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Elton John 1970-1976 Possibly the Greatest output of any artist Next to the Beatles. During those years Elton Released 15 albums, including 2 double albums. Whether u like elton or not, these facts and numbers cant be pushed aside, this time period was much more Competitive just for the mere Quality of their music, sure there are more people putting stuff out now, but back then the stuff was actually really good. I think to further Eltons numbers, you have to also point out that from 1969-1999 Elton had at least one top 40 hit per year, almost doubling Elvis presley who was the next closest, after that no one has been able to get past 10 years. Of course people say well the Music Elton makes now isnt as good as back then, I mean how can U compare Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to Songs From the West Coast, for their time period they were the best, u cant compare. Its also important to note that Elton Had to Put albums out so quick because his contract called for 2 per year back then, in 1971 Elton had 4 Albums Released. Its also noted that Artists back then were almost required to put out one album per year to KEEP THEIR MUSICAL ABILITIES IN TACT, I think this is why U had so many more Talented artists in those days coming out, because they worked at their craft. I would also go on to say that the TAUPIN/JOHN writing team is the best ever, I would put it past Lennon and McCartney, mainly because they really werent a team, I mean do u really think Lennon Helped write YESTERDAY and McCartney Helped write I AM THE WALRUS.
I think Each decade has their "IT" artist I would Say the 50's would be ELVIS, the 60's The Beatles, the 70's Would be ELTON, the 80's its between MADONNA and MICHAEL and the 90's, Probably MARIAH just on mere output, almost an album a year and 15 number ones, this Decade well, I dont know if their has been an "IT" artist.... "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
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I agree,Elton released some amazing music during that period.His 70s output is just superb.My favorite album of his is 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' (1973). | |
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He's definitely got the pop market locked. But I wouldn't say that he dominates the decade above and beyond Bowie, Stevie and Joni. | |
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GangstaFam said: He's definitely got the pop market locked. But I wouldn't say that he dominates the decade above and beyond Bowie, Stevie and Joni.
Well thats a great point, because I dont even think that "markets" existed back then like they do today. "Bennie and The Jets" was a #1 RB song and He performed it on Soul Train!! And obviously Stevie is in the Category of RB but his "play" was all over. The thing is im not saying He dominated, because all of those artists had similar ouputs, mainly Stevie, im just pointing out how that kind of output will never happen again. "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
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lastdecember said: Well thats a great point, because I dont even think that "markets" existed back then like they do today. "Bennie and The Jets" was a #1 RB song and He performed it on Soul Train!! And obviously Stevie is in the Category of RB but his "play" was all over. The thing is im not saying He dominated, because all of those artists had similar ouputs, mainly Stevie, im just pointing out how that kind of output will never happen again.
Seems that way. It's remarkable that Prince has been able to sustain that kind of output beyond his first decade of critical acclaim and commercial success. | |
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The 'tumbleweed connection' is a personal favourite of mine. | |
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It's cool, I was just thinking to start a thread about Elton...  | |
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lastdecember said: Possibly the Greatest output of any artist Next to the Beatles. During those years Elton Released 15 albums, including 2 double albums. Whether u like elton or not, these facts and numbers cant be pushed aside, this time period was much more Competitive just for the mere Quality of their music, sure there are more people putting stuff out now, but back then the stuff was actually really good. I think to further Eltons numbers, you have to also point out that from 1969-1999 Elton had at least one top 40 hit per year, almost doubling Elvis presley who was the next closest, after that no one has been able to get past 10 years. Of course people say well the Music Elton makes now isnt as good as back then, I mean how can U compare Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to Songs From the West Coast, for their time period they were the best, u cant compare. Its also important to note that Elton Had to Put albums out so quick because his contract called for 2 per year back then, in 1971 Elton had 4 Albums Released. Its also noted that Artists back then were almost required to put out one album per year to KEEP THEIR MUSICAL ABILITIES IN TACT, I think this is why U had so many more Talented artists in those days coming out, because they worked at their craft. I would also go on to say that the TAUPIN/JOHN writing team is the best ever, I would put it past Lennon and McCartney, mainly because they really werent a team, I mean do u really think Lennon Helped write YESTERDAY and McCartney Helped write I AM THE WALRUS.
I think Each decade has their "IT" artist I would Say the 50's would be ELVIS, the 60's The Beatles, the 70's Would be ELTON, the 80's its between MADONNA and MICHAEL and the 90's, Probably MARIAH just on mere output, almost an album a year and 15 number ones, this Decade well, I dont know if their has been an "IT" artist.... I think we can't compare Music in the 70's and Music today... lol There were so many great talented artists during this time... I don't think he was the one and only "IT" artist in the 70's like you said... But he was one of the best... definitely... | |
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Good thread. I agree. Elton was in a "hit zone" during that period. The cosmos were on his side. All the planets lined up for Elton. He was so on fire during this time that even a duet with an unknown singer, Kiki Dee, was a hit. The only other person that could fuck with Elton during this time was Stevie. They both RULED the radio. SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
nammie "What BGZ says I believe. I have the biggest crush on him." http://ccoshea19.googlepa...ssanctuary http://ccoshea19.googlepages.com | |
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I remember liking Elton John to hit on some white chicks in high school (a common theme with me, this also happened with the Eagles and then later with the Gateful Dead) and I remember going to Hollywood Bowl and I remember thinking "This is some really gay stuff, here." Songs about Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland (via "GYBR") and fighting on Saturday Nite just don't mesh. Then the big outfest CAPTAIN FANTASTIC & THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY confirmed it.
The band he had during this period was pretty good, but the material got way too pop. Outside of "Your Song" I just don't enjoy listening to any of his stuff any more. (Might be something going on here cuz as those relationships broke up I got rid of all my Eagles and Grateful Dead records.) test | |
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I love a lot of Elton John's 1970s stuff. I didn't care for his 1980s stuff and I absolutely hated all his 1990s to present stuff. Andy is a four letter word. | |
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Bernie is the brains of the operation. a psychotic is someone who just figured out what's going on | |
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Stax said:
Bernie is the brains of the operation. Semi-true, I think neither could function without the other at a Quality Level. Elton and Bernie did break for a about 18 months and thats when Elton cut records like "the Fox", also There is the whole Aida and Lion King stuff, I know its big, but Elton and Disney, I cant take it. As for Bernie, he recorded an album or two in the later 80s, remember them.... didnt think so, classic tracks like "the Flag", anyway, you get the point. It must also be noted, some of the "shitty" material Elton did in the 80's is partly Bernies Fault too, Albums like "Leather Jackets" are lyrically AWFUL, but then there are good things on other 80's albums like "Breaking Hearts" and "too Low for Zero", so in that respect hes similar to "other" artists who have put out alot of albums for a long time period, some time it gets stale, but then you step away and listen to what other people think of you and then U come back with Classics like "Songs from the West Coast" and "Peachtree Road". "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
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vainandy said: I love a lot of Elton John's 1970s stuff. I didn't care for his 1980s stuff and I absolutely hated all his 1990s to present stuff.
His 70s stuff is GREAT.I have all of his 70s albums. I like some of his 80s stuff ("I'm Still Standing"..."Empty Garden") I never got into his 90s stuff at all,or anything released in the last five years. | |
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Ive recently got really into Elton, and his run from 1970-1976 was nothing short of brilliant. Albums like Tumbleweed Connection, Yellow Brick Road, Capt Fantastic (my favourite) & Blue Moves, are brilliant. I think its interesting to see peoples perception of Elton now, thanks to the Lion King, and some of his later output, and to contrast that with the kind of records he was making back then. Country, blues, rock, ballads, not to mention the innovative string arrangements, his albums had it all, which i think is what distinguishes him from most other acts. The perception and the reality simply do not match.
Ive like sporadic albums from that point, a couple from the 80's, some songs from the 90's, but his last two albums are among his best for me. A return to his roots, and some top quality songs to match. Anyone who's not checked them out really should do. People can remember him for his donald duck outfit, or his ridiculous camping up of everything, but he really does deserve to be respected as one of the best songwriters and performers we've seen in the last few decades. | |
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why all the hate for the lion king songs? i think 'can you feel the love tonight' and 'circle of life' are up there with his best | |
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DavidEye said:[quote] vainandy said: I love a lot of Elton John's 1970s stuff. I didn't care for his 1980s stuff and I absolutely hated all his 1990s to present stuff.
Tumbleweed Connection Honky Chateau Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy Caribou Don't Shoot the Piano Player His 70s stuff was amazing... I was a HUGE fan back then! My interest inhi music tapered in the 80s and 90s as well... but I still admire his musicianship and catalog of great music. Elton was recently on The Actor's Studio (which was surprising... guess Justin Timberlake was busy  ) with James Lipton - very good interview and he plays snippets of his greatest hits.VOTE....EARLY | |
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lastdecember said: Possibly the Greatest output of any artist Next to the Beatles. During those years Elton Released 15 albums, including 2 double albums. Whether u like elton or not, these facts and numbers cant be pushed aside, this time period was much more Competitive just for the mere Quality of their music, sure there are more people putting stuff out now, but back then the stuff was actually really good. I think to further Eltons numbers, you have to also point out that from 1969-1999 Elton had at least one top 40 hit per year, almost doubling Elvis presley who was the next closest, after that no one has been able to get past 10 years. Of course people say well the Music Elton makes now isnt as good as back then, I mean how can U compare Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to Songs From the West Coast, for their time period they were the best, u cant compare. Its also important to note that Elton Had to Put albums out so quick because his contract called for 2 per year back then, in 1971 Elton had 4 Albums Released. Its also noted that Artists back then were almost required to put out one album per year to KEEP THEIR MUSICAL ABILITIES IN TACT, I think this is why U had so many more Talented artists in those days coming out, because they worked at their craft. I would also go on to say that the TAUPIN/JOHN writing team is the best ever, I would put it past Lennon and McCartney, mainly because they really werent a team, I mean do u really think Lennon Helped write YESTERDAY and McCartney Helped write I AM THE WALRUS.
That's one hell of a paragraph.  The Normal Whores Club | |
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YES! Of course one CANNOT Do with GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD... So many hits what a Great album. I think Funeral FOR A FRIEND AND LOVE LIES BLEEDING is the ANTHEM OF ALL TIME AFTEr QUEEN'S WE WILL ROCK YOU/CHAMPIONS OF THe WORLD... BENNY AND THE JETSis my Favorite Favorite then you have THE BITCH Is BACK and I like Blue Moves and Captain Fantastic also. Elton Is GREAT!!! Great in Concert...  Does anyone NOT LIKE ELTON JOHN? | |
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15 records, really? He's one of those guys who it's hard to believe how good they were based on what they are today--Like Aerosmith or McCartney. [Edited 10/21/05 13:20pm] Check this song out at:
http://www.soundclick.com...tmusic.htm | |
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Great Elton songs from the 80s and 90s (warning: requires a really open mind, none of these were hits!)
Two Rooms at the End of the World (1980: 21 at 33) Heart in the Right Place (1981: The Fox) I Am Your Robot (1982: Jump Up) - Elton does new wave, weird.... Cold as Christmas (1983: Too Low for Zero) One More Arrow (1983: Too Low for Zero) Breaking Hearts ain't what it used to be (1984: Breaking Hearts) Slow Down Georgie (1984: Breaking Hearts) Cry to Heaven (1985: Ice on Fire) Candy by the Pound (1985: Ice on Fire) A Word in Spanish (1988: Reg Strikes Back) Heavy Traffic (1988: Reg Strikes Back) Stone's Throw from Hurtin (1989: Sleeping with the Past) Blue Avenue (1989: Sleeping with the Past) The Last Song (1992: The One) Belfast (1995: Made in England) Latitude (1995: Made in England) Of course, there were other good hit songs during this period. His 80s and some of his 90s work deserve to be re-evaluated critically. Of course, nothing he could do after that remarkable '70- '76 period could ever measure up! | |
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