Compatible with all MP3 players including iPod, iPad, iTunes and Window Media Player
This is part of Rocket's Elton John: The Classic Years series.
Not released in the U.S. until 1975, after he'd achieved superstardom, Elton John's first album is as much a part of late-'60s blues-rock and the burgeoning singer-songwriter movement as it is part of the grandiose pop catalog that would soon follow. The eight-minute-plus title song includes a long flute-harmonica-piano jam that wouldn't have been out of place on a Traffic album; the closing "Gulliver/It's Hay Chewed/Reprise" connects a waltz-time requiem with an acoustic-jazz instrumental and (rather audiciously for an unknown singer's debut) a reprise of bits from every song on the album.
Elsewhere, one can find a Lennonesque melody on "Western Ford Gateway," a breezy Summer-Of-Love feel on "Hymn 2000," and recurring imagery of a caged bird dreaming of flying away--most notably in the title song and the harsichord-and-organ tune "Skyline Pigeon." It all bursts with pop-rock melodicism, even when John was adding music to some of collaborator Bernie Taupin's most opaque, image-heavy lyrics. John would later call EMPTY SKY a "naive" record, but it contains the seeds of almost everything he would eventually do.
The 1996 reissue of EMPTY SKY includes four songs that were issued as two singles prior to the album's release: "Lady Samantha"/"All Across The Havens" and "It's Me That You Need"/"Just Like Strange Rain." The album has been digitally remastered by Gus Dudgeon, using original master tapes and digital processing equipment at 20-bit resolution. According to Dudgeon (ICE newsletter, January 1996), the results are "100% better" than the two previous American CD issues.
Recorded at Dick James Studios and Olympic Studios, London, England. Includes liner notes by John Tobler and Gus Dudgeon.
Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, organ, electric piano, harpsichord); Caleb Quaye (electric & acoustic guitars, congas); Graham Vickery (harmonica); Don Fay (tenor saxophone, flute); Tony Murray (bass); Roger Pope (drums, percussion); Nigel Olsson (drums).
It's A KEEPER Elton had a handle on how to move a persons spirit to places they couldn't get to on earth with out him.brown dirt cowboy, yellow brick road , almost everything he wrote was golden this little jewel is no exception. Submitted by penciltalk (Shannon City, IA,USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Not Exactly An Empty Landscape Elton John's debut album (not released stateside until January 1975) was a compelling mixture of influences ranging from the Rolling Stones to Leonard Cohen to the Band. From the hard-rocking title track to the closing reprise of the entire tunestack, "Empty Sky" is definitely worth a listen. EJ was basically finding his feet with this disc, but it is a potent precursor to his subsequent successful offerings. I definitely recommend this album as it is far better than anything Elton released after "Rock of the Westies".
Submitted by Will-T (Lawrenceburg IN) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
A must have for any fan! I was sceptical at first as to the value of Elton John's debut album, but upon hearing it, you can't help but love it, especially with such great tracks as Empty Sky, Western Ford Gateway, and Skyline Pigeon. Submitted by Hayden (Dunedin, New Zealand) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Have you heard this album?
Buy Empty Sky CD
Buy Elton John - Empty Sky Posters From Allposters.com
It's A KEEPER
Not Exactly An Empty Landscape
Share this Product