Madman Across the Water

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Madman Across the Water
Studio album by Elton John
Released	5 November 1971
Recorded	27 February; 9–14 August 1971, Trident Studios, London
Genre	Symphonic rock, soft rock
Length	45:17
Label	Uni, DJM
Producer	Gus Dudgeon
Elton John chronology
17-11-70 (1971) Madman Across the Water (1971) Honky Château (1972)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Rolling Stone	(mixed) [2]

Madman Across the Water is the fourth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1971 through DJM/Uni Records. The title song was set to be released on John's previous album Tumbleweed Connection. However, it was set aside and would eventually be re-recorded and serve as the title track of this album. Previous versions of the song (from the Tumbleweed sessions with Mick Ronson on guitar) can still be found, specifically on the remastered Tumbleweed Connection CD. When it was released in 'The Classic Years' collection, it was the first album not to feature any bonus tracks. One known track recorded at the time, "Rock Me when He's Gone", was released on Rare Masters a few years before. The song was written for and recorded by one of John's long-time friends, Long John Baldry. This was John's first album in which he plays his piano and no other keyboards. This was the first album in which Davey Johnstone played guitar for John, a role that would continue for many years and decades to come. John, Johnstone, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson, who would be the main musicians on the next next album (Honky Chateau), would soon join with percussionist Ray Cooper and form the best-known line-up of his mid 1970s band. As with all John songs during this period, the lyrics were penned by his writing partner, Bernie Taupin. This was the last album to be recorded at London's Trident Studios. They relocated to Château d'Hérouville for the next three albums.

The album cover for Madman Across the Water was embroidered over two weeks by Janis Larkham, wife of the album art director David Larkham. She used the back of an old Levi's jacket, and the original was gifted to John. There was no initial run of expensive album covers with similar embroidery, nor embossed versions; it was flat printed, though it did include a lavish booklet. Janis chose to credit herself as "Yanis" for this artwork.

This was John's lowest charting album in the UK after his debut, only reaching #41. In the U.S., Madman Across the Water managed to reach #8 in early 1972 on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the RIAA on 19 February 1972. It was later certified platinum on 23 March 1993 and 2x platinum on 26 August 1998.

In the 80's John publicly stated that this was his least favorite of his records because it was excessively "dark." (He has since amended that statement to acknowledge "The Big Picture" as his least favorite.)

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. 

When this album was issued on cassette MCA swapped the places of "Razor Face" and "Rotten Peaches" on side one and two of the tape. The SACD version of the album contained a longer version of "Razor Face" which extended the song-ending jam to 6:42 instead of the early fade on the original album.

The song "Holiday Inn" was written for Adam Diaz. An additional verse in the recorded version that was originally part of the song was either omitted during recording or edited out of the final album version. It can, however, be heard on "unofficial" live recordings of the song from some of his concerts during this period, which have circulated among collectors.

Personnel

"Tiny Dancer" (6:15) Recorded 9 August 1971

• Roger Pope: drums
• David Glover: bass guitar
• Caleb Quaye: electric guitar
• BJ Cole: steel guitar
• Davey Johnstone: acoustic guitar
• Elton John: piano, vocals
• Lesley Duncan, Sue & Sunny, Barry St. John, Liza Strike, Roger Cook, Tony Burrows, Terry Steele, Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson: backing vocals
• Paul Buckmaster: arrangement

"Levon" (5:22) Recorded 27 February 1971

• Barry Morgan: drums
• Brian Odgers: bass guitar
• Brian Dee: harmonium
• Caleb Quaye: electric guitar
• Elton John: piano, vocals
• Paul Buckmaster: arrangement

"Razor Face" (4:44) Recorded 9 August 1971

• Roger Pope: drums
• David Glover: bass guitar
• Caleb Quaye: electric guitar
• Rick Wakeman: organ
• Jack Emblow: accordion
• Elton John: piano, vocals

"Madman Across the Water" (5:56) Recorded 14 August 1971

• Terry Cox: drums
• Herbie Flowers: electric bass
• Davey Johnstone: acoustic guitar
• Ray Cooper: percussion
• Chris Spedding: electric guitar
• Diana Lewis: ARP synthesiser
• Rick Wakeman: organ
• Elton John: piano, vocals
• Paul Buckmaster: string arrangement

"Indian Sunset" (6:45) Recorded 14 August 1971

• Terry Cox: drums
• Herbie Flowers: electric bass
• Chris Laurence: double bass
• Elton John: piano, vocals
• Cantores em Ecclesia Choir, directed by Robert Kirby
• Paul Buckmaster: string arrangement

"Holiday Inn" (4:16) Recorded 9 August 1971

• Roger Pope: drums
• David Glover: bass guitar
• Caleb Quaye: acoustic guitar
• Davey Johnstone: mandolin, sitar
• Elton John: piano, vocals
• Lesley Duncan, Sue & Sunny, Barry St. John, Liza Strike, Roger Cook, Tony Burrows, Terry Steele, Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson: backing vocals
• Paul Buckmaster: string arrangement

"Rotten Peaches" (4:56) Recorded 14 August 1971

• Herbie Flowers: electric bass
• Terry Cox: drums
• Ray Cooper: tambourine
• Chris Spedding: slide guitar
• Davey Johnstone: acoustic guitar
• Rick Wakeman: organ
• Diana Lewis: ARP synthesiser
• Elton John: piano, vocals
• Lesley Duncan, Sue & Sunny, Barry St. John, Liza Strike, Roger Cook, Tony Burrows, Terry Steele, Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson: backing vocals

"All the Nasties" (5:08) Recorded 11 August 1971

• Nigel Olsson: drums
• Dee Murray: bass guitar
• Ray Cooper: tambourine
• Elton John: piano, vocals
• Cantores em Ecclesia Choir directed by Robert Kirby
• Paul Buckmaster: arrangement

"Goodbye" (1:48) Recorded 27 February 1971

• Elton John: piano, vocals
• Paul Buckmaster: string arrangement

Production

• Producer: Gus Dudgeon
• Engineer: Robin Geoffrey Cable
• Remastering: Tony Cousins
• Editing: Gus Skinas
• Digital transfers: Ricky Graham
• Surround sound: Greg Penny
• Assistant: Crispin Murray
• Orchestra contractor: David Katz
• Choir director: Robert Kirby
• Arranger: Paul Buckmaster
• Art direction: David Larkham
• Design: David Larkham
• Artwork: Gill, Yanis
• Illustrations: David Larkham
• Photography: Bob Gruen, David Larkham
• Cover photo: David Larkham
• Liner notes: Gus Dudgeon, John Tobler

Charts

Album

Singles

References