11-17-70

I remember vividly when the album 11-17-70 was released, just a few months after that date. The album was recorded live in a NYC recording studio during a live radio broadcast. And today is its anniversary!

Elton John had already dented the US charts and was on everyone's radar with his second and third albums, the eponymous one (Elton John) and with Tumbleweed Connection when the live album was released.

Taking stock of it 38 years after the performance and 37.5 years after its release, I have complete mixed emotions about it.

First, on the positive side - the performances are strong. Its a power trio - Elton, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson. You aren't missing the absence of a guitar because Elton John's prowess on the piano is undisputedly strong. And Elton is another one of those piano men who looked up to Ray Charles and often channeled him in his performance. No complaints from me there!

On the "its a sign of the times" front - neither good nor bad, one sees (hears) how LONG each song is! But it was the 70s. It was in fact, 1970 and the era of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 minute + songs was only just about to begin. No 3 minute ditties here. Not a one.

Finally, on the downside... a 20/20 hindsight analysis of the complete works of Elton John and Bernie Taupin will reveal that as a lyricist, Taupin was prone to writing complete and utter nonsense just as much as he could tell a linear tale. Just take a listen to "Take Me to the Pilot." What does that song mean? What is it saying?

"If you feel that it's real/I'm on trial/and I'm here in your prison/like a coin in your mint/I am dented and spent with high treason," are the opening lines. Well, I guess it scans well. Its also very 70s.... "take me to the pilot of your soul."

I'm not saying that "Take Me to the Pilot" makes no sense, but its message and emotions seem to be void of antecedents.

To be fair, anyone's lyrics out of context (ie: when they're anything but sung) can sound off-kilter, incomprehensible, stupid or lame... and then again, a lot of lyrics hold up to being held to scrutiny out of context.

Still... there's never going to be an excuse for "We Built This City on Rock n Roll," sorry Bernie... I'm sticking with your early 70s body of lyrical work....