"Will the things we wrote today sound as good tomorrow?" (from Writing). Where this album is concerned, the answer to that question is a definitive "Yes!!!!!"
I've been purchasing LP's for over 5 decades now and I bought this album in the 70's as a teen. I was a massive Elton John fan and still love his older music (his later stuff is very soft, boring and hit & miss). This album never left my turn table and was played to death, while friends thought I had lost my mind. I later, due to wear and tear, purchased it again used in mint condition while on a record hunt in the late 80's. Funny thing is last month I bought the double remastered extra songs CD version and love it once again. The Disc package is very nice and very well put together. Vinyl still rules but if u need CD this one's a keeper. Thx
I don't know that I'd necessarily rate this Elton John's best album, but I've always thought of it as his last great album. The SACD 5.1 mix of this released some years back is extraordinary...
First album to enter the charts at #1 in USA. Alan Aldridge did the cover, he is probably best known for The Beatles Illuatrated Lyrics books. The album sounds ,well, fantastic on the SACD surround sound version. Also includes the bonus tracks, Philadelphia Freedom, and the Lennon songs, One Day at a Time, and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Whether it or Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is my favorite Elton John album, I can't decide. But there isn't a bad track on either. We All Fall in Love Sometime is probably my favorite song on Captain Fantastic. I got it when it first came out, loved the two booklets and poster that came with it, and filled out and sent the attached document to join the fan club.
I'm 66 and Elton John has been my favorite artist since I was a teenager. I've seen him in concert many, many times. Your review provided new insights for me into this wonderful album! Thank you!
The Captain and the Kid was an unfairly overlooked album in his discography. I'm a huge fan since 1973 and I would even go as far as saying that its an album that could be included in his classic period.
The Captain and the Kid is a worthy follow-up suffering only in trying to cover too much time and a very eventful career in too few songs. One of the rare instances where an album would have benefited by having MORE songs.
Great review. It is an album which I listen to carefully with headphones - so much to take in and enjoy. It sounds brilliant. Beautifully produced by Gus Dudgeon. The band (Elton, Dee, Nigel, Davey, and Ray) is incredibly tight and spot on. Solid across the entire 10 songs.
This is my fourth favourite Elton John album. In my view it's a masterpiece, so you can imagine how I feel about the other three. By the way, the other three are Madman Across the Water, Honky Chateau and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player.
Superb album, one of the finest ever IMHO, especially as a package for the buying public (including the lyric pamphlet originally enclosed). All great songs and lyrics. Personally, I think this is a more cohesive album than Sgt Peppers or Pet Sounds. It's an album one can play again and again and love it more and more.
I grew up with Elton but the Beatles echoed in my ears from the radio. I bought the Double Red and Double Blue album Beatles collections but never bought an album of theirs until CDs came out. It was then I was surprised to learn how un-cohesive Bealtes albums were. They simply sounded like a stack of singles presented in a reasonable enough way. In this way I believe GOODBYE YELLOWBRICK ROAD blew the sock off of any Beatles album. Even if PEPPERS and MYSTERY TOUR had been released as a double album.
Nigel Olsson's drumming is what makes this album unique. How a drum kit can evoke so much emotion is beyond comprehension. The rolls and fills can bring tears to the eyes. Just beautiful.
Thank you for featuring this amazing album. One of my favorites ever since I got my vinyl upon its release. I have no clue why anyone would look upon it negatively, but that's also one of the coolest things about music: everyone hears things differently. Cheers to all.
I've got to be contrarian on this one. I do like this album a lot, but for me, every album that precedes it is better, except maybe Caribou, with Yellowbrick Road being the obvious masterpiece. Best double album of them all, IMO.
GYBR will always be my favourite, but this is defo in my top 5 Elton albums. Someone Saved My Life Tonight is my all-time favourite Elton song and other highlights for me include Tower of Babel, Meal Ticket, Writing & Better Off Dead. Also, Captain & The Kid is surprisingly good and a worthy follow-up.
This one initially disappointed me at 14 having bought all his earlier albums, but it's grown on me over the years, especially the title track and TMWTWB. The enthralling 2 track conclusion is glorious, and the live performance with the new band is superb. The surround remix brings so much more to life!
Captain Fantastic was the first album ever to ship at #1. The second? His next album, Rock of the Westies. Elton OWNED the '70s. There is no reason for anything on this album to be a hit single. That was driven by his popularity. But it contains some of their best work together. And, as noted in the video, the last with the classic Elton John Band. After this, he pitched his rhythm section (Murray and Olsen). It broke Dee's heart. Both came back later, and Olsen remains there to this day. (Dee died of skin cancer awhile back.) The sequel is amazing. It is the best stuff they did after his "classic" period. "And the House Fell Down" is as good as anything they've ever done. I really don't care for Curtains, yet the previous track, We All Fall in Love Sometimes, is one of my all-time favorites. But I think Blue Moves is his best work, so what do I know? The line in Tower of Babel about heart attacks is about drug use. The video was great. Thanks for doing it.
Thanks for doing this review of CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY. I have never been able to stop playing this one. It is truly a very very good record - in every way. People tend to focus on Elton's "hits" and his "celebrity" and need to look back at some of his classic albums between 1970 and 1976.
Frankly, I agree with omsenkuma here. I did enjoy the follow up the Captain and the Kid. nice album after I gave up hope on Elton. I liked The One and I liked the mentioned one after his Cpt. Fantastic days. Elton, like Phil (collins) aged into pop art I think. The voice had changed since his challenges with vocal cords, not his mistake. I miss the "old" Elton voice. In fact, I have seen him 5 times but stayed away from his end tour. It was too show, too commercial, too old for those times. I rather keep him in my memory as a young man discovering the US as troubadour, of course, a legend he will always be.
Superb album as are all the previous albums, with the exception of empty Sky. And up to A Single Man, EJ and BT have far surpassed Lennon and McCartney. I wish BT would get the recognition he deserves
I cannot objectively say which of his albums is the best because in the seventies I waited in hot anticipation for every single album of his. So for me every album of his was great from his eponymous album through and including Blue Moves..... But to be fair to myself, is there in actuality an "Objective" best? It's all very subjective, based on individual tastes, experiences, etc.
If GBYBR is Elton's Sgt. Peppers album then Captain Fantastic is his Abbey Road album. Like Abbey Road the first half period of Elton's career was coming to an end. After Captain Fantastic, except for keeping guitarist Davey Johnstone, Elton broke up the band that has been with him since Honkey Chateau.
Re: Curtains. I see Agatha Christie released her final book, Curtains, in the same year EJ released this fantastic lp. Christie's swansong, but not Elton's, as the man kept trying to stay on the log of rock music rapids as long as he could keep his hair upon his head. The Louder Than Concorde Band only lacked the vocals of Nigel and Dee. It would have been near perfection. Btw, a few of the songs on Blue Moves seem like they could have been on Capt Fantastic.
Maybe my favorite Elton album? Yes, I Love Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, but to be honest it has some songs I don't like: can't stand Jamaica Jerk-off or Your Sister Can't Twist: not a big fan of Roy Rogers either! But I like every song on Captain Fantastic!
The packaging--not only the gatefold sleeve but the poster and two booklets--was integral to CF's impact. 1975 was definitely the golden age of album art.
I agree that Captain Fantastic is a high watermark album for Elton and the band. My brother had the 8 track tape not long after the album was released. I listened to it many times. I eventually bought the vinyl. Years later I picked up the Captain Fantastic classic years CD with extra tracks. A wonderful package. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road will always be my favorite EJ album. I love them all right up to Captain Fantastic. Rock of the Westies is a good change up and was a new chapter for Elton. I remember not liking it when it came out but I've warmed to it over the years. Now, I really like it. Funky, upbeat, playful and Elton sings the crap out of those songs. I lamented the fact that Elton had let go of Nigel and Dee at the time. Along with Davey and Ray that band was absolutely magical. Blue Moves had it's moments. As a single record it would have been nearly as good as Westies. Unfortunately, too many mediocre tracks weighed the album down. It was a slog to get through and I found that even the strongest tracks were not up to the high bar Elton had set for himself. I never purchased another record by Elton after Blue Moves. I had heard a few of them and came away not wanting to buy them. We all get older and our tastes change sometimes. That said, I still enjoy that great run from ST to Captain Fantastic as much as I did back in the day. I'd throw Empty Sky and Westies into that group as well. Thanks Barry, I enjoyed this clip very much.
Check out the live performance of the Captain Fantastic album on the extended remastered version. It's really phenomenal. The jam on Curtains is really enjoyable.
Amazing album. With 2 #1s that didn’t even make the album (Lucy in the Sky & Philadelphia Freedom), as well as a great Lennon cover (One Day at a Time). Fantastic indeed.
Absolute nonsense, I find MAD Man Across the Water a far better album, earlier songs such as Levon, Come Down in Time, 60 years on are unbeatable. When EJ gets to the Single Man album collaborating with Gary Osbourne that’s the point when things go tits up
I have the album including the poster and booklet of lyrics and illustrations . There are also two volumes of Beatles lyrics accompanied by Alan Aldridges wonderful artwork that I have . Great album . I’ve recently become safely housed inside the wonderful Tumblweed connection from where I shall remain I presume for sometime , only being tempted out by Jerry lee Lewis at The star club or little Richard The rillthing …
This is one of the best albums by any artist. Elton had SO many amazing songs released in a 4 year period. If you were only to listen to the songs that never got played on the radio you would be blown away by the amazing music that average fans have never even heard. Elton was the very first artist I got into around 1974 (I was 9 Year at the time) and I am still amazed by the incredible output of elton, bernie and that classic EJ lineup. The melodies on this album are stunning and as always the backing vocals are superb. I put Elton and his classic lineup in the top 5 groups when it comes to vocals/harmonies/backing vocals.... and understanding the writing/recording process of the songs by this group is even more impressive. There were days during this period that Bernie would hand a lyric sheet to Elton - he would sit down with the band and hash out the music, rehearse just a few time and then record - sometimes 3-4 of these incredible songs in ONE day!
Another great review, thank you. I remember buying this the day it was released. I think at the time it broke the record for presales/preorders, but I may be wrong. Of course, after watching your review I listened to it again, as I do most of your videos. Then I visited the "equal", "The Captain and the Kid". I'm not a fan of his post-Blue Moves albums but was very pleased with it. While not as good as Capt. Fantastic, it does have some very fine movements. At the very least it too has a very non-commercial sound and feel. EJ's aged services the material very well. It's worth a listen. Anyway, thanks again!
In the late 70s, it was listed in Guinness book of world records for the # 1 entry and the first album to be shipped platinum, meaning pre-orders, USA only of course. Then he did the # 1 entry thing again 5 months later with Rock of the Westies.
Elton made two big mistakes in 75, When he played the whole album at Wembley stadium,100,000 there,& nobody had heard the album before.The second big mistake was having the Beach boys on before him,by all accounts they were great that day,he couldn’t follow them,I’ve read & heard that they blew him off the stage,& thousands left half way through he’s set.Elton himself said I shouldn’t have had the beach boys on before me.
Thankfully Elton was contracted to do two albums per year during this period! Such a shame Gus and this band didn’t work with Elton again. Their magic touch bringing Elton’s songs to life was peerless.
I think his 2 best albums are Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, then Captain Fantastic....in that order. To me,...they are the 2 best albums of all time...by a mile!!
Always loved this album - while it doesn't have the stand out songs of GYBR, it doesn't have any filler (unlike GYBR). This is one of his very few albums i can listen to in its entirety without passing over occasional tracks.
Always loved this album, think one of EJ's best. This was a record you could get lost in both the music and the artwork with the accompioning booklets. A track i constantly go back to is Tell Me When The Whistle Blows, you almost feel you are on the train. Thank you for a brilliant review. 🚂
Great review. I still prefer Tumbleweeds, Yellow Brick Road and Live with the Melbourne symphony (I think that was made about the time he was going to have some serious larynx surgery and he is tired and emotional and the album works very well) but I'll have to revisit this after listening to your review. Thank you!
I always think this is the album where Elton's voice peaked. Technically he was at his very best, and a far cry from later years. Whatever he did as an older man, like the impressive Songs From The West Coast, his younger voice was sorely missed. Not sure whether i'd say the consistency of the songs is his best on this album. I have always loved certain tracks, like the wonderful 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight' and 'Tower Of Babel' but felt lukewarm towards others. It was intended as a concept album focusing on Elton's and Bernie's lives, and it does have a slightly theatrical feel in places.
I came close to buying this so many times when it came out but lps were expensive for a schoolboy on limited pocket money. Lack of hits dissuaded me. Never listened to it start to finish
It's an album I don't mind disregarding in his 70/76 period. I even prefer a more unbalanced album like Blue Moves, having to go through the fantasy that it's not a double album. But the good tracks are really good. And Rock of the Westies, that has only one filler. Or Don't Shoot me, ignoring the crocodile thing. And of course, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, even with it's one or two fillers. And by god, beware all those he made covers of. It would certainly be better than the original: LSD, Pinball Wizard...
I was a child when THIS album came out on general release.... No idea what a 'Homosex' was back then.... Find it VERY distasteful, HIM referring to his '$hit-shovelling' antics in the "Brown Dirt Cowboy" title = Putrid .
No. I am a great fan of Elton John's early albums, this is not one of them. Madman, Elton John, Tumbleweed, Honky Chateau, Don't Shoot, and Goodbye are my favorites.
Nice little subtle hint at one of Barry's previous videos where it was hinted at by one particular jerk off commenting that Barry might be a racist. lol
A little info the drum sound on 'Better Off Dead' was achieved by applying the Eventide Harmonizer to it. I know this because I once met Gus Dudgeon and he told me so.
"Will the things we wrote today sound as good tomorrow?" (from Writing). Where this album is concerned, the answer to that question is a definitive "Yes!!!!!"
His best work. Curtains is a stunning finisher.
A great Elton John album indeed. My favorites are Madman, Tumbleweed and Yellow Brick Road (better as a single LP).
I've been purchasing LP's for over 5 decades now and I bought this album in the 70's as a teen. I was a massive Elton John fan and still love his older music (his later stuff is very soft, boring and hit & miss). This album never left my turn table and was played to death, while friends thought I had lost my mind. I later, due to wear and tear, purchased it again used in mint condition while on a record hunt in the late 80's. Funny thing is last month I bought the double remastered extra songs CD version and love it once again. The Disc package is very nice and very well put together. Vinyl still rules but if u need CD this one's a keeper. Thx
I don't know that I'd necessarily rate this Elton John's best album, but I've always thought of it as his last great album. The SACD 5.1 mix of this released some years back is extraordinary...
I totally agree with you. So right
Although the follow up album was not bad at all, for a "new" Elton album, he seemed to go back to his vibes of US travelling troubadour.
First album to enter the charts at #1 in USA.
Alan Aldridge did the cover, he is probably best known for The Beatles Illuatrated Lyrics books.
The album sounds ,well, fantastic on the SACD surround sound version. Also includes the bonus tracks, Philadelphia Freedom, and the Lennon songs, One Day at a Time, and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
Whether it or Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is my favorite Elton John album, I can't decide. But there isn't a bad track on either. We All Fall in Love Sometime is probably my favorite song on Captain Fantastic. I got it when it first came out, loved the two booklets and poster that came with it, and filled out and sent the attached document to join the fan club.
Elton John is awesome ...
I'm 66 and Elton John has been my favorite artist since I was a teenager. I've seen him in concert many, many times. Your review provided new insights for me into this wonderful album! Thank you!
It's easily my favorite from EJ. I can't believe how underrated it is.
My favorite too!
The Captain and the Kid was an unfairly overlooked album in his discography. I'm a huge fan since 1973 and I would even go as far as saying that its an album that could be included in his classic period.
The Captain and the Kid is a worthy follow-up suffering only in trying to cover too much time and a very eventful career in too few songs. One of the rare instances where an album would have benefited by having MORE songs.
@@windnchgo Absolutely Bill The Captain & The Kid is a terrific follow up to Captain Fantastic
The Captain & The Kid is very fine follow up album to Captain Fantastic
Good timing on this, with your friends (I hope) in Pittsburgh and Chicago dropping their Elton listography tomorrow!
Great review. It is an album which I listen to carefully with headphones - so much to take in and enjoy. It sounds brilliant. Beautifully produced by Gus Dudgeon. The band (Elton, Dee, Nigel, Davey, and Ray) is incredibly tight and spot on. Solid across the entire 10 songs.
This is my fourth favourite Elton John album. In my view it's a masterpiece, so you can imagine how I feel about the other three.
By the way, the other three are Madman Across the Water, Honky Chateau and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player.
I got Captain Fantastic in summer 75. 2 booklets, a poster and a record that I proceeded to play the hell out of. Great album, great memories.
Superb album, one of the finest ever IMHO, especially as a package for the buying public (including the lyric pamphlet originally enclosed). All great songs and lyrics. Personally, I think this is a more cohesive album than Sgt Peppers or Pet Sounds. It's an album one can play again and again and love it more and more.
I grew up with Elton but the Beatles echoed in my ears from the radio. I bought the Double Red and Double Blue album Beatles collections but never bought an album of theirs until CDs came out. It was then I was surprised to learn how un-cohesive Bealtes albums were. They simply sounded like a stack of singles presented in a reasonable enough way.
In this way I believe GOODBYE YELLOWBRICK ROAD blew the sock off of any Beatles album. Even if PEPPERS and MYSTERY TOUR had been released as a double album.
Bought on release when I was 13. Got rid of a load of vinyl when cds came in but could not part with this. Still have it.
Nigel Olsson's drumming is what makes this album unique. How a drum kit can evoke so much emotion is beyond comprehension. The rolls and fills can bring tears to the eyes. Just beautiful.
Thank you for featuring this amazing album. One of my favorites ever since I got my vinyl upon its release. I have no clue why anyone would look upon it negatively, but that's also one of the coolest things about music: everyone hears things differently. Cheers to all.
I've got to be contrarian on this one. I do like this album a lot, but for me, every album that precedes it is better, except maybe Caribou, with Yellowbrick Road being the obvious masterpiece. Best double album of them all, IMO.
GYBR will always be my favourite, but this is defo in my top 5 Elton albums. Someone Saved My Life Tonight is my all-time favourite Elton song and other highlights for me include Tower of Babel, Meal Ticket, Writing & Better Off Dead. Also, Captain & The Kid is surprisingly good and a worthy follow-up.
This one initially disappointed me at 14 having bought all his earlier albums, but it's grown on me over the years, especially the title track and TMWTWB. The enthralling 2 track conclusion is glorious, and the live performance with the new band is superb. The surround remix brings so much more to life!
Captain Fantastic was the first album ever to ship at #1. The second? His next album, Rock of the Westies. Elton OWNED the '70s.
There is no reason for anything on this album to be a hit single. That was driven by his popularity. But it contains some of their best work together. And, as noted in the video, the last with the classic Elton John Band. After this, he pitched his rhythm section (Murray and Olsen). It broke Dee's heart. Both came back later, and Olsen remains there to this day. (Dee died of skin cancer awhile back.)
The sequel is amazing. It is the best stuff they did after his "classic" period. "And the House Fell Down" is as good as anything they've ever done.
I really don't care for Curtains, yet the previous track, We All Fall in Love Sometimes, is one of my all-time favorites. But I think Blue Moves is his best work, so what do I know?
The line in Tower of Babel about heart attacks is about drug use.
The video was great. Thanks for doing it.
Thanks for doing this review of CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY. I have never been able to stop playing this one. It is truly a very very good record - in every way. People tend to focus on Elton's "hits" and his "celebrity" and need to look back at some of his classic albums between 1970 and 1976.
This is quite an old review... I was thinking of re-doing it
Frankly, I agree with omsenkuma here. I did enjoy the follow up the Captain and the Kid. nice album after I gave up hope on Elton. I liked The One and I liked the mentioned one after his Cpt. Fantastic days. Elton, like Phil (collins) aged into pop art I think. The voice had changed since his challenges with vocal cords, not his mistake. I miss the "old" Elton voice. In fact, I have seen him 5 times but stayed away from his end tour. It was too show, too commercial, too old for those times. I rather keep him in my memory as a young man discovering the US as troubadour, of course, a legend he will always be.
And sorry - the one with Leon Russel is a pure GEM
Superb album as are all the previous albums, with the exception of empty Sky. And up to A Single Man, EJ and BT have far surpassed Lennon and McCartney. I wish BT would get the recognition he deserves
I cannot objectively say which of his albums is the best because in the seventies I waited in hot anticipation for every single album of his. So for me every album of his was great from his eponymous album through and including Blue Moves..... But to be fair to myself, is there in actuality an "Objective" best? It's all very subjective, based on individual tastes, experiences, etc.
If GBYBR is Elton's Sgt. Peppers album then Captain Fantastic is his Abbey Road album. Like Abbey Road the first half period of Elton's career was coming to an end. After Captain Fantastic, except for keeping guitarist Davey Johnstone, Elton broke up the band that has been with him since Honkey Chateau.
Re: Curtains. I see Agatha Christie released her final book, Curtains, in the same year EJ released this fantastic lp. Christie's swansong, but not Elton's, as the man kept trying to stay on the log of rock music rapids as long as he could keep his hair upon his head. The Louder Than Concorde Band only lacked the vocals of Nigel and Dee. It would have been near perfection. Btw, a few of the songs on Blue Moves seem like they could have been on Capt Fantastic.
Maybe my favorite Elton album? Yes, I Love Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, but to be honest it has some songs I don't like: can't stand Jamaica Jerk-off or Your Sister Can't Twist: not a big fan of Roy Rogers either! But I like every song on Captain Fantastic!
The packaging--not only the gatefold sleeve but the poster and two booklets--was integral to CF's impact. 1975 was definitely the golden age of album art.
I agree that Captain Fantastic is a high watermark album for Elton and the band. My brother had the 8 track tape not long after the album was released. I listened to it many times. I eventually bought the vinyl. Years later I picked up the Captain Fantastic classic years CD with extra tracks. A wonderful package. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road will always be my favorite EJ album. I love them all right up to Captain Fantastic. Rock of the Westies is a good change up and was a new chapter for Elton. I remember not liking it when it came out but I've warmed to it over the years. Now, I really like it. Funky, upbeat, playful and Elton sings the crap out of those songs.
I lamented the fact that Elton had let go of Nigel and Dee at the time. Along with Davey and Ray that band was absolutely magical. Blue Moves had it's moments. As a single record it would have been nearly as good as Westies. Unfortunately, too many mediocre tracks weighed the album down. It was a slog to get through and I found that even the strongest tracks were not up to the high bar Elton had set for himself.
I never purchased another record by Elton after Blue Moves. I had heard a few of them and came away not wanting to buy them. We all get older and our tastes change sometimes. That said, I still enjoy that great run from ST to Captain Fantastic as much as I did back in the day. I'd throw Empty Sky and Westies into that group as well.
Thanks Barry, I enjoyed this clip very much.
Check out the live performance of the Captain Fantastic album on the extended remastered version. It's really phenomenal. The jam on Curtains is really enjoyable.
Amazing album. With 2 #1s that didn’t even make the album (Lucy in the Sky & Philadelphia Freedom), as well as a great Lennon cover (One Day at a Time). Fantastic indeed.
The only EJ album that really matters. Every song is better than every song on any of his other albums. Highest production and performances.
Absolute nonsense, I find MAD Man Across the Water a far better album, earlier songs such as Levon, Come Down in Time, 60 years on are unbeatable. When EJ gets to the Single Man album collaborating with Gary Osbourne that’s the point when things go tits up
I have the album including the poster and booklet of lyrics and illustrations . There are also two volumes of Beatles lyrics accompanied by Alan Aldridges wonderful artwork that I have . Great album . I’ve recently become safely housed inside the wonderful Tumblweed connection from where I shall remain I presume for sometime , only being tempted out by Jerry lee Lewis at The star club or little Richard The rillthing …
This is one of the best albums by any artist. Elton had SO many amazing songs released in a 4 year period. If you were only to listen to the songs that never got played on the radio you would be blown away by the amazing music that average fans have never even heard. Elton was the very first artist I got into around 1974 (I was 9 Year at the time) and I am still amazed by the incredible output of elton, bernie and that classic EJ lineup. The melodies on this album are stunning and as always the backing vocals are superb. I put Elton and his classic lineup in the top 5 groups when it comes to vocals/harmonies/backing vocals.... and understanding the writing/recording process of the songs by this group is even more impressive. There were days during this period that Bernie would hand a lyric sheet to Elton - he would sit down with the band and hash out the music, rehearse just a few time and then record - sometimes 3-4 of these incredible songs in ONE day!
Another great review, thank you. I remember buying this the day it was released. I think at the time it broke the record for presales/preorders, but I may be wrong. Of course, after watching your review I listened to it again, as I do most of your videos. Then I visited the "equal", "The Captain and the Kid". I'm not a fan of his post-Blue Moves albums but was very pleased with it. While not as good as Capt. Fantastic, it does have some very fine movements. At the very least it too has a very non-commercial sound and feel. EJ's aged services the material very well. It's worth a listen. Anyway, thanks again!
To be specific - the first album in history to ENTER the charts at number one. An incredible feat indeed!
Incredible indeed!
In the late 70s, it was listed in Guinness book of world records for the # 1 entry and the first album to be shipped platinum, meaning pre-orders, USA only of course. Then he did the # 1 entry thing again 5 months later with Rock of the Westies.
Elton made two big mistakes in 75, When he played the whole album at Wembley stadium,100,000 there,& nobody had heard the album before.The second big mistake was having the Beach boys on before him,by all accounts they were great that day,he couldn’t follow them,I’ve read & heard that they blew him off the stage,& thousands left half way through he’s set.Elton himself said I shouldn’t have had the beach boys on before me.
Thankfully Elton was contracted to do two albums per year during this period! Such a shame Gus and this band didn’t work with Elton again. Their magic touch bringing Elton’s songs to life was peerless.
I think his 2 best albums are Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, then Captain Fantastic....in that order. To me,...they are the 2 best albums of all time...by a mile!!
Always loved this album - while it doesn't have the stand out songs of GYBR, it doesn't have any filler (unlike GYBR). This is one of his very few albums i can listen to in its entirety without passing over occasional tracks.
This album never struck me for some reason . I must revisit having witnessed your enthusiastic musing here 😎⭐️
I have long thought this was Elton's best album. One of the first albums I ever got aged about 13 I think during the long hot summer of '76.
Always loved this album, think one of EJ's best. This was a record you could get lost in both the music and the artwork with the accompioning booklets. A track i constantly go back to is Tell Me When The Whistle Blows, you almost feel you are on the train. Thank you for a brilliant review. 🚂
A quick thought is this album as good as Victim of Love 😂
Hey. There is probably some alternate universe where Victim of Love is regarded as his best album😆Thankfully we don't live there.
Its been on my playlist and in my top ten for decades
My favourite Elton John album for sure!
This is likely a top 3 Elton John album for me , after Honky Chateau and Don't Shoot Me ( Crocodile Rock notwithstanding ) .
It's a classic .
As much as I love Captain Fantastic, I’d go as far as saying I prefer Captain and the Kid
Great review. I still prefer Tumbleweeds, Yellow Brick Road and Live with the Melbourne symphony (I think that was made about the time he was going to have some serious larynx surgery and he is tired and emotional and the album works very well) but I'll have to revisit this after listening to your review. Thank you!
My favourite is tumbleweed
I always think this is the album where Elton's voice peaked. Technically he was at his very best, and a far cry from later years. Whatever he did as an older man, like the impressive Songs From The West Coast, his younger voice was sorely missed. Not sure whether i'd say the consistency of the songs is his best on this album. I have always loved certain tracks, like the wonderful 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight' and 'Tower Of Babel' but felt lukewarm towards others. It was intended as a concept album focusing on Elton's and Bernie's lives, and it does have a slightly theatrical feel in places.
An underrated classic album,definitely in Elton’s top 3 all time best.
No way gbybr was written in 3 days. Bernie at least had to have the lyrics ready
I read up on it , they basically did two songs a day starting at breakfast . Damn , they were on a roll … excluding the reggae number of course :)
His best album, in my humble opinion
The last great Elton John album IMHO. The follow-up I did not like.
The album that made me like elton john
I came close to buying this so many times when it came out but lps were expensive for a schoolboy on limited pocket money. Lack of hits dissuaded me. Never listened to it start to finish
the last great elton john album
It's an album I don't mind disregarding in his 70/76 period. I even prefer a more unbalanced album like Blue Moves, having to go through the fantasy that it's not a double album. But the good tracks are really good. And Rock of the Westies, that has only one filler. Or Don't Shoot me, ignoring the crocodile thing. And of course, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, even with it's one or two fillers. And by god, beware all those he made covers of. It would certainly be better than the original: LSD, Pinball Wizard...
I was a child when THIS album came out on general release.... No idea what a 'Homosex' was back then....
Find it VERY distasteful, HIM referring to his '$hit-shovelling' antics in the "Brown Dirt Cowboy" title = Putrid
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No. I am a great fan of Elton John's early albums, this is not one of them. Madman, Elton John, Tumbleweed, Honky Chateau, Don't Shoot, and Goodbye are my favorites.
Love Elton. One of my favourites. Better than Marvin Gaye.
Nice little subtle hint at one of Barry's previous videos where it was hinted at by one particular jerk off commenting that Barry might be a racist. lol
A little info the drum sound on 'Better Off Dead' was achieved by applying the Eventide Harmonizer to it. I know this because I once met Gus Dudgeon and he told me so.