913 Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection (1970)

Studio Album - Pop Rock

About the Act:

Sir Elton John was born Reg Dwight in 1947, and since 1967 has had one of the most successful musical careers in the world. He has released over 30 albums, sold over 300 million records, and recorded the best-selling UK and US single ever with "Candle in the wind 1997." He is a friend to royals and founder of the Elton John AIDS foundation.

The songs he sings (mostly) are famously co-written by Bernie Taupin, who writes the lyrics.

About the Album:

This was his third studio album, and is generally classified as a concept album, of western/country songs. It got to No. 2 in the UK and No. 5 in the USA

My History with this Album:

A few years ago, realising that I had mostly neglected Elton John in my istening, I acquired a collection of his albums, including this one. I must have listened to it once, but I don't particularly remember it.

Review:

It's 1970, and we are on the cusp of the heyday of singer-songwriters. The pop charts had a good amount of fluff, as always, but album-based, thoughtful music was definitely a thing in the 70s, and story-based songs, from people like James Taylor, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, and even Chris de Burgh, were becoming a thing. This is very much in that vein. At this point Elton John's career is really taking off, and it's hard to remember that at this point he was only 23. 

Famously, of course, the lyrics were not written by Elton, but by Bernie Taupin. They obviously developed some really effective ways of working, because it really doesn't sound like the music and lyrics were developed separately, the songs work well as entities.  This album seems to be generally regarded as a concept album, but I disagree, I would say it is an album with a loose theme to some of the songs, and that the theme is Americana, not just "Westerns". Sure, some of the songs are kind of about western themes, but there is also a song set in the American civil war, with reference to a Mississippi river boat. Also, not all of the songs are in that sort of setting. "Where to now St Peter" obviously has a more modern setting.  

Lyrically, the more western-based songs have a tendency to be somewhat clicheed, but not too badly given the setting. I would say the other songs are less so, and some are quite poetic and well-written. Musically, we see the genius of Elton. Despite the western emphasis, most of the music is medium-to-light rock, and doesn't use the common musical tropes of country music. The arrangements at times have nods to the genre, but the closest it gets is really more like Country Rock of the style of The Eagles. Actually, musically it sounds like Elton John - a central role for the piano, but quite a variety of backing, including orchestral strings at times. There is quite a list of musicians involved, including Herbie Flowers on bass for some tracks (one of my favourite bassists) and Dusty Springfield on some backing vocals. 

Vocally, I have to admit, Elton is very good. Not only is he technically good, but pretty expressive too, he is able to sell things well, so that lyrics that delivered by other people would sound cheesy, are more believable from his lips. He is obviously a consummate musician and singer, and once again, he's still only 23 at this point.

It's a really strong album, it's well-conceived, well-delivered, varied, engaging, thoughtful, accessible, and songwriting ranging from good to frankly, great. 

8.2/10

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/03zfU3IwWmymKoaWnwFNaY

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL483B479C6399041F

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumbleweed_Connection