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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If his first album, the low-budget 'Empty Sky' hinted at Elton John's potential, his second ('the black album') well and truly confirmed it and is one of the most significant albums of the early 70s. Its distinctive character derives from the three features which would become Elton's trademark sound in his early albums - his unique vocal delivery, his expressive piano playing, and the use of heavy orchestration. The songs range from tender ballads with baroque influences, to bluesy rock numbers, and the slow but powerful songs for which he is perhaps best known. Only one ('Your song') was a hit record, but many others have become well-established classics of Elton's repertoire (notably 'Border song', 'Take me to the pilot', 'Sixty years on' and 'The king must die'). (Three additional early songs, not originally included on the album, also appear.) Paul Buckmaster's orchestral arrangements on this album might be criticised as being too grandiose and overbearing at times, but they are part of what gives the record its distinctive character and helped to establish Elton as a very individual new talent in his early days. After two further heavily orchestrated albums, his song arrangements became much more stripped-down and conventionally commercial, as can be heard on 'Goodbye yellow brick road', but the black album showcases Elton's raw talent before 'stardom' arrived. A landmark album - but if you like the style of this you should also obtain the subsequent 'Tumbleweed connection' and 'Madman across the water', which are also EJ classics.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This was the second album of Elton John's and the one that put his name out there. This album has plenty to offer in the different types of songs that are available. 'Your Song' has gone down as a all time classic and is the perfect introduction to this album. 'First Espisode at Hienton' and 'Sixty Years On' are two mellow songs that you can feel emotion from.
3 bonus tracks are on offer on this album including 'grey seal' that can be found on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album, a early version of the song.
This was the introduction of Elton John into the music scene so for an Elton fan this is a must have but can easily entertain any music lover. Plenty to offer, money well spent.
3 bonus tracks are on offer on this album including 'grey seal' that can be found on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album, a early version of the song.
This was the introduction of Elton John into the music scene so for an Elton fan this is a must have but can easily entertain any music lover. Plenty to offer, money well spent.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Elton's recordings prior to this, especially the Empty sky album, are interesting, but this is the album that catapulted him into the big time, where he has remained ever since. The tracks for this album are dated January 1970, but only ten of them appeared on the original album. Other tracks were released as singles. This re-mastered edition includes four bonus tracks taken from the original sessions.
The first single, Border song, made the American charts but became a bigger hit for Aretha Franklin, who thus became the first singer as far as I know to have a hit with a cover of an Elton John song. Elton's own follow-up to Border song was a UK-only single coupling two tracks (Rock and roll Madonna, Grey seal) that were omitted from the original album, but which are included here. Elton later re-recorded Grey seal for his classic album Goodbye yellow brick road, but the version here is his rarer first recording of the song.
The next single was Your song, released in America following impressive live performances there. The B-side of that single, Take me to the pilot, features lyrics that even their writer Bernie Taupin admits are meaningless. He sometimes does that sort of thing but points out that the words sound good together and that's what matters. Yet Bernie was also capable of writing meaningful lyrics of a high quality, and his best songs all share that chat eristic. While the best example here is Your song, others include The greatest discovery (about the birth of a baby), Sixty years on (reflecting on what the future might offer; about forty of those sixty have so far elapsed) and First episode at Hienton (inspired by a time in Bernie's youth).
This was a great album, but even greater albums were to follow in the ensuing years.
The first single, Border song, made the American charts but became a bigger hit for Aretha Franklin, who thus became the first singer as far as I know to have a hit with a cover of an Elton John song. Elton's own follow-up to Border song was a UK-only single coupling two tracks (Rock and roll Madonna, Grey seal) that were omitted from the original album, but which are included here. Elton later re-recorded Grey seal for his classic album Goodbye yellow brick road, but the version here is his rarer first recording of the song.
The next single was Your song, released in America following impressive live performances there. The B-side of that single, Take me to the pilot, features lyrics that even their writer Bernie Taupin admits are meaningless. He sometimes does that sort of thing but points out that the words sound good together and that's what matters. Yet Bernie was also capable of writing meaningful lyrics of a high quality, and his best songs all share that chat eristic. While the best example here is Your song, others include The greatest discovery (about the birth of a baby), Sixty years on (reflecting on what the future might offer; about forty of those sixty have so far elapsed) and First episode at Hienton (inspired by a time in Bernie's youth).
This was a great album, but even greater albums were to follow in the ensuing years.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Elton John CD
Although I was not familiar with some of the songs on this CD before I bought it, I am very pleased with the album.
Published 1 month ago by Irene H
Average
My wife was slightly disappointed with this CD but never the less did enjoy listening to some of the less well known Elton tracks.
Published 1 month ago by Paul
Long Live Elton John
At last I now own a cd version as well as a 70's album I can no longer play.I remember seeing Elton in the early 70's preform these tracks live and this album is still awsome 30+... Read more
Published 4 months ago by sparkle
Happy Memories
I can't believe it's over 40 years since I listened to this album on vinyl. Memories came flooding back, and I not only remembered all the words, but which song followed which! Read more
Published 12 months ago by Stek
Early Elton John
I was surprised how good this second album was. Have not bought any Elton albums in my first 53 years, but I think i may purchase more of his early works in the future.
Published 16 months ago by Cwmwdig water Guest House
His breakthrough album.
This album launched the career of Elton John on both sides of the Atlantic. If considered therefore as a singer/songwriter album rather than an 'Elton John' album how does it rate? Read more
Published 21 months ago by MR K J DOWNING
Terrible - I think not!
I was given this CD way back in 1994 by my brother, because he "didn't think I'd have that one". I was not expecting it at all, and had reservations about playing it, but when I... Read more
Published on 29 July 2008 by bluebird
First Episode, 60 Years, Border Song - Come on!!
Yes, Come on!!! I got the first 4 Elton/Bernie albums - and that's it - He got old and I didn't. This and Empty Sky rest gently against my Grandaddy, Aimee Mann, Jim Moray and Bon... Read more
Published on 24 July 2008 by M. Thomas
Classy 2nd album
The 2nd album from Elton John is the one where he first made an impact on the music world. There are two standards on this album 'Your Song' and 'Border Song'. Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2007 by S J Buck
Good Elton with a unique feel to it
Elton's second album self titled is a mix of very good and so so for elton. Your Song i believe is one of the best songs ever. Take me to the pilot is also a fantastic track. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2004 by "pgd04"
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