Post by Dawn on Oct 12, 2005 11:40:56 GMT -5
Today’s album is:
Tumbleweed Connection
Elton John
Released January 1971
1. Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun
2. Come Down In Time
3. Country Comfort
4. Son Of Your Father
5. My Father's Gun
6. Where To Now St. Peter?
7. Love Song
8. Amoreena
9. Talking Old Soldiers
10. Burn Down The Mission
Elton John has been a favorite artist of mine for many years, but until fairly recently, I was familiar mainly with his singles and a handful of album tracks. But after reading Ken’s positive comments about his early albums, I wanted to check out his material in more depth, and I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve heard so far. Tumbleweed Connection, his third studio release, is the album I’ve become familiar with most recently.
Musically and lyrically, this is an extremely cohesive album. It’s loosely based around an Old West/Americana concept, and the country-rock stylings are a perfect complement to the songs’ lyrics. The album gets off to a great start with the bluesy Ballad of a Well-Known Gun, and continues with Come Down in Time, a contemplative ballad with some wonderful chord sequences, and one of my favorites from the album. It’s followed by Country Comfort, the most country-influenced track, with nice steel guitar accents. I don’t know if this ever got any airplay on country stations back in the early ‘70s, but it would have fit in very well.
Near the middle of the album are two songs with a “Father” theme. Elton picks up the pace again with Son of Your Father, a mid-tempo country rocker, and follows it with the somber and introspective My Father’s Gun, with beautiful piano accompaniment and very expressive vocals from Elton. Following those is Where To Now St. Peter, an interesting track, with Bernie Taupin’s vivid, questioning lyrics fitting very well with Elton’s music.
Love Song is another of my favorites from the album – I love the dark minor chords of the acoustic guitar and the wonderful harmonies. Amoreena is another great track, a bit more pop-oriented than many of the other tracks but still fitting in very well style-wise with the rest of the album. The dark but wonderful Talking Old Soldiers is probably my favorite cut on the album – one of these days I want to learn how to play it on the piano.
The final track is one of Elton’s longest and most ambitious tracks from the early days of his career, and a definite highlight of the album, Burn Down the Mission. It’s a great track with some surprising tempo changes and cool instrumental flourishes throughout, and is an outstanding closer to the album.
All in all, a great album. I’ve read reviews of this album that rate it as being one of Elton’s very best, and while I’m still not familiar with all his early work, so far I’d have to agree with those assertions.
What are your thoughts?
Tumbleweed Connection
Elton John
Released January 1971
1. Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun
2. Come Down In Time
3. Country Comfort
4. Son Of Your Father
5. My Father's Gun
6. Where To Now St. Peter?
7. Love Song
8. Amoreena
9. Talking Old Soldiers
10. Burn Down The Mission
Elton John has been a favorite artist of mine for many years, but until fairly recently, I was familiar mainly with his singles and a handful of album tracks. But after reading Ken’s positive comments about his early albums, I wanted to check out his material in more depth, and I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve heard so far. Tumbleweed Connection, his third studio release, is the album I’ve become familiar with most recently.
Musically and lyrically, this is an extremely cohesive album. It’s loosely based around an Old West/Americana concept, and the country-rock stylings are a perfect complement to the songs’ lyrics. The album gets off to a great start with the bluesy Ballad of a Well-Known Gun, and continues with Come Down in Time, a contemplative ballad with some wonderful chord sequences, and one of my favorites from the album. It’s followed by Country Comfort, the most country-influenced track, with nice steel guitar accents. I don’t know if this ever got any airplay on country stations back in the early ‘70s, but it would have fit in very well.
Near the middle of the album are two songs with a “Father” theme. Elton picks up the pace again with Son of Your Father, a mid-tempo country rocker, and follows it with the somber and introspective My Father’s Gun, with beautiful piano accompaniment and very expressive vocals from Elton. Following those is Where To Now St. Peter, an interesting track, with Bernie Taupin’s vivid, questioning lyrics fitting very well with Elton’s music.
Love Song is another of my favorites from the album – I love the dark minor chords of the acoustic guitar and the wonderful harmonies. Amoreena is another great track, a bit more pop-oriented than many of the other tracks but still fitting in very well style-wise with the rest of the album. The dark but wonderful Talking Old Soldiers is probably my favorite cut on the album – one of these days I want to learn how to play it on the piano.
The final track is one of Elton’s longest and most ambitious tracks from the early days of his career, and a definite highlight of the album, Burn Down the Mission. It’s a great track with some surprising tempo changes and cool instrumental flourishes throughout, and is an outstanding closer to the album.
All in all, a great album. I’ve read reviews of this album that rate it as being one of Elton’s very best, and while I’m still not familiar with all his early work, so far I’d have to agree with those assertions.
What are your thoughts?
