Recorded in the charmed period between the initial success of ELTON JOHN and superstar extravaganzas like GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION, a loose concept album about the American West, was a strange, sideways move for Elton John and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. A album in the traditional sense, it is best heard as a piece, with songs that pick up and expand on each other's moods and settings. Notice, for example, the progression of characters from the young fighter waving "My Father's Gun," to the retired and forgotten "Talking Old Soldiers," to the protagonist of "Where To Now St. Peter?," shot down by "a sweet young foreign gun" and ready to be judged by his maker.
The mood holds from the sepia-toned LP cover art to John's songwriting, influenced by folk and country music and by The Band's MUSIC FROM BIG PINK. Among the songs it introduced were "Country Comfort," which Rod Stewart covered on GASOLINE ALLEY, and "Come Down In Time," later done by both Judy Collins and Sting. Though the rollicking piano epic "Burn Down The Mission" and "Amoreena" became FM-radio and concert staples, TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION remains the only John studio album without a hit single, a fact that doesn't affect the impact of this excellent country-rock outing.
Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, organ, keyboards); Mick Ronson (guitar); Caleb Quaye (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Lesley Duncan (acoustic guitar, background vocals); Mike Egan (acoustic guitar); Les Thatcher (6-string guitar, 12-string guitar); Gordon Huntley (steel guitar); Skaila Kanga (harp); Johnny Van Derek (violin); Ian Duck (harmonica); Karl Jenkins (oboe); Brian Dee (organ); Chris Laurence (acoustic bass guitar); Dee Murray (bass guitar, background vocals); Dave Glover , Herbie Flowers (bass guitar); Roger Pope (drums, percussion); Nigel Olsson (drums, background vocals); Barry Morgan (drums); Robin Jones (congas, tambourine); Dusty Springfield, Madeline Bell, Sunny Leslie, Tony Burrows, Tony Hazzard, Kay Garner, Sue Glover, Tammy Hunt (background vocals).
Liner Note Authors: Gus Dudgeon; John Tobler.
Rolling Stone (p.72) - 4.5 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t is one of the best country-rock albums ever written by London cowboys." Rolling Stone (2/18/71, p.49) - "...TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION is simpler than John's last album and next time around I hope he goes all the way and gets down to nothing but the basics. He is one of the few who is good enough not to need anything else..." Q (8/95, pp.143-145) - 3 Stars - Good - "...a slightly eccentric excursion into the imagery of American hicksville..."
**Super Audio CD (SACD) Hybrid** This CD will play in standard CD players. A Super Audio CD player is required to take advantage of the SACD sound technology.
TC SACD These Elton John SACD Surround mixes are pretty much flawless. Very rich high-resolution sound, the mix is as good as the music. The SACDs were my introduction to Elton John and I don't think I've ever listened to the 2.0 Stereo mixes. The 5.1 is so good that I can't imagine hearing these albums without it. And I'm writing this in a time where the Moody Blues are releasing about, if not THE first "rock/pop" 5.1 SACDs since the Elton John discs- well over a year prior. The John SACDs are what it sounds like when the manufacturers get it (5.1) "right". My point is, that even if Super Audio completely dies I will always try to have a player ready to listen to the Elton SACDs. As a whole (6 or 7 releases in high-res surround) they are the absolute cream of the crop, rivaled only by the Talking Heads surround DVD-Audio catalogue. Submitted by MDC (Louisville, KY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Thanks No Problems! Submitted by Arch (Canton,Ohio) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Superb! The Bass not overdone, the seperation flawless, the material probrably as good as anything Elton did with his higher vocal range,this is a perfect SACD. Buy it! Submitted by dkummer1 (Michigan) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Ultimate In my honest opinion, this has got to be the definitive Elton John album of all time! From start to finish, it's bam bam bam!!! Relentless throughout. It just goes to show that heavy isn't necessarily loud distorted guitars and howling vocals. This is heavier than the heaviest Metallica which isn't saying much but you know what I mean I think.Elton's sublime vocals on Love Song are incredibly heavy. This album is one any fan or otherwise should purchase if first rate musicianship, songwriting, arranging and lyrics are what you worship as I do. I've been a fan of this album (I have two LPS, a cassette and cd) since I was 11 years old and it floored me then and still does. GET IT! Submitted by John (Lost City, OK, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Forgotten Classic This is an unjustly ignored gem in Elton's early catalog, probably due to the absence of any hit singles. Fact is it may be his most fully realized recording. Beautiful songs and performances from his band, a stunning 5.1 surround mix that throws the different instrumental parts into high relief, and two very fine bonus tracks make this a must for any serious E.J. fan. "Burn Down the Mission" was actually his fave concert closer for some time, and the other songs are just as good. "Come Down in Time" is a beautiful song really enhanced by surround, and "Amoreena" really shows how good this edition of his band sounded. Don't miss it! Submitted by Bruce (Lenexa, KS, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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