WayBack Wednesday - Tumbleweed Connection
-
Artist:
<center>
The impetus to revisit this LP was the recent passing of Lesley Duncan and the inclusion of her tune "Love Song" on it.
http://www.nme.com/news/elton-john/50225
One of the few tune's not composed by Elton and/or Bernie to ever be included on any of their releases.
Originally released in 1971 and remaster and re-released in 2008. These tracks are from the latter.
If anyone is interested I can post the bonus disc at some point.
From Amazon:
2008 digitally remastered deluxe two CD edition of Elton's hit album featuring a bonus CD containing 13 additional tracks including previously unreleased cuts, demos and more. Originally released in 1971, Tumbleweed Connection featured EJ classics like 'Burn Down The Mission', 'Love Song' and 'Country Comfort'. This deluxe edition features piano demos of many of the album's tracks plus BBC sessions and more. 23 tracks total.
OK, if you liked the sound of the previous remaster, you'll probably like the first disc of this set. If not, you should keep your current CD version if you decide to buy this because the last remaster sounds very similar to this one. The duo's third album (and one which allowed Bernie Taupin to explore his obsession with the American old west in detail)features a strong set of music and lyrics. Interestingly, many people thought that Bernie and Elton had been to America before this album and that his was the result when, in fact, Bernie had been inspired to create this after listening to The Band's "Music from Big Pink" and numerous C&W songs such as Marty Robbins' classic tune about "El Paso" (Robbins' signature song and which is clearly echoed on one of the tracks not used for the first album)one of the earliest tunes that Taupin remembers hearing and liking.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (13)
Disc: 2
1. There Goes a Well-Known Gun
2. Come Down in Time [Piano Demo]
3. Country Comfort [Piano Demo]
4. Son of Your Father [#][*][Version]
5. Talking Old Soldiers [Piano Demo]
6. Into the Old Man's Shoes [Piano Demo)
7. Sisters of the Cross [Piano Demo]
8. Madman Across the Water [Original Version]
9. Into the Old Man's Shoes [*] Listen
10. My Father's Gun [BBC Session]
11. Ballad of a Well-Known Gun [BBC Session][
12. Burn Down the Mission [BBC Session)
13. Amoreena [BBC Session][#][*]
Always have enjoyed this release. Thanks for posting haven't heard in a long time. Not one of the LP's I replaced with CD.
cuz u were waiting for this re-masterd 2 CD set!! :-)
Many, many moon ago, I'm guessing 1970 or 71, His first tour of the states. I saw Elton at Glassboro State College, now named Rowan after Mr. Rowan sunk millions into it (but that's another story). There was a crowd of maybe 300 people, no seats, I was standing right in front of the stage. The only thing I remember of the show was Elton kicking back his stool from the piano, and then jumping around like a Mexican jumping bean playing Take Me To Your Pilot. Ahhh, if only I could get back those brain cells back to remember the rest of the night.
nice!
If I had to pick just one of Elton's? Yeah, probably this. Well crafted songs that captured the spirit of the American west as well as defining progressive piano pop of the time, this one's never away from my ears for too long. I got the remaster from the '90s, and it seems unforgiveable that the "alternate" take of "Madman Across the Water" is not the lengthy guitar driven version featuring Mick Ronson included on the 90's disc. Tragic regarding Lesley, but a great choice inrum!
A most excellent choice.
Like Wiz, I only have this on vinyl that's not within easy access, so thanks for this. Ever since Mike the Knife mentioned the older album in one of his toxic concoctions I've been hankering to listen to these fond tunes again. It's a pleasure to listen to the different versions as well. I think they add to the overall listening pleasure.
I love Elton, dont listen to him a lot these days but was very lately, now the Ipod just died so hes gone quiet again, saw him three years running in the late 70's, fanastic entertainer!
I never listen to Elton John anymore. So It's good to hear this and rediscover how good it was. Now I can understand all the words and explore the sound and the arrangements too. I always wondered about the subject matter. Interesting.
You say Lesley Duncan died? Didn't know that! Next you'll be saying Michael Jackson died! Who knew? ;)
IMHO, that alternate Madman Across the Water goes to show someone made good choices. I felt the middle section with the first guitar solo lagged in the middle and the ping-pong reverb sounded out of place. The second guitar solo toward the end is just right, though.
I had never heard these except Madman across the Water, but I see how much greatness I've missed. I like a lot of his songs, bu tsadly I can't say that I've heard too much more than his commercial hits. The ones from the 70s I generally love, although I must admit that some of his 80s hits annoyed me.
Anyway, this is some amazing stuff I need to revisit. Thanks for posting this, Rummy! :-)
oh sure :-)