Track Listing 1. Believe 2. Made in England 3. House 4. Cold 5. Pain 6. Belfast 7. Latitude 8. Please 9. Man 10. Lies 11. Blessed
| Details | | Playing Time: | 52 min. | | Contributing Artists: | Paul Brennan, Paul Carrack | | Producer: | Elton John, Greg Penny | | Distributor: | Universal Distribution | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes Personnel includes: Elton John (vocals, piano, keyboards, harmonium); Davey Johnstone (guitar, mandolin, banjo, background vocals); Dermont Crehan (violin); Paul Brennan (pipes, flute); Teddy Borowiecki (accordion); Paul Carrack (Hammond organ); Guy Babylon (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Bob Birch (bass, background vocals); Charlie Morgan (drums); Ray Cooper (percussion). Recorded at Air Studios, London, England. All music written by Elton John. All lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. "Believe" was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. There is no denying the musicianship of this Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist. Elton John composes songs steeped in the craft of old-time tunesmithing. His dreamily melodic, catchy-chorus, piano-based writing style has been gobbled up by the public for decades. But as strongly evidenced on this album, his 35th (including greatest-hits records and boxes), John and lyricist Bernie Taupin want to simplify their lives. The one-word titles on all except the title track are indicative of the unadorned sentiments expressed on this collection. MADE IN ENGLAND is John at his most mature--no fantastic Captains or manic Liberace-isms, just a songwriter trying to entertain his audience on that smooth sail without making too many waves. Beatles producer George Martin adds his special touch on the lushly arranged folk/waltz "Latitude," a sensitive standout. The heavily orchestrated "Belfast" begins like a pretty soundtrack theme but soon turns lyrically sorrowful and dark. MADE IN ENGLAND moves with ease from the passionate ballad "Believe" to the plucky, Tennessee Williams-inspired "Lies," with its bravado ivory tinkling. Spirited pop tunes like the mid-tempo "Please" and pensive ballads like "Cold" are as irresistible as ever, but the singer's excesses are gone from his music just as they are from his life. What remains are proper and secure songs, a notch or two above those of most other pop tunesmiths. Personnel includes: Elton John (vocals, piano, harmonium, keyboards); Davey Johnstone (guitar, mandolin, banjo, background vocals); Dermont Crehan (violin); Paul Brennan (pipes, flute); Teddy Borowiecki (accordion); Paul Carrack (Hammond B-3 organ); Guy Babylon (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Bob Birch (bass, background vocals); Charlie Morgan (drums); Ray Cooper (percussion). Recorded at Air Studios, London, England. "Believe" was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. There is no denying the musicianship of this Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist. Elton John composes songs steeped in the craft of old-time tunesmithing. His dreamily melodic, catchy-chorus, piano-based writing style has been gobbled up by the public for decades. But as strongly evidenced on this album, his 35th (including greatest-hits records and boxes), John and lyricist Bernie Taupin want to simplify their lives. The one-word titles on all except the title track are indicative of the unadorned sentiments expressed on this collection. MADE IN ENGLAND is John at his most mature--no fantastic Captains or manic Liberace-isms, just a songwriter trying to entertain his audience on that smooth sail without making too many waves. Beatles producer George Martin adds his special touch on the lushly arranged folk/waltz "Latitude," a sensitive standout. The heavily orchestrated "Belfast" begins like a pretty soundtrack theme but soon turns lyrically sorrowful and dark. MADE IN ENGLAND moves with ease from the passionate ballad "Believe" to the plucky, Tennessee Williams-inspired "Lies," with its bravado ivory tinkling. Spirited pop tunes like the mid-tempo "Please" and pensive ballads like "Cold" are as irresistible as ever, but the singer's excesses are gone from his music just as they are from his life. What remains are proper and secure songs, a notch or two above those of most other pop tunesmiths.
Editorial Reviews 3.5 Stars - Very Good - ...MADE IN ENGLAND is a startingly fine album, one that shows a newly committed artist tapping into the essence of his creative flow... Rolling Stone (05/04/1995)
...MADE IN ENGLAND acts as a refresher course in Eltonia; it recapitulates virtually every phase of his career and comples a listener to appreciate just what the man is capable of doing...MADE IN ENGLAND finds John in darn good shape... - Rating: B Entertainment Weekly (03/31/1995)
...MADE IN ENGLAND acts as a refresher course in Eltonia; it recapitulates virtually every phase of his career and compels a listener to appreciate just what the man is capable of doing....MADE IN ENGLAND finds John in darn good shape... - Rating: B Entertainment Weekly (03/31/1995)
3.5 Stars - Very Good - ...MADE IN ENGLAND is a startlingly fine album, one that shows a newly committed artist tapping into the essence of his creative flow... Rolling Stone (05/04/1995)
| See an error? Submit a change request |