Madman Box Set Review

Review: Elton John’s ‘Madman Across The Water’ Gets the Lavish Expanded Treatment to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

 I actually think it’s the most American record we ever made, says Elton John’s lyricist Bernie Taupin in the introduction to the hard-bound 104-page book that comes with this lavish, “super deluxe” 50th-anniversary reissue of Madman Across the Water (November 1971). It’s an overview, a time capsule of that era…it’s still wonderfully evocative. The album is like an American road trip. 

Read the review...

New Elton vinyl reissues coming...

Peachtree Road, The One and Regimental Sgt. Zippo vinyl reissues coming...

 

July sees a clutch of Elton John remastered vinyl reissues including a 2LP edition of his 2005 album Peachtree Road, a stereo release of 1968’s Regimental Sgt. Zippo and his first album of the 1990s, The One.

 Read the rest here...

Elton John Career-Spanning Doc ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ Lands at Disney

Sir Elton John is preparing to say goodbye in fabulous splendor, with the help of a documentary crew and the Walt Disney Co.

Disney Original Documentary and Disney+ said Wednesday that the film, entitled Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: The Final Elton John Performances and the Years that Made His Legend, will serve as the definitive and official feature on John’s life and career. Including unseen archival footage, new interviews and a present day look at him and his family, it’ll culminate with his final North American show at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles this November.

 Click here to read the article...

"Cold Heart" becomes Elton John's 18th Billboard AC #1

 

Elton John and Dua Lipa‘s “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)” is the hottest song on the Billboard Adult Contemporary radio airplay chart, as it rises to No. 1 on the list dated May 21, reflecting play in the May 9-15 tracking week, according to Luminate.

The coronation marks the latest historic feat for John, as he notches his record-extending 18th AC No. 1. That’s among 41 top 10s and 75 entries overall, also bests among all artists in the tally’s archives, which date to July 1961.

Read the article...

 

BIG NEWS: Elton John To Celebrate 50th Anniversary Of Madman Across The Water

 

Madman Across The Water 50th Anniversary Box Sets due June 10.  Available for pre-order on Amazon;

 

Click the image below for the Amazon pre-order page;

From Elton John.com;

Madman Across The Water available on four different formats:

• Super Deluxe box set 3-CD, 1-Blu-ray also featuring 18 previously unreleased tracks, also containing 1971 reproduction poster and 104-page book, photos and essay with interviews with those who helped make the album, as well as memorabilia and artwork taken from the Rocket Archive. Blu-ray features 5.1 mix, and 1971 Sounds For Saturday and 1971 Old Grey Whistle Test performances
• 4-LP, 180g vinyl box set, includes a 40-page booklet with introductions by Elton and Bernie, photos and essay featuring interviews with many who helped make Madman Across The Water, plus a reproduction 1971 reproduction poster, as well as memorabilia and artwork from the Rocket Archive
• 2-CD set with original album, rarities and demos, includes a 40-page booklet with introductions by Elton and Bernie, plus essay highlights featuring interviews with many who helped make Madman Across The Water, as well as memorabilia and artwork taken from the Rocket Archive
• 1-LP  limited edition remaster of Madman Across The Water, in blue and white coloured 180g vinyl

Elton: "And I can't wait for you to hear more new music soon."

Sir Elton John was honored with the Mass Appeal prize, and teased that 'more new music' is on the way after he collaborated with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Dua Lipa, Olly Alexander and Charlie Puth on The Lockdown Sessions LP last year.

 More here... 

Elton in Hershey tonight...

Elton performs tonight in Hershey...  this writer predicts the setlist... if you have this thing called Google you can check the setlist yourself.  You can read his song wishlist which is lame.  My wishlist is below...

My Elton concert wishlist...which probably will never happen...

70s...

Grimsby

Bitter Fingers

Tower of Babel

I've Seen The Saucers

Teacher I Need You

Grow Some Funk of Your Own

I Feel Like a Bullet

Street Kids

(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket

Better Off Dead

Amoreena

Hercules

Harmony

Crazy Water

One Horse Town 

 

Everthing else...

This Train Don't Stop There Anymore

Did He Shoot Her

Heart In The Right Place

Too Low For Zero

Club At The End of The Street

Birds

Blue Avenue

Town of Plenty

Dear John

Claw Hammer

Cold

Made In England

Please

On Dark Street

Understanding Women

 

 

Billboard: The 75 Best Elton John Songs, hits and deep cuts

Let the arguments begin!   

The Top 10 is not that surprising although the #1 song is not what I expected.  I love it but its not the typical #1 song chosen in these types of lists.

Going through the list I am pleasantly surprised by many of the deep cuts that have been included.  Dare I say impressive.

Spotify Playlist is the the sidebar.

Billboard: Top 75 Elton John Songs, hits and deep cuts...

Diamonds Ultimate Greatest Hits set released in Dolby Atmos for Elton's 75th

'Diamonds: The Ultimate Greatest Hits' mixed in Dolby Atmos...immersing the listener in spatial audio on Apple music, HD audio on Amazon Music, and 360 audio on Tidal for the very first time.  Read the article at EltonJohn.com

Elton John says he's 'unbelievably lucky' as he celebrates 75th birthday

Elton John has said he is determined to keep "giving back to the industry that has given me so much" as he turns 75.

The singer was born on 25 March 1947 and to mark the milestone will also be releasing the album Diamonds: The Ultimate Greatest Hits on streaming platforms mixed in Dolby Atmos for the first time.

 

Read the whole article...

Elton's final MSG performances

 Sir Elton John Makes A Magnificent Pandemic Comeback at MSG as Farewell Tour Resumes

 

Elton John said he wanted to wrap up his touring life so he could spend time with his kids. After 50 years, he had every right to do it. He was 72 years old.

Then came the pandemic, and various illnesses. During the time off, he managed to fit in an actual number 1 hit with Dua Lipa, “Cold Heart,” and a new hip. But you know, he’s always been very hip!

 

 

 

The Complete Thom Bell Sessions for 2022 Record Store Day

Another Record Store Day release for this year.   Click here

Record Store Day 2022 on 26 April marks the first time 'The Complete Thom Bell Sessions' has been made available on LP in the UK. Available in 180gm purple vinyl, its six tracks are significant, as they marked the first time Elton recorded without his usual team around him, choosing instead to be produced by legendary Philadelphia soul writer, arranger and producer Thom Bell.

A look at the current setlist from the Farewell tour...

 Here's the current setlist from Elton's farewell tour...

1. Bennie and the Jets
2. Philadelphia Freedom
3. I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
4. Border Song
5. Tiny Dancer
6. Have Mercy on the Criminal
7. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)
8. Take Me to the Pilot
9. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
10. Levon
11. Candle in the Wind
12. Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
13. Burn Down the Mission
14. Sad Songs (Say So Much)
15. Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
16. The Bitch Is Back
17. I'm Still Standing
18. Crocodile Rock
19. Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
     
    Encore:
20. Cold Heart
21. Your Song
22. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Lockdown Sessions review: It's a masterpiece

Elton John's 'Lockdown Sessions' is a masterpiece

Feb. 15—Full disclosure: I am a huge Elton John fan. The singer/songwriter may have bigger fans — the ones who slip into the fanatics category, perhaps — but not many.

It started with the release of "Madman Across the Water" in 1971, which led me back to "Empty Sky," "Elton John," "11-17-70" and the "Friends" soundtrack, and it's included everything since.

Read the article here...

 

 

Elton rocks North Little Rock

 

The singer finally made it to North Little Rock on Saturday, performing for an adoring, sold-out crowd of 15,482 at Simmons Bank Arena.

John's "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour was originally scheduled to stop here on July 3, 2020, but the first wave of the pandemic scuttled those plans.

And things weren't looking too good last week, when the 74-year-old rocker, who was fully vaccinated and boosted, tested positive for covid-19 and postponed a pair of shows in Dallas. Reports were that Sir Elton's symptoms were mild, and though he seemed a bit frail the few times he moved around the stage Saturday night, his voice was in fine form.

Read the article here...

Elton postpones several Texas shows after testing positive for Covid

 

Sir Elton John has been forced to postpone two concerts in Dallas, Texas after recently testing positive for the coronavirus.

 More here... 

Elton John hits the ‘Billboard’ Hot 100 top 10 for the first time since 1998

 

Elton John returns to the Billboard Top 10 for the first time since 1998 with his duet with Dua Lipa "Cold Heart".

This week it moves from #20 to number seven on the Hot 100.  

“Cold Heart" is a mashup of four Elton songs — “Sacrifice,” “Rocket Man,” “Kiss the Bride” and “Where’s the Shoorah?” by the Australian dance music act Pnau. 

Read the article here...

 

 

Elton scores the Christmas #1 in the UK

Elton John’s LadBaby Cameo Helps Him Outsell Himself For UK Christmas No.1

He also has had three #1's since October in the UK.

Read the rest here... 

 

Elton and Dua Lipa's "Cold Heart" is the Christmas #1 in Australia

Elton John and Dua Lip's "Cold Heart" (Pnau Remix) is the Christmas No. 1 in the land Down Under, where it clocks up five non-consecutive weeks at the summit.

Read the rest...

 

"Merry Christmas" by Elton John and Ed Sheeran reaches #1 on Billboard AC Chart

Ed Sheeran & Elton John’s ‘Merry Christmas’ Jingles to No. 1 on Adult Contemporary Chart. John achieves his record-extending 17th AC leader.

Read the rest...