Comments for John, Elton, Elton John

Very orchestral, dark, moody. Elton's voice is a young, high-pitched quaver. Actually the second album to be recorded (first was "Empty Sky," but this was released first in the US). Notable for "Your Song, (a *timeless EJ classic*), "Border Song," and "Take Me To The Pilot," but some of the other songs that never really got airplay are just as good: "Sixty Years On" and "The Greatest Discovery."

This CD is a real gem, because it is the first evidence of Elton really discovering his style. The ballads flow better than any of the material on Empty Sky, and the rockers, like Take Me to the Pilot and The Cage, adopt a raw sound. Most importantly, Elton sounds confident for the first time on these tracks, and his delivery makes his performance all the more credible. This album is a must-have, partly because of all the great material on it, and partly because it is a true benchmark of Elton's career.

Whatever you do--do not buy "Live In Australia" before buying this one. You'll never get into those LIA trax that appeared first on this album because the LIA are, of course, better.

i don't agree with anyone who believes that the songs from this album that are included on live in australia are better there. over the years i've discovered that this is a "mood' album by which i mean that to listen to the whole thing i have to be in the right mood. when i reach that state of mind i enjoy this disc immensely. that doesn't mean i won't take it out to hear individual songs. the greatest discovery is bernie's best lyric of all time and rock numbers like the cage and take me to the pilot kick even in the full orchestrated glory of paul buckmaster's arrangements.

This is one of my all time favorite albums by Elton John and Bernie Taupan. The Greatest Discovery makes me cry(I Love It)

The 2nd album .. and the first one containing top-ten-hits.Most songs are included also on the 1986-live-album "Elton John Live in Melbourne"

Great Album, leads onto Tumbleweed Connection and Madman Across the Water. These 3 albums featuring Paul Buckmaster's arrangements and Caleb Quaye's guitar work still stand tall today. Following this era Elton moved in to a more commercial pop -rock sound and became a super star with Rocket Man etc.