Illustratin' Elton: The Weekend Of Jason Seiler

Welcome Eltonites to "The Weekend Of...". This is a very special weekend for the blogsite. February is the month of cartoonin', illustratin', paintin', portraitin', drawin', well, everything, related to Elton, obviously. We had great artists here, from Brazil, from France, Italy, Australia. I thought about inviting someone to the weekend, someone very special. He's one of the most talented guys I've ever seen. He's so young, but he has good experience in his profession. He also teaches. Most of you know him for his covers, his artworks. Extremely talented and gifted, his illustrations have been featured as covers and interior pieces for TIME, Business Week, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, MAD magazine, GOLF magazine, KING magazine, Revolver, Guitar Player, The Village Voice, Penguin Group, Disney, The New York Observer, D Magazine, The Bloomberg Market, New Line Cinema, Universal Pictures, Aardman Animation, and Sony Image, among a long list. Ladies and gentlemen, the doors of AllSongsList are all wide open to receive the fantastic, incredible, the genious... Jason Seiler!!!

First of all thank you very much for your valuable time to give us for this interview. Let’s start. How did you become an illustrator? How you started your career?

I have been drawing my whole life and have been serious about it as long as I can remember. I never had a set plan as to what I was going to do with my art. All I knew is that I wanted to be an artist, that I wanted to draw and paint every day until the day I die. I have always been good at drawing people and eventually I started drawing caricatures between the ages of 10 and 12. As I got older I started doing small commissions for people, drawing wedding and birthday gifts, retirement gifts and so on. But what I really wanted to do was illustrate for magazines. I began by sending my work to little publications that know one ever heard of, and eventually a few of them started hiring me for covers and inside illustrations. As time went on I got better and better, and the jobs got better and better. My career is built on one job leading to another. I never know where or who the next job will be for, but so far the jobs keep on coming in, and thankfully, I'm always booked.

Great! Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?

Yeah, well sort of. I collected Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man. I read some of them, but mostly I collected them for the art. I would copy page after page. My parents have sketch books of mine that are filled with Batman and Spider-man, they were my favorite for sure.

Right! What is your main source of inspiration? Do you have some favorite character? When designing a character, do you do a lot of research first?

I don't really have a main source of inspiration. I'm inspired by artists, such as, James Jean, Jeremy Geddes, Sean Cheatham, Sam Weber, John Singer Sargent, Richard Schmid, Lucean Freud, Jenny Saville and much more. I'm not inspired by caricature art. There are caricature artists who I think are good, but for me there's much more to what I do than just caricature. As far as designing characters, and researching, yes, if I'm designing a character or caricature, I will gather as much reference as I can and from there I usually do quite a few sketches before settling on a final design.

Once you said: “Caricature is not only about how much you can exaggerate a person, there’s so much more to it than that”. What’s your definition of a perfect caricature?

I'm not sure if there is a "perfect" caricature? There are so many ways that the same person can be drawn. I think what makes a caricature great is if the artist has captured the person's character. I feel this is more important than how much the artist has exaggerated the person's features. If you look at a caricature and it "feels" like the person, than I think you can call that a successful caricature.

How important are the sketches in you work? You released a DVD talking about the importance of sketching as a means of practice and preparation for finished works.

It's very important. I don't do tons of sketching for every job that I work on, but the more you can sketch and experiment, the stronger the final will be. Sketching is like working out, like preparing for a marathon. Knowing how to paint and finish an illustration is of course important, but if the foundation is weak, then what's the point? So, focusing your energy on the sketching is key to having solid finished pieces.

Perfect! What hardware and software you prefer for your painting work, in case you do? Or you prefer the traditional way?

Well, I prefer painting traditionally but most of my work these days is done digitally. I love painting in oils, acrylics and watercolors. Painting digitally helps me meet deadlines, and it's also easier to make adjustments or changes if needed. For my digital work, I use Photoshop mostly using the paint brush tool. I work on a 21" Cintiq made by Wacom.

You are an instructor of a correspondence course on schoolism.com. How it works?

I have 9 lessons which are each 2 hours in length, pre-recorded. The students are given an assignment with every lesson. Once they're finished with their homework, they upload it to the Schoolism site along with any questions or comments that they may have. I download their homework and comments and record a personalized critique for each student. I will draw and paint on top of their work sharing with them my opinions and techniques. If the students work hard, they'll leave the course much better artists. It's encouraging and exciting to see students growing before my eyes. I take on anyone who wants to learn, beginners to seasoned professionals. Currently, one of my students is in his 70's and he's amazing too, one of my best students! My next class starts February 18th, check out
http://www.schoolism.com for more info.

Fantastic job! How did you fall into the world of Wonderland and Tim Burton? And how did you adapt to his style?

My friends Bobby Chiu and Kei Acedera at Imaginism Studios were hired to work as character designers on the film. They asked if I wanted to help out and so I did. It was a great experience and was very exciting to see characters that I worked on alive on the big screen. I didn't try to adapt to Tim Burton's style, I just did what I felt would fit the feeling of the story. There were a few designs already finished that were really nice, so I think those pieces probably influenced style a bit too? I did a few designs of my own, but mostly what I did was give life to sketches that Bobby did. I would get a sketch that was good, but basic, no real detail or anyhthing and from there I would paint it. I was given total freedom to take it where I wanted. Bobby and I designed the Tweedles and for their look, I was influenced by the evil twins in "The Shining" as well as by kids that I saw a park that I took my daughter too. There were these kids with thin transparent skin; you could see blue veins, I took a mental note of how cool that looked and as soon as I was in my studio next, I painted blue veins on my tweedle character. It was cool sitting in the movie theatre and seeing the blue veins on their foreheads, and knowing where the idea originally came from brought a smile to my face.

Sure! How do you promote your work?

I don't do much for promotion. I try to post regularly on my blog and I enter all the major competitions. The most important thing that I do is work hard. Never miss a deadline and always put in 150% into what you do. Make sure you're workable that you're a pleasure to work with.

I really like your official website, specially the Portofolio and the store section. Could you explain us, please, what we fans could find there? That’s on www.jasonseiler.com

Sure. In my portfolio section, I have a nice collection of my favorite pieces, some from publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Rolling Stone to name a few. And others that I have done for myself, or for self promotion. I also have a sketches section which I feel is great for art directors, they always like to see an artists sketches. I have a character design section which features work that I did for Alice in Wonderland. I also have a "case study" section which shares some of my technique and thought process. In the store section you can order my first book, "Caricature, the Art of Jason Seiler" and my second book, "SEILER 2008-2009" as well as my first DVD, "Sketching with Jason Seiler". If everything works out how I'd like it to, I am planning on having two more DVD's out this next year.

Wow, fantastic!!! Do you have any recent favorite projects or anything coming up you’re excited about?

I am working on a book that I can't say much about at this time because I want to keep it secret. What I can say now is that it will be nothing you would expect. I'm pushing myself, trying to create something really special, almost re-inventing myself if you will. But no worries, it will still be 100% SEILER. I'm currently working on concept designs for costumes for Kung Fu Panda on Broadway. It's great to work on and I hope it get's picked up so I can continue to work on it. As mentioned earlier, I'm planning on putting out two more DVD's this year. I'm also working on new techniques for my illustrations. I'm trying to develop and expand my portfolio, adding more non-caricature work, more portraits, I think you'll like what I'm working on? Right now I'm developing ideas in my sketch book and once I have what I want worked out, I'll begin to add these new pieces to my portfolio. I recently painted Donald Trump for the cover of a well known magazine. I can't say much more at this time, but it will be on news stands and in book stores in about a week. I'm very excited about this cover as I believe it's one of my best pieces yet. What's even more exciting for me is that I know Donald Trump will see it. I wish I could see his face when he see's it!

Let’s see! I am absolutely impressed about your Elton’s cartoon with Leon. How difficult it is to caricaturate Elton?

Thank you. Well, it's actually not difficult to caricature him, but this particular piece is not a caricature. Rolling Stone wanted a realistic portrait. I'm used to seeing Elton John with crazier hair and glasses, but for this, they wanted him to look a certain way and actually provided me with their own references which they wanted me to paint from. I was told that the owner of Rolling Stone and Elton are good friends, so I felt a lot of pressure to really get this piece right. I was relieved when I heard that everyone at Rolling Stone loved the painting. I love working for Rolling Stone, I'm really into music, so painting musicians for the biggest music magazine is a perfect and exciting fit for me.

Could we define you as an eltonite? In case, what fascinates you most about Elton John?

UM? Well? I'm not really that into Elton John to be honest. I do like some of his older music, and I think he's insanely talented. As a person, Elton is a great guy, I know he does a lot of good for a lot of people and I think that is awesome, but as far as music goes, I'm more of a Muddy Waters, Rollingstones guy. :)

Hahaha ok! But could you tell me your five favourite Elton's songs in running order, for my AllSongsList? Thank you.

Sorry, don't really know what they would be, but I do like "Crocodile Rock", that's a great song!

Would you want to add some observation or suggestion, or something you want to say to eltonites?

Not sure? Let me think . . . . . OK, I got it. Long live Sir Elton and long live the Eltonites and while I'm at it, long live the Beach Club at Jimmy Johns, because that is a damn good sandwich!

Thanks so much, Jason, you've been so kind with us eltonites. You are acknowledged for your determination and your fearlessness for hard work, for honestly assessing your work where it is, where it needs to go. For this undying hope that all such efforts in the end pay off. Go on with your great work, I wish you all the best in life and be ready for the surprise. Old Rabbit have someone here...

pictures courtesy by Jason Seiler

More info: http://www.richardsolomon.com
http://www.jasonseiler.com
http://www.jasonseilerillustration.blogspot.com

Like Father, Like Son: Larry and Jason

Jason reminds "Every time I get together with my Dad, I try to get out of him as much as I can. I love painting with him, but I love watching him paint even more". His dad, Larry is an art instructor, workshop painting teacher, has written a 307 page book on painting landscapes, "The Art of Seeing & Doing"... numerous videos on YouTube demonstrating painting, a DVD on painting a waterfalls, and moderating eight forums on a virtual artist's community of over 120,000 artists... Wetcanvas.com. "I have been painting professionally for over 30 years now, the first 17 years I was more career driven with reputation in the wildlife art genre. My renaissance from 20 years in studio came after taking my paints outdoors. Several things happened- I saw color as only an artist can see (painting being the deeper way of seeing)" explains Larry.

Thanks Larry. We invite you as our special guest for the Jason' Weekend Of... as a kinda surprise for him. Just with the pretention to make him smile.

What about Jason?

Jason, and his younger brother were introduced to the concepts of hard work, a work ethic quite young in life... six & nine years of age helping with yard work, filleting fish, tossing wood I cut and split down the shoot for our woodburning stove. They saw me put in a day's work teaching art, followed with many late nights in my studio painting or wood carving. Jason used to frequently sit at the kitchen table and sketch birds landing upon a feeder just outside the window. He sketched many things, super heroes, Star Wars characters... but always drawing.

About his talent?

So many people tend to think the secret behind such talent, is to have a special calling out or privilege to be given a talent, perhaps by Providence or God... or to some's thinking, the chance of good fortune or luck. There may be a propensity to have a greater desire and thus clarity of understanding with someone that develops a talent early, but for many artists of Jason's stature... writing his work off (so-to-speak) as a tribute to talent is somewhat akin to insulting.

I know speaking for myself as an artist, folks at exhibitions of my work might say, "oh...it must be so nice to be born with such talent!" and the sound of it is something like nails running across a blackboard. When someone says such to me, I envision a person that easily gave up on things when found frustrated and challenged. Much easier then to simply lay a mantle of a special gifting upon that indivdual called the "artist" than look in the mirror and confess one has not the patience nor the will to live the life of sacrifice and hard work required.

As with all my art students, I work to eradicate such notions... and grow a vision of what is possible if one is only will to work very hard, focused as if on a mission. That all things are possible... to be found alive, filled with a mission for such a time as this.

I know my son's talent, and it is an incredible talent he possesses, but I know firsthand his commitment to work, to sleeplessness. An never ending, never quick to be satisfied quest to improve, to learn, to push. Some see Jason's work, and think he has arrived. He sees his work quite differently... believing we have not yet seen the best to come. It would be very hard for someone in their adult years to decide suddenly, "I want to paint like Jason" for they would have to somehow return to the age of seven and start where Jason started. The credit I should like to see granted to my artist/son is that he has believed in himself enough to invest time and the effort to do whatever it would take to succeed and become one of the best. Minute by minute, hour by hour there is hardly one that works more disciplined that Jason at those things which should catapult and gurantee one's success in the arts. When one invests time with mundane activities like endless television, pining away socially... one is demonstrating lacking vision of one's potential, and certainly the lack of value in one's calling out.

The future?

Now... as I myself get older, I see that it becomes my son's turn to encourage and push his father. As I feel the effects of gravity take its toil over my own flesh, my eyes beginning to fail me, and my sense of time running out with the inevitable discouragement that follows, I find in my son a young man, an artist... who refuses to quit believing not only in himself, but also in the me; priming and pumping me to never quit... to keep pushing. The faith and knowing I held for him, now found to be returning. Its funny how things in life seem to run and come about full circle.

Thanks so much for accepting the invitation on the Jason Seiler's Weekend.

More info: www.larryseiler.blogspot.com

Portraitin' Elton

In the Ancient Egypt, the Ancient Greek and especially Roman sculpture, celebrity sitters demanded individualized and realistic portraits, just a way to become immortals. But it was the Renaissance, the period which the genre of painted portraiture flourished above all, becaming the most expression of art. Modern times found photography as an expression of portraits, and it's the most popular and faster action in taking portraits. But photography is not a replacement for drawing and painting. There are severals artists out there very good in painting genre. Searching how many portraits of Elton could it be out there, the list is endless. So Jack Rabbit made a first selection of those artists with their artworks. Just enjoy them and take time to meet them

Giselle

In the south-western shadow of Mount Tamborine, Gold Coast Hinterland, the gateway to National Park rainforests and some fabulous wineries, emerges a true Australian artist. "Paintings are ranging from stylish decadent acrylic art-deco to bold watercolours, and anything inbetween" she reads. Giselle has been an artist all her life and now inspires creativity in others. She uses intuitive teaching techniques, including "alpha brain wave music", to coax out the creative side of her students. "Gallery Giselle" is her real brick and mortar gallery and studio, as well as a comprehensive art information web-site. The "Sir Elton John" portrait is an acrylic by Giselle, a canvas sized 46cm x 61cm. "Creativity is life in action, without it, there would be nothing new - ever...." she concludes.

More info on: www.gallerygiselle.com

Tekkamaki

"Artworks are an infinite solitude. There is nothing worse than to address critical. Only love can grasp them, keep them and be fair to them" she explains. It's very strange to find a faster career than hers: only two years. "A way to find a new sense of life", as she likes to explain. Originally from France, Tekkamaki only paints what she feels: "just a self-taught artist". Her style leaves no one indifferent and she made a name in the best and well-known french galleries, until the first exposition in ArteNimes, before reaching Paris. "Elton's portrait? oh, it's not quite difficult to do, drawing his music... it makes itself. Do not worry about technique. I only paint what I feel ... the rhythm of the music :-))" she asserts.

More info: http://www.artmajeur.com/tekkamaki/

Vividec

Vivi De Candido, Vividec, a swiss living in Tuscany. Someone who declares "I'm a "Portraits-adict!". And so she is. And endless list of celebrities' portraits, including Elton, of course. "To draw Elton? ... well, the secret is to "study" a face before you draw it. You have to identify the very special and unique features of a face. In Elton's case it's the gap between his front teeth and his smile..." explains Vividec. "I chose that photo of little Elton (I think he's about 9 years old) because of the unique features I mentioned before that make him easily recognizable". Yes, without question. "If being an eltonite means loving his music and his performances throughout all these years, than, YES, you can call me so!" she says. Welcome to the club.

More info: vividec@hotmail.it

portraits courtesy by their authors

Caricaturing Elton: Eduardo Baptistão

The word caricature comes from an Italian verb caricare that means "to load", "burden", or "exaggerate", so that it means exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics. Leonardo Da Vinci drew caricatures. So did Monet, and Daumier. In the United States in the years after World War I, caricature enjoyed its Golden Age. Although the political cartoon still remains popular, the art form also become fun, colorful, and complimentary. The most important celebrities of the world has been caricatured becoming an art growing in demand, specially in magazines and, also, in newspapers. Elton didn't escape from being caricatured and there are several artworks about him floating around the world. "The Weekend Of..." is dedicated to some of those who succeed in their work becoming legends of this art.

Our guest this weekend is well known. His works are so excellent, and so many people like them. He has worked as an illustrator for the Estadão newspaper since 1991 and for Jornal da Tarde since 2003. He is also a collaborator of the Carta Capital Magazine since 1995. His spectacular illustration of soccer star Ronaldhino a few months before the 2006 World Cup in Germany won an excellence in Journalism Awards in the cartoon category in 2007. Ladies and gentlemen, the doors of AllSongsList are all wide-open to dedicate the Weekend to... Eduardo Baptistão.

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1966, he has a degree in Publicity and Marketing. He has worked as an illustrator in the press market since 1985 when he published his first work in the "Folha de São Paulo" newspaper. He has cooperated with many publications like "GloboCiência", "GloboEcologia", "Imprensa", "Vogue", "Bundas", "República", "Quem", "Sexy", "Playboy", "Veja", "Placar", "Voce S/A" among others. He has also done illustrations and covers for books and CDs, and he is so kind to share his time with us.

Hi, Eduardo, thanks so much for being here, it's really an honour to have you here. How did you become a caricaturist? How you started your career?

Since I was child, I’ve always liked to draw person’s portraits. Because my talent for drawing, I tried to work as an illustrator. Specially after start to work at O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper, in 1991, I started to enjoy caricatures, that were the portraits that I always used to draw, but with a very personal and peculiar distortion.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?

I read comics a lot when I was a child. Later, I gave up this habit. My favourite stories were Captain America’s one.

Wow! And what is your main source of inspiration? Do you have some favorite character?

My main inspiration is the own pleasure for drawing. As I work mainly for the press and editorial market, the great majority of my drawings are ordered. I have special pleasure for drawing artists of Brazilian Popular Music.

What’s the essence of caricature, exaggeration? Not Distortion? Some caricaturists can stretch the exaggeration to extremes, while others gently create kind cartoon portraits. Which is your style?

More than the distortion or the exaggeration, I search the elegance of the forms. The distortion can be lither or more exaggerated, it depends on the context.

Right! What is the key point to capture the characters’ characteristics do you think?

The ideal is to try to capture the character’s personality, through the gestures or expressions. Surely, this is more or less possible in the proportion we know more or less about the character.

There’s the traditional painting tools, such as pencils, watercolor, for one side, and modern digital painting tools, Photoshop or other painting software for example. Which way do you prefer?

I like to work as with color pencils as with Photoshop. The choice of the technique depends on the destination of the drawing and how I imagine it. But I think the traditional techniques are more beautiful and spontaneous.

Would you have any objection to being caricatured if that would happen?

On the contrary. I receive caricatures from everywhere, and I always enjoy them a lot.

Hahaha Great!! I am absolutely impressed about your Elton’s cartoon. How difficult it is to caricaturate Elton?

It wasn’t very easy to caricature Elton. It’s not always that we can identify where the difficulty is. The fact is that some persons are easier to caricature than others, and we only note it when we start to try drawing it.

Could we define you as an eltonite? What fascinates you most about Elton John?

I’m not a fan, properly. I like some songs very much, mainly of the 70’s, because of the affective memories. They are songs that I heard when I was a child. I confess I don’t follow his recent works. But he is a singer and composer that I like very much. He has very beautiful melodies. I love music, I am an amateur musician. I prefer Brazilian music, but Elton is one of the international artists that I most appreciate.

And could you tell me your five favourite Elton's songs in running order, for my AllSongsList? Thank you.

1 – Bennie and the Jets
2 – Skyline pigeon
3 – Rocket man
4 – Goodbye yellow brick road
5 – Your song

It’s important to say I have been studying English, but I still understand just some words of the lyrics. I’ve always liked that songs by the melodies, even without understanding all what they say.

That's a way to learn the language, Eduardo. Where we could find your works? And also, what other projects do you have for the future?

Well, here in Brazil my works are regularly published at O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper and at the magazines Veja, Carta Capital and Você S/A. I also have a blog that works as a virtual portfile: http://baptistao.zip.net. My eternal project is to publish a book with a collection of my caricatures. I hope to get it someday.

Oh, that's really expected!!! Would you want to add some observation or suggestion, or something you want to say to other eltonites?

I am very happy by your invitation, because I have a big affinity with Elton John. His songs are part of my history. Here I send a big hug to all eltonites around the world.

Thanks so much Eduardo. It's been a priviledge for me to have you here. Keep going with your great work, your success. I wish you all the best in life. You're really a talented person and, also, a very beatiful human kind. God bless you.

All pictures courtesy by Eduardo Baptistão.

Cartooning Elton / Animated Elton

Video Clip
Club At The End Of The Street

“As soon I saw (it) I knew the flavor of the lyric screamed the 50’s and 60s, so the first thing that came to mind was “At The Club” by The Drifters, I loved all those sort of records I grew up with” declared Elton John on the Billboard Magazine Tribute in 1997. The song describes a night on the town between two lovers at a disclosed nightclub. John also describes about the music of Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye being played. Surprisingly the video was animated, due to Elton's involvement with the family of AIDS victim Ryan White: the record company demanded a video, but Elton was dedicated to spending time with Ryan. It was produced by Animation City, an animation company in London, England, and directed by Derek Hayes.

South Park
"Chef Aid"

Aired on October, 7, 1998, Season 2, Episode 14. Alanis Morrisette has recorded a hit single with "Stinky Britches," a song that Chef wrote twenty years ago. When he asks for songwriting credit, the record company sues him for copyright infringement. They hire Johnny Cochran and win, now Chef owes them two million dollars. He refuses to raise money for the suit; instead Chef tries to raise two million to hire Cochran for his appeal. Meanwhile the boys put on a concert "Chef Aid," to raise the money, to their surprise, various famous rock stars, like Elton or Meat Loaf, turn up.

The Simpons'
"I Am With Cupide"

Aired on February 14, 1999, during the tenth season, Elton John has a cameo, as Apu's valentines to his wife, when he holds a private concert for them. "My gift is my song, and this one is from Apu" he sings.

Apu decides to show how much he loves his wife, Mamjula, by giving her a romantic surprise every day leading up to Valentine's Day, what make the rest of Springfield's men pale in comparison. And neither the men nor the women like it. Homer puts together a team of men to stop Apu. On Valentine's Day they follow Apu to the airport. When they see Elton John, they think Apu has hired him to serenade Manjula, and they lock him in a dog carrier.

Celebrity Deathmatch
"The Laser Pointer"

Aired on thursday, July 29, 1999 on MTV. It consisted in a claymation parody television show that pitted celebrities against each other in a wrestling ring, almost always ending in the loser's gruesome death. The queen watches as Sir Elton John and Ozzy Osbourne battle. Elton stamps on Ozzy and everyone thinks he's dead. Then Elton attacks the queen so that he can have her crown and be queen, but then Ozzy recovers, and bites off Elton's head and attempted to swallow it. The head failed to go down his throat, so the Queen of England saved Ozzy by giving him the Heimlich Maneuver.

VideoClip
Someday Out Of The Blue

"I write music for everybody. I don't just write for one set of people. I'm always a kid at heart anyway" declared Elton at the premiere of the film, back in 2000. "I'm not a great lover of doing videos, so it was great to spend three or four hours at the piano and the rest of it was done by the animation crew," he said. So the video consists in a DreamWorks animation blending Sir Elton into the movie scenes. Despite The Lion King, with its African feeling, the music on The Road to El Dorado never quite evokes the South America of the film.

Bob The Builder
"A Christmas To Remember"

In the Christmas show, Sir Elton joined Bob on a rendition of "Crocodile Rock". Bob, Wendy, and all of their machines celebrate the holiday season. The story finds Bob's twin brother, Tom, visiting the crew just as Bob's team must build a stage for a Christmas concert by Lennie and the Lazers. A version of the song is featured on "The Album" by Bob The Builder and friends, released in 2001.

Gnomeo And Juliet

After 11 years in the making, Gnomeo and Juliet, the first animated picture released by Elton John's Rocket Pictures, will premiere on Feb 11th. The movie is based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, which tells the story of forbidden love between two sets of garden gnomes. The movie includes some of Elton's greatest hits, including "Tiny Dancer", "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" or "Your Song", and also a selection of new songs that Elton has written with long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin. ""Love Builds A Garden" is my favourite song in the film because it's such a dramatic scene and a very wistful scene full of love, and that's the way a garden grows and when love goes the garden just disappears" Elton told STV's Grant Lauchlan, very proud of this song. Nelly Furtado also collaborated in this soudtrack with the single "Crocodile Rock" and Lady Gaga stars on "Hello, Hello". The film score is composed by James Newton-Howard, a former band member.

Chattin' With Nathan Gaston

Hi Eltonites. Welcome to the new year of AllSongsList and thanks so much for being there. Every year me & old Rabbit are trying to make some changes on the blogsite; not only in terms of design, also new labels, new articles. I have to confess that I've been interviewing around about 70 eltonites and I am so thrilled and excited to see that Eltonites have talent. We have singers, we have songwriters, we have musicians, we have reviewers, we have everything, a wide range. So I decided it was time to dedicate a Weekend to one of them. For the start we have to bring on someone very special. He is a brilliant young piano player and a prolific songwriter. He has many great songs to choose from in his repetoire, full of good senses: "Steady As A Rock", "Words" or "Break The Mold" remains as some of his great songs he penned in Nashville, not long time ago. The doors of AllSongsList are all wide open to receive the genious... Nathan Gaston.

Hey Nathan, how’s it going? It's supposed to be your birhday today, so, I thought about dedicating the weekend to you for the big ocassion.

Great Miquel. Couldn't be better. How are you? It's almost my birthday you know. I'll be twenty three on January 30th so I'm pretty excited.

Yes, hahahaha a kinda surprise. Happy Birthday Nathan. Let’s start now. When and why you first start playing music? And what made you fall into music?

Elton John made me fall into music actually. My dad always had his music playing and I loved it as a child and just started trying to play the piano and eventually figured it all out. I guess I was about 4 when I started really getting into it all.

Really young, lol. What are your musical influences? And whose career would you like to emulate?

Elton John, The Beatles and Paul Simon are definitely my biggest influences. But I really love just about any type of music. New indie music influences me a lot too. They are so creative, they are a lot like the groups back in the late 60's.

Right. Remember the time when you became an Eltonite, and the first time you heard Elton's music?

Well I don't exactly remember this but I have been told I could really get down to some "I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That" by Elton back when I was about 1 year old. But I just remember really falling in love with his album Made In England. I was 7 when it came out and I saw him on tour that year and I thought that was just about the greatest thing I had ever seen.

Good album, one of my favs. How could you define your music, Nathan?

I would define it as just a good middle ground. I think I try to be exactly what I feel music should be. It should be important and it should have a message. But it should also have a hook and it should above all be fun. I mean that's what it's all about right? Having fun. I think I just strive to write good pop songs that can also have a lot of depth and substance to them that is sadly lacking in a lot of today's music.

True! How many songs could you have written? Is there one particular song that means more to you than the others?

I have written probably a little over 200 songs in all by now. I wrote my first song when I was 11 so I've accumulated quite a lot. The song that means the most to me is always usually the one I've just written. I think it's important to just keep moving and keep writing and always try to get better. I always fall in love with whatever I've just done. And then before you know it I've forgotten all about that one and I'm into the newest one.

God! That’s fantastic! And how do you approach songwriting? Do you usually write the lyrics first?

It's strange how I write. It's hard to explain. Most of the songs just seem to appear to me out of thin air. I mean like with "Walking Together", I wasn't even thinking of writing a song, and then all of the sudden I'm just walking around in my apartment and I just start singing "we've discovered a mindset, we all think alike" in my head, almost as if it were a song by somebody else. It all usually happens that way. I get an idea like that in my head and I just decide to write the rest around it and finish it. I have written lyrics first a few times and I have written to other people's lyrics a few times too. But I find usually my best stuff just sort of "appears" to me.

Are you a fan of Bernie Taupin’s lyrics?

I'm a very big fan of Bernie. He's a great storyteller. He's amazing with characters. I used to do that a lot in songs. I always had characters because I was so influenced by him. Now I think my stuff has taken more of an introspective direction but Bernie Taupin is well known for that kind of writing too. I mean something like "Someone's Final Song" is just so personal and so beautiful.

Absolutely! Do you do all of your own backing vocals, arrangements and self producing, right?

Yes, I do all of my own backing vocals, arrangements and producing. It's quite a long task sometimes but I love doing it. I just write the songs then decide how I want them to sound and just record every instrument track by track. The instruments are mostly played on the keyboard of course but I have started doing a lot of my own guitar too on the songs I record in the last year or so. I enjoy doing backing vocals too, I'm a big Brian Wilson fan.

Good. Are you presently working on an album? Which one could be the first single of a first album?

I am currently a little overwhelmed right now musically. I haven't recorded a complete album in 7 months and what has happened is now I have an overload of new songs. Just in the past year I now have close to 30 new songs and I really love them all. So I am working on a new album but it's very tough deciding if I want to record all of them or just a select few and save the rest. It's very daunting looking at 30 songs, it'll be a long road but I think it’s some of my best stuff yet. There is a new song I've written called "Is It All" that I really love. It’s a very Eighties sounding song. Very Phil Collins-ish. I would love to have it as a single or at least as a video on You Tube someday.

You must. One of my favourite songs of your catalogue, is called “A Long Year”. What’s the story behind this incredible song?

That song is one of my favorite's too. That is a perfect example of the subconscious mind at work. I just remember sitting down one night at the piano and coming up with the melody. And then the chorus just kind of fell into place. It just seemed to fit perfectly, the "I know, I know, I know.. it's been so clear...it's been a long year". And after coming up with that I realized it was really what I was feeling. A lot of times I'll write stuff not thinking it has any meaning but subconsciously it does. And I just started to think "I have had a long year". My grandfather died that March, and I was just having personal problems, relationship problems. I was unsure about the future. And I just decided to put it all into that song. The line "Life curves around like an arch, doomed from the start, till it fades to dark near the end of March", that was about my grandfather. I really like that song, I went very personal with it and I think it turned out really good without being overtly personal.

Oh, so beatiful! Who’s “Angela”?

Angela was a lady I worked with that I actually didn't like very much. I was working at a store called Lowe's here in Florence, Alabama, and she was my boss and I just kinda started singing her name "Aaangellaaaa" just to kind of tease her. I guess I like the melody so much I decided to put a song to it.

Hahahaha And what’s next for you?

Next for me is just to keep striving to write as many good songs as I can that people will like and enjoy. I'm going to keep writing all I can and performing and hopefully post more videos on You Tube. I have my first music video on You Tube now of “Walking Together" and I think I'd definitely like to do some more videos. That seems to be all the rage these days you know?

Sure! Apart from music, which are your interests? What you like to do with your off time?

I have a lot of different interests. I have a 7 month old little boy named Oliver that I love. I mostly just enjoy my time with him and my girlfriend Ashley. We have a lot of fun. I also love to cook and grill, I grill steaks for them a lot. Also, I work for a bank in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and I’m a full-time college student as well at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama majoring in business management. I’m hoping I can use my business degree to help me with managing my music career in the future.

Oh, finally, could you tell me your five favourite Elton's songs in running order, for my AllSongsList, where I tried to find the best of his songs ever?

That is a tough question. Elton has so many great songs. I will give it a shot though and say 1. We All Fall In Love Sometimes/Curtains 2. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters 3. Someone Saved My Life Tonight 4. Bennie and the Jets 5. Your Song

Hahahaha Thank you very much, Nathan. It was so nice for me doing this interview. I am sure eltonites loved it. Would you want to add some observation or suggestion, or something you want to say to them?

I just want to say a big thank you to you Miquel for doing this interview with me and for helping me get my name and my music out there for more people to hear it and know who I am. Also, a big thank you to everybody reading this interview for your interest in me and my music. Your support means so much to me and I hope you'll all be hearing more from me soon. Keep rockin'.

We wish so, Nathan, you have talent and you deserve it. I am sure you will be succeed and fullfill your dreams. Since now on, you have a big fan in me. Thanks, Nathan, thank you eltonites for being here. Let's start 2011 season.

Eltonites' Have Talent: Nathan Gaston

Nathan Carr Gaston was born January 30th, 1988 in Decatur, Alabama (USA) to Tony and Sherry Gaston (parents). Nathan's parents divorced when he was only 2 years old in April 1990. He moved to Florence, Alabama (USA) in August 1992 at the age of 4 and a half when his mother remarried and he has lived in Florence, Alabama (USA) since then. Nathan received his first piano from his dad when he was 4 years old. A Kimball spinnett piano. He quickly taught himself how to play piano by ear at age 4 listening to a lot of Elton John songs. Nathan took piano lessons briefly from age 8 to 10 but quickly became better than his piano teacher; he wrote his first original song at age 11.

Nathan graduated from Florence High School in June 2006. He is currently working on writing and recording new music and attending college at The University of North Alabama (UNA) in Florence, Alabama majoring in music and business management. Nathan has a part-time job as a teller at a local bank while attending college and makes extra money on the side doing solo piano shows in local restaurants.

He's a very talented piano player, prolific songwriter, producer and arranger. He has written over 200 original songs and he knows at least 700 cover songs by other artists including Elton John, The Beatles, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney and Billy Joel to name a few. Nathan recently wrote and recorded 10 original songs on music row in Nashville in an attempt to try to get a recording or songwriting deal.

His very first music video of a song called "Walking Together" was relased to You Tube on December 18, 2010 and has done very well so far. The video was shot by a guy called Mokavich in Nashville who has done a lot of work for the Zac Brown Band recently and has been shooting a documentary with them on their world tour.



That's a brief bio of someone who I truly believe has the potential to make a lot of people very happy with his music. So, welcome to the weekend, the weekend of... NATHAN GASTON.

Updating The List (2010)

The List is updated. 984 songs in running order, according to diferent levels, trying to find the best Elton's song ever, a combination of the more popular for general public (general sales throughtout the world or more youtube views), for eltonites (fan favourites), more covered by other artists, more presences in the set lists, and also, more times on albums or compilations. It's a mixture of different parameters, trying to be subjective but, also, objective.

Votes by eltonites help to climb the list. If "And The House Fell Down" went up 12 positions is for massive fans votes, trying to find its place (298). Songs entering again on the live set lists, permitted "Ballad Of A Well Know Gun" reachin' the Top 200, "Original Sin" jumping two positions, or "Crazy Water" or "Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes", 4.

All quiet on the Top 50, only "Burn Down The Mission" had enough votes to advance "The Last Song". The Top 100? only "Country Comfort" jumping, leaving "Are You Ready For Love" behind. "Your Song" has more advantage viewing persecutors to a wide step behind. Why? well, it still remains the most covered song, more presences on albums or compilations, third on views on youtube, and the King of the set list and live performances.

If we took only the fan favourites, "Your Song" remains at the top, the most popular of Elton's songs, the best known. Also "Candle In The Wind" (3), "Rocket Man" (4) or "Sacrifice" (10), are on the top of the list. Remarkable "Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding" at 21, "Little Jeannie" at 33 or "Tonight" at 50.

The Top 5 on youtube views? well, number one and two are for "The Lion King" tracks: "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" (1) and "Circle Of Life" (2). Highlights are "That's What Friends Are For" (5), "I Want Love" (15) or "Indian Sunset" at 21.

Live? The all time hits, obviously, at Top 5: "Your Song" (1), "Rocket Man" (2), "Bennie And The Jets" (3), "Daniel" (4) and "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" (5). Doing well "Take Me To The Pilot" at 14, "Levon" (17) and "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" (24).

Covers? Apart from "Your Song" (1), "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" (2), "Daniel" (3), "Candle In The Wind" (4) and "Rocket Man" (5). "Blue Eyes" (11), "Song For Guy" (13) or "Hakuna Matata" (26) are well positioned.

For US followers, american preferences are for "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" (19, "Bennie And The Jets" (2), "Your Song" (3) or "Honky Cat" (10). Canadians? well, they go for "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" (1), "Your Song" (2) or "Crocodile Rock" (6). English? well, "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" (1), "Candle In The Wind" (2) or "Sacrifice" (11). French? "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" (1), "Song For Guy" at 6 or "Nikita" at 10 (remarkable "Return To Paradise" at 37 or "J'Veux D'la Tendresse" at 46).Maybe Australia? well, "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" (1), "Candle In The Wind" (2) or "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" at 11.

New songs? well, 34 years waiting, until "The Union" climbed to the Top 3 in the US Billboard Albums Chart, reachin' the highest position since "Blue Moves" was released. The songs from the album debuted on the list, reachin' the Top 300 at their first entry. A huge success in Canada and Norway, not doing very well in other parts of the world, they couldn't get more high than this for now. "Never Too Old" was benefited for Elton's inclusion in Ray Cooper shows, the band shows and, obviously, the concerts with Leon Russell, but it was not the eltonites preference. "Hey Ahab", number 304 now, was the first of the list, with "Mandalay Again" as the second. "Gone To Shiloh", another track on the set lists, is the forth (and number 303 in the list).

The AllSongsList is always moving. More details will be soon discovered: for example, the most duetted song, the best for SouthAfricans' or Brazilians' songs, the most radio airplayed songs, most times on singles releases, etc. etc. And your votes, your votes are so important for the list. Thanks for your interest.

Following "The Union" Across The World

The Union

United States
N. 3 (12 Weeks)

Canada
N. 7 (12 Weeks)

United Kingdom
N. 12 (3 Weeks)

Australia
N. 28 (1 Week)

New Zealand
N. 24 (2 Weeks)

Ireland
N. 52 (1 Week)

France
N. 51 (5 Weeks)

Germany
N. 23 (2 Weeks)


Belgium
N. 66 VL(2 Weeks); N. 91 WA(2 Weeks)

Switzerland
N. 27 (4 Weeks)

Austria
N. 28(4 Weeks)

Holland
N. 60 (3 Weeks)

Italy
N. 28 (3 Weeks)

Spain
N. 30 (4 Weeks)

Norway
N. 5 (5 Weeks)

Sweden
N. 24 (3 Weeks)

Denmark
N. 15 (2 Weeks)

Russia
N. 15 (2 Weeks)

Greece
N. 62 (4 Weeks)

Israel
N. 5 (2 Weeks)

Taiwan
N. 11 (2 Weeks)

Hong Kong
N. 33 (3 Weeks)

Brazil
N. 7 (5 Weeks)

Happy Chrismas, Eltonites!!! And Thank YOU!!!

"Spreading joy to the world when Christmas is here" sang Elton duetting with Joss Stone in 2005. Christmas is a special time. It's happiness and sadness, all in one: happy for the people on my side; sadness for missing people and world unjustices. It seems a time to make stop, take a breath, make an effort and go on; all in one. That contrast between two sides of life don't allow to forget that a better place is possible. A better world is possible. We have to make an effort and be positive althought sometimes is so hard to reach.

If someone of you could help on my B-Day wish helping the EJAF reach my goal, I will be grateful. If you couldn't, please, don't worry at all, it's so understandable. Thanks anyway for your attention.

We have Elton, thank God, we have Elton. I couldn't imagine life without Elton. I was born in 1969, when he started his Empty Sky debut album. I became an eltonite in 1983, for "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" and since then on, I've trying to follow him with loyalty. I remember my first concert, in 1989, when a young Jack Rabbit took the train to the big City: Barcelona, instead of being school. It was the most incredible show I've been. First I was a kind of disappointed for seeing that the man I idealized was human (so naive). But I enjoyed the concert so much, as I said, but unfortunetely I loose the train back home and I had to call home saying: "Oh, didn't tell you? I am in Barcelona!!!". I'd been one month without permission going out!! But it was well deserved. Thank you, Elton!!! Thanks to former and current band members!!!

And specially, today, thank YOU ELTONITES. That is the third season of the blogsite and the most incredible thing happened to me is to meet you. Some of you, I am thankful enough to meet you in person, that's the most amazing thing of concerts: to share experiences with you. Others, I am fortunate enough to have a beatiful friendly without knowing personally. You are my family! Thanks so much for following this blogsite, the old rabbit and for collaborate with me. My only objective is to have good fun and spread Elton's name around.

So, Happy Xmas, people, have a wonderful and joyful 2011, a lot of Elton's music. By heart, me and old rabbit could sing to you: "

"Take care in all you do next year
And keep smiling through the days
If we can help to entertain you
Oh we will find the ways"

Thanks so much for being there, I wish you all the best!!!
Love you so much!!!

Miquel