Elton’s best period for sure. Great video choice-so much better than a complete discography! Captain Fantastic for me. It just works as a whole faultless from beginning to end, and so intimate! Mazzy nails it with his comment about the drums.
Absolutely bang on the money! Tumbleweed Connection is a true masterpiece. My favourite album of all time. Just perfect on every level. (Your comment regarding Stevie - bang on the money too.)
@@tipple58I would say that Stevie Wonder, Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Bowie and Elton all had a run of records in the Seventies where they seemed to walk on water. It was their time.
Amoreena, Come Down in Time, Where to now St. Peter are 3 of the best songs in history by any artist or songwriter. Lyrics, music, arrangement, mood, delivery...stellar.
I’m going to have to revisit Capt. Fantastic. It’s been at least 20 years since I listened to it. I liked it when I first heard it, but it didn’t grab me in the same way as the albums that came before it. My favorite is Madman Across the Water. I love the huge orchestral arrangements juxtaposed against his Southern-influenced melodies. It’s a combination that should never work, but is pulled off flawlessly. Tiny Dancer, Levon, and the title track are some of Taupin’s best lyrics. Rotten Peaches, Razor Face, Holiday Inn, All the Nasties - just so f’n good.
Thanks so much for this explanation of his music. I have seen him once a few years ago and appreciate how prolific he was with hits. When I saw him life it allowed me to see what an amazing musician he is. I am definitely not too cool to recognise his talent 😊
Mazzy, I’m late to the Elton game, but now in my mid 60’s…I finally get him. What a fantastic album ‘Captain Fantastic…’ is. And you’re spot on about the drums in ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’. Mid 60’s and I’m an out of the closet Elton fan. Go figure…
I bought a record player a year ago (haven't had one in years) and have many of my older sister's albums (god rest her soul). One of them was Honky Chateau, the original copy and never heard it until recently. When I heard Honky Cat I was blown away. When those horns punch in I get goose bumps. The whole album is fantastic.
Great video. Thanks Mazzy. The first ever music I bought was Elton's greatest hits on cassette as a 12 year old in 1974 Agree with you on Grey Seal.my favourite on GYBR.
10. Rock of the Westies 9. Caribou 8. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy 7. 17-11-70 6. Honky Chateau 5. Madman Across the Water 4. Elton John 3. Don't Shoot Me I'm Just the Piano Player 2. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 1. Tumbleweed Connection Don't Shoot Me was the first Elton album I owned. The 2nd was the greatest hits collection. So much great stuff. I have always had a soft spot for Bennie and the Jets.
Thank you! Got to see him twice and so glad I did. It's a toss-up between Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy and Good Bye Yellow Brick Road. Living down the hill from Caribou Ranch, I feel him in his songs recorded here.
Glad you mentioned Friends soundtrack. Great songs 'n wonderful orchestral arrangements by Paul Buckmaster. It would be high on my list o' top 10 faves. I had 2nd row center seats in Dallas for the Tumbleweed Connection tour-amazin'! Elton, Nigel 'n Dee blew us all away. Mark-Almond opened the show. I highly recommend checkin' out Elton John Live On BBC TV (1970) on you tube. As good as it gets! A must see...
I love most of Elton´s albums (even the later ones). I think Blue moves is a bit underrated. I can´t stand Bennie and the Jets. Ticking is one of my favourites. Great ranking. Thanks.
Yeah, "Blue Moves" was when I stopped buying Elton records (though "Ego" from 1978 was a terrifically funny single). Or maybe I just thought I outgrew him for a while. I got into his music when I was in junior high and he was an acoustic folkie singer/songwriter ("Tumbleweed Connection," "Elton John") and I started to pull back just a little around the time the mainstream "commercial" bandwagon started revving up with the fun but featherweight "Don't Shoot Me...". But I really got into most of "Yellow Brick Road" (especially the opening medley, though I never need to hear "Candle in the Wind" again -- just heard it yesterday at the hardware store, so that tells you something!). My faves are "Honky Chateau" and "Madman." It's hard to explain to somebody who wasn't there how unusual and dark and daring songs like "Levon" and "Rocket Man" felt in the age of pervasive Top 40 AM car radio. Also, there's an interesting thread from the campy, sarcastic rag of "I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself" on "Chateau" to the moody ballad "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" on "Captain Fantastic." Trivial asides: I don't know if someone else mentioned this but Aretha covered "Border Song (Holy Moses)" on "Young, Gifted and Black," not "Take Me to the Pilot." What's funny is that I felt the same way about "Bennie and the Jets" at the time -- but it became his first hit on Black radio! Also, the soulful "Amoreena" was used masterfully to set the scene for Sidney Lumet's "Dog Day Afternoon" (reuniting Al Pacino and John Cazale from "The Godfather") -- in all its sweaty, muggy, stifling, stinky heat. It's a country-soul song, but establishes the movie's overheated urban atmosphere beautifully. And if you haven't seen "Two Rooms," about how Elton and Bernie collaborate, but separately (Taupin just sends him lyrics and he puts them to music), it's quite fascinating.
Madman Across The Water is my favorite Elton John album but it was good to hear your thoughts on the others. Tumbleweed Connection is probably my number two.
Great video. Made me put on my thinking cap I’d say Honky Chateau and 11-17-70. The production and small combo vibe, well, fantastic. And you are correct: a bunch of filler on Goodbye…. And thanks for making me spit out some coffee with that Capt Kangaroo comment. Priceless. Speaking of which, check out the history of the Capt Kangaroo theme song. Interesting.
Loved this. I was a huge EJ fan back in the day and this video pretty much sums up my feelings about his early output. An amazing run of albums that still mean so much to me now. My personal favourite is “Madman” but like you say yourself, this can change at any given time and listening to this I will be giving “17-11-70” a few listens too. I continued buying Elton’s output well after the 70’s and my only disagreement is “Blue Moves” I really enjoy it and count this as his last hurrah. Sadly and maybe inevitably the quality started taking a downward turn and I finally gave up with the awful “Leather Jackets” back in 86’ Elton himself admits in his autobiography that he too had pretty much given up by that point as well. I’ve dipped in and out occasionally since then but nothing comes close to those incredible albums when he could do no wrong.
Taupin must have titled the album Tumbleweed Connection. Something Beethoven knew, you can win a woman's heart with the piano. Elton John is the favorite. Thanks for the video!
People talk about the incredible run of Albums the Beatles did from Rubber Soul to Abbey Road or the Stones from Beggars Banquet to Exile. Elton does not get enough credit for his 1970 - 76 output. Bowie probably stole his thunder which is no mean feat.
I don't think Bowie stole Elton's thunder, since they were totally different artists. Bowie went from Glamrock to Art Rock, whereas Elton went from Americana to Pop. However, I share the feeling that Elton would have had benefitted greatly from a Bowie-like artistic reinvention by the end of the 70s (maybe in an alternate universe there is a Eno/Fripp produced Berlin album by Elton John), but, I guess, Elton was just too burned out at that time and who are we to demand more anyway, when him and Bernie gave us 7 years of genius songwriting.
I only have Captain Fantastic which I love - when I was a teenager in the ‘80’s I used to think that Elton was the devil! I absolutely hated his music in that period. Two friends introduced me to CF in the mid 90’s (under duress I must say) and I fell in love with it. I picked up a mint copy right away with all the inserts for 5 English pounds. I still play it to this day. One thing that people don’t talk about so often is Elton’s singing - so good and I feel he is underrated as a singer, such a beautiful voice he had when he was younger. I’ll have a look out for some of those albums you reviewed, especially the live album. Enjoyed this, thank you.
I could have made most of your comments, we concur. Madman and Tumbleweed are tied for me as the best Elton album. Just plain magic.That of course ties in with the 'time' which in itself was magic for me. PS Love Friends as well although not typical Elton of course.
did you know that statistics show that pop classics seem to have more stream plays than current popular music? There was an article about this. So no, people apparently don't get tired of Elton's voice or Fleetwood Mac etc. It has a lot to do with song writing. Classics are classics because the song writing quality is so strong and does not wear off. Not that I don't love current pop culture. It just seems to wear off much faster.
I grew up with Elton John. Tumbleweed to Yellow Brick Road are 5 star lps. My favorite is Madman. I never got into Brown Dirt Cowboy. Ive tried but I just dont get it.
I think that double Greatest Hits album, which I also own, was mastered by Steve Hoffman. "Michelle's Song" from Friends is my favorite Elton John song. I think The Byrds could have done an amazing version of it. The album Don't Shoot Me was named for the Truffaut film.
Yellow Brick Road is big and fun but pales in comparison to the emotional and brilliantly recorded Capt Fantastic. You very correctly used the word ‘masterpiece’.
Love all his albums pre 1976. There are many artists that maintained their vocals over the years, unfortunately Elton and McCartney are two that didn't.
Caribou will always be my favorite. Not that many hits but it was very fun and enjoyable except for Ticking which is very dark and disturbing. I like Blue Moves but i still say the sound quality was dreadful. Had the album and then the compact disc and both suffer from the sound quality.. .
Elton John is a musical genius. I don't generally like Taupin's lyrics. That he makes a song like Come Down In Time great speaks to this, for instance.
I don't understand Elton John's "critics" who are fans of Candle in the Wind and going crease about its 90s version and hate blue moves. Let me guess, there are too many songs on it🤣
@@mazzysmusic I don’t hate hate any Elton John albums up to Rock Of The Westies. I purged most of his records. Because I knew I wouldn’t listen to them any more. I do have most on CD.
I seem to remember reading that Elton John sold 1% of all albums sold worldwide in either 1974 or 75, that is incredible. Surprised you didn't give a mention my favourite song on Yellow Brick Road alongside the title track, I've Seen That Movie Too.
Interesting ranking and commentary. I enjoyed watching it. BTW, I think you are confusing "Take Me to the Pilot" with "Border Song". The latter is a gospel style song while "Take Me to the Pilot" is an all-out rocker. "Border Song" is the song that Aretha covered.
I was incredibly lucky to see Elton with Dee, Nigel and Caleb at a run down club in the Uk just as he was breaking in America. A battered old white piano and a tiny, sweaty, overcrowded club. He was absolutely brilliant.
I’m not Elton John’s big fan and I never was. However, the song I’ve Seen That Movie Too from the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album is in my opinion a masterpiece. It’s hard for me to clearly explain why, but I guess because it’s so convincing in terms of personal emotions it conveys. And the whole album is outstanding indeed.
Only saw this video a year late... but I grew up a huuuuuuge Elton John fan when I was in grade school and middle school in Los Angeles. I had the full page ad that ran in the Calendar section of the Los Angeles Times for his Dodger Stadium shows... I had his TIME magazine cover ("Captain Fantastic") hung up in my room, along with a poster of Elton as the Pinball Wizard. His 70's output was among the best series of music ever recorded. My list is fairly close, but I had to put "CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY" album as his best. The packaging alone was mind-blowing. I remember going to my local record store (Aaron's Too in the valley) when this album came out and buying it. I was absolutely blown away by the package: TWO BOOKLETS (Scrap Book and Lyrics Book,), poster, and fan club flyer. Then the actual music... My god. The title track has EVERYTHING I want in an Elton / Bernie song... wonderful lyrics combing through a delicate song that explodes to life. The drums might be the best recorded drums in rock history (w/ XTC's Black Sea album). "Better Off Dead," "Bitter Fingers," "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" and maybe the best closer ever: "Curtains" with it's chiming, elongated closeout to this masterpiece. After that, Id' agree with you about most of your comments: "Grey Seal" is amazing... same with "This Song Has No Title"... My two others in the Top 3 would be "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Madman Across The Water"... I also adore "Honkey Chateau" and "Tumbleweed Connection" and the self-titled masterpiece, as well. I've got to do a typographic portrait of Elton... such an amazing talent. Thanks (again) for your wonderful thoughts on his best years, Mazzy!!
Another reactor here on RUclips is a musician in his own right and had Nigel and Dee play on a song that this guy wrote. He learned from Nigel that when Nigel was being recorded for all of these Elton John albums, there were 16 microphones placed strategically to get that full, rich drum sound that we have come to love from Nigel!.
These albums are all special, and personal as well. #10 is a top three for me. "Don't Shoot Me..." often gets overlooked, and at the time "Crocodile Rock" was just a side closer. The tracks I love are "Blues For Baby And Me," "Have Mercy On The Criminal," and perhaps my favorite "High Flying Bird." These are top Elton/Bernie songs in my mind, and the whole album has a unique feel. Still, to each his own - and thanks for the inspired video.
Don’t shoot me was definitely a step in a more pop direction, but people shouldn’t sleep on it. Teacher I Need You and High Flying Bird are favorites. Daniel is Perfection.
The Union, with Leon Russell deserves an honourable mention. His live album in Melbourne Australia, in the late eighties, provided a sign of hope during a uninspired era for Elton John.
@@mazzysmusic keep trying man. 😊 Parts of this album are heartbreaking in a good way if you know what I mean. There's a fragility and a vulnerability to Leon Russell's voice that just grabs me.
Great video Mazzy! 1970's Elton John album is an excellent choice (although it would probably be number 4 for me). It has the classics Your Song, Border Song and Take Me to the Pilot. Sixty Years On is superb (I always loved the version he played live in Russia in 1979, with the images of the Russian war statues). Another favourite of mine on the album is The Greatest Discovery - a true hidden gem!
All good to great albums imo. Actually, I think that “Blue Moves” is my favorite Elton John album. For me, it was a welcome return to his “Madman Across The Water” period in a way - a relief from the super radio-friendly music of the 74’ 75’ period. The album is quite diverse musically, and I think Elton’s vocals were at his absolute peak - particularly on songs like “Idol”, “Boogie Pilgrim”, and “Tonight”.. I agree with you about the “Friends” album, enjoyed the video Mazzy 👍
Exactly- Capt. Fantastic is perfect . I used to bumb my mom"s ear plug with a transistor radio at night . They played the hell out of "Someone saved my......"
Good stuff! I missed his debut record (?!?) and started with Tumbleweed Connection, which is one of my favorites of his, and in general for that time period. Great songs, great arrangements, love the Americana feel to it. Where to Now St. Peter stands out for me. And I was blown away when I first heard 11/17/70 (which is where I first heard Take Me To the Pilot.) I need to seek out that UK version. And saw him in the early days, one of my favorite concerts, I remember a children's choir or chorale group at the end of the set and encore which was amazing at the time! Thanks!
Wow, what a thoughtful, touching, moving tribute to one of the best musical artists of my lifetime. No wonder I love your videos, this makes me wanna pull and play Elton’s entire 70’s catalog. What a wonderful video, Mazzy, thanks for this. 👍❤️
Great job Mazzy; Elton definitely ruled the 70’s. You gotta give credit that all these Albums were different than each other not repeating the same thing over & over. They all had their own vibe & style. Loved the lyrics booklets & photos that were always included not many artists did that. As you said Producer Gus Dungeon was a major part of the E.J. sound & Elton always acknowledges that Thumbs Up.
Late to the party here but I'm so glad you mentioned "Friends". It seems like that album was released as a cutout from the beginning! But it's so intensely romantic and lush. Like most it's GYBR for me, but I could interchange many of these masterpieces at the top depending upon my mood. And I agree about "Ticking", but as I'm sure someone else might have commented, it was about a mass murder at a bar called "The Kicking Mule".
There’s a live version of that song and quite a few other songs from the early seventies in yt. Great to see him performing live on British television from back then. We did not get to see any of those performances in the U.S. I barely even knew what EJ looked like in the 1970s other than seeing photos of him back then.
I have 1300 CDs. I have less than 20 records. Even though I have both Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy on CD I couldn't pass on them both when I found both records for a $1 each in Goodwill last month.
Excellent and thorough rendering of a unique artist at the time. Also, agree about including Friends and the live album. Music mattered in the 70s and Elton represented something like The Beatles for many. Fun, inscrutable, casual talent.
A surprising ranking insofar as it relates to rankings that you normally see of his albums . That said , his catalogue in the early 70s is one of the few that you could put in any order , and make a case for it . I am also of the opinion that Goodbye Yellow Brick Road has some filler , and would have made a much stronger single album . I saw him on that tour , the tour before it , and the Captain Fantastic and Caribou tours as well . He and his band always put on a great show . His albums were littered with hidden gems , that were often better than the singles that were released . As I said in a previous comment that I entered before watching your ranking , my favourite was displayed on your cabinet . It was the first album of his that I bought in 1972 , and it's greatness stays with me still . Here's my ranking in order of preference : Honky Chateau. ( hidden gem : Mellow ) Don't Shoot Me. ( hidden gem : Blues for My Baby & Me , with Teacher I Need You a close second ) Captain Fantastic ( hidden gem : We All Fall in Love Sometimes ) Madman Across the Water. ( hidden gem : Razor Face ) Elton John ( Hidden gem : I Need You to Turn To ) Goodbye Yellow Brick Road ( Hidden Gem : Grey Seal. , with This Song Has No Title and Harmony right behind ) Caribou ( Hidden gem : Pinky , it's fabulous ) Tumbleweed Connection. ( Hidden gem : Talking Old Soldiers ) Rock of the Westies. ( Hidden gem : I Feel Like a Bullet. , the live version on his 4cd boxset is even better ) Empty Sky ( Hidden gem : Skyline Pigeon , the piano version on the Don't Shoot Me Cd under bonus tracks is the definitive version ) Cheers !!
Great choices, I would have flipped number one and two. PS, you haven't heard these until you hear the 5.1 SACDs. Gus' orchestrations, the choruses on Salvation and Rotten Peaches, etc. It all comes to life in surround.
I appreciate your knowledgeable insights and providing a format to discuss Elton John albums. My favorite is Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player is my second favorite because only Goodbye YellowBrick Road has the same kind of consistency in listening and so many songs that I like. Daniel is my favorite song by him and Taupin and Crocodile Rock is also a top 10 favorite. I love the feel of the other songs too like the mix of aggressive rock with horns, swing, electric guitar and honky tonk piano with a great use of low register vocals like in Elderberry Wine, Midnight Creeper, I'm Gonna Be a Teenage Idol and the late night marquee spotlight cover conveys the sense of a live performance in a seedy but stylish seventies bar. I even like what seems to be the tongue and cheek overkill anger in Screw You. Another highlight is Have Mercy on the Criminal which is a great mix between Madman across the Water and Ballad of Danny Bailey on Gooodbye YellowBrick Road. However, there is also a great deal of diversity and balance with the fine ballads, High Flying Bird, Skyline Pigeon and Blues for My Baby and Me invoking a far more sensitive sense of dreamy idealism mixed wth a bit of melancholy. To me, the overall impression is this is the buildup to Goodbye YellowBrick Road and reminds me the most of it in diversity and quality and overall feel.
FUN FACT for you Masy-Tumbleweed Connection the black and white photo on the cover of him on a railway platform was shot at a preserved steam railway, 3 miles from me, at Horsted Keynes Station (google Bluebell Railway) SECOND Fun Fact - I bumped into him, literally, in London, years ago.. He looked embarrassed at being spotted wearing a one piece white jump suit. It wasn't difficult.
I can’t rank any of these albums because my favorite songs change from day to day. I ❤ all of his seventies albums. His most creative period was from 1970-1976.
I won a pair of tickets to see Elton. I love Elton. You have expanded my love of Elton. When I love that concert I'll be thanking you for the understanding of Elton you gave me.
I'm not crazy about "Don't Shoot Me..." or "Caribou", but there is a song from each, that I just love. "Have Mercy on the Criminal" on "Don't Shoot Me.." and "I've Seen the Saucers" from "Caribou". I got each album when they came out, and I still love these songs just as much as ever.
You're a man after my own heart on this topic. Elton was magnificent in the first half of the 70's. But unfortunately he became moribund very quickly in the second half of that decade. Oddly enough, so too did many other successful 60's and Early 70's artists. Too many to mention in fact. I know that Punk/Post Punk/New Wave was a factor and I got heavily into that music as well but the "old wave" music lost momentum prior to that revolution. This diminution in quality of so many great artists after 1975 has always fascinated me.
Border Song was covered by Aretha , not Take Me to the Pilot. It’s Skyline Pigeon not Single Pigeon. Also Elton was not married like you said “for several years” . The Captain Fantastic album was by autobiographical through the first album empty sky. Reg was engaged before becoming Elton John and long John baldry talked Elton out of it and that was the song “someone saved my life tonight. “ lots of incorrect information in your video
@@christy140 I meant The Elton John album, it was soooo good. The Empty Sky album wasnt released in the USA till after EJ album, and that was probably the right move....
I agree, Blue Moves was such a disappointment, should have been a single album. I'd say Captain Fantastic is my number 1, I would have placed Don't Shoot Me Higher though, I love that one. Also yes, Ticking is a classic.
Hi, just watched your review, enjoyed it as i am a big fan of elton john.The major disagreement is with dont shoot me album. I love high flying bird, elderberry wine, blues for baby, daniel, etc. I think this album should get more recognition. I think goodbye yellow is his best album, but agree that it woulda made an unbelievable album as a single album. These views of ours are all opinions as all these elton albums are classic. I wish i could go back in a time machine and be there when each album was released and listen for the first time!!!!!
The debit US album is perfection. The song "First Episode at Hienton" is still one that gets my gut tied up in knots. Good list of lp's you have there.
As far as great songwriting duos where the lyricist doesn't play in the band it seems you didn't mention (or I guess don't like) Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia. Also, not a duo per se but Peter Sinfield and whomever in King Crimson was writing the music at the time.
I think Caribou and Rock Of The Westies are rather less regarded because they contain some lightweight, whimsical offerings. However they both contain some marvelous work too. Ticking and Feed Me spring to mind.
Interesting. I remember highly anticipating--and then being deeply disappointed--by Capt. Fantastic. One truly great song, as you noted, and 2 1/2 memorably good ones? For me, they would be "Meal Ticket," "Better Off Dead" and the title track, kinda, sorta. Madman: again, you're spot on by noting that incredible opening one-two punch of "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon." But does anything else come close to matching them? Two great songs on Honkey Chateau, too: "Rocket Man" and "Honky Cat." And arguably less filler than either of the above? Actually, I think "filler" is the major issue here, and how we perceive it differently--which brings us to GBYBR. Yeah, there's filler. but arguably less of it over 4 sides than some of these LPs have on two sides. I would argue that there are three great songs just on Side 1. "Bennie and the Jets" brings things to a screeching halt for you? I feel the exact same way about "Candle In the Wind"--pretty, yes, but far too maudlin. I was never a big fan of Side 2 (except for "This SOng Has No Title" and"Grey Seal" But Side 3 strikes me as a master class in songwriting--no filler at all. I agree with you that Elton's retro-rock is never his finest moment. But Side 4's opener, "Your SIster Can't Twist," is a nice set-up to Elton's hardest rocker ever, "Saturday night's All Right For Fighting" (those guitars sting!). 'Roy Rogers" is nostalgia done right and "Harmony is absolutely lovey. I respect and appreciate your opinions on many, many aspects of music. But I gotta say, IMHO (which you encourage viewers to post), GBYBR more than doubles the amount of great Elton songs than any of his other albums and includes less filler over 4 sides that some of his albums have over two. It's really the only Elton John I need--besides "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon." Mind you, this is the perspective of someone who moved from the US to Europe and had to jettison a lot and prioritize a little. Like you, I present these opinions as fodder for discussion and I strongly encourage alternate perspectives. Great video and great channel, thanks!
Here is how I would rank them 1 Honky Chateau 2 Elton John 3 Tumbleweed Connection 4 Don't Shoot me 5 Yellow Brick Road 6 Friends 7 Caribou 8 Madman Across The Water 9 Captain Fantastic 10 Empty Sky I didn't include 17 - 11 - 70 because it is a live compilation and instead I added Friends
Tumble Weed Connection Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Elton John Elton John Madman Across the Water Captain Fantastic 1 cover. First albums I collected Elton was so prolific in a prolific era. Outdid Bowie Simon and G Stones Zeppelin Who BarryManilow even Bob Dylan. Elton was the King of Pop
I likes Elton John music from my young years. This was 70s . In USSR /Ukraine/.. under censor of Soviets)),, All this years i listend on tapes his .Dont shoot/ Goodbye Yellow../ Honky Chateau/Captain Fantastic / Mad Man- as for me- best
I like your list, pretty much my choices as well. I would not have ranked Caribou that high otherwise, Don't shoot Me is a better record and would be higher up the list for me. Tumbleweed, Madman, Goodbye, Honkey Chateau, Elton John my top favs. Honourable mention, Blue Moves. I also agree about Aretha's cover
The night my dear grandmother had a stroke, my uncle drove me to the hospital then gave me the cassette of yellow brick road. I'd find out many years later that we live in the same town that wizard of oz author grew up in.there was a yellow plank road running through this town. The first I bought was don't shoot me then madman. I had the 11-17-70 on cassette then while working in a restaurant I met the cross-eyed toothless stuttering hunchback dishwasher and he gave me the vinyl version of 11-17-70. I did not know there is an expanded version. Meanwhile my father who grew up in DC and went to Woodstock lived in San Francisco and was a huge music fan with a massive record collection until he went homeless through the 90s. He was never an Elton fan though. I saw Elton in Syracuse off the One your, again in Cleveland with Billy Joel, Saratoga, Philly on the farewell tour and then one last time in Syracuse.
I saw that trio at Birmingham Town Hall UK. They were tremendous. Piano, bass and drums, no guitar or any other keyboards. If only he had not gone all stupid in ridiculous clothes and just stuck to making good music. I saw him again touring GYBR and although he was still great live I knew I was finished listening to or seeing him live. Cannot listen to any of his albums that came after GYBR I am afraid as all I can see when I hear him is this stupid looking bloke in stupid looking clothes.
Elton’s best period for sure. Great video choice-so much better than a complete discography! Captain Fantastic for me. It just works as a whole faultless from beginning to end, and so intimate! Mazzy nails it with his comment about the drums.
Tumbleweed Connection. To this day still my favorite Elton John album. A great run of albums as you said. Rivals Stevie Wonders 70s output. (IMO)
Absolutely bang on the money! Tumbleweed Connection is a true masterpiece. My favourite album of all time. Just perfect on every level. (Your comment regarding Stevie - bang on the money too.)
@@tipple58 Much Agreed!
Unbelievable Awesomeness!
@@tipple58I would say that Stevie Wonder, Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Bowie and Elton all had a run of records in the Seventies where they seemed to walk on water. It was their time.
Gus Dudgeon always regretted not having 'Harmony' out as a single.
Amoreena, Come Down in Time, Where to now St. Peter are 3 of the best songs in history by any artist or songwriter. Lyrics, music, arrangement, mood, delivery...stellar.
I was obsessed as a child with Elton John in the 70s.
Maybe people were ✌🏽
I’m going to have to revisit Capt. Fantastic. It’s been at least 20 years since I listened to it. I liked it when I first heard it, but it didn’t grab me in the same way as the albums that came before it. My favorite is Madman Across the Water. I love the huge orchestral arrangements juxtaposed against his Southern-influenced melodies. It’s a combination that should never work, but is pulled off flawlessly. Tiny Dancer, Levon, and the title track are some of Taupin’s best lyrics. Rotten Peaches, Razor Face, Holiday Inn, All the Nasties - just so f’n good.
Thanks so much for this explanation of his music. I have seen him once a few years ago and appreciate how prolific he was with hits. When I saw him life it allowed me to see what an amazing musician he is. I am definitely not too cool to recognise his talent 😊
I saw Elton perform solo at my company’s club trip. This was around 2000 and he was fantastic. Just Elton at his piano. Pure Magic 😎
Mazzy, I’m late to the Elton game, but now in my mid 60’s…I finally get him. What a fantastic album ‘Captain Fantastic…’ is. And you’re spot on about the drums in ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’. Mid 60’s and I’m an out of the closet Elton fan. Go figure…
I bought a record player a year ago (haven't had one in years) and have many of my older sister's albums (god rest her soul). One of them was Honky Chateau, the original copy and never heard it until recently. When I heard Honky Cat I was blown away. When those horns punch in I get goose bumps. The whole album is fantastic.
So good ✌🏼
Great video. Thanks Mazzy. The first ever music I bought was Elton's greatest hits on cassette as a 12 year old in 1974
Agree with you on Grey Seal.my favourite on GYBR.
Madman Across the Water is my favorite Elton John album. Indian Sunset and title track are great to me. Good list. 👍🏼
Your background makes you seem angelic.
10. Rock of the Westies
9. Caribou
8. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
7. 17-11-70
6. Honky Chateau
5. Madman Across the Water
4. Elton John
3. Don't Shoot Me I'm Just the Piano Player
2. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
1. Tumbleweed Connection
Don't Shoot Me was the first Elton album I owned. The 2nd was the greatest hits collection. So much great stuff. I have always had a soft spot for Bennie and the Jets.
Pretty close to my top picks. -Very Good!!!
Nice list... Captain Fantastic is way too low.
Thank you! Got to see him twice and so glad I did. It's a toss-up between Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy and Good Bye Yellow Brick Road. Living down the hill from Caribou Ranch, I feel him in his songs recorded here.
Glad you mentioned Friends soundtrack. Great songs 'n wonderful orchestral arrangements by Paul Buckmaster. It would be high on my list o' top 10 faves. I had 2nd row center seats in Dallas for the Tumbleweed Connection tour-amazin'! Elton, Nigel 'n Dee blew us all away. Mark-Almond opened the show. I highly recommend checkin' out Elton John Live On BBC TV (1970) on you tube. As good as it gets! A must see...
I love most of Elton´s albums (even the later ones). I think Blue moves is a bit underrated. I can´t stand Bennie and the Jets. Ticking is one of my favourites. Great ranking. Thanks.
Very underrated
Yeah, "Blue Moves" was when I stopped buying Elton records (though "Ego" from 1978 was a terrifically funny single). Or maybe I just thought I outgrew him for a while. I got into his music when I was in junior high and he was an acoustic folkie singer/songwriter ("Tumbleweed Connection," "Elton John") and I started to pull back just a little around the time the mainstream "commercial" bandwagon started revving up with the fun but featherweight "Don't Shoot Me...". But I really got into most of "Yellow Brick Road" (especially the opening medley, though I never need to hear "Candle in the Wind" again -- just heard it yesterday at the hardware store, so that tells you something!). My faves are "Honky Chateau" and "Madman." It's hard to explain to somebody who wasn't there how unusual and dark and daring songs like "Levon" and "Rocket Man" felt in the age of pervasive Top 40 AM car radio. Also, there's an interesting thread from the campy, sarcastic rag of "I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself" on "Chateau" to the moody ballad "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" on "Captain Fantastic."
Trivial asides: I don't know if someone else mentioned this but Aretha covered "Border Song (Holy Moses)" on "Young, Gifted and Black," not "Take Me to the Pilot." What's funny is that I felt the same way about "Bennie and the Jets" at the time -- but it became his first hit on Black radio! Also, the soulful "Amoreena" was used masterfully to set the scene for Sidney Lumet's "Dog Day Afternoon" (reuniting Al Pacino and John Cazale from "The Godfather") -- in all its sweaty, muggy, stifling, stinky heat. It's a country-soul song, but establishes the movie's overheated urban atmosphere beautifully. And if you haven't seen "Two Rooms," about how Elton and Bernie collaborate, but separately (Taupin just sends him lyrics and he puts them to music), it's quite fascinating.
Madman Across The Water is my favorite Elton John album but it was good to hear your thoughts on the others. Tumbleweed Connection is probably my number two.
Great video. Made me put on my thinking cap I’d say Honky Chateau and 11-17-70. The production and small combo vibe, well, fantastic. And you are correct: a bunch of filler on Goodbye…. And thanks for making me spit out some coffee with that Capt Kangaroo comment. Priceless. Speaking of which, check out the history of the Capt Kangaroo theme song. Interesting.
That illustration looks more like Captain Kangaroo than Captain Fantastic. 😘😵💫
Loved this. I was a huge EJ fan back in the day and this video pretty much sums up my feelings about his early output. An amazing run of albums that still mean so much to me now. My personal favourite is “Madman” but like you say yourself, this can change at any given time and listening to this I will be giving “17-11-70” a few listens too. I continued buying Elton’s output well after the 70’s and my only disagreement is “Blue Moves” I really enjoy it and count this as his last hurrah. Sadly and maybe inevitably the quality started taking a downward turn and I finally gave up with the awful “Leather Jackets” back in 86’
Elton himself admits in his autobiography that he too had pretty much given up by that point as well. I’ve dipped in and out occasionally since then but nothing comes close to those incredible albums when he could do no wrong.
I should probably read his book. These records are almost all perfect. Get the live one.
Taupin must have titled the album Tumbleweed Connection. Something Beethoven knew, you can win a woman's heart with the piano. Elton John is the favorite. Thanks for the video!
People talk about the incredible run of Albums the Beatles did from Rubber Soul to Abbey Road or the Stones from Beggars Banquet to Exile. Elton does not get enough credit for his 1970 - 76 output. Bowie probably stole his thunder which is no mean feat.
Bowie and Stevie Wonder. Totally agree.
I don't think Bowie stole Elton's thunder, since they were totally different artists. Bowie went from Glamrock to Art Rock, whereas Elton went from Americana to Pop. However, I share the feeling that Elton would have had benefitted greatly from a Bowie-like artistic reinvention by the end of the 70s (maybe in an alternate universe there is a Eno/Fripp produced Berlin album by Elton John), but, I guess, Elton was just too burned out at that time and who are we to demand more anyway, when him and Bernie gave us 7 years of genius songwriting.
I only have Captain Fantastic which I love - when I was a teenager in the ‘80’s I used to think that Elton was the devil! I absolutely hated his music in that period. Two friends introduced me to CF in the mid 90’s (under duress I must say) and I fell in love with it. I picked up a mint copy right away with all the inserts for 5 English pounds. I still play it to this day. One thing that people don’t talk about so often is Elton’s singing - so good and I feel he is underrated as a singer, such a beautiful voice he had when he was younger.
I’ll have a look out for some of those albums you reviewed, especially the live album.
Enjoyed this, thank you.
Elton john greatest hits well played .
Honky Chateau- for Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters- beautiful stuff. Tumbleweed for Amoreena. Great albums back then. Unbelievable output for sure!
I could have made most of your comments, we concur. Madman and Tumbleweed are tied for me as the best Elton album. Just plain magic.That of course ties in with the 'time' which in itself was magic for me. PS Love Friends as well although not typical Elton of course.
Where do you buy your hats ?
did you know that statistics show that pop classics seem to have more stream plays than current popular music? There was an article about this. So no, people apparently don't get tired of Elton's voice or Fleetwood Mac etc. It has a lot to do with song writing. Classics are classics because the song writing quality is so strong and does not wear off. Not that I don't love current pop culture. It just seems to wear off much faster.
I had heard that. ✌🏼
I grew up with Elton John. Tumbleweed to Yellow Brick Road are 5 star lps. My favorite is Madman. I never got into Brown Dirt Cowboy. Ive tried but I just dont get it.
I think that double Greatest Hits album, which I also own, was mastered by Steve Hoffman. "Michelle's Song" from Friends is my favorite Elton John song. I think The Byrds could have done an amazing version of it. The album Don't Shoot Me was named for the Truffaut film.
Did you know, if you hold the original press of Empty Sky to a light, there's a reddish translucence in the vinyl?
I did not know that
Respectfully disagree with Dont shoot me. Blues for Baby and Me is amazing. Whole album is.
That is a good song ✌🏼
Yellow Brick Road is big and fun but pales in comparison to the emotional and brilliantly recorded Capt Fantastic. You very correctly used the word ‘masterpiece’.
Yeah. I think Capt has grown in stature and Yellow has faded a bit for me
It's 4 o'clock in the morning, damn it
Elton john and abba.
Madman across the waters..A Good one.
Love all his albums pre 1976. There are many artists that maintained their vocals over the years, unfortunately Elton and McCartney are two that didn't.
Caribou will always be my favorite. Not that many hits but it was very fun and enjoyable except for Ticking which is very dark and disturbing. I like Blue Moves but i still say the sound quality was dreadful. Had the album and then the compact disc and both suffer from the sound quality..
.
It may not be 'cool' to admit - but I still have a soft spot for Captain Fantastic - thanks Mazzy. D
You’re still cool David. The real cool kids get it ✌🏼🎶
Elton John is a musical genius. I don't generally like Taupin's lyrics. That he makes a song like Come Down In Time great speaks to this, for instance.
I don't understand Elton John's "critics" who are fans of Candle in the Wind and going crease about its 90s version and hate blue moves. Let me guess, there are too many songs on it🤣
I've always loved Bennie And The Jets. Also love Your Song but I didn't care for most of the rest of the US debut.
You hate what I love and love what I hate 🤠
@@mazzysmusic I don’t hate hate any Elton John albums up to Rock Of The Westies. I purged most of his records. Because I knew I wouldn’t listen to them any more. I do have most on CD.
@@vinylrichie007 hater of the pinball wizard 😘🤠😵💫
@@mazzysmusic That was bad. The whole movie was pretty bad.
I seem to remember reading that Elton John sold 1% of all albums sold worldwide in either 1974 or 75, that is incredible. Surprised you didn't give a mention my favourite song on Yellow Brick Road alongside the title track, I've Seen That Movie Too.
Good song I refrained from listing them all 🎶
Interesting ranking and commentary. I enjoyed watching it. BTW, I think you are confusing "Take Me to the Pilot" with "Border Song". The latter is a gospel style song while "Take Me to the Pilot" is an all-out rocker. "Border Song" is the song that Aretha covered.
I was incredibly lucky to see Elton with Dee, Nigel and Caleb at a run down club in the Uk just as he was breaking in America. A battered old white piano and a tiny, sweaty, overcrowded club. He was absolutely brilliant.
To me all the great artists and their work was completed in the first half of the 1970's.
I’m not Elton John’s big fan and I never was. However, the song I’ve Seen That Movie Too from the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album is in my opinion a masterpiece. It’s hard for me to clearly explain why, but I guess because it’s so convincing in terms of personal emotions it conveys. And the whole album is outstanding indeed.
Only saw this video a year late... but I grew up a huuuuuuge Elton John fan when I was in grade school and middle school in Los Angeles. I had the full page ad that ran in the Calendar section of the Los Angeles Times for his Dodger Stadium shows... I had his TIME magazine cover ("Captain Fantastic") hung up in my room, along with a poster of Elton as the Pinball Wizard. His 70's output was among the best series of music ever recorded. My list is fairly close, but I had to put "CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY" album as his best. The packaging alone was mind-blowing. I remember going to my local record store (Aaron's Too in the valley) when this album came out and buying it. I was absolutely blown away by the package: TWO BOOKLETS (Scrap Book and Lyrics Book,), poster, and fan club flyer. Then the actual music... My god. The title track has EVERYTHING I want in an Elton / Bernie song... wonderful lyrics combing through a delicate song that explodes to life. The drums might be the best recorded drums in rock history (w/ XTC's Black Sea album). "Better Off Dead," "Bitter Fingers," "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" and maybe the best closer ever: "Curtains" with it's chiming, elongated closeout to this masterpiece.
After that, Id' agree with you about most of your comments: "Grey Seal" is amazing... same with "This Song Has No Title"... My two others in the Top 3 would be "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Madman Across The Water"... I also adore "Honkey Chateau" and "Tumbleweed Connection" and the self-titled masterpiece, as well.
I've got to do a typographic portrait of Elton... such an amazing talent. Thanks (again) for your wonderful thoughts on his best years, Mazzy!!
Friends is Outstanding!
Another reactor here on RUclips is a musician in his own right and had Nigel and Dee play on a song that this guy wrote. He learned from Nigel that when Nigel was being recorded for all of these Elton John albums, there were 16 microphones placed strategically to get that full, rich drum sound that we have come to love from Nigel!.
These albums are all special, and personal as well. #10 is a top three for me. "Don't Shoot Me..." often gets overlooked, and at the time "Crocodile Rock" was just a side closer. The tracks I love are "Blues For Baby And Me," "Have Mercy On The Criminal," and perhaps my favorite "High Flying Bird." These are top Elton/Bernie songs in my mind, and the whole album has a unique feel. Still, to each his own - and thanks for the inspired video.
Elderberry Wine is my fav. on Don't Shoot...Wow its like he could no wrong in those years! 😂
Don’t shoot me was definitely a step in a more pop direction, but people shouldn’t sleep on it. Teacher I Need You and High Flying Bird are favorites. Daniel is Perfection.
Blues For Baby and Me is a hidden gem that most people don’t talk about.
Exactly! Those three songs are my favorites. "Dont Shoot Me" was the first LP I ever bought.
@@pauldaniels2019Yes i agree.
The Union, with Leon Russell deserves an honourable mention. His live album in Melbourne Australia, in the late eighties, provided a sign of hope during a uninspired era for Elton John.
Yeah I tried to get into Union as I loved Leon. Wish they had collaborated earlier 🎶
@@mazzysmusic keep trying man. 😊 Parts of this album are heartbreaking in a good way if you know what I mean. There's a fragility and a vulnerability to Leon Russell's voice that just grabs me.
Hi Father happy birthday 🥳 👻
I may be just flat out ripping off your opinion but these are now my favorite Elton John albums and I’m gonna keep an out now for these distinct ones
Great video Mazzy! 1970's Elton John album is an excellent choice (although it would probably be number 4 for me). It has the classics Your Song, Border Song and Take Me to the Pilot. Sixty Years On is superb (I always loved the version he played live in Russia in 1979, with the images of the Russian war statues). Another favourite of mine on the album is The Greatest Discovery - a true hidden gem!
All good to great albums imo. Actually, I think that “Blue Moves” is my favorite Elton John album. For me, it was a welcome return to his “Madman Across The Water” period in a way - a relief from the super radio-friendly music of the 74’ 75’ period. The album is quite diverse musically, and I think Elton’s vocals were at his absolute peak - particularly on songs like “Idol”, “Boogie Pilgrim”, and “Tonight”.. I agree with you about the “Friends” album, enjoyed the video Mazzy 👍
"Chameleon" from "Blue Moves" is one of Elton and Bernie's best works imo.
Yes, I agree!
Love Elton John
Exactly- Capt. Fantastic is perfect . I used to bumb my mom"s ear plug with a transistor radio at night . They played the hell out of "Someone saved my......"
Good stuff! I missed his debut record (?!?) and started with Tumbleweed Connection, which is one of my favorites of his, and in general for that time period. Great songs, great arrangements, love the Americana feel to it. Where to Now St. Peter stands out for me. And I was blown away when I first heard 11/17/70 (which is where I first heard Take Me To the Pilot.) I need to seek out that UK version. And saw him in the early days, one of my favorite concerts, I remember a children's choir or chorale group at the end of the set and encore which was amazing at the time! Thanks!
Wow, what a thoughtful, touching, moving tribute to one of the best musical artists of my lifetime. No wonder I love your videos, this makes me wanna pull and play Elton’s entire 70’s catalog. What a wonderful video, Mazzy, thanks for this. 👍❤️
Great job Mazzy; Elton definitely ruled the 70’s. You gotta give credit that all these Albums were different than each other not repeating the same thing over & over. They all had their own vibe & style. Loved the lyrics booklets & photos that were always included not many artists did that. As you said Producer Gus Dungeon was a major part of the E.J. sound & Elton always acknowledges that Thumbs Up.
Late to the party here but I'm so glad you mentioned "Friends". It seems like that album was released as a cutout from the beginning! But it's so intensely romantic and lush. Like most it's GYBR for me, but I could interchange many of these masterpieces at the top depending upon my mood. And I agree about "Ticking", but as I'm sure someone else might have commented, it was about a mass murder at a bar called "The Kicking Mule".
There’s a live version of that song and quite a few other songs from the early seventies in yt. Great to see him performing live on British television from back then. We did not get to see any of those performances in the U.S. I barely even knew what EJ looked like in the 1970s other than seeing photos of him back then.
I have 1300 CDs. I have less than 20 records. Even though I have both Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy on CD I couldn't pass on them both when I found both records for a $1 each in Goodwill last month.
Saved my paper delivery money for a month to buy Goodbye YBR in 1973 .
Still have it . Still love it .
Excellent and thorough rendering of a unique artist at the time. Also, agree about including Friends and the live album. Music mattered in the 70s and Elton represented something like The Beatles for many. Fun, inscrutable, casual talent.
Friends is a great album
A surprising ranking insofar as it relates to rankings that you normally see of his albums . That said , his catalogue in the early 70s is one of the few that you could put in any order , and make a case for it . I am also of the opinion that Goodbye Yellow Brick Road has some filler , and would have made a much stronger single album . I saw him on that tour , the tour before it , and the Captain Fantastic and Caribou tours as well . He and his band always put on a great show . His albums were littered with hidden gems , that were often better than the singles that were released .
As I said in a previous comment that I entered before watching your ranking , my favourite was displayed on your cabinet . It was the first album of his that I bought in 1972 , and it's greatness stays with me still .
Here's my ranking in order of preference :
Honky Chateau. ( hidden gem : Mellow )
Don't Shoot Me. ( hidden gem : Blues for My Baby & Me , with Teacher I Need You a close second )
Captain Fantastic ( hidden gem : We All Fall in Love Sometimes )
Madman Across the Water. ( hidden gem : Razor Face )
Elton John ( Hidden gem : I Need You to Turn To )
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road ( Hidden Gem : Grey Seal. , with This Song Has No Title and Harmony right behind )
Caribou ( Hidden gem : Pinky , it's fabulous )
Tumbleweed Connection. ( Hidden gem : Talking Old Soldiers )
Rock of the Westies. ( Hidden gem : I Feel Like a Bullet. , the live version on his 4cd boxset is even better )
Empty Sky ( Hidden gem : Skyline Pigeon , the piano version on the Don't Shoot Me Cd under bonus tracks is the definitive version )
Cheers !!
Brown Dirt Cowboy, Rock of the Westies and Blue Moves......essentially the same backing band. They kicked ass and that's my top three.
Great vid!
Fantastic is my #1. Westies is a personal favorite as well. Great list.
Blue Moves Is incredible. Cage the song bird, idol, where the shoorah. Amazing underated album
Love that psychedelic background on the monitor!
Great choices, I would have flipped number one and two.
PS, you haven't heard these until you hear the 5.1 SACDs.
Gus' orchestrations, the choruses on Salvation and Rotten Peaches, etc. It all comes to life in surround.
Salvation in 5.1 is really great. gives me chills
I appreciate your knowledgeable insights and providing a format to discuss Elton John albums. My favorite is Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player is my second favorite because only Goodbye YellowBrick Road has the same kind of consistency in listening and so many songs that I like. Daniel is my favorite song by him and Taupin and Crocodile Rock is also a top 10 favorite. I love the feel of the other songs too like the mix of aggressive rock with horns, swing, electric guitar and honky tonk piano with a great use of low register vocals like in Elderberry Wine, Midnight Creeper, I'm Gonna Be a Teenage Idol and the late night marquee spotlight cover conveys the sense of a live performance in a seedy but stylish seventies bar. I even like what seems to be the tongue and cheek overkill anger in Screw You. Another highlight is Have Mercy on the Criminal which is a great mix between Madman across the Water and Ballad of Danny Bailey on Gooodbye YellowBrick Road. However, there is also a great deal of diversity and balance with the fine ballads, High Flying Bird, Skyline Pigeon and Blues for My Baby and Me invoking a far more sensitive sense of dreamy idealism mixed wth a bit of melancholy. To me, the overall impression is this is the buildup to Goodbye YellowBrick Road and reminds me the most of it in diversity and quality and overall feel.
FUN FACT for you Masy-Tumbleweed Connection the black and white photo on the cover of him on a railway platform was shot at a preserved steam railway, 3 miles from me, at Horsted Keynes Station (google Bluebell Railway)
SECOND Fun Fact - I bumped into him, literally, in London, years ago.. He looked embarrassed at being spotted wearing a one piece white jump suit. It wasn't difficult.
I can’t rank any of these albums because my favorite songs change from day to day. I ❤ all of his seventies albums. His most creative period was from 1970-1976.
I won a pair of tickets to see Elton. I love Elton. You have expanded my love of Elton. When I love that concert I'll be thanking you for the understanding of Elton you gave me.
I'm not crazy about "Don't Shoot Me..." or "Caribou",
but there is a song from each, that I just love.
"Have Mercy on the Criminal" on "Don't Shoot Me.." and
"I've Seen the Saucers" from "Caribou".
I got each album when they came out,
and I still love these songs just as much as ever.
You're a man after my own heart on this topic. Elton was magnificent in the first half of the 70's. But unfortunately he became moribund very quickly in the second half of that decade. Oddly enough, so too did many other successful 60's and Early 70's artists. Too many to mention in fact. I know that Punk/Post Punk/New Wave was a factor and I got heavily into that music as well but the "old wave" music lost momentum prior to that revolution. This diminution in quality of so many great artists after 1975 has always fascinated me.
It is fascinating. I would have stayed if the music was good.
Border Song was covered by Aretha , not Take Me to the Pilot. It’s Skyline Pigeon not Single Pigeon. Also Elton was not married like you said “for several years” . The Captain Fantastic album was by autobiographical through the first album empty sky. Reg was engaged before becoming Elton John and long John baldry talked Elton out of it and that was the song “someone saved my life tonight. “ lots of incorrect information in your video
Eltons first album was a huge impact on music and the world, made him a instant Star
Empty sky.or do you mean the ELTON JOHN ALBUM…?
@@christy140 I meant The Elton John album, it was soooo good. The Empty Sky album wasnt released in the USA till after EJ album, and that was probably the right move....
Really enjoyed this survey of Elton's...I was my 30s in the 70s & he totally bolled me over, starting with "Elton" & "Your Song". Perfection! Thanks!
I agree, Blue Moves was such a disappointment, should have been a single album. I'd say Captain Fantastic is my number 1, I would have placed Don't Shoot Me Higher though, I love that one. Also yes, Ticking is a classic.
Hi, just watched your review, enjoyed it as i am a big fan of elton john.The major disagreement is with dont shoot me album. I love high flying bird, elderberry wine, blues for baby, daniel, etc. I think this album should get more recognition. I think goodbye yellow is his best album, but agree that it woulda made an unbelievable album as a single album. These views of ours are all opinions as all these elton albums are classic. I wish i could go back in a time machine and be there when each album was released and listen for the first time!!!!!
The debit US album is perfection. The song "First Episode at Hienton" is still one that gets my gut tied up in knots. Good list of lp's you have there.
7:24.... Oh man. Blue Moves is probably my second favorite record of his. It hurts to say you don't like it... But I get it 🤣. Great video 👍🎉
I love your comment about 17-11-70 and how the rest of the world (except the USA) has got the dating format wrong lol - great reviews
Im big Elton John fan for long time love all hits
As far as great songwriting duos where the lyricist doesn't play in the band it seems you didn't mention (or I guess don't like) Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia. Also, not a duo per se but Peter Sinfield and whomever in King Crimson was writing the music at the time.
That early 70’s period is great.
For me, Elton is just the piano player / singer in THE DEE MURRAY BAND. 😂
I think Caribou and Rock Of The Westies are rather less regarded because they contain some lightweight, whimsical offerings. However they both contain some marvelous work too. Ticking and Feed Me spring to mind.
FRIENDS thank you Mazzy what beautiful great sounding album. Paul Buckmaster..
Interesting. I remember highly anticipating--and then being deeply disappointed--by Capt. Fantastic. One truly great song, as you noted, and 2 1/2 memorably good ones? For me, they would be "Meal Ticket," "Better Off Dead" and the title track, kinda, sorta.
Madman: again, you're spot on by noting that incredible opening one-two punch of "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon." But does anything else come close to matching them?
Two great songs on Honkey Chateau, too: "Rocket Man" and "Honky Cat." And arguably less filler than either of the above?
Actually, I think "filler" is the major issue here, and how we perceive it differently--which brings us to GBYBR. Yeah, there's filler. but arguably less of it over 4 sides than some of these LPs have on two sides. I would argue that there are three great songs just on Side 1. "Bennie and the Jets" brings things to a screeching halt for you? I feel the exact same way about "Candle In the Wind"--pretty, yes, but far too maudlin. I was never a big fan of Side 2 (except for "This SOng Has No Title" and"Grey Seal" But Side 3 strikes me as a master class in songwriting--no filler at all.
I agree with you that Elton's retro-rock is never his finest moment. But Side 4's opener, "Your SIster Can't Twist," is a nice set-up to Elton's hardest rocker ever, "Saturday night's All Right For Fighting" (those guitars sting!). 'Roy Rogers" is nostalgia done right and "Harmony is absolutely lovey.
I respect and appreciate your opinions on many, many aspects of music. But I gotta say, IMHO (which you encourage viewers to post), GBYBR more than doubles the amount of great Elton songs than any of his other albums and includes less filler over 4 sides that some of his albums have over two. It's really the only Elton John I need--besides "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon." Mind you, this is the perspective of someone who moved from the US to Europe and had to jettison a lot and prioritize a little. Like you, I present these opinions as fodder for discussion and I strongly encourage alternate perspectives. Great video and great channel, thanks!
Here is how I would rank them
1 Honky Chateau
2 Elton John
3 Tumbleweed Connection
4 Don't Shoot me
5 Yellow Brick Road
6 Friends
7 Caribou
8 Madman Across The Water
9 Captain Fantastic
10 Empty Sky
I didn't include 17 - 11 - 70 because it is a live compilation and instead I added Friends
Tumble Weed Connection Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Elton John Elton John Madman Across the Water Captain Fantastic 1 cover. First albums I collected Elton was so prolific in a prolific era. Outdid Bowie Simon and G Stones Zeppelin Who BarryManilow even Bob Dylan. Elton was the King of Pop
#1 Madman Across The Water
#2 Elton John
#3 Tumbleweed Connection
#4 Honky Chateau
#5 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
I likes Elton John music from my young years. This was 70s . In USSR /Ukraine/.. under censor of Soviets)),, All this years i listend on tapes his .Dont shoot/ Goodbye Yellow../ Honky Chateau/Captain Fantastic / Mad Man- as for me- best
I'd flip "Tumbleweed Connection" and "Elton John," maybe move up "Madman across the Water," but, otherwise, not a bad ranking.
I like your list, pretty much my choices as well. I would not have ranked Caribou that high otherwise, Don't shoot Me is a better record and would be higher up the list for me. Tumbleweed, Madman, Goodbye, Honkey Chateau, Elton John my top favs. Honourable mention, Blue Moves. I also agree about Aretha's cover
The night my dear grandmother had a stroke, my uncle drove me to the hospital then gave me the cassette of yellow brick road. I'd find out many years later that we live in the same town that wizard of oz author grew up in.there was a yellow plank road running through this town. The first I bought was don't shoot me then madman. I had the 11-17-70 on cassette then while working in a restaurant I met the cross-eyed toothless stuttering hunchback dishwasher and he gave me the vinyl version of 11-17-70. I did not know there is an expanded version. Meanwhile my father who grew up in DC and went to Woodstock lived in San Francisco and was a huge music fan with a massive record collection until he went homeless through the 90s. He was never an Elton fan though. I saw Elton in Syracuse off the One your, again in Cleveland with Billy Joel, Saratoga, Philly on the farewell tour and then one last time in Syracuse.
I saw that trio at Birmingham Town Hall UK. They were tremendous. Piano, bass and drums, no guitar or any other keyboards. If only he had not gone all stupid in ridiculous clothes and just stuck to making good music. I saw him again touring GYBR and although he was still great live I knew I was finished listening to or seeing him live. Cannot listen to any of his albums that came after GYBR I am afraid as all I can see when I hear him is this stupid looking bloke in stupid looking clothes.
I know you're only doing the first half of the 70's, but what are your thoughts on Victim of Love? A true masterpiece
It’s ok you can say President Trump!ha!