Tumbleweed Connection

Tumbleweed Connection
Studio album by Elton John
Released	October 30, 1970
Recorded	March 1970 Trident Studios (London, England)
Genre	Progressive rock, country music
Length	46:56
Label	DJM (UK) Uni (US)
Producer	Gus Dudgeon
Professional reviews
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Elton John chronology
Elton John (1970) Tumbleweed Connection (1970) Friends (1971)

Tumbleweed Connection is the third album by British international recording artist Elton John. It is a progressive rock album based on a Country and Western theme. All songs are written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John with the exception of "Love Song" by Lesley Duncan. It was recorded at Trident Studios, London, England in March 1970 and released in October 1970. It peaked at #6 on the UK Album chart and #5 on the US Billboard Pop chart in 1971. The album did not chart any singles. In 2003, the album was ranked #463 on The Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson appeared on this album and would later be Elton's rhythm section.

In 1998, a bootleg CD was released called Tumbleweed Collection. This was a collection of piano demos and live tracks.

Track listing

All songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted.

Side one

1. "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun" – 4:59
2. "Come Down in Time" – 3:25
3. "Country Comfort" – 5:06
4. "Son of Your Father" – 3:48
5. "My Father's Gun" – 6:20

Side two

1. "Where to Now St. Peter?" – 4:11
2. "Love Song" (Lesley Duncan) – 3:41
3. "Amoreena" – 5:00
4. "Talking Old Soldiers" – 4:06
5. "Burn Down the Mission" – 6:22

Bonus tracks (1995 Mercury and 1996 Rocket/Island reissue)

1. "Into the Old Man's Shoes" – 4:02
2. "Madman Across the Water" [Original version] – 8:52

Bonus tracks (2008 Deluxe Edition)

1. "There Goes a Well Known Gun" – 3:27
   • alternate take of "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun"
2. "Come Down in Time" [Piano demo] – 3:21
3. "Country Comfort" [Piano demo] – 4:12
4. "Son of Your Father" [Piano demo] – 4:13
5. "Talking Old Soldiers" [Piano demo] – 4:13
6. "Into the Old Man's Shoes" [Piano demo] – 3:40
7. "Sisters of the Cross" – 4:38
   • early 1970 demo not available elsewhere
8. "Madman Across the Water" [Original version] – 8:52
9. "Into the Old Man's Shoes" – 4:06
10. "My Father's Gun" [BBC session] – 3:43
11. "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun" [BBC session] – 4:36
12. "Burn Down the Mission" [BBC session] – 6:52
13. "Amoreena" [BBC session] –- 5:12

Personnel

• Elton John – piano, organ, keyboards, vocals
• Madeline Bell – background vocals
• Paul Buckmaster – conductor
• Caleb Quaye – guitars
• Roger Pope – drums
• Dee Murray – bass, backing vocals
• Nigel Olsson – drums, backing vocals
• Dave Glover – bass, backing vocals
• Barry Morgan – drums
• Tony Burrows – background vocals
• Brian Dee – organ
• Ian Duck – harmonica
• Lesley Duncan – acoustic guitar, vocals, background vocals
• Mike Egan – acoustic guitar
• Herbie Flowers – bass
• Kay Garner – background vocals
• Dusty Springfield - background vocals
• Mick Ronson - lead guitar on "Madman Across the Water"

Production

• Gus Dudgeon – producer
• Robin Geoffrey Cable – engineer
• Gus Skinas – editing
• Ricky Graham – digital transfers
• Greg Penny – surround mix
• Bernie Taupin – lyricist
• Paul Buckmaster – arranger
• David Larkham – art direction, design, cover design, artwork
• David Larkham, Barry Wentzell – photography
• John Tobler – liner notes

Charts

Album