If you are unfamiliar with the music of Elton John beyond The Lion King soundtrack and the occasional airplay of classics like "Rocket Man," "Crocodile Rock," and "Candle in the Wind," I would urge you to take a look at the below list and dig into Sir Elton John's rich history. With MP3 so easy to obtain from Amazon.com or iTunes, you don't need to dust off the vinyl or 8 track to appreciate these albums or individual tracks.
(Though, I will admit I have all of these in vinyl and there's nothing like listening to an LP on a turntable.)
In coming weeks and months I will provide detailed reviews of Elton's albums, DVDs, and other projects, but for now, check out PART ONE of my list (starting with the Top 10) with a short snippet of why I recommend them. Remember, these are my favorites - not necessarily the technically best - and you are welcome to disagree!
UPDATED: I couldn't let 2010 end without revisiting this list to add The Union to the mix. And then I moved it further up the list the more I listened to it and realized what a masterpiece it is.
Part One, Albums #1-10 - the Elton John Examiner's Top 20 EJ Albums
- Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)
Elton and Bernie's musical autobiography. My all-time favorite album. No really, I mean by anyone. Spring for the Deluxe Edition CD, if you can find it, to hear the entire album played live at Wembley in 1975. I love every cut: from the arrangements to the flow to the instrumentation; and EJ's vocals are knowing and world-weary, yet haunted and passionate.
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Empty Sky (1969)
I'm continually amazed at how good EJ's debut album was. Shame it didn't get released in the US until 1975. Naive, complex and somewhat odd, it's a great first effort and one I never tire of.
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Elton John (1970)
The first record album I ever owned as a kid. It still gives me chills. Rock and classical merge to give this a "victorian" feel, and his piano chops are well showcased.
- Blue Moves (1976)
Although critics panned it, this is a very daring departure from Elton's comfort zone - and remarkably well done. He'd always experimented with styles, but listen to "Tonight" for an epic classical piece and "Idol" for one of his few forays into smokey jazz piano. Those two songs alone are worth the price of admission.
- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Most often considered his "masterpiece." Definitely an amazing album. I prefer the intimacy of the four above it, but there's no denying the quality that spans both discs. An accomplishment that stands the test of time, and is consistently featured on every "Top 100 albums of all time" list.
- Madman Across the Water (1971)
I like this one a lot, though many critics felt it contained too many throw-away songs. But with "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," the title cut, "Indian Sunset," "Holiday Inn," and "All the Nasties," I don't see how this can be considered anything other than a stellar achievement.
- Tumbleweed Connection (1971)
EJ's third effort, a country-flavored rocker that showed his versatile vocal style. He expands on his unique phrasing, eventually becoming adept at wrenching multi-syllabic mouthfuls out of the smallest words. The show stopping "Burn Down the Mission" is on here, along with Leslie Duncan's gorgeous "Love Song."
- The Union (2010)
I had to redo my entire list due to this late entry, but well worth it. The Union is a moving, gorgeous work of art from two legends. I will provide a full review of the album shortly, but suffice it to say if you are a fan of either Elton or Leon Russell, Elton's collaborator in this effort, you must buy it. It is simply everything you could expect from these two masters and more.
- Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973)
This album was released in early 1973, just prior to "Yellow Brick Road." Hard to pick a favorite, though I'm partial to "Elderberry Wine," "High Flying Bird" and "Have Mercy on the Criminal." It's another solid effort in Elton's canon that further propelled his star.
- Honky Château (1972)
When you listen to his albums in chronological order, it's easy to spot how he had matured as a songwriter and vocalist by the time this was released. "Rocket Man" may be the most famous of the album cuts, but there's not a mediocre song on it.
Click here to read PART TWO of my Top 20 list, albums #11-20 including a surprise or two.
Visit Amazon.com to see my original Listmania list (two of the albums are unavailable and no longer display so you'll just have to read PART TWO to see what they are) and listen to samples of the songs.
Please post your comments below, I'd love to hear from you and find out your favorite Elton John albums.
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