Madman Across the Water

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
Allmusic link Rolling Stone (mixed) link
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.

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

Singles