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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Your Song | |||
| 2. I Need You To Turn To | |||
| 3. Take Me To The Pilot | |||
| 4. No Shoe Strings On Louise | |||
See all 13 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun | |||
| 2. Come Down In Time | |||
| 3. Country Comfort | |||
| 4. Son Of Your Father | |||
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See all 12 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 3 | |||
| 1. Tiny Dancer | |||
| 2. Levon | |||
| 3. Razor Face | |||
| 4. Madman Across The Water | |||
|
See all 9 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 4 | |||
| 1. Honky Cat | |||
| 2. Mellow | |||
| 3. I Think I'm Going To Kill Myself | |||
| 4. Susie (Dramas) | |||
|
See all 11 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 5 | |||
| 1. Daniel | |||
| 2. Teacher I Need You | |||
| 3. Elderberry Wine | |||
| 4. Blues For My Baby And Me | |||
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See all 14 tracks on this disc
| |||
Product Description
Review
When we think of Sir Elton John these days, we think of a man in a glittery suit and sunglasses, bellowing his way through some of the jauntiest and most insistent songs ever written (even his ballads are never low key). A national institution, possibly even a National Treasure, and a byword for wealth and fame, Sir Elton is a cross between Nelson’s Column and Hello! magazine.
Of course, this wasn’t always the case. Between his 1969 debut album Empty Sky and 1973’s entry into the stratosphere (the triumphant, excellent Goodbye Yellow Brick Road), Elton John’s career progression was most like that of his contemporary David Bowie.
Both began their journey to success in the late 60s. Both went from contemplative singer-songwriters to glam rockers to megastars. And both were initially seen, not as stadium-filling chart heroes, but as critical favourites, artists who won music paper polls rather than gold discs.
The differences, however, are significant. Elton John had more trouble establishing a persona, partly because he was gay at a time when being gay was either wrong or funny, and he didn’t write his own lyrics. The man who did write Elton’s lyrics, Bernie Taupin, could be sensitive (Your Song and Daniel are not just brilliant singles because of their melodies), thoughtful (mostly by setting his songs in a sort of Wild West frontier world), or a bit rocky (only a bit, though – Crocodile Rock is possibly the only song ever to eulogise Bill Haley).
This boxed set – which misses out the unrepresentative Empty Sky and stops before the giants of Yellow Brick Road and Captain Fantastic – collects the albums from what, for many, are Elton John’s best years: his eponymous second LP (1970), Tumbleweed Connection (1970), Madman Across the Water (1971), Honky Château (1972) and Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player (1973).
They’re almost interchangeable, these early albums; but they’re consistent. They also contain some of Elton’s best songs – Levon, Tiny Dancer, Honky Cat – and they only slowly become more ‘pop’.
These records are a long way from I’m Still Standing and Nikita; but you can see how they made Elton a star with their combination of melodic excellence and powerful melancholy. He wasn’t to sound like this again until Songs From the West Coast in 2001.
--Jeanette Leech
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CD Description
Elton John's Classic Album Selection (1970-73) box set is comprised of five of the music legend's most influential and critical acclaimed albums: Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across The Water, Honky Chateau, and Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player.
These albums (now including selected bonus tracks) provided the backbone of Elton’s early career and were the source of a series of breakthrough hits which would propel him to become one of the most successful British artists of all time.
These albums (now including selected bonus tracks) provided the backbone of Elton’s early career and were the source of a series of breakthrough hits which would propel him to become one of the most successful British artists of all time.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
ELTON THE HONKY MADMAN PIANO PLAYER IN THE TUMBLEWEED....GET A LOOK AT HIM HE'S SO INSANE,YOU'D BETTER GET YOUR COAT DEAR !!!!!
20 July 2012
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A few years ago,Eltons career was in the doldrums ,and now he seems to be in the ascendancy again with his last few albums have been amongst his best,so a new boxed set has just been issued that reviews his first five studio albums
ELTON JOHN(50.53)
"Your song"what a classic to begin with,a lovely song
"I need yiu to turn to" a triumphant ballad
"Take me to the pilot" slighly tuneless song,with background vocal by the great Madelyne Bell.
"No shoe strings on Louise"Elton sounds like the stones on "exile on main street".
"First episode at Heinton"is a four minute,very moving ballad.
" Sixty years on"this track is heavily saampled on the new mini album,there is a magnificent orchstral arrangement featured on this track.
"Border song"another early classic.,Aretha Franklin recorded an amazing version of this.
"The greatest discovery"another lovely song thst just hits the heartstrings.
"The cage"another upbeat stomper.
"The king must die"sounds like "come down in time"from "Tumbleweed".
"Bad side of the moon"(Single version)another upbeat out take that is very good.
"Grey Seal"very influenced by the "Quadrophenia" era sound of the Who
"Rock and roll madonna"sums it all up nicely.
TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION(60.11)
"Ballad of a well known gun"A gospel tinged rockker to start.
"Come down in time"one of Elton and Bernies greatest songs
"Country comforts" as sing-a-long as it gets.
"Son of your father"another gospel type song,even down to the steel guitar solo.
"My fathers gun"another upbeat song that really shows how Elton and Bernies skills were developing.
"Where to now St Peter",leads back to the country influence.
"Love song"sung with the excellent Leslie Duncan,on backing vocals,excellent song indeed.
"Amoreena" an upbeat song that holds its own,which considering the quality of the songs is no bad thing.
"Talking old soldiers" a very sad,moving song.
"Burn down the mission" a storming song that rocks like hell.
"Into the old mans shoes" Another American influenced song
"Madman across the water(Original version)"Brilliant version of the title track of the next album.
MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER(45.20)
"Tiny dancer"The original version and still the best,however having said that there is a good version on the new "Old grey whistle test" compilation
"Levon"written alledgelly about the former band member Levon Helm.
""Razor face"another story in a song.
"Madman across the water" in a word,magnificent.
"Indian sunset"six minutes of beauty.it sounds a little like Peter Hammill.
"Holiday inn"a very English song,about staying in an Ameerican hotel chain.
"Rotten peaches"again a story song about life on the road.
"All the nasties"a mid paced gospel song.
"Goodbye"a short goodye to "Madman across the water" and a huge welcome to
HONKY CHATEAU (48.21)
"Honky cat"not my favourite Elton track.
"Mellow"is just that.
"I think im gonna kill mysself"a very cheery song.
"Susie(dramas)"typical Elton funk.
"Rocket man(I think its going to be a long,long time)"a lovely song that was a massive hit.
"Salvation" a very good track indeed
"Slave"another of Eltons traveloguesongs/
"Amy" sounds like "Honky cat"
"Mona lisas and mad hatters"need i say more?
"Hercules"a John Lennonesque vocal to end the album andthat brings us to
DON'T SHOOT ME IM ONLY THE PIANO PLAYER(56.25)
"Daniel" a classy hit single.
" Teacher i need you"Elton at his 50's best.
"Elderberry wine"an out and out rocker.
"Blues for my baby and me "a slower song.
" Midnight creeper"A memphis style romp.
"Have mercy on the criminal" an upbeat blues song,
""I'm gonna be a teenage idol"i guess you are.
"Texan love song"a pretty little song.
"Crocodile rock"brilliant single.
"High flying bird"sampled on the new album.
"Screw you (Young man blues)
Jack Rabbit(Single version)anoter great song
Whenever you're ready(We'll go steady again(Single version)originally a b side
"Skyline pigeon(piano version)"brings the album to a glorious end
ELTON JOHN
DIANA LEWIS
PAUL BUCKMASTER
BERNIE TAUPIN
GUS DUDGEON
CALEB QUAYE
STEVE BROWN
NIGEL OLSSON
JEAN LUC PONTY
DEE MURRAY
DAVEY JOHNSTONE
THE PACKAGING IS MAGNIFICENT,FIVE CARD REPLICA GATEFOLD SLEEVES HOUSED IN A FLIP TOP BOX
CD ONE.....50.53
CD TWO.....60.11
CD THREE.....45.20
CD FOUR.....48.21
CD FIVE.....56.25
VALUE FOR MONEY*****
BEST TRACK......MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER,MONA LISAS AND MADHATTERS
RELEASED ......2012
MERCURY RECORDS
ELTON JOHN(50.53)
"Your song"what a classic to begin with,a lovely song
"I need yiu to turn to" a triumphant ballad
"Take me to the pilot" slighly tuneless song,with background vocal by the great Madelyne Bell.
"No shoe strings on Louise"Elton sounds like the stones on "exile on main street".
"First episode at Heinton"is a four minute,very moving ballad.
" Sixty years on"this track is heavily saampled on the new mini album,there is a magnificent orchstral arrangement featured on this track.
"Border song"another early classic.,Aretha Franklin recorded an amazing version of this.
"The greatest discovery"another lovely song thst just hits the heartstrings.
"The cage"another upbeat stomper.
"The king must die"sounds like "come down in time"from "Tumbleweed".
"Bad side of the moon"(Single version)another upbeat out take that is very good.
"Grey Seal"very influenced by the "Quadrophenia" era sound of the Who
"Rock and roll madonna"sums it all up nicely.
TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION(60.11)
"Ballad of a well known gun"A gospel tinged rockker to start.
"Come down in time"one of Elton and Bernies greatest songs
"Country comforts" as sing-a-long as it gets.
"Son of your father"another gospel type song,even down to the steel guitar solo.
"My fathers gun"another upbeat song that really shows how Elton and Bernies skills were developing.
"Where to now St Peter",leads back to the country influence.
"Love song"sung with the excellent Leslie Duncan,on backing vocals,excellent song indeed.
"Amoreena" an upbeat song that holds its own,which considering the quality of the songs is no bad thing.
"Talking old soldiers" a very sad,moving song.
"Burn down the mission" a storming song that rocks like hell.
"Into the old mans shoes" Another American influenced song
"Madman across the water(Original version)"Brilliant version of the title track of the next album.
MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER(45.20)
"Tiny dancer"The original version and still the best,however having said that there is a good version on the new "Old grey whistle test" compilation
"Levon"written alledgelly about the former band member Levon Helm.
""Razor face"another story in a song.
"Madman across the water" in a word,magnificent.
"Indian sunset"six minutes of beauty.it sounds a little like Peter Hammill.
"Holiday inn"a very English song,about staying in an Ameerican hotel chain.
"Rotten peaches"again a story song about life on the road.
"All the nasties"a mid paced gospel song.
"Goodbye"a short goodye to "Madman across the water" and a huge welcome to
HONKY CHATEAU (48.21)
"Honky cat"not my favourite Elton track.
"Mellow"is just that.
"I think im gonna kill mysself"a very cheery song.
"Susie(dramas)"typical Elton funk.
"Rocket man(I think its going to be a long,long time)"a lovely song that was a massive hit.
"Salvation" a very good track indeed
"Slave"another of Eltons traveloguesongs/
"Amy" sounds like "Honky cat"
"Mona lisas and mad hatters"need i say more?
"Hercules"a John Lennonesque vocal to end the album andthat brings us to
DON'T SHOOT ME IM ONLY THE PIANO PLAYER(56.25)
"Daniel" a classy hit single.
" Teacher i need you"Elton at his 50's best.
"Elderberry wine"an out and out rocker.
"Blues for my baby and me "a slower song.
" Midnight creeper"A memphis style romp.
"Have mercy on the criminal" an upbeat blues song,
""I'm gonna be a teenage idol"i guess you are.
"Texan love song"a pretty little song.
"Crocodile rock"brilliant single.
"High flying bird"sampled on the new album.
"Screw you (Young man blues)
Jack Rabbit(Single version)anoter great song
Whenever you're ready(We'll go steady again(Single version)originally a b side
"Skyline pigeon(piano version)"brings the album to a glorious end
ELTON JOHN
DIANA LEWIS
PAUL BUCKMASTER
BERNIE TAUPIN
GUS DUDGEON
CALEB QUAYE
STEVE BROWN
NIGEL OLSSON
JEAN LUC PONTY
DEE MURRAY
DAVEY JOHNSTONE
THE PACKAGING IS MAGNIFICENT,FIVE CARD REPLICA GATEFOLD SLEEVES HOUSED IN A FLIP TOP BOX
CD ONE.....50.53
CD TWO.....60.11
CD THREE.....45.20
CD FOUR.....48.21
CD FIVE.....56.25
VALUE FOR MONEY*****
BEST TRACK......MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER,MONA LISAS AND MADHATTERS
RELEASED ......2012
MERCURY RECORDS
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Bargain price reissue of Elton's first 5 of Elton's first 6 albums (it omits his first album Empty Sky) Not much information on the albums as they come in in a box with vinyl replica sleeves in a cool box, but no sleeve notes beyond the track listing.
The albums are :
'Elton John' (1970) which comes with 3 Bonus tracks "Bad Side of the Moon", "Grey Seal" [Original version] "Rock And Roll Madonna" , contains the hits 'Your Song' and 'Border Song'
'Tumbleweed Connection' (1970) No singles from this but great American influenced album, with 2 bonus tracks "Into the Old Man's Shoes" and "Madman Across the Water" [Original version]
'Madman Across the Water' (1971) with the great 'Tiny Dancer' on it but no Bonus tracks.
'Honky Château' (1972) with teh hit single 'Rocket man' and one bonus track 'Slave' (alternate fast version)
'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player' (1973) with the hits 'Daniel' and 'Crocodile rock' and 4 Bonuys tracks "Screw You (Young Man's Blues)", "Jack Rabbit", "Whenever You're Ready (We'll Go Steady Again)" and "Skyline Pigeon" (Piano version).
Looking at the track listings these are the issues from 1996 repackaged. They dont suffer overly from compression or loudness as many CD's from that period do.
Nothing really new here for Elton John fans but if you dont have these or only ahve one or two of teh albums a great way to start with what could be described as the best of Elton John. Ovberall a nice basic package.
The albums are :
'Elton John' (1970) which comes with 3 Bonus tracks "Bad Side of the Moon", "Grey Seal" [Original version] "Rock And Roll Madonna" , contains the hits 'Your Song' and 'Border Song'
'Tumbleweed Connection' (1970) No singles from this but great American influenced album, with 2 bonus tracks "Into the Old Man's Shoes" and "Madman Across the Water" [Original version]
'Madman Across the Water' (1971) with the great 'Tiny Dancer' on it but no Bonus tracks.
'Honky Château' (1972) with teh hit single 'Rocket man' and one bonus track 'Slave' (alternate fast version)
'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player' (1973) with the hits 'Daniel' and 'Crocodile rock' and 4 Bonuys tracks "Screw You (Young Man's Blues)", "Jack Rabbit", "Whenever You're Ready (We'll Go Steady Again)" and "Skyline Pigeon" (Piano version).
Looking at the track listings these are the issues from 1996 repackaged. They dont suffer overly from compression or loudness as many CD's from that period do.
Nothing really new here for Elton John fans but if you dont have these or only ahve one or two of teh albums a great way to start with what could be described as the best of Elton John. Ovberall a nice basic package.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Terrific box set of Elton John's groundbreaking first 5 studio albums, revealing the immence songwriting talents of Bernie Taupin's poetic lyrics and Elton's musical versatility. By the time these albums had been released, Elton John was the biggest selling solo recording artist in the world, outselling even Elvis Presley. The term "classic" is over-used in pop culture, but these albums represent some of the finest pieces of popular music ever made. And released at an incredibly low price.
A must for all serious music fans!
A must for all serious music fans!
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good
Although digitally remastered the albums are good quality I will be purchasing more in future the are also reasonably prised
Published 1 month ago by George Crawley
5.0 out of 5 stars
early elton john
I had all of Eltons albums on vinly and i decided to purchase these discs to allow me to enjoy them in the car,these albums are excellent and i would recomend them to anyone who... Read more
Published 2 months ago by william boyle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Collection
This box is such great value for money. The box is sturdy, and the albums come in nice little slipcases. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Glyn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Elton at his best
Early '70s Elton , tremendous output of top music, matched only at that time by Stevie Wonder. The only way it could bebeen better was if it was produced with the original album... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Graham Hawkes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Value for Money!!!
[ASIN:B00857S822 5 Classic Albums (1970 - 1973)]]
Having an big Elton John fan in the house who has all albums on vinyl, having this meant that we could listen to some... Read more
Having an big Elton John fan in the house who has all albums on vinyl, having this meant that we could listen to some... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Beaumisty
4.0 out of 5 stars
Booklets?
3 of these albums originally included booklets. Does anyone know if they are included here with the these new versions?
Published 9 months ago by Sunny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Elton's finest !
This is a brilliant box set.
Elton John is a superstar . When you listen to these albums, you are listening to the birth of a legend. Each album is brilliantly different. Read more
Elton John is a superstar . When you listen to these albums, you are listening to the birth of a legend. Each album is brilliantly different. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Maxwell Shee
4.0 out of 5 stars
for anyone who is intrigued by his recent dance rejuvenations, then...
Well, he may be hitting the headlines thanks to a doof doof rejigging from some Antipodean dancemongers, but really, what people want is the proper, early Elton John, before the... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. H
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