What we're listening to: Elton John 'Captain Fantastic'

Elton John comes up here time and again and this time, for 2 Albums for the price of 1!!

'Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy' (Elton as Capt Fantastic, Bernie Taupin as the Cowboy seemingly) from 1975 was Elton's 9th Album. 

It's autobiographical about their early struggles in London. The great "Someone saved my life tonight" for example, is about Elton's engagement disaster to a woman (!) Linda Woodrow. 

Elton considers it his best record. Alan Aldridge did the Album cover based on a Bosch painting and amazing it is too. 

'Tower of Babel', 'Tell me when the whistle blows', 'Captain Fantastic' 'Gotta get a meal ticket' are great. Truly great. 

'The Captain and the kid' then separately, was his 28th Album from 2006 but follows up the first Album for where it left off. If you know what I mean? They're both "related".

                                  

Definitely 'Captain Fantastic' is a great, great Album. We have already featured the amazing Elton John trilogy on this Blog before, of 'Madman across the water', 'Honky Chateau', 'Tumbleweed Connection' and Captain Fantastic came just later - but almost the same band. It debuted at number one and nearly sold a million copies on day one.

Definitely get 'Captain Fantastic' and then get 'The Captain and The Kid' Album later so start at the start. And if you haven't got 'Madman' yet, get that before you do anything else! 

Amazing man. 

The last link here is from a 1975 Live gig of the whole Album. You get more of a "country" (Americana) feel, that you don't get on the normal record. Which is typical Bernie Taupin who was fascinated with the Old West and you see that time and again. 'Madman', 'Tumbleweed', 'Honky Chateau' typify that. 

Highly recommended. 

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Nirvana 'Nevermind': James Brown 'At The Apollo' 1962: Grateful Dead 'American Beauty': Frampton 'Comes Alive': Snow Patrol 'Final Straw': The Jayhawks 'Hollywood Town Hall': Alanis Morissette 'Jagged Little Pill': Chris Stapleton 'Traveller': Shelby Lynne 'I Am': Lauryn Hill 'Miseducation': Alicia Keys 'Songs in A Minor': Beatles 'Revolver': The Allergies 'Push On' (Our Album of 2017): Sinatra 'Jolly Christmas': Stranglers 'Rattus Norvegicus': Happy Mondays 'Pills Thrills and Bellyaches': The Verve 'Urban Hymns': Jim Croce 'You don't mess around with Jim': America 'America': Hall & Oates 'The Singles': George Michael 'Older': Rolling Stones 'Sticky Fingers': Miles Davis 'Kind of Blue': Mink Willy De Ville 'Backstreets of Desire': Ten Years After 'Undead': The Beat 'Just can't stop it': George Thorogood/The Destoyers '2120 Michigan Avenue': Tom Waits 'Franks Wild Years'; Glen Campbell 'Rhinestone Cowboy': Rory Gallagher 'Live in Europe': Michael Jackson 'Thriller': Daft Punk 'Discovery': DJ Dimitri 'Disco Forever': John Martyn 'Grace & Danger': Peter Gabriel 'So': Crowded House 'Woodface': Springsteen 'Born to Run': ACDC 'Back in Black': Grace Jones 'Nighclubbing': Stevie Wonder 'Songs in the key of life': The Cars 'The Cars': Billy Joel '52nd Street': Beatles 'Sgt Pepper': Tom Petty 'Damn the Torpedoes': World Party 'Bang': Eric Clapton 'Slowhand': John Mayer 'Room for Squares': Ry Cooder 'Bop til you drop': Jon&Vangelis 'Friends of Mr. Cairo': Mary Chapin 'Come on, Come on': Frank Zappa 'Joe's Garage': Joni Mitchell 'Blue': Steve Gibbons 'Caught in the Act': Elton John 'Tumbleweed Connection': Elton John 'Honky Chateau': Gallagher & Lyle 'Breakaway': Warren Zevon 'Excitable Boy': Donald Fagen 'The Nightfly': Supertramp 'Breakfast in America': George Michael 'Listen without Predujice': Radiohead 'The Bends': Beyonce 'Lemonade' Album of the year 2016: Oddisee 'The mix Tape': Soul 11 Soul 'Club Classics': Jennifer Warnes 'Famous Blue Raincoat':Art Garfunkel 'Watermark': REM 'Out of Time': Van 'Keep me Singing': Frank Sinatra 'Songs for Swinging Lovers': Al Stewart 'Year of the Cat': Stevie Ray Vaughan 'Texas Flood':Frank Ocean 'Blond': Jimmy Buffett 'Son of a Sailor': Marc Cohn 'Marc Cohn': Bill Withers 'Complete Sussex and Columbia': Hendrix 'Electric Ladyland': ABC 'Lexicon of Love': Rickie Lee Jones 'Rickie Lee Jones': Billy Joel "Glass Houses": Rodriguez "Cold Fact": Prefab Sprout 'Steve McQueen'; Chet Baker 'Live 64-79'; The Stone Roses 'Stone Roses'; Joe Jackson 'I'm the Man'; Oasis 'Morning Glory'; Bob Dylan 'At The Budokan'; Van "It's too late to stop now Volume 2/3/4"; Air 'Moon Safari'; Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill.

What we're listening to: Elton John 'Tumbleweed Connection'

This is our 3rd part in a series of Elton John Albums including 'Madman' 1971, 'Honky Chateau' 1972 and this, 'Tumbleweed Connection' from 1970 which started a remarkable run of great Albums in succession.

You'll now find them all here on this Blog but a with a special mention for 'Madman across the water', one of the great all-time records.

Tumbleweed was his 3rd Album and represents the fascination that John and Bernie Taupin had with the Old West. Americana and Westerns.

It was recorded in London and the cover pic is a Railway Station in 'Hosted Keynes' (yeah, me neither) of all places (Sussex) and that's Elton seated (Bernie was on the back cover). 

'Burn down the Mission' is perhaps the best known tune but 'Country Comfort', 'My Fathers Gun' (Streamabout's top track), 'Come down in time' and 'Where to now St. Peter?' all get a worthy mention but then, 'Amoreena' too and all that says is that all the tracks are actually, standout.

What's interesting is to see Dave Glover (Slade) and Roger Pope (Popey) playing here with Lesley Duncan (the infamous voice on Floyd's 'Dark Side') and Caleb Quaye (Hall & Oates) but all forming the core of the Elton John Band and sound. It was the start of it really.....with Dee Murray, Paul Buckmaster, Nigel Olsson. Dusty Springfield also makes an appearance and of course, Gus Dudgeon produces.

It's really some line-up supporting great John/Taupin songwriting. 

EJ hadn't broken the US at this stage so this Album was really considered after he did and not so much at the time. But extraordinary is certainly is and starting that 3 Album line-up that's really highly creative output.

You need all 3 for a hat trick. Get them...ALL.

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Elton John 'Honky Chateau': Gallagher & Lyle 'Breakaway': Warren Zevon 'Excitable Boy': Donald Fagen 'The Nightfly': Supertramp 'Breakfast in America': George Michael 'Listen without predujice': Radiohead 'The Bends': Beyonce 'Lemonade' Album of the year 2016: Oddisee 'The mix Tape': Soul 11 Soul 'Club Classics': Jennifer Warnes 'Famous Blue Raincoat':Art Garfunkel 'Watermark': REM 'Out of Time': Van 'Keep me Singing': Frank Sinatra 'Songs for Swinging Lovers': Al Stewart 'Year of the Cat': Stevie Ray Vaughan 'Texas Flood':Frank Ocean 'Blond': Jimmy Buffett 'Son of a Sailor': Marc Cohn 'Marc Cohn': Bill Withers 'Complete Sussex and Columbia': Hendrix 'Electric Ladyland': ABC 'Lexicon of Love': Rickie Lee Jones 'Rickie Lee Jones': Billy Joel "Glass Houses": Rodriguez "Cold Fact": Prefab Sprout 'Steve McQueen'; Chet Baker 'Live 64-79'; The Stone Roses 'Stone Roses'; Joe Jackson 'I'm the Man'; Oasis 'Morning Glory'; Bob Dylan 'At The Budokan'; Van "It's too late to stop now Volume 2/3/4"; Air 'Moon Safari'; Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'. 

What we're listening to: Elton John 'Honky Chateau'

There were 3 extraordinary Albums from Elton John and Mr. Taupin that appeared one after the other. Tumbleweed Connection 1970, Madman 1971 (his greatest record and already covered in this blog) and this Honky Chateau Album from 1972.

There were others, 'Yellow Brick Road' (ranked best EJ Album by Rolling Stone Readers Poll, Madman ranked 2, Tumbleweed ranked 4, Honky Chateau ranked 5), 'Don't Shoot me' and 'Captain Fantastic' spring to mind too.

Recent listeners think of Elton John from "I'm still standing" and The Lion King. Don't. He is such an extraordinary talent and Bernie Taupin such a terrific writer, you miss a lot if you "discard" him. 

'Madman' in fact, is one of the greatest Albums of all time and Honky Chateau doesn't come far behind.

Simply, there is no award in the music business that this man hasn't won times over.

Born Reg Dwight, he started collaborating with Bernie in 1967, aged 20 although he had formed a Band 'Bluesology' in 1962. 

Taupin famously wrote the lyrics on his own in one room handed them to Reg who then wrote the music in another.

Backed (and in the writers view, importantly backed) by Nigel Olsson and Dee Murray (ex Spencer Davis Group) of course Davey Johnstone/Gus Dudgeon later too, it was the infamous LA Troubadour gig in 1970 (and there's a great doc about that which you should watch) which broke him into the US. 

Recently I watched 'The Eagles' story documentary and Glenn Frey said he was at that gig and noted that it was the pivotal musical moment that changed him.

Honky Chateau was his first US Number One record and his 5th Album.

The name came from where it was recorded, in a French Chateau.

'Rocket Man' of course is the best known track here but from the bluesy opening of 'Honky Cat' it just runs from magical song to magical song. The whole band is here - Davey, Dee, Gus (producing) and Nigel. 

You will not be anything but knocked over by this and the three Elton Albums should be in everyone's collection. Really. Next week we'll do Tumbleweed Connection too, so you'll have a view on all three. The man is a genius. 

Ah, the memories of this.....she packed my bags last night. 

Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog (you can search them in the Search top left on the Blog)......Gallagher & Lyle 'Breakaway': Warren Zevon 'Excitable Boy': Donald Fagen 'The Nightfly': Supertramp 'Breakfast in America': George Michael 'Listen without predujice': Radiohead 'The Bends': Beyonce 'Lemonade' Album of the year 2016: Oddisee 'The mix Tape': Soul 11 Soul 'Club Classics': Jennifer Warnes 'Famous Blue Raincoat':Art Garfunkel 'Watermark': REM 'Out of Time': Van 'Keep me Singing': Frank Sinatra 'Songs for Swinging Lovers': Al Stewart 'Year of the Cat': Stevie Ray Vaughan 'Texas Flood':Frank Ocean 'Blond': Jimmy Buffett 'Son of a Sailor': Marc Cohn 'Marc Cohn': Bill Withers 'Complete Sussex and Columbia': Hendrix 'Electric Ladyland': ABC 'Lexicon of Love': Rickie Lee Jones 'Rickie Lee Jones': Billy Joel "Glass Houses": Rodriguez "Cold Fact": Prefab Sprout 'Steve McQueen'; Chet Baker 'Live 64-79'; The Stone Roses 'Stone Roses'; Joe Jackson 'I'm the Man'; Oasis 'Morning Glory'; Bob Dylan 'At The Budokan'; Van "It's too late to stop now Volume 2/3/4"; Air 'Moon Safari'; Talking Heads 'Stop Making Sense'; Lynyrd Skynyrd 'One for the road'; Marvin Gaye 'Whats Goin on'; Mercury Rev 'Deserters Songs'; Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson 'Off the Wall'; Carole King 'Tapestry'; Beatles 'Red Album'; Sex Pistols 'Never mind the Bollocks'; Sam Cooke 'Live at Harlem Square'; The Doors 'LA Woman'; Thin Lizzy 'Live & Dangerous'; Kendrick Lamarr 'Butterfly'; Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace'; Clapton '461'; Massive Attack 'Blue Lines'; The Clash 'London Calling'; Chris Isaak 'At The Filmore'; Bob Dylan 'Street Legal'; Bad Company 'Straight Shooter'; Jackson Browne 'Love is Strange'; Lou Reed 'Transformer'; Steely Dan 'AJA'; Stones 'Black+Blue'; Stephen Bishop 'Careless'; Nils Lofgren 'Night after Night'; Mike Oldfield 'Tubular Bells'; Neil Young 'Harvest'; Led Zep '4'; David Bowie 'David Live'; Van Morrison 'It's too late to stop now'; Wings 'Band on the Run'; Rod Stewart 'Atlantic Crossing'; Ryan Adams 'Heartbreaker'; Santana 'Essential'; Bob Dylan 'Desire'; Roxy Music 'For your pleasure'; Bob Marley 'Legend'; Stephen Fretwell 'Magpie'; James Taylor 'Sweet Baby James'; Deep Purple 'Machine Head'; Springsteen 'Darkness on the edge of town'; Leon Bridges 'Coming Home'; Eagles 'Hotel California'; Jungle; Aretha 'Soul Queen'; Neil Young 'After the Goldrush' ; Zappa 'Overnite Sensation'; Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'; Keith Jarrett 'Koln Concert'; Doobies 'Southbound'; Stevie Earle 'I feel Alright'; Tom Waits 'Closing Time'; Pink Floyd 'Dark Side'; Van Morrison 'Moondance'; Eric Church 'Caught in the Act'; Randy Newman 'Little Criminals'; Elton John 'Madman across the water'; Patti Smith 'Horses'; Doobies 'Captain and Me'; Steely Dan 'Can't Buy a Thrill'. 

What we're listening to - Madman across the water Elton John. A gem.

Another 1971 classic on all week being played in Streamabout.

Forget "I'm still standing" and just get this now. A real beauty of a record from the brilliance of Reg Dwight and Bernie Taupin. It's something really beautiful in the 'Honky Chateau' domain and 'Tumbleweed Connection'.

Really - it's something special. Absolutely adored in here. Rick Wakeman played on it as did David Glover.

"Boston at last and the plane's touching down...." Love it!