athompsen's album of the day, Sunday 10/12

[athompsen]

Today's album is a sentimental favorite for me...

Elton John- Goodbye Yellowbrick Road

As many of you already know, this was one of the first albums I remember buying. It seemed like in the 70's Elton John released a new album every month. He does some of his best work on this album.

The album begins with “Funeral For A Friend" and flows seamlessly into "Love Lies Bleeding" a song apparently reflecting the end of a romance. I love the piano solo in this song.

"Candle In The Wind”, a farewell to the Marilyn Monroe, I'm sick to death of it. It's overplayed on the radio stations here. Still, it’s a beautiful song with great depth and meaningful lyrics.

“Bennie and the Jets”, "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" and "Your Sister Can't Twist" and "Harmony" are all very well known, still played regularly on radio, even after nearly 30 years.

“Goodbye Yellowbrick Road” is probably my all time favorite single. A beautiful anthem in which Sir Elton ponders love and life among the elite, the price one pays and the rural and simple refuge he seeks to find again. Pretty deep, huh?

One of the main plusses about this album is that all the songs play together so well. Songs like "Sweet Painted Lady ", "Ballad Of Danny Bailey",” Social Disease”, "All The Girls Love Alice" and Dirty Little Girl” mix perfectly with the better known songs.

Another favorite is “Roy Rogers”, fantastic lyrics and brilliant irony...‘‘Sometimes you dream, Sometimes it seems There’s nothing there at all. You just feel older than yesterday. And you’re waiting for tomorrow to call”

Goodbye Yellowbrick Road is Elton Johnand Bernie Taupin at the top of their game. It's one of the few double albums I own which the output is top-notch from start to finish.

[Ken]

Hi Andrea:) It's amazing how hard Elton and Bernie were working back in the early 70's .Great review! I recieved the album as a Christmas gift in 1975 and wore it out ! I upgraded to CD in the late 80's .

There are so many excellent songs included and the playing of Sir Elton , Ray , Dee, Nigel and Davy is simply fantastic. I also LOVE Roy Rogers - the sound effects were a nice addition. Other faves include:

You're Sister Can't Twist
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting ( Nickelback's recent cover is terrible - what were they thinking? - nobody rocks like Elton)
Harmony - nice chord changes
Candle In The Wind - wonderful melody
The Ballad of Danny Bailey
Funeral For a Friend - When I was little I found the intro VERY spooky LOL
etc etc.

[djdave]

If I own ONE studio album CD from Elton, it's this one. Just fantastic. Played it lots in college.
Faves:
Bennie and the Jets (top 200)
Goodbye yellow brick road
Candle in the wind
Saturday night's alright for fighting
Jamaica jerk off
All the girls love Alice
Grey seal
Your sister can't twist...
Sweet painted lady
This song has no title
Harmony
Social disease
Ballad of Daniel Bailey
Dirty little girl
I've seen that movie too
Roy Rogers

Never raved over Funeral for a friend/Love lies bleeding.

[KittyKat - RIP Luciano]

Definitely one of the best albums of the 70s. A definite fave of mine.

[lora]

I've considered buying this album for a while now, and I guess I really should. Great review. I love Elton John. He's such a wonderful songwriter and his voice is excellent.

Candle in the Wind remains a longtime favorite of mine after I first heard the reworked version while watching part of Princess Di's funeral. It was later that I found out about the original Monroe version, and I love both. It's a song I don't think I could ever tire of.

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Thanks Andrea, for coming through in a pinch!

Great review, great album! I could be wrong, but I don't think we ever reviewed this as a part of Dawn's posts.

This is definitely his best album, and the reason I never bought his Greatest Hits albums-there are WAY too many great album cuts on here!

Just heard Harmony on the radio this weekend. Still love Bennie and the Jets, one of my faves of his big singles from this time period.

I'm sick of Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting. And I too am sick of Candle in the Wind. And it pissed me off that a dedication song was rewritten to be dedicated to someone else.

I've never heard Your Sister Can't Twist on the radio stations in my area.

I also love All the Girls Love Alice. (HAD to be the first song about lesbianism!)

But my fave, and one of the few you didn't mention, is Grey Seal! I remember the first time I heard that on classic rock radio and asking my aunt what it was. Wow, what a great song! Love the build up on the chorus!

Great review, Andrea!

[Pete70s]

Not only is this his greatest work, AND a double album at that, but it also came out at a time when he was doing like, 3 albums a year! What a burst of creativity!

[athompsen]

KenFrank said:

Funeral For a Friend - When I was little I found the intro VERY spooky LOL
etc etc.

Yeah, you're right...it does kind of have an ominous tone.

[Dawn]

Great choice, Andrea!

The title track is one of my favorites of Elton's as well. I love the piano work on it, and his vocals are great.

'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' is an outstanding rocker, and 'Bennie and the Jets' has really grown on me in recent years. 'Grey Seal' is an excellent album track.

Like you and Sat, I'm also tired of 'Candle in the Wind'. It's a nice song, with beautiful lyrics, but between all the remakes of it, I've just heard it too much.