Peter Steward

Elton John

British Singer-Songwriter

Studio Albums - 1970s

Empty Sky - 1969

Elton John - 1970

Tumbleweed Connection - 1970

Madman Across the Water - 1971

Honky Chateau - 1972

Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player - 1973

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1973

Caribou - 1974

Captain Fantastic and the Borwn Dirt Cowboy - 1975

Rock of the Westies - 1975

Blue Moves - 1976

A Single Man - 1978

Victim of Love 1979

Live Albums

11-17-70 - 1971

Compilations

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Titles in red have been reviewed. Those in black are to be reviewed

Elton John


Elton John - 8.5 Your Song/ I Need You to Turn To/ Take me to the Pilot/ No Shoe Strings on Louise/ First Episode at Hienton/ Sixty Years On/ Border Song/ The Greatest Discovery/ The Cage/ The King Must Die I never get tired of listening to this album which is my favourite by Elton John, one of my favourite all time albums and contains my three favourite John/Taupin compositions. There is a wonderful lyrical feel to the album both in the words and the music with classical cello-based interludes weaving in and out of the songs. It is impossible not to love "Your Song" on of the most romantic pieces ever written in pop music. My other two favourite tracks are lesser known Elton John songs. First Episode at Hienton is a beautifully free-wheeling almost rambling song about a relationship and The Greatest Discovery is delightful. Throughout Bernie Taupin's lyrics are spot on. This is a beautiful album, full of unmissable melodies and even the rockier songs are delivered with panache and great skill as the weave into the overall affect.
17-11-70 3.5 Take Me to the Pilot/Honky Tonk Women/Sixty Years On/Can I Put You On/Bad Side of the Moon/Burn Down the Mission I have never been a fan of Elton John's as a live artist or of his more rockier/bluesy side. The problem is when appearing live John somehow strangulates the songs. This live collection was from a radio broadcast taped on November 17th, 1970 (hence the title). The original album consisted of just six tracks. The original broadcast ran for an hour but just 40 minutes were picked for the album. To me it's a disappointment throughout. There is little subtlety. If you like the singer screaming in a banshee kind of way it could be for you, otherwise it's more of an historical interest than a musical one, although there is some merit in the track Sixty Years On as a period piece.