Elton John "Tumbleweed Connection" 1970****

One could scarcely find a place less reminiscent of the Wild West than the Swinging London of  the late 60's-early 70's. And among British pop stars, few would make a less convincing gunslinger than Elton John. It was nevertheless the Old West that he tackled on his 3rd album, successfully combining his bar-room piano with The Band's monochrome Americana. Country, blues, rock and pop create an interesting melange and string arrangements enhance the cinematic feel produced by the lyrics. Opener "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun" is a southern rocker with a bluesy chorus that could have come straight from a Lynyrd Skynyrd album-no kidding! "Come Down in Time" is more typical John balladry, replete with oboe and strings, while "Country Comfort" has all the makings of classic country-if not for his accent, he could fool the folks down south he's one of them. Rod Stewart almost simultaneously released his own -raspy voiced and arguably more convincing- version."Son of Your Father" has some nice country harmonica and "My Father's Gun" finds Elton deep in his cowboy fantasy. "Where to Now St. Peter?" sports some baroque piano and soulful vocals and "Love Song" is a melancholic folk song with acoustic guitar. It is penned by Leslie Duncan and the album's sole cover. "Amoreena" is more upbeat country soul and "Talking Old Soldiers" paints a lively picture of an old veteran, not an easy feat for a young lyricist like Taupin. To really bring the lyrics to life, though, you might want to listen to soul veteran Bettye LaVette's version. Gospel-driven "Burn Down the Mission" is a concert favorite while (CD bonus track) "Into the Old Man's Shoes" is another Band-inspired number with bluesy guitar. This CD reissue also contains an absolutely epic early take of "Madman Across the Water". No Rick Wakeman prog keyboards in this one, but some killer heavy glam guitar by Bowie's guitarist Mick Ronson. Combine that with John's bluesy delivery and you have something verging on Bad Company or even Bolin-era Deep Purple. The Rolling Stone magazine considers "Tumbleweed Connection" one of the 500 best albums ever made. In my opinion it is just another strong link in a chain of flawless albums by young Elton John, notable for its unexpected country and Southern rock inflections. It is disconcerting when Elton John invites comparisons with Skynyrd and The Band, but that's part of the special charm of this album. That and, above all, Bernie Taupin's lyrical exploration of the Old West. Definatively his crowning moment.

**** for Ballad of a Well-Known Gun, Come Down in Time, Where to Now St. Peter?, Madman Across the Water

*** for Country Comfort, Son of Your Father, My Father's Gun, Love Song, Amoreena, Talking Old Soldiers,  Burn Down the Mission, Into the Old Man's Shoes