Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Empty Sky was followed by Elton John, a more focused and realized record that deservedly became his first hit. John and Bernie Taupin's songwriting had become more immediate and successful; in particular, John's music had become sharper and more diverse, rescuing Taupin's frequently nebulous lyrics. "Take Me to the Pilot" might not make much sense lyrically, but John had the good sense to ground its willfully cryptic words with a catchy blues-based melody. Next to the increased sense of songcraft, the most noticeable change on Elton John is the addition of Paul Buckmaster's grandiose string arrangements. Buckmaster's orchestrations are never subtle, but they never overwhelm the vocalist, nor do they make the songs schmaltzy. Instead, they fit the ambitions of John and Taupin, as the instant standard "Your Song" illustrates. Even with the strings and choirs that dominate the sound of the album, John manages to rock out on a fair share of the record. Though there are a couple of underdeveloped songs, Elton John remains one of his best records.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
From $10.83/month
Barry Morgan, DrumKit - Paul Buckmaster, StringArranger, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - Frank Clark, AcousticGuitar - Dave Richmond, BassGuitar - Clive Hicks, AcousticGuitar
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, Lyricist - Elton John, Composer, MainArtist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1995 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer - Ray Cooper, Tambourine - Nigel Olsson, Percussion, DrumKit - Steve James, Producer - Dee Murray, BassGuitar
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Paul Buckmaster, RecordingArranger - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 1970 This Record Company Ltd.
Album review
Empty Sky was followed by Elton John, a more focused and realized record that deservedly became his first hit. John and Bernie Taupin's songwriting had become more immediate and successful; in particular, John's music had become sharper and more diverse, rescuing Taupin's frequently nebulous lyrics. "Take Me to the Pilot" might not make much sense lyrically, but John had the good sense to ground its willfully cryptic words with a catchy blues-based melody. Next to the increased sense of songcraft, the most noticeable change on Elton John is the addition of Paul Buckmaster's grandiose string arrangements. Buckmaster's orchestrations are never subtle, but they never overwhelm the vocalist, nor do they make the songs schmaltzy. Instead, they fit the ambitions of John and Taupin, as the instant standard "Your Song" illustrates. Even with the strings and choirs that dominate the sound of the album, John manages to rock out on a fair share of the record. Though there are a couple of underdeveloped songs, Elton John remains one of his best records.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:50:42
- Main artists: Elton John
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: EMI
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 1995 Mercury Records Limited This Compilation ℗ 1995 This Record Company Ltd.
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.
Playlists