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After a dozen albums with lyrical collaborator Bernie Taupin, A Single Man (1978) represents Elton John's first full-length release away from their decade-long partnership. John's initial intent was to complete work on a Taupin-era remnant that had been on the back burner, titled Ego. However, he found himself with some interesting melodies and eventually teamed up with former Vigrass & Osborne member Gary Osborne. Also contributing to this album's different approach is producer Gus Dudgeon -- who had worked with John as far back as his debut long-player, Empty Sky (1969). The infusion of new musical associates takes notable effect on songs such as the opener, "Shine on Through," which John had previously worked up during the Thom Bell Philly soul sessions that produced the hit "Mama Can't Buy You Love." (That version is available as one of three previously unissued sides on the Complete Thom Bell Sessions EP.) Among the other standouts are the gospel-tinged "Georgia," the lengthy blues-rocker "It Ain't Gonna Be Easy," and the ultra campy, if not lightweight, "Big Dipper." The single "Part-Time Love" only made a nominal chart impact despite its catchy and danceable melody.
© Lindsay Planer /TiVo
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Paul Buckmaster, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Producer, Piano, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Holly, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Paul Buckmaster, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Henry Lowther, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Producer, Piano, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Marimba, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Renwick, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Holly, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Stevie Lange, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Buckmaster, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Producer, Piano, Clavichord, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Thompson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Renwick, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Vicky Brown, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Holly, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Joanne Stone, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Paul Buckmaster, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Producer, Piano, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Renwick, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Shepherd, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Pat Halcox, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Holly, Drums, Unknown, Other, AssociatedPerformer - Watford Football Club, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - The South Audley Street Girl's Choir, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - John Crocker, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Paul Buckmaster, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Producer, Piano, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, Vibraphone, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Renwick, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Holly, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Stevie Lange, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Buckmaster, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Producer, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Thompson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Renwick, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Vicky Brown, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Holly, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Joanne Stone, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Paul Buckmaster, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Producer, Organ, Piano, Harmonium, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - B.J. Cole, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Renwick, Electric Guitar, Mandolin, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Holly, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Watford Football Club, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - The South Audley Street Girl's Choir, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Herbie Flowers, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Buckmaster, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Producer, Keyboards, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Holly, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - John Crocker, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Paul Buckmaster, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Producer, Piano, Clavichord, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, Timpani, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Renwick, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve Holly, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Paul Buckmaster, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Composer, Producer, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Elton John, Producer, Piano, Synthesizer, Mellotron, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Elton John, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Clive Banks, Producer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Producer, MainArtist - Clive Banks, Producer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Producer, MainArtist - Clive Banks, Producer
℗ 1978 Mercury Records Limited
Elton John, Producer, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gary Osborne, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Producer
℗ 1979 Mercury Records Limited
Album review
After a dozen albums with lyrical collaborator Bernie Taupin, A Single Man (1978) represents Elton John's first full-length release away from their decade-long partnership. John's initial intent was to complete work on a Taupin-era remnant that had been on the back burner, titled Ego. However, he found himself with some interesting melodies and eventually teamed up with former Vigrass & Osborne member Gary Osborne. Also contributing to this album's different approach is producer Gus Dudgeon -- who had worked with John as far back as his debut long-player, Empty Sky (1969). The infusion of new musical associates takes notable effect on songs such as the opener, "Shine on Through," which John had previously worked up during the Thom Bell Philly soul sessions that produced the hit "Mama Can't Buy You Love." (That version is available as one of three previously unissued sides on the Complete Thom Bell Sessions EP.) Among the other standouts are the gospel-tinged "Georgia," the lengthy blues-rocker "It Ain't Gonna Be Easy," and the ultra campy, if not lightweight, "Big Dipper." The single "Part-Time Love" only made a nominal chart impact despite its catchy and danceable melody.
© Lindsay Planer /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 16 track(s)
- Total length: 01:09:28
- Main artists: Elton John
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: EMI
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 1998 Mercury Records Limited This Compilation ℗ 1998 Mercury Records Limited
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