I like this one a lot. So much emotion coming through. The raw grit on his voice in lines like "And we are so amazed, we're crippled and we're dazed" is fantastic. Killer chorus.

I can't say I'm a huge fan, but every record I've checked out up to Captain Fantastic Rides the Hershey Highway or whatever is surprisingly strong: very melodically sophisticated, very compellingly arranged, involving songwriting. Not dismissable at all.

This is despite the fact that his brand of rock is kinda tepid, kinda AOR, kinda theatre kid - on a piano, no less! - but a brief look on RYM reminds me that 4 of his albums are great.

My impression is that his late 70s and beyond stuff is very bad, but if better informed FMs have any recommendations, I'd certainly investigate...

Anyway, NC.

NC, neither him nor Taupin, great at their peak, which stretches a daft number of records. “Tumbleweed Connection” is my favourite.

jeff fox wrote: Tue Jul 09, 2024 3:56 pm Jesus fuck, people. crap.

FYP

Can't stand his voice and I think most of his songs are pretty annoying.

I grew up with 80s chart Elton, so have every reason to hate him. However his 70s stuff is frequently great: personal soft spots are Song for Guy and Don't Go Breaking My Heart. He's also been working with the same core band since the early 70s, a band that bettered the Who with their version of Pinball Wizard, recorded in a few hours. He also seems to enjoy working with younger musicians in preference to wheeling out ageing mates, and in a genuine rather than creepy way.

Just lay of the coke and misguided mawkish rewrites for funerals, Dwight.

I haven't read his autobiography but I've read a few articles he's written here and there. He's very smart, funny and self-aware. What do you know, he's a great writer. So I'm guessing he did actually write his autobiography himself and it's probably pretty good.

And he's into all kinds of new music these days, he does a podcast. I haven't listened to it, I don't know, maybe I should? He's done hundreds of episodes.

Also, there is a local band around here, I forget the name, I don't know the guys, but they were the warm-up act before the on-the-poster warm-up acts started at his big show that he played here not-so-long ago. It was part of his big farewell tour that got interrupted by covid which he said he would dammit to hell come back and play every last show that got cancelled, which he dutifully did. And if you missed it, the tour posters are the most resplendently gay thing you ever saw, Elton in his embroidered outfit looking like a very expensive sofa, in front of a backdrop of naked men in a bed of flowers. Respect.

So this warm-up band, they are now known for having to cut their set short after being informed that Sir Elton himself requests that they STFU, which every musician in the region thinks is just hilarious.

Anthony Flack wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2024 9:09 pm
So this warm-up band, they are now known for having to cut their set short after being informed that Sir Elton himself requests that they STFU, which every musician in the region thinks is just hilarious.

I would wear that badge with pride. Hell, I'd get a shirt made.

Elton John's performance of Tiny Dancer on Old Grey Whistle Test is the first and last thing he did that I enjoyed. I love that performance.

i think about the Tucson Gay Men’s Choir singing that one song in Hamlet 2 a lot . You probably have to watch the whole movie for that scene to hit, though. God help you if you do.

Frankie99 wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 7:34 am I would wear that badge with pride. Hell, I'd get a shirt made.

Oh absolutely. How many bar bands get to be told to STFU by Elton John? I guess maybe plenty, but nobody I know.