I asked 'Alex' speaker to play this song, when my husband (a huge Elton John fan and a fan of this piece) passed away, and they were putting him in the body bag and carrying him outside.😢😢
This song reminds us that Elton was a genuine, bona fide Rock musician, not just a Pop icon. And I am glad that you both recognized the moments of brilliant Bass playing by the late, lamented Dee Murray. Dee was a bass-guitarist, not just the type of bassist who plays the same one note through an entire song. His feel and imagination put him on a level with Paul McCartney and John Entwistle (of The Who). BTW, the title track of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is one of the prettiest ballads of the 1970s.
A Masterpiece! This song didn't get the praise it should of because in the day it was too long for radio play so it went overlooked by charts and critics, but EJ fans knows that this was his creative talents in at it's best... and this particular band line-up was his best for his early compositions.
Even Elton got into Prog a little bit in 1973! Someday take a look at all the albums released in 1972 and 1973. Just an incredible period for music. Even as a 10 year old, I could tell special things were going on.
Madman across the Water ( released in 71) alone, is as good as anything that came out between 70 and 75, the strings arrangements are superb and the production work of Gus Dudgeon is simply perfect.
People say that Captain Fantastic is his prog record, but this sounds more prog influenced than anything on that album. Every album Elton released in the 70’s was a masterpiece excluding Victim Of Love. I’m one of those weird fans who loves Elton’s 80’s work as well.
This song is genius. The entire double album is a master class in music. Really shows his range as a musician & writer of music. Burnie Taupin wrote the lyrics & Elton took them & made magic. I agree with Madman Across The Water the title track of the album of the same name. The entire album is amazing.
I have been fortunate enough to have seen Elton John many times through the years but watching this great reaction takes me back to the very first time in 1975 when he OPENED the concert with this masterpiece!
His best album as far as I'm concerned. A classic from beginning to end. Full of great songs and the band is in top form and they rock. You should listen to the entire album as it's a masterpiece!
Lots of great music by Elton, especially his earlier albums. You should give the title track of Madman Across the Water a listen, in fact the entire album is awesome and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy... 👍
Madman's a great album.. Levon, Madman, Tiny Dancer, Razor Face, Rotten Peaches, Indian Sunset... all deep cuts. Another underappreciated gem is Eltons 1970 live album 11-17-70. Recorded in a radio studio, during his first U.S. tour - it is "hungry" Elton and he is absolutely fierce on it.
Oh wow. One of my favs. When I was 17, I was in a bar band and we played these two. When we'd start 'Funeral for a Friend', the rowdy bar patrons would all look at us strangely like, "What the hell are you playing? And why In a bar?" But by the end they would all be dancing and cheering. Worked every time 😊🍁
@@MonsterSound.Bradley Check out Jellyfish - a San Fran band from the early 90s. Two albums - Bellybutton and Spilt Milk. Absolutely brilliant band - a mix of Queen, The Beatles, Supertramp, Bowie and 10CC. The Jellyfish keyboardist used to regularly do FFAF/LLB in his solo days. Check them out - you'll love them.
This is one of my all-time favorite Elton John songs. Dee Murray’s bass playing is amazing … As is Davie Johnstone’s guitar playing. One of the unsung heroes of Elton John in the 70s and currently… Is Ray Cooper on percussion.… The guy is a madman! I just watched a video from Elton John‘s current tour… Farewell yellow brick Road… And they open the show with this tune. Even though there’s no organ/synth in this touring band.… The song is still hot as H3LL !! Nigel Olson/drums-Dave’s Johnstone/guitar; Ray Cooper/percussion…same as on the original recording. Thank you so much for covering this… You guys are great!
I was a Freshman in HS when this album came out, loved it, bought the 8-track! From age 13 till my 20s Elton, it seemed, had a half dozen top 40 hits every year. He had an amazing run.
Re: the "American-isms" in the vocal delivery, part of it was a genuine interest Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin had in Americana at the time. It pops up in other songs on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and elsewhere in their early 70s music. But part of it was also just that most English pop musicians of that era were raised on American soul, R&B, and rock and they would naturally emulate the vocal delivery of their heroes. The Beatles were once asked "Why do you sound like Americans when you sing and not English?" It's because they were so heavily influenced by people like Little Richard and Elvis early on. Same with Elton.
A huge amount of Elton and Bernie's early stuff is hommage to Americana - eg "Burn Down The Mission". Stylistically, Elton not only acknowledged the influence on his playing of, but also eventually collaborated with Leon Russell. This is a deep rabbit hole to go down - I wish you both joy of the journey!
Other great Elton songs to explore are: Burn Down the Mission, Where To Now St. Peter?, Come Down in Time, Honky Cat, Levon, Madman Across the Water, Tiny Dancer, Love Song...I could go on...and I have, But the Albums Tumbleweed Connection & Madman Across the Water are two of his best ever.
The beginning of this song is David Hentchel playing a monophonic synthesizer before the invention of polyphonic so David had to play each line one note at a time and overdub the parts to create chords and harmonies which is a lot of work. Those really fast notes are originally played by hand and run through a sequencer with the tempo sped up. I do this stuff all the time on my channel. Arpeggiators more than sequencers because it’s easier and i’m lazy. Also if you liked the way guitarist Davey Johnstone was playing along in that symphonic section before it switches songs I can’t recommend highly enough that you listen The Enid because they literally invented Symphonic Rock and Symphonic Prog. Their debut album In The Region Of The Summer Stars is just amazing and Stephen Stewart on guitar is incredibly melodic. The Enid have at least 30 albums since 1976.
Eltons debut album, Madman Across the Water, Honky Chateau, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Tumbleweed Connections are five of their best albums. I myself don't count any other albums but these because they have pretty much the best songs that Elton John and Bernie Taupin ever wrote. Any albums after these kind of veered off towards pop...Caribou has a few good tunes
Agreed Sammy. Some of his later albums did contain excellent individual songs, but none had the consistent creative excellence of those first 5 albums.
@@gsparkman wow, harsh! There are some really good songs produced when they reunited in the ’80s. The only thing is that the ‘70s were the golden period.
Love 'Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player'. That should be right up there also. Great tunes like 'Have Mercy on the Criminal' & 'High Flying Bird'. Once he strayed away from his tried & proven formula with Davey, Dee & Nigel the change was evident starting with 'Rock of the Westies'. But good things don't last forever they say. I think starting with 'Rock of the Westies' you always got a mixed bag on any album since. From his debut up to 'Captain Fantastic' you could say that there wasn't a bad song to be found on any album. But I grew up with those albums and they're still some of my favorites to this day.
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tour", October '74 I bought one ticket for $10 bucks for a $6.50 face value ticket. Sitting alone in the nosebleed section of The Fabulous Forum, he opened with this combo and gave a great concert that totally turned me on to concert going for the next 30 years. What a journey. Love your reactions. LRW
I'm always challenged a bit by 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'. On the one hand, it is one of the most uneven and eclectic records Elton John made, but there is so much quality in the album. As an opening set, this pair of songs is fantastic! The guitar work gets overshadowed by the keyboards and vocals, but there is some great guitar by Davey Johnstone here. Have to add, EJ was heavily influenced by American gospel-blues from the deep south. It permeates his piano style and his vocals -- this is especially prevalent on the 'Tumbleweed Connection' album.
Rotten Peaches and All the Nasties affirm the southern gospel/blues influence. GBYBR was Elton's attempt at a concept Album, not so much a style, but a theme album. Every song is about a larger than life person/event, most people don't get that. You have a song about a movie (I seen that Movie too...My fav. on the album). One about Marylin, one about Roy Rogers, a song about The Wizard of Oz theme so to speak, one about a Rocker Group named Benny and the Jets, a song about a Prostitute, another about a gay woman in he 70s, and the Ballad of Danny Baily. I think he ran out of material and threw in a few other song like Jamaica Jerkoff, LOL.
@@MrRondonmon Good try though quite a bit of a stretch sought of like an attempt that missed the mark if that was the plan . I doubt it was amid all the things Reginald was going through at that time. It seems the album which has great tunes was somewhat out of focus as his life had become. I still love the album in many ways though his best more connected and heartfelt work was done on his earlier albums.
Hi guys - I watched this days ago. Revisiting to say hi ! - Boy 1973 - takes me back when I first bought this double vinyl album. It is an exceptional piece of work for sure. Once I put the album on I always play it right through. .... I mean - why stop ? Lol It has that effect. This is the albums opening tracks and wow what a what to start ! Thankyou for playing this ...Oh the memories ! X Jim [ back in the comments - Yahoo ! ]
Yay! Hello my fellow Denver-Metro-ites! I've noticed that you have a Jean Luc Ponty album framed on your wall. You might want to check out the slightly earlier album "Honky Chateau" by Elton, It has Rocket Man on it. However, Jean Luc Ponty is featured on a number of songs, most notably "Amy". It also has "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" which IMHO is one of Elton's greatest songs and it is tragically overlooked by most "reactors" is it wasn't ever released as a single. If you want something non commercial by Elton try "I've seen the Saucers" from the Caribou album, its way out there!
A monster song by anybody's standard. And if you LOVE Elton John then listen to this whole album from start to finish and you will then be MORE in love with Elton John. Guaranteed.
You've just made my day!!! I Predict... you'll love it! Early Elton John was amazing. Elton and Bernie Taupin were an amazing duo, Bernie with the songwriting. Plus Elton had a fantastic band.
Listen to GYBR from start to finish...it is a JOURNEY!...also, listen to any Elton John pre-1980...his best work imo...love your videos...such a sweet couple...Nick with his air band faces and Alexia with her beautiful signature smile at the camera are priceless!...you guys deserve all your success!...
I remember the concert for this album. As funeral for a friend starts, a fog rolls off a totally dark stage, then is slowly back lit in blue to full lighting.
Elton went through a period where he was obsessed with the American old west. It shows up on a lot of he is early work. If you want a British feel listen to Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting. My favorite song on this album is mostly unknown. The Ballad of Danny Bailey. If you are looking for hidden gold on the album, there you go.
Not that I’m disagreeing with you but, I had heard that the real fascination with the American old west was more that of Bernie Taupin than Elton. Bernie talked about it in a documentary once. ✌🏼😎
Elton's core group of musicians Davey Johnstone (guitars) Dee Murray (Bass) Nigel Olsson were joined by engineer David Hentschel on ARP Synth. The piece is two pieces written separately and then joined together because Funeral for a Friend ended in A and Love Lies Bleeding begins in A. Elton wrote "Funneral" for himself - an instrumental created by John while thinking of what kind of music he would like at his funeral.
Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947 in Pinner, Middlesex, the eldest child of Stanley Dwight (1925-1991) and only child of Sheila Eileen (née Harris; 1925-2017) and was raised in a council house in Pinner by his maternal grandparents. He was educated at Pinner Wood Junior School, Reddiford School and Pinner County Grammar School, until he was 17, when he left just prior to his A-Level examinations to pursue a career in music. At age 15, with his mother's and stepfather's help, John was hired as a pianist at a nearby pub, the Northwood Hills Hotel, playing Thursday to Sunday nights. Elton John became the chairman and director of English Premier League Football (soccer) team, Watford F.C. Watford is one of the Home Counties of southern England. An in joke is that anything north of Watford is the north of England.
Here are some of Elton’s very best early tunes; Take Me To The Pilot, IndianSunset, Levon,Madman Across The Water,Where to snow St. Oeter, Burn Down The Mission, Love Song,And Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters.
‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ is Elton John’s Magnum Opus. A video production company called Eagle Rock put out a series of documentaries on influential rock albums and GYBR was one of them. Highly recommend checking it out as it goes super in-depth on the recording of the album. In the doc, lyricist Bernie Taupin gushes about how Elton was “on fire” during this stage in his career. If you get around to listening to the rest of the album (and I highly recommend you do so) I dare you to find a single weak track. They’re all fire and they’re wonderfully eclectic. As for “Funeral for a Friend”… This song (the intro especially) and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” were the 2 tracks that sparked my own personal obsession with synthesizers. Both songs feature the ARP 2600 synth, an instrument which, despite being introduced in the early ‘70’s, is still quite popular today. A multitude of manufacturers are making clones of it (ARP went out of business decades ago). On “Funeral”, the synth is being played and programmed by David Henschel. You may not recognize the name, but he’s notable for producing some albums by Genesis, like “Seconds Out”, “Trick of the Tail” and “Wind and Wuthering”. What’s really impressive is the fact that the 2600, like other synths back then, is monophonic, meaning you can only play one note at a time. Everything you heard in that track was pierced together ONE NOTE AT A TIME. If nothing else, you NEED to check out the rest of this album. It was one of Elton’s most successful on so many levels.
Most of the stuff from "Tumbleweed Connection" and "Madman Across the Water" albums are very non-commercial, but great listens. Try the songs "Burn Down the Mission," "Where to Now, St. Peter?," or the title track from "Madman." "Indian Sunset" is an adventure movie in a song!
Well, this reaction transported me back to December, 1973 when my high school friends (more specifically, my high school girlfriend) gave me the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" double album for my 17th birthday. This song is the very first track of the album set, and I probably listened to it at least a dozen times every day until I reported to the United States Air Force Academy as a cadet in June, 1974 as we were not allowed to have any music (or much of anything else for that matter). This song is, and always will be an integral part of my soul. Thank you for such a great reaction.
i was 16 when this album came out and a friend of mine and i listened to it all the time...imo this period was his greatest period {1971-1980} great band,vocals,great songs and lyrics,,he just became a "pop" icon and drugs really affected him in the 80's and 90's...keep em comin' my rocky mountain friends...Kent
None of the other great bassists ever made a sound and tone like that. The closest I can think of is Chuck Panozzo of Styx on “The Grove Of Eglantine.”
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 I don’t know, name a song where his bass tone has such a “boing!” to it as Dee’s does in this song? “Exuberant” is a word I saw that was used to describe it in a song video, and that’s the best one I’ve seen yet.
Nice song! I saw Elton once in 93: it's the only concert I ever been with any of my parent, it was with my mom... I don't remember ever hearing this song...
I was a teenager when this was released and my uncle took me to his concert at Madison Square Garden. I will never forget not only what it sounded like, but also what it felt like to watch him perform this with keyboards that totally encircled him. This was Bernie Taupin and Elton John's masterpiece. I played that album so much I had to replace it 5 times. It's still my all time favorite. You've got to hear the whole album!
There is a lot of really great music on the double LP GYBR. One of favorites that is rarely heard is the track "This Song Has No Title". I love EJ's piano playing and vocals on this track. It's only 2:23 but is a winner in my book.
Keep hearing references to progressive rock. Fun fact...before becoming Elton John, Reginald Dwight (real name) auditioned for both Gentle Giant and King Crimson. Good for us they didn't take him on. You should listen to the song Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.
People don't have the patience to sit through an 11 minute song and it's too bad for them. Believe it or not, this song was actually well played on the radio in the 70s and no one dared cut it. The entire 11 minute song was played when it came on. So, every EJ fan knows this song inside and out. It's a staple at shows. I have seen him live something like 15 times and back in the day, he opened every show with this song. Lights out, dry ice coming up off the stage. It was absolutely magical and drove the crowd nuts.
Captain Fantastic and the brown dirt cowboy is definitely worth a whole album listen, superb fusion of Elton Johns music and Bernie Taupins lyrics from start to finish
Hey Nick N Lex, this is the best music Elton ever wrote. Early going into the mid 70's is a great time period for Elton John music. I knew Nick would love this song and Lex would love the bass line by the late Dee Murray. The song Madman Across The Water, from the album of the same name, is a great song in it's own right. Glad you enjoyed it. Keep up the good work.
Elton had another double album called Blue Moves that has been under appreciated and it is definitely worth listening to. I saw an interview where he said that lp was not as beloved by fans but it is one of his favorites.. Blue Moves and Yellow Brick Road combined is a great day of music. Give Sir Elton a chance.
Such an underrated album - I've loved it since the first day I bought it. I saw an interview when Elton said it was one of his favorites, and I was so happy to hear that.
Fantastic double-album with so many great songs. When a few of the best songs don't even hit the radio -- which they didn't -- you KNOW you've got a great album.
I really hope you both understand how much fun it is for all of us to watch your appreciation for a great piece of music. What a beautiful way to start the weekend. Nice match with the outfit and the Queen Michele necklace too. Keep rocking!
MAGNIFICENT album. I have near 1000 albums, and this one remains in the top 10. So so many great tunes. Even the little known tracks" Grey Seal" or ""Harmony" are wonderful.
Dee Murray was a great bass player that you couldn't help but be inspired by. His bubbly lines were like the James Jamerson (motown) style cranked up another notch.
THIS ALBUM IS PACKED WITH GREAT TUNES SUCH AS GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, CANDLE IN THE WIND, HARMONY, GREY SEAL, SATURDAY'S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING, ALL THE GIRLS LOVE ALICE, AND BENNY AND THE JETS.
Great review of an awesome song guys. This was actually two songs: Elton wrote Funeral For A Friend because it was what he wanted played at his funeral. His lyricist Bernie Taupin wrote Love Lies Bleeding, comparing the end of a relationship to a dying plant. Looking at the two songs, both about death, Elton noticed they were both in the key of E so he decided to put them together. Pure genius move.
This is early Elton, the Elton I grew up on. Those early albums from Tumbleweed to Captain Fantastic, the great songs just kept coming. These songs were the two my friend and I performed when we graduated from music school. I on guitar, my friend on keys and voclas, who, btw, did a great impersonation of EJ.
This is for me a central piece of the record, i listened in a very firs time when i was 6 age. Now i'm 51 and the feeling is the same. There's a lot of songs of Elton good like this!
This is usually the song he begins all his concerts with. I think you would enjoy his song Burn Down The Mission from his Tumbleweed Connection album. For me, early Elton is the best Elton.
One of Elton's Best that never got mainstream play was "Tumbleweed Connection" a Masterpiece! For something very different listen to "Ticking" , a dark but genius creation that tells of the tragedies of modern times.
Sir Elton dipping his toes into the prog rock waters. If I hadn't already BEEN an Elton John fan, this was the track that would've won me over. As it was, Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding cemented it for me!
God....I remember that year. This album was a huge surprise -- Elton had never sounded like this. Watergate was raging in Washington DC and Nixon resigned. My family fell apart. I listened to this album a thousand times. Secluded in my room with the volume up high on "Love Lies bleeding." So many masterpieces on the Yellow Brick Road album.
EXCELLENT CLASSIC ELTON TUNE! One of my favorites. Seen him perform this back in 1984 and in the 2000s. Very powerful tune. Great reaction! Peace to both of you. Stay safe.
Such a wonderful way to start out a fantastic album. Elton is absolutely wonderful. You definitely need to play Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, it's a great song too.
What an awesome opening track for a thoroughly incredible double album. I think Yellow Brick Road was his peak, really. So much variety and quality. Every song is pretty damn amazing. Davey, Dee, Nigel, and Ray are just the greatest backing band Elton ever had. They wrote their own arrangements (including backing vocals!) to his songs and never failed. As an 11 year old piano player, I already loved Elton from Honky Chateau. But hearing this on my mom's friend's 8-track in his jeep on a desert trip, I became obsessed with this album. Bernie Taupin's lyrics are all fantastic and varied. If you haven't heard the title song, you are going to love it. Just brilliant. Another great reaction! 😃❤
One of the great albums of the 70’s. Another great album (though much less known) is Hero and Heroin by the Strawbs, (also 1973) another band you recently touched upon. My favourite from that album is “Autumn”.
Funeral for a friend musically takes you through all the stages of grieving. A masterpiece!
I asked 'Alex' speaker to play this song, when my husband (a huge Elton John fan and a fan of this piece) passed away, and they were putting him in the body bag and carrying him outside.😢😢
Diana - this is the song used during a good friend's brother's funeral. Still holds a special place in my heart. ✌
Absolutely
PF's Great Gig In The Sky does it much better and they are both masterpiece s
Best Elton John song in my opinion.
People do not realize how good Elton's band was back in the 70's! Excellent with their instruments and back up harmonies were fabulous 👌
The power of music in the 1970s is unrivaled by much of the music that came before or later.One of the greatest times to be young and have ears,lol.
Um, what people? He sold millions.
This song reminds us that Elton was a genuine, bona fide Rock musician, not just a Pop icon. And I am glad that you both recognized the moments of brilliant Bass playing by the late, lamented Dee Murray. Dee was a bass-guitarist, not just the type of bassist who plays the same one note through an entire song. His feel and imagination put him on a level with Paul McCartney and John Entwistle (of The Who).
BTW, the title track of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is one of the prettiest ballads of the 1970s.
Also, all the backing vocals during that era were done by Dee, Nigel and Davey (although sometimes Elton would add his own backing vocals as well).
Elton precedes "Pop".
@@Cryptocracy_Now pop started in the mid 50’s.
Kevvideo...Dee, Nigel and Davey are my most favorite background vocalists ever. ✌
Well said couldn't have put it better myself
A Masterpiece! This song didn't get the praise it should of because in the day it was too long for radio play so it went overlooked by charts and critics, but EJ fans knows that this was his creative talents in at it's best... and this particular band line-up was his best for his early compositions.
Even Elton got into Prog a little bit in 1973! Someday take a look at all the albums released in 1972 and 1973. Just an incredible period for music. Even as a 10 year old, I could tell special things were going on.
Every six months a new Elton John album came out! Junior High and my first year of H.S. were all about Elton. Then... Pink Floyd & Zeppelin.
I was obsessed with him and was going to marry him. 🤣
Madman across the Water ( released in 71) alone, is as good as anything that came out between 70 and 75, the strings arrangements are superb and the production work of Gus Dudgeon is simply perfect.
People say that Captain Fantastic is his prog record, but this sounds more prog influenced than anything on that album. Every album Elton released in the 70’s was a masterpiece excluding Victim Of Love. I’m one of those weird fans who loves Elton’s 80’s work as well.
This song is genius. The entire double album is a master class in music. Really shows his range as a musician & writer of music. Burnie Taupin wrote the lyrics & Elton took them & made magic. I agree with Madman Across The Water the title track of the album of the same name. The entire album is amazing.
I have been fortunate enough to have seen Elton John many times through the years but watching this great reaction takes me back to the very first time in 1975 when he OPENED the concert with this masterpiece!
So many great songs on this album-Grey Seal, Ballad of Danny Bailey, All The Girls Love Alice. Actually not a bad song on whole album.
One of the few double albums with not a single skipper on the whole thing
Grey Seal is my favorite song on that album.
And let's not forget "Harmony"!
Hit any random song from this album and you've struck gold.
Totally agree it's all great
His best album as far as I'm concerned. A classic from beginning to end. Full of great songs and the band is in top form and they rock. You should listen to the entire album as it's a masterpiece!
This album is considered by many (including me) as his magnum opus.
Hidden gold , deep cut Elton John: "Tickin'"
It will give you chills for a another of reasons
The 70’s guys.
Are you getting how bloody special that decade was yet?
And you’ve barely scratched the surface !!
Lots of great music by Elton, especially his earlier albums. You should give the title track of Madman Across the Water a listen, in fact the entire album is awesome and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy... 👍
Yes if you want another proggy song, Madman is the one!
His early 70s work was on another level
@@dailyprognosisnick Madman Across The Water is phenomenal.
Madman's a great album.. Levon, Madman, Tiny Dancer, Razor Face, Rotten Peaches, Indian Sunset... all deep cuts. Another underappreciated gem is Eltons 1970 live album 11-17-70. Recorded in a radio studio, during his first U.S. tour - it is "hungry" Elton and he is absolutely fierce on it.
@@michaelkeefe8494 , 11-17-70 is the bomb!!!
Awesome!! This is my all-time favorite Elton John song and always has been. There's nothing about this combo that I don't love. Amazing.
AMEN !!!!!
Oh wow. One of my favs. When I was 17, I was in a bar band and we played these two. When we'd start 'Funeral for a Friend', the rowdy bar patrons would all look at us strangely like, "What the hell are you playing? And why In a bar?" But by the end they would all be dancing and cheering. Worked every time 😊🍁
You weren't in a band called The Jellyfish, were you?
@@Fuzcapp No. We were called Main Street (late 70's). I like The Jellyfish name though.
@@MonsterSound.Bradley Check out Jellyfish - a San Fran band from the early 90s. Two albums - Bellybutton and Spilt Milk. Absolutely brilliant band - a mix of Queen, The Beatles, Supertramp, Bowie and 10CC. The Jellyfish keyboardist used to regularly do FFAF/LLB in his solo days. Check them out - you'll love them.
Unknown and under appreciated:
I’ve Seen The Saucers from Caribou. My absolute favorite song by Elton and nobody plays it.
Very underrated song
I was fortunate to see Elton tour this album and he opened the gig with Funeral for a Friend/ Love Lies Bleeding. Truly amazing work.
Wow, lucky.
Yes, he opened with when I saw him in 75, I'll always have the image of the dry ice smoke rolling slowly over the front of the stage...
Same here November 75 first major concert for me $7.50 Canadian for tickets....what a time, what a concert.
You could throw a dart at the song list on that album and not be disappointed with the song.
Roy Rogers? Come on.
This is one of my all-time favorite Elton John songs. Dee Murray’s bass playing is amazing … As is Davie Johnstone’s guitar playing. One of the unsung heroes of Elton John in the 70s and currently… Is Ray Cooper on percussion.… The guy is a madman! I just watched a video from Elton John‘s current tour… Farewell yellow brick Road… And they open the show with this tune. Even though there’s no organ/synth in this touring band.… The song is still hot as H3LL !! Nigel Olson/drums-Dave’s Johnstone/guitar; Ray Cooper/percussion…same as on the original recording. Thank you so much for covering this… You guys are great!
Dee, Davey, and Nigel. The most underrated band ever. They were all brilliant on this. An absolute classic.
I was a Freshman in HS when this album came out, loved it, bought the 8-track! From age 13 till my 20s Elton, it seemed, had a half dozen top 40 hits every year. He had an amazing run.
Re: the "American-isms" in the vocal delivery, part of it was a genuine interest Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin had in Americana at the time. It pops up in other songs on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and elsewhere in their early 70s music. But part of it was also just that most English pop musicians of that era were raised on American soul, R&B, and rock and they would naturally emulate the vocal delivery of their heroes. The Beatles were once asked "Why do you sound like Americans when you sing and not English?" It's because they were so heavily influenced by people like Little Richard and Elvis early on. Same with Elton.
Wow thanks for that amazing trivia 💞💞
I'd also say that Elton and Bernie were influenced by The Band, as were so many artists in the late '60s and early '70s.
A huge amount of Elton and Bernie's early stuff is hommage to Americana - eg "Burn Down The Mission". Stylistically, Elton not only acknowledged the influence on his playing of, but also eventually collaborated with Leon Russell. This is a deep rabbit hole to go down - I wish you both joy of the journey!
Other great Elton songs to explore are: Burn Down the Mission, Where To Now St. Peter?, Come Down in Time, Honky Cat, Levon, Madman Across the Water, Tiny Dancer, Love Song...I could go on...and I have, But the Albums Tumbleweed Connection & Madman Across the Water are two of his best ever.
The beginning of this song is David Hentchel playing a monophonic synthesizer before the invention of polyphonic so David had to play each line one note at a time and overdub the parts to create chords and harmonies which is a lot of work. Those really fast notes are originally played by hand and run through a sequencer with the tempo sped up. I do this stuff all the time on my channel. Arpeggiators more than sequencers because it’s easier and i’m lazy.
Also if you liked the way guitarist Davey Johnstone was playing along in that symphonic section before it switches songs I can’t recommend highly enough that you listen The Enid because they literally invented Symphonic Rock and Symphonic Prog.
Their debut album In The Region Of The Summer Stars is just amazing and Stephen Stewart on guitar is incredibly melodic. The Enid have at least 30 albums since 1976.
Eltons debut album, Madman Across the Water, Honky Chateau, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Tumbleweed Connections are five of their best albums. I myself don't count any other albums but these because they have pretty much the best songs that Elton John and Bernie Taupin ever wrote. Any albums after these kind of veered off towards pop...Caribou has a few good tunes
Those are all great albums, but I think "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" is a right up there with them.
Agreed Sammy. Some of his later albums did contain excellent individual songs, but none had the consistent creative excellence of those first 5 albums.
Nothing after the split with Bernie Taupin is worth listening to.
@@gsparkman wow, harsh! There are some really good songs produced when they reunited in the ’80s. The only thing is that the ‘70s were the golden period.
Love 'Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player'. That should be right up there also. Great tunes like 'Have Mercy on the Criminal' & 'High Flying Bird'. Once he strayed away from his tried & proven formula with Davey, Dee & Nigel the change was evident starting with 'Rock of the Westies'. But good things don't last forever they say. I think starting with 'Rock of the Westies' you always got a mixed bag on any album since. From his debut up to 'Captain Fantastic' you could say that there wasn't a bad song to be found on any album. But I grew up with those albums and they're still some of my favorites to this day.
The title track to 'Madman Across the Water' album. "Take Me to the Pilot' live version from 11-17-1970.
That i one of my all time favorite live lp’s !!!
One of my top 10 fave albums of all times. I wore out its groves.💖💖💖💖
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tour", October '74 I bought one ticket for $10 bucks for a $6.50 face value ticket. Sitting alone in the nosebleed section of The Fabulous Forum, he opened with this combo and gave a great concert that totally turned me on to concert going for the next 30 years. What a journey. Love your reactions. LRW
Ha, I paid 20 for a scalped ticked and was much closer 😅 (it was a very good seat, close to stage, maybe 20-ish rows up)
Davey Johnstone on the guitar,never gets much of a mention.
I'm always challenged a bit by 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'. On the one hand, it is one of the most uneven and eclectic records Elton John made, but there is so much quality in the album. As an opening set, this pair of songs is fantastic! The guitar work gets overshadowed by the keyboards and vocals, but there is some great guitar by Davey Johnstone here. Have to add, EJ was heavily influenced by American gospel-blues from the deep south. It permeates his piano style and his vocals -- this is especially prevalent on the 'Tumbleweed Connection' album.
Right on, Randy!
You hit the mark!
Love Tumbleweed Connection too ... and Madman Across the Water. Such a diverse and prolific artist. Thanks ✨🤪
Rotten Peaches and All the Nasties affirm the southern gospel/blues influence. GBYBR was Elton's attempt at a concept Album, not so much a style, but a theme album. Every song is about a larger than life person/event, most people don't get that. You have a song about a movie (I seen that Movie too...My fav. on the album). One about Marylin, one about Roy Rogers, a song about The Wizard of Oz theme so to speak, one about a Rocker Group named Benny and the Jets, a song about a Prostitute, another about a gay woman in he 70s, and the Ballad of Danny Baily. I think he ran out of material and threw in a few other song like Jamaica Jerkoff, LOL.
@@MrRondonmon Good try though quite a bit of a stretch sought of like an attempt that missed the mark if that was the plan . I doubt it was amid all the things Reginald was going through at that time. It seems the album which has great tunes was somewhat out of focus as his life had become. I still love the album in many ways though his best more connected and heartfelt work was done on his earlier albums.
Hi guys - I watched this days ago. Revisiting to say hi ! - Boy 1973 - takes me back when I first bought this double vinyl album. It is an exceptional piece of work for sure. Once I put the album on I always play it right through. .... I mean - why stop ? Lol It has that effect. This is the albums opening tracks and wow what a what to start ! Thankyou for playing this ...Oh the memories ! X Jim [ back in the comments - Yahoo ! ]
Yay! Hello my fellow Denver-Metro-ites! I've noticed that you have a Jean Luc Ponty album framed on your wall. You might want to check out the slightly earlier album "Honky Chateau" by Elton, It has Rocket Man on it. However, Jean Luc Ponty is featured on a number of songs, most notably "Amy". It also has "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" which IMHO is one of Elton's greatest songs and it is tragically overlooked by most "reactors" is it wasn't ever released as a single. If you want something non commercial by Elton try "I've seen the Saucers" from the Caribou album, its way out there!
Great opening tracks from Elton John's masterpiece and in my opinion, one of the best rock albums of all time.
I love just sitting in the dark with my headphones on when I listen to this song. I believe this is an Elton John masterpiece!
Elton was a Pop superstar before the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. After it, he was Rock royalty.
A monster song by anybody's standard. And if you LOVE Elton John then listen to this whole album from start to finish and you will then be MORE in love with Elton John. Guaranteed.
"Good Bye Yellow Brick Road" ....YES!!! Great song. Pay attention to the lyrics. Another great early Elton song is "Levon".
My cousin and another friend and I were once obsessed with this album as kids (age 8).
Haha we were also and in high school and we would sit around staring at album covers looking for hidden subliminal messages, so much fun
You've just made my day!!! I Predict... you'll love it! Early Elton John was amazing. Elton and Bernie Taupin were an amazing duo, Bernie with the songwriting. Plus Elton had a fantastic band.
Listen to GYBR from start to finish...it is a JOURNEY!...also, listen to any Elton John pre-1980...his best work imo...love your videos...such a sweet couple...Nick with his air band faces and Alexia with her beautiful signature smile at the camera are priceless!...you guys deserve all your success!...
I remember the concert for this album. As funeral for a friend starts, a fog rolls off a totally dark stage, then is slowly back lit in blue to full lighting.
Elton went through a period where he was obsessed with the American old west. It shows up on a lot of he is early work. If you want a British feel listen to Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting. My favorite song on this album is mostly unknown. The Ballad of Danny Bailey. If you are looking for hidden gold on the album, there you go.
So good. Great call.
Not that I’m disagreeing with you but, I had heard that the real fascination with the American old west was more that of Bernie Taupin than Elton. Bernie talked about it in a documentary once. ✌🏼😎
@@randyhochstein8455 I thought it was a joint interest but Taupin was the lyricist, so that makes sense.
Whole “Rock of the Westies” album is fire
Two words come to mind. Background vocals. Because they emphasize the most beautiful instrument ever made....the human voice.
Movie is called Spencer because that was her maiden surname. ❤️🤘🎸🇦🇺
Elton's core group of musicians Davey Johnstone (guitars) Dee Murray (Bass) Nigel Olsson were joined by engineer David Hentschel on ARP Synth. The piece is two pieces written separately and then joined together because Funeral for a Friend ended in A and Love Lies Bleeding begins in A.
Elton wrote "Funneral" for himself - an instrumental created by John while thinking of what kind of music he would like at his funeral.
Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947 in Pinner, Middlesex, the eldest child of Stanley Dwight (1925-1991) and only child of Sheila Eileen (née Harris; 1925-2017) and was raised in a council house in Pinner by his maternal grandparents. He was educated at Pinner Wood Junior School, Reddiford School and Pinner County Grammar School, until he was 17, when he left just prior to his A-Level examinations to pursue a career in music.
At age 15, with his mother's and stepfather's help, John was hired as a pianist at a nearby pub, the Northwood Hills Hotel, playing Thursday to Sunday nights.
Elton John became the chairman and director of English Premier League Football (soccer) team, Watford F.C. Watford is one of the Home Counties of southern England. An in joke is that anything north of Watford is the north of England.
Is and has always been my favorite Elton John song
Here are some of Elton’s very best early tunes; Take Me To The Pilot, IndianSunset, Levon,Madman Across The Water,Where to snow St. Oeter, Burn Down The Mission, Love Song,And Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters.
Nice list, Joel. Thanks ✨🤪
Yep. I agree with Michele.
Elton John and Billy Joel, brothers from different mothers.
‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ is Elton John’s Magnum Opus.
A video production company called Eagle Rock put out a series of documentaries on influential rock albums and GYBR was one of them. Highly recommend checking it out as it goes super in-depth on the recording of the album.
In the doc, lyricist Bernie Taupin gushes about how Elton was “on fire” during this stage in his career. If you get around to listening to the rest of the album (and I highly recommend you do so) I dare you to find a single weak track. They’re all fire and they’re wonderfully eclectic.
As for “Funeral for a Friend”…
This song (the intro especially) and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” were the 2 tracks that sparked my own personal obsession with synthesizers.
Both songs feature the ARP 2600 synth, an instrument which, despite being introduced in the early ‘70’s, is still quite popular today. A multitude of manufacturers are making clones of it (ARP went out of business decades ago).
On “Funeral”, the synth is being played and programmed by David Henschel. You may not recognize the name, but he’s notable for producing some albums by Genesis, like “Seconds Out”, “Trick of the Tail” and “Wind and Wuthering”.
What’s really impressive is the fact that the 2600, like other synths back then, is monophonic, meaning you can only play one note at a time. Everything you heard in that track was pierced together ONE NOTE AT A TIME.
If nothing else, you NEED to check out the rest of this album. It was one of Elton’s most successful on so many levels.
Most of the stuff from "Tumbleweed Connection" and "Madman Across the Water" albums are very non-commercial, but great listens. Try the songs "Burn Down the Mission," "Where to Now, St. Peter?," or the title track from "Madman." "Indian Sunset" is an adventure movie in a song!
Well, this reaction transported me back to December, 1973 when my high school friends (more specifically, my high school girlfriend) gave me the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" double album for my 17th birthday. This song is the very first track of the album set, and I probably listened to it at least a dozen times every day until I reported to the United States Air Force Academy as a cadet in June, 1974 as we were not allowed to have any music (or much of anything else for that matter). This song is, and always will be an integral part of my soul. Thank you for such a great reaction.
I've seen Elton in concert four times and each time he opened with this song. It's a great song to start a show.
i was 16 when this album came out and a friend of mine and i listened to it all the time...imo this period was his greatest period {1971-1980} great band,vocals,great songs and lyrics,,he just became a "pop" icon and drugs really affected him in the 80's and 90's...keep em comin' my rocky mountain friends...Kent
This Album was recorded in France 1973, it was finished in 3 days. Elton and his band can rock with the best of them !!!
I believe that this song "combo" is the best thing that Elton John ever did. Thank you for playing and listening to it!
Great pick for a musical journey! That bass tone, though. RIP Dee Murry, (Bassist). Love this.
None of the other great bassists ever made a sound and tone like that. The closest I can think of is Chuck Panozzo of Styx on “The Grove Of Eglantine.”
@@NH2112 John Entwistle ?
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 I don’t know, name a song where his bass tone has such a “boing!” to it as Dee’s does in this song? “Exuberant” is a word I saw that was used to describe it in a song video, and that’s the best one I’ve seen yet.
@@NH2112 very happy for you.
Nice song! I saw Elton once in 93: it's the only concert I ever been with any of my parent, it was with my mom... I don't remember ever hearing this song...
I was a teenager when this was released and my uncle took me to his concert at Madison Square Garden. I will never forget not only what it sounded like, but also what it felt like to watch him perform this with keyboards that totally encircled him. This was Bernie Taupin and Elton John's masterpiece. I played that album so much I had to replace it 5 times. It's still my all time favorite. You've got to hear the whole album!
There is a lot of really great music on the double LP GYBR. One of favorites that is rarely heard is the track "This Song Has No Title". I love EJ's piano playing and vocals on this track. It's only 2:23 but is a winner in my book.
Keep hearing references to progressive rock. Fun fact...before becoming Elton John, Reginald Dwight (real name) auditioned for both Gentle Giant and King Crimson. Good for us they didn't take him on. You should listen to the song Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.
People don't have the patience to sit through an 11 minute song and it's too bad for them. Believe it or not, this song was actually well played on the radio in the 70s and no one dared cut it. The entire 11 minute song was played when it came on. So, every EJ fan knows this song inside and out. It's a staple at shows. I have seen him live something like 15 times and back in the day, he opened every show with this song. Lights out, dry ice coming up off the stage. It was absolutely magical and drove the crowd nuts.
Captain Fantastic and the brown dirt cowboy is definitely worth a whole album listen, superb fusion of Elton Johns music and Bernie Taupins lyrics from start to finish
Both albums (GBYR and Captain Fantastic) are masterpieces in my eyes and should be listened to the whole way through.
Great album
my favorite elton john songs are the ones where its just him and his piano, so sublime...
Awesome album. This one and Grey Seal are some of my all time favorite songs
Hey Nick N Lex, this is the best music Elton ever wrote. Early going into the mid 70's is a great time period for Elton John music. I knew Nick would love this song and Lex would love the bass line by the late Dee Murray. The song Madman Across The Water, from the album of the same name, is a great song in it's own right. Glad you enjoyed it. Keep up the good work.
Elton had another double album called Blue Moves that has been under appreciated and it is definitely worth listening to. I saw an interview where he said that lp was not as beloved by fans but it is one of his favorites.. Blue Moves and Yellow Brick Road combined is a great day of music. Give Sir Elton a chance.
Such an underrated album - I've loved it since the first day I bought it. I saw an interview when Elton said it was one of his favorites, and I was so happy to hear that.
Totally agree.
Fantastic double-album with so many great songs. When a few of the best songs don't even hit the radio -- which they didn't -- you KNOW you've got a great album.
I really hope you both understand how much fun it is for all of us to watch your appreciation for a great piece of music. What a beautiful way to start the weekend. Nice match with the outfit and the Queen Michele necklace too. Keep rocking!
MAGNIFICENT album. I have near 1000 albums, and this one remains in the top 10. So so many great tunes. Even the little known tracks" Grey Seal" or ""Harmony" are wonderful.
It’s crazy how many big hits/great songs he had in a short time! Beatleesque! Madman Across the Water is my favorite album, and song, of his.
Dee Murray was a great bass player that you couldn't help but be inspired by. His bubbly lines were like the James Jamerson (motown) style cranked up another notch.
One of the unsung greats. I never understood why Elton got rid of him.
@@Macilmoyle not sure. His baselines were cool.
THIS ALBUM IS PACKED WITH GREAT TUNES SUCH AS GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, CANDLE IN THE WIND, HARMONY, GREY SEAL, SATURDAY'S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING, ALL THE GIRLS LOVE ALICE, AND BENNY AND THE JETS.
One of my all-time favorite albums. As mentioned, the cover art is great. I truly miss cover art.
I could watch you two talk all day about the songs that I love and grew up with but unfortunately I'm at work, HAH! Great reaction, thx!
Great review of an awesome song guys. This was actually two songs: Elton wrote Funeral For A Friend because it was what he wanted played at his funeral. His lyricist Bernie Taupin wrote Love Lies Bleeding, comparing the end of a relationship to a dying plant. Looking at the two songs, both about death, Elton noticed they were both in the key of E so he decided to put them together. Pure genius move.
Neither song is in the key of E , sorry. Funeral in Cm to start then EJs piano starts in A - same key as LLB.
Brilliant
Brilliant tracks on what is, IMO, Elton's best album.
I've seen that movie too. Same album. Very haunting song. God Bless.
Agreed...Elton was a rocker. My fave Elton song...or song indeed. Of course there's Philadelphia Freedom.....
This is early Elton, the Elton I grew up on. Those early albums from Tumbleweed to Captain Fantastic, the great songs just kept coming. These songs were the two my friend and I performed when we graduated from music school. I on guitar, my friend on keys and voclas, who, btw, did a great impersonation of EJ.
This particular song of Eltons is that he wrote/played it for his own funeral. Incredible to listen to. Thank God he is still alive!! 💝💝
One of Rocks epic opening songs. Elton was simply the best. Vancouver B.C. 1975 Pacific Coliseum.
Some say Elton doesn't do prog: well, yes he does, and this song is proof. Easily my fave Sir Elton song!
This has long been my fave Elton track! Masterwork! One of a kind for him
Holy schnitzel! I forgot how epic this cut was. 👍😍🥺😂
😂 Schnitzel is my dad’s nickname for me!! 🙈🙈 - Lex
This is for me a central piece of the record, i listened in a very firs time when i was 6 age. Now i'm 51 and the feeling is the same. There's a lot of songs of Elton good like this!
Funeral For A Friend... my favorite Elton John song.
This is usually the song he begins all his concerts with. I think you would enjoy his song Burn Down The Mission from his Tumbleweed Connection album. For me, early Elton is the best Elton.
One of Elton's Best that never got mainstream play was "Tumbleweed Connection" a Masterpiece! For something very different listen to "Ticking" , a dark but genius creation that tells of the tragedies of modern times.
Sir Elton dipping his toes into the prog rock waters. If I hadn't already BEEN an Elton John fan, this was the track that would've won me over. As it was, Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding cemented it for me!
God....I remember that year. This album was a huge surprise -- Elton had never sounded like this. Watergate was raging in Washington DC and Nixon resigned. My family fell apart. I listened to this album a thousand times. Secluded in my room with the volume up high on "Love Lies bleeding." So many masterpieces on the Yellow Brick Road album.
EXCELLENT CLASSIC ELTON TUNE! One of my favorites. Seen him perform this back in 1984 and in the 2000s. Very powerful tune. Great reaction! Peace to both of you. Stay safe.
Wish I could afford a Guthrie Govan signature Charvel. I’ve seen him a couple of times with The Aristocrats and a masterclass. Great review!
Such a wonderful way to start out a fantastic album. Elton is absolutely wonderful. You definitely need to play Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, it's a great song too.
What an awesome opening track for a thoroughly incredible double album. I think Yellow Brick Road was his peak, really. So much variety and quality. Every song is pretty damn amazing.
Davey, Dee, Nigel, and Ray are just the greatest backing band Elton ever had. They wrote their own arrangements (including backing vocals!) to his songs and never failed.
As an 11 year old piano player, I already loved Elton from Honky Chateau. But hearing this on my mom's friend's 8-track in his jeep on a desert trip, I became obsessed with this album. Bernie Taupin's lyrics are all fantastic and varied. If you haven't heard the title song, you are going to love it. Just brilliant.
Another great reaction! 😃❤
Well, agree on most, but Elton’s albums hugely benefitted from the non-band member hired arrangers. There were at least 6 in 70s alone.
The song really showcases the talents of the band.
'Love Lies Bleeding' is a flowering plant. Wonderful duality in it's meaning here.
One of the great albums of the 70’s. Another great album (though much less known) is Hero and Heroin by the Strawbs, (also 1973) another band you recently touched upon. My favourite from that album is “Autumn”.
I had that album.
Hero and Heroine is a massive banger!