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It was designed to be a blockbuster and it was. Prior to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John had hits -- his second album, Elton John, went Top 10 in the U.S. and U.K., and he had smash singles in "Crocodile Rock" and "Daniel" -- but this 1973 album was a statement of purpose spilling over two LPs, which was all the better to showcase every element of John's spangled personality. Opening with the 11-minute melodramatic exercise "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" -- as prog as Elton ever got -- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road immediately embraces excess but also tunefulness, as John immediately switches over to "Candle in the Wind" and "Bennie & the Jets," two songs that form the core of his canon and go a long way toward explaining the over-stuffed appeal of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. This was truly the debut of Elton John the entertainer, the pro who knows how to satisfy every segment of his audience, and this eagerness to please means the record is giddy but also overwhelming, a rush of too much muchness. Still, taken a side at a time, or even a song a time, it is a thing of wonder, serving up such perfectly sculpted pop songs as "Grey Seal," full-bore rockers as "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and "Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock & Roll)," cinematic ballads like "I've Seen That Movie Too," throwbacks to the dusty conceptual sweep of Tumbleweed Connection in the form of "The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-34)," and preposterous glam novelties, like "Jamaica Jerk-Off." This touched on everything John did before, and suggested ways he'd move in the near-future, and that sprawl is always messy but usually delightful, a testament to Elton's '70s power as a star and a musician.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Kiki Dee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Leroy Gomez, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
DISC 2
Jason Bonham, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Asher, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Miguel, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Waddy Wachtel, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Olubowale Akintimehin, ComposerLyricist - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, ComposerLyricist - Victoria Asher, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Hilton, Producer, Additional Producer, Synthesizer, Drum Programming, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Nathaniel Kunkel, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Wale, Rap Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Burns, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2014 Mercury Records Limited
Peter Asher, Producer, Percussion, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Keltner, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, ComposerLyricist - Victoria Asher, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - GEOFF ZANELLI, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Nathaniel Kunkel, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann Marie Calhoun, Viola, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Hunter Hayes, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Ellis, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Cinque, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 Mercury Records Limited
Peter Asher, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Waddy Wachtel, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Hilton, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Neil Perry, Drums, Mandolin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ryeland Allison, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ann Marie Calhoun, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - The Band Perry, MainArtist - Kimberly Perry, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Sharp, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Reid Perry, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Cinque, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Alan Ross, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 Mercury Records Limited
Peter Asher, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - John Grant, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, ComposerLyricist - Victoria Asher, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Stephen Hilton, Producer, Additional Producer, Synthesizer, Drum Programming, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Aho, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Ann Marie Calhoun, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Alan Ross, Mellotron, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 Mercury Records Limited
Emeli Sande, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, ComposerLyricist - GEOFF ZANELLI, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Ann Marie Calhoun, Viola, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Loco, Producer, Mixer, Keyboards, Recording Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2014 Mercury Records Limited
Peter Asher, Producer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, ComposerLyricist - Imelda May, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Rushton, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Bolster, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nathaniel Kunkel, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Darrel Higham, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Al Gare, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Priseman, Acoustic Guitar, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 Mercury Records Limited
Peter Asher, Producer - Pete Wentz, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, ComposerLyricist - Patrick Stump, Producer, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Nathaniel Kunkel, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Fall Out Boy, MainArtist - Andy Hurley, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Trohman, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Wes Sideman, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2014 Mercury Records Limited
Clay Cook, Producer, Electric Guitar, Hammond Organ, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, ComposerLyricist - Chris Fryar, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Coy Bowles, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jimmy De Martini, Violin, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - John Driskell Hopkins, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - ZAC BROWN, Producer, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Zac Brown Band, MainArtist - Matt Mangano, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tyler Walker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brandon Conway, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2014 Mercury Records Limited
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Griffin, Producer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 BBC Worldwide Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Griffin, Producer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 BBC Worldwide Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Griffin, Producer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 BBC Worldwide Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Griffin, Producer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 BBC Worldwide Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Griffin, Producer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 BBC Worldwide Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Griffin, Producer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 BBC Worldwide Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Griffin, Producer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 BBC Worldwide Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, Composer - Elton John, Composer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Griffin, Producer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 BBC Worldwide Ltd.
Album review
It was designed to be a blockbuster and it was. Prior to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John had hits -- his second album, Elton John, went Top 10 in the U.S. and U.K., and he had smash singles in "Crocodile Rock" and "Daniel" -- but this 1973 album was a statement of purpose spilling over two LPs, which was all the better to showcase every element of John's spangled personality. Opening with the 11-minute melodramatic exercise "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" -- as prog as Elton ever got -- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road immediately embraces excess but also tunefulness, as John immediately switches over to "Candle in the Wind" and "Bennie & the Jets," two songs that form the core of his canon and go a long way toward explaining the over-stuffed appeal of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. This was truly the debut of Elton John the entertainer, the pro who knows how to satisfy every segment of his audience, and this eagerness to please means the record is giddy but also overwhelming, a rush of too much muchness. Still, taken a side at a time, or even a song a time, it is a thing of wonder, serving up such perfectly sculpted pop songs as "Grey Seal," full-bore rockers as "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and "Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock & Roll)," cinematic ballads like "I've Seen That Movie Too," throwbacks to the dusty conceptual sweep of Tumbleweed Connection in the form of "The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-34)," and preposterous glam novelties, like "Jamaica Jerk-Off." This touched on everything John did before, and suggested ways he'd move in the near-future, and that sprawl is always messy but usually delightful, a testament to Elton's '70s power as a star and a musician.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 34 track(s)
- Total length: 02:30:10
- Main artists: Elton John
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2014 Mercury Records Limited This Compilation ℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
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