DISCLAIMER: This is my first review. I may seem like a n00b, maybe I am. But really, what do you have against me? Please do not flame if this is a bad review. I just want to try one because this is a very famous album and I am surprised no one has reviewed it yet. If I have ever flamed you, fine. Go ahead and pay me back. Being I don't think I ever have severly flamed anyone, I would just like to say that even though this is mx it would be nice if you would be nice. If you find this insulting because you don't think you would flame me, please don't flame me about it. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone yet, I hope I don't in any of this review. If I gave a song a 4 which should have been a 3, I am sorry. If I say the lyricism in a song is good, and you do not like it, please state your opinions below. If I do offend you in any way, please tell me without flaming. If you DO like this album and you buy it, and you don't like it, I am REALLY sorry. Please realise I am not trying to mislead you. And also, if you prefer to spell the name of the album "Goodbye YELLOW BRICK road" instead of YELLOWBRICK I am sorry. Once again, do not flame.
GOODBYE YELLOWBRICK ROAD (Released October 1973)
Length: 76 minutes 12 seconds (sorry if I am off by anything less than a second)
Label: MCA
Producer: Gus Dudgeon
Musicians
* Elton John - organ, piano, keyboard, electric piano, vocals, mellotron, farfisa organ
* Ray Cooper - percussion, tambourine
* Kiki Dee - background vocals
* Leroy Gomez - saxophone
* David Hentschel - synthesizer, keyboard
* Davey Johnstone - synthesizer, acoustic guitar, guitar, electric guitar, vocals, background vocals, slide guitar, Leslie guitar
* David Katz - violin
* Dee Murray - bass, background vocals
* Del Newman - orchestra
* Nigel Olsson - conga, drums, tambourine, background vocals
* Prince Rhino - speaker
Production
* Location: Chateau d'Hierouville (sorry if this is spelled wrong, I'm not trying to be racist against the French)
* Producer: Gus Dudgeon
* Engineer: David Hentschel
* Assistant engineers: Peter Kelsey, Andy Scott
* Tape operator: Barry Sage
* Orchestra contractor: David Katz
* Arranger: Del Newman
* Art direction: David Larkham, Michael Ross
* Artwork: David Larkham, Michael Ross
* Liner notes: Gus Dudgeon, John Tobler
Chart positions:
Pop albums: 1 in 1973
Billboard 200 (sorry if you call it THE Billboard 200): 114 in 1987
Tracks:
1. "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" - 11:08
2. "Candle in the Wind" - 3:50
3. "Bennie and the Jets" - 5:23
4. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" - 3:14
5. "This Song Has No Title" - 2:23
6. "Grey Seal" - 3:58
7. "Jamaica Jerk Off" - 3:39
8. "I've Seen That Movie Too" - 5:59
9. "Sweet Painted Lady" - 3:52
10. "The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-34)" - 4:24
11. "Dirty Little Girl" - 5:01
12. "All the Girls Love Alice" - 5:08
13. "Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock 'n Roll)" - 2:42
14. "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" - 4:54
15. "Roy Rogers" - 4:08
16. "Social Disease" - 3:44
17. "Harmony" - 2:45
Reviews:
This is most likely the most controversial part, so please do not flame. If you do, I will respect it, but I'll try not to upset anyone.
Funeral for a Friend: I'm gonna seperate this from its brother track. I find the blend of synthesizers and piano (I probably shouldn't be using adjectives, I'm sorry if I offend) amazing. Truly an innovation, expanding on the famous synth work of The Who's Who's Next, released in 1971. I am a keyboard player and find this to be a great standing ground for an electric ballad. 5/5 (I know that it's always controversial to give a 5 but I really love this track)
Love lies bleeding: A rare uptempo sad song, which can only be pulled off by a mind like Elton John's. This starts 4:55 into the first track, with the bumpy bassline carrying the synth strings through a chromatic scale. The lyric work is rarely recognized but I find it great. The bassline is what to look out for.
4.5/5
Candle in the Wind: (released as a single in 1991, reached #6 on The Billboard Hot 100) The largely popular salute to Marylin Monroe that is to this day the highest selling single ever. Taupin takes a lyrical risk in this song by actually using the name Marylin Monroe, as most songs do not do this. The guitar lick is highly recognizable, and the piano work is beautiful as usual.
4/5
Bennie and the Jets: The jazzy uptempo narrative about a "hot new band" with the world famous stutter and the infamous "fake live" concept that The Rolling Stones used in the past. The piano solo at 2:37 is rather standard by Elton John's standards. I am a fan of the sythwork starting at 3:43 and the effects it makes when using a stereo speaker system. One of my personal favorite songs.
4.5/5
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: (released as a single in 1973, hit #7 on the adult contemporary chart and #2 on the Pop Singles chart)
The best lyrical performance on the album with a perfectly added string section. Listen closely to hear the supporting synth parts. Elton John can no longer play this live because his throat surgery forbids him to sing falsetto. Altogether, this song may be a little short for my tastes, but with such great lyrics, it's easy to run out of ideas.
I'm REALLY sorry, but I want to give this a 5/5.
This Song has No Title: Starts out as what may fool you as an intense ballad, but the chorus proves to be a quirky attempt to experiment with some different tunes. Nothing particularly special here.
3.5/5
Grey Seal
Not a very famous piece, but the jumpy piano rhythm parts and arpeggios make this a strong forgotton track. The afterchorus shows this was another experimental song. The jam starting at 2:53 is perfect.
4/5
Jamaica Jerk-off
The keyboard's tone is perfect for the feel of the song, interesting back-up vocals and percussion section. A different approach to the common "Rock artist trying a Jamaican style" style"
(sorry if you like this track, I just have nothing else to say).
4/5
I've Seen that Movie too
Much different than the rest of the album, all piano based and no synth. The bass work is great, putting a groove into a song recognized for its beauty. The guitar tone in the solo is haunting and gives it the cinematic feel.
4.5/5
Sweet Painted Lady
Supposed to be a bar room swing, with some great additions of an accordian. Once again, there is some missing synths, but it's a good song in itself.
4/5
The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-34)
Really, I find this song bland. Just not a good Elton John song. Sounds like an attempt to make a more lively "no synth" song.
3/5
Dirty Little Girl
Recognizable guitar riff, some more nice bass work. One of John's better vocal performances regarding power in a slow song.
4/5
All the Girls Love Alice
Interesting use of guitars and percussion, truly an underrated track. I think it was a problem with recording, just in the sense that at some points the vocals seem lower in the mix. I love the ballad style chorus.
4/5
Your Sister can't twist
A rather odd twist song with some 80's style keyboards (even though it was made during the 70s lolzz) that reminds me of Crocodile Rock. The longer you listen, the more ridiculous it soumds.
3.5/5
Saturday Night's Alright
The bar anthem that brought a Jerry Lee Lewis approach to the piano with a Chuck Berry sing-along sense regarding the refrain. Often the show closer for his concerts, with a great solo at the end.
5/5
Roy Rogers
An attempt to work John's country side that would not be approached again until his 2004 album Peachtree Road shows that he likes experimenting, as he does w/ the whole album. If you want country though, look at Peachtree Road.
3.5/5
Social Disease
Banjo and Bird sounds make this song an aquired taste. I'll give this a 3.5/5 and leave it up to you.
Harmony
Great lyrics but seems to drawl music wise. Reminds me of a Barbara Streisand-type ballad. Not the perfect way to close this album.
3/5
Closing:
There's a reason this album had singles that went on to be hugely succesful. I don't usually say this so please don't flame me about this, but stick to the hits here, and check out the songs I called underrated. Now, if you think this is a good review, thanks, I reccomend this album for keyboard fans (and for some unexpectantly good bass work). I'm sorry, but I can't refund your money if you buy this and don't like it. You have every right to flame me and make my mx life miserable if I put you in this predicament.
~freakmeeko
