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The aptly titled A SINGLE MAN finds Elton John working without legendary partner Bernie Taupin, his usual lyricist, during a much-needed break from each other, following their turbulent, albeit wildly successful mid '70s collaborations. Joining forces instead with Gary Osborne, Elton takes the opportunity to present an album of pure craft--with its scaled down production, A SINGLE MAN is an almost live-sounding album, one of his most straightforward. This approach places in even greater relief John's gift for combining widely varying musical atmosphere with beautiful melodies and honest emotional performance.
If A SINGLE MAN didn't produce any legendary hits for Elton John, it provided a welcome chance for him to cool off and just write songs. As is his wont, John takes on a wide variety of styles: the Spanish-sounding melancholia of "Return To Paradise" moves handily into the upbeat strut of "I Don't Care" in a stylistic segue which few could pull off. The swaggering honky-tonk of "Big Dipper" finds itself juxtaposed with the soft rock of "It Ain't Gonna Be Easy." Stripped down though it may be, the album isn't without its epic--in this case it's the heavily orchestrated, under-sung "Song For Guy."
Digitally remastered by Gus Dudgeon (Abbey Road Studios).
Additional Tracks
Recorded at the Mill At Cookham, Berks, England between January & September 1978. Originally released on MCA (3065). Includes liner notes by Chris White.
Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, harmonium, Clavinet, organ, Mellotron, keyboards, string synthesizer, background vocals); Davey Johnstone (vocals, guitar, synthesizer, background vocals); Clive Franks (vocals, percussion); Chris Thompson, Stevie Lange, Joanne Stone (vocals, background vocals); Vicki Brown, Gary Osborne (vocals); Tim Renwick (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin); B.J. Cole (guitar, steel guitar); Paul Buckmaster (cello); John Crocker (clarinet, tenor saxophone, electric piano, Fender Rhodes piano, wind); Patrick Halcox, Henry Lowther (trumpet); Jim Shepherd (trombone); Steve Holly (horns, drums); Ray Cooper (vibraphone, congas, shaker, tambourine, timpani, percussion, wind chime); Herbie Flowers (acoustic bass).
Audio Mixers: Clive Franks; Phil Dunne; Stuart Epps.
Liner Note Author: Chris White .
Recording information: England.
Arranger: Joanne Stone.
Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, harmonium, Clavinet, church organ, keyboards); Davey Johnstone (guitar, synthesizer, background vocals); Tim Renwick (guitar); B.J. Cole (steel guitar); Paul Buckmaster (cello); John Crocker (winds); Patrick Halcox, Henry Lowther (trumpet); Jim Shepherd (trombone); Herbie Flowers (bass); Steve Holly (drums); Ray Cooper (marimba, congas, tympani, tambourine, percussion); Clive Franks (percussion, background vocals); Vicki Brown, Stevie Lang, Joanne Stone, Watford Football Team, South Audley Street Girl's Choir, Gary Osborne (background vocals).
One underrated Cd This is a great album in spite of what others might say.Bernie is missing,yet Gary Osborne does a decent job as a lyricist.My favorites are Shine On Through, Return To Paradise, and Part Time Love. The track Georgia is fun listening to as it has been used in tourism commercials for such state.The closing track Song For Guy is an epic tribute to Elton's messenger boy who had been recently killed.Overall,a good record. Submitted by antonio (Miami, Fl,USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
A Somewhat Transitional EJ Album "A Single Man" was somewhat of a transitional album for Elton. After the previous album "Blue Moves", he started transitioning from classic rock/pop into pure pop. He did it quite well, though. It was quite a change, however, when compared to his earlier albums. I have long been a die-hard fan and I've enjoyed just about anything he's done. I've always considered this album to be one of my favorites and this is considered one of his most underrated and forgotten works. Submitted by Ron Haynes, Jr. (Covington/Cornelia, GA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Sir Elton's last remotely substantial album A fairly underrated effort that includes the impossibly catchy "Part-Time Love," the smooth "Return to Paradise," and, as a bonus track, one of his greatest unsung singles, "Ego." Submitted by hoojib127 (St. Paul, MN, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
You people are carazy Big Dipper is the best song on this album. Good Ole' New Orleans piano style. What more could a boy ask for...AND ELTON JOHN WAS NEVER DEAD. Submitted by piano-jack (Victoria, B.C., Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
back to life. i find with Elton John albums that there is always one song that i'd listen to over and over, on A single man its strangers, what a sad reflective song, great vocals and piano.....madness is a catchy number, and big dipper, dispite being annoying, is actually very catchy. Submitted by matt coe (watford england) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
One underrated Cd
A Somewhat Transitional EJ Album
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