ELTON JOHN: 100 DEEP CUTS. This post: 1970. More tomorrow.

Elton John boasts a catalogue of mega-selling and critically lauded albums. His songs are ubiquitous on the radio. We are all familiar with the signature hit songs such as “Candle In The Wind”, “Tiny Dancer”, “Rocket Man”, “I’m Still Standing”, “Daniel”, “Crocodile Rock”, “Your Song” and “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”. Elton’s songbook is so rich, further exploration reveals a treasure trove of gems just as deserving of attention. Caffè Lattè presents 100 deep cuts -compiled in chronological order- spanning the decades, from 1969 to the present. These tracks may be underrated or unfamiliar, but are further evidence of the talent possessed by Elton John.

100 ESSENTIAL ELTON JOHN

DEEP CUTS

ELTON JOHN {1970}

 

With this album, Elton broke through. It featured the first of his major signature songs. The LP featured a baroque style with the orchestral arrangements handled by Paul Buckmaster. This was also the first of Elton’s albums produced by Gus Dudgeon. In America, it was the singer/ songwriter’s debut release. The recording was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Album of the Year and Best Pop Male Vocal Performance categories.

02 I Need You To Turn To

This is the briefest track on the album, slotted straight after the hit single “Your Song”. The tender ballad was revisited on the ‘Live In Australia’ tour and album, recorded with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

03 First Episode At Hienton

The closing track on side one of Elton’s eponymously titled album has a haunting quality.

04 Sixty Years On

Side two of the ‘Elton John’ LP opens with this song that was also resurrected for his in-concert recording with the MSO released in 1987.

05 Border Song

Elton’s talent was further validated when the Queen of Soul covered this John – Taupin composition. Aretha Franklin’s version is included on her 1972 album ‘Young, Gifted And Black’.

06 The Greatest Discovery

This track deals with the arrival of a newborn into the household from the perspective of his older sibling.

07 The King Must Die

The album closes with this- its longest track. This acts as a preview of how Elton’s music was evolving. It is far removed from the rest of the project and reveals that the 2 songwriters have discovered their unique pop niche. This style would be further explored on the next album.