Tumbleweed Connection [Remaster] - John, Elton (CD 1996)

Elton John is, besides the Rolling Stones, the biggest surviving elder statesman of rock and roll. Even giants like Paul McCartney have faded in the public eye (though, of course, their earlier work will survive for at least decades). Elton holds the record for the most years consistently in the "Top 10." I think he's up to 30 consecutive years (although I can't imagine what the hit from 1979 was!)

Why is it, then, that some of his early, best work isn't well-known? Everyone knows Rocket Man. Most people know "Your Song," his signature 1970 ballad and first real hit. "Your Song" came from Elton John's second album, a self-titled work. After that success, Elton released a "Tumbleweed Connection", the "Friends" soundtrack, "Madman Across the Water" (featuring the hit "Tiny Dancer") and a live effort, "11-17-70." This handful of albums stand as a mini-era. They all have a somewhat similar, dark sound that Elton explored fully before moving on to become the glitzy "B*tch is Back" mid-70s Pinball Wizard Captain Fantastic diva.

Tumbleweed Connection has to be the best of those early albums. Interestingly, it features different musicians than those that would eventually become the "classic" "original" lineup. "Tumbleweed" is almost a concept album. Most of the songs are narratives from some character or another, and most of them seem written from the viewpoint of 1800s Southern Americans. One song, in fact, is written from the defiant viewpoint of a Confederate soldier. Only an English, gay, soul (and thus, African-American-friendly) artist could get away with that topic. It probably wouldn't fly today. And yet, the whole album works, conceptually. The lyrics are strong, the vocals are incredible, and the piano is just wonderful, often sounding like an 1800s player piano.

"Talking to Old Soldiers" is quite simply my favorite all-time song. "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun", "Burn Down the Mission" (later featured on a few live albums) and "Amoreena" are ear candy and pop soul that can't be dismissed. Of all the songs, perhaps "Love Song" (a duet with another songwriter, a rare non-Bernie Taupin lyric) doesn't hold up. Though Elton claims, on the 1976 live album "Here and There", that people tell him it's their favorite from the album, I suspect he just claimed that in order to introduce the songwriter who then performed the song with him.

Elton rocks a little more than you might expect. Caleb Quaye's guitars are "dirtier" than current and longtime guitarist Davey Johnstone's.

If you have ANY capacity to enjoy Southern Rock or Elton John---don't hesitate...buy this album. (And then buy Madman Across the Water, a close second to this one.)