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Mick Ronson gives us a taste of what Sir Elton could sound like with a bluesy, Robin Trower-ish guitarist at his side. Filled with heartfelt, inspired, soulful, sometimes epic pieces. Tumbleweed is an early chef-d'oeuvre from the sometimes brilliant John/Taupin song writing collaberation. (I really wish EJ's career would've gone more in this direction). I haven't really cared much for anything he's released since 1975, but there's no sappy, glam-pop dribble here. Five huge stars for the alternate version of Madman Across the Water on this flawlessly remastered classic. He's called the original Connection "one of our most perfect albums", and with the addition of the Madman track, I hardily agree. Highly recommended.
I think listening to Tumbleweed Connection may just change your mind. Any fan of John would do well to add this to their collection.
It also represents the height (for me) of John's collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin. Tumbleweed Connection was John's third album and was initially released in 1970.
However, Tumbleweed Connection when taken as a whole is, in my opinion, a great album. Taupin was, by all accounts fascinated by life in the post-Civil War south and west.
The album did not spawn any `big hits' and none of the songs from Tumbleweed Connection have made it onto any compilation of John's greatest hits. I would also recommend Tumbleweed Connection to those who may be prone to dismissing John as simply a `performer'.
Tumbleweed Connection is a great CD, one of Elton John's Best. I highly recommend it.
It apparently created Bernie's interest in the old American west, as well as inspiring him to become a songwriter, so it is easy to see why he wanted Elton to record an album like this.This was only Elton John's third album, and only the second to make a significant impact at the time, although Empty sky eventually made the top ten in the American album charts in the mid-seventies. Songs with titles such as Country comfort, My father's gun, Ballad of a well-known gun, Talking old soldiers and Burn down the mission reinforce the album title and picture, showing clearly what this album is about. Nevertheless, it seems that lyricist Bernie Taupin was deeply impressed by the classic Marty Robbins song El Paso, one of the few songs that merit's the country and western tag that I so despise. Most people inextricably link western music with country music - incorrectly, because although there is some overlap, they are two distinctive genres. Of course, it's not the only rock `n' western album out there. None of these songs contain lyrics that are difficult or impossible to understand, as you'll occasionally find elsewhere.
This may have something to do with Bernie's enthusiasm for the subject matter.
Recording an album based entirely on images of the old American west could be seen as brave or foolish, but it was certainly effective, both artistically and commercially.
It's also the one song that just might have become a hit, had it been released as a single.
This Elton John album provides a perfect illustration of that difference, being a western album recorded as rock music.
Yet the album contains one song, simply titled Love song, which Bernie didn't write and which could have been recorded for any of Elton's albums.
The only flaw (if there is one) is that the album yielded no hit singles either in Britain or America, but that didn't matter.
The album went gold in America and did better in Britain than Elton's previous self-titled album that contained the huge international hit Your song.Despite the absence of a hit single, the songs are of a consistently high quality.
I first came across the song via a cover by Olivia Newton-John, but her version wasn't released as a single either.On subsequent albums, Bernie still sometime wrote lyrics inspired by the old American west, particularly on Blue moves, but this is the album in which his enthusiasm is given full rein.
Desperado, the classic Eagles album, is another and may well have been inspired by Tumbleweed connection.
I am always trying to expand my music knowledge and catalogue. This album has not left my side, and I do not plan for it to. What else can I say. I have not yet given it back. I highly recommend Elton's "Madman Across the Water" next. What I would not give to buy an album nowadays and have it completely take hold of me as this one did. the divided south.the new frontier.the countryside.the cattletown.the wilderness, and the riverbend.
Having said all of that, it would be in your best interest to listen to, and take in, this album. I am twenty-five years old. It has now become a staple of my "untouchables", my golden albums that I consider some of the best music ever written (joined by the likes of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Young, the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, etc). I borrowed Tumbleweed Connection from my dad, upon his high recommendation. (He missed it so much, he since bought another copy lol) I cannot explain the spirit of this album.it makes me nostalgic for a past generation that I was never a part of- not the 70's, when it was written, but for the old lawless west. Like this album. Pamela
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