Similar Albums:
Miracle: A Celebration of New Life,
Runt,
Leon Russell,
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band,
Bridge Over Troubled Water,
Five Leaves Left,
Lionel Richie,
Scott 4,
Motown Two,
Here & Now,
It Looks Like Snow,
More Ultimate Power of Love,
12 Songs,
October Road,
One That You Love,
Nilsson Schmilsson,
At Carnegie Hall, Vol. 1-4 (Chicago IV),
Storyman
- Artist: Elton John
- Rating:
- Release Date: 1970 08
- Total Time: 50:29
- Type: Lyrics are included with the album
- Genre: Rock
Review
Empty Sky was followed by Elton John, a more focused and realized record that deservedly became his first hit. John and Bernie Taupin's songwriting had become more immediate and successful; in particular, John's music had become sharper and more diverse, rescuing Taupin's frequently nebulous lyrics. "Take Me to the Pilot" might not make much sense lyrically, but John had the good sense to ground its willfully cryptic words with a catchy blues-based melody. Next to the increased sense of songcraft, the most noticeable change on Elton John is the addition of Paul Buckmaster's grandiose string arrangements. Buckmaster's orchestrations are never subtle, but they never overwhelm the vocalist, nor do they make the songs schmaltzy. Instead, they fit the ambitions of John and Taupin, as the instant standard "Your Song" illustrates. Even with the strings and choirs that dominate the sound of the album, John manages to rock out on a fair share of the record. Though there are a couple of underdeveloped songs, Elton John remains one of his best records. [The CD reissue includes the bonus tracks "Bad Side of the Moon," "Grey Seal," and "Rock n Roll Madonna."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Your Song (Lyrics) | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | Elton John | (4:05) |
| I Need You to Turn To (Lyrics) | Bernie Taupin, Elton John | Elton John | (2:33) |
| Take Me to the Pilot (Lyrics) | Bernie Taupin, Elton John | Elton John | (3:47) |
| No Shoe Strings on Louise (Lyrics) | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | Elton John | (3:32) |
| First Episode at Hienton (Lyrics) | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | Elton John | (4:49) |
| Sixty Years On (Lyrics) | Bernie Taupin, Elton John | Elton John | (4:36) |
| Border Song (Lyrics) | Bernie Taupin, Elton John | Elton John | (3:22) |
| The Greatest Discovery | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | Elton John | (4:13) |
| The Cage | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | Elton John | (3:31) |
| The King Must Die | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | Elton John | (5:23) |
| Bad Side of the Moon [*] | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | Elton John | (3:15) |
| Grey Seal [*] | Bernie Taupin, Elton John | Elton John | (3:36) |
| Rock N Roll Madonna [*] | Bernie Taupin, Elton John | Elton John | (4:52) |
