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29 Nov 2014

"When I think Of Elton John words comes to mind a heart pounding feeling". Vera Rio Top 30 Elton John List. Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of AllSongsList

14. Vera Rio

"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans" (John Lennon). This statement is one of the favourites quotes by Vera. She's brazilian, one of the brazilian references in eltonites' world. Maybe because brazilians have those beaches, as she says they could enjoy the sand, walk in the sand, ... live the life on its own. Vera is special. Someone who has the birthday on a 25th march, like Elton. Her first album she bought was, "Empty Sky". She starts collecting records from the beginning, you see! When she thinks about Elton John, the first thing it comes to her mind "is a "feeling", no one material though... simply..."heart pounding"". That's Vera. Your turn Vera:

My complete inability to list 30 songs of Elton and try to explain why each one is important to me .... I thought I could to do it  but it was impossible to me ... all have special meanings but all in a jumble of emotions ... some were love at first sight (or better ... at first hearing!), others were present at special times in my life (happy or sad), others remind me of important people to me (starting with Skyline Pigeon who was a favorite of my mother), others by being true masterpieces (in my opinion) ... anyway, I can say that all are important to me for all these reasons that I described. This is my list, without order, from the 30 most beautiful and important to me.

Skyline Pigeon
Candle in the Wind
Harmony
High flying Bird
Rocket Man
Healing Hands
Levon
Someone Saved...
Daniel
The Ballad of Danny Bailey
Salvation
This train don't stop there anymore
Border Song
Curtains
Pinky
Holiday Inn
The One
Don't Let The Sun...
Your Song
Friends
Bitter Fingers
Blessed
Chameleon
Goodbye Yellow Bick Road
Original Sin
Philadelphia Freedom
Sixty Years On
Ticking
Simple Life

25 Nov 2014

"I Went Crazy For Collecting Records!". Beppe Bonaventura Top 30 Elton John List. Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of AllSongsList

13. Beppe Bonaventura

"Singles, album, vinyls, CD’s, promos, bootlegs, tour programs, books, covers, music sheets, … I have the same single from 10, 20, 30 different countries …" explained me in 2008 when I interviewed him related to the Eltonite's Day. That man is amazing. You could check out his website, that's one of bests fansites in my opinion, http://www.eltonjohnitaly.com/. Even in 1993, he produced a fanzine "Madman" for and dedicated to the heartfelt collectors, until 1996. He's a reference in Italy about Elton. When I was in Milan in 2004 due to the presenting of the "Peachtree Road" album, every one I met was talking about Beppe, so I had to meet Beppe, and the meeting was not disappointing, on the contrary. Beppe, if you made your reviews in english instead of (and also, of course) in italian, you could get the recognition you deserve.This is your turn.

Well, Elton is my life for about 40 years! And not only my musical life ...  Year after year his music has marked my life, everyday. Through Elton I've met a lot of people, I've travelled to a lot of countries, I went crazy for collecting records! Since the summer of long long time ago, when I heard Rocket Man for the first time. After that summer, nothing would ever be the same again.

30) Holiday Inn   From Madman, a fresh sound, an unusual Elton in a track marked by Caleb at the guitar and Davey (!) at the mandolin. Elton at the top of his inspiration could make even immortal a song about a hotels chain.


29) Emperor's New Clothes  The comeback with a great album, SFTWC, after years of mediocrity, and Emperor is an excellent track that reminds me the early golden era (1969/71), before the pop transition.  A basic production by Pat Leonard, with a great piano playing in front of you, a pleasant shock at my first listening.

28) The Ballad Of Danny Bailey    A classic from GYBR, the Elton storyteller that I like. A great percussive piano that I like very much.

27) Better Off Dead   Such a “cabaret” song from Captain Fantastic, powerful, it always reminds me of the solo piano shows Elton did with Ray Cooper, a great song.

26) It Ain't Gonna Be Easy   An unusual track from A Single Man, a great guitar player as Tim Renwick can duet with the piano at the same level. An underrated song from an underrated album. Gary Osborne is not Bernie Taupin, but this is a great song.

25) Bennie And The Jets    A great live song, always singing “Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie And The Jets!” at the concerts.   Maybe not his best track, but it's the “pop” Elton that I like, it's really involving with the piano solos.

24) Where To Now St. Peter   From the “old West” album, a little masterpiece. He unfortunately cannot write such a piece, this is an unrepeatable Elton’s production from every point of view. We have always the duo Buckmaster/Dudgeon at their top levels.

23) Tiny Dancer   A classic in the discography of Elton. Too much live versions bored a little the audience, but the original with great musicians becomes everlasting. A song not to be discussed, we can only appreciate it.

23) Harmony    A wonderful song filled with vocal mixtures already in the legend created by Dudgeon for 70’s albums. Unknown to the non-fans, it’s actually a classic of his production unfortunately it seems that Elton had forgot it.

22) This Song Has No Title   A fresh underrated song from GYBR, really nice. One more example about underrated songs by fans themselves, but perfect in their simplicity and inspiration, it’s the pop period, but at highest level.

21) Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters. An amazing tune about NY City from Honky Chateau in the middle of the passage towards pop of "Don’t Shoot Me" album. Perfect and unique in that genre, a little anomalous in his standard production, with mandolins.

20) Believe    Top 20!  It’s in my opinion one of the best track of Elton, after the golden years (60's/70's). It expresses a dramatic power and a quality that has no comparison in his production in those years, it’s the gem of 90’s.  Paul Buckmaster dislikes this production, but I like it very much!

19) All The Girls Love Alice   Elton rocks! My favourite rock song, fascinating, essential, with, for once, a good guitar riff by Johnstone, it’s certainly one of the best rock pieces in the whole Elton’s production, it’s fantastic live too.  

18) Seasons A tune from Friends couldn’t be missing, considered a minor album, but containing some little gems, and Seasons is one of them, always under Buckmaster’s sign.
 
17) First Episode at Hienton   Perfectly inserted in “Elton John” album, melancholy atmosphere. It is one more example of how magisterially was Bernie’s cryptic lyrics set to music, simply delicious.

16) Rocket Man  Long time ago, in the summer of 1973, I discovered the music and Elton John with this song, I can remember when Rocket Man came out from an old radio in my summer house. It was a lightning struck! And It will be always in my heart ...

15) The Greatest Discovery A simple, touching track from The Elton John album, a so simple theme of a little brother birth, performed in a perfect way with top inspiration. 

14) We All Fall In Love Sometimes/Curtains   The end of the concept album Captain Fantastic, a memorable ending medley, the band at his best, with incredible backing vocals and a memorable drumming by Nigel.  Simply perfect (p.s. This ending is very similar at the ending of the Desperado album by The Eagles, 1973)

13) Take Me To Pilot  It is already a classic, also in live repertory, even if it denaturalizes in comparison to the original one, that remains an example of what the real Elton could do. Incomprehensible lyrics, but a wonderful song from an era that was musically wonderful, not only for Elton.

12) Someone Saved My Life Tonight . Once again from Capitan Fantastic, a piece that moves me everytime, with the band at their best, fabulous vocal mixtures and a great inspiration. From this album Elton John Band actually emerges as ensemble.

11) Your Song     It's the trademarck of 40 years of stardom, this song is THE SONG, it's Elton John, there's no Elton without Your Song.   It's not the song of my life but it's a great universal song in the history of pop/rock music.

10) Goodbye     The Top Ten! The last track of Madman Across The Water, metaphorically it's a goodbye to the early Elton John, from now it will be the starting as a pop icon too. The track is beautiful is his simplicity, it's a touching on my heart every time. A Masterpiece!

9) Have Mercy On The Criminal    A dramatic track from the "Don't Shoot Me" album, very powerful, I like it very much. In there I find the atmospheres of previous albums with Buckmaster’s arrangements, but this time in a pop key more manifested. Elton and Bernie still at top.

8) Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. An instrumental performance nearly perfect, not showing its age at all, it could be written yesterday, it always sounds fresh and modern. Love Lies Bleeding doesn’t compare but assimilate very well and already is one that remains in my heart.

7) Sixty Years On    This song has a very heavy production in the album Elton John, but it's a masterpiece from Elton and Bernie, incredible mix of music and lyrics. And Sixty always remember me the powerful sound of the trio (Elton, Nigel and Dee) in the fantastic 17-11-70 live album, a terrific version.

6) Madman Across The Water. The title track still sounds so powerful, dramatic and cryptic. As if it would be written today. I have no words, in my mind, it’s simply a masterpiece.

5) Levon. Once again from Madman, one more classic at high level, probably the more cryptic lyrics could excite to the best Elton when he was writing; the album production then gave a touch of perfection and immortality.
   
4) Ticking   Another very basic song, Elton, his piano and David Henschel on synth.   A drammatic story, a relentless piano playing in the waiting of a tragic end; It's not the Elton of the first era, the sound is more artificial, but the piano playing is incredible, I love it!

3)  Talking Old Soldiers  From Tumbleweed, Elton and piano at his best, I love this song, too. Bernie's lyrics are so touching and piano and voice are only all we need, nothing else. No match. The best track of Elton and a solo piano, a masterpiece.

2) My father's Gun     Another great song from a terrific album "Tumbleweed Connection". The imagine of the old West, with a very elaborated production by Buckmaster and Dudgeon, Elton seems really an American songwriter in this project. Paul Buckmaster did a fantastic job on this track, unbelievable.

1) Indian Sunset    And now, the n° 1!  A masterpiece from my favourite all time album   A fantastic mix: beautiful song, beautiful lyrics, Paul Buckmaster at his best with orchestral production, Gus Dudgeon as the boss, great musicians, the gem from Madman Across The Water.  For me, the ultimate song from the real, true Elton before the changing towards a popstar stardom. Every time this track moves me to tears.



Beppe's Eltonite's Day in 2008:
http://eltonjohnallsongslist.blogspot.com.es/2008/06/eltonites-day-from-italy-one-and-only.html

17 Nov 2014

"When I think Elton I think of pure happiness". Nicole Elizabeth Vaughan's Top 30 Elton John List. Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of AllSongsList


12. Nicole Elizabeth Vaughan

Have you had imagined to be in one of those parties Elton and David does as a benefit event? In Woodside for example? Still dreaming? Well, our next guest made it. She flew from Australia to England to fulfill one of her dreams, among others obviously. At the event, Elton sang "Your Song", "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" and "Tiny Dancer", as Nicole explained later. And the Aussie eltonite was there. Before this, her enthusiasm for Elton is well-known: "I worship at the altar of Elton!" reads one of her sentences. She's unique. So we had to ask her about her own list of favourites. And the response is unique. Let's get there!

Hello my name is Nicole from Sydney, Australia. I was asked to name my top 30 Elton songs... Which I found incredibly hard to do!! How to condense 35 years of my complete love and adoration into 30 songs??!! Instead I thought it easier to think of favourite songs as my moods take me... Here they are in no particular order xxxx

HAPPY MOOD:

Captain And the Kid, Captain Fantastic And Brown Dirt Cowboy, Bitter Fingers, The Greatest Discovery, Funeral for a friend / Love Lies Bleeding, Pinball Wizard, The Bitch Is Back, Durban Deep, Red, Dark Diamond, Wasteland 

SAD MOOD:

2 low 4 zero, Cold as Xmas, Ticking, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Skyline Pigeon, Indian Sunset, This Train Don't Stop There Anymore 

DANCING MOOD:

I'm Still Standing, Heartache All Over The World, Bite Your Lip, Healing hands, Teacher I Need You, Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting, Wicked Dreams 

LOVING MOOD:

Something About The Way You Look Tonight, Pinky, Princess, Mansfield.

10 Nov 2014

"I felt my heart going out of my chest and my tears running through my cheeks". Patty Perrin's Top 30 Elton John List. Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of AllSongsList

11. Patricia Perrin

Patty Perrin, or the soul of eltonjohnmexico. This very versatile woman is a superlative artist: on TV shows, as reporter in "Para niños y similares" -"For Kids and similars"-, as an actress in "Rencor Apasionado" - "Passionate resentment", as a presenter in "Laberinto de Sorpresas" - "Labyrinth of Surprises"; collaborating in radio shows as epigrammist "La Mujer Actual" - "Modern's Woman"; press (Periodico Novedades and Revista Tele-Guia); cinema and theatre. Actress of stage, screen and television, this multi-talented eltonite is also well-known for her role in "La dama de Negro" - "The Lady In Black" (www.ladamadenegro.com), a 20 years on the road successful piece of theatre, she has been playing since the start. She also taught for several years in theater workshops and Composition at ITESM-CEM. It was my debt to invite her, the one who gave me my first eltonite experience in her website writing about Elton. More than this, her knowledge about the artist made the whole thing. Patty, this is your turn, thanks a buch for being here.

Really difficult to choose only 30 Elton John songs by a fan and even harder to put them in a fair order.  But I suppose this is something close to the idea of my personal experience of the journey between my personal life and his music.  I have to confess a lot of them had been chosen because of my memories.  That doesn't mean the other songs are not great, not at all, but I had to do my best in this hard decision.  So... Here we go (beginning with number 30 and finishing with number one... my own favorite...

# 30 YOUR SONG.  His very best classic must have been in this special list.  Never missing in his concerts and because of that, always in our memories of every show I had been (and surely you had been).  We all feel this is our song..

# 29 A STEP TOO FAR.  As my profesional carreer (actrees and writer) I clearly understand how hard is to write a score.  This "Aida" theme has a lovely melody, great chorus and wonderful lyrics.  Everytime I listen to it, I like it more and more.

#28 BELIEVE.  Elton's voice sounds incredible in this rendition.  Deep lyrics and strong music makes this song one of my favorites.

#27 FRIENDS.  An old song that always sounds new.  Incredible that in so very few minutes you can take that melody in your head all day.  And the message of the lyrics is amazing.  A clear example when the music transcend more than the own film. 

#26  WITHOUT QUESTION.  Yes, without question I really LOVE this song.  I liked the movie very much and I really believe that this soundtrack is much better than most people think.  One of the most beautiful melodies Elton has ever composed in my opinión.

#25 RECOVER YOUR SOUL.  It's so hard when you have so great lyrics to make justice with your music... But Elton did it again!  Unforgettable song when things go bad.  Has the power to make you feel up.  Great companion when you are down.  Love it!

#24 DANIEL.  I have heard this song thousands of times and it always move me.  Original and wonderful lyrics and a perfect melody.  Yes, just PERFECT!

#23 SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT.  Deep, emotional, powerful... All in one.  This is a masterpiece.  Unbelievable!

#22 RELIGION.  I have to confess I'm not a religion person, that is why I feel so agree with these lyrics.  I really think a religion person is the one who helps others, not the ones who live inside churches or temples.  It's a very deep song but with very "light" music.  That combination is why I really love this particular song.

#21 CIRCLE OF LIFE.  In my particular opinion, this must be the Oscar winner song.  The Lion King is superb, and this song the best of the best!  Who didn't cry hearing it and felt chills in the skin with the introduction of this movie?  I surely did... That is why it has to be in my personal list.

#20 THE NORTH.  I'm sure this song is only known for the strong fans.  It's not "a hit" but it's wonderful!  Elton's voice sounds so beautiful, the solo piano in the music bridge is so powerful... Really moves me...

#19  CLUB AT THE END OF THE STREET.  Since the first time I heard to this song I couldn't stop dancing and I turned it on time after time.  So contagious, so high!... Yes, it had to appear in this list!

#18 LEVON.  A wonderful story in his lyrics and Elton's rendition is unbeatable.  Superb!  I never get tired listening to it.  Never!

#17  SOCIAL DISEASE.  Yes I know maybe no one expected this song in my list, but I can't help it!  I like EVERYTHING in this song, even the dog barking!  Funny, great music... How can I say?  It makes me happy!

#16  TONIGHT.  Oh my God!  This song!... When a song can make feel someone (me, in this case) what I feel everytime I hear it, has to be a GREAT song!  So deep lyrics, music and rendition!  Standing Ovation!

#15  I THINK I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF.  With this title and lyrics, it had to be absolutely a very "serious melody"... Yes, that's in theory...  But this is Elton John, so come on!... He uses so funny music even with a tap session... The result?  AMAZING... I have to accept I LOVE THIS SONG!

#14  CRY TO HEAVEN.  Elton's voice is so strong... But this rendition is "something else"... I mean... There's NO CHANCE to ANYONE to sing this song better than Elton ever!!!!  And have you noticed the lyrics?  What a song!... ANNOYING...

#13  SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD.  This song is completely PERFECT... EVEN the instrumental bridge can make you turn to emotional tears... Only Elton could be able to take us to that musical paradise.  I just couldn't believe that anybody would not love this song...

#12  LITLE JEANNIE.  Elton's music has been by my side a lot of years of my life.  When I went to high- school, this song went out.  That whole year I woke up hearing to it.  I love "Little Jeannie" because it is a LOVELY song in all ways and also has the power to translate me to those happy years.

#11  WE ALL FALL IN LOVE SOMETIMES.  Wise men say... I have to mention this song in this list, LOL... One of my biggest favorites!  It makes you cry and laugh at the same time!  I discovered this song can change our mood and the way to think about love depending of what we are living.  I swear it!   A magical song in all the concept!  Just incredible!

#10  SKYLINE PIGEON.  I just can't believe Bernie and Elton had written this song being so young!  The lyrics and melody are so mature!  So perfect!... Yes, this song proves they are both genious!... This song always moves me, doesn't matter if I was young or not...

#9  TINY DANCER.  I like this song because a lot of aspects.  First of all, is dedicated to the "seamstress of the band" (Maxine, Feibelman, first Bernie's wife) and besides of the love he felt, it's a different way to talk about a relationship.  Besides that, Elton made one of his greatest melodies and sings this song with so much passion that you can bet he was the man in love.  One of the best musical colaborations between them in my opinion, and we, the listeners are the winners! 

#8  LIVE LIKE HORSES.  Sing besides Pavarotti was surely not easy... At least you are Elton John!.  I really prefer his own versión to be honest.  The first time I heard this song I was in shock... And everytime I do it... I'm in shock!... Everytime I think Elton can't do something better, he surprises me.  And this song is the prove!... I fell to tears everytime!...

#7  HARMONY.  Yes, Harmony and me a pretty good company!  This song is a happy company to everybody who listen to it.  Moves you and takes you to a nice mood.  That's the power of music... Of Elton's music!...

#6  BLESSED.  I really feel blessed to be able to hear to this song.  Original and moving lyrics...  Amazing to dedicate a song to an unborn baby and the music, Elton's voice, instrumental part and chorus makes this song a goodess creation (created by two genious mortals)...

#5  LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS.  Yes, wait a minute.  I perfectly know this is a Lennon song... But this song is in my list because, I'm also a Beatles fan and this cover was the song that made me know Elton John as a musician.  The first time I listened to it I was visiting my cousin Javier Zavala and I was shocked.  I remember I asked him who had the courage to record a Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds cover and mostly, who was able to do it SO WELL... Then he answered: That's Elton John, this is the record... Then, I discovered a photo of a lovely man with silver shoes and a white hat... Since that moment, I became his huge fan... Now, is it clear why I have to mention this song in this list at number five?...

#4  DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART.  This duet with Kiki Dee is one of my vitamins when I feel down.  It has the power to make me happy everytime I listen to it.  I would never be tired to dance and sing when it is in the air.  Funny, nice... Just incredible.

#3  GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD.  Political lyrics, unforgettable melody.  It just can't be more perfect!  One of the most emotional song ever written.  Not only one of my Elton's favorites, one of my ever listened songs favorites!

#2  DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME.  If someone ever doubt about the singer ability of Elton John has to listen to this song.  I have heard a lot of great covers but ANYBODY can perform it better than him.  Powerful voice and music, desperate lyrics which turn to poetry.  Simply one of the most perfect songs in the world!

#1  THE ONE.  Yes this is the one and number one for me.  Why?  Lots of reasons.  The first one is that is a song which lyrics makes everybody desire to be dedicated by their love one... Second, the music.  This is one of the most beautiful melodies Elton has ever composed!  The instrumental part is so emotional... And if this is not enough, the first time I was able to see Elton live, was exactly with The One tour at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.  One of the most emotional moments in my whole life was when Elton sang that song and his piano was raised in the instrumental part.  I felt my heart going out of my chest and my tears running through my cheeks.  Yes, everytime I listen to this song or remember that moment, I come to tears... Yes...just like now...

Thank you Miquel for the opportunity of sharing this list with all Elton fans all over the world... And, of course, thank you Elton for your music!...

Patty Perrin's Eltonite's Day in 2009:
http://eltonjohnallsongslist.blogspot.com.es/2009/01/ladies-gentlemen-fantastic-patty-perrin.html