and dated here - synths, lyrics and melody are so generic. Even though this is a pretty weak album, this one is one of the worst. 3.5/10 2. Hoop of Fire - Not a bad ballad, but with better production and vocals it would be probably better. 5.5/10 3. Don't Trust That Woman - Catchy and mostly annoying. 4.5/10 4. Go It Alone - Not a bad rocker, but I like it less and less over time... too straightforward song without much happening musically... cool riff though and Elton's vocals that sound better for the first time on the album. 6/10 5. Gypsy Heart - Overdramatic formulaic ballad with Elton's weird singing. This song only shows that Elton can still compose a good melody, but beside that, this is a pretty cheesy and unlikable song for so many reasons - especially the way he sings it. 4.5/10 6. Slow Rivers - One of the best songs on the album. A decent duet with Cliff Richard. Some very musically interesting things are happening here. Also a quite good production. 7.5/10 7. Heartache All Over the World - this is 'so 80's' and quite cheesy, but I like it. It's musically one of the most interesting tracks on the album. 7/10 8. Angeline - Probably the catchiest song on the album. Not bad. 6.5/10 9. Memory of Love - Of all the ballads on this album, this one is the worst. Formulaic melody that works as a melody I guess, but that's it. Probably Elton's most horrible singing on the album ever. 3.5/10 10. Paris - Probably the only ballad on the album that doesn't sound like it was composed by using some kind of musical template. Some interesting chords, I guess. A decent song, but not very impressive. 5.5/10 11. I Fall Apart - I know that many fans hate this song the most, but I actually like it. I like the melody and atmosphere. Probably the best song on the album and Elton's singing isn't too terrible here. I even think that synths work great on this track, but I would still like to hear this song done a few years later on SWTP or The One album. 7.5/10 Bonus tracks: 12. Highlander - Strange instrumental synth piece. Typical 80's mysterious sound. Interesting chords, but nothing great here. 4/10 13. Billy and the Kids - Horrible singing and for some reason I never cared about this song. 4/10 14. Lord of the Flies - Probably the best song from the bunch. This is a truly great song IMO. It's fun, quirky and the development of melody is brilliant. Slightly similar to 'And the House Fell Down', but still different. 9/10
I always enjoy your ratings and mostly agree with you here. I will be rating those B-sides on my next video but can tell you that we don't agree on Lord of the Flies. What do you think that song is about? Is it about the book? I find it frustrating that there is hardly any info on some of these rare cuts. Someone should start a website.
I was a bit surprised when I had finished looking at all the trackers of Jackets. It was slightly better than I had imagined, without being anywhere near his best period. Westies is from that golden period but still disappoints on a lot of levels.
Leather Jackets was given some credit by Elton on the Jewel Box set. "Hoop Of Fire" on the Deep Cuts section, and ""I Fall Apart" on the And This Is Me... section. He said something to the effect that upon a recent listen through all his albums for the Jewel Box, that some things on Leather Jackets weren't that bad to listen to. Personally, I like this album quit a bit, and "Heartache All Over The World" is a great song to cruise around to on a nice evening.
It’s his worst album ever. I know Victim of Love is bad too but the music on that was not done by Elton, it was Pete Bellotte with a bunch of session guys (Marcus Miller, Steve Lukather, Keith Forsey), and Elton just sang over the tracks in 8 hours. It was also done deliberately to get away from his US label. Leather Jackets on the other hand was a project he played on. The best track is Slow Rivers with Cliff Richard.
I agree that Slow Rivers is the best song here, Cliff Richard adds a nice boost, though Elton would’ve done fine singing solo. Was Victim of Love a contractual obligation? MCA Records was his US label then, and he released the next one with them too, 21 at 33.
i just heard more from this album , idk why rated so bad, i heard LEATHER JACKETS , HEARTACHE ALL OVER THE WORLD , ANGELINE, PARIS , I FALL APART , SLOW RIVERS , DONT TRUST THAT WOMAN , HOOP OF FIRE so far thats 8/10
I’ve just caught on to your channel recently. I enjoy your videos. I definitely have different opinions on some songs as there’s a style of his l like more . But all your 10’s are definitely 10’s. The two that lost me are Bitter Fingers and especially Grimsby. Two songs I can’t crank loud enough. Not 10’s , but fun songs that just scream 70’s Elton Rock. Haven’t seen your final tally but look forward to getting to it. Cheers !
Great review ! Overall I agree with it, in fact, rather than the songwriting, what really undermines this record is its complete lack of focus in the arrangements and the unusually harsh, strained voice of Elton. But I really enjoyed Slow Rivers, Paris and even Hoop of Fire ! These I think are the tracks with the strongest melodies and arrangements. Don't Trust That Woman and Heartache All Over The World , I find them OK. On the flip side, I can't stand the title track, Angelina and Memory Of Love : I find them really lazy and cheap, in terms of structure and arrangements.
Leather Jackets for me its his worst album, however, Im not agree with Elton about Heartache All Over The World. Its a very interesting song, so catchy, fun and enjoyable. So 80s, but I love the sound of that decade. I think its a very good song, for me the only good song in the album. Of course it isnt one of his best songs, its not a classic and its not so good as others, but I like it.
Nooooo way leather jackets is a better album than Caribou, Rock of the Westies, or To Low for Zero! I personally love Caribou and I know you went pretty hard on it in your review. But, there is noooo way leather jackets is better than it. Regardless, love the videos!
I think this album is better than it was rated when it was released. That being said I think you will get a lot of people disagreeing with you on having it rated ahead of Caribou and Two Low for Zero.
You're right there but I don't work out the averages until the end - deliberately so - and then I am sometimes surprised. These are all my personal preferences and I'm no expert, just a keen fan.
@@eltonmusicfan It Definitely makes for an interesting discussion. Is a better album one with a couple of stellar songs and the rest kind of average or an album where there may not be an all time classic but the whole album is very solid? What is great also is we all have our own opinions. I was surprised that you had leather jackets ahead of the albums that I mentioned but agree with it being ahead of Rock of the Westies.
A big album in my life. It would be the last EJ record that I purchased, having collected them all up to and including this one. I know he was going through a pretty bad time in his personal life and listening to this dross you realise he must have been as low as snakes piss. I have a vast collection of vinyl and CDs and it pains me to say that along with 'Cut The Crap' by The Clash, is the worst thing I own.... And I have some shit in there. I give it a one for the actual album and a zero for the artwork.
I just love this album, love the production of it, and his 86 voice. Memory of Love is a masterpiece for me. Heartache is fun to belt out. Love the opening piece too. But I hate Angeline for sure
Usually, artists albums get worse when they get cocky with their success, but Eltons got worse when his mental/physical health declined, and he always had an uptake in quality when he got happier, victim of love was released when he was at a real low, and then picks up when he gets married with too low for zero, which continues with sad songs, and Nikita, before dropping with leather jackets, and then kicking up with sleeping with the past
A very good observation and I think you can feel that with his later albums when he was writing and playing only the music he wanted to produce and perform.
Personally I think Go it Alone and Leather Jackets are the two best tracks on the album. Really upbeat and fun songs and I wish that he would do them live.
Thanks for this. Go it Alone I like but not sure about Leather Jackets. I still can't remember how it goes, even though I've heard it several times recently for the review.
I don't think this album deserves the amount of hate it gets. It is not a perfect album by any measures but it is not that bad either. Personally, I find this album a LOT more enjoyable to listen to compared to "Ice on Fire" or "Jump Up" which i consider them to be pretty weak albums if we were to leave out tracks like "Nikita", "Empty Garden" or "Cry to Heaven" from them. "Leather Jackets" on the other hand, does not contain top quality tracks but as a bonus, has a consistant pleasant sound all over it featuring average and fairly good tracks. "Hoop of Fire" and "Heartache All Over the World" are my absolute favorites.
Fair comment. I will review Ice on Fire soon. Like all of Elton's albums, there are several decent tracks. I wouldn't say there were any skip-over tracks on this one.
Once again our minds walk together! Some songs irritate me, Leather Jakets and Angeline are so sad...but I love Paris, which I enjoy playing at the piano, great harmony, from the first guitar chord in F sharp going to the refrain in F...Amazing song, for me 8 out of 10. Thank's as usual !! See you soon!!
Yes, I was delighted to revisit that song and must work out how it goes on the piano. Even when the chips were down, Elton could turn out some fine work.
@@eltonmusicfan since its not very good album angiline anddont trust that woman and heartache all over world i like best, everyone says its eltons lowest but bernie one who writes
It pains me to see this one come in above Caribou - where "Ticking" came from. Come on!!! I think a revisit is in order. Even above Too Low For Zero and Rock of the Westies. You know what, everything it sits above needs a re-review - aside from Victim of Love! Slow Rivers is the track I like least on this album. I just can't listen to it. I don't know if it's Cliff Richard, or the song. When I've tried to hear it live, on RUclips, with just Elton, it brings about the same feeling. Maybe it's the song, but then perhaps the memory of Cliff wailing away creeps in. I just got 33 seconds into it, it's terrible, weather men shaking a fist at the sky "like you used to do" and then Cliff. Had to turn it off! It must be attached to some traumatic experience or other! The arrangement is awful, that terrible electric piano stuff coming in over the top! Blugghhh! oh, and Cliff...
Slow Rivers is an unusual song and doesn't sound like anything else Elton recorded, but maybe that makes it notable in his repertoire. It's a polished recording but maybe strangely unaffecting. I must admit I don't listen to it that much but the blend of voices works ok. Maybe? Caribou is an album of maybe two or three excellent songs and a lot of misses - possibly rushed out under pressure a bit like this one.
I'm probably in the minority of those who enjoy Leather Jackets. There's a lot of cheese here, but I love that. It's certainly not the album I would use to introduce someone to Elton's music, but it's a fun listen, especially when I'm in the car. A few points as you go through it: * This was the last album Elton recorded before his 1987 vocal surgery, and his voice was very clearly suffering from the nodules on his vocal chords. * "Hoop of Fire" was never a single, although it did crop up on the Jewel Box set as one of Elton's Deep Cuts selections. He'd gone back to listen to the album for Jewel Box, and admitted it wasn't as bad as he remembered it being. * I always loved the piano towards the end of "Go It Alone" * "Heartache All Over the World" reminds me weirdly of a sort of cross between "We Built This City" by Starship and the Rainbow Road music from the SNES edition of Super Mario Kart. Since both songs are nostalgic to me, it makes it a winner in my books. I love driving along the highway with it on. * "Paris" was also never a single, though Elton played it live in the US in 1986. The singles from the album were "Heartache All Over the World" (worldwide) and "Slow Rivers" (in territories outside the US and Canada only).
@@eltonmusicfan it's entirely possible, but I didn't see anything about it on Wikipedia. Doesn't mean that didn't happen, though. Wikipedia probably doesn't list every single release for every market.
Love your RUclips page John! I pretty much agree with your ratings for these tracks. I agree that quiet often with Elton's music, the genius lies with specific individual tracks rather than the album overall. Just thought I would let you know that Elton himself made an interesting comment about 'Paris' in an interview for Billboard in 1997 where he described it as a 'really good song' which had lost it 'between the demo and the recording'. I hope either Elton records or performs it again one day or someone covers it. Best wishes, Shaun W
Wow. A very serious and thoughtful review which I appreciate very much being a huge fan. However I think if someone stole this CD from me I wouldn't even notice it missing. But a big thank you for this. Can't wait to listen to some of your other reviews.
Oh, haven’t seen that photo for a long time, how terrible. This was written before I saw your video, so I may repeat some quotes. And we differ quite a bit on some tracks! For some, read 'quite a few'. 1) Leather Jackets. Another upbeat song to start an album. Elton trying to sound tough. He can’t help but write a catchy hook though. If I think of this song I can play it in my head, so I’ll give it a 5. 2) Hoop of Fire. I rather like this song, it’s grown on me. (Even though I haven’t heard it for ages.) A few years ago I might have said ‘This is one of those boring songs from Leather Jackets’ but now I’ll give it a 5. 3) Don’t Trust That Woman. The trouble is, it’s not great but while you’re listening it’s infuriatingly catchy. Incidentally, while I was reading about this, I found out that someone called Les Dudek did his own song to these lyrics. Don’t listen to it, it’s truly awful. Makes Elton’s version sound like Mozart. Oh, 5. 4) Go It Alone. Now this was the song I really liked when this album came out, the one I put on all my cassette mixes to listen to in the car. I suspect my very recent split with my ex might have had a lot to do with it. Listened to it just now and I still love it. Elton sounding properly tough this time. Great backing vocals. No bad memories. 8. 5) Gypsy Heart. This is ‘one of those boring songs from Leather Jackets’ and time hasn’t been so kind as it has to Hoop of Fire. I don’t find the chorus interesting at all. Nicely sung, but leave gypsies to Stevie Nicks or, actually, Cher. 3 6) Slow Rivers. Not a bad song, slow but not boring, and it’s good to hear Cliff. ‘I still see your eyes tonight like headlights through the fog.’ Well done, Bernie. 7 from me. 7) Heartache All Over the World. Apparently Elton once said this is worst song he’s ever recorded. I won’t hear of it. This is the other song I always put on my cassette mixes way back when. Listen, I was going through stuff, okay? The only weird thing is the idea of Elton knocking on every door in town looking for girls. I don’t know why this isn’t the subject of flashmobs like ELO’s All Over the World. 7 from me. 8) Angeline. I always liked this one too, though the sentiments are dodgy to say the least. I just listened for the first time in ages and it’s a new mix, the intro is a bit different - a remaster, I suppose. I’m not going to be PC and damn it for the lyrics, so a 6. 9) Memory of Love. One of the boring songs. ‘Love will grow, it comes and goes.’ Yes, Gary, you’re not Bernie, are you? I’ll score it the same as Gypsy Heart, 3. 10) Paris. Another ‘boring song from Leather Jackets’. I gave it a fair listen just now but while he sounds anguished enough, and it’s nicely done, maybe they could have made it sound more, um, Parisian? Just dull as eau de vaisselle. Another 3. 11) I Fall Apart. The best of these boring songs but that’s not saying much. I want to say 4 but really it’s another 3. The album falls apart. So that’s 55 out of a possible 110, an average of 5. Which is low for me as you know!
Technically not the last album produced by Gus Dudgeon. He produced the follow up Live In Australia as well and redeemed his work on Leather Jackets.;)
I couldn’t fight the awkwardness of this album. Every track was a massive disappointment. Cher is trustworthy songwriter for me, but her lyrics on DTTW couldn’t match with Elton. Two different universes in my opinion.
Leather Jackets is an album that’s grown on me over the years as it has on Elton, Bernie & others. I like it. It’s actually starting to get some Cred. In Australia where I’m from it did well making the Top 10 & going Platinum & Heartache All Over The World also did well here making the Top 10 & it’s one of my Fav songs. Go It Alone is also a Fav of mine.
We liked it very much. It was an attempt of re-invention - because work and innovation always keeps and kept him alive - though and through all the misery in his life at those times. The picture is great. It shows how creative thirst makes an outstanding artist - who is after over 5 decades as relevant as a real genius can be - and everybody is in a slump from time to time. But without these lows (which are a MUST) no new heights and success! So this album is like a catalysator.
@@eltonmusicfan Hi John - thanks for your great review - which I like very much though I am not agreeing in every point - but that is what makes it so thrilling - getting to know - how other people think and feel about it. We can always learn from each other.
Some songs here are really crap: Leather jackets, Don't trust that woman and especially, Go it alone, one of his worst songs ever. On the other hand two of his best songs in the eighties: Slow rivers and Paris. Angeline is quite catchy, Memory of love and Hoop of fire are ok ballads.
I've always thought the ballads were the stronger tracks on this album. Hoop of Fire is one of my favorites of his from the 80s. Don't Trust That Woman, Heartache and Angeline are all pretty miserable, IMO. Don't Trust being a huge personal annoyance and one of that I can barely listen to. Seems like this could have been a decent album without all the synths and production fakery.
Leather Jackets was the first album I owned myself on LP when it was given to be as a christmas present in 1987. I loved it at the time and it actually made number 6 in australia and Heartache all over the world made the top 10 here as well. I loved the album and could never understand why no song was on the very best of album released in the 90s. It wasn't until much later I found it the album wasn't a hit elsewhere. My favourite track on the album is Hoop of fire because I love the melody and I like the backing vocals as well. Elton has actually stated he thinks this song is very classy. Paris is another great song and I think it should have been the first single for the album because I reckon it would get a lot of airplay. It is a nice vocal from Elton as is the final track I Fall apart. I still find the album a lot better than its reputation, even today , I wished at least Paris was played on the Tour de Force tour in the band section. It was played on the Ice on Fire tour so not sure why it was dropped from the setlist and This town was still there. Although I love this town. Slow Rivers got a lot of airplay in Australia as did Heartache although I am less fond of Heartache now . Anyway, I do think its better than its reputation and I will never change my mind on it
I mostly agree with you about LJ.
1. Leather Jackets - Everything sounds so cheesy and dated here - synths, lyrics and melody are so generic. Even though this is a pretty weak album, this one is one of the worst. 3.5/10
2. Hoop of Fire - Not a bad ballad, but with better production and vocals it would be probably better. 5.5/10
3. Don't Trust That Woman - Catchy and mostly annoying. 4.5/10
4. Go It Alone - Not a bad rocker, but I like it less and less over time... too straightforward song without much happening musically... cool riff though and Elton's vocals that sound better for the first time on the album. 6/10
5. Gypsy Heart - Overdramatic formulaic ballad with Elton's weird singing. This song only shows that Elton can still compose a good melody, but beside that, this is a pretty cheesy and unlikable song for so many reasons - especially the way he sings it. 4.5/10
6. Slow Rivers - One of the best songs on the album. A decent duet with Cliff Richard. Some very musically interesting things are happening here. Also a quite good production. 7.5/10
7. Heartache All Over the World - this is 'so 80's' and quite cheesy, but I like it. It's musically one of the most interesting tracks on the album. 7/10
8. Angeline - Probably the catchiest song on the album. Not bad. 6.5/10
9. Memory of Love - Of all the ballads on this album, this one is the worst. Formulaic melody that works as a melody I guess, but that's it. Probably Elton's most horrible singing on the album ever. 3.5/10
10. Paris - Probably the only ballad on the album that doesn't sound like it was composed by using some kind of musical template. Some interesting chords, I guess. A decent song, but not very impressive. 5.5/10
11. I Fall Apart - I know that many fans hate this song the most, but I actually like it. I like the melody and atmosphere. Probably the best song on the album and Elton's singing isn't too terrible here. I even think that synths work great on this track, but I would still like to hear this song done a few years later on SWTP or The One album. 7.5/10
Bonus tracks:
12. Highlander - Strange instrumental synth piece. Typical 80's mysterious sound. Interesting chords, but nothing great here. 4/10
13. Billy and the Kids - Horrible singing and for some reason I never cared about this song. 4/10
14. Lord of the Flies - Probably the best song from the bunch. This is a truly great song IMO. It's fun, quirky and the development of melody is brilliant. Slightly similar to 'And the House Fell Down', but still different. 9/10
I always enjoy your ratings and mostly agree with you here. I will be rating those B-sides on my next video but can tell you that we don't agree on Lord of the Flies. What do you think that song is about? Is it about the book? I find it frustrating that there is hardly any info on some of these rare cuts. Someone should start a website.
Got to disagree that LJ is better than ROTW. Personally I thought LJ was a piece of crap and along with VOL by far his worst work. Awful
I was a bit surprised when I had finished looking at all the trackers of Jackets. It was slightly better than I had imagined, without being anywhere near his best period. Westies is from that golden period but still disappoints on a lot of levels.
Leather Jackets was given some credit by Elton on the Jewel Box set. "Hoop Of Fire" on the Deep Cuts section, and ""I Fall Apart" on the And This Is Me... section. He said something to the effect that upon a recent listen through all his albums for the Jewel Box, that some things on Leather Jackets weren't that bad to listen to.
Personally, I like this album quit a bit, and "Heartache All Over The World" is a great song to cruise around to on a nice evening.
Thanks for this. I was surprised at how much I liked some of these songs when I went back to the album. Go it Alone is pretty exciting as well.
It’s his worst album ever. I know Victim of Love is bad too but the music on that was not done by Elton, it was Pete Bellotte with a bunch of session guys (Marcus Miller, Steve Lukather, Keith Forsey), and Elton just sang over the tracks in 8 hours. It was also done deliberately to get away from his US label.
Leather Jackets on the other hand was a project he played on. The best track is Slow Rivers with Cliff Richard.
I agree that Slow Rivers is the best song here, Cliff Richard adds a nice boost, though Elton would’ve done fine singing solo. Was Victim of Love a contractual obligation? MCA Records was his US label then, and he released the next one with them too, 21 at 33.
I love Angeline...😎
i just heard more from this album , idk why rated so bad, i heard LEATHER JACKETS , HEARTACHE ALL OVER THE WORLD , ANGELINE, PARIS , I FALL APART , SLOW RIVERS , DONT TRUST THAT WOMAN , HOOP OF FIRE so far thats 8/10
I’ve just caught on to your channel recently. I enjoy your videos. I definitely have different opinions on some songs as there’s a style of his l like more . But all your 10’s are definitely 10’s. The two that lost me are Bitter Fingers and especially Grimsby. Two songs I can’t crank loud enough. Not 10’s , but fun songs that just scream 70’s Elton Rock. Haven’t seen your final tally but look forward to getting to it. Cheers !
Great review ! Overall I agree with it, in fact, rather than the songwriting, what really undermines this record is its complete lack of focus in the arrangements and the unusually harsh, strained voice of Elton. But I really enjoyed Slow Rivers, Paris and even Hoop of Fire ! These I think are the tracks with the strongest melodies and arrangements. Don't Trust That Woman and Heartache All Over The World , I find them OK. On the flip side, I can't stand the title track, Angelina and Memory Of Love : I find them really lazy and cheap, in terms of structure and arrangements.
Leather Jackets for me its his worst album, however, Im not agree with Elton about Heartache All Over The World.
Its a very interesting song, so catchy, fun and enjoyable. So 80s, but I love the sound of that decade. I think its a very good song, for me the only good song in the album.
Of course it isnt one of his best songs, its not a classic and its not so good as others, but I like it.
Nooooo way leather jackets is a better album than Caribou, Rock of the Westies, or To Low for Zero! I personally love Caribou and I know you went pretty hard on it in your review. But, there is noooo way leather jackets is better than it. Regardless, love the videos!
It was quite a surprise when the average was worked out. Possibly because I rated Solar Prestige as a zero!
@@eltonmusicfan solar was a i am the walrus a nonsense song because ppl were disecting songs
I think this album is better than it was rated when it was released. That being said I think you will get a lot of people disagreeing with you on having it rated ahead of Caribou and Two Low for Zero.
You're right there but I don't work out the averages until the end - deliberately so - and then I am sometimes surprised. These are all my personal preferences and I'm no expert, just a keen fan.
@@eltonmusicfan It Definitely makes for an interesting discussion. Is a better album one with a couple of stellar songs and the rest kind of average or an album where there may not be an all time classic but the whole album is very solid? What is great also is we all have our own opinions. I was surprised that you had leather jackets ahead of the albums that I mentioned but agree with it being ahead of Rock of the Westies.
Truthfully, I'd say as far as production and vocally, 'Hoop of Fire' is easily one of the best songs on what is best summed up as an 'uneven album'.
Angeline and dont trust that woman and heartache all over the world was good
Heartache is under-rated. Elton didn't like it, but the fans do.
A big album in my life. It would be the last EJ record that I purchased, having collected them all up to and including this one. I know he was going through a pretty bad time in his personal life and listening to this dross you realise he must have been as low as snakes piss. I have a vast collection of vinyl and CDs and it pains me to say that along with 'Cut The Crap' by The Clash, is the worst thing I own.... And I have some shit in there. I give it a one for the actual album and a zero for the artwork.
I loved this album as a teenager.
Gypsy Heart always reminded me of my first girlfriend.
But yeah, not one of his best albums,
I just love this album, love the production of it, and his 86 voice. Memory of Love is a masterpiece for me. Heartache is fun to belt out. Love the opening piece too. But I hate Angeline for sure
Usually, artists albums get worse when they get cocky with their success, but Eltons got worse when his mental/physical health declined, and he always had an uptake in quality when he got happier, victim of love was released when he was at a real low, and then picks up when he gets married with too low for zero, which continues with sad songs, and Nikita, before dropping with leather jackets, and then kicking up with sleeping with the past
A very good observation and I think you can feel that with his later albums when he was writing and playing only the music he wanted to produce and perform.
Personally I think Go it Alone and Leather Jackets are the two best tracks on the album. Really upbeat and fun songs and I wish that he would do them live.
Thanks for this. Go it Alone I like but not sure about Leather Jackets. I still can't remember how it goes, even though I've heard it several times recently for the review.
its nice that Ian Gillan is reviewing Elton's album😂❤
I don't think this album deserves the amount of hate it gets. It is not a perfect album by any measures but it is not that bad either. Personally, I find this album a LOT more enjoyable to listen to compared to "Ice on Fire" or "Jump Up" which i consider them to be pretty weak albums if we were to leave out tracks like "Nikita", "Empty Garden" or "Cry to Heaven" from them. "Leather Jackets" on the other hand, does not contain top quality tracks but as a bonus, has a consistant pleasant sound all over it featuring average and fairly good tracks. "Hoop of Fire" and "Heartache All Over the World" are my absolute favorites.
Fair comment. I will review Ice on Fire soon. Like all of Elton's albums, there are several decent tracks. I wouldn't say there were any skip-over tracks on this one.
Slow Rivers duet I liked.
Once again our minds walk together! Some songs irritate me, Leather Jakets and Angeline are so sad...but I love Paris, which I enjoy playing at the piano, great harmony, from the first guitar chord in F sharp going to the refrain in F...Amazing song, for me 8 out of 10. Thank's as usual !! See you soon!!
Yes, I was delighted to revisit that song and must work out how it goes on the piano. Even when the chips were down, Elton could turn out some fine work.
i love angeline its very queen
Ok but maybe not the best on the album.
@@eltonmusicfan since its not very good album angiline anddont trust that woman and heartache all over world i like best, everyone says its eltons lowest but bernie one who writes
It pains me to see this one come in above Caribou - where "Ticking" came from. Come on!!! I think a revisit is in order. Even above Too Low For Zero and Rock of the Westies. You know what, everything it sits above needs a re-review - aside from Victim of Love! Slow Rivers is the track I like least on this album. I just can't listen to it. I don't know if it's Cliff Richard, or the song. When I've tried to hear it live, on RUclips, with just Elton, it brings about the same feeling. Maybe it's the song, but then perhaps the memory of Cliff wailing away creeps in. I just got 33 seconds into it, it's terrible, weather men shaking a fist at the sky "like you used to do" and then Cliff. Had to turn it off! It must be attached to some traumatic experience or other! The arrangement is awful, that terrible electric piano stuff coming in over the top! Blugghhh! oh, and Cliff...
Slow Rivers is an unusual song and doesn't sound like anything else Elton recorded, but maybe that makes it notable in his repertoire. It's a polished recording but maybe strangely unaffecting. I must admit I don't listen to it that much but the blend of voices works ok. Maybe? Caribou is an album of maybe two or three excellent songs and a lot of misses - possibly rushed out under pressure a bit like this one.
Agree - it is a terrible album
I'm probably in the minority of those who enjoy Leather Jackets. There's a lot of cheese here, but I love that. It's certainly not the album I would use to introduce someone to Elton's music, but it's a fun listen, especially when I'm in the car.
A few points as you go through it:
* This was the last album Elton recorded before his 1987 vocal surgery, and his voice was very clearly suffering from the nodules on his vocal chords.
* "Hoop of Fire" was never a single, although it did crop up on the Jewel Box set as one of Elton's Deep Cuts selections. He'd gone back to listen to the album for Jewel Box, and admitted it wasn't as bad as he remembered it being.
* I always loved the piano towards the end of "Go It Alone"
* "Heartache All Over the World" reminds me weirdly of a sort of cross between "We Built This City" by Starship and the Rainbow Road music from the SNES edition of Super Mario Kart. Since both songs are nostalgic to me, it makes it a winner in my books. I love driving along the highway with it on.
* "Paris" was also never a single, though Elton played it live in the US in 1986. The singles from the album were "Heartache All Over the World" (worldwide) and "Slow Rivers" (in territories outside the US and Canada only).
Thanks for this. I must have been using some duff info about the singles - maybe they were overseas releases.
@@eltonmusicfan it's entirely possible, but I didn't see anything about it on Wikipedia. Doesn't mean that didn't happen, though. Wikipedia probably doesn't list every single release for every market.
I agree. I really like this album. I much prefer to listen to it over Reg Strikes Back
Love your RUclips page John! I pretty much agree with your ratings for these tracks. I agree that quiet often with Elton's music, the genius lies with specific individual tracks rather than the album overall. Just thought I would let you know that Elton himself made an interesting comment about 'Paris' in an interview for Billboard in 1997 where he described it as a 'really good song' which had lost it 'between the demo and the recording'. I hope either Elton records or performs it again one day or someone covers it. Best wishes, Shaun W
Wow. A very serious and thoughtful review which I appreciate very much being a huge fan. However I think if someone stole this CD from me I wouldn't even notice it missing. But a big thank you for this. Can't wait to listen to some of your other reviews.
A good fair review.
My favourite tracks are Track 1 and 3.
Oh, haven’t seen that photo for a long time, how terrible. This was written before I saw your video, so I may repeat some quotes. And we differ quite a bit on some tracks! For some, read 'quite a few'.
1) Leather Jackets. Another upbeat song to start an album. Elton trying to sound tough. He can’t help but write a catchy hook though. If I think of this song I can play it in my head, so I’ll give it a 5.
2) Hoop of Fire. I rather like this song, it’s grown on me. (Even though I haven’t heard it for ages.) A few years ago I might have said ‘This is one of those boring songs from Leather Jackets’ but now I’ll give it a 5.
3) Don’t Trust That Woman. The trouble is, it’s not great but while you’re listening it’s infuriatingly catchy. Incidentally, while I was reading about this, I found out that someone called Les Dudek did his own song to these lyrics. Don’t listen to it, it’s truly awful. Makes Elton’s version sound like Mozart. Oh, 5.
4) Go It Alone. Now this was the song I really liked when this album came out, the one I put on all my cassette mixes to listen to in the car. I suspect my very recent split with my ex might have had a lot to do with it. Listened to it just now and I still love it. Elton sounding properly tough this time. Great backing vocals. No bad memories. 8.
5) Gypsy Heart. This is ‘one of those boring songs from Leather Jackets’ and time hasn’t been so kind as it has to Hoop of Fire. I don’t find the chorus interesting at all. Nicely sung, but leave gypsies to Stevie Nicks or, actually, Cher. 3
6) Slow Rivers. Not a bad song, slow but not boring, and it’s good to hear Cliff. ‘I still see your eyes tonight like headlights through the fog.’ Well done, Bernie. 7 from me.
7) Heartache All Over the World. Apparently Elton once said this is worst song he’s ever recorded. I won’t hear of it. This is the other song I always put on my cassette mixes way back when. Listen, I was going through stuff, okay? The only weird thing is the idea of Elton knocking on every door in town looking for girls. I don’t know why this isn’t the subject of flashmobs like ELO’s All Over the World. 7 from me.
8) Angeline. I always liked this one too, though the sentiments are dodgy to say the least. I just listened for the first time in ages and it’s a new mix, the intro is a bit different - a remaster, I suppose. I’m not going to be PC and damn it for the lyrics, so a 6.
9) Memory of Love. One of the boring songs. ‘Love will grow, it comes and goes.’ Yes, Gary, you’re not Bernie, are you? I’ll score it the same as Gypsy Heart, 3.
10) Paris. Another ‘boring song from Leather Jackets’. I gave it a fair listen just now but while he sounds anguished enough, and it’s nicely done, maybe they could have made it sound more, um, Parisian? Just dull as eau de vaisselle. Another 3.
11) I Fall Apart. The best of these boring songs but that’s not saying much. I want to say 4 but really it’s another 3. The album falls apart.
So that’s 55 out of a possible 110, an average of 5. Which is low for me as you know!
I'm looking forward to reading your comments.
Technically not the last album produced by Gus Dudgeon. He produced the follow up Live In Australia as well and redeemed his work on Leather Jackets.;)
Thanks for this. I am focusing on the studio albums but will get around to the others when I have finished.
I couldn’t fight the awkwardness of this album. Every track was a massive disappointment.
Cher is trustworthy songwriter for me, but her lyrics on DTTW couldn’t match with Elton. Two different universes in my opinion.
Thanks for this. Not great lyrics perhaps, but the musical setting is a catchy one.
Leather Jackets is an album that’s grown on me over the years as it has on Elton, Bernie & others. I like it. It’s actually starting to get some Cred. In Australia where I’m from it did well making the Top 10 & going Platinum & Heartache All Over The World also did well here making the Top 10 & it’s one of my Fav songs. Go It Alone is also a Fav of mine.
I liked the title track and I think the song with Cliff Richard is absolutely great.
you cant blame elton for it all bernie is the song writer
Well, he's the lyricist.
@@eltonmusicfan yes , so yes elton was high on drugs , bernie must had issues
*_I love this album !!_*
We liked it very much. It was an attempt of re-invention - because work and innovation always keeps and kept him alive - though and through all the misery in his life at those times.
The picture is great.
It shows how creative thirst makes an outstanding artist - who is after over 5 decades as relevant as a real genius can be - and everybody is in a slump from time to time. But without these lows (which are a MUST) no new heights and success! So this album is like a catalysator.
Good thinking. Thanks for the comment.
@@eltonmusicfan Hi John - thanks for your great review - which I like very much though I am not agreeing in every point - but that is what makes it so thrilling - getting to know - how other people think and feel about it. We can always learn from each other.
Girls girls girls was kinda fun.
"Paris" is the best track on the album and "I Fall Apart" shoulda never saw the light of day!
Don't you think I Fall Apart might work well as a solo with just piano accompaniment. The melody is fairly strong.
@@eltonmusicfan It might've. I'm also not a huge fan of his singing on this one
Some songs here are really crap: Leather jackets, Don't trust that woman and especially, Go it alone, one of his worst songs ever. On the other hand two of his best songs in the eighties: Slow rivers and Paris. Angeline is quite catchy, Memory of love and Hoop of fire are ok ballads.
It's a real mixed bag, isn't it. I kind of enjoy Go it Alone, but then I also liked Nobody Wins. Not classic Elton but still interesting.
@@eltonmusicfan Oh, I like Nobody Wins too. Great song!
@@eltonmusicfan nobody wins is not on this album - it’s on the fox