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Madman Across the Water

 
Album Review: Madman Across the Water

  • Artist: Elton John
  • Rating: StarStarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: 1971 11
  • Total Time: 45:08
  • Type: Lyrics are included with the album
  • Genre: Rock

Review

Trading the cinematic aspirations of Tumbleweed Connection for a tentative stab at prog rock, Elton John and Bernie Taupin delivered another excellent collection of songs with Madman Across the Water. Like its two predecessors, Madman Across the Water is driven by the sweeping string arrangements of Paul Buckmaster, who gives the songs here a richly dark and haunting edge. And these are songs that benefit from grandiose treatments. With most songs clocking in around five minutes, the record feels like a major work, and in many ways it is. While it's not as adventurous as Tumbleweed Connection, the overall quality of the record is very high, particularly on character sketches "Levon" and "Razor Face," as well as the melodramatic "Tiny Dancer" and the paranoid title track. Madman Across the Water begins to fall apart toward the end, but the record remains an ambitious and rewarding work, and John never attained its darkly introspective atmosphere again. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Tiny Dancer (Lyrics) Elton John, Bernie Taupin Elton John (6:18)
Levon (Lyrics) Elton John, Bernie Taupin Elton John (5:22)
Razor Face (Lyrics) Elton John, Bernie Taupin Elton John (4:44)
Madman Across the Water (Lyrics) Elton John, Bernie Taupin Elton John (5:58)
Indian Sunset (Lyrics) Elton John, Bernie Taupin Elton John (6:47)
Holiday Inn (Lyrics) Elton John, Bernie Taupin Elton John (4:18)
Rotten Peaches (Lyrics) Elton John, Bernie Taupin Elton John (4:59)
All the Nasties (Lyrics) Elton John, Bernie Taupin Elton John (5:10)
Goodbye (Lyrics) Elton John, Bernie Taupin Elton John (1:52)

Credits

Rick Wakeman (Organ), Rick Wakeman (Keyboards), Elton John (Piano), Elton John (Keyboards), Elton John (Vocals), Elton John (Main Performer), Chris Spedding (Guitar), Chris Spedding (Guitar (Electric)), Chris Spedding (Slide Guitar), Terry Steele (Vocals), Terry Steele (Vocals (Background)), Roger Cook (Vocals), Roger Cook (Vocals (Background)), Lesley Duncan (Vocals), Lesley Duncan (Vocals (Background)), Herbie Flowers (Bass), Herbie Flowers (Bass (Electric)), Sue Glover (Vocals), Davey Johnstone (Synthesizer), Davey Johnstone (Guitar (Acoustic)), Davey Johnstone (Guitar), Davey Johnstone (Mandolin), Davey Johnstone (Sitar), Davey Johnstone (Vocals), Sunny Leslie (Vocals), Sue & Sunny (Vocals (Background)), Ken Scott (Engineer), Ken Scott (Remixing), Brian Dee (Harmonium), Paul Buckmaster (Arranger), Paul Buckmaster (Conductor), Tony Burrows (Vocals), Tony Burrows (Vocals (Background)), Robin Geoffrey Cable (Engineer), B.J. Cole (Guitar (Steel)), Ray Cooper (Percussion), Ray Cooper (Tambourine), Tony Cousins (Remastering), Terry Cox (Drums), David Katz (Violin), David Katz (Orchestra Contractor), Gus Dudgeon (Producer), Gus Dudgeon (Liner Notes), Jack Emblow (Accordion), Dave Glover (Bass), Robert Kirby (Director), Robert Kirby (Choir Director), Chris Laurence (Bass), Chris Laurence (Bass (Acoustic)), Diane Lewis-Steinberg (Synthesizer), Barry Morgan (Drums), Dee Murray (Bass), Dee Murray (Vocals (Background)), Brian Odgers (Bass), Nigel Olsson (Drums), Nigel Olsson (Vocals (Background)), Alan Parker (Guitar), Greg Penny (Surround Sound), Roger Pope (Drums), Caleb Quaye (Guitar (Acoustic)), Caleb Quaye (Guitar), Caleb Quaye (Guitar (Electric)), Barry St. John (Vocals), Barry St. John (Vocals (Background)), Liza Strike (Vocals), Liza Strike (Vocals (Background)), Sue (Vocals (Background)), Bernie Taupin (?), Les Thatcher (Guitar (Acoustic)), Les Thatcher (Guitar), Gill (Artwork), Diana Lewis (Synthesizer), Sunny (Vocals (Background)), John Tobler (Liner Notes), Gus Skinas (Editing), Crispin Murray (Assistant), Bob Gruen (Photography), David Larkham (Art Direction), David Larkham (Design), David Larkham (Photography), David Larkham (Illustrations), David Larkham (Cover Design), David Larkham (Cover Photo), Steve Brown (?), Ricky Graham (Digital Transfers), Yanis (Artwork), Chris Laurence (Bass (Acoustic))
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Wikipedia: Madman Across the Water
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Madman Across the Water
Studio album by Elton John
Released November 5, 1971
Recorded February 27, August 9-14, 1971
Trident Studios
(London, England)
Genre Pop, Piano rock
Length 45:17
Label UNI, DJM
Producer Gus Dudgeon
Professional reviews
Elton John chronology
17-11-70
(1971)
Madman Across the Water
(1971)
Honky Château
(1972)

Madman Across the Water is the fourth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1971. The title song, "Madman Across the Water", was set to be released on Elton John's previous album Tumbleweed Connection. However, it was set aside and would eventually serve as the title track of this album. Previous versions of the song (from the Tumbleweed era) 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 the first album in which Davey Johnstone played guitar and would continue to do so for years to come. John, Johnstone, Dee Murray, Nigel Ollson, and Ray Cooper would form Elton's band very soon.

The album cover for Madman Across the Water was embroidered over a weekend by Helen Walters, then the DJM Records publicist, using an old pair of Levis (this album cover is now a major collectors item). There was an initial run of very expensive album covers with similar embroidery, used for promotional purposes (also collectors items), but as demand quickly exceeded supply, the embroidery was replaced, first by embossing (a minor collectors item), and then totally. This is the only Elton John album cover to achieve collectible status, as all others were either mat or flat printed.

This was John's lowest charting album in the UK, only reaching #41. In the U.S., Madman Across the Water managed to reach #8 in early 1972 on the Billboard 200.

Contents

Track listing

  1. "Tiny Dancer" – 6:15
  2. "Levon" – 6:12
  3. "Razor Face" – 4:44
  4. "Madman Across the Water" – 5:56
  5. "Indian Sunset" – 6:45
  6. "Holiday Inn" – 4:16
  7. "Rotten Peaches" – 4:56
  8. "All the Nasties" – 5:08
  9. "Goodbye" – 1:48

When MCA Records re-issued this album on cassette tape in the 1980s, "Razor Face" and "Rotten Peaches" were swapped in the album running order.

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.

Personnel

"Tiny Dancer" (6:15)
Recorded August 9 1971
With love to Maxine
Roger Pope: drums; David Glover: bass; Caleb Quaye: electric guitar; B.J. Cole: steel guitar; Davey Johnstone: acoustic guitar; Elton: piano; 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

"Levon" (6:12)
Recorded February 27 1971
Barry Morgan: drums; Brian Odgers: bass; Brian Dee: harmonium; Les Thatcher: acoustic guitar; Caleb Quaye: electric guitar; Elton: piano; Paul Buckmaster:string arrangement

"Razor Face" (4:44)
Recorded August 9 1971
Roger Pope: drums; David Glover: bass; Caleb Quaye: electric guitar; Rick Wakeman: organ; Jack Emblow: accordion; Elton: piano

"Madman Across The Water" (5:56)
Recorded August 14 1971
Terry Cox: drums; Herbie Flowers: electric bass; Davey Johnstone: acoustic guitar; Ray Cooper: percussion; Chris Spedding: electric guitar; Diana Lewis: A.R.P. synthesizer; Rick Wakeman: organ; Elton: piano

"Indian Sunset" (6:45)
Recorded August 14 1971
Terry Cox: drums; Herbie Flowers: electric bass; Chris Laurence: acoustic bass; Elton: piano Cantores in Ecclesia Choir, directed by Robert KirbyPaul Buckmaster:string arrangement

"Holiday Inn" (4:16)
Recorded August 9 1971
Roger Pope: drums; David Glover: bass; Caleb Quaye: acoustic guitar; Davey Johnstone: mandolin & sitar; Elton: piano; 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 August 14 1971
Herbie Flowers: electric bass; Terry Cox: drums; Ray Cooper: percussion; Chris Spedding: slide guitar; Davey Johnstone: acoustic guitar; Rick Wakeman: organ; Diana Lewis: A.R.P. synthesizer; Elton: piano; 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 August 11 1971
Nigel Olsson: drums; Dee Murray: bass; Ray Cooper: tambourine; Elton: piano; Cantores in Ecclesia Choir, directed by Robert Kirby; Paul Buckmaster:string arrangement

Goodbye (1:48)
Recorded February 27 1971
Elton: piano; 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

Year Chart Position
1972 UK Album Chart 41
1972 Billboard USA Pop Albums 8

Singles

Year Single Chart Position
1972 Levon Billboard US Pop Singles 24
1972 Tiny Dancer Billboard US Pop Singles 41

 
 

 

Copyrights:

Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Madman Across the Water" Read more

 

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