Comments for John, Elton, Tumbleweed Connection

Probably one of Elton's all-time best, and one of his most underrated. There are no top-40 hits here (!) but plenty of incredible trademark Elton songs that should have been. This is a western-themed album, with Elton doing his first bona fide experimentation. ONe of the best he ever did, IMHO.

This album is one of Elton's most consistent musically. He establishes a definite sound that identifies the tracks as "Tumbleweed" songs. The mesh of Taupin's lyrics and Elton's melodies are close to perfect (if not perfect), and Elton captures the Western feel with the melodies and the instrumentation. The simple feel of the album allows the musicians to groove more, and Elton's voice displays an engaging energy and freshness, as well as a truly soulful quality. This is the work of a purist; and it is a sound that I long to hear from Elton again.

One of Elton's stronger efforts. Side one is wonderful, starting off strong with Ballad of a Well Known Gun. Other highlights include Amoreena (terrific lyrics), My Father's Gun, and Talking Old Soldiers. The Wetern, almost Band-like, songwriting, although a bit obvious at times (John and Taupin ARE English after all), the strength of the songwriting more than makes up. If only Burn Down the Mission rocked as hard on the album as it does live. But, oh well!!!

re: Talking old soldier: I would like to find the piano sheet music for this song. I have contacted music stores, and am told that it is not in print., or has never been in print. Question: How can I get in touch with source for the music to this song? Thanks.

I love this album--however--who knows exactly how many times the dominant colour of the jacket has been changed?! Vinyl copies were tinted brown and bronze shades, cassettes in the US were black and white, CD jackets were goldish and the remastered version is a tart yellow!! Good album though, I love it with the bonus tracks--a good idea. A very ambitious release for such a young pair of songwriters--not one song was intended to be a hit single. Perhaps it was this innocent modesty that made Elton John and Bernie Taupin the success they were and continue to be.

Come Down In Time is beautiful and real. One of my faves. Love Song isn't bad if not a little cliched. Besides that, it's nothing special.

Undoubtedly one of his finest works. Not enough younger fans have heard this album to truly realize the versatility and depth of he and Taupin's work. I remember buying Tumbleweed Connection on 8-track in '71. None of my buddies knew who the hell he was. I told them, "one day this guy's gonna be really big". I've never been right about much, but my friends agree that I nailed that prediction. I just saw him in concert a week ago in Nashville.(1/23) He is still a master showman of the highest caliber.

this is the definite high water mark of elton''s earliest period.there''s not one bad song on the album.granted the self indulgence level of this psuedo-concept album can be a little hard to take. bernie and elton took the old west to it''s rose coloured extreme . great songs like these can''t be held down and that''s the bottom line.

I was lucky enough to be a teenager in the 70's when Elton was putting out album after album, and this album together with the Elton John album and Madman Across the Water, are a supberb package of brilliantly produced work. I am glad I was alive during this period.

Oh yeah, what an album. Goes well with the Elton John & Madman Across the Water offerings. Paul Buckmaster and Gus Dudgeon were cooking with gas on all these recordings. Flawless production throughout.