Comments for John, Elton, Blue Moves

Taupin's lyrics are sad and downbeat, but this album does not fail to please. Not a man to write predictably, Elton has often shown a remarkable knack for putting a twist on Taupin's lyrics, and "Blue Moves" contains much of this type of work. Songs like "If There's a God in Heaven (what's he waiting for?)" and "Between Seventeen and Twenty," with decidedly downbeat lyrics, have been given upbeat tempos and major-key melodies. However, most of this album is slow and in the minor key. The result is melancholy, but not depressing. In fact, it is amazing to note the many different melodies that Elton is able to create for the slew of ballads that are on this album. This album showcases Elton's writing capabilities and his maturing vocal style, and is one of my personal favorites.

Elton John--Blue Moves --Sorry seems to be the hardest word --Bite your Lip (Get up and dance!) Elton John's Blue Moves is at times brilliant (Tonight), pop-sensible (Sorry seems to be the hardest word), beautiful (Chameleon) and poignant (Idol). Unfortunately, the album is very uneven. Bite Your Lip (Get up and Dance!) is a great tune--but not when the title is repeated over and over for the last 3 plus minutes. Boogie Pilgrim and Blue Moves (title song) suffer the same extended fate in addition to the fact that both songs lack strong melody. After "sorry seems..." (the only top ten hit off the album in the US), much of side three is just tedious, depressing and flat. The strong songs "Crazy Water" and "If there's a God in heaven" do much better but return to the drawn out endings. "Where's the shoorah?" does much better as does "Theme for a non-existant TV series"--a creative piece--but neither can overcome the drawn out excesses of much of the album. A serious paring effort to make this a single album would have done Elton much better-particularly given that his superstar status had already peaked. Jim Hanson

This album is a weird mix of experimentation, reminiscence, and melancholy like no other. I call this the "marimba album," because EJ was building on the marimba sound he had begun on Rock of the Westies. There are a lot of unusual melodies here -- certainly uncommercial -- and somewhat unexpected from a man who was the greatest performer of the day. The lyrics are almost all depressing, hence the album's name (Bernie was going through a breakup), and music doesn't get much sadder than "Sorry Seems..." There are some dates-sounding uptempo numbers here, but the real gems of the album are the lush, complex arrangements that hearkened back to the Madman days (e.g. Tonight, a song that is probably one of EJ's most sophisticated songs ever, and Chameleon). In short, this is an album geared toward adults and serious fans. (It's almost the "Listen Without Prejudice" of his catalog.)

In reponse to Jim Hanson, #1, my copy of "Blue Moves" does not contain a song entitled "Blue Moves." Where can I find it? #2. re: Bite Your Lip, can you think of another 7+ minute song that set a record for straight weeks at #1 which also says nothing for the last half of the song other than repition of the title? O.K., so they also repeat the word "Na" eleven times in between each mention of the title. That in itself doesn't make it a bad song, does it?

There are some things about Elton John critics I don't understand. Through most of the 70's they dismissed him as a mimic or as a souless pop machine, capable of putting as much meaning into Solar Prestige A Gammon as into Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. Then he produced this gem, in which both his and Bernies sadness dripped form every groove of the album and the critics said it was wallowing in pathos, had no hooks. Anybody who couldn't hear the hooks didn't listen to it more than once because over time they get under your skin in a big way. While I admit that this album makes me grateful that cds are programmable (there are a few clinkers and had this been a single album it might be his best), this is a record I will never stop listening to. With repeated listenings, almost every song will bring its own pleasures. However, for the first time listener, check out the drums on One Horse Town, the third verse of Crazy Water, everything about Between 17 & 20 (but especially the second verse - "its just to wash away" - and the extended closing. Tonight is special because Bernies lyric is so poignant and that was the last great song like that that Elton wrote (sorry fans of Belfast) - not that anybody else writes them. If your buy this album, there won't be many in your collection you will appreciate more. But you should wait until the Rocke Records Remaster comes out. Its rumoured to have the tracks that were deleted from the original cd. One of them, Shoulder Holster, is terrific and allthe Dudgeoun remasters sound fantastic. Enjoy.

One of the most frustrating aspects of the CD release of Blue Moves is the omission of The Wide Eyed and Laughing, a song on the original double LP set but to date still missing from both the American and European CD pressings. Possibly the least commercial and most experimental song on the album, it features a sparse sitar arrangement, close, unconventianal harmonies and lyrics reminiscent of the Madman Across The Water period - in particular, off-beat songs like All The Nasties. Blue Moves is Elton John's least accessible work, but also his most brilliant in terms of musical range and texture. GEOFF HEALEY

Little Wonder Jim Hanson found the song Blue Moves to be lacking in melody...it doesn't exist! This fact alone gives no credibilty to Jim's panning of the album, and leads one to wonder if he's heard it at all... GEOFF HEALEY

This album is so depressing sometimes. I love it for that. Fortunately, the album has been released on CD in its entirety, whereas an incomplete version has been circulating in North America for the past few years. All four sides of this album are really brilliant, and--sure--at times I realize that "Bit Your Lip..." is not the best song ever, but it at least closes the album on a positive note, and this makes the album in no way uneven. I don't think too many people would disagree that "Tonight" is the finest track here. If only Elton would release a brand new double CD of new material these days. I have no problem with double-discers whether it be CD or vinyl.

there's alot to like on this album but unfortunatly there's alot not to like also. this disc(s) features some of elton and bernie's worst songs since side 2 of madman across the water. as for true dyed in wool classics though this comes up a little short. the high point of this album is the guitar interplay between davey johnstone and caleb quaye.unlike the previous album ( rock of the westies) there's not enough of it.

''Bite Your Lip'' never hit #1...it never even made the Top 20!!!! This album, though, if you listen to it enough makes you fully appreciate the warmth and the happiness of Elton and Bernie''s previous albums before this one came out. And speaking of ''coming out''- if memory serves me right, Elton said he was bi-sexual in Rolling Stone magazine just a short time before Blue Moves was released; which would help explain in part why it only made it to #3 on the US chart instead of the usual #1.

This is without doubt Elton's finest work, similar to the Beatles White Album. Superb musicianship and production Iti is a pity that this band were unable to stay together.

PRODUCER: Gus DudgeonWords and Music: Elton John/Taupinwith Caleb Quaye, James Newton-Howard, Davey Johnstone`Cage The Songbird` Dedicated to Edith PiafFeatures Background vocals from David Crosby and Graham NashHighest UK Chart: #3Weeks On Chart: 15SINGLES:Nov 76: Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest WordROKN517 UK Chart #11Feb 77: Crazy WaterROKN521 UK Chart #27Jun 77: Bite Your Lip [Get Up And Dance]ROKN526 UK Chart #28COVERS: [Two Rooms, 1991]JOE COCKER:Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest WordGEORGE MICHAEL:TonightCOMMENTS:"`Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word`...shows the deeper side of Reg and Bernie`s writing."JOE COCKER"I can still remember the first time I heard [Tonight]. As usual, I had bought Elton`s latestalbum [in this case, `Blue Moves`] on the day of release, and I listened to it the entire evening.Even though I was only 13 years old, `Tonight` was possibly the most moving song I had everheard." GEORGE MICHAELSIMON`s COMMENTS:Reflecting the malaise that had begun to seriously afflict Elton and Bernie`s lives at the time,`Blue Moves` is a bleak, discomforting work. Nevertheless, it is an album of great merit. Thejuxtaposition of the upbeat opener, `Your Starter For` with the melancholy piano and woodwind of`Tonight` is as powerful a segue as Elton has ever attempted. If you`re after an uptempo, positiveEJ album, stick to `Too Low For Zero` or `Made In England`, but for a collection of compositionsthat blend the unique ability of Elton as a writer of haunting ballads with the despondency of Taupin`slyrics, `Blue Moves` is the album for you. With lyrics like:`So out of choice I chose rock and roll/But it pushed me to the limit everyday/It turned me into a gypsy,kept me away from home...`, `Blue Moves` is as important a personal work as `Captain Fantastic` or `Made In England`. Elton believes it to be one of his best works, and listening to it - really Listening to it, you can`t fail but to agree with him.*****

Was there any outtakes on this album?? HELP! Liz

Great Band, great sound, great production, would have made a superb single album, if you remove some of the weaker B side type material, still a good listen. Listen to the drunmming on Crazy Water and One Horse Town and you can see why Roger Pope was bought into this line up. Also Caleb Quayes Guitar work on the same two tracks.

Really enjoy your hard work that you put in each song you sing. I enjoy hearing your voice. Have a Merry Christmas.

I meant "Out of the Blue" not "Blue Moves" and I stand by my comments: An uneven album with too much repetition.

This album is one of my favorites-a great double album. Not the usual "pop" stuff you get from previous albums. I think it was getting back to the good stuff of the first few albums Elton did in the past like Elton John, Madman Across the Water, Don't Shoot the Piano Player. I like the orchrestra incorporated into the songs much like the Moody Blues did. It is great sonically, and you can really hear all the instruments clearly. I think it is a classic. One that you'll never get tired of and will sound good 50 years from now.