tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78925538912187443662024-03-13T01:06:46.406-07:0036 years of eltonjohnallsongslistAllSongsList began in 1984 when I started collecting any info and item about Elton John. It was quite difficult those days to find something about his music, thank God to fanzines like Hercules and specially East End Lights. Masters like Bernardin, Turano, Rosenthal, Hayward, Higgins, ... some of them I got the chance to meet in person. And in 2007, I began this non-profit blogsite, used only for entertainment, with no affiliation to Elton John's oficial one only to share our passion: Elton JohnJackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.comBlogger620125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-83767749444724939572020-11-24T10:11:00.009-08:002020-11-24T10:18:09.050-08:00 Jewel Box ***** (five out of five) by David Sigler<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBq7lxyqmHEcEhlIrhobdq2v6vApjKVaGiEQyXxCcOOnWDnwxpw4ndcFtQ5WvlFyX6WQ77ZiCvyQCo1UuxRT9rA5N7cbAiL0NVNCEhufYAFEQ6W0MLdLfcEqhZAbhLpTpPJQxYBYDajBJ/s949/3911114-6044205-image-a-18_1533898781244.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="634" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBq7lxyqmHEcEhlIrhobdq2v6vApjKVaGiEQyXxCcOOnWDnwxpw4ndcFtQ5WvlFyX6WQ77ZiCvyQCo1UuxRT9rA5N7cbAiL0NVNCEhufYAFEQ6W0MLdLfcEqhZAbhLpTpPJQxYBYDajBJ/s320/3911114-6044205-image-a-18_1533898781244.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">It’s been over two decades since Elton John has released a cd collection of this magnitude. In 1990, as was the trend then, he released<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> </span><em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #444444;">To Be Continued…</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">, a 4-cd collection of rarities, hits and album tracks. Fast forward to 2020, and well, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span>he wasn’t kidding</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">. To be fair, there was a 2-cd collection called Rare Masters in 1992, and countless greatest hits compilations along the way, but none of those compare to Jewel Box – a sprawling 8-cd collection of deep album tracks, early demos and lost b-sides that include extensive liner notes and details in a lavish hardback book.</span></span><p></p><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Discs 1 & 2: Deep Cuts</em>, is a marvel of hand-picked songs by the Man of the Hour himself. If you ever wondered if Elton John’s biggest hits were the best thing about his studio albums, </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">well think again</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">. His classics will always be classics. But here, we get to appreciate songs like Blue For Baby and Me (which Elton in the notes refers to as Tiny Dancer’s half sister) from the 1973 album Don’t Shoot Me…I’m Only The Piano Player (which included the classics Crocodile Rock and Daniel). Big social commentary songs like Ticking, paint a disturbing take on a man who goes on a gun rampage, from 1974’s Caribou album, and reminds us that Elton and Taupin could take on big subjects </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">with equal aplomb as the hits</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">. Furthermore, the liner notes provide us with some interesting thoughts on Elton’s reasoning for certain styles and production techniques (the syn-laden Too Low For Zero, Understanding Women and Crystal to name a few). Even more surprising is that Deep Cuts delivers at least one track from nearly every album he's released – more proof of how his songwriting prowess has lasted the decades.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Discs 3, 4 & 5:</em> <em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Rarities</em>, is what die-hard fans for years have been clamoring. These three discs offer the earliest recordings by the then budding songwriting duo of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Hired initially as songwriters by Dick James Music, John and Taupin clearly had </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">an amazing ability</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> to produce a stunning array of storytelling lyrics and melodies that, well, seem bottomless. Included here are some of Elton’s earliest band recordings where he wrote both music and lyrics (Come Back Baby, Mr. Frantic). But once Taupin entered the scene, things changed drastically. For instance, take something like Tartan Coloured Lady, a dreamy, eerie ballad that feels like a precursor to any ballad from his first three proper albums. Or, Get Out Of This Town, could have easily been a sequel to The Animal’s We Gotta Get Out Of This Place. The Beatles, however, are clearly the most major influence here, and with over 60-plus songs to get through, look no further than Regimental Sgt. Zippo, a song that was once earmarked as the title track to a planned album that never materialized.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">About two-thirds into these discs, we see an amazing transition from wanna-be songs for other artists, to John and Taupin true originals. By this time, we’re treated to early demos of songs that would be on John’s first three proper albums i.e. Madman Across The Water, Burn Down The Mission, I Need You To Turn To. Even more amazing is how far John developed as a singer, pianist and melody writer in such a short period of time. These songs </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">take you</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> on that glorious journey.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2BE7e0WNgt3fi8GLGkh38xMdDh6y4IN4HtLmLq_6_LkV3DtMq6vb0xC0SehbIoeujwXILhd7wMUwjtxW-3O6fNKgO7GylFxOsOxU1k1dMFD7S8fWvvsBHMn1-5FRPzIrr4Cx7761Ge63/s800/elton-john-and-cliff-richard-slow-rivers-1986-2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="789" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2BE7e0WNgt3fi8GLGkh38xMdDh6y4IN4HtLmLq_6_LkV3DtMq6vb0xC0SehbIoeujwXILhd7wMUwjtxW-3O6fNKgO7GylFxOsOxU1k1dMFD7S8fWvvsBHMn1-5FRPzIrr4Cx7761Ge63/s320/elton-john-and-cliff-richard-slow-rivers-1986-2.jpg" /></a></div>Discs 6 & 7</em> start in 1976 and go through 2005, with long awaited B-sides that have (finally!) seen the digital age. Always one </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">to offer value</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> for his singles back then, many of these songs originally could only be found on rare 45’s as the flip side to the hit. Another dizzying array of styles is offered here with varying degrees of success. But then, that’s the point. B-sides are B-sides for a reason but in many cases, there were many songs recorded that just didn’t fit on the album but still offered value. Songs like Billy And The Kids, an outtake from 1985’s Ice On Fire, could have easily fit on that album (and in some opinions, perhaps even better than what was actually on the proper release). Or the obscure country ballads like A Simple Man or I Can’t Get Over Getting Over You that, while may not be suited for Elton’s own albums, they still resonate as quality songs. Toss in a few instrumentals and duets, this disc explores Elton’s songwriting with other lyricists for a few songs, which adds further dimension to his deep catalog.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Lastly, <em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Disc 8: And This Is Me…</em> is a continuation of sorts to the Deep Cuts collection, as these songs are specifically referenced in Elton’s autobiography, <em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Me</em>. Only two hit singles make an appearance here (Border Song and Philadelphia Freedom), and the rest are more rescued deep tracks that, in this context, take on </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">an even deeper meaning</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">. Elton mentions in the liner notes that Taupin always has a ability to capture his mood at any given time and I Fall Apart, from 1986’s Leather Jackets </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">fills that bill</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">. But listening to it now and knowing what we know about that turbulent era, the song brings new perspective. It’s hardly Someone Saved My Life Tonight, but the sentiment is damn close.</span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Does Jewel Box go out of its way to try and prove something? I say yes, but not in the way you may think. Rather, it’s </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">an honest portrait</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> of an artist who developed his craft in a few short years to ultimately superstardom and was equally prolific outside of his properly released albums as well. It didn’t come easy per se, but the talent was there. And above all, that’s what Jewel Box illustrates.</span></div>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-54876835055544038302020-11-21T12:26:00.004-08:002020-11-21T12:28:06.507-08:00Jewel Box: Elton's bountiful baubles big deep, and make "Captain Fantastic" come alive (Part One) by James Turano<p><b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">New comprehensive rarities compilation is a
vital first step in revealing the primitive beginnings and eventual depth and
breadth of Elton John’s masterful musical legacy</span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_kBp7JrX_EQULfczcYqYUIMk9rmvqA2loLpnDrhFLj7GXGIVKlH_VMZZlAXqrH-AexL0s4RpvfFoEbZmnsQGRq6ofAKmew6ZL5u6I6r6zYTHVLa-m5IuAdqzmXIkFFMHqEnokdOl4TWn/s2048/Elton+Jim+Logo+Photo.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_kBp7JrX_EQULfczcYqYUIMk9rmvqA2loLpnDrhFLj7GXGIVKlH_VMZZlAXqrH-AexL0s4RpvfFoEbZmnsQGRq6ofAKmew6ZL5u6I6r6zYTHVLa-m5IuAdqzmXIkFFMHqEnokdOl4TWn/w325-h245/Elton+Jim+Logo+Photo.JPG" width="325" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Simply,
the new “Elton: Jewel Box” collection is an Elton John </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>fan’s wet dream</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">In
these uncertain times, absent new music from Elton’s piano and Bernie Taupin’s
pen, this enlightening, comprehensive collection of old and rare music from The
Captain and The Kid (and others) is a most welcome surprise – a comforting gift
to the fans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
that is what it is: </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>a most grateful gift</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">. </span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The casual Elton John fans looking for just the
best-known, radio favorites have been indulgently catered to for decades.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, Elton’s diehards get their due.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Because
for more than 45 years, longtime fans have been enduring an onslaught of
frustratingly re-packaged and re-configured greatest hits compilations that
basically recycle the same 25 songs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Ironically,
vinyl and CD compilations distributed by Pickwick Records in the ‘80s, may have
been budget bin throw-offs, with titles like “The Album,” “The Collection,”
“Song Book,” and “Love Songs,” but these stood out for their impressive mix of
big hits and idiosyncratic deep cuts, and I admit I played them more than the “legitimate”
hits collections.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The
official, varying volumes have covered the years of 1970-74, 1976-1986,
1970-2002, and boasted grandiose titles including “Greatest,” “Definitive,”
“Very Best,” “Number Ones” “One Night Only,” “Love Songs,” “Rare Masters,” “To
Be Continued,” “Volume II,” and “Volume 3.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The
most recent and re-mastered, three-disc “Diamonds,” is the best of them all, so
no need for more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite decades of these
redundancies, we fans have bought them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We <i>have</i> to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Conversely,
the new box set, “Elton: Jewel Box.” is a bulging, bursting, tastefully
designed and carefully curated 148-song collection of revealing </span>rarities that blends many never before heard
demos from 1965-1971, sought-after B-sides, and long overlooked and deserving
deep cuts personally chosen by Elton with input from Bernie. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">It’s exacting
presentation almost makes all those previously rehashed “greatest” groupings irrelevant.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipobiZOeOF34a0tZK7T9aZVKOkQIwM46hA3TzO8rtOJp-PSxQUP61GFuzPyWCYoLijHUtokitQX4ABb61XkTu5XVqnMayAXtWBW4UBCqAS3ICHK1uJ5SKM0wro47FxbLcU2ajtWuhJSpm0/s200/elton_john-jewel_box_a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipobiZOeOF34a0tZK7T9aZVKOkQIwM46hA3TzO8rtOJp-PSxQUP61GFuzPyWCYoLijHUtokitQX4ABb61XkTu5XVqnMayAXtWBW4UBCqAS3ICHK1uJ5SKM0wro47FxbLcU2ajtWuhJSpm0/w261-h261/elton_john-jewel_box_a.jpg" width="261" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Elton:
Jewel Box” is a marvel.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s aimed to
celebrate Elton’s </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">indisputable legacy</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">And
it’s about time. Elton’s full legacy must be exposed to the masses and
established for the ages for its originality, innovation, heft, and high
standard for quality.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">During the last
50-plus years, Elton John has been ridiculously prolific and popular.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">But it’s been a blessing and a curse.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The
blessing: the global embracing of Elton’s most beloved hits has made him one of
the most successful musical artists of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The
curse: those scores of timeless, crowd-pleasing classics have obscured the true
expanse, diversity, depth, and breadth of his complete career output.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">And
though he is currently taking a prudent pandemic hiatus from -- as he describes
it -- “being Elton,” to rest, get fit, and spend some unexpected and prolonged
quality time with his family, he cannot lose sight of the endgame; he must proactively
position his full legacy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Unlike
fellow classic rock peers like Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, David Bowie, and
Freddie Mercury, the music critics won’t do it for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They never have.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Dating
back to his rousing U.S. debut in August 1970, Elton quickly went from favored
critics’ darling to pop’s punching bag within a couple of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Literally overnight, Elton was “it,” thanks
in large part to Robert Hilburn’s raving review in <i>The Los Angeles Times </i>declaring
Elton would become “</span><span style="background: white;">one of rock's biggest and most important stars.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">He returned to England a supposed conquering hero, but the
British music press that had previously given him little more than a passing
glance was not prepared to pass Elton the pop crown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">In 1970, the British press felt it had it had the right to
ordain rock music’s next big thing” after The Beatles’ abrupt break up. Elton John
was not their choice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">While the Brit press pushed their “preferred” heirs like
David Bowie, Marc Bolan and T-Rex, Roxy Music, and The Faces, Elton began to steadily
and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>impressively climb the charts and
sell-out bigger and bigger venues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Leading U.K. publications’ like the <i>New Music Express</i>
covered Elton in the ‘70s more out of obligation than enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More gossip than deep musical analysis or
genuine excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Even though they had first crack to recognize his talents and
potential, the U.K. scribes seemingly punished Elton for leaving British shores
and finding fame without their approval. And they have held the grudge ever
since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The U.S. music press initially welcomed Elton’s sudden ascension
because back then, anything imported from Britain carried cache. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less than a year after his August 1970,
arrival, Elton grabbed the coveted cover of <i>Rolling Stone</i>, on June 10,
1971.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, he was viewed more as a
temporary, interesting oddity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hardly a
hero.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">In the early ‘70s, Elton didn’t meet the music press’s
expectations of a “new sensation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wanted
a Dylanesque artist to change music, the culture, and the social order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elton made music that entertained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wanted a guitar player. Elton played
piano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wanted a rock god with Mick
Jagger looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elton’s physical frame
didn’t fit into hipster hip huggers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
wanted singer-songwriters who bared their own souls and emotions though their
songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elton didn’t write his own
lyrics.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">And later, even as Elton dominated the music scene from
1972-76, eventually the U.S. music press passed him off as a mainstream popster
rather than a “serious” artist and treated his music as such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Looking back at <i>Rolling Stone</i> reviews of Elton’s
classic ‘70s output – including the masterpieces, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,”
“Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy,” and “Blue Moves” -- they are
lukewarm at best, begrudgingly complimentary in spots, and focus more on his flamboyant
persona than the songs at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Rather than exalting Elton for his melodic diversity and
seamless spanning of many genres with authenticity and passion, he often was
dismissed as derivative or a shallow imitator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And during this era, though Taupin often tackled tough and taboo topics
including racism (“Texan Love Song”), homelessness (“Razor Face”), prostitution
(“Sweet Painted Lady”), lesbianism (“All The Girls Love Alice”), mass murder
(“Ticking”), drug use (“Feed Me”), and suicide (“Someone’s Final Song”), among
others, he rarely was credited for bravely venturing into such non-pop subject
matter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Almost 50 years later, these overtly biased <i>Rolling Stone</i>
reviews read as dated and downright foolish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Further, after gracing its cover in 1971, 1973, 1974, and
1976, <i>Rolling Stone</i> did not feature Elton on its cover for another 35
years – until February 17, 2011. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This inexcusable
oversight despite Elton achieving “cover-worthy” milestones within those three
decades including his groundbreaking Russian tour in 1979; his solid ’80s
comeback; winning an Oscar in 1994; comforting a grieving the world in 1997 at
Princess Diana’s funeral; conquering Broadway and The West End with original
music that forged the hit stage shows “The Lion King,” “Aida,” and “Billy
Elliot;” and making some of his best albums of his career (“Songs From The West
Coast” and “Peachtree Road”) in the early 2000s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No, it was not the music press on either shore that made
Elton John a star.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>It was the
public</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The public bought the records.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The public sold-out the shows. </span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">While the music press haughtily scoured for
its next phenomenon, the public found theirs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">And
despite the acclaim, the awards (none of Elton’s ‘70s albums or songs won a
Grammy) and the many unrivaled accomplishments, Elton’s music still is judged
by and mostly known for…the hits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
the historical perception that must be changed or at least expanded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">To
assure Elton’s music is still being played and enjoyed in the coming centuries
– yes, centuries – similar to the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Gershwin, Bernstein,
and other timeless musical artists, the work and heavy lifting must be done now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">For
instance, in addition to retrospective releases like “Jewel Box,” Elton also can
help his cause and inject excitement into his older catalog on stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After his current “Farewell Tour” ends, the
advantage of Elton finally staging an appetizing “Deep Cuts Concert” that’s
he’s been teasing for many years, and featuring a wider variety and more
“unknown” songs from all phases of his career can establish a much-needed appreciation
for these older tunes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">While
the world sings along to the massive hits such as “Your Song,” “Rocket Man,”
“Tiny Dancer,” “Crocodile Rock,” and “I’m Still Standing,” the diehard Elton
fans have been singing the praises of lesser-known album tracks including,
“Harmony,” “High Flying Bird,” “Ticking,” “I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of
Robert Ford,” “Burning Buildings,” “Blue Avenue,” and dozens of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More people need to hear and know these
“other” songs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Yes,
Elton and Taupin undoubtedly will continue to look to the future with new
projects and new music (in <i>Rolling Stone</i> magazine, Taupin recently
revealed he has written more than 20 new lyrics that he describes as “special,”
that are just waiting for new Elton melodies).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">And
they both would rather not than dwell on their past – but it’s one helluva
past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It <i>should</i> be dwelled on for
history’s sake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Elton John and
Bernie Taupin team deserves it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hopefully,
“Jewel Box” is the beginning of a regular record release effort to rectify,
unify, and deliver the full scope of Elton’s massive musical canon, </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">and elevate
it to a higher level</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"> in the ears of the public</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: medium;">the critics, and the rock historians.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Because
Elton John rightfully belongs among the most respected, talented, popular, and
successful musical artists and songwriters of all time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Elton:
Jewel Box” is </span><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">impressive first step</span> </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">toward that goal.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTY5LItlT2in4lc30e1eUtzSQ6YNQNRzbGZd_t7LQWo6VOV9lwrCfvs6XaZe3Qf_xf-gyXo0Y06cn2Mewr8WlQAyjIy4tOFGW68czVD2z4x5Wp3G72NXoDs7a0vpoPpkxMqtk0SKtfPFo/s200/elton_john-rare_masters_a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="200" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTY5LItlT2in4lc30e1eUtzSQ6YNQNRzbGZd_t7LQWo6VOV9lwrCfvs6XaZe3Qf_xf-gyXo0Y06cn2Mewr8WlQAyjIy4tOFGW68czVD2z4x5Wp3G72NXoDs7a0vpoPpkxMqtk0SKtfPFo/w270-h226/elton_john-rare_masters_a.jpg" width="270" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Technically,
it’s a second step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1992, the
excellent “Rare Masters” collection was the “first step” and the best of
Elton’s past compilations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It astutely
amassed some of his best music up to that point that fell through the cracks
since Reg Dwight became Elton John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The
well-chosen collection of early music, ‘70s B-sides, and the misunderstood and
under-appreciated<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Friends” soundtrack
from 1971 – which still has never been released as a standalone CD – <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>offered a refreshing and deeper level of
Elton’s musical history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gathered
laudable, scattered early material into one, detailed, convenient package and
historical listening experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately,
“Rare Masters” was never followed up with additional collections through the
years that could have continually shed more light on Elton’s old material.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, almost 30 years after “Rare Masters,"
“Jewel Box” and its clear commitment to </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Elton’s legacy has arrived</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The new set is not flowery, stunting
nostalgia, but rather, necessary, and legacy building.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Young
and Springsteen, for example, regularly swing their vaults wide open to release
long-rumored, fully completed “lost albums,” unheard demos, decades-old
outtakes, and memorable live performances to build and cement their legacies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">“Jewel
Box” is proof Elton’s vaults are lined with plenty of dusty, musical gems
waiting to be unearthed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may claim
after this collection there is “nothing left in the tank,” but based on
remaining demos and desirable outtakes from the last several decades floating
around on YouTube and on bootleg vinyl and CDs, yes, there are more unpolished
“jewels” to be mined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">These
notable nuggets from the past – like the recent “discovery” of the exquisite
and ear-delicious “jazz version” of “Come Down In Time” (it’s a shame this was
found too late to be included in “Jewel Box”) -- also deserve to be
re-mastered, historically annotated, and given their time in the spotlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Elton:
Jewel Box” </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>offers revelations for all audiences</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Newer fans now have a wealth of “new” material
to digest, process, and add to their overall knowledge.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Though most longtime fans have heard much of this
material on bootlegs, as CD re-issue bonus tracks, or on the original vinyl,
there are still many startling moments for even the most avid “Eltonographer.”</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Thankfully, “Jewel Box” organizes it and
presents it in excellent sound quality.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">As
a pure listening experience, “Elton: Jewel Box” is unequaled for providing a
dynamic, sonic portrait of Elton’s music, from fledging upstart to rock
phenomenon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From
a historical perspective, it is detailed and inclusive, </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">but still not
definitive</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">There are more songs and
eras that demand attention. Granted, this may be nitpicking when you consider
all the material that </span><i style="font-size: large;">is</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> on these eight discs, but nonetheless, it’s true.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Could
any collection truly please every Elton superfan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No fan is ever completely satisfied when any
new material is issued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This intense
scrutiny is at the core of every diehard fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s what makes fans endlessly endearing…and probably, in all honesty, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a bit irritatingly irrational.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">But
it is all offered from a devoted, positive place of admiration, deep feeling,
and intangible connection. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just can’t
get enough of “our” Elton.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
viewed and listened as a whole, “Elton: Jewel Box” unfolds like </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>a musical
scrapbook</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> – literally and figuratively.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s compelling packaging and painstaking attention to detail all
compiled in book form is eye-catching and user-friendly.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sprinkled
with vintage and iconic images, photos, album covers, backstage passes, and
vinyl picture sleeves, founded on a sprawling narrative, extensive credits and
recording information, and boasting track-by-track, insightful, misty water-colored
memories and comments from Elton, the book presentation alone </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>is a fan treasure
trove</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Ultimately,
for the diehard fans “Elton: Jewel Box” is a joyous validation of our seemingly
life-long devotion, obsession, and admiration for Elton John, his talent, and his
music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">“Jewel
Box” and its riches enables Elton John fans of all levels to proudly proclaim,
“I told you so.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">(To be continued)</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;">(Picture of Jim Turano courtesy by himself)</span></i></p>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-78585602820847364762020-11-21T12:26:00.003-08:002020-11-21T12:26:21.088-08:00Jewel Box: Elton's bountiful baubles big deep, and make "Captain Fantastic" come alive (Part Two) by James Turano<p><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">DISCS
1 AND 2 : DEEP CUTS</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98KyHUr7uT0jVKSZ4lHY5nKyiUU-V3oV6Ssf-Ux4hhv5jEiG8cDeuq56wORW0_swRuBspQBLU6EFGWn7j1gJEgyjqKYtxCk33gL4oXCM7Cm_VJtrPp_r_I0z19fEl00Rcg8fcq2qfrWF-/s200/elton_john-jewel_box_a_3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98KyHUr7uT0jVKSZ4lHY5nKyiUU-V3oV6Ssf-Ux4hhv5jEiG8cDeuq56wORW0_swRuBspQBLU6EFGWn7j1gJEgyjqKYtxCk33gL4oXCM7Cm_VJtrPp_r_I0z19fEl00Rcg8fcq2qfrWF-/w233-h233/elton_john-jewel_box_a_3.jpg" width="233" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Elton’s
deep cuts:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the “other” Elton John. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">There
are two sides to the Elton John catalogue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are his popular hits known and loved the world over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there are the hundreds of unknown album
tracks or “deep cuts” that were never released for wide radio airplay, and thus
are appreciated only by his most diehard fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His
hits have defined him for most </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>but have overshadowed some of the best music he’s
ever written</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The
“Deep Cuts” discs of “Jewel Box” – unlike the early demos -- are fully
realized, performed, and produced album tracks meant to be heard in all their
glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These songs – the sacred ones – are
not known by the masses but the tracks I listen to most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are the songs that vibrantly shape Elton’s catalogue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An album’s deep cuts are the ones I want the
world to hear and sing along with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Musically,
“Elton: Jewel Box” begins and ends with a “Deep Cuts” disc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first two encompasses 31 worthy songs
chosen by Elton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are an inspired
selection touching his entire career, from 1971’s “Tumbleweed Connection”
(“Where To Now, St. Peter?”) to 2013’s “The Diving Board” (“My Quicksand” and “The
New Fever Waltz”). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final disc is an
eclectic mix of Elton choices that keenly connect his many moods and life
experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s
difficult to argue with any of the deep cuts chosen here. </span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">They all belong and are excellent examples of
Elton’s many musical hues through the years.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: medium;">Also, how do you question these when Elton picked them?</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I mean, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Elton is the ultimate judge</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Or
is he?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Certainly,
when discussing many of Elton’s best songs and “obscure” deep cuts from his 33
studio albums, no list is complete without most offered on “Jewel Box,”
including “Where To Now, St, Peter?” “Mellow,” “The Ballad Of Danny Bailey
(1909-34),” “Chameleon,” “We All Fall In Love Sometimes,” “The North,” “Ticking,”
“Tell Me When The Whistle Blows,” “House,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “(Gotta
Get A) Meal Ticket,” “Shoot Down The Moon,” “Have Mercy On The Criminal,”
“Blues For Baby And Me,” “My Father’s Gun,” “Elton’s Song,” “Amazes Me,” The
Last Song,” and “American Triangle.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Interestingly,
evidence that tastes and preferences change with time, several years ago, a
hand-written list by Elton of songs for a rumored “Deep Cuts Tour,” surfaced
online, and of the 20 songs he chose then, less than half on that list appear
on the three “Deep Cuts” discs on the “Jewel Box.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">And
based on his track-by-track comments, many of his somewhat surprising deep cut
selections like “Boogie Pilgrim,” “Crystal,” “Understanding Women,” “My
Quicksand,” “Stone’s Throw From Hurtin’” “Too Low For Zero,” “Hoop Of Fire,”
“The Power,” and “All That I’m Allowed” were selected more for their musical influences,
personal anecdotes, or because they were musical departures from the expected
“Elton John sound.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">However,
when analyzing some of Elton’s greatest and “unknown” songs, the best the songs
are those that </span><i style="font-size: large;">do</i> <b><span style="font-size: large;">sound like Elton</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">; that </span><i style="font-size: large;">do</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> feature his dramatic
chord structures, his passionate, playful, and pleading vocals; that </span><i style="font-size: large;">do</i><span style="font-size: medium;">
feature many of Taupin’s metaphorical images and pointed thoughts; that </span><i style="font-size: large;">do</i><span style="font-size: medium;">
glide on a Paul Buckmaster orchestral arrangement; or</span><i style="font-size: large;"> do</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> get a shredding
from a Davey Johnstone rocking guitar riff.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">They
are songs representative of the hypnotic grandeur conjured by producer Gus Dudgeon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the songs that can only be Elton.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">So,
yes, while even these unexpected deep cut choices have their place here, it’s
hard to choose them over arguably, some of the best songs Elton has ever
written – period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Songs including “High
Flying Bird,” “Harmony,” “Come Down In Time,” “Seasons (Reprise),” “Mona Lisa
And Mad Hatters,” “” ”Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding,” “I’ve Seen That
Movie Too,” “Roy Rogers,” “Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy,” “Better
Off Dead,” “I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford),” “Planes,” “Tonight,”
“Crazy Water,” “Idol,” “Cage The Songbird,” “Carla/Etude/Fanfare/Chloe,”
“Burning Buildings,” “Blue Avenue,” “A Woman’s Needs,” “Live Like Horses (The Buckmaster
Demo Version),” “Latitude,” “The Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes,” “Original
Sin,” “Old ’67, “Mandalay Again (with Leon Russell),” “Not Me (“Aida” Demo Version),”
“Circle Of Life,” and “You Gotta Love Someone.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">You
may have your own favorites and choices.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">As
Elton insightfully mentioned in his autobiography “Me,” he didn’t start his
career as a pop singer or “singles artist.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And he’s correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His first
several official releases were compared more to the rustic sound of The Band
and the soulful blues-rock of Leon Russell than the puppy love pop of Donny
Osmond.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Elton
and Bernie’s early albums from 1969-1971 -- “Empty Sky,” “Elton John,”
“Tumbleweed Connection,” and “Madman Across The Water” -- were dominated by
complexly written, structured, orchestrated, and produced melodies, augmented
by creative, literate, and cinematic storytelling lyrics that challenged and
transported the listener. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Additionally,
many of the early John-Taupin compositions clocked in at five or six minutes in
length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This prevented many of their
best early songs from receiving airplay on the hit-making AM radio stations in
the ‘70s. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The commercial behemoths
dominated the dial and refused to play songs longer than 4 minutes to both
serve their young, short attention spanned listeners and pack in as many
commercials as they could within an hour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Therefore,
many of Elton and Bernie’s best early songs never were released as singles and most
people have never heard them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted,
some of Elton’s early, non-singles music from “Elton John,” “Tumbleweed” and
“Madman” did get airplay on the emerging progressive FM stations in America.
These stations featured freeform formats and strove to play more “serious”
non-traditional, non-pop music of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, these smaller, “underground” radio stations didn’t command the influence
of their AM Top 40 powerhouse counterparts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">In
fact, after 1970’s “Your Song” became a hit, though he released several singles
afterward, it wasn’t until 1972 with “Rocket Man” that Elton returned to the
upper levels of the U.S. and U.K. singles charts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">One
reason a collection like “Jewel Box” is not only welcome but mandatory in
enhancing Elton’s full body of work is because during his dizzying ‘70s decade,
most of his albums between 1972-76 were exceptional efforts from top to
bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike most albums of the day, there
was little filler between the hits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">While
most artists of the day struggled to put just one or two hit singles on a 10-song
album, Elton and Bernie were writing and recording a plethora of potential hits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I contend Elton’s albums recorded during this
heyday included four or even five possible hit singles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately,
many compelling songs were relegated to B-side status or never got a chance to
be heard by the masses on the radio because of Elton’s outdated and restrictive
recording contract.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was obligated to
deliver two albums a year, which at the time may have been standard practice for
a standard artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But from the start it
was obvious Elton John was no standard artist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">With
a little foresight and savvy, the powers at be should have recognized the
wealth of great music on each album, and rather than pressing for something new
every six months, they could have relaxed his recording schedule and extended
the chart life of each current album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">For
example, in 1973, with a double album of stellar material, “Goodbye Yellow
Brick Road” could have been on the charts for a year or even two, and most
likely yielded at least five or six hit singles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, in the U.S,, only the title track, “Saturday
Night’s Alright (For Fighting),” and “Bennie And The Jets” were released as
singles, leaving potential chart-toppers like “Candle In The Wind” (in the
U.S.), “Harmony,” “Grey Seal,” “Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock ‘n’ Roll,”
and others stranded on the shelf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I
argue if “Come Down In Time” and “Harmony” became singles in the ‘70s, for
example, today they both would be among Elton’s best-known and best-loved
greatest hits and would have to be played at every concert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead they are known by only the most
ardent fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That’s
why “Jewel Box” </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>is essential</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">: it exposes more people to the great expanse of
Elton’s complete catalogue.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">And it does
meet its mission.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Almost. </span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">If we couldn’t expand “Jewel Box” to 10 discs
to include more deserving deep cuts, why not another stand-alone collection
promoting these older songs as “new songs”?</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">After
all, we have seen how “Tiny Dancer,” which was originally released in 1971 as a
single and failed, was instantly elevated to “greatest hit” and “beloved” status.
Thanks to a short but thrilling scene featuring it in Cameron Crowe’s 2000
“Almost Famous” rock ‘n’ roll diary film, it was viewed as a “new” song despite
being 30 years old. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">And
remember the sadly abandoned, “Thom Bell Sessions” from 1977?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1979, it yielded a Top 10 hit, “Mama Can’t
Buy You Love,” and miraculously, in 2003, thanks to an accidental Ashley Beedle
re-mix, “Are You Ready For Love?” gave Elton his most unsuspecting U.K. #1 song
of his career.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The
point being, Elton has LOTS of older music many people haven’t heard, and when
they do, it feels “new” to them and it gains the popularity it always should
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why not give these older songs
a second chance to fulfill their intended vocation? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><a name="_Hlk56335436"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>believe a collection of deep cuts promoted and
marketed as a “new” album would bring throngs of new listeners to Elton’s older
songs and play a major role in widening his legacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How cool would it be to have an album with
the following songs, and to hear Elton play many of them live?<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk56335436;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Indulge my fantasy for a moment,
and imagine diving into “Elton: The Lost Gems” with a track list that, in
addition to the missing deep cuts I mentioned earlier, would also include:</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“Strange Rain,” “Into The
Old Man’s Shoes,” “Can I Put You On?” “Rock Me When He’s Gone,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“Sick City,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“Cold Highway,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> “Pinky,” “Hercules,” </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“Crazy Water,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“Red,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“Planes,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“Sugar In The Floor,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“Queen Of Cities,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> “The </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Best Part Of The Day,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> “</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">White Powder, White Lady,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> “</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Give Me The Love,” </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Healing Hands,” “Elderberry
Wine,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> “</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Between Seventeen And Twenty,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> “</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Skyline Pigeon (1973 piano
version),” </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Love Letters” (with Bonnie
Raitt),</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> “</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Loving You Is Sweeter Than
Ever” (with Kiki Dee),</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> “</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">One Day At A Time” (Lennon
cover),</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> “</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">It’s Me That You Need, “Love
Song” (Live with Lesley Duncan), “Sweet Painted Lady,”</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> “</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Dixie Lily,”
“Electricity,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Teacher I Need You,”
“Grey Seal,” “One More Arrow,” “Gypsy Heart,” “Too Young,” “Mansfield,” “The
Captain And The Kid,” “Voyeur,” and “The Open Chord.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I’d
buy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’d never stop playing it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Yes,
I realize this totals more than 60 additional deep cuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It only accentuates my initial premise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elton’s got a an incredibly vast body of work
of superior quality and people today and in the future need to hear more of it
and be fully converted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Finally,
the most glaring deep cut excluded on “Jewel Box” is one of Elton and Bernie’s
most difficult but triumphant songs:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Candle In The Wind 1997.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I
understand the song’s unique connection to history and a sad, tragic event, but
nonetheless, this song is also one of Elton’s crowning public
performances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Taupin’s expressive
re-working of the original to honor Princess Diana was emotive, not maudlin,
celebratory, not sorrowful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
song that perfectly served the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">“Candle
In The Wind 1997” helped heal a nation and the world, and as painful as the
circumstances for its existence may be, its achievement should not be
forgotten, understated, or hidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
may be Elton and Bernie’s ultimate, most defining deep cut of all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">DISCS
3, 4 AND 5: RARITIES 1965-1971</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVwRKeHHJH7FwRxkEGCrPWPbd7VXoFK03H4xt5YuHVCL4WbDlr1hvFw_gK6njAP4qv2Rx-dEg55wz8d7CoUWsSb73SoPQ3dn8uumhZ4YuCPOLvoumdeE29t2ue3JBxolKU4xWvbmEEgRw/s200/elton_john-i_cant_go_on_living_without_you_s.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVwRKeHHJH7FwRxkEGCrPWPbd7VXoFK03H4xt5YuHVCL4WbDlr1hvFw_gK6njAP4qv2Rx-dEg55wz8d7CoUWsSb73SoPQ3dn8uumhZ4YuCPOLvoumdeE29t2ue3JBxolKU4xWvbmEEgRw/w244-h244/elton_john-i_cant_go_on_living_without_you_s.jpg" width="244" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Obviously,
these three discs of rare demos written and recorded between 1965-71 are the
collection’s “Holy Grail” for many, and a long overdue generous gesture to the
fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though many of these demos have
appeared on the previously “must-have” three-disc “Dick James Demo” bootleg
series, many old and new fans still will be enticed by these early efforts.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I
know I have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These discs were the
first ones I listened to just out of the shrink wrap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s saying something, considering I
probably haven’t listened to my three “Dick James Demo” bootleg discs since I
first bough them almost 30 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Some
fans flock to Elton’s demos from any era with greater interest than much of
Elton’s finished material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I’ve
appreciated the historical significance of this embryonic work, and as a
collector felt almost obligated to have it, I haven’t devoured it. I don’t know
all the origins and recording details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know most of them more by title than by melody or lyric.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I
have always viewed Elton demos for what they are – rough experiments, first attempts,
and often times, unfinished works that may have held promise;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>unreleased demos are musical snapshots of a
work-in-progress that faded from artist interest and into obscurity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They thrive on their mystery. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Jewel
Box” </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">uncovers the mystery</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">One
motivating mystery solved in “Jewel Box” is the detailed disclosure of a
delayed debut album in 1968 tentatively titled “Regimental Sgt. Zippo.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the song itself is known in Elton
collector circles, the possibility of an entire debut album before “Empty Sky”
is a new wrinkle in the Elton John career narrative. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Hearing
the demos that were intended to become “Sgt, Zippo,” the decision to abort the
mission was correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the song and the title are an obvious “Sgt.
Pepper” influence, and Elton undoubtedly would have been savaged by music
critics for the lesser results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Most
significantly, based on its potential track list, songs like “Nina,” “Angel
Tree” and “Watching The Planes Go By” though steeped in their era are fragile
buds of future growth.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">“Tartan Coloured
Lady,” with its harpsichord and hippie lyric hints at songs to come later on
their 1969 debut album “Empty Sky.”</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: medium;">These and other songs are close, but both Elton and Bernie </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>still show
signs of growing pains</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> as they search for their individual creative “voices.” </span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Their collective mojo still hadn’t gelled in
1968.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">As
I gorged on these demos with three consecutive and complete listens, I found
myself captivated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like hearing
both an old and new Elton John at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of all, it was so exciting to hear
Elton’s piano playing so dominant throughout these three discs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If
there is one aspect of Elton’s music that sadly has diminished through the years
– except on 2013’s “The Diving Board” – it’s </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>his piano placed high</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> in the mix
and leading the melody.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">In concert his
digits dance with dexterity on the piano keys with flair, purpose, and feeling,
but in the recording studio the piano varies in its prominence and
importance.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Hearing
Elton playfully pounding with confidence and commitment on all these demos IS
“Elton John.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To hear so much of Elton’s piano
song-after-song-after-song is pure bliss it’s worth the box set’s price of
admission.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Also,
fully legible versions of two of Elton and Bernie’s earliest songs, “Scarecrow”
and “A Dandelion Dies In The Wind,” are indeed tasty treats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are more, including the 1971 demo for
“Holiday Inn,” which includes the infamous “lost verse” about a broken TV, lack
of hotel room service, and cold fries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I
found I liked two demos – “Where It’s At” and “Whose Gonna Love You” – that
were not written with Bernie Taupin, but co-written by Nicky James and Kirk
Duncan, respectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are
straightforward pop-oriented songs, not in the Taupin style, even in his
earliest, raw days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">These
experiments are catchy, bouncy radio-ready tunes that signaled Elton’s innate,
uncanny ability – even at this early stage – to put almost any set of words to
some kind of appealing melody, and effortlessly slide into one musical genre
and shift gears to another with authenticity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Early
on, I did gravitate most to the John-Taupin songs, as crude and dated as many
are.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">These previously-vaulted, promising
musical sketches like “Hourglass,” “Turn To Me,” “When I Was Tealby Abbey,”
“There Is Still A Little Love,” “If I Asked You,” “Bonnie’s Gone Away,” “Just
An Ordinary Man” (with its Bacharach opening), “There’s Still Time For Me,” “When
The First Tear Shows” (which impresses thanks to the added horns), and “Sing Me
No Sad Songs” give “Jewel Box” instant </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">credibility for what they convey</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"> – the
beginnings of the newly-seeded John-Taupin partnership taking root.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">These
demos – especially those on Disc Two -- show Elton growing in vocal style,
sureness, risk, and bravado, and he gradually gives Taupin’s lyrics deeper,
melodical foundations to shine and soar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The demos confirm the crucial, enthusiastic<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>advocacy of early supporter, mentor, and
first producer, Steve Brown. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">As
the John-Taupin demos begin in 1967 we hear songs that stir with naïve, ambitious
stabs at “Sgt. Pepper” pop psychedelia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next,
as we move into 1968 and ‘69, we hear a more focused and mature style emerging.
And by 1970, their collective talents magically mesh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">By
the time you get to the “Tumbleweed” and “Madman” demos, their work has drastically
transformed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The musical and lyrical
synergy that will become one of the best and successful songwriting
partnerships in history is evident and ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a star-crossed, “star is born” tale come true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">After
listening to all three discs, I had a startling epiphany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">When
presented in this form and sound quality, these demos aren’t just individual
songs or the manifestation of Elton and Bernie’s youthful hopes and dreams.
These demos aren’t just some heart-tugging tokens of nostalgia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Instead,
“Jewel Box” has altered these demos from long-abandoned, boxed and stored
pastiche of the past and bestowed on them new relevance; the personification of
the “Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy” album.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">These demos directly inform the story Bernie
was telling 45 years ago about how </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">“hand in hand went the music and the rhyme”</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">
between him and Reg Dwight.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">How, at 17
years old, Bernie was “still green and growing.”</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The demos represent Elton and Bernie
“stepping in the ring” and the start of their “long and lonely climb.”</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">We
hear firsthand, how for Bernie, Elton became “the honey the hive could be
holding.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">These
demos are the struggles, the disappointments, the need for “all those shoulders
when we cried“ in “Tower Of Babel.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
demos the evidence of why “it’s hard to write a song with bitter fingers.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These demos <i>are</i> the “naïve notions that
were childish” and “the simple tunes that tried to hide it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">For
years in interviews, Elton and Bernie related the angst of their beginnings
when they were “out for the count,” and signed to Dick James (one of the “old
diehards on Denmark Street”) as writers for hire -- the so-called “Tin Pan
Alley Twins.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">But
now, we hear the sources of that angst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many of these demos are what Taupin describes as “hawking hunks of
garbage” while writing for other performers and being asked to “knock a line or
two, together for a friend.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">We
immediately hear through some of these crude efforts the duo’s “desperate
desire for change,” but also recognize why some correctly felt “there’s a
chance that one day, you might write a standard, lads.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just two years after they were coupled by Ray
Williams, they did just that with “Your Song.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
these demos you hear Elton and Bernie’s </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>youthful exuberance</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">, their “inspiration
for navigation” of their “newfound craft.”</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: medium;">And how their songwriting process is “always half and half.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Of
all the songs on “Captain Fantastic,” however, these demos imbue deeper
meanings to many of Taupin’s reflections and emotions in the album’s two final
songs -- “We All Fall In Love Sometimes” and “Curtains.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These two songs are powerful in their
reminisces and love, and these “Jewel Box” demos now enable these thoughts to
burst and overflow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
“Jewel Box” demos document how their “Empty Sky was filled with laughter” and are
the basis for Elton and Bernie’s mythic and magical </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>“once upon a time.”</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;">DISCS
6 AND 7:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B-SIDES 1976-2005</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRVBznAAWnciK31nRLC7dhicMQK6w9Hus_UQJaLN4aKibqHMMRT0Z7eMdNGtk7xN6iFWqWtqxTbyu8TlVqW6AipUua1OHskvKXFYcvgKFA4duHzVlmVgGad4rCE-wPJnotqn47xdSH3At/s200/elton_john-jewel_box_a_1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRVBznAAWnciK31nRLC7dhicMQK6w9Hus_UQJaLN4aKibqHMMRT0Z7eMdNGtk7xN6iFWqWtqxTbyu8TlVqW6AipUua1OHskvKXFYcvgKFA4duHzVlmVgGad4rCE-wPJnotqn47xdSH3At/w235-h235/elton_john-jewel_box_a_1.jpg" width="235" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Ah,
the Elton B-sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “Elton extras,” if
you will.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">In
the days of vinyl buying in the ‘70s and the ‘80s, you knew you were a serious
Elton John fan if you first played the flipside rather than “hit side” of an
Elton single.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You played the “B” rather
than the “A’ side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">You
did this because you’d already heard the hit single on the radio many, many
times by now, but in most cases, rather than just plopping an album cut on the
B-side of the single, Elton often gave his fans a little something extra – an
unreleased outtake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For major Elton John
fans, this meant a new song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More Elton
to explore and enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
Elton’s B-sides were </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>not sub-par studio throwaways</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">These were good or even excellent songs that for
whatever reason weren’t deemed “album worthy.”</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: medium;">However, these B-sides often were better than the songs that </span><i style="font-size: large;">did</i><span style="font-size: medium;">
make it on the albums.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The consistently high
quality of Elton’s B-sides through the years soon begged a regular and
perplexing question for Elton fans, “How the hell could he leave </span><i style="font-size: large;">that </i><span style="font-size: medium;">song
</span><i style="font-size: large;">off</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> the album?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The
fact the “Jewel Box” includes two, count ‘em, two B-side discs – 36 songs – is
proof the fans weren’t wrong all these years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And this fact is compounded because there are several B-sides that were
left out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">There
are deserving “discards” within the 1976-2005 time frame this set features that
are missing, including “Lovesick,” “Suit Of Wolves,” the John Lennon-inspired,
“The Man Who Never Died,” and even some outtakes like “Planes,” “Strangers,”
and “Dreamboat.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other excellent album worthy
B-sides dating back to 1973 could have been included, like eternal
head-scratchers like “Whenever You’re Ready (We’ll Go Steady Again), “Jack
Rabbit,” “Screw You (Young Man’s Blues),” “Sick City,” “Cold Highway,” “Skyline
Pigeon (Piano Version),” “One Day At A Time,” “Sugar On The Floor,” and “House
Of Cards.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">True,
these latter tracks were on the 1992 “Rare Masters” collection, but so
what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not re-master these, give them
some added exposure and offer them for completist reasons?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Couldn’t we make “Jewel Box” a 10-disc set? Go
big or go home, right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">These
minor quibbles aside, the 36 B-sides featured in “Jewel Box” add to the set’s
growing body of evidence of just how bottomless Elton’s catalogue is when heard
en masse. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Songs
like the dreamy, cryptic “Snow Queen,” the driving ballad, “Conquer The Sun,”
the Latin-fused, “Love So Cold” (complete with a spot-on Desi Arnaz imitation),
the country-fried “Can’t Get Over Getting Over You,” the syth-swirling “Take Me
Down To The Ocean,” and the funky, keyboard-driven “Rope Around A Fool,” all
could have been solid album cuts -- and should have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The
cavity-inducing, bouncing Beach Boys homage, “I Know Why I’m In Love” and the
charging “Big Man In A Little Suit” would have been the best songs on 1997’s
disappointingly over-produced, languid affair, “The Big Picture,” the
alternate, harder rocking, guitar wailing mix of “Where Have All The Good Times
Gone?” included here should have been the version used on 1982’s “Jump Up!,” and
the saucy, French charms of the two 1980 France Gall collaborations, “Les Aveux”
and “Donner Pour Donner,” are hard to resist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">The
soaring “The North Star” recorded during 2001’s “Songs From The West Coast”
sessions definitely should have been on that album, which already is one of
Elton’s best -- and this could have made it even better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Equally,
I argue the four B-sides offered from 2004’s under-appreciated “Peachtree Road”
all were missed opportunities and their inclusion on the official album would
have helped its second half take flight. Notably, “So Sad The Renegade” and
“How’s Tomorrow” are two of the best songs Elton and Bernie have written in the
2000s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
that’s what </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>we love</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> about B-sides. </span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">They
were born with a dubious destiny. </span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">If the
demo discs are the “might have beens,” this gathering of Elton “rejects” proves
there are plenty of “should have beens” – excellent songs that deserved better
than a B-side fate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;">DISC
8:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“AND THIS IS ME…”</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo65QZ7wSsfhyphenhyphenTHFOjtoanC8Unw7m50rgAlL6Jq30LsgHONkawCQ3nREm8vHLtV29l4arMDtNSOQYQ2k5rInzj-wW7vC0P2_5fXiBknhZ-vDUzao436Lhn3QxpQJ52UNTMivx6qIAm9ua/s200/elton_john-jewel_box_a_2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; letter-spacing: -0.15pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo65QZ7wSsfhyphenhyphenTHFOjtoanC8Unw7m50rgAlL6Jq30LsgHONkawCQ3nREm8vHLtV29l4arMDtNSOQYQ2k5rInzj-wW7vC0P2_5fXiBknhZ-vDUzao436Lhn3QxpQJ52UNTMivx6qIAm9ua/w239-h239/elton_john-jewel_box_a_2.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
eighth and final disc, titled “And This Is Me…” refers to Elton’s autobiography
and are songs Elton chose that </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>reflect him professionally and personally</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">This imaginative list of 16 songs pre-date
his first album, with the trippy, 1969’s single, “Lady Samantha,” and follows
his yellow brick road to the present day – the 2019, Oscar-winning duet with
Taron Egerton, “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again.”</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Overall,
it’s an interesting selection, with mostly lesser known album tracks that hold
special meaning for Elton in their subject matter, influence, or recording. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">He
begins this final disc with the title track of his debut album, “Empty Sky,” a
transcendent time capsule and jamming musical journey, and peppers it with a
host of many classic deep cut ballads including the Bob Dylan favorite, “My
Father’s Gun,” the hidden “coming out” quandary, “All The Nasties,” two Tom
Robinson co-writing compositions -- the stately “Sartorial Eloquence,” and the
quiet anguish of a school boy crush, “Elton’s Song” -- the gospel raving,
“Amazes Me,” the AIDS-aching father and son reunion of “The Last Song,” and the
elegant elegy for the hate crime slain, Matthew Shephard, “American Triangle.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">This
disc holds a few surprises, especially for including one of Elton’s biggest
hits, “Philadelphia Freedom.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first
blush it seems odd among the other lesser-known tracks, given its #1 hit status
and zealous popularity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">But
on further review, it makes perfect sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Musically, the song reflects Elton’s lifelong love of soul, blues, and
gospel, with a Gene Page (“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and Barry White) arrangement
that gives a nod to Gamble And Huff, and Thom Bell – key architects of the ‘70s
“Philly Soul” sound so close to Elton’s heart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">It’s
also a loving gift from Elton to one of his dearest friends, Billie Jean King,
and includes some introspective lyrics including, “I used to be a rolling
stone,” “I’d leave to find the answer on the road,” “I used to be a
heart-beating for someone, but the times have changed,” and “gave me peace of
mind my daddy never had.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though Taupin
penned these lines more than 45 years ago, they are eerily timely and can
describe Elton in 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
“And This Is Me…” disc is </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>a fine final curtain</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> for “Jewel Box.”</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">It provides a personal coda to a personal
musical journey.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m listening to this
one to this one a lot too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sure,
I know I’ve rambled, over-analyzed, and both been over critical and over
enthusiastic.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">In other words, I’ve been
a diehard Elton John fan.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>No apologies</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’ve
been listening to Elton’s music for more than two-thirds of my life, and
because of the plunder in “Elton: Jewel Box,” my excitement and passion for Elton’s
music </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">is rejuvenated</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s just as
strong and enveloping today as it was when that unsuspecting 9-year-old kid bought
his first Elton John vinyl 45 of “Crocodile Rock” in 1973 and everything
changed.</span><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">All
involved in this project deserve to take a bow for a job well done. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This box set has delivered something special
that fans never thought they’d get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">“Elton:
Jewel Box” is a godsend that drills deep to excavate many spectacular,
sparkling, precious memories and moments of Elton John’s more than half century
of musical mastery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fans hope there
are more gems to come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You
can never have enough jewels in your collection. </span><span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Just ask Elton</span></b></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-1256275614621526922020-11-21T06:19:00.001-08:002020-11-21T06:21:33.716-08:00Thank you!!! by Jack Rabbit<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkb7I7q8noLEvCqMFGuUUzUiDup4GQXwzuyhwoHR9kQM96AH2dZQUuZRwknX7E4uDoYZB0L2WM1vBDu4lHCSr-MwShHoCHmR59J0sXmp_rXzqCsVpIFiwMPpGimYDmxqDBhiFbgHYOr1C/s2048/20201114_235615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkb7I7q8noLEvCqMFGuUUzUiDup4GQXwzuyhwoHR9kQM96AH2dZQUuZRwknX7E4uDoYZB0L2WM1vBDu4lHCSr-MwShHoCHmR59J0sXmp_rXzqCsVpIFiwMPpGimYDmxqDBhiFbgHYOr1C/s320/20201114_235615.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">the date comes!!!!</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Tired of dozens of hit albums in recent years: the greatests, the diamonds, the definitives collections, love songs, ... eltonites we were waiting for so long to have a box set like this fantastic "Jewel Box", a true gem. First attempt to compile Elton and Bernie's work was in 1990 with the "To Be Continued" box set, 4 cds with the hits mixed by deep cuts and "B" singles as well: a good taste. "Lady Samantha", in the early 80s, compiled the "B" sides of his most successful singles, and also it was "Rare Masters" in 1992, another treasure in Elton's discography. But the hungry record companies back then, were only interested only in hit songs by popular singers, trying to stop the decreasing album sales around the world. Nowadays, internet and the music in stream, allows to select more their projects with good and well prepared editions of material, where the presentation is also more accurated and LPs is more relevant than the years before, maybe because collectors and fans are more exigent about what we will buy, and, as a certain point, we preferred to spent more money if what we bought is </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">most value</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">. So, someone heard our prayers, and if we had to wait 30 years to have another box set collection, "Jewel Box" fullfill our dreams.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">To have in our hands the early work of Elton and Bernie, some of them published sometime as the Dick James Demos, </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>is such a blessed</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">. Some of the titles were well known, but not their tunes. If you mixed that with the release of "B" sides until 2005, is the ice on the cake. But what is the most expressive effort and it's justice for Elton and Bernie's artwork, is a collection of masterpieces compiled by Elton himself, the deep cuts, that songs that were not exposed to public, only in some of the live concerts throught the years, but as good as to show how Elton only can be Elton himself, no copy to try. Bernie's intelligent lyrics, the story teller like no one else in the music star firmament, is also unreplaceable, althought some good attempts by Gary Osborne and specially Tim Rice. The combination Elton (music) and Bernie (lyrics) hand in hand are Elton John. If you added such talented guys like the lates Gus Dudgeon or Paul Buckmaster, and the most effective band like Dee Murray (bassist), Nigel Olsson (drums) and Davey Johnstone (guitar), all backing vocals too, you understand the success of Elton John and why they all have </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>their place in the music history</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">.</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">To review this fantastic box set, I asked to one of my master expertise, the one that is a </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>reference to me</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">: </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>"Elton" Jim Turano</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">, from Chicago. This man is so amazing, is one of my influences related to Elton. I discovered him reading his articles in the not forgotten East End Lights magazine, at the time that only you could find information about what you liked, and that's Elton John, related to his music, not his flamboyant costumes or his massive singles sales, for that we had the music pressed (not to mention the yellow press). So Jim kindly agreed to do his review for AllSongsList readers, so I thank him by heart. Soon we will have more surprises about the fifth of a kind.</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I would love to thank </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>Liz Rosenthal</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> too and giving my public support to her. She always is gentle to AllSongsList and in future we will collaborate for sure. Liz, if you were reading this, I love you so much and wish all the best to you, you know what I mean.</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">So, let's start with Elton Jim. We we'll have more articles in near future... don't miss how Jack Rabbit met Bernie Taupin in 2018 and share his time with his idol, and don't miss a new project called</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b> "38 minutes"</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"> related to Kathy Babylon and Holly Doubet, that a BIG BIG thing in development. I promise to dedicate a week to this.</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>Thank you eltonites to join AllSongsList again</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">, it is a long time since I was a step apart sseing and helping growing my daughter </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>Júlia</b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">, a gift of live and a new eltonite in development, as anyone of you could expect hahaha</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">Hope you like the List again and thank you eltonites for being there. It is a joy always being in touch with you and enjoying time with some of you in live shows when I had the chance to meet you. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>I feel so honoured </b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">to have such good friends who love Elton's music: our passion since the day we'll die.</span></p>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-66279493014219603842020-09-08T15:24:00.000-07:002020-09-08T15:24:18.472-07:00The Unfinished Interview With A Genious Man: Paul Buckmaster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aRw9xVBgtToSD-08O-FqmSoTaTyb8IIvn5zJoLf4IuO7oJxd9FrSnMqXHk3CuuBkZich8qHZ7CdbxzBfpWPit5vk3rYTplLh4PwNmXPiuah2LOTwo18sZ0Qb3TV1E5XV0mQaoQDunYHL/s348/185062440_1510262191.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aRw9xVBgtToSD-08O-FqmSoTaTyb8IIvn5zJoLf4IuO7oJxd9FrSnMqXHk3CuuBkZich8qHZ7CdbxzBfpWPit5vk3rYTplLh4PwNmXPiuah2LOTwo18sZ0Qb3TV1E5XV0mQaoQDunYHL/s320/185062440_1510262191.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444;"><b>It was in 2009 when I first got in touch with Paul Buckmaster. Back then, I was publishing in this blogsite, AllSongsList, the interview with the idols series. Former and current musicians were guests on the blogsite, dedicating a week or a weekend to them. For one of those sessions, I could remember it was about the most famous trio of backing vocalists Elton ever had, I asked Buckmaster to send me some words to Mortonette Jenkins (now Stephens). To be honest, I thought it would be no answer in reply, but I was wrong. Kindly and friendly, he sent me those beautiful words about her: "<i><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I hope you
will forgive the brevity of this reply, as I’m in hard deadline workmode, but
I’m delighted to offer these thoughts about Mortonette: </span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It is one
of the sweet and beautiful blessings in my life to have met, and gotten to know
Mortonette Jenkins, not only as a supremely talented, experienced, and
professionally competent vocalist, who has been endowed by heaven with a most
richly beautiful singing voice, but as one of my dearest and special friends. </span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Mortonette
has also been somewhat of a spiritual guide for me, a friendly help, who,
because of her commitment to truth, beauty, and intelligence, has and continues
to be one of those friends who helps us on life’s path, to a deeper
understanding and experience of freedom and precious liberty. </span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There’s a
line from one of Sting’s songs with which I cannot but agree: I</span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">f you love
someone, set them free ... </span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">But then,
on the other hand, what sweeter bonds can there be than true friendship, or
true love ... Or better still, that transcending devotion to the cultivation of
a redeeming good will, for all mankind? </span></i></b><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b><i>In short, I
love Mortonette!</i>". He was so pleased with the end result, and we began to chat. He was particularly interested about an article I made about him, and send<i> </i>me<i> "some inaccuracies in the biography, and some omissions in the discography and filmography". </i>We did it. And after that, I asked him about doing an interview with him, and for my surprising, he accepted: "<i><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Miquel, I</span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">’ve been
to your site (below) and it’s great.
Love it. </span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Will try to
find time to complete interview. </span><span lang="ES">Pb".</span></i></b> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS5gx1JJY81z-FKvWNiNG0vL2UN-uMBXczxjGcJCzWwKcZzzjI3_JJ13PrDZzTi721jRgV6vsKFunqUd9G54Soly8qUmm5QnQCCoo10n2Gg_S8uX5cgzTRpFITZMWsDZf0o_yJurLbEhd/s252/paulnom.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS5gx1JJY81z-FKvWNiNG0vL2UN-uMBXczxjGcJCzWwKcZzzjI3_JJ13PrDZzTi721jRgV6vsKFunqUd9G54Soly8qUmm5QnQCCoo10n2Gg_S8uX5cgzTRpFITZMWsDZf0o_yJurLbEhd/s0/paulnom.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #444444;">So, unbelievable, but I had Paul Buckmaster ready to answer my interview. I remember at the beginning, when I first thought about who I would love to interview, in the top of my wish list was him. Paul Buckmaster for me is the greatest arranger modern music has ever given. And without doubt, Elton's and Bernie's songs are embellished by his touches: "Elton John", "Tumbleweed Connection", "Friends", "Madman Across The Water", "Don't Shoot Me! I'm Only The Piano Player", "Blue Moves", "A Single Man", "Made In England" and "Songs From The West Coast", a wide collection of masterpieces has his credits as arranger, conductor, composer, cello soloist, orchestral arrangements, horn and brass arrangements. There were a lot of questions in mind to ask him, couldn't miss that chance. So I began to work on it, exchanging thoughts with him, until we completed the questionnaire.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #444444;">That was in march 2009. Paul was very busy these days and was so hard to find a place and a moment to do that so: "<span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><i>My
work-schedule continues to be very full right now, but I would much like to do
the interview. It would be great if you can email your questions, and I will
find time to type in my answers".</i> That was so understandable, and honestly it took time to cover the first part of the interview. Thanks to his efforts, Paul sent the first row of answers, on Christmas 2011, as a kind of gift: "<span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><i>I’ve just
spent the last three hours adding to the interview; my answers are in depth and
quite detailed — they’ll be useful for when I publish my memoirs haha!".</i> Always kind, always gentle, we get in touch so many more times. Unfortunetely, he did not finished the interview, he died on November 7, 2017. I was very upset about his death. The ones that you considered idols they should not die. Well, in fact, they don't die, his music still alives and surpassed them. But I had this unfinished interview on my hands, and I thought that I had to put that out someday, as Paul wanted and asked. To be honest, I always thought that maybe sometime we could have time to finishing, but then again no. Paul gave me his permission to put that out, so, why not.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3ZR2srit8CkJ85NcDfBjj-j6sii2PIZqhiuTUzKak7inTMYm8zTBjEKZQ0Eh6EqQM2eTXy-sJvU4ZpEG4EVKvqnCY58GK8ZM5YleI7o4rTWOg2wAi7fccwz2SLYDadvgXiVAj2gpae3C/s406/img-4969.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3ZR2srit8CkJ85NcDfBjj-j6sii2PIZqhiuTUzKak7inTMYm8zTBjEKZQ0Eh6EqQM2eTXy-sJvU4ZpEG4EVKvqnCY58GK8ZM5YleI7o4rTWOg2wAi7fccwz2SLYDadvgXiVAj2gpae3C/s320/img-4969.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="color: #444444; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In my regards, his wishings when I had my baby Júlia, his christmas wishes, his friendly words, ... he was a very special person. Some questions won't be answered anymore: his thoughts about young Elton, the Elton John and Madman sessions, the Reggie little moments, Bernie and Gus Dudgeon, Elton's sound, Friends soundtrack, outtakes like "America", "Hell" and "Finger tips", his collaborations with artists like Rolling Stones or David Bowie or Taylor Swift, and his contributions to films like 12 Monkeys, Midnight Crossing or The Spy Who Loved Me. So, in his beautiful memory, this is what we did...</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>The Unfinished Interview, by Jack Rabbit:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span><i></i><span style="color: #444444;"></span><i></i><b></b><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You showed natural music aptitude at an early age, taking up the cello<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">at four years old, winning prizes for your musicianship at six... When did you decide </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">to became a professional musician?</span></span></b></span><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span><b></b><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet;">I guess I knew was always going to be a
musician; there was never a “moment” in which I “decided” to “become” a
musician</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You won</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> a scholarship at age eleven<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">to the Royal Academy Of Music, London,<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">precisely like young Elton, more or less, in the same period. What </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">do you remember of your school days? Did you meet</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: blue; font-family: Verdana,Helvetica,Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Elton in the academy; do you<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">remember anything about him, then?</span></b><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The information in the above question is
inaccurate, Miquel; unfortunately, there are a number of sites out there which
have published a lot of inaccuracies. My mother — who was born and raised in
Naples, Italy, and who studied music and graduated in piano there at the
Conservatory of San Pietro a Majella — was my first music teacher, and when I
was ten years old, she brought me to Naples for a three-month trial period
attending Maestro Guglielmo La Volpe’s cello class. At the end of that
period, we returned to London, and a week later my mother received a letter
from the principal of the <i>Conservatorio</i> stating that I had been accepted
for a four-year Italian State scholarship.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet;"><br />
For the next four years, 1958-1962, I traveled alone and lived in Naples for
eight months of each year (October-June), at a students’ hostel, and attended
classes at the Conservatorio. My principal class was cello, with music
theory classes with Maestro Ernesto Arnese, and piano classes with Maestro
Sergio Fiorentino. I was also obliged to attend classes in Italian
language and literature, history and geography. The rest of the time in
England was spent catching up with my London high-school courses; all was OK,
except I could never catch up in maths ...<br />
<br />
(During my period at Naples, I “discovered” Jazz, and over the following years
became an avid fan ...)<br />
<br />
Upon my return to England in 1962, I was obliged to complete my high-school
course, and graduated in June 1963. It this point, it was determined,
between me and my parents, that it would be more economically feasible for me
to apply for a scholarship at the Royal Academy Of Music, London, which I did,
and consequently, auditioned, was accepted, obtained a state scholarship, and
began, in September 1963, my full-time four-year period there as a cello
student, first with Professor Muriel Taylor, and later with Professor Vivian
Joseph. I also attended harmony classes with Prof. Hugh Marchant. I
never imagined that I would work as an arranger or a composer, thus, did not attend
any composition or orchestration classes.<br />
<br />
During those four years, I continued to develop my interest in Jazz, and began
to discover that I could understand modern music better, and thus became a fan
of much that had developed “Post-Vienna” ...<br />
<br />
But my abiding passion had always been the music of the late high renaissance,
and that of the first classicists J.S. Bach and his contemporaries (Handel,
Telemann, Vivaldi, Corelli, <i>et al —</i> but especially Bach!), and as a
result, I was very fortunate to play in several excellent semi-pro chamber
orchestras specializing in this music. These orchestras never comprised
more than twenty members, and more usually around sixteen. Playing this
music, in such small groups, was one of the deepest joys of my life.<br />
<br />
In June 1967 I graduated from the RAM with a Performer’s Diploma, and over the
next three months applied to audition with several “baroque” chamber groups.
The first reply I received was an invitation to travel to Tours, France,
to audition with a small group based in a chateau in that area, and the day
after I received the letter of invitation, took my first flight to Paris (in an
Air France Caravelle), then train to Tours, where I was met by the secretary of
the orchestra, and driven to the chateau, where I spent the next two days
playing for the principal players and management.<br /></span>
<br /><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet;">
Unfortunately, I did not fulfil their requirements, but later, I speculated
briefly how my life would have developed had I joined that ensemble!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>What was your first job in music? You began
playing on bands like “Third Ear Band”, “Suntreader” and “Nucleus” , which
music did you featured with those groups?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></b>
</span><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">My first paid gig was while I was a student at
the Conservatorio San Pietro a Majella, Napoli, Italy, in June 1961. I
was engaged to play in a twenty-one-piece chamber group, plus sixteen-voice
choir, on the occasion of a wedding in the Basilica at Pompeii. We played
all the liturgical music, that is, the Solemn Nuptial High Mass, which was
mostly music by Giovanni P. da Palestrina, Tomas L. de Victoria, and after the
Mass, we played at the reception, mostly love-madrigals and dance-movements by
composers of the same period. It was really very beautiful to be able to
play that music.<br />
<br />
Later, during my studentship at the RAM, I played in several semi-pro chamber
orchestras, which was great fun, or should I say, of deep joy ... That’s fun,
but on a transcendental level.<br />
<br />
While I was at the RAM, during my first year there, 1963, I auditioned to play
piano, Hohner Pianet, and Farfisa Compact in a five-piece R&B/rock group,
which was based in West London. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">It was called “U.S.
Five”, partly on account of that we were playing a lot of U.S Air Force bases!</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> I answered an ad in Melody Maker, the weekly Jazz and pop
newspaper, and was accepted, and played with them for the next two years.
The interesting thing is, that I was able to convince the authorities at
the RAM to hire us to play at the New Students’ Ball, October 1963, which we
did, making us the first rock’n’roll band to ever play in that venerable
institution. <br />
<br />
I left them nearly two years later, to spend more time focussed on the
chamber-group work I was doing, and introduced </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">the band to</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> my fellow-student and friend the brilliant pianist/organist, and now,
composer, J. Peter Robinson, who very competently took over the position of
keyboardist in U.S. Five!<br />
<br />
It wasn’t until after I’d graduated with my LRAM diploma and left the Academy,
in late 1967, that a series of “chance” events and meetings eventually led to
my working in the field of “rock”. I didn’t “choose” rock; you could
easily say that “rock” “chose” me!<br />
<br />
No, it was a series of apparently chance encounters, and necessity, which led</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> me</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> to start working as an arranger for pop and rock artists, and others.</span></span></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div><div><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b></b><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: trebuchet;">(...)</span></div><div><br /></div></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><div><i><span style="color: #444444;">In the loving memory of an unforgettable man and a finest musician, Paul Buckmaster, with all of my Love</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.buckmastersound.com/" target="_blank">Official Website</a></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.buckmastersound.com/contact.html" target="_blank">Please use the link below to send thoughts and memories of Paul and his work, if you would like to be included on his memorial page</a><br /></span></i></div>
</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: #444444;"></span><i></i><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><i></i><br /></span></div><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><b></b><b></b><b></b><i></i><i></i><i></i><b></b><br />Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-45987455782453206522017-03-25T03:59:00.001-07:002017-03-25T04:03:55.123-07:0070-50-33-25-10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ofSjSyLnNI6ST-6MCjM2MOX_4O0zJmiJFu-r_4vO4qSNLW4-GZy-pp_VWWLcBSp55YzLCDz_3i5fZgDu4f7qbFMsE4T9kXaIgGcQ64r2msyNnRmNXzI5BAaL0oaHx7xZ47PipGZF0tDe/s1600/12227807_10207003624440894_7398511335184508488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ofSjSyLnNI6ST-6MCjM2MOX_4O0zJmiJFu-r_4vO4qSNLW4-GZy-pp_VWWLcBSp55YzLCDz_3i5fZgDu4f7qbFMsE4T9kXaIgGcQ64r2msyNnRmNXzI5BAaL0oaHx7xZ47PipGZF0tDe/s320/12227807_10207003624440894_7398511335184508488_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello <b>Eltonites</b> nice to share time again with you!!! It's been about dates and numbers today. All you know it is Elton's 70th Birthday. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For such event Elton will be at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">hosting a party which will raise money for both the charity and museum, to celebrate not just Elton's birthday, but the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: large;">50th</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> anniversary of his songwriting partnership with <b>Bernie Taupin</b>. Longtime musical collaborators are probably the longest-lasting and songwriting team in the music history and one of the most successful. It is also the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: large;">33th</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> anniversary of <b>AllSongsList, </b>that extensive archive I created so long ago, when I was just fifteen years old, keeping all the dates of concerts, as much as set lists I could get, songs written and sang for our greatest idol, with all the music chart successes around the world, covers and versions. One of most important things is the creation </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: large;">25 </span>years ago of the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"> <b style="font-size: 16px;">Elton John AIDS Foundation </b><span style="font-size: 16px;">"In response to the urgent need for philanthropic support to address the global AIDS" read the statement on the official website. And finally, it is the </span><span style="font-size: large;">10th</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> anniversary of the running of this non-profit blogsite about <b>Elton John</b>.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">So for the ocasion and starting today, we will have a wide range of surprises between today and June. <b>Ray Williams</b> explained me he "actually put the advertisement in the NME on June 17th, then (they) made Elton's demo's at Regent sound, Denmark Street, London". And we will have <b>very special guests</b>, eltonites and the <b>committee of experts</b>, we will have AllSongsList walk through the archives, with <b>set lists</b> and <b>outtakes</b>, <b>Jack Rabbit</b> eltonin' around the world... and few more surprises explained at time. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">I invite you to join us on this journey, don't forget to wish Elton a very happy BDay, and to enjoy as much as I do sharing our musical passion with all of you. <b>Happy BDay</b> Elton, this is ready to began!!!</span></span>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-59199319628656756932016-04-24T18:00:00.000-07:002016-04-24T18:00:10.301-07:00Eltonites About Superhuman<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"The new album of the cellist Martin
Tillman "Superhuman" it's a journey through meticulous musicals
harmonies. A experience provided by a
talented musician who knows how to exploit all the possibilities of the cello. What
a delight to discover that each time we hear the album, there will always be a new and fantastic way
to feel the songs. Our ears are thankful to hear this wonderful work!" (<b>Vera Piovezan, </b>Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CA"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CA" style="background: rgb(254, 254, 254);"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some songs are a mixed between Tubular Bells
and Jean Michel Jarre. The song I like most at first sight is "The
Invisible Shield Of Strings And Bows". I think this is the essence of all the cd
and maybe it's the most completed ,in melodically terms, with cello and piano. Also I would remark
"Wonder" and "Involuntary Midnights". But as I said before,
"Invisible" makes me feel very beautiful emotions. Not long time ago,
I saw a film about one man who was waiting in the train station, because his
promised girl had to go to Himalaya to recovering. He had hopes, while waiting,
that she would not be at time and couldn't depart. When he saw her arriving, he
started to cry because it was certain he would lost her for ever most. Hugs and
kisses showing all their love. But music
there hasn't filled with the scene. When I heard Tillman's song I certainly
remember that should be the perfect track for the film. Thanks to Mr. Tillman
for fullfilled with your music that scene that captivates me (<b>Jon Jon,</b> Vic, Spain)</span></span><br />
<span lang="CA" style="background: rgb(254, 254, 254);"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="CA" style="background: rgb(254, 254, 254);"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Music of Martin Tillman is, in an instant,
reminiscent of the dance era. The offerings of the music easily accommodate the
"Club Scene" as well as a solo introspective time upon the warm sands
of beach. This music, and each track of "SUPERHUMAN" will evoke a
different emotion, thought, image, and interpretation by each who listen.
Moreover are the undoubted visual images of one's mind painted as the music
progresses seamlessly through its rhythms. The music found within
"SUPERHUMAN" lends itself first to the ear, and then deeper towards
the heart and soul of mankind. Best played in a crowd, alone, for a reason
specific or none at all...It Is Just Best PLAYED! (<b>Tommy T. Baughman</b>, Mississippi, USA)</span></span></div>
</div>
Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-58989332054159843542016-04-24T15:00:00.000-07:002016-04-24T15:00:04.242-07:00Martin Tillman On Music Charts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTgoc_yMNd-Wg5kVxbpRSDzL3pVbs3I0Q9W4G9mPB_HQIKLEQaaCFB2o7k9EIzSdm_6QP5y4960T61MwYmveWgdKqT1oNNtadmhyphenhyphen9DavXqVFD7XUhAbwb5FSsW8U3m925-QRSiDCfuKV1/s1600/MI0003831411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTgoc_yMNd-Wg5kVxbpRSDzL3pVbs3I0Q9W4G9mPB_HQIKLEQaaCFB2o7k9EIzSdm_6QP5y4960T61MwYmveWgdKqT1oNNtadmhyphenhyphen9DavXqVFD7XUhAbwb5FSsW8U3m925-QRSiDCfuKV1/s200/MI0003831411.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Toto XIV</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Toto</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 98 (2015)</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s1600-h/greatbritain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969052744439442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s200/greatbritain.gif" style="float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><strong><i>Official charts </i>N. 43 (2015)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf4tJJ67acb-i2OQzzOEjOaEbmI0IalHlqAI_2uSHjN2szPHnrFnKNOFiPeeVt9wLplBRq5Ro7ajrwgAqksPyd9gkmycFslZitZYz5256Qr6t0gNSsRJWsmkuHz_cj-UdPMXgFNHqmifv/s1600/MI0003552327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf4tJJ67acb-i2OQzzOEjOaEbmI0IalHlqAI_2uSHjN2szPHnrFnKNOFiPeeVt9wLplBRq5Ro7ajrwgAqksPyd9gkmycFslZitZYz5256Qr6t0gNSsRJWsmkuHz_cj-UdPMXgFNHqmifv/s200/MI0003552327.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Man Of Steel Soundtrack</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hans Zimmer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 9 (2013)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s1600-h/greatbritain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969052744439442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s200/greatbritain.gif" style="float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><strong></strong><br />
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<strong><i>Official charts </i>N. 20 (2013)</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXLDrlVd8VH5MebvJ0Qalg4lG3FNcZ9Zj1tPDc2yhy6B0KzfyX5pW3zGuO-utcfXA1U9bW-x2yQSheE5NW1qz-xgdZhzV9s00TOgz4OGmeZkBlze9r9Mex7ha-aQ9pdTcZmZA7NQlC26B/s1600/MI0003342168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXLDrlVd8VH5MebvJ0Qalg4lG3FNcZ9Zj1tPDc2yhy6B0KzfyX5pW3zGuO-utcfXA1U9bW-x2yQSheE5NW1qz-xgdZhzV9s00TOgz4OGmeZkBlze9r9Mex7ha-aQ9pdTcZmZA7NQlC26B/s200/MI0003342168.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Abscence </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Melody Gardot</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 33 (2012)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiM8Ew5GfYLmOLO4iR-MDjNwPg7MTvD2uBSNJPPpgx-hGeXKBWbJFryXgu6Tl-xT2SeNcerGwvgsIwg5wtKryoCDsdwn34bA_Fd8020EVX9gPyUGbUai2V2Pe4pqLzvRqpDKHv1gJHPYa/s1600/MI0003360827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiM8Ew5GfYLmOLO4iR-MDjNwPg7MTvD2uBSNJPPpgx-hGeXKBWbJFryXgu6Tl-xT2SeNcerGwvgsIwg5wtKryoCDsdwn34bA_Fd8020EVX9gPyUGbUai2V2Pe4pqLzvRqpDKHv1gJHPYa/s200/MI0003360827.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hans Zimmer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 8 (2012)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s1600-h/greatbritain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969052744439442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s200/greatbritain.gif" style="float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><strong><i>Official charts </i>N. 19 (2012)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPd_Y-L0gUcnMw810SE7Xkr2L7xfsZ0shsewkYk2wvSzwM92oAYuji-DFiftiTrSaX_uGpinKJ5sNzIP-Im-ziRq4Fo_3JsiMBTbjFUPHfD0SMNe9cZq8Fr9bxvpYnYVnNOh59DcwHEjn/s1600/MI0003163813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPd_Y-L0gUcnMw810SE7Xkr2L7xfsZ0shsewkYk2wvSzwM92oAYuji-DFiftiTrSaX_uGpinKJ5sNzIP-Im-ziRq4Fo_3JsiMBTbjFUPHfD0SMNe9cZq8Fr9bxvpYnYVnNOh59DcwHEjn/s200/MI0003163813.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pirates Of The Caribbean Soundtrack</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hans Zimmer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 45 (2011)</strong><br />
<strong><i><br /></i></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s1600-h/greatbritain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969052744439442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s200/greatbritain.gif" style="float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><strong><i>Official charts </i>N. 82 (2011)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2sTZ9b6DOJc3dhkM53dhnAjv8yZ1fjZwuh3wR-fmcqwaRwOsSO8BQVjnyJwnUaJIAwK_Akz9aXyzxem4EZI6y6yE-AJSGC_ecObEryF449yrfdYuTYzj52gVvwDIHzjfypblfDaKJV3r/s1600/MI0000883509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2sTZ9b6DOJc3dhkM53dhnAjv8yZ1fjZwuh3wR-fmcqwaRwOsSO8BQVjnyJwnUaJIAwK_Akz9aXyzxem4EZI6y6yE-AJSGC_ecObEryF449yrfdYuTYzj52gVvwDIHzjfypblfDaKJV3r/s200/MI0000883509.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Angels & Demons Soundtrack</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hans Zimmer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 150 (2009)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TCkr-6co6ItEtN3r3uvi-VpWMPJaE_sa-XrCkGQyAAhS0a0jebQFI-vPLlwHJX4SdKkp_Enq7gu7Vlv8QzKGvfsztANt24VCnlryJfznzPcqs9AO8vcQQ0D1HDcymckeXveyZOs5MLol/s1600/MI0002841279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TCkr-6co6ItEtN3r3uvi-VpWMPJaE_sa-XrCkGQyAAhS0a0jebQFI-vPLlwHJX4SdKkp_Enq7gu7Vlv8QzKGvfsztANt24VCnlryJfznzPcqs9AO8vcQQ0D1HDcymckeXveyZOs5MLol/s200/MI0002841279.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hans Zimmer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 49 (2009)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMc2bGx-S4uhm9FX-Im4rVjATIK7_V7s09BU-GyOZD_sLr7_kzNXEAgCkaJQqhvaJJAlRdAl3kBi0yVsLxncuzHlFHezal5lsCzK9BzDArjebsa08Rtr9RloDtFT744z67A4PdnP7_KLB/s1600/MI0001172020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMc2bGx-S4uhm9FX-Im4rVjATIK7_V7s09BU-GyOZD_sLr7_kzNXEAgCkaJQqhvaJJAlRdAl3kBi0yVsLxncuzHlFHezal5lsCzK9BzDArjebsa08Rtr9RloDtFT744z67A4PdnP7_KLB/s200/MI0001172020.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Dark Knight Soundtrack</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">James Newton Howard / Hans Zimmer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 20 (2008)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDrqDN4r6sViJRnPBKddNb6LzOvQrg3o4-0fVo0-tF9G8_pt2qsmyVm5yuznuUpPjH5v7u-669qs4eEF15zZitvJ5sezl8MG8UwE_Z8VkP-WsRvAWCVWWEB2as-4Jh3xD6eZCpZ-04lUa/s1600/MI0001144060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDrqDN4r6sViJRnPBKddNb6LzOvQrg3o4-0fVo0-tF9G8_pt2qsmyVm5yuznuUpPjH5v7u-669qs4eEF15zZitvJ5sezl8MG8UwE_Z8VkP-WsRvAWCVWWEB2as-4Jh3xD6eZCpZ-04lUa/s200/MI0001144060.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pirates Of Caribbean: At Worlds </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hans Zimmer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 14 (2007)</strong><br />
<strong><i><br /></i></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s1600-h/greatbritain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969052744439442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s200/greatbritain.gif" style="float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><strong><i>Official charts </i>N. 58 (2007)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6-yqo2xgXw28sJAR6Wx0LIZW_zlLnzisyYubx_CmP7s9FAejhbs6Wa2NvlB1OMprRP25z8udxvQ0ouIEIdeBy5S7nsornSdo-qwajnoM2lLbGQOsoEh3Cbr6EC8w1ZqIPR5S4mfnTiw6/s1600/MI0000613508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6-yqo2xgXw28sJAR6Wx0LIZW_zlLnzisyYubx_CmP7s9FAejhbs6Wa2NvlB1OMprRP25z8udxvQ0ouIEIdeBy5S7nsornSdo-qwajnoM2lLbGQOsoEh3Cbr6EC8w1ZqIPR5S4mfnTiw6/s200/MI0000613508.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pirates Of Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hans Zimmer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 22 (2006)</strong><br />
<strong><i><br /></i></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s1600-h/greatbritain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969052744439442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s200/greatbritain.gif" style="float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><strong><i>Official charts </i>N. 68 (2006)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YRvV8JW3RR9tO8OS1GJ9j5mHtOU3DzkwSaZeIzILbjCQvC0PE0vRxfH1ECv7I2qOHBRiJvrT_6QcF90umEce7F08O4s8SLhW_8BswokxnwNDTUuAuVhDHQ4jekCWlV6unsZrmTjXMZXd/s1600/MI0002001275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YRvV8JW3RR9tO8OS1GJ9j5mHtOU3DzkwSaZeIzILbjCQvC0PE0vRxfH1ECv7I2qOHBRiJvrT_6QcF90umEce7F08O4s8SLhW_8BswokxnwNDTUuAuVhDHQ4jekCWlV6unsZrmTjXMZXd/s200/MI0002001275.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peachtree Road</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Elton John</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 17 (2004)</strong><br />
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<strong><i>Official charts </i>N. (2004)</strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ali Soundtrack</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 61 (2001)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7t8Sg7PEJEuftTVUuiG7XKSQDVSmM6ohW9KzRl8pht6TLGNJTzn_lZH-aN5FDhbFNknuGQ3Y3piRtnsP93fpT9Im5h0wSRDmV3UpMkRR016xcrte0JgVRFJcj3IjsslixzbA1p_Y3BmT/s1600/MI0000311711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7t8Sg7PEJEuftTVUuiG7XKSQDVSmM6ohW9KzRl8pht6TLGNJTzn_lZH-aN5FDhbFNknuGQ3Y3piRtnsP93fpT9Im5h0wSRDmV3UpMkRR016xcrte0JgVRFJcj3IjsslixzbA1p_Y3BmT/s200/MI0000311711.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hannibal Soundtrack</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hans Zimmer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s1600-h/greatbritain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969052744439442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s200/greatbritain.gif" style="float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><strong><i>Official charts </i>N. 74 (2001)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDW-jwL6Bd_rP4SGn_HiAgYvTljUTPd57p1mdCjURk5wq2FMTezNi5nkW8kFKUDiP_DIh6Qn1MJfPuXUtlMuxYOmHRxHfPvIYk18LBxvO7304OmQ5WBRQPEF_G49HPC050jHgJP0pHCXRt/s1600/MI0000938320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDW-jwL6Bd_rP4SGn_HiAgYvTljUTPd57p1mdCjURk5wq2FMTezNi5nkW8kFKUDiP_DIh6Qn1MJfPuXUtlMuxYOmHRxHfPvIYk18LBxvO7304OmQ5WBRQPEF_G49HPC050jHgJP0pHCXRt/s200/MI0000938320.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pearl Habbor Soundtrack</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hans Zimmer</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 14 (2001)</strong><br />
<strong><i><br /></i></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s1600-h/greatbritain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969052744439442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s200/greatbritain.gif" style="float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><strong><i>Official charts </i>N. 50 (2001)</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEMpnpgdHY4xvJJH4yPLerH3BNi5r4gzm_NFYLxJuGlHZ_aN284t9-vY3G46O8MF-MIdRy0DGQ9aqCMrHW4PV6T-KN5SBNWG9pFKroK6AtjinEg9mRTIUIRAPvIywaCc7YRlmdoRTh-gV/s1600/MI0000147708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEMpnpgdHY4xvJJH4yPLerH3BNi5r4gzm_NFYLxJuGlHZ_aN284t9-vY3G46O8MF-MIdRy0DGQ9aqCMrHW4PV6T-KN5SBNWG9pFKroK6AtjinEg9mRTIUIRAPvIywaCc7YRlmdoRTh-gV/s200/MI0000147708.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Deuces Wild</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">B. B. King</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a><strong><em>Billboard </em></strong><strong>N. 73 (1997)</strong><br />
<strong><i><br /></i></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s1600-h/greatbritain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969052744439442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s200/greatbritain.gif" style="float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><strong><i>Official charts </i>N. 86 (1997)</strong>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-23548568546832219662016-04-24T11:01:00.000-07:002016-04-24T11:01:55.448-07:00"Tracks on Superhuman made me run an emotional gamut"<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was honored to be asked to
review Martin Tillman's new album, Superhuman.
Not being familiar with his work, I decided to do a little
research. Not only is he a world-renowned
cellist and composer, I discovered that he played with Elton John and the Band
for Elton's 60th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden. What's more, Davey Johnstone plays on
Superhuman. Ok, so far so cool.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I went to SoundCloud and saw
that the album was categorized as Dance/EDM (Electronic Dance Music). Hmmmmm.
I'm not very familiar with that genre, but I put on my headphones and
gave it a listen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One word: Awestruck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The 11 tracks on Superhuman
made me run an emotional gamut. And any music that makes me feel something -
whatever the emotion - has done its job. From relaxation to exhilaration...from
uncertainty to uplifting…<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>from swaying to bopping my head
to even humming along at some point...I found the music very intriguing. It was a somewhat similar experience to the
first time I listened to Pnau - I thought I might not like it, but I actually
liked it a lot. Quelle surprise!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After first listen, I'd have
to say my favorites right now are Future Dawns, Unlocking the Locks and
Translated to Beauty. Perhaps because
(to me) they sounded more like the kind of music I normally listen to - with
keyboard and guitar (was that Davey?!)
vs. only synth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As Mr. Tillman himself said,
"Music lets us dream a dream a different existence, and make it our
own." Your music certainly does
that for me, sir. Thank you.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Needless to say, I will be
listening to Superhuman many times over again.
Sometimes discovering new music or a new musician is like finding a new
friend, which is always a good thing.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXH0iE02ep9jYZHWJJGwwF5zMWC_m9wpzeZx11hK2g-HvwJYKt4bc15ikAzT07avoR_FTHJTDeyYZlIwLz31rrDP_88-dqEUJUCbClClTq-ZXRDCTAJ7MBpNM_8-mxVtTGXVSfZJNul3s/s1600/kk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXH0iE02ep9jYZHWJJGwwF5zMWC_m9wpzeZx11hK2g-HvwJYKt4bc15ikAzT07avoR_FTHJTDeyYZlIwLz31rrDP_88-dqEUJUCbClClTq-ZXRDCTAJ7MBpNM_8-mxVtTGXVSfZJNul3s/s200/kk.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span lang="CA"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My name is Kimberlee Kemble and I'm from Boca
Raton, Florida. I've been an Eltonite since almost the very beginning. I had
all the albums, the singles, EJ posters plastered on my bedroom wall (my
favorites were from "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player"), an
EJ candle, the Time Magazine cover, Tiger Beat magazines with EJ on the cover,
EJ shirts, an EJ necklace, you name it. If you've seen the video for Original
Sin, that's me!</span></i></span></div>
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Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-17574113794053542622016-04-24T07:49:00.000-07:002016-04-24T13:12:17.561-07:00"Differents paths sometimes blend into each other" by Andrea Grasso: "Superhuman" review<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The new Martin Tillman album,
Superhuman, is a collection of instrumental tracks all written and arranged by
the master of cello, Martin himself; helping him in this adventure are renowned
musicians like Michael Landau on electric guitars, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums,
Toto founder David Paich on keyboard, Toto occasional bass player Leland Sklar
and also his friend from the Elton John Band Davey Johnstone on electric and
acoustic guitars.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As it can be read in the liner notes
of the album, Superhuman is a reaffirmation of the power of the human spirit
and is dedicated to Martin’s wife Eva, who 8 years ago was diagnosed ill but
has found the courage and strength to battle against it, and this has inspired
Martin to compose the songs for this album.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The record has basically two
different paths, that sometimes blend into each other: the “rock” path and the
“dance” (or EDM, “Electronic Dance Music”) path. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I personally prefer the rock path,
who is more akin to my musical tastes, but in this case I can also appreciate
the EDM tracks. My favourite tracks are obviously the rock ones, with “Future
Dawns” and “Celluloid Spaces” being my favourite; Dawns has a great organ, a
spacey synth, a very good piano solo and reminds me very much about a
progressive rock track that could have been recorded in the 1970s, and in fact
Martin himself in the liner notes clains that bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep
Purple and Rolling Stones were big influences on him and his musical growing.
Celluloid is even more interesting since the composer declares it’s a sort of
concept about the history of drugs, from the mid-60s to today, and that’s why
is divided into different sections; it features once again a beautiful organ,
electric guitars performed by both Johnstone and Landau, and the soul backing
vocals of Dee Lewis-Clay, reminding very close something that Pink Floyd could
have recorded for Dark Side of the Moon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another track that I like a lot is
“Unlocking the Lock”, featuring again more rock guitars along with ethnic
percussions, strings, and again Dee’s vocals; Tillman in the liner notes
explain that he thought about this as his stadium rock piece with many musical
rooms to unlock, and that’s why there are several themes and parts together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another favourite is “Translated to
Beauty”, a very “sexy” track, with an esotic riff and an atmosphere that
reminds me of the 60s; its composer in fact says that it’s something you could
hear in a French or Italian movie… a quite peculiar track that demonstrates the
versatility of Tillman as composer and arranger, apart the obvious one as cello
player.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The final track of the album, “The
Invisible Shield of Strings and Bows”, featuring the Prague Philharmonic
Orchestra, could be easily used as a score for a huge Hollywood movie; Tillman
in fact wrote it as a tribute to the scores he played on in Los Angeles, and
wanted to end the album with something “extraterrestrial” to associate with the
“superhuman” feeling of the whole album.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This album is a mixture of moods,
atmospheres and listening experiences that can help you relax, or make you
dance, or lift your spirits; but you can also use it to meditate and travel
with your mind and find your inner “superhuman” powers; Martin Tillman is just
showing you the right path.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGKGIopztUowSIUxXcIi6fdAhxM0eSCYVdMxQ1uOMjqAvQ6O7AWf7ye9XlKs_B8DczsrARa55F5Zrxx3_GNADZN3oenItm8PuLlIEms_NhOHHEPEu7UuAODR4aobmrztpbVrvzfVXQOD2/s1600/andreaGrasso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGKGIopztUowSIUxXcIi6fdAhxM0eSCYVdMxQ1uOMjqAvQ6O7AWf7ye9XlKs_B8DczsrARa55F5Zrxx3_GNADZN3oenItm8PuLlIEms_NhOHHEPEu7UuAODR4aobmrztpbVrvzfVXQOD2/s200/andreaGrasso.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
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<i><span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I'm a huge Elton fan and collector from
Italy, having started to follow him in 1992. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I run since 2012 "Elton John
Italia", an Elton John fanclub on Facebook where I share with Italian fans
current news and any kind of information about Elton and his discography, which
I know in every small detail, including obscure collaborations and rarities..."</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/eltonjohnitalia/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/eltonjohnitalia/</a></span></i></div>
</div>
Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-56664917012188515522016-04-24T04:00:00.000-07:002016-04-24T04:00:02.588-07:00"Cyberpunk Meets Pop" by John Kwok: "Superhuman" review<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cyberpunk meets pop, rock and classical in cellist/composer Martin
Tillman’s superb new album “Superhuman”. Tillman cleverly plays with and merges
different musical genres, ranging from industrial techno-pop to what sounds
like a futuristic homage to Byzantine or Medieval Roman Catholic sacred music
on “Involuntary Midnights” sung by renowned contemporary music vocal ensemble
Anonymous 4. It’s Karlheinz Stockhausen and Gyorgy Ligeti merged seamlessly
together by a Brian Eno-like musical wizard familiar with William Gibson’s near
future cyberspace landscape. Tillman has assembled a superb assortment of some
of the finest studio musicians residing primarily in the Los Angeles area,
ranging from long-time Elton John collaborator – now musical director of the
Elton John Band - guitarist Davey Johnstone,
guitarist Graham Russell (“Air Supply”), David Paich (long-time “Toto”
keyboardist), drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (best known for his work with Frank
Zappa, Sting, and Joni Mitchell, also an in demand studio musician featured on
most of the songs on Sara Bareilles’ “Kaleidoscope Heart” album), and bassist
Leland Sklar, with orchestral arrangements performed by the City of Prague
Symphony Orchestra. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“Superhuman” sounds like a vast, epic-like, soundtrack for
a yet to be made fast-paced Hollywood thriller science fiction film, like the
forthcoming sequel to Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner”, especially the album’s
last track, “The Invisible Shield of Strings and Bows”. It’s an extremely
memorable, compellingly listenable, album that should draw ample interest from
a diverse range of musical audiences, not just those familiar with instrumental
techno-pop music or long-time admirers of Tillman’s exceptional skills as a
superb classically-trained cellist and composer. Among my favorite pieces are
“Wonder”, a fast-paced ode to techno-pop music, the previously mentioned
“Involuntary Midnights”, “Cracked Diamond”, a riveting musical dialogue between
solo cello and an entire orchestra, “Celluloid Spaces”, noteworthy for its
brilliant playing by Davey Johnstone on acoustic and electric guitars, “Zero
Gravity”, which I regard as Tillman’s 21<sup>st</sup> Century reimagining of
Gustav Holst’s “Neptune, the Mystic” from “The Planets” suite, and last, but
not least, the “The Invisible Shield of Strings and Bows”.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDV8lGDw4xedalVlreXhpYz20O6OOD0NTpok0ZYgWsC2onjx-8aeQoxba-ZXo9lkmJOBnYKHww02rlTQXEQl75UKBQ_TwKEABrIZ_yMF0SjcB0aUg2G6goL0LcZ_JRow8VDKMLeUj8dJx/s1600/12011146_830821837037967_6638697858142615166_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDV8lGDw4xedalVlreXhpYz20O6OOD0NTpok0ZYgWsC2onjx-8aeQoxba-ZXo9lkmJOBnYKHww02rlTQXEQl75UKBQ_TwKEABrIZ_yMF0SjcB0aUg2G6goL0LcZ_JRow8VDKMLeUj8dJx/s1600/12011146_830821837037967_6638697858142615166_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Long-time Elton John fan John Kwok is a freelance writer, speculative
fiction writer and photographer, whose classical and contemporary musical
tastes range from J. S. Bach, J. Haydn, W. A. Mozart, L. Beethoven, F. Schubert and F. Chopin to J. Brahms, C. Debussy,
G. Mahler, M. Ravel, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>R. Strauss, A. Schoenberg, I.
Stravinsky, A. Copland, S. Barber, G. Ligeti, O. Neuwirth, D. Felsenfeld and M.
V. Waller.</i></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-25227620855174899252016-04-23T18:27:00.000-07:002016-04-23T18:27:32.903-07:00Superhuman aka superwoman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEOA1UK_hh9BErvUBV0uGyXqTXtLdoMha9dfZXR5USqa9TTcUJoJGKq4NLbdGtEXjwt3IPAzn10bOQcYK_IBVSHLzIytSdnIPWmO2QV5qWYuMb1Cw65EkTQKLM0kZTnMOULT46O1dH2OP/s1600/M+T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEOA1UK_hh9BErvUBV0uGyXqTXtLdoMha9dfZXR5USqa9TTcUJoJGKq4NLbdGtEXjwt3IPAzn10bOQcYK_IBVSHLzIytSdnIPWmO2QV5qWYuMb1Cw65EkTQKLM0kZTnMOULT46O1dH2OP/s200/M+T.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">"Superhuman
is a reaffirmation of the power of the human spirit" reads the liner notes
of the cd. Soon it is explained what it consists: "Superhuman is dedicated
to Martin’s wife Eva who 8 years ago was diagnosed with MS. Eva’s courage
and strength to live with and battle against the degenerative disease inspired
Martin to compose the album. And also in extension, those who everyday summon
up the superhuman strength to battle physical and mental obstacles. Martin
hopes his music will give audiences wings to rise above their challenges and
open their mind’s eye." While he is adding: </span><span lang="CA">“Music
lets us dream a different existence, and make it our own,” Tillman concludes.
“It’s that spirit that’s now let me find a new, powerful way to express myself
with ‘Superhuman.’”</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">His wife Eva’s diagnosis
of multiple sclerosis in 2007 gradually changed Tillman’s career focus, at first
in a bleak direction before he found new creative purpose in realizing his most
ambitious work with “Superhuman.” “It was just super stressful and I came to a
conclusion I couldn’t continue life as it was,” Tillman says. “I thought that
the only way we’d survive was if I went into my studio and started writing music.
Not music for other people, but music for <i>us </i>that would create
a drive for survival and inspiration. Then in 2010, Eva told me that her
birthday wish was for me to write her a happy melody, as opposed to the kind of
melancholy us Europeans tend to have. That was basically the beginning of
“Superhuman,” a title that was all about good energy, which is so powerful for Eva
and me, while being able to touch other people in the same way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Martin remarks
the concept of the album: "We exist in a world contrary to our true
nature, having to endure war, politics, technology and greed. Yet despite these
by-products of civilization, our pure primal drive endures. The fear of
extinction fueled our very existence and called upon everything within our
power to hunt, eat and procreate. Then, somewhere along the evolutionary line,
a power far greater than anything imaginable emerged: LOVE. Love gave us
newfound purpose, taking us beyond our animal instincts into new, profound
dimensions. A force that could only be described as magical. (...) </span><span lang="CA">More than any other form of art, music transports us from the physical
plane to a realm of reflection, dreams and excitement. Yet at the same time, we
find ourselves swaying to the melody, if not dancing wildly to its rhythms (...)
It’s that spirit that’s now let me
find a new, powerful way to express myself with ‘Superhuman."</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">About the recording
process, Martin is joined with the most rellevant names of the music panorama,
all together mixed with the splendorous job of one of bests mixers around:
"My mixer Jeff Biggers created the album’s expansive sound. Because he had
this tremendous experience recording and mixing big scores, his talent allowed
me to treat ‘Superhuman’ as a soundtrack for the audience. So to just call this
an EDM or a rock and roll project would be way to narrow a focus for this album"
added Tillman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">11 tracks for one hour in
extension album. Quite difficult to remark some in particular. "Involuntary
midnights” paid my attention first: "It is a choral a cappella track I
heard while driving and was immediately captured by its beauty, performed by
the amazing vocal group Anonymous 4. It’s a part of a project called the <i>Legends
of St Nichlolas </i>composed by an anonymous composer in the 16th century.
Here is a bit of the legend: Long ago, in a far off land known today as Turkey,
there was a boy named Nicholas. Nicholas was a person who created numerous
miracles and accomplished many good deeds. As a teenager, Nicholas inherited a
vast fortune, but he had no idea what to do with it. Wanting to help those less
fortunate than himself, Nicholas set out to make the wishes of others come
true. While Nicholas knew the townspeople needed his help, he was also aware
that they were very proud people, so Nicholas decided to help his friends
secretly". Then a more literal approximation of musical space travel lifts
off in “Zero Gravity,” as sonar and solar wind-like effects introduce a gentle
melody carried along with synths, strings and piano. It’s a lyrical theme, with
a poignant sense of striving to touch a greater power, much like the experimentation
that brought together the track. “I heard it at first as a ’love theme’ for
the album, one that had no rhythm as such, but drifted in free time,” Tillman
says. “But I felt that if strings could come in and out of it, growing each
time, then it would infuse a strong life into the music. And when I heard those
strings played live in Prague, I knew that this track had truly been born with
a truly human feeling to it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“I’m happy that Martin
discover this new happy side of himself in a way that also helped him escape from
our own problems,” Eva Tillman says and concludes: “Superhuman’ was a way of dreaming
a difference existence for Martin and myself. His music let me travel with my
mind to the places I could no longer experience with my body. In that way,
creativity can change anyone’s outlook. Music might not physically heal you,
but it certainly can heal the relationships, and the soul. So it’s very
gratifying to have people relate to Martin’s music in that way, because love is
the driving force in making people rise above their challenges, and truly become
superhuman. That transcendental spirit that music gives us is what this album
is dedicated to.”</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>More info:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Read the
excellent notes by </span>Daniel Schweiger
on:<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.martintillmanmusic.com/superhuman-2/#1456714009309-f009a7f5-99b4">http://www.martintillmanmusic.com/superhuman-2/#1456714009309-f009a7f5-99b4</a></i></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Also: </i></span></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/superhuman/id1086781365">https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/superhuman/id1086781365</a><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Superhuman-Martin-Tillman/dp/B01C1E8M7U">https://www.amazon.com/Superhuman-Martin-Tillman/dp/B01C1E8M7U</a></i></span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://stereoembersmagazine.com/cinematic-symphonic-electronic-journey-interview-martin-tillman/">http://stereoembersmagazine.com/cinematic-symphonic-electronic-journey-interview-martin-tillman/</a></i></span></span></div>
Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-54752545663454139012016-04-23T12:46:00.000-07:002016-04-23T12:46:13.789-07:00Unforgettable People (LII): Martin Tillman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSY580BUjm5ey5iwxgUjWMaz-F1d7DPlGeU5ZJGN99tDVgc6YZPocGemcQm1lwOAuQMG6nJbJf7SLWmF86OOrbhP_o4DngEoGUNp4d8QXf2eEWsrF9TT0jh-0M2MaKm8nfs3clGWrjVyQ/s1600/IMG_7640_MT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSY580BUjm5ey5iwxgUjWMaz-F1d7DPlGeU5ZJGN99tDVgc6YZPocGemcQm1lwOAuQMG6nJbJf7SLWmF86OOrbhP_o4DngEoGUNp4d8QXf2eEWsrF9TT0jh-0M2MaKm8nfs3clGWrjVyQ/s320/IMG_7640_MT.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i>"On the show, a very special
guest. From Zurich, Switzerland. On cello, an<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></b><i>incredible</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>musician... Mr. Martin
Tillman!!!" Elton proudly said on the 60th Anniversary special concert.
Davey Johnstone explained he met Tillman "working on a movie score
(An Everlasting Piece movie, by Barry Levinson) with Hans Zimmer in 2000, I used
him (Martin) on Elton's 60th at MSG, on Nigel Olsson's solo japanese album that
I produced with Guy Babylon" while adding "He is a dear friend and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></b><i>amazing<span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><b style="font-style: italic;">musician". No discussion.
In fact, this talented musician is considered the creator of a
revolutionary sound by extending the traditional boundaries of the cello. He
has also established himself in the motion picture and recording world as one
of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>most sought after
talents<span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><b>of experimental
acoustic and electric cello. Tillman, also has credits on "Peachtree
Road", Elton's 2004 self produced album.</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
"To be asked to be a special musical guest for his 60ties birthday was
incredible. Madison gardens was an unforgettable moment" reminds Tillman.
Sure it was. Since arriving in US in 1988, he developed his studies with the
internationally celebrated cellist,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Lynn
Harrell</b>, receiving his Masters Degree in Performance from the University of
Southern California, in 1989. Harrell, for the ones doesn't know, is one of the
world's finest cellists, a live legend at the Aspen Music Festival, where he
has spent his summers performing and teaching for nearly 50 years. He is also
the recipient of numerous awards including the Piatigorsky Award, and the Ford
Foundation Concert Artists' Award. "He was the best teacher with the the
most amazing sound!" added Tillman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
<o:p></o:p>In his career, Tillman has
collaborated with other rellevant and well known musicians related to Elton:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>James Newton-Howard</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Hans
Zimmer</b>. Precisely, about his skills, Zimmer explained the challenge, for
the soundtrack "The Dark Knight", to represent The Joker character by
an only single note played on the cello: "Y<span style="background: #F8F8F8;">ou
know within one note that it’s him. I really wanted to do the whole thing just
with one note". Only one could get it: Martin </span>Tillman, the one
"<span style="background: #F8F8F8;">who’s studied his whole life to make a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>gorgeous sound</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>out of the cello". </span><span style="background: white;">This is one of the most fruitful collaborations
started when he recorded with Hans Zimmer on the Tony Scott movie The Fan.
Since then, Tillman has been given the chance to compose and perform for scores
such as the last three Batman movies, Total Recall, Bullet to the Head, The
Oscars 2012, Life in a Day, Cowboys and Aliens, Angels and Demons, Prince of
Persia, Pirates of the Caribbean 1-4, Black Hawk Down, Da Vinci code, The
Pledge, Everlasting Piece, Mission Impossible 2, Hannibal, The Ring parts one
and two… the list is endless.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">"Martin Tillman is quite simply the <b>most gifted </b>musician
I have ever had the privileged to record with. In our recordings his
extraordinary performances <b>elevated my music</b> I only heard in
my dreams..." explained to AllSongsList the greatest <b>Michael Hoppe</b> when
he was asked to collaborate on the Weekend.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> Tillman
performed cello solos on <b>The Poet</b>, composed by Michael Hoppe, and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Afterglow</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>composed and performed by Michael
Hoppe, Tim Wheater, plus Tillman. "Martin is in a class by himself"
concludes. Also<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Adam
Chester<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>agreed to collaborate
on the weekend, explaining: "</span>He's a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>joy to work with</b>. We've done
some composing in the studio for a movie that didn't come to be. But the music
we wrote is very special and I hope to find a home for it one day", and
adds near this: <span style="background: white;">"</span><span lang="CA">Well, If I may paraphrase a lyric from a song by America,
"No Oz never did give nothing to Mar-tin man, that he didn't, didn't
already have." </span>Martin is a not only a whiz at playing cello. He's a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>beautiful soul</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>who's cello merely manifests what he
feels inside. Does that make sense? Corny, I'm sure, but I love that guy. I
love Eva too!" The wonderful <b>Eva Tillman,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>apart from being Martin's wife,
helps on the website and social networks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Tillman has been invited to perform with many<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>renowned<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>recording artists including, apart
from Elton John, Sting, T Bone Burnett, Alison Krauss, Elvis Costello, Beck, BB
King, Air Supply and Tracy Chapman, among many others. Asking about <b>Elton</b>,
he says: "I had several chances to meet him (Elton). In the studio
recording strings .... I believe it was in Hollywood. I am surprised at his
incredible power on stage ..... <b>unstoppable</b>". Oh, and if you
had to choose one of Elton's songs, what do you said? My favourite Elton's
track? "<b>Levon</b>".</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Davey Johnstone</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, Elton's guitarrist and musical
director, remarks "Martin is a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>phenomenal<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>player and a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>very spiritual</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>guy" while explaining they met
each other "We had lunch in Malibu a few weeks ago and he gave me a few
CDs of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Superhuman</b>. It's
rocking!".<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Tillman has been
focusing his creative energy on his own compositions and recording projects,
and the result is his last cd, <b>Superhuman</b>, dedicated to Eva
"to the love of my life". Previous albums by Martin Tillman were
Eastern Twin (Rounders) and Cinematic Volunteer composed and produced by Martin
Tillman and Tom Vedvik. His previous solo Cd was a very well received solo
cello/piano album “<b style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.75pt;">A
Year in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Zurich</st1:place></st1:city></b>”
in where he both performs cello and piano.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Currently, he is planning some fun </span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">shows</b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> next year, in Europe,
with the Superhuman Band, 30 cellos, and a multimedia show with a ballerina and
a breakdancer. Other formats of the show are available with just a five piece rock band, with the inclusion of beautiful soul voices and dancers or solo with a DJ, for all kind of venues. Entertainment is guaranteed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More info:</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">official website <a href="http://www.martintillmanmusic.com/" target="_blank">www.martintillmanmusic.com</a></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">on twitter @martincello</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">on instagram martin_tillman</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">on facebook martintillmanmusic</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Special agreement to Adam Chester and Michael Hoppe who agreed to collaborate on the weekend. Yours are very touchful words for a genious we all love. Thanks for being here (Miquel)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Credits:</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #676b6d; line-height: 25px;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Dennis Mukai</span></i></span><br />
<i style="color: #676b6d; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Also:</span></i><a href="http://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/morning-becomes-eclectic/hans-zimmer-and-james-newton-howard" style="line-height: 25px;" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/morning-becomes-eclectic/hans-zimmer-and-james-newton-howard</span></i></a>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-29362997102221358512016-04-23T00:00:00.000-07:002016-04-23T05:44:07.568-07:00Welcome to Martin Tillman's Weekend!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiA1NJWaISKo5QLKvhIf3MKPQvdQbSYNT7KXT-6MjRHXo8UEY2LKdQKX0RMDFl0Og4GFhp9fmjEXrblH_61EAZaMtNcANBvS6DKzLeyjn2kDH_No19hvk3AkLQt0wZM-ekNEZQBeM_1s1/s1600/12803124_961590893919513_6380759002149197145_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiA1NJWaISKo5QLKvhIf3MKPQvdQbSYNT7KXT-6MjRHXo8UEY2LKdQKX0RMDFl0Og4GFhp9fmjEXrblH_61EAZaMtNcANBvS6DKzLeyjn2kDH_No19hvk3AkLQt0wZM-ekNEZQBeM_1s1/s1600/12803124_961590893919513_6380759002149197145_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is a
very special weekend for the site. We have one of <b>best cellist players </b>of our
time. He is one person related to Elton, because he collaborated with him live
and in the studio, a very good friend of Davey Johnstone (Davey is so proud of
this <b>magician</b> of cello) and seeing him playing live is just <b>MAGICAL</b>. The reason
to dedicate a Weekend to him is to celebrate the release of his last album:
"<b>Superhuman</b>". If you had "A Year in </span><st1:city style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Zurich</st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">" album, you understand what I
mean. But this album transcends everything. Eltonites, that is not only an album
of music. <b>Martin</b>'s first sentence it is an statement of his intentions: "Superhuman
(is composed) to trigger the spirit’s quest to elevate our endeavors and realize
our superhuman strengths". Too mysthical? But no, life itself. When you
understand the reason behind this source of creation, this powerful creation,
you understand everything. No one could write like him, no one could play like
him (magnificients Two Cellos', Hauser and Sulik, are fans too), but no many
had seen the hardest part of life to go through when a very close familiar is
suffering. <b>Eva</b> is behind one of bests works of Tillman for being a source of
inspiration. Eva is Martin's wife who is suffering an unjustice illness. Pain?
Yes and no. Eva is <b>LOVE</b>, is <b>MAGIC</b>. No regrets. A <b>lesson of life </b>for the ones
who don't appreciate life as the most precious thing we have. Eva is <b>powerful</b>,
Eva is <b>stronger</b>, Eva is <b>admiration</b>. And Martin recollect all of this is his
album. Every song is a <b>masterpiece </b>on its own. Along with his cello, with the
piano, he delivers a <b>touchful</b> performance counting with best session players
around, big names of the scene, playing with most top artists of our world. All
together in one solid project well executed live. If you had the chance they
were close to your town, just go. Prefer <b>intimate</b> sessions? then Solo (with a
wonderful session of lights). Prefer a <b>rock band</b>? 5 musicians and, as Martin is
a <b>perfeccionist</b> and <b>multitalented </b>artist, you have dancers and singers. A
complete piece orchestra? You got it! To my loving eltonites who love soundtracks and cinema, in extension, count how many albums Martin has credits.
An endless list growing. Well, could't explain you more for now, just join
<b>AllSongsList</b> to celebrate the Weekend, dedicated to a greatest artist of our
time, and to celebrate the magnificient team the Tillmans are. <b>Martin and Eva</b>,
my love and respect for you. Hope you enjoy as much as me doing this.
Eltonites, thanks for being there and a big thank you to the ones who kindly
collaborate to focus this two days on this.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jack Rabbit</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-16215526284353007312016-02-12T10:52:00.001-08:002016-03-16T12:59:36.542-07:00"Wonderful Crazy Night" Across The World: The Official Charts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3nkAB748BtDptv4Jr5ooi0pBYIKfGtGqKIqgQsTL-4CJQdvcX92UEFtfSkXbZ9nkXnwj8Gzhj_QxEVgcGVHb0KHxW0JngzhH63RdBdth0faNcxdFxhwANWPRhOwbAUszP74Y4wnQHCXu/s1600/0004424_wonderful-crazy-night-2016deluxe-cd_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3nkAB748BtDptv4Jr5ooi0pBYIKfGtGqKIqgQsTL-4CJQdvcX92UEFtfSkXbZ9nkXnwj8Gzhj_QxEVgcGVHb0KHxW0JngzhH63RdBdth0faNcxdFxhwANWPRhOwbAUszP74Y4wnQHCXu/s200/0004424_wonderful-crazy-night-2016deluxe-cd_300.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51bbipwP27L8axKhCCoqGqnMUT-mjXNE2eCfgZOJZjWrymLZeBLPo_XHT_TwEyXW7xg5Y7XmDoNcHaRo5bw3iwGTi5uEH7JyOmafTl1afJHVeJhyY5vna_fdlC3nLdDnHDYf8MEdnM4Qw/s1600/200px-Hopkinson_Flag.svg.png" /></a></div>
<strong><em>United States</em></strong><br />
<strong>N. 8 </strong><em>(4 Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">: 8 -</span> 67- 157 -115</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s1600-h/greatbritain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969052744439442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C4Zs7zyYBeMBQRKcn-GoC12UmWrSO_FtXJn8SV20GmI6LIEl3oA2f1gKD25T8Psq5goE-W0v8eveZglNq5lTHqRrHpDLbPAtUsYei52n8ypF2GLBPjb41PC8fP-OXBwXlyv9BjtLt_0/s200/greatbritain.gif" style="float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>United Kingdom</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 6 </strong><em>(5 Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position:</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6 - 18 -</span> 38 - 63 - 88</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewL3GagkwKkN4HB2FGsf19c-E8WNNH7wwqXmcy-NQDQTBf_RZPlhQC7TV9F7DAUr1Z_h7I_rBsxfxM0-fEun7nqglrIyIc3-iGpXUEis3QD2ZrYGKIvBdODx6DeWdOzqlKWUh_AATuKc/s1600-h/canada.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379968179294220402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewL3GagkwKkN4HB2FGsf19c-E8WNNH7wwqXmcy-NQDQTBf_RZPlhQC7TV9F7DAUr1Z_h7I_rBsxfxM0-fEun7nqglrIyIc3-iGpXUEis3QD2ZrYGKIvBdODx6DeWdOzqlKWUh_AATuKc/s200/canada.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Canada</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 18 </strong><em>(1 Weeks)</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qGebnXLLw1JmBra5ciRP4MiS9mYeEEW12Kd3QyMuzeHa5TL1H5kS4kIvfRr2_hW8m7ExRkrCINR5r6iPS1J1vxj28qFikvM81oemEk3JeoHBlWinSvbywO8dcQ_c2th6NC2jXTd0Fzk/s1600-h/australia.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379971920374629378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qGebnXLLw1JmBra5ciRP4MiS9mYeEEW12Kd3QyMuzeHa5TL1H5kS4kIvfRr2_hW8m7ExRkrCINR5r6iPS1J1vxj28qFikvM81oemEk3JeoHBlWinSvbywO8dcQ_c2th6NC2jXTd0Fzk/s200/australia.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Australia</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 11 </strong><em>(2 Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position: 11 - 31</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_f_wtXJMTkR5Q8gFhXeELFwYcbbUwNcst0AKul4qXYKAQRNxfbj2tnjwum_2whsriVxJFO9C3nJk95LzVCTiKPoDRpOGsZD_WeZ5XOuLn8rzvwIaF4TxQLvlsEti20vRTBYdAahRtDE/s1600-h/newzealand.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379971798343063778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_f_wtXJMTkR5Q8gFhXeELFwYcbbUwNcst0AKul4qXYKAQRNxfbj2tnjwum_2whsriVxJFO9C3nJk95LzVCTiKPoDRpOGsZD_WeZ5XOuLn8rzvwIaF4TxQLvlsEti20vRTBYdAahRtDE/s200/newzealand.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>New Zealand</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 11 </strong><em>(3 Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position: 11 - </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">23 - 34</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf1xitk4yB4Y1UYCl_CU27qn-7qGZ6VpiSNv-9PJb4s_C9KJ58Qthp7j-RTyfzlgcBEwd2e7rijfdDGocZ8LuIrL9_L_iLt3cLhrfBKqUBZiQ5kpSm11Ae-5dolXCY1KbbDejqdlrca4/s1600-h/france.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382420311114486642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf1xitk4yB4Y1UYCl_CU27qn-7qGZ6VpiSNv-9PJb4s_C9KJ58Qthp7j-RTyfzlgcBEwd2e7rijfdDGocZ8LuIrL9_L_iLt3cLhrfBKqUBZiQ5kpSm11Ae-5dolXCY1KbbDejqdlrca4/s200/france.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>France</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 35 </strong><em>(2Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position: 35 - </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">96</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoh_eFGrz4vGMBheXmcPgGSgcNjWahhSDFPE03Dc1MQXYbqiiz8zByW1Z3z5z_nKlMIeLdG-iJxjhh4sllIqziPTDrsXGSvI9xqySipky2GbKaHa3ALy-WsQqv6oPu4bqzZzNyHW2m8xI/s1600-h/germany.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379970730019664098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoh_eFGrz4vGMBheXmcPgGSgcNjWahhSDFPE03Dc1MQXYbqiiz8zByW1Z3z5z_nKlMIeLdG-iJxjhh4sllIqziPTDrsXGSvI9xqySipky2GbKaHa3ALy-WsQqv6oPu4bqzZzNyHW2m8xI/s200/germany.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Germany</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 10 </strong><em>(3 Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position: 10 - </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikH-f2HGCFT4SiNJQW9Kg1rqRQXMPWib-ocINmmoc-4WUxwDLfkPM1otPhue-FFogHLqGCmjenEPJy1UUaZX2Aw6NREIQXUKwEDLh9eXGe-MXUBMOyhClChndN5_wxOr-jjKLKfYDtKqA/s1600-h/austria.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379970606456154498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikH-f2HGCFT4SiNJQW9Kg1rqRQXMPWib-ocINmmoc-4WUxwDLfkPM1otPhue-FFogHLqGCmjenEPJy1UUaZX2Aw6NREIQXUKwEDLh9eXGe-MXUBMOyhClChndN5_wxOr-jjKLKfYDtKqA/s200/austria.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Austria</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 8 </strong><em>(3 Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position: 8 - </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">31 - 65</span><em><br /></em>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3WxJpkrHwjopP_tkMrpq8LLdg2jAWwdTatHa2TUKE7_i41nhFD5LjB-5PRJAGAGTtXL2KZUXNu3pEjkbbCJ6WXMxR_SUIGjFYyxPiS9B7Aysoxqz9ggV9Ao-sWZQfzny95xvh4Rxv0kL/s1600/be.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536205527796296706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3WxJpkrHwjopP_tkMrpq8LLdg2jAWwdTatHa2TUKE7_i41nhFD5LjB-5PRJAGAGTtXL2KZUXNu3pEjkbbCJ6WXMxR_SUIGjFYyxPiS9B7Aysoxqz9ggV9Ao-sWZQfzny95xvh4Rxv0kL/s200/be.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><br />
<em><strong>Belgium</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 26 VL</strong><em>(4 Weeks)</em>; <strong>N. 26 WA</strong><em>(5 Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position: 26 - 76 - </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">70<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> - 172 (VL) / 26 -</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">47 - </span>78<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> - 79 - 83 (WA)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJ9vtJuHSyBQZu47DECUtsTb9BR0bYjYYdxgakbb7rGHeJEG3AlJ56MeU5vIXml3bYeSZat_12xmFJnPfgn3-DiOFFFIt76L3FwAje17PCcIJpzIBosdo3-_QhZLtgtD-kN13_9tMa6s/s1600-h/switzerland.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969542333108114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJ9vtJuHSyBQZu47DECUtsTb9BR0bYjYYdxgakbb7rGHeJEG3AlJ56MeU5vIXml3bYeSZat_12xmFJnPfgn3-DiOFFFIt76L3FwAje17PCcIJpzIBosdo3-_QhZLtgtD-kN13_9tMa6s/s200/switzerland.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Switzerland</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 7 </strong><em>(5 Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position: 7 - </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">21 - 39 - 44 - 73</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYsFD6b6u2ACE-_c_oAtvLLiS5vv0puvHZ6mFaH1hHdcc9NiK6-u-PSXRAAxoBd-awbL_Os2OciXxtrioqDHRrx5TU2N_pbvHdTyVrlKofrhESYaYYAK4VK1TArTuPOnTC-MXioGOVjs/s1600-h/holland.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379970868770510834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYsFD6b6u2ACE-_c_oAtvLLiS5vv0puvHZ6mFaH1hHdcc9NiK6-u-PSXRAAxoBd-awbL_Os2OciXxtrioqDHRrx5TU2N_pbvHdTyVrlKofrhESYaYYAK4VK1TArTuPOnTC-MXioGOVjs/s200/holland.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Holland</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 43 </strong><em>(1 Weeks)</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQDApdVVshnhSy4mCFKrtUkmQ7MOKG3zMJSgIxpEzzPElGmpQUzWvjZOa8BwH4-Zea1Kl-oyFouUK3-HzVaAEnADvaug8sUhScIdjGg4WMPedzfR12DuuBaCNCwn00aHclRDzYLVuZOE/s1600-h/ireland.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380345856185135426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQDApdVVshnhSy4mCFKrtUkmQ7MOKG3zMJSgIxpEzzPElGmpQUzWvjZOa8BwH4-Zea1Kl-oyFouUK3-HzVaAEnADvaug8sUhScIdjGg4WMPedzfR12DuuBaCNCwn00aHclRDzYLVuZOE/s200/ireland.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Ireland</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 41 </strong><em>(1 Week)</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEZd4ppoG4XOB5B08jttgi9noyaxLeF0bkGcuTuo3SzWCZtpGoFqLTUmEBMlJm49GN_B-OltwewZjTYb6DSNYaTShi_UwTnjQD55_29NPX2t-_M67uO4jj7EyS_miIhwdOVPjlfDul7Q/s1600-h/italy.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382420422692311650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEZd4ppoG4XOB5B08jttgi9noyaxLeF0bkGcuTuo3SzWCZtpGoFqLTUmEBMlJm49GN_B-OltwewZjTYb6DSNYaTShi_UwTnjQD55_29NPX2t-_M67uO4jj7EyS_miIhwdOVPjlfDul7Q/s200/italy.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Italy</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 15 </strong><em>(5 Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position: 15 - 29 - </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">59 - 81 - 70</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnUybDs9nNmPP8SooSr0pMek_h5W7JD3RD4wW7QVB5t9QIvjE88gFQkX2oDSqDaqxP0BbaXpGQCxePdmRZIgIrh1p0_NN5etVRA4C2PvBlSjQeXw7ru4xTBeJdgu319pfunaZYNnOq20/s1600-h/spain.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969924117877458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnUybDs9nNmPP8SooSr0pMek_h5W7JD3RD4wW7QVB5t9QIvjE88gFQkX2oDSqDaqxP0BbaXpGQCxePdmRZIgIrh1p0_NN5etVRA4C2PvBlSjQeXw7ru4xTBeJdgu319pfunaZYNnOq20/s200/spain.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Spain</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 32 </strong><em>(3 Weeks)</em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Position: 32 - </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">58 - 81</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqrGo8f57P_O8DozaM62kxJO_nuA2qW677d0Md4vzuYF8oJepK4DNiLXOUZ0GbhhASGkmxCpjrL3OEArsnRy-JgOINWhSbDY4_-oG6L3tk74EvUFAp5EMozBCW4EScAkygLj2wYfSB4g/s1600-h/norway.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969765025915906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqrGo8f57P_O8DozaM62kxJO_nuA2qW677d0Md4vzuYF8oJepK4DNiLXOUZ0GbhhASGkmxCpjrL3OEArsnRy-JgOINWhSbDY4_-oG6L3tk74EvUFAp5EMozBCW4EScAkygLj2wYfSB4g/s200/norway.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Norway</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 17 </strong><em>(1 Weeks)</em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU4ckPjPm6dje3-knf9USxOaUuqpNfFu1NBPKic7kog5FMq2TRf-Jw2qA5-izY1vZxayHyKeMk7yNfaqTJMqJIwIfkEAwAsD6s52os6TF296Ah_O930q09VhJR1q-hSLCVh3ltUgqSUo/s1600-h/sweden.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379969645162174354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU4ckPjPm6dje3-knf9USxOaUuqpNfFu1NBPKic7kog5FMq2TRf-Jw2qA5-izY1vZxayHyKeMk7yNfaqTJMqJIwIfkEAwAsD6s52os6TF296Ah_O930q09VhJR1q-hSLCVh3ltUgqSUo/s200/sweden.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 35px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 56px;" /></a><em><strong>Sweden</strong></em><br />
<strong>N. 15 </strong><em>(1 Weeks)</em>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-3697447815185977872016-02-11T11:18:00.001-08:002016-02-11T11:24:51.386-08:00The Master Class Series (IV): "Lots of Gusto, but Not Great" By Jim Turano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Sv_j5KSDbg41Rb7Rv7sSHU_phPyYZ0vGhRx_6ERBdh2Mlu48zlJ75030ebGHe89aw-7f2uv_VHm7f1BOqsgibiILDNfVS8fjgghI1j-PIQ8raIKD0MOl4i8E1E7sYQJKTd29j2GSyGge/s1600/IMG_2236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Sv_j5KSDbg41Rb7Rv7sSHU_phPyYZ0vGhRx_6ERBdh2Mlu48zlJ75030ebGHe89aw-7f2uv_VHm7f1BOqsgibiILDNfVS8fjgghI1j-PIQ8raIKD0MOl4i8E1E7sYQJKTd29j2GSyGge/s320/IMG_2236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2552"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">James Turano has worked in the Chicago media and arts for more almost 30 years as a radio personality, newspaper and magazine writer, columnist, reporter and editor, an executive in public relations, and, as an actor, with various theater groups in Chicago. </span></span><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2562" style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He has been an Elton John fan for more than 43 years, and has attended more than 162 Elton John concerts throughout the U.S. and Europe. He was a major contributing writer for 15 years with the pre-eminent Elton John fan magazine, <span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2564">East End Lights</span>, which reached more than 2,000 fans around the world. He has also co-hosted the magazine’s four “Elton Expo” conventions in Atlanta , Cleveland , Los Angeles and New York. Turano has interviewed many important players in John’s career including his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin, and original band members Davey Johnstone and Nigel Olsson. He also wrote the liner notes for the award-winning 1998 album release, “Crop Circles,” by Johnstone and John Jorgenson, two guitarists in Elton John’s band, and contributed 40 album reviews to the book, “The Elton John Scrapbook.” He was an original writer/contributor to Elton John’s official website, </span><a class="" href="http://eltonjohn.com/" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2566" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2568"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2570">eltonjohn.com</span></span></a><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2572" style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2574">,</span></span><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2576" style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and has written eight official Elton John tour programs (2003-2010), which have been sold at concerts throughout the world.</span></i><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2608"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For his newest album, “Wonderful Crazy Night,” Elton John is wearing the widest, toothy smile he’s flashed on an album cover since 1974’s “Caribou.” Back then, the giddy grin was one of youthful excitement, as, at 27, he was in throes of an incredible career apex that dominated radio airplay, topped every chart, and sold out venues at a record-breaking pace. And he was basking in his status as the biggest star in the world.</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2614"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Forty-two years later, that ebullient smile returns, but now is more due to a personal and emotional zenith, because at almost 69, he’s a happy husband, a doting father, and a man who has put his various demons aside, l happily telling anyone within earshot how much he’s enjoying life.</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2620"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not only does the cover of his latest, “Wonderful Crazy Night” (his 33<sup class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2622">rd</sup> studio album), reflect this consuming personal contentment, but the music itself exudes a newfound focus, determination, enthusiasm, and he as he describes it, “joyous” outlook.</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2628"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Clearly, Elton’s late life exuberance rubbed off on many of the album’s key players – namely, his band and his co-producer, T Bone Burnett -- because “Wonderful Crazy Night” is one of the best sounding and best musically-performed albums of his five-decade career. The entire band, led by musical director, Davey Johnstone, with drummer Nigel Olsson, percussionists Ray Cooper and John Mahon, keyboardist Kim Bullard, and bassist Matt Bissonette, brings its “A-game” to the studio. It is showcased as both a tight-sounding, bonded musical unit and as individually-talented musicians, and all assist in delivering the album Elton set out to create. The band is immersed and engaged in the sound of every track, and each member excels when given the opportunity to step forward.</span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2634"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Still, after reading the litany of glowing critical reviews and excited fan reactions comparing “Wonderful Crazy Night” to some of Elton’s best ‘70s albums, the more I listened, the more I wondered, “What am I missing?” Finally, after days of intense listening, I realized, I’m not missing anything. The album is. </span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2640"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It’s missing that “classic track.” It’s missing that one song that instantly reminds you why you’re an Elton John fan. That startling musical moment that makes you stop and demand repeated listens. There’s at least one of those on every Elton John album (yes, even on “Leather Jackets”). But as hard as I tried, and believe me, I tried, I didn’t hear it. There are many songs here that want to be “it,” but they don’t rate.</span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2646"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Simply, “Wonder Crazy Night” does not approach the overall caliber of those historic ‘70s albums recorded during what Elton describes as his “golden era” from 1970-76. And that’s not a knock. How many albums by any artist can compare to most of those records? But to trying to jam “Wonderful Crazy Night” into that esteemed class is disrespectful to Elton’s musical legacy. And to compare “Wonderful Crazy Night” to even Elton’s most pop-oriented albums of the ‘70s, such as “Honky Chateau” or “Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player” does a huge disservice to those excellent records. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If anything, “Wonderful Crazy Night” is at home among Elton’s best album output during the 1980s. Most of these MTV generation efforts were popish, high-energy, serviceable albums that gave Elton newfound footing in a new decade. Though spotty in overall consistency, they did re-ignite Elton’s creative juices, eventually re-team him full-time with lyricist Bernie Taupin, and establish him with a new audience.</span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2658"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Placing “Wonderful Crazy Night” among “Jump Up!,” “Two Low For Zero,” “Breaking Hearts” or “Reg Strikes Back” is justifiable and in no way a slight. Those albums, as well as “21 At 33,” “The Fox,” “Sleeping With The Past” and “Ice On Fire” had their share of appealing, and in some cases, notable songs. After all, the ‘80s yielded several enduring Elton hits including “Blue Eyes,” “I’m Still Standing,” “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues,” “Sad Songs (Say So Much),” and “Sacrifice,” among others.</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2664"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While I agree the new album may channel Elton’s ‘70s spirit and confidence, it is enthused hyperbole to elevate this new album among Elton’s best. Given his age and upcoming career and lifestyle changes, there realistically may be only two or three studio albums left for Elton to make. So at this point, I’m not looking for another “Jump Up!” or “Reg Strikes Back.” I’m hoping for one more classic. And as much as many would like to give it the benefit of the doubt, this isn’t it.</span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2670"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Their last great album was 2001’s “Songs From The West Coast,” and I believe they have that one more classic in them. But it will take planning, dedication, and most of all, patience in the studio. They must want to make something worthy to stand amongst their best work. Taupin must write his lyrics from a place of pure inspiration, not break time between his next canvass. Though historically impatient, Elton must take a breath and actually let his new music develop over time. Though he prides himself in completing albums quickly, this rushed pace can eliminate the chance for happy accidents to occur in the studio.</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2676"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For example, on “Wonderful Crazy Night,” the compelling musical interlude that ends “Claw Hammer” is better than the main melody of the actual song. Rather than an afterthought tagged on to the ending, perhaps, after discovering this arrangement, and with some time and consideration, Elton could have found a way to make the main melody more in that style. It might have created a while new direction – and arguably a better direction for the song. But because of some arbitrary “song a day schedule,” this interesting musical passage is relegated to a brief moment.</span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2682"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But, we must judge the album for it is, not what we hoped it would be or what it could have been. U</span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">ltimately, “Wonderful Crazy Night” is more gusto than great.</span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2694"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gusto is good. This album is an impressive over-achiever. On every song it is trying hard; it wants to be more than it is; it is yearning to be better; and it is offering an abundance of musical enhancements and decorations to take it to a level higher than it can actually reach. The intense effort and vigor can’t be denied and should be applauded. However, the album feels like it’s all dressed up, but never gets to where it wants to go.</span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2700"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This gusto emanates from Elton and spreads to the band, who dominate this album to such a great extent, it could easily have billed as “The Elton John Band” as was the “Philadelphia Freedom” single in 1975. Most notably, Davey Johnstone’s guitar is by far the album’s lead instrument, and Johnstone more than delivers on every song. Perhaps it was because of his band’s stellar proficiency that Elton decided to use them on record for the first time in 10 years, as opposed as using producer Burnett’s usual cadre of quality studio musicians who appeared on the last two Burnett-produced studio albums.</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2706"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, Elton may have been too democratic and magnanimous on the production. Too willing to be “just one of the guys in the band.” Because it must be remembered, we go to an Elton John concert to see him sing and play the piano. And we listen to an Elton John album to hear him sing and play the piano. And as much as the band sounds great here, its presence is at times overwhelming and many times designates Elton to simply a vocalist. And except for a few true piano pounders (the title track and “Looking Up”), when his piano is heard, it is for a few fleeting notes. Often times, the piano is so low in the mixing it’s hardly audible.</span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2712"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Though all of Johnstone’s guitars solos are appropriately aggressive, tasteful, and perfectly complimentary, there are plenty of places where an Elton piano solo could have either followed a Johnstone solo, or played off of it. There needed to be a Christopher Walken-like presence in the recording booth, whether it was Johnstone, Burnett, or even David Furnish, anyone -- demanding “More ‘88-keyed cowbell’!”</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2718"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another disappointment is more glaring. Elton wisely decides to record again with his band after a 10-year absence in the studio, and yet, the album doesn’t feature even one “Nigel Olsson moment.” Nigel’s drumming is sturdy and strong throughout this album, but he never gets to take a rightful bow in the spotlight. The most obvious place for a “Nigel moment” would be on the album’s big ballad, “A Good Heart.” You know the “moment” I mean: one of Olsson’s patented, dramatic, climactic, booming drum fills that punctuates the song’s emotion and crescendo. You’ve heard it on “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.” You’ve heard it on “Someone Saved My Life Tonight.” You don’t hear it anywhere here. It’s a wonderful, crazy, and unforgiveable missed opportunity.</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2724"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But the main reason this album is obligated to work over-time on every track is the actual songs themselves don’t have the heft.</span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2730"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I admire Bernie Taupin, and believe he is one of the best lyricists in all of music history – and one of the most underrated – but the blame lies in his pen. Taupin’s lyrics lack his signature imagery, cinematic scope, oblique metaphors and crisp allusions. They are, instead, mostly straightforward in subject and structure. And to make up for the void of lyrical depth, Elton, Burnett and the band are forced to add layers of instruments and sounds to make each song impress and sustain. While the results make for some exciting musical performances by Elton and the band, they are omnipresent because of what Taupin failed to provide.</span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2736"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Granted, Elton asked Taupin to write lyrics that were optimistic and upbeat, but these lyrics don’t have an urgency or edge. They aren’t hacky or silly (No, thankfully there is no “I Am Your Robot” here) or sugary pop, but the best of Taupin’s unique writing style is missing. Even on his most pop-slanted songs on “Honky Chateau” or “Don’t Shoot Me,” the words conveyed a razor-sharp attitude. Comparatively, these lyrics have no real bite, leaving the album gumming away to cut through, and necessitating the music to compensate.</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2742"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is no “get about as oiled as a diesel train;” no “eat meat on a Friday, that’s alright, I even like steak on a Saturday night;” no “a cluster of night jars sang some songs out of tune;” no “you wore a little cross of gold upon your neck, I saw it as you flew between my reason;” no “subway’s no way for a good man to go down;” no “Blowing theater kisses, reciting lines they don’t understand;” no “she packed my bags last night, preflight.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2748"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taupin now considers himself a full-time painter and artist, and it’s refreshing to see him find a creative outlet that stirs his passions. But his writing with Elton is his legacy. It’s his legend. And to fully return to his former lyrical heights, Taupin must concentrate more on painting better pictures with words than with acrylics. Even upbeat pop can be smart, clever, and meaningful. Taupin should know, he wrote “Philadelphia Freedom.” Most of his “latest batch” are pedestrian or obvious. And two songs out of 10 with “Wonderful” in the title? </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">One of Taupin’s best lines is how Elton “manages to always come up with more hooks than a tackle box.” Unfortunately, that musing is in Taupin’s “Thank yous” in the album’s liner notes.</span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2760"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The lack of lyrical inspiration may be why Elton had trouble with conjuring new musical directions. Listening to the entire album it’s difficult not to continually hear the cherry-picking of previous melodies, phrasings, and passages from past albums and songs from the last 15 years or more.</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2766"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A close or even a casual listen reveals snippets of sounds from past albums including “The Road To El Dorado,” “Songs From The West Coast,” “Peachtree Road,” “The Union,” and even his most recent, “The Diving Board.” </span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2772"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Overall, “Wonderful Crazy Night” feels and sounds most like 2004’s “Peachtree Road,” (also produced by Elton and featuring the band) with similarities to many of its songs and its overriding pop feel and gentle country vibe. This derivative sound from previous albums may not be deliberate, but there are too many and too obvious to overlook.</span></span><br />
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2778"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Which, then, brings us to the songs of “Wonderful Crazy Night”…</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2784"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2786">“Wonderful Crazy Night”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2788">From the opening notes, it sounds like we’re off to a good start. Elton’s chugging piano chords are struck with purpose, and his voice bellowing lively. He’s throwing in mini piano flourishes to punch the lyrics, and midway through, there’s a signature solo with his fingers deftly and defiantly rolling over the keys. But as it continues, the song finds its comfort zone quickly and never veers from its original direction and beat. The light-hearted lyrics seem more like filler for a song’s foundation that easily could have been taken from one of Elton’s impromptu concert piano vamps during “Levon” or “Bennie And The Jets” and is given a new life of its own. But solos aren’t meant to drive a song, just enhance it. Reminds me of how “Dear John” kicks off “Jump Up!” -- energetic, fun, but thin.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2794"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2796">“In The Name Of You”:</span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2798"> On my first listen-through of the album, this song immediately caught my ear, and remains my favorite. The introduction is smoky, bold, and bluesy, and anything but the “usual Elton.” This finds the band at its tightest and hitting on all cylinders. Matt Bissonette’s bass is especially present, as it charges and thumps, Davey Johnstone’s guitar screeches and crunches on cue, Kim Bullard’s simmering keyboards reach a boil underneath, Nigel Olsson’s drums drive it, and John Mahon’s tambourine is slyly placed. Elton’s vocal is perfectly playful but dangerous, as Taupin sets the stage with a lusty narrative. The only element missing is a prominent, funky Elton piano solo. Though Johnstone’s solos are nasty as needed, Elton’s piano is woefully missing coming out of one Davey’s leads. Sure it sounds like “Satellite” from “Ice On Fire,” only it’s better, and it’s the best complete song on the album. Oh, if only we had that piano solo…</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2804"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2806">“Claw Hammer”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2808">Bullard’s opening keyboards make us feel like we’re walking down a seedy, dark alley, and this song remains deceptive and mysterious throughout. The lyrics are a throwaway, but the track is defined by its sonic schizophrenia. It takes so many different musical twists, shows so many different personalities, it ever gains a full identity. Its slithering opening leads to a bombastic, sing-song chorus lead by Ray Cooper’s tambourine, then slinks back into its noir feel. It then shifts to a somewhat cheery guitar solo. When it finally reaches its end, it surprises us with another face. Elton offers a teasingly tasty, jazzy piano meditation, followed by a tense, full-blown horn arrangement. This musical interlude begs to be further explored and elongated, rather than flashing in and out and leaving us wanting more. The song’s capsulized coda could have become the beginning of something solely special if given the chance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2814"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2816">“Blue Wonderful”:</span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2818"> The album’s first semi-ballad, as Taupin attempts to create a hazy, carefree love song with words meant to convey feeling over meaning. It doesn’t fully succeed, but there’s enough for Elton attach a breezy melody, and an example of where Elton picks up the slack, especially with his vocal. He sings the opening line, “Every breath is a prayer of some kind,” with a tender, emotive tone. This melody at times sounds like a slowed down version of “Look Ma, No Hands” from “Songs From The West Coast,” and Taupin sneaks in a nice, nostalgic Beatle reference with, “’Yesterday’ that’s someone’s else’s song/In sixty-five, summertime long ago.” A nice sounding song, with extra musical and vocal drama thrown in to impart more impact than it packs on the page. You’ll hum it while it’s playing, but not substantial enough to linger.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2824"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2826">“I’ve Got 2 Wings”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2828">Yet another lyrical history lesson that Taupin seems intent on passing along on recent albums. He “taught” us about country music pioneer, Jimmie Rodgers, on “The Union,” enlightened us about writer Oscar Wilde’s struggles on “The Diving Board,” and referenced blues legend and his famous “crossroad” encounter in “The Wasteland” from 2001’s “Songs From The West Coast.” In his latest, he unearths the true story of an obscure Louisiana preacher named Elder Utah Smith who spread the Lord’s word and a pair of large angelic wings as he played his Gibson guitar. As with his other “history” songs, this loses its poignancy amid all the needed exposition. Ironically, this song rattles on a similar acoustic melody that drives the aforementioned, “Jimmie Rodgers’ Dream,” and again, it’s the musical accompaniment and Elton’s sincere vocal that captures your ear. The catchy, Cajun-influenced melody and subtle guitar touches give it a lively, infectious country/gospel feel that helps save its soul.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2834"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2836">“A Good Heart”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2838">The album’s<b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2840"> </b>centerpiece has all the makings of a “classic” Elton John ballad. Elton’s expressive vocal rises and yearns, and drops and comforts. The music starts quietly and slowly builds through the chorus until it finally reaches a loud, dramatic flourish, accented by Johnstone’s intermittent guitar notes, Cooper’s tambourine, and Mahon’s chimes. Then it’s lifted by an exalting horn arrangement. It’s all there. But yet, it isn’t. For all the elements and musical ornamentation, the lyrics just don’t rise to the occasion. They don’t move us or transcend. The sentiments have been heard before. And as mentioned earlier, it fails to include the necessary, climactic Nigel Olsson drum fill that might have anointed it. Just when you think, “Here comes Nigel’s moment”…you wait for it, you wait for it…and it never appears. Elton may sell the hell out of the title line, “It’s a good heart from me to you,” but it’s just not enough for good song, that so strives to be more. I heard it live in Los Angeles at The Wiltern, and it did gain additional power.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2846"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2848">“Looking Up”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2850"> The album’s first single is a loose, robust toe-tapper in the fine Elton John pop tradition. It’s sure to please. And you know why? Because it’s a kissing cousin to 1972’s bopper, “Hercules” from “Honky Chateau.” In fact, after strangely lifting the opening riff from Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit In The Sky,” as soon as the piano and band kicks in, you can practically sing the opening verse to “Hercules” over the music. Try it. This quasi-sequel to “I’m Still Standing” in theme finds our former 30-something “true survivor” now a wiser 60-something reflecting on the hard life lessons learned and exclaiming his newfound contentment. Even though this is another one-trick pony in terms of musical direction, it’s just meant to be fun, and it is. Elton’s piano is happily tinkling at a great speeds and Johnstone’s jubilant and raging guitar solo is the song’s raunchy exclamation point.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2856"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2858">“Guilty Pleasure”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2860">A thundering thumper that shocks the system. It’s so bombarding, Elton’s battles against this hand-clapping, heart-pumping pop ditty. His voice is almost lost in the clanging clatter. “Guilty Pleasure” is basically a louder, frenzied, glorified version of “Ball And Chain,” with Johnstone on guitar rather than Pete Townshend. And this song too begs for a classic, no fingers barred Elton piano solo to add to the frenzy and break the pounding monotony. But alas, Elton’s just a vocalist on this one too. At the very end, like on “Claw Hammer,” after all the fuss, there is another quiet, brief, and intriguing piano improv complimented by Johnstone’s acoustic. Too bad this passage couldn’t have been built upon and given a place within the song’s overall musical direction. For all its frantic tone, Elton’s quiet piano piece is my favorite part of the song.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2866"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2868">“Tambourine”:</span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2870"> For the second song in a row, Elton acts as just vocalist. The opening is overtly similar to “Peter’s Song,” a “Peachtree Road” outtake that originally was intended for the Johnny Depp film, “Finding Neverland.” And, yet again, we have a guitar-heavy, country-ish melody. It’s a pleasing, lazy summer day kind of song in lyric and music. It’s almost impossible not to tap your toe and sway to this simple tale, as Elton’s uses his over-annunciated country phrasing to sing “tam-bor-REEN.” But for all its lilting appeal, it mindlessly glides along without anything really demanding close attention. Lots of nice little touches of keyboard, but again, no Elton piano at all, which would have helped mix things up. No lyric jumps out, and its chorus is predictable and repeated. This one easily could have been replaced by one of bonus tracks and no one would have noticed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2876"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2878">“The Open Chord”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2880"> Though one of my favorites on the album, musically, this one heavily borrows from “Too Many Tears” from “Peachtree Road.” Perhaps the best chorus and title on the album, “The Open Chord” is the one song on this album that isn’t trying so hard. It doesn’t have to overwork because it’s one of the few that Taupin fully delivers on all fronts, and includes the enticing line “Clipping off the horns that the devil used to make me wear all day.” There is no pretense or over-selling. It’s a meditative, hypnotic love song, and when Elton sings “You’re an open chord I want to play all day” with both a casual softness and a romantic intensity, you melt. I find myself singing that line under my breath throughout the day. That’s when you know a song makes a connection. Finally, Elton’s seemingly forgotten piano makes its subtle return, and it makes all the difference. A nice one and the perfect song to end the “official” album.</span></span></div>
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<b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2886"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2888"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">BONUS TRACKS</span></span></b></div>
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<b class=""><span class=""><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2894"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2896">“Free And Easy”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2898">Taupin may have taken Elton’s request for positive songs a bit too seriously with this sweet treat. The words evoke a happy-go-lucky territory that I don’t think Taupin has ever explored. It doesn’t suit him. I don’t want my Bernie Taupin this happy! Elton matches Taupin’s sappy tone with a schmaltzy, Broadway melody -- think Anthony Newley or Burt Bacharach and Hal David, with some George Harrison guitar and Beatle harpsichord thrown in for good measure. I can picture a young, puppy love couple prancing in the park with parasols to this one. This might have been OK for Gilbert O’Sullivan, but not Elton. My mouth is permanently puckered.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2904"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2906">“Children’s Song”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2908">Twenty years ago, on the touching “Blessed,” Taupin imagined a conversation with a future child, stating, “<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2910">I know you're still just a dream/Your eyes might be green/Or the bluest that I've ever seen</span><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2912">/<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2914">Anyway you'll be blessed.” Several years later, the dream is fulfilled and he is now a proud father. And rather than imagining the conversation, he now makes good on his promise and assures his two daughters are indeed protected and provided for. This is a sweet parental wish list, filled with loving advice and fatherly hopes and dreams. It’s Taupin’s version of Bob Dylan’s similarly-themed “Forever Young.” And of course, Elton too can approach this loving lullaby from experience, as he finds himself the father of two sons. He sings it from his heart, just as every loving father would.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2920"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2922">“No Monsters”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2924">Listen close and you’ll hear similarities to “Candlelit Bedroom” from “The Diving Board,” and shades of the love songs from “Aida” and “The Road To El Dorado.” Another lyric that is dense with words and sentiments that fails to connect. Elton is over-selling something no one wants. It’s so derivative and unoriginal, it never needed to even make it out of the studio.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2930"><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2932">“England And America”: </span></b><span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2934">This all-out rocker, in the vein of the song “Made In England” in sound and lyric, explodes with a Who-like vengeance. The pace slows a bit as the song progresses, but the entire band is head-banging at their best, and Elton’s piano and vocal add to the rock party. I’m surprised this didn’t make the “official” album, because even though it isn’t at all distinct, it rocks harder than anything else here, and even includes some playful doo-wop harmonies. Its high-octane acceleration would have added to the official album’s demanded “joyous quotient” and energetic blueprint, as it celebrates the two integral birthplaces of Elton and Bernie’s lives and career. Should have made the cut.<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2936"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2942"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The one major positive aspect of “Wonderful Crazy Night” is that it reveals Elton John in a rejuvenated, ambitious, life-affirming mood, and still inspired to write and record new music. If making this album keeps his creative juices bubbling and sharp, and steers him and Taupin to keep writing into the future, then this album is a huge success and an important musical bridge to that one more classic album we all know they have in them. </span></span></div>
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<span class="" id="x_yui_3_16_0_1_1455205710395_2954"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“Wonderful Crazy Night” works hard to live up to its title. It may fall short in some areas but its tireless effort and heartfelt joy to please can’t be denied.</span></span></div>
Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-44425017652559897872016-02-09T10:32:00.000-08:002016-02-09T10:34:12.193-08:00The Master Class Series (III): "Elton is showing that he is the mother of invention" by Claude Bernardin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gN11yZ7RUOm8xSemToV_mAaVlXdm4MynR__kfS83iWuH1dMKr3PVtvfNXO5buFlnnQAprGEX0o9E_Jy3Jp4umlBHA4j7fLwokX9DQmFWejGakvK4kodYuOf_NH6Tuuuzz8ocTYsA4Ha4/s1600/41635_572243506_6012_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gN11yZ7RUOm8xSemToV_mAaVlXdm4MynR__kfS83iWuH1dMKr3PVtvfNXO5buFlnnQAprGEX0o9E_Jy3Jp4umlBHA4j7fLwokX9DQmFWejGakvK4kodYuOf_NH6Tuuuzz8ocTYsA4Ha4/s1600/41635_572243506_6012_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<em style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><strong>Claude Bernardin</strong> attended Great Valley High School and learned his most serious profession there, studying as a young artist under Chester County Watercolorist Lawrence H. Kuzmin. His first major Professional Painting exhibition in 1986, was in Gramercy Park, Manhattan, NY at the Salmagundi Art Club, upon invitation after receiving the President’s Award for his watercolor, “Work Bench”. Claude has had a successful painting career ever since. And has been a High School Art Instructor, on the High School level in the Philadelphian Archdiocese. He teaches Painting, drawing, graphics, photography, film, Pop Culture, The History Of Pop Music, Art History and much more.</span></em><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After forty plus years of open-heart surgery
through his music and Bernie Taupin’s words and stories, Elton John is finally
able to put his past behind him, and move forward. The album, if nothing, is
certainly a departure, and it is in the energetic album’s center piece, “Claw
Hammer”, John sings openly, </span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“You're gonna need a claw hammer<br />
Oh my Lord<br />
To bust on through<br />
And break down your walls<br />
Loosen your lips<br />
Slacken that jaw</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Waiting for you to share with us<br />
The myth behind the lies<br />
Come on out<br />
Throw us a bone</span></i><b><i><span lang="EN-US"><br />
We want to know your intentions<br />
Are you fake<br />
For goodness sake<br />
Or the Mother of Invention..?”</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the song's words, Taupin seems
to be teasing with the fans, yet musically, John and the band deliver the
album’s musical masterpiece. Here, perhaps, Elton John is showing that he is
the mother of invention. It is not so
much that it is new ground, as it is a restructuring, and a new path. Here the
band, and singer, have forged a new road. Yes, the ending has tinges of Steely
Dan, yes the ending harkens to the most recent jazz-tinged, live concert
performances of “Madman Across The Water." Yes one can hear all of that,
but, don’t be fooled or dismissive, here….IT WORKS! </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This album is not unlike any John
has produced, it has it's incredible highs, and it has it’s incredible lows. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few issues off the bat: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. There is NO PLACE in Rock-N-Roll
for the theatrical vocals that appear on this album, in such tracks as “Claw
Hammer”, “Blue Wonderful”, and “Free and Easy”. They can border on “icky cute”.
Does that really work in rock? </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Vocally, it is not his best
album, nor is it even close. It sounds more like a walk in the park. One
wonders, was this why his voice appears to be so lowly mixed down, and seems to
hide behind the band?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. The piano is clearly taking a
back seat. Bands tend to be great excuses for the likes of McCartney and John,
to hide behind. I’d have most certainly turned that up in the mix!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. T. Bone Burnett, and guitarist
Johnstone are not a good judge of song quality, apparently.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5. I am hopeful that T. Bone
Burnett is now done for a time. We need a new honest hand in the studio.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As much as one would like to
dismiss all of Elton John’s prior music catalog, it cannot, nor should it ever,
be dismissed, even when writing a review. Is this album as good as <i>Madman</i>, or <i>Rock Of The Westies</i>? No! It’s different. Is it as good as <i>Captain</i>? <i>Honky</i>? <i>Yellow Brick</i>? No,
and no amount of hype from anyone, including Rolling Stone Magazine, will make
one decide that.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One comes to conclusions based on
many things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fans like much of what John
produces, that is acceptable, and it is why we call them “fans”. I am a “fan”,
but I have always remained on the cusp edge, of reality. I listen to many,
forms of music. I do not cast stones at others. I merely speak from my own
experiences.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I like what I like, I don’t
like, what I don’t like. I am a huge fan of John Mellencamp. I loved his </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Human Wheels </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mr. Happy Go Lucky,</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> albums. I loved his “Rain On The Scarecrow”.
What I have not loved is all his recent work with Producer T. Bone Burnett. It
falls short,</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ALL of it. Tuneless,
drivel, bad range vocals, muddy instrumentation. Dreary lyrics.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So why mention this? Is there a
connection? Yes, his name is T. Bone. I was proud of his work in the studio on
the last two albums for Elton John, but even I was starting to hear muddiness,
and poor decisions being made. To Produce, one should have a clear handle on
the “sound” of their songwriter, the “style” of their songwriter. T Bone’s
productions of the like for almost everyone he touches, seems to be like a road
map, lacking any direction, and all over the place. I am left unclear, and unsatisfied. I think
it is time now for a new producer. That is all I will say further.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Clarification now on style and
sound:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What does one expect of a new Elton
John album these days? Nothing? Or do you harken back to olden times, to the
likes of </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tumbleweed </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">or </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Madman</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Honky Chateau</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, or do you want and desire a more sharp dressed,
snappier 1980’s sound? Or is it possible to bridge all of this in one album?
Elton’s career is a puzzler. There is the 1970’s Elton with strings and anger,
there is the pop mid-1970’s Elton, there is the colder, pop savvy Elton of the
1983 era, </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Too Low For Zero</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> period.
There is the 1990’s </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lion King </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Can
You Feel The Love Tonight" Elton. There is the 2001, </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Songs From The West Coast</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Elton, there is the theatre, </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aida</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Billy Elliot</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lestat</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Elton. Now that last one should not touch the “sound/or style” of the rocker
Elton. EVER!</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And, unfortunately, here on
this disc, it has. That “sound” is not a very pleasing, nor believable by the
same man who is on stage screaming at me about "he shall be Levon!” and
“burning down missions!" It is a perplexing thing.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Back to our song spotlight:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In “Claw Hammer”, the album's
center piece, the song begins with Elton’s </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lestat</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">,
theatre voice….and I almost found it a turn off immediately. Not believable in
the least. How does a rocker sing like he’s on stage in a high school drama
play? It, thankfully, is saved by it's chorus and it’s wonderful, (oops new
word…needed from the thesaurus quickly) its fantastic instrumental jams, thus,
becoming a “fantastic” track, and eventually rising above this album as a stand
out.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is in-fact, a new direction,
musically, and not in the theatre sense of the term.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now for the songs in exact order:</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wonderful Crazy Night:</span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As title cuts go, the second
weakest title cut ever recorded for an album by John, only comparison, here is <i>“Leather Jackets”</i> from 1986. It’s a
better album cut, but lacking any uplifting female singers, any changes
melodically. The song suffers greatly. Instrumentally, it’s got me, and my toe
continues to tap, but I just can’t get around the melody. Piano great, Davey’s
guitar work great, but where’s the tune? He is a Tunesmith right? Guy who wrote
such glittery melodies as “Island Girl” and “Im Still Standing”?, The tune…It
never alters, and as rockers go, in his arsenal of “GREAT” rockers, it can’t
touch “Saturday” or “Love Lies”, so it leaves me perplexed. I think if he had
had a vocalist singing a higher part over his lower register it would have worked.
To me, it’s a “whole lotta mumbling goin on!”</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It’s an ok B side, not a strong
album cut, sorry.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lyrically not bad, but Taupin has
written stronger.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Good to hear him loosening up, but
the song leaves me wanting way too much.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade: B/B-</span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In The Name Of You:</span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“Take a hold…here! Hold On!”
Classic Elton returns! Riff is wonderfully catchy, guitar is gritty, and
suddenly we are sailing back to 1972 <i>Honky
Chateau</i>. The world is in check totally. THIS is Elton John! T. Bone gets an
award! Davey Johnstone gets an award! Elton deserves the best. Lyrically it’s
ok, not Taupin's best, but man, does Elton kill it! This should have been the Lead single! </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It would have been nice if he’d
have played with his snarly old bitchy vocally self a bit, but yes the song
soars! A breath of fresh air, lacking on <i>The
Diving Board</i> and even <i>The <st1:place w:st="on">Union</st1:place></i>. Nothing more I can say here, it keeps me
smiling. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It’s not “Wake Up Wendy” but I’m
not doing that game. I love “IT”, this song. This song is great! And thank God
the Angels woke up the old Elton, who arrives at the end vocally….NOW THAT’S
ELTON! And Um, T. Bone TURN THAT UP! Ya dummy! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ohhh yeah! OH Yeah!!!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade : A</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Claw Hammer:</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From the opening instrumentation
from Ray Cooper, I’m hooked. He almost loses me with the <i>Lestat</i> voice, but I’m sticking with it, I’m there. Okay this is
just "Oscar Wilde" Part Two…..I’m in it. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CHORUS! OH MY LORD! You saved it!
It’s killer! It’s modern “Madman” but it’s somehow its equal! Dude! How do you
do it?! You just reinvented yourself musically again?!Amazing, so refreshing.
Thank you to all who got this done.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mr. Johnstone you soar on this
track. And it is refreshing! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kim Bullard's Steely Dan twist is
perfect, but I also love how Elton brings in the live Madman segues…it’s just a
great track. A Classic, brilliant, and should be the WHOLE direction on the
next album. Superb!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade: A+</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Blue Wonderful:</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ok. Video is dreadful, that’s out
of the way, Umm the theatre voice? Seriously?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Am I to take this seriously? It’s
dripping icky sweet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes, it reflects <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Peach Tree Road</st1:address></st1:street>, but, you’ve crossed into
something I just am struggling with. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">NO! I can’t do it. No matter how
many times you tell me …”wonderful”.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nope, This is NOT YOUR STYLE!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It doesn’t work for you.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Out of your element totally. Davey
is trying hard to salvage it, so is T. Bone, but no.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Um, not "Tiny Dancer",
not "Harmony", not "Mona", not "Sacrifice", not
"<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Blue Avenue</st1:address></st1:street>",
not "One More Arrow". Too theatre for me. Sorry.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade: C+</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’ve Got 2 Wings:</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Took me four listens to get around
this track. Lyrically it is BRILLIANT! One of Taupin’s best lyrics EVER!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At first I thought, no, no, you did
not deliver the goods here, Elton. But I get it, you are working in that
country folk, story tellers thing…and it is lovely. The guitar part in the back
ground and the humming make it lovely.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It’s early for me, but I know it
will be a treasured track for me in the future.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I love the style. YES style is
here.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade: B+</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Good Heart :</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">OH MY! He didn’t just play that?! 1974
Elton is back?!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Vocally superb, opening verse
outstanding. Instrumentally behind him dark, lovely.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Classic Nigel! Chorus! AH!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Old Elton is back and in perfect
form! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Classic Elton John here. I am
perplexed at how Elton could see this much melody in such an average lyric.
Wow! It’s that thing that ONLY Elton does. "Whoo OH." Classic Davey
guitar work! Classic Elton vocals.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Piano back, YES! He could do that
damn thing all day long!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fantastic synth backing! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The horn arrangement is superb, and
refreshing!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ending is just lovely!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ok Davey , I give you your Grade of
A, good show at end.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade: A+</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Looking Up:</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Catchy as hell opening piano work!
It’s classic pop Elton. It will probably not always remain this high on my
list, I can see it getting tiresome. Davey does everything he can to get it to
shake off its pop sensibilities. It’s a fun track, my toe is tapping
constantly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sounds very radio single oriented.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not a bad track.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade : B+/A-</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Guilty Pleasure:</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Does someone owe royalties to
Chrissy Hynde and The Pretenders for this track? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Come on guys it’s “Back On The Chain Gang” by Chrissy Hynde and
The Pretenders. And that isn’t slight!
Um, no, can’t do this track. If you like that 1980’s thing…ok, but all I
can hear is her going “Ohhh Ohhhh Ohhh Ohhhh…” over the top! You’re better than
this. WAY better! And by the way, yes…"this song will hurt someone….” OUCH! The pain!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade: B-</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tambourine:</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lyric is the second best lyric on
the album, and is brilliant. Why does Elton automatically go with this as a
melody? Hmmm, I allowed one already….2 Wings, I’m not going to allow two.
Can’t! It’s trying hard to get off the ground…hard….bringing in jangly stuff,
twelve strings, but nope. I think a better melody was desperately crying out.
This song, to me, is just a dud. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wanted it to be so much more! The
song lyric deserved better, it should have at least represented the vitality
and spirit of Ray Cooper, whom I am to assume the lyric represents. I read the
lyric and automatically thought, wow a gospel-spiritual song!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Elton come on, what is this? You
are so much better than this.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’ll be kind with my grade.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade: C+</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Open Chord:</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“Heard
a song in my head….and wrote it down…it came out of nowhere…”</span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US">Um, Yes! Out of nowhere…”….</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-US">If nowhere is <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><i>Peach
Tree Road</i></st1:address></st1:street>…yes!</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(Verses of “Too Many Tears”, 2004’s
<i>Peach Tree Road</i>), it is lovely.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I vote this, perhaps the strongest
song on the album. It’s certainly in the top three.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And even though it harkens back to
"Too Many Tears", it is a far better song than that one.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Why? Because the chorus delivers
the goods. Classic ballad Elton John!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And everything “Blue Wonderful”
wishes it might be when it grows up.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It’s just lovely. Breath of fresh
air. Strong, strong, strong.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade: A+</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Warning, Warning Doctor Smith……if
we stop now the album gets a B+/A- or three stars.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hmmm two more alternate tracks.
What can we find with these?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Free and Easy:</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">WHAT AM I LISTENING TO? Elton!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am scared…make it stop, Oh My
God…..no!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Who is this? This is “Amoreena”
Elton? “Elderberry Wine” Elton? What! WHAT AM I HEARING!?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What is that middle part?! WT…..?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ok, without a doubt, one of the
worst songs he has ever released.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is horrible! Who said, yes, yes
this is good?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">DUDE, two words, no three…..<i>HONKY</i> FUCKING <i>CHATEAU</i>!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Is this for his kids? Explain?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade: D …and ONLY because I’m a
fan! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oh, and I’ll never listen to this
again, but you can be assured of me tap dancing and singing to fans just to
annoy them. Look, maybe it would have been better to walk in to the studio,
grab a mic, hit the piano angrily and say, fuck you! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span lang="EN-US">England</span></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-US"> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>
: Ok now I’m scared, I don’t want to play the next song. Do I have to?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Maybe…just maybe, it can only get
better. Oh, wait…before I push play…a thought, fans….</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-US">Battle</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-US"> of the songs…All of <i>Victim
of Love</i> or "Free and Easy"?! Yes, it’s worse!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oh one more thing before I push
play, this track makes "Flinstone Boy" and "I am Your
Robot" sound like "Madman Across The Water."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oh, before I push play…oh my god I
need a beer!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><b><span lang="EN-US">England</span></b></st1:country-region><b><span lang="EN-US"> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ah, balance has returned to the
universe.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Order restored.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, somehow through that last
track I have teleported back to 1983, apparently. Many women dancing around me
in black and white striped outfits with their hair up. I think I just saw
Madonna, hold on no, that was Chrissy Hynde again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wait, did Chrissy Hynde have Elton
John’s Love child, too? Or was that
Davey Johnstone’s love child?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wait! Wait, I have all this wrong.
This song is a love song to Davey’s Mullet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ok let’s try some review:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Um, "I’m still Standing"
it’s not. "Saturday" it’s not….and yeah…um, I guess its ok.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grade: B</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now for the truth, and it haunts
me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">I would take the B side “Fools In
Fashion” over half of this album. I’m being serious. That fact alone is why I
cannot grant this album a four star or three and a half star rating or an A-.
Be careful what you wish for, I suppose someone can say. Yes, I wished for an
up-tempo return to form, but I was hoping T. Bone was smart enough, Johnstone
was smart enough, and Elton was smart enough to turn this session into classic
sound and style, and not lose the momentum and musicianship of <i>The Union</i> and<i> The Diving Board</i>. Those two albums returned John to his classic
writing style. It is not a bad effort.
It does show promise and new direction. </span><span lang="EN-US">So, in closing, is this album four stars out of five, according
to Rolling Stone magazine? Of course it's not. Folks, one star above that means
FIVE STARS, for the likes of <i>Sgt. Pepper</i>
or, <i>Goodbye Yellow Brick Road</i>. This
album is good, it is fun, but no, it is not four stars.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Album Promotion:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> A+, Some of the best ever! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Album Production:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> B+, Although a few songs fluctuate a bit
higher, I find the mix and balance way off on this one, especially the piano
and voice.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Album Cover:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> B-, It's NOT Caribou, but close...and I just
can't get around it as a good cover.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">The Band Performance:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Solid A!, Everyone in the band delivers here,
and their efforts help the instrumental portions breath and give the album a
breezy, effortless feel through out.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">The Lyrics:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> B, Not Taupin's best work, although, there are
two on this album I'd put in his top twenty efforts of the past decade.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Melodies:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> B+, All over the road. Some shine, gleam, and
glimmer brilliantly, some lag behind, some fall completely short, and one
scared me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Vocals:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> B-, Not
even CLOSE to his best efforts.</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Piano:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> A-, Not really sure if it's the production
that diminishes it's presence or its the piano pounder himself, who carefully
chose this, given the band more up front time. Either way, it's not a decision
I'd EVER make. Turn up the piano!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Possible Classic Album Tracks</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> in the Vein Of "Have Mercy" or
"King Must Die" or "Madman": C+, Kind of lacking.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Ballads:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> B, Although having TWO in "The Open
Chord" and "A Good Heart". "Blue Wonderful" drops the
ball. The album is screaming out for a "Ticking!" How can you forget to deliver your signature
style and sound?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Singles/Commerciality:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> B-, You need TWO strong candidates, and one
needs to be, without question, uptempo. You might have it here in "In the
Name Of You" and "A Good Heart"…might. Is that enough? I think a
bit more effort is recommended here. Maybe consider releasing "<st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>" as the next single?</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">SUGGESTION:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Restructure. Find a new studio. Find a new
producer. Sit down and write twice as many songs in two sessions, and make sure
you write your ballads and also some classic album cuts.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As a musician who has shaped the
course of pop music history, Elton John understands he can get a way with doing
a little bit less these days, and quite frankly, few have earned that right
more. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But my challenge? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nina Simone, Leon Russell, and John
Lennon would all hold Elton to a much higher standard, as do I. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All written with love, and a little
sense of humor. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I remain a fan, always.</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Claude W. Bernardin</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Co-Author of “Rocket Man: The Music
Of Elton John A To Z”</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A fan since September of 1970.</span>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-54285985939020712862016-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:002016-02-09T10:13:58.767-08:00Master Of Class Series (II): "Elton has returned, singing and playing with a vengeance that features some of his most upbeat, well crafted songs in a long time" by David Singler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lfRtSLTOMYQU4xTRdMjZYKpO8FCq8Yvp6GyLsk5-n5irSA_QfljffismbattLJrFEZ051AkUmZmN9XJZrzdLpkyiWXSa51QAfj3uVJ-WHZhZd5DSi90VeHc8IV8-iGI0w9SSSHPcnR6Q/s1600/david.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lfRtSLTOMYQU4xTRdMjZYKpO8FCq8Yvp6GyLsk5-n5irSA_QfljffismbattLJrFEZ051AkUmZmN9XJZrzdLpkyiWXSa51QAfj3uVJ-WHZhZd5DSi90VeHc8IV8-iGI0w9SSSHPcnR6Q/s1600/david.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span lang="CA"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A year round Provincetown resident, David
Sigler‘s passion and knowledge for Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s music makes
him a renowned fan in the Elton die-hard circles. Ever since he heard Bennie
and the Jets in 1974, a special bond was formed. “Next to Lennon and McCartney,
John and Taupin are among the most talented, prolific, and diverse songwriters
in pop music,” he proudly states. David is thrilled to host, Two Rooms:
Celebrating The Music of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, to enlighten listeners
of their respective work together and independently. David originally hails
from Maryland and is a lifelong Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens fan
(though he cheers on the Patriots too!) In addition to Two Rooms, he enjoys
hosting a show called Pop Life: Top 40 Hits from 1970-2000, when the need
arises.</span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Wonderful Crazy Night" finds Elton
John once again, surprising his fans with an all out joyous pop album after a
few years of retrospective albums that showcased more serious subjects and
downbeat themes. Not that the two previous releases, The Diving Board and The
Union (w/Leon Russell), weren't up there with his best work post-2000. But
rather, those albums harkened back to the traditional singer-songwriter era of
Elton's career before Elton's genuine pop efforts kicked off with the likes of
1972's Honky Chateau. With "Wonderful Crazy Night," Elton has
returned, singing and playing with a vengeance that features some of his most
upbeat, <b>well crafted</b> songs in a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The opening piano riff on the title song let's
the listener know right away that this is going to be a <b>fun</b> tune. Just try
getting that riff out of your head after multiple listens. "Looking
Up", one of the singles, sort of conjures of the spirit of "I'm Still
Standing" with a great guitar solo from Davey Johnstone and a defiant
lyric from Bernie Taupin (who wrote all the lyrics on this album). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Blue Wonderful", one of the few
slower songs, has all the <b>hallmarks</b> of a typical Elton John ballad and is
worthy of inclusion on any new greatest hits or compilation collection.
"Guilty Pleasure" rocks (and rolls) with cool hand claps, rockabilly
strumming guitars and a chorus in the 'Crocodile Rock' mode, along with a
blistering guitar solo from Davey Johnstone that is reminiscent of his best
'70s work (think the Caribou outtake 'Sick City'). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Claw Hammer" conjures up a southern
swampy feel with it's percussion flourishes that bookend the song. Plus, it
features a surprising jazzy finish with a horn section (that should have had
more input during the entire song). "Tambourine" sways with a
gentleness of Elton's <b>best country-tinged</b> songs and features long time
percussionist Ray Cooper playing, what else, a tambourine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I've Got 2 Wings", one of Taupin's
best lyrics on the album, is in the <b>great story</b> telling narrative he's so
wonderful at writing. It opens with Elton humming the melody and an accordion
in the background complimenting the song. This song is written about Rev. Utah
Smith. Smith, was a preacher who wore two paper wings while playing guitar
during his sermons and this song just may be the albums most thought out
arrangement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"England and America" (one of the
bonus tracks) is another rock song that starts off with a bang a la something
Meatloaf and Jim Stineman would have written (especially Elton's piano licks).
"In The Name of You" has a cool piano opening riff that is
accompanied by Kim Bulllards organ playing and Johnstone's guitar touches.
"Free and Easy" (another bonus track), feels like it was an old demo
from Elton's 1969's album Empty Sky (I'm not kidding) with it's Beatle-esque
arrangement, organ and harpsichord.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I could really go on and on in detail about
every song on this album. The striking thing for me is that it's clear that the
intent and direction Elton set to achieve was masterfully executed on nearly
every level. From the band (Nigel Olsson on drums, Matt Bisonnette on bass,
John Mahon on percussion and the aforementioned Kim Bullard, Davey Johnstone and
Ray Cooper), to the deft touch of producer T. Bone Burnett and of course,
Taupin's <b>unique</b> but rather light hearted lyrics (at the request of Elton).
Wonderful Crazy Night is an album in the grand tradition of Elton's best pure
pop albums. No gimmicks. No following trends. No (thank God) dance beats with
auto-tone enhancements.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Simply put, this is another <b>excellent</b> album
from Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and likely to rocket itself into my Top 10
favorite Elton John albums of all time.</span></span><br />
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More about WOMR:</span></span><br />
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>10 can make the difference project</i></span></span><br />
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://tworoomsejbt.wordpress.com/2015/11/06/10-can-make-a-big-difference/">https://tworoomsejbt.wordpress.com/2015/11/06/10-can-make-a-big-difference/</a></i></span></span></div>
Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-84956384552331544392016-02-07T04:47:00.000-08:002016-03-23T11:38:14.680-07:00Masters Of Class Series (I): "Looks back to the 70s while bringing us forward to today" by Elizabeth Rosenthal<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEz3_hISFzgcxbQwuUr0k1Bulef3_d0IM13bJ_QjZmE5xji0KHwSCtp39WWXa7WbP86YRFRyVN0z9CCqGHd5LYeBSHgbe4nUFS2fLjG0n1_UDW_8dXbOjvgTseKPtXZFqOPkokFRWGRkD/s1600/liz_author2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEz3_hISFzgcxbQwuUr0k1Bulef3_d0IM13bJ_QjZmE5xji0KHwSCtp39WWXa7WbP86YRFRyVN0z9CCqGHd5LYeBSHgbe4nUFS2fLjG0n1_UDW_8dXbOjvgTseKPtXZFqOPkokFRWGRkD/s200/liz_author2.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Born 25 March 1947, as Reginald Kenneth
Dwight, Elton John is one of pop music great references. "I discovered
Elton John in 1989. Over a decade after his commercial heyday. But better late
than never. Besides, there was lots of music of his to discover. To this day, I
keep discovering it." Elizabeth J. Rosenthal's passion for Elton is
well-known. More than 70s concerts on her shoulders: "I act like a 13-year-old,
climbing over seats to reach the stage at the appointed time". Her first
book, "His Song: the Musical Journey of Elton John", was published in
fall 2001 by Billboard Books, an imprint of Watson-Guptill Publications.</i></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Elton John says he wanted to make a
“joyous,” “jingly-jangly,” uptempo record to showcase his current mood and show
the uninitiated how he and his band rock out on stage, night after wonderful,
crazy night. The result is Wonderful,
Crazy Night, truly a “festival” of music, as Elton’s co-producer, T Bone
Burnett, observed recently. It needs to
be heard! Hear ye, Elton’s stuck-in-the-70s fans; all sorts of Elton fans of
all eras, ages, sexual orientations, body types, and ethnicities; and misguided
people who were never his fans! As Elton
says, this album looks back to the 70s while bringing us forward to today. It
was recorded live, with his regular, as the man himself terms it, “kick-ass” band.
Every band member has <b>shining</b> moments on this </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">album, and Elton again proves
he’s got more piano licks up his sleeve than there are species of animal life
on this planet, and that his voice gets better and better as he gets older and
older. Plus, Bernie Taupin has come up with another set of </span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">evocative</b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> lyrics
that can be pored over with fascination.
Here is my track-by-track overview:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">WONDERFUL
CRAZY NIGHT: A <b>joyous and rollicking</b>
opening to Elton’s 33<sup>rd</sup> studio album, which sets the tone for an
uplifting, 10-song cycle. Thinking back
to a fun summer night of young romance – and plenty of eating, drinking, and
music listening,
Taupin writes: “Ice cubes on the back of your neck/ Warm wind blowin’ through
the parking lot/ Radios hummin’ in every car/ And you feel like the clocks have
stopped…. Loose clothes and a cool, cool drink/ A greasy breeze from the
chicken stand/ Hearts on fire just<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> one last time/ A
wishbone snappin’ in every hand.” Elton’s piano goes through amazing changes,
sometimes pounding loudly, other times chasing some rapid runs. New bassist
Matt Bissonette displays on this and several other tracks his ability to recall
the late Dee Murray’s playing, but with his own thumping, melodic style.</span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">IN THE NAME
OF YOU: This <b>bluesy, funky, infectious</b>
track recalls several others – “Wake Up, Wendy,” Elton’s contribution to the
1998 South Park album, Chef Aid; “My
Kind of Hell,” a bonus track on Elton’s 2010 album with Leon Russell, The
Union; the Commodores’ 1977 hit, “I’m Easy,” in guitarist Davey Johnstone’s
searing guitar solo; and any number of songs by the 70s band Bad Company, but
with much better singing. </span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CLAW
HAMMER: Elton says that this one starts
off like Steely Dan, continues like Little Feat, and ends up, with some very
effective jazz-synth horns by keyboardist Kim Bullard, like Peter Gabriel. The
Byrds are also audible, in the jingly-jangly mid-section of the song; Elton’s
<b>abstract piano outro</b>, which inspired Bullard’s synth horns, recalls some of
EJ’s extemporizing on the live version of “Madman Across the Water” that he and
the band played on many a night just a few years ago. Taupin conjures up some
interesting imagery about someone who is extremely hard to know: “You’re
buttoned down/ All sewn up / You’re an archeological soul…. You’re gonna need a
claw hammer/ Oh, my Lord/ To bust on through/ And break down your walls.”</span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">BLUE
WONDERFUL: About someone’s love for a pixie-like spirit affected by wanderlust,
this is an <b>exquisite</b>, mid-tempo ballad that Bob Dylan really ought to cover.
Elton’s voice begins with a soft vulnerability that’s new to his recordings. He
pleads with his magical sprite: ‘Go where you want when you want to/ Just don’t
let the wind tear you free / Stick around the light that brings you home /
Don’t ever hang around with the breeze.” T Bone Burnett, though not officially
part of the band, contributes some atmospheric, sonorous guitar work, as
Elton’s sensitive piano lines gently lift it up.</span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’VE GOT 2
WINGS: I choked up the first time I
heard this, but it’s not sad, just <b>moving</b>. It’s about the real but elusive
Elder Utah Smith, an African-American preacher who lived a positive, uplifting
life, traveling around the South during the time of Jim Crow wearing gigantic
paper angel wings and playing an electric Gibson guitar as he preached mercy,
peace, and love to black congregations.
It has a folky vibe; Elton hums at the beginning and end a mystical melody that breaks into
song about this fleeting , spiritual man: “I was here/ And I was gone/ Just a
heartbeat from the past/ But I went from paper wings to the real thing at
last.” Echoes of pre-rock guitar
noodling that the real preacher might have played haunt the last few minutes of
the recording, heightening the song’s emotion.</span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A GOOD
HEART: A <b>power</b> ballad, but an
emotionally honest one. Elton says this could be about him and David (his
husband), or possibly about his writing partnership with Taupin, although the
former option fits better: “Don’t be afraid of all my years/ What you see or
what you hear/ It’s all yours and yours alone/ Yours for the taking/ So take it
home.” This tune has country leanings, but is otherwise of a kind with “You’re
Never Too Old,” from Elton’s 2010 collaboration with Leon Russell, except this
one sounds more urgent and more personal. Elton’s strong, supple, hopelessly
romantic vocal is the stand-out of the album.</span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">LOOKING UP:
This is the one we all heard first, when it was introduced to British and
American radio back in October. Don’t be fooled by its deceptively simple
verse-chorus hybrid structure. This is <b>quite a tour de force</b> in musicianship,
and one of the three purely rockin’ numbers on the album (the others being the
title track and the one coming up immediately below).</span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">GUILTY
PLEASURE: Elton says this is the album’s
most “raucous” number, and thinks that it could have been his punk anthem. The electric guitars roar throughout, the
melody is angry and defiant, and the whole thing moves like a hurricane. It is
probably the most simplistic of all of the songs on this CD. Still, I recommend <b>CRANKING IT UP</b> and jumping up and
down to the beat in your “Rock Lobster” sandals.</span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="ListParagraph" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">TAMBOURINE: This track is the <b>most 60s-style</b>,
jingly-jangly of the 10; Davey Johnstone’s guitar parts come through
squeaky-clean – you can almost touch them – as if he were playing right next to
you. Instrumentally and vocally, it bears a striking similarity to the 1975
Rock of the Westies outtake, “Planes,” as well as the1976 Blue Moves album track,
“Cage the Songbird,” but the melody here is more memorable and just plain
lovelier. Better yet, on “Tambourine,” Elton hasn’t sounded so young in ages!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">THE OPEN
CHORD: This song is among the <b>most
gorgeous</b> on the album, even with its rock edge.
Elton has revealed that “The Open Chord” was inspired by his
late-in-life fatherhood and that of Taupin’s with the lyricist’s young wife.
The open chord is: “A new broom/ Sweeping up the scenes I no longer play/
cleaning out the corners/ Clipping off the horns/ That the devil used to make
me wear all day.” As Elton sings, with evident happiness and satisfaction,
“You’re an open chord I’m gonna play all day,” we see how he feels nowadays, as
an Elder Statesman of Rock who loves what he does professionally and, with all
his heart, the family he goes home to.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More about Liz:</span></span><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">After graduating magna cum laude with a
journalism degree from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Syracuse</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>'s Newhouse
School of Public Communications in 1982, Liz Rosenthal attended Rutgers-Camden
School of Law, from which she graduated With Honors in 1985. Subsequently, she
was admitted to the bars of <st1:city w:st="on">New York</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:state> and <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pennsylvania</st1:place></st1:state>.
For the past 20 years, Rosenthal has been a civil servant, writing regulations
for <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:place></st1:state>
state government, testifying before the state legislature about pending
legislation affecting the civil service system, and serving as liaison to the
State Attorney General's Office.</i><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Eventually, her passion for writing,
discovered in the third grade where she was doing the school paper, merged with
a newly-acquired love of wild birds, and her current book "Birdwatcher:
The Life of Roger Tory Peterson" (Lyons Press, 2008) chronicles the life
of the naturalist and conservationist man, a birding guru to millions, the most
resourceful of scientists in his tireless
sharing and synthesizing of information the world has provided. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Liz owns a blogsite on
http://www.elizabethjrosenthal.com/ as well she has contributed to a variety of
print publications and blogs. </i></span></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Among them are the following:</i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>“Elton John and Ray Cooper at the Royal
Opera House.” Official Program of the Charity Concert in Aid of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Royal</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype></st1:place>
of Music Organ Appeal 28 January 2011.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>“Watching Sparrows, a DVD by Michael Male
and Judy Fieth." Birdfellow.com, December 7, 2010.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Film Review - “Ghost Bird, [directed by]
Scott Crocker.” Bird Watcher’s Digest, July/</span><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">August 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Book Review – “Birdscapes: Birds in our
Imagination and Experience by Jeremy Mynott.” Bird Watcher’s Digest, November/</span><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">December 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">"Birding with Roger." Bird
Watcher's Digest, July/</span><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">August 2008.</span></i></span><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">“Foreword.” Essential Elton John: A
Step-by-Step Breakdown of Elton John's Keyboard Styles and Techniques (Keyboard
Signature Licks Series), Hal Leonard Corp., 2006.</i></div>
</div>
Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-42386702527507092832016-02-07T04:21:00.000-08:002016-02-07T05:08:48.411-08:00The Master Class Series About "Wonderful Crazy Night"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSbxgNBc3sykfiksWUdyAW67HsVKw4MpDyp-qMsFQLeCfmxPAkRYGhJvr30XBq8dkRpcelaOhPsmRa4XqY07OCCVSgYf1o7n41m7IUv-lemJVhNHCQ598tVf0oiuV2wbAqsGgHNEnPlxZ/s1600/IMG_00922222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSbxgNBc3sykfiksWUdyAW67HsVKw4MpDyp-qMsFQLeCfmxPAkRYGhJvr30XBq8dkRpcelaOhPsmRa4XqY07OCCVSgYf1o7n41m7IUv-lemJVhNHCQ598tVf0oiuV2wbAqsGgHNEnPlxZ/s320/IMG_00922222.JPG" width="232" /></a></div>
<span lang="CA"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Hi Eltonites!!! Due to the release of the well
expected new Elton John album, finding him promoting with high energy. Here, in
AllSongsList, we want to continue what we did in 2010, for "The
Union" and in 2013 for "The Diving Board" albums, </i></span></span><span lang="CA"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>asking fifth of a kind people to review the
album. Sure there are a lot of reviews out there, but no ones like this master
class series, particularly for being from an eltonite prisma.</i></span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think I told you several times how I missed
the days that Hercules or East End Lights fanzines arrived home. The place
where I live, in Spain, it wasn't so much info about Elton John at that time,
the only info we've got was for his tantrums, his eccentricities, his clothes,
... but poor things about his music, the most rellevant thing. </i></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Those fanzines,
made by the effort and the excitement of eltonites like me made such a worthy
job promoting Elton and talking about the things we fans really interested. I
remember how much I <b>enjoyed </b>reading Jim Turano's articles and reviews, that man
is a <b>magician</b>; enjoying so much the <b>irony</b> of Claude Bernardin and his passion
for Elton's catalogue, this man is such so <b>great;</b> enjoying reading the articles
of Liz Rosenthal about Elton with her <b>sensibility</b> and knowledge about Elton,
this lady is such a <b>genious</b>; enjoying George Matlock commentaries about Elton
and how he was (then and now) <b>expert </b>in Elton's area of influence, this man is
such so <b>incredible</b>; and enjoying David Sigler <b>passion</b> and effort doing an
exclusive Elton John and Bernie Taupin radio show every week, this man is such
so <b>talented</b>. Could not forget the book that every eltonite must have in their
library: "His Song: the musical journey of Elton John", by Liz Rosenthal;
"Rocket Man: from A-Z" by Claude Bernardin along witn Tom Stanton; "The
Elton John Scrapbook" by Mary Anne Cassata and Jim Turano. And how
rellevant radio shows are the ones on Radio ORLA (now a podcaster in demand)
co-founded and directed by George Matlock; or the celebrated every week
festival of standards and obscure tracks on air on WOMR 92.1 fm (Provincetown),
91.3 (fm Orleans). </span></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, I would like to <b>thank publicly</b> to Claude
Bernardin, to George Matlock, to Jim Turano, to David Sigler and to Liz
Rosenthal for this great job, for their collaboration with AllSongsList again
this time and for doing such wonderful and amazing articles. You are the best,
a five of a kind!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, Eltonites, this is just the beginning.
Hope you <b>enjoy as much as I am doing</b>. The "Wonderful Crazy Week" continues.
Thanks always for being there!!!</span></span></div>
Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-62518943718753333282016-02-06T14:43:00.000-08:002016-02-06T14:47:44.228-08:00Jack Rabbit in London (part five)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1PV5cfpEhHRxrlFyNBqh4xOZi3hvcxocEjtU3_2kAwIsCR8cMHpz23I1nL4UmwwW20ftx7JEG3c2cTlTgPAiCupYHpkcpxflfZHGWYP7KqCyDS8kRC44GqNb1ha6TOgT97lakPOgj8II/s1600/IMG_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1PV5cfpEhHRxrlFyNBqh4xOZi3hvcxocEjtU3_2kAwIsCR8cMHpz23I1nL4UmwwW20ftx7JEG3c2cTlTgPAiCupYHpkcpxflfZHGWYP7KqCyDS8kRC44GqNb1ha6TOgT97lakPOgj8II/s320/IMG_0105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1996 first time in London: it was what I called the Elton John Tour (Pinner, Northwood Hills, Watford, 101 Wardour Street, EJAF, ...). 1997 it was the second: Promoting The Big Picture album and living the impacted Princess Diana death. 2004 the third on Woodside and EJAF and Rocket Music. 2009 the benefit event at the Royal Albert Hall with Elton John and starring Ray Cooper. Finally, 2016, the signing event at Hvm Record store and more. Twenty years in all, spending worthy times in London related to Elton John.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Always when I am travelling to see <b>Elton John</b> in one of his shows, as many of eltonites I suppose, the first lines of Rocket Man comes to mind. But this time, the line "And I am gonna be high as a kite by then". When on Monday 25th January I was sitting at home I couldn't imagine that the dream I had since my youth, since my eltonite early days, will appear without noticing. A message from a friend awaring me about that, a faster registration at Hvm booking tickets, and a message telling "you are in". Such incredible how lucky I was. I arranged the same day my travel plan and I booked the hotel (Princes Square again, it seems to be my place there). The following days were destinated to fullfill the agenda while I was in the city for two and a half days. <b>Allsongslist </b>deserved to pay more attention while trying to complete the list of songs.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvnpBIMf97fQmnSfEGWeUQt1FRrvvuugtti5VfV3otWcJRTf8-8BwwsDK4SCSFOP2hvZSjJ3tVbdWn5TKJ9SbTuZZAnOiiY7NBDFWJCIiwc8zLgJ2IATwRUDJ6ZCsACys5qexnGPfAWfE/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvnpBIMf97fQmnSfEGWeUQt1FRrvvuugtti5VfV3otWcJRTf8-8BwwsDK4SCSFOP2hvZSjJ3tVbdWn5TKJ9SbTuZZAnOiiY7NBDFWJCIiwc8zLgJ2IATwRUDJ6ZCsACys5qexnGPfAWfE/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So when the aircraft arrived to Gatwick from Barcelona, I went directly to BBC <b>Maina Vale studios</b>, it was around 10 in the morning (I wake up at 03:30 am). Just three people waiting there, and some in a car. I went on BBC reception and I guess the man who attended me still couldn't believe I asked to be at the show. Obviously he kindly said I couldn't. So I had to wait outside while I was listening Elton on the interview with <b>Ken Bruce</b> performing some beatiful rendition of some of his classics added to some new ones. I went directly to one of the cars also waiting: press, I could imagined before. "When you see that car over there moving, just go ahead as faster as you can". Ok. By 12:00 am that car, a magnificient Red Bentley approached to one of the doors, and immediatily security made their presence. Some runnings and Elton suddenly appears. Almost twelve eltonites were there and Elton stopped to sign some treasured items. Ipad on hand I began to make pictures of Elton, while press behind me were pushing. "Hi Elton" and "see you later" exchanged with "Hi" before get into the car. Well, first round.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIN0rZbgepcc96rj_D0T93JNBqli6inUnGdolaU0BXkoc0KzUHWnC5N3WO93JpvqIepVG-pZYIN557ZeatRyxnOD0sVnHF8crtq2HqS5RVDYMBfOMrDH4KAIgI2uyXPCITIs2Y9pAy-mr/s1600/12631358_10153881303858142_2038835467578515243_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIN0rZbgepcc96rj_D0T93JNBqli6inUnGdolaU0BXkoc0KzUHWnC5N3WO93JpvqIepVG-pZYIN557ZeatRyxnOD0sVnHF8crtq2HqS5RVDYMBfOMrDH4KAIgI2uyXPCITIs2Y9pAy-mr/s320/12631358_10153881303858142_2038835467578515243_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE7r527HoO3v75XedDnQeJ1xDxINGWoWqwAMZ_VgzZ503jogG6xmS9rJRHfKdY0szqt69pMkPVNyOhjH9-XnixaXKpipxelGZoOc7pl4vwZL6b7fp3uBH1cm9qTAm1gTnoITdrcTteE3W/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The way to <b>Hmv </b>in Oxford Street was so faster. I got there at about 01:00 pm. Just took a walk on the store buying something and then when I got outside I found some dearly eltonite friends: <b>Mark Giles</b> was there, <b>Jane Bradley</b> and <b>Jane Behrman</b>. Some pictures in front of the advertisement and waiting turn. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGw2U38uP8qTtKA2PhTLRm9QKOA_agHg6sYrR_H8KIHpYdPGv9lIBUmB6kBL3yoXxJ1D4KBOcnXURyNdWCFkH_aojPFdcQKo0AnoD_UFYkiiEe0BTNK_EE3DEuI8jJLhp0PO5pL6Hrpn_/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Doors opened at 04:00 pm and somebody went for us. Going upstairs, to one private place. About 50 Hmv VIP members would be the first to go. Suddenly, applauses began and the idol made his entrance. <b>David Furnish</b> was behind. Elton took his seat behind the curtains, and the queue starting to move. General excitement. We could hear the album play all the songs. Could not forget the faces of people when they left the place. "No pictures are allowed". </span>Upps!!! "Leave your bags here". My three years old daughter made a picture about Elton and David.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I explained then to him how worried I was to see <b>Júlia</b> (my daughter) loves Enrique Iglesias and Taylor Swift, but how "Blue Wonderful", her favourite song, took interest and played over and over, until she began to say "Ton Chow" (as Elton John) as if Elton was chinese. He smiled and replied "How sweetie". So when my turn arrived I was so impacted to see the man: "Hi Elton, I am so happy to be here". "Hi, it's my pleasure". He looked at me and while I said what I had in mind to say, for years, in case I got the chance, he kindly thank. We shake hands, gave me the autograph picture and I left. I looked behind again to see if it was real or just a dream. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGw2U38uP8qTtKA2PhTLRm9QKOA_agHg6sYrR_H8KIHpYdPGv9lIBUmB6kBL3yoXxJ1D4KBOcnXURyNdWCFkH_aojPFdcQKo0AnoD_UFYkiiEe0BTNK_EE3DEuI8jJLhp0PO5pL6Hrpn_/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGw2U38uP8qTtKA2PhTLRm9QKOA_agHg6sYrR_H8KIHpYdPGv9lIBUmB6kBL3yoXxJ1D4KBOcnXURyNdWCFkH_aojPFdcQKo0AnoD_UFYkiiEe0BTNK_EE3DEuI8jJLhp0PO5pL6Hrpn_/s320/IMG_0098.JPG" width="241" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Someone took a picture of me leaving, I don't know who, but I could have no more words enough to thank. Also to the one who made the picture of Mark and me waiting with Elton. I saw David Furnish and shake hands too while saying some kind words. Security didn't allowed me to stay more time there (obviously) and had to go out. Then just waved goodbye to Mark, Jane, Sandra and Jane. I was so fortunate to meet in person <b>Keith Hayward</b>, the man who have written two wonderful books about Elton, precisely I have one on my bag, so he kindly agreed to sign it. I left the store and went to eat and drink something because I absolutely forget to do on the excitement. Didn't have so much time to touring, I went to see the musical of <b>Billy Elliot,</b> although I doubted with this or going to Watford to see the match againast Chelsea. Immediatily then I went to the hotel, check in and go to sleep. The day after I had to wake up at 07:00 am because someone is awaiting me related to my <b>allsongslist archive.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just I got time to leave the underground to Westminster station to see the Elizabeth Tower and <b>Big Ben. </b>Everytime I came to London that's obligated. So next turn was to go to a certain place I could not say, to see someone I could not say, and to exchanged info about the songs written by Elton. Allsongslist has about 1.000 songs written or sang by Elton, what I couldn't imagine is that I noticed outtakes and songs never heard. I had so short time to complete my allsongslist so it was hard to pick everything up, but I did. Thankfully allsongslist database was so complete, but despite of this, I had so hard work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I left the place, I realized Elton gifted Saint Pancras Station a beatiful <b>Yamaha Black Piano</b> while improving some tunes of his own songs. I couldn't be there. So, when everything finished, I went to the hotel again while going to the airport to get back home. When I arrived home I got my own copy of the "Wonderful Crazy Night" album I purchased. My cd player was ready to listen and play the new material. Yes, sure, that album it will be a winner. Almost now it had the appropiated promo, it semt that Elton was everywhere!!!</span>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-7437900762942931652016-02-05T12:50:00.000-08:002016-02-05T12:58:53.568-08:00Wonderful Crazy Week!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Hello <b>Eltonites</b>, the day has come! The long expected new album "Wonderful Crazy Night", the 33rd album by one of the most prolific artists of the century, and one of most succesful, is out today. The album, co-produced by Elton with <b>T-Bone Burnett</b>, was recorded at Los Angeles' Village Studios, with Elton's band (the last time was on "Captain And The Kid", in 2006) and <b>Bernie Taupin</b>, as usual, provided the lyrics. A very strong team, even <b>Ray Cooper</b> collaborated on some tracks, to return Elton to the place he deserves: at the top again. "In 17 days we did 14 songs, 10 of which ended up on the album" explained a joyful Elton, when he was asked about the new material. This is how Elton and the band used to work in the past, very quickly, writing the new song, recording and finished in the same day. It is available across a number of formats including super deluxe edition box set.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I wanted to do something joyous because I was so happy with my children and my husband. Happy with everything," the star says on a different interviews on press, radio and TV programs. He explained, when he developed the idea of the album, how he called guitarrist and music director <b>Davey Johnstone</b> to "go out and buy 12-strings guitars" because "I (he) want to hear lots of them on the record". The result is an optimistic album, with more up-tempo numbers than the previous ones. Meanwhile Elton confessed to <i>Rolling Stone Magazine</i> he was gutted to see how Capitol Records rejected the project: "this is a fucking good record, can't understand why they don't want to put it out. But they've done me a favour (...) I landed on <b>Island Records</b> and they were so thrilled" continued. But that doesn't matter now. Elton's got so much energy, so much talent, that he presents a new collection of songs, some of them reminiscent of his sound of the 70s, and it is on sale today.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Allsongslist</b>, due to this big event, presents a "Wonderful Crazy Week" with some surprises related to the release of the new album. After celebrating the 30 years of when allsongslist began, I have so much joy to count with some special guests who will collaborate on the week. They will be introduced along the week. Also, we sent <b>Jack Rabbit </b>to <b>London</b> to see the atmosphere around this Wonderful Crazy new Elton John album, on another eltonin' around the world experience that will be explained also in </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">time. Provided with an ipad, a pen, a note book, a map of the city and the archives of allsongslist, he lived so wonderful crazy experiences that will be explained on this event and on the forthcoming event in 2017, due to Elton's 70th Birthday, and also the 50th year of collaboration between Elton John and Bernie Taupin. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">So thanks for being here, again with allsongslist, I hope you enjoyed what is prepared to you, it will be promoted on Facebook eltonjohn allsongslistfriends group, twitter and Instagram (@jacques_lapin), and on the most well known fansites. So take your seats, fasten seat belts and have a safe trip.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: , serif; font-size: 17px;"></span>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-71481901725852706272015-03-17T11:39:00.000-07:002015-11-03T12:41:19.071-08:00The Guest Book: Kim Bullard seen by Eltonites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="CA"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><b>This is Kim Bullard's guest book. There are several eltonites who, after the interview with Bullard, send me their pictures and thoughts about him, so we were agree to make it public. One thing is obvious, Kim Bullard has conquered the hearts of fans with his kindness, passion and professionalism. So there's a taste of comments sent to Jack Rabbit about our guest, in the past days. Feel free to send whatever thoughts or wishes you have for him, just to show how much we love him. Thanks so much for your collaboration. Eltonites, this is your time.</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Loved reading the article Kim, It shows your
passion for Music, and for Elton himself.. You make the EJ band cool!!! Look
forward to seeing you in June... I will have my "madman" tee shirt
on.. 2nd row.. ready to rock!!!.Cant wait" .. Pic from Leigh in June.. xxx" (<b>Janet Lois Speariett, </b>UK, 43 concerts, since 1973)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Kim Bullard,a fine genuine person and a great
musician. This photo was at the Elton John LATW in Las Vegas,Nevada. It was a
pleasure meeting you.You have filled in beautifully into the Elton John band.
All the best wishes for continued success" (<b>Richard Georgeou</b>, USA, 88 concerts, since 1970)</span></span><br />
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I've had the privilege of meeting Kim Bullard
in person twice now. First, at the Elton
Expo in Vegas in October 2013, and most recently, before my 43rd Elton John
concert in Jacksonville, Florida. I've always had great respect for him, and I
have a special place in my heart for piano and keyboard players. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What a gracious (and might I add very
handsome) man! In Vegas, I introduced myself as "I'm a Kim, too" and
he high-fived me. He signed my GBYBR CD, so I now have all 5 of the current
touring band members' signatures on that same CD.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A prized possession! </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In Jacksonville, he gladly took a photo op
with me, signed my tour book and we chatted for a few minutes. (Burn Down the
Mission is his current favorite song to play.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Glad they added it back to the set list)! </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since then, I found out his daughter (Katy
Rose) was born on January 27 - same day as my son! </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you, Kim, for your graciousness and for
all the years of amazing music! Hope to meet you again sometime soon" (<b>Kimberlee Kemble,</b> USA, 43 concerts, since 1974)</span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Anybody who has ever heard FFAF/LLB knows what
a demanding synthezizer piece it is. Kim Bullard has managed to reproduce it
perfectly live. Using several complex electronic sounds at once, the audience
is blown away every time it hears this. He arrives from out of the smoke on
stage. In fact, Kim is often the one who
starts the shows, since this piece is often the opening number. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Alice also gives Kim, along with Davey, the
chance to add unusual sounds. Now with more string drama towards the end, the
song is more exciting than ever. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, he also has an ear for Elton’s more
melodious music. The soft strings you hear in the background in ballads like
Tiny Dancer and Your Song make the songs sound soft and smooth. Elton’s music
is so varied that for a keyboard player’s point of view, it’s like working for
ELO, Carole King and Scissor Sisters at the same time. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some of my favourite playing of his is in The
Blues. He has completely made the harmonica solo his own at the same not
forgetting the original solo by Stevie Wonder. </span><span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kim adds to the magic but never overplays. He
interacts with the band from his platform and often poses for a smile or laughs
with other band members, at the same time as he’s delivering the goods. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We have been very lucky to have met him twice
in person. He was so kind to take some time with us and share our Elton
experiences. Both times were awesome as he really seemed to enjoy the fans
company as well and we couldn’t be more pleased. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are completely overwhelmed to attend our
very first show in The Colosseum in Vegas this April. An event we never would
have imagined. We can’t wait to live this experience with Elton & The Band" (<b>Mariona Calafell</b>, Spain, 31 concerts, since 1997)</span><br />
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Picture was taken at Fayetteville, North
Carolina on March 11th by my good friend Tommy T Baughman. Please let Kim know
that I am a big fan and I'm sure he knows who I am from seeing me at the front
at UK concerts! I'm looking forward to seeing him and all the Band this summer" (<b>Ros Dinsdale</b>, UK, 40 concerts, since 1973)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Kim is a SUPER nice guy !!! I had the pleasure
to meet him a few times... He is a lovely man and during this years he has become a precious member of the
EJ's Band! Can not wait to see him again in italy this Summer" (</span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Silvia Corsaletti</b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, Italy, 35 concerts, since 1993)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I met Kim this past January and had a wonderful time just chatting and hanging out. He's so down to earth and easy going and so fan friendly....so lucky to have had the chance to meet him...." (</span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jennifer Keller</b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, USA, 10 concerts, since 1980)</span><br />
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Kim, you
are a keyboard wizard! The way you've mastered "Funeral For A Friend"
is just incredible. I am so happy and thrilled for you that you joined the
band! When I saw you with EJ and the band in Denver on 9/20/2014 from the 3rd
row, I felt the vibrations beneath my feet! Even more so at the front of the
stage. (I wore the flashing blue sequined hat.) It was great seeing you
enjoying yourself, having realized a dream. I have friends who have met you and
say how nice and cool you are, and always happy to take a picture with them. I
admire your humility and kindness when it comes to meeting fans! I am hoping to
get to Vegas for the show on 4/14 (there is a free front row ticket and hotel
for me; all I need is airfare and I'm there! !) Wishing you many blessings and
much happiness, always". (<b>Stacie Purcell Pearson, </b>USA, 50 concerts, since 1970)</span></span><br />
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I had the opportunity to meet Kim twice. Once
in 2011 and the other time was in 2013 at the Elton Expo in Vegas. I cannot say
enough good things about this man. He is very personable as well as
professional. He took the time to chat with me. When I spoke with him, I
informed him that I am a gymnast. I shared with him that I am using Elton’s
music for my gymnastics routines". (<b>Missy Gymns</b>, USA, 10 concerts, since 2002)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Besides being an outstanding
professional who gives a special color to the repertoire of Elton John with
your fantastic keyboard, Kim Bullard earned his place at EJ Band definitely with
talent and charisma. And just like all his band mates, he's always very
friendly with all the fans. I wish Kim all the success. He deserves!" (</span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Vera Lucia
Piovesani</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, Brazil, 5 concerts, since 2009)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Since Kim joined the band he has kept a steady
line between keeping the integrity of Elton's music intact and stamping his own
personality on it. Because he 'gets' Elton's music it's no chore for him to
carefully navigate the myriad of colours that Elton's music has conjured up
over the years. Whether it be Synth strings, Moog, Hammond, Fender Rhodes and
all other keyboards in between. Even though Kim might not wear a cape he's
still got the versatility to keep any man awake! See what I did there... like
all his colleagues in the band he's a terrific ambassador for Elton and his
music. Both to the common man on the street and most importantly, the diehard
fans. I can't wait to hear him on the new album later this year!!" (<b>Paul Purcell</b>, Ireland, 12 concerts, since late 80s)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEA0yUhhXIpbJpYPrS3EABcD1IIRgKmhTo0aD5WoJSR_AIBxFTc4fQPDS0kgxe2pY9NtRd7yExsIMh_7tIyMFgbihQ2uhQy6xaRqK9r13_dE2tk0OqD8GOidFCyYYNUlRuJ7kfJJiN7gt/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEA0yUhhXIpbJpYPrS3EABcD1IIRgKmhTo0aD5WoJSR_AIBxFTc4fQPDS0kgxe2pY9NtRd7yExsIMh_7tIyMFgbihQ2uhQy6xaRqK9r13_dE2tk0OqD8GOidFCyYYNUlRuJ7kfJJiN7gt/s1600/27.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Hello from Italy, I look forward to see
you live in Italy this summer and to hear the new Elton album featuring your
work for the first time ever...I'm sure it will be a success!" (<b>Andrea Grasso</b>, Italy)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Would love if you could tell Bullard how much
I love the band and his playing. He's a genius, and I'm looking forward to the
summer, in Bergen, Norway" (<b>Inge Alexander Simonsen</b>, Norway, 7 concerts, since 2008)</span></span><br />
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>* Picture of Kim Bullard behind Elton, with Matt Bisonette, courtesy of Rudy Garrido, Spain</i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I have been a diehard fan of Elton's
band members since ever since. Since I was a kid, my dream was seeing Elton
playing with any member of the band. Kim Bullard is part of the impeccable
sound which I will feel eternal devotion. A musician worthy to be part of my
loving Elton's band. Thanks for existing" (<b>Mayra Fuentemayor</b>, Venezuela, 1 concert, since 1974)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Hi Kim and Katy Rose, I never got to see you play
with Elton yet. I hope to someday soon, I enjoyed reading your articles and
learning a little more about both of you. Take care........... (<b>Jim Oksen </b>newloneranger, USA, 7 concerts, since 1980)</span></span></div>
<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">* Intro picture by the greatest Jennifer Keller, USA, she took the p</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">icture of him after leaving the stage, after Elton finished SNARFF at The MDP show. How appropiated for the intro of the article. Thanks so much Jennifer. (Jack Rabbit)</span></i></div>
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Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-88262165715832987752015-03-14T14:30:00.000-07:002015-03-17T11:15:49.234-07:00"I have always been an Elton fan. First and foremost, he made it cool to be a piano player" Chattin' With Kim Bullard: The Interview <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>A gentleman. When Jack Rabbit had the chance to meet Elton's current keyboard player, this words came to mind. So respectful, so passionate for what he is doing. It seems if they had knowing each other for a long time, and left a great experience on his side. Elton always had good keyboard players: remember the fantastic Guy Babylon, remember James Newton-Howard. Big names on the screen. Kim Bullard is on the level. He has a wide experience: playing live, in the studio, producing, composing, everything: Poco, Crosby Stills and Nash, Art Garfunkel, Elton John. Kim owns a home studio on a very nice piece of property, placed in the same old barn that once housed the talking horse Mr. Ed on TV. Anecdotes with the band? Davey recently explained on his question and answer <a href="http://musinq.com/davey-johnstone/">website: musinq.com</a> that "Kim eats more than any human I (he) have ever witnessed" while he added he caught him once carrying a plate of food onstage. A source of energy. So loved by the rest of band member, counting Elton, although, while laughing, he takes some ice cubes from his glass to throw away at Kim on some concerts. So Eltonites, be ready to receive an outstanding artist, one of a kind, a very glamorous man. The doors of AllSongsList are all wide open to receive the greatest <b>Kim Bullard.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Welcome Kim Bullard, so proud you are here sharing your free time with eltonites. So much a joy to be here departing a while. So, with your permission, let's start with the first question. Jack rabbit, begin please.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>So, at what age you decide you wanted to be a
musician, Kim? And what were your early musical influences?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">hmmm, let me see… I went shopping with my
mom at the local department stores when I was 5 years old, sat down at
the organ section of the store (yes, there used to be an “organ section” at
department stores) and started to figure out songs on a little electronic
organ. My mother saw that, bought me that organ, which I still have.
Then about a year later, they bought a piano and started me with lessons. So,
you could say that my mom decided I was a musician long before I
did. I went on to play viola in the orchestra at school, and then
started playing organ in soul bands in Atlanta when I was around 13, and was
working steadily in bands by 15. My parents still wanted me to do
music as a hobby, but do something else professionally. A shift in
my thinking happened when I first moved to LA. I went to my
drummer’s house and met his father, who was a professional “side
man" musician. Back in Georgia I had met rock stars like Keith
Emerson, Greg Allman, Mark Farner, and knew a lot of dudes in the
local bands, but I had never met a working, professional “side
man.” Looking back, that one meeting had a big influence on me.....
it allowed me to visualize that I could work in recording studios; not BE the
star, but work with big artists, and still have a balanced life somehow. Until
that moment, I did not know that scenario even existed. Once you
visualize something, you can make it happen, and I think that meeting helped
put me on a path that I have followed since. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Regarding early influences, my early
musical influences stemmed from what I was exposed to living in the South… southern
soul and gospel music. I have some relatives in the ministry in the deep
south, and the sound of a Hammond organ and a Baldwin piano rocking out to
Baptist hymns in a hot, sweaty, country church feels like home to me.
I like playing at church. I actually have a few churches in LA
that I sneak in to when they are empty and play. Other than that, the
first bands I played in did covers of James Brown, Otis Redding, and
Motown stuff, then later bands I was in played Yes, ELP, Grand Funk, Deep
Purple, Bloodrock, Spirit, Jethro Tull, Led Zepplin, Hendrix… all that
kind of stuff. A big influence on me was Keith Emerson. He was the
coolest. I was lucky enough to have him give me an impromptu piano lesson
after their concert when I was about 15 (lets just say they had bad security
after the show), and something clicked after meeting him; I felt it in my core…
I felt like I was supposed to do this. Fast forward 30 years, ELP
was on the bill on a festival tour through Europe that we did with Art
Garfunkel, so I got to thank Keith; but I never got a second piano lesson from
him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>You began playing with bands at an early
age but the best decision for you was, maybe, go to L.A. Why this decision?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was not a decision, per se, it just kind
of happened. I lived in Atlanta, where I grew up, and I was in a
band there as a teenager. Frank Zappa was playing in town, and his keyboard
equipment broke. The local promoter knew I had decent gear, so they
called, and I rented them my gear. Zappa’s manager, Herb Cohen, came
to pick it up while my band was finishing a rehearsal. They liked
what they heard, wanted to hear more songs, so we played a few more.
They thought our singer was a star (which he was), and decided to sign him
and bring him to Los Angeles. The singer negotiated to bring me along with
him. Bless him. I think that was actually the first time
I ever flew in a plane. This was late 1972. So that is how I ended
up in California. There is a great deal more to that story, but that is the
short answer. I am glad it happened... my life would be completely
different if not for that one event; Zappa's broken Leslie speaker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>You became touring keyboardist for Crosby
Stills and Nash band from 1977 onward, and joined Poco’s band when they were
once again a quintet, back in 1978. Also you collaborated with Yes; Peter, Paul
and Mary; Tori Amos; Weird Al Yankovic; Art Garfunkel; Julieta Venegas, to name
a few. What about all those experiences?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">wow.. that is too broad of a question. I
could write a book on each one of those experiences..I don't know how to narrow
that question down......except to say that, yes, I have had the chance to make
music with some amazing people. Every experience was a gift, and I learned a
lot from all of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 15.95pt;">You were also involved in the producing of
such successful soundtracks, like “10 Things I Hate About You”, “Wedding
Planner” or “Karate Kid III”, and you have credits on Disney’s “Tarzan” and
“Country Bears”. What are the essential elements you need to make a great
soundtrack record? Is there any difference between recording a soundtrack album
than an original one?</b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 15.95pt;">Hey, you left out one my proudest
moments... producing "Freedom Isn't Free" for “Team
America, World Police.” We did that live, in one take, in my studio
in Tarzana !!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love doing songs and music for movies,
because the song has a specific purpose it is supposed to do. It has
a job. The confinement of assignment makes decisions much easier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But your question was, how is it different…
Technically speaking, for a soundtrack, we deliver separate sub mixes (stems)
so the film mixing engineer can place music into the movie mix better,
especially if there is competing dialog and background effects. We
use various forms of limiting and mastering when delivering a stereo mix for a
CD, but music for film seems to work better with a wider dynamic range, so we
use limiting differently, more sparingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 15.95pt;">Maybe you know I have here in AllSongsList
a Comittee of Experts. That’s a list of ten eltonites from 10 countries which I
asked things related to Elton, just to create a current opinion from fans
theyself. I invited for this interview one of them, Wim Greven, from Holland, and he
wants to ask you some questions, Kim, do you mind? Wim, you’re ready? Go on,
then:</b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>How it feels to step into the Elton John
band after such the great loss of Guy Babylon? Was it a difficult decision for
you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The decision itself was not
hard. When asked to play music with such a great band, and with an
icon like Elton, the answer is always going to be ‘yes’……after
that, you figure out how to make it all work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible, so I did a lot of
homework on my own, trying to limit the amount of rehearsal the band
would have to do. I figured that was a way for me to serve the
situation. Davey really stepped up as band leader during that very
rough time and handled everything in a super cool way; he set me up for
success, and I am very grateful to him for that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Guy Babylon was a fine musician, a lovely
guy with a wonderful family, and he meant a lot to everyone. His loss put
this touring family into shock… people were grieving. I was aware that
different people have different grieving processes, and I was aware that my
presence would trigger some sadness for some people. There was
nothing I could do about that except be compassionate towards everyone, knowing
that if they were not particularly outgoing towards me, that they were probably
having a difficult time with the situation, not with me personally. All I focused
on was how to be of service to Elton, the crew, the band, everybody, so I kept
suiting up and showing up and tried to be professional. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The other side of that, the good thing
about having Guy precede me, was that he took the keyboard parts to Elton’s
songs to a very high level. He did this job for a long
time. I got to use that experience, and add my own touches as I went
along. If I shine at all up there, it is because he lit
the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<b>How did you manage to learn the songs of Elton in such a short period of
time? </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Endless repetition. I set
up a duplicate of Elton’s touring keyboard rig and played along to a show that
Bob Birch gave to me. Bob was an enormous help, too; he followed up
with me all the time to make sure I had everything I needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Also, I had Tony Smith, the keyboard tech,
helping me out. As you might expect, Elton has the best touring crew
in the business, and Tony has been there for a long time. He
constantly does work on the keyboards, updating things, programming
sounds, etc. He was a calming, positive influence as I was trying to assimilate
into the organization. He makes my job easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>And how did the band members responded to
you after the first performance?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were extremely generous. I
was horrified, because, having never rehearsed with the full production of the
Red Piano show, I missed some technical cues. It was just
one or two small things, but my expectation was that I should do it perfectly,
so I thought the world was going to end. But the guys in the band, and
Elton, were all totally cool…. I got the cues right by the next show, but, man,
there was a lot to stuff to remember on that first show. Also,
having Elton John right in front of you for the first time, playing songs you
grew up with, is kind of an out-of-body experience. It
was very disorienting; I did not know what planet I was on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Is it a big difference to play in a band
like Crosby, Stills Nash & Young or do it with Art Garfunkel, in comparing
with Elton’s band?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.9pt;">Those three acts are very different
musically, but I think the most different thing about those experiences for me,
personally, is the time period they happened in. Whatever you do in
your 20’s is going to seem a lot different than if you were doing the same
thing in your 40’s, and the first time you do something is always more exciting
than the 100th time. Regarding the time period, music meant
something different to people in the 60’s and 70’s; it was more socially
relevant. In the 70’s when I toured with Crosby Stills and Nash,
there was still an afterglow of the idealism from the 60’s permeating
everything around that camp, which stemmed from the music itself, which was
anti-establishment, activist, hippie music, with direct lineage to 1969
San Francisco, summer of love, Laurel Canyon, all of that. Graham and David
still had houses in San Fransisco. Think about the lyrics to
“Wooden Ships”, “Ohio,” or “For What Its Worth.” That music was attached
to a huge generational and political sea change that happened from 1969 through
1972, which gave music, and that band in particular, a cultural relevance that
not a lot of music has had since. It was a different time. And of
course, I was young then, so it all had a huge impact on me.
Joni Mitchell would come around, as did Judy Collins… James Taylor or Art
Garfunkel would drop in to visit David and Graham, Ted Kennedy would come hang
with Steven… we actually did a stadium tour with the Grateful Dead at one
point. That’s a lot of hippies!! Everyone’s stories were
captivating for me. Crosby was tight with Janis Joplin when she was
alive, so she and Jimi Hendrix were talked about as if they were still alive….
it was all heady stuff for a 22 year old kid from Georgia.
My life through that time period was like watching a really cool
movie, but also being in the movie. Also, while there was love
between the three guys, there was also a great deal of volatility, and there
was more decadent, crazy stuff going on than I had ever seen, so it all had a
big impact on me. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I started touring in the mid 70’s with
Veronique Sanson in France. Playing music, rock and roll touring,
was a counterculture enterprise then. The rebellious nature in the
music was reflected in the touring business itself. I remember lots
of suitcases filled with cash… concert promotors were more like
wildcatters. There was the settlement that happened after the show
in the back room… you never know if the promoter would try to get
out of his commitments, maybe draw a gun. People in rock and roll were
more like pirates; touring reflected the spirit of the music of the time; it
was a subculture, like a drug deal, in a way.. it was not Wall Street and
accountants. In France, with Vero, gypsies would rent us
tents to do concerts in, and then grab Vero by the throat at knifepoint to try
to settle some difference they had with the promoter. I remember our promotor
smashing a bottle of wine and holding the broken glass to someone’s face to
settle a score. Needless to say, that stuff doesn’t happen with Elton…. well, at
least I haven’t seen it!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back to your question, about the
differences, musically one difference is that with CSN, they intentionally
under-rehearsed. We hit the road playing big arenas, and I
literally had never played about a third of the songs with them
before. They just figured I knew them. They liked the idea that the
show was on the edge a bit, that anything might happen; they never wanted to be
on auto-pilot, they kind of liked the rush of keeping things fresh…. its
probably why they did not tour very much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But what all of the acts you mention
have in common is they have fantastic set lists. As far quality and the
enduring nature of songs, Bridge over Troubled Water, Sounds of Silence, Mrs.
Robinson, are right up there with Elton John songs as some of the best songs
ever written. These are songs that will be around long after all of us are
gone. So that was the same... I got to play some of the best songs
ever written by working with all the people I have worked with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But really, you can't compare anybody with
Elton John. He is mega. What is different is how much energy Elton
has, and frankly, how loud it is. It is a full blown rock show. With
Art, the stage volume is VERY low. On a loudness scale of 1-10, with Art, we danced
in and explored the nuances between 1 and 2 every night. It was all about
extreme sensitivity and subtlety. We had fantastic pool of musicians
on that gig including drummers like Steve Gadd and Tommy Igoe, so playing
really soft worked, and it gave room for Art to use his incredible voice the
way it should be used. Those shows sounded fantastic. With
Elton, we START where most bands finish, on 10, and then go up from
there. He comes out on fire and you just have to hang on for the ride. Elton is
a monster. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have to add something here; Everyone
knows that he does a great deal of philanthropic work that he is public about,
the AIDS foundation, etc, but what I have seen in the time I have
been involved with him, is that he does good things for people all the time,
quietly, without fanfare, as well. I have seen that he cares deeply for the
people around him, and that he is generous with his time and resources in ways
that no one will ever read about. This is when you see someone’s
true character. So yes, I am lucky to get to play music with Elton,
and I would certainly be here just for the music. But I am truly
blessed because in addition to being a great songwriter, performer, and all of
that, he is a good man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sorry, I’m talking a lot… and getting a
little off track.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the next question?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Is it true that you also played with Helen
Reddy? She's one of my favourite artists too. Such a beautiful recognizable
voice, hasn’t she?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes she does, a fantastic voice, but your
detective work is off there, Wim. I never worked with Helen
Reddy.. I did do some intense work with Bette Midler for a bit, and
I worked with Cher, Oliva Newton John, Rita Coolidge, and some other pop female
artists kind of like Helen Reddy, but never Helen Reddy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21.2666664123535px;">Thank you Wim. </b><br />
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 15.95pt;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 15.95pt;">Kim: have you been an Elton fan before?
Remember the first time you heard Elton’s music and what moves you to buy his
music, in that case?</b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have always been an Elton fan. First and
foremost, he made it cool to be a piano player. He gave us all hope!
But what moved me about Elton, as a fan, is that there is a certain “cry”
in his voice, in his soul, that connected with me, and of course with millions
of other people.. No matter what he sings, you believe what he is
saying. He touches people. And there was just this energy
about where he was coming from; he had such commitment to what he was doing,
that it forced you to pay attention. I loved his phrasing. People might
not categorize Elton as a “soul” singer, per se, because he is a
white British dude, but he is a very soulful singer. The way he
phrases, comes off notes, is like the great soul singers… like Ray Charles.
There are certain moments on stage where I imagine he IS Ray Charles, which is
really fun for me, because that means I get to imagine that I’m Billy
Preston!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was a big fan of the band, too, the whole
package of the early Elton stuff... Elton, Nigel, Dee, and Davey hit
some high plateaus of creative synergy together. I loved the fact that the guys
who played live were the same guys who recorded with Elton. The whole unit, the
whole thing, had a great personality to it that was not lost on us
fans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Asking to Katy Rose about your
collaboration with her, producing her debut album, she said: “I've worked with
so many musicians and producers all across the spectrum, and I still always
chose him for the job when I need something to sound perfect". How’s
working with her? She’s a great and talented artist too. Also said: “Being his
daughter has definitely moulded me into the artist I am today”. Could you quote
on her, Kim?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DgwqOqHe3Yk/VQIjagv8lxI/AAAAAAAAJqU/Rs194bIMxaU/s1600/Kim%2Band%2Bkaty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DgwqOqHe3Yk/VQIjagv8lxI/AAAAAAAAJqU/Rs194bIMxaU/s1600/Kim%2Band%2Bkaty.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can’t begin to explain the intricacies of
that relationship, and I wouldn’t want to try. Getting the
opportunity to work with her has given me an unparalleled life experience, one
that most fathers don't get to experience, one that makes writing and creating
with other people seem a bit pale, because the experience with her has so many
layers to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But besides the fact that I have known her
since her first breath, on a professional level, I simply enjoy working
with her. She works fast, she’s a great lyricist, and has that ‘thing’ in
her voice, too… a quality in her voice that reaches people. My
daughter Madelyn has many unique talents, too... she is brilliant at everything
she does, and is one of the best people I know. I am humbled and
very blessed to get to share my life with both of them…and their
Mom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am always excited to work with Katy,
because I respect real artists, and that is what she is; always has been.
She is working on an EP right now, that should be coming out
soon. I hope you get to check it out. You can ‘like’ her and follow
her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KatyRoseMusicOFFICIAL">https://www.facebook.com/KatyRoseMusicOFFICIAL</a> and also get info on <a href="http://katyrosemusic.com/" target="_blank">Katyrosemusic.com.</a>
Also, I think she has just started putting up videos on <a href="http://youtube.com/OFFICIALkatyrose" target="_blank">YouTube.com/OFFICIALkatyrose</a> . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Could you explain something about your
future projects with Elton’s band, Kim?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are doing some recording projects with
Elton right now, as a matter of fact. It is all going really well…
we were in the studio for a few weeks recently, had a great time, and
came up with some great music. I don’t know what will ultimately happen, or
when new material will come out, but Elton is a very creative guy, likes to
keep moving forward, so I’m sure something will be announced soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Apart from music, which are your interests?
What you like to do with your off time?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It might not sound true, but in all
seriousness, I don’t have off time. I am always busy.. I try to hang
on to my health, I do yoga whenever I can.. for fun I look at old footage of
great B3 players like Jimmy Smith on Youtube, and I try to spend time with my
friends and family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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 Elton’s songs
ever?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I need You to Turn to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where to now St peter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tiny Dancer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Madman Across the Water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Friends <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Thanks so much Kim. A truly great experience.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a pleasure talking with you, Miguel.
Elton has the best fans. I look forward to seeing you at a show soon.</span></span><br />
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Sure. And yes Elton has best fans because he is the greatest and has the best band he could wish. Thanks again Kim Bullard, hope you enjoyed the Week Of... We are so expected to see your work and your credits on the new album. God Bless You!!!</b></span></span><br />
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Oh, before you go, we have some guests here, they would love to share something with you:</b></span></span><br />
<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Kim is a great guy and excellent musician/producer. I give him my best" (<b>Jimmy Z</b>,<i style="font-size: small;"> </i>musician, </span><span style="line-height: 15.95pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">has appeared and acted in the movies “Georgia,”
“The Doors,” “Wild at Heart,” and “The Shrink Is In”, as well as concert films
with Rod Stewart, Tom Petty, the Eurythmics, Jaguares, and Etta James)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="CA"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 21.2666664123535px;"><i>Kim Bullard Photographed by Brian Powers, courtesy of Kim Bullard</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 21.2666664123535px;"><i>Katy Rose picture with Kim Bullard courtesy of Katy Rose</i></span></span></div>
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Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892553891218744366.post-21099708152685052112015-03-13T15:59:00.000-07:002015-03-14T04:31:28.981-07:00Kim Bullard in Music Charts<em style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Kim Bullard's biography spans 40 years of career. It's quite difficult to select some of the albums that got impact enough on the music charts, because it is a vast discography, full of collaborations with the most renowned artists. You know that music chart results doesn't mean that an album has more quality than another, and also, you know Jack Rabbit's interest in music charts, so, that's just a selection of a few succesful albums:</span></em><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QB_nyTkdOSI/VQIcxwfh4hI/AAAAAAAAJps/Pbfsb0TrTMI/s1600/poco-blue_and_gray_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QB_nyTkdOSI/VQIcxwfh4hI/AAAAAAAAJps/Pbfsb0TrTMI/s1600/poco-blue_and_gray_a.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">1981</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">Poco</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;">Blue And Grey</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Credited: Keyboards, vocals</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 26 Norway</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 27 Sweden</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QsYW8TxTJBU/VQP-ul6QEzI/AAAAAAAAJqo/wNBxU_TQt_s/s1600/220px-Rightbyyouss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QsYW8TxTJBU/VQP-ul6QEzI/AAAAAAAAJqo/wNBxU_TQt_s/s1600/220px-Rightbyyouss.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">1984</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Stephen Stills</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>Right by You</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Credited: Keyboards</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 75 US</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M2uujJa3B4E/VQP_UuhinoI/AAAAAAAAJqw/DWZdA6kuSr0/s1600/Yes_-_1987_-_Big_Generator_(CD_edition).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M2uujJa3B4E/VQP_UuhinoI/AAAAAAAAJqw/DWZdA6kuSr0/s1600/Yes_-_1987_-_Big_Generator_(CD_edition).jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">1987</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Yes</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>Big Generator</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Keyboards, Programming</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 15 US</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y66eD3ID6VM/VQQEDqB8UnI/AAAAAAAAJrQ/yk3hQ3ttbgw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y66eD3ID6VM/VQQEDqB8UnI/AAAAAAAAJrQ/yk3hQ3ttbgw/s1600/1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1989</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>The Doobie Brothers</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>Cycles</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Keyboards</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 17 US</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 32 New Zealand</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 44 Australia</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 69 Holland</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zexQNEK55g/VQQFHSoFq1I/AAAAAAAAJrc/0L9w1LeBljk/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zexQNEK55g/VQQFHSoFq1I/AAAAAAAAJrc/0L9w1LeBljk/s1600/2.jpg" height="197" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1990</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>Cheap Trick</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>Busted</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Keyboards</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 36 Australia</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 48 US</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSNLU1UVoyk/VQIcABf2EjI/AAAAAAAAJpk/OyKeaX3EFf4/s1600/brigade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSNLU1UVoyk/VQIcABf2EjI/AAAAAAAAJpk/OyKeaX3EFf4/s1600/brigade.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">1990</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">Heart</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;">Brigade</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Credited: Additional Keyboards</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 2 Sweden</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 3 US</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 3 UK</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 6 Japan</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 7 New Zealand</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 11 Australia</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NnbeEA3kKGI/VQQFmxBugEI/AAAAAAAAJrk/m74dXX76aLM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NnbeEA3kKGI/VQQFmxBugEI/AAAAAAAAJrk/m74dXX76aLM/s1600/3.jpg" height="199" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">1991</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Richard Marx</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>Rush Street</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Credited: Keyboards</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 7 UK</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 11 Australia</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 12 Norway</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 17 Switzerland</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 31 New Zealand</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 35 US</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLElXzTjWyk/VQQG5geLT5I/AAAAAAAAJrw/uRYbyEZc6x0/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLElXzTjWyk/VQQG5geLT5I/AAAAAAAAJrw/uRYbyEZc6x0/s1600/4.JPG" height="200" width="198" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">1991</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>White Lion</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>Mane Attraction</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Keyboards, Organ (Hammond), Synthesizer</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 31 UK</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 61 US</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 25.6000003814697px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 25.6000003814697px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 25.6000003814697px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JiNJ7_cW-Mc/VQQHyipS5JI/AAAAAAAAJr4/QvpUBdx75u0/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JiNJ7_cW-Mc/VQQHyipS5JI/AAAAAAAAJr4/QvpUBdx75u0/s1600/5.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 25.6000003814697px;">1991</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Belinda Carlisle</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>LIve Your Life Be Free</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Keyboards</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 7 UK</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 21 Sweden</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 32 Japan</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 73 US</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e43FEz-gMGI/VQQJR0oim4I/AAAAAAAAJsE/gXt1Gx6_dVA/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e43FEz-gMGI/VQQJR0oim4I/AAAAAAAAJsE/gXt1Gx6_dVA/s1600/6.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1998</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>Bette Midler</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>Bathhouse Betty</i></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Arranger, Keyboards, Piano</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 32 US</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 68 Germany</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f85cWuF43vM/VQQKMyEovMI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/3pr2Y4Qy7Kk/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f85cWuF43vM/VQQKMyEovMI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/3pr2Y4Qy7Kk/s1600/7.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1999</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>Phil Collins</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>Tarzan</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Programming, Track Programmer</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 5 US</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 6 Germany</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 9 France</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 9 Austria</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DwkE41NPdUw/VQQLn8oDkWI/AAAAAAAAJsc/KtX5TwbUqvY/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DwkE41NPdUw/VQQLn8oDkWI/AAAAAAAAJsc/KtX5TwbUqvY/s1600/8.jpg" height="196" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">2002</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>Maná</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>Revolución de Amor</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Keyboards</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 22 US</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 23 Germany</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 24 Italy</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 59 Spain</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOfnH1JxICE/VQIgcBRyptI/AAAAAAAAJqI/n5MRLvL8LjI/s1600/220px-Because_I_Can.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOfnH1JxICE/VQIgcBRyptI/AAAAAAAAJqI/n5MRLvL8LjI/s1600/220px-Because_I_Can.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">2004</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>Katy Rose</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>Because I Can</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Arranger, Composer, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Mixing, Producer, Programming, String Arrangements</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 34 US Heatseekers Albums</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 100 France</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CT5YDTkocbY/VQQNKKFZgNI/AAAAAAAAJsw/wqufGo9Ql6w/s1600/8.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CT5YDTkocbY/VQQNKKFZgNI/AAAAAAAAJsw/wqufGo9Ql6w/s1600/8.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">2009</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>Kally Clarkson</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>All I Ever Wanted</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Keyboards, Programming</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 1 US</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 2 Canada</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 2 Australia</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 3 SouthAfrica</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 3 UK</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 4 Germany</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24ULmd4VIIE/VQQOB1ZPBDI/AAAAAAAAJs4/NNvfx2ijXNU/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24ULmd4VIIE/VQQOB1ZPBDI/AAAAAAAAJs4/NNvfx2ijXNU/s1600/9.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">2010</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>Santana</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>Guitar Heaven. The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Keyboards, Programming</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 1 Poland</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 3 Portugal</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 3 Canada</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 5 US</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 9 France</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Number 15 UK</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0r5pp0BX3rQ/VQIdzJFLrsI/AAAAAAAAJp0/fggbfiaNOzg/s1600/220px-Alpocalypse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0r5pp0BX3rQ/VQIdzJFLrsI/AAAAAAAAJp0/fggbfiaNOzg/s1600/220px-Alpocalypse.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">2011</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">"Weird Al" Yankovic</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;">Alpocalypse</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credit</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">ed:</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">keyboards on "Stop Forwarding That Crap To Me"</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 9 US</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 13 Canada</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 28 Australia</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6YUxg9J4U8/VQIevJI0vlI/AAAAAAAAJp8/86x3vRhXC5g/s1600/220px-Kelly_Clarkson_-_Stronger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6YUxg9J4U8/VQIevJI0vlI/AAAAAAAAJp8/86x3vRhXC5g/s1600/220px-Kelly_Clarkson_-_Stronger.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">2011</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">Kelly Clarkson</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;">Stronger</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Credited: Keyboards</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 3 Australia</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 5 UK</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 6 New Zealand</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 8 Ireland</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 12 Switzerland</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QkOEFfQ8yxI/VQQOz1zM2JI/AAAAAAAAJtA/Hzs-9oVsN8I/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QkOEFfQ8yxI/VQQOz1zM2JI/AAAAAAAAJtA/Hzs-9oVsN8I/s1600/10.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">2012</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Colbie Caillat</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><i>Christmas In The Sand</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Credited: Keyboards, Programming</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Number 41 US</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Special mentions:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KnEiI9m-Ck/VQQCsWUpEbI/AAAAAAAAJrE/LIhvqAeY3b8/s1600/6_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KnEiI9m-Ck/VQQCsWUpEbI/AAAAAAAAJrE/LIhvqAeY3b8/s1600/6_0.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1978</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>Veronique Sanson</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><i>Hollywood</i></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Credited: Vocals</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.0049991607666px;">Musical director of the album by the original singer of the song </span><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18.0049991607666px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Amoureuse</strong><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.0049991607666px;"> (later covered by Kiki Dee)</span></i></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FZe1p3OLtA/VQQB0plVNmI/AAAAAAAAJq8/eVqVN4WghHM/s1600/220px-Ykanttoriread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FZe1p3OLtA/VQQB0plVNmI/AAAAAAAAJq8/eVqVN4WghHM/s1600/220px-Ykanttoriread.jpg" height="198" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">1988</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>Y Kant Tori Reed</b></span></span><br />
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Y Kant Tori Reed</span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">Credited: Composer, Keyboards, Piano, Producer, Programming</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> Band fronted by then-unknown singer </span><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">and songwriter Tori Amos</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></i></span>
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">More info on <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kim-bullard-mn0000099962/credits">allmusic.com</a></span></i>Jackrabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04997846029131010337noreply@blogger.com0