Wednesday 5 May 2010

Elton John - forgotten B-sides and album cuts

I've always liked the early albums, from his first one in 1969 - Empty Skies, through to breakthrough album Honkey Chateau in 1972. Five great collections of songs that touched folk, rock, blues and soul and explored a love of America and Americana - the mythical wild west wilderness - that he and song-writing partner, Bernie Taupin, shared a long-distance obsession.

For me it is the epic ambition of the song structures and the beautifully constructed arrangements, often employing the skills of Paul Buckmaster, that define Elton John from his UK mainstream contemporaries. There is a sumptuous fullness to the songs, which lies at the heart of people's response to his work during the seventies. People either love it or hate it. It is true that, as time went on, Elton would resort more to a generic formula dependent on his voice and piano to create a central focus to songs often extending well over 6 minutes in length. Combined with this, a playful, almost vaudeville, quality infused certain songs - sometimes successfully working as counterpoint to the rich symphonic epics, but at other times seeming just throwaway and pastiche. However, he was capable of producing some surprising and striking work which, I think, outweighs the more predictable output.

I'm not such a big fan of the 'classic' Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. Too much a potpourri of sketched ideas, though it does contain the amazing Bennie and the Jets, which surely everyone shares a secret enjoyment. There are a couple of filler albums bookmarking that central work that I don't think make the grade - so perhaps don't bother seeking them out - Don't Shoot me, I'm only the Pianist (1972) and Caribou (1974). But he got back on track with three great albums demonstrating an increasing soulful and gospel-tinged flavour.

This selection tries to show that there was also a great musical mind at work during the early seventies period, and extending through to 1976's Blue Moves double LP, after which Elton and Taupin split as a creative team due to the ubiquitous 'musical and personal differences' (returning to work later in the 80s). It takes some perhaps less known and sometimes experimental tracks from LPs and B-sides, which I hope give an illustration of an artist who was first attacked by critics for various offences (too popular, too prolific, too frivolous) to music's high church, as early as 1972! Elton John was never cool. He was/is fun, glamorous, over the top and energetic - yes; But a serious proposition - no. Personally I don't care about the 'serious' in pop music - but I think the quality and diversity of his 70s output deserves a little (re)appraisal, and displays a natural flair and musical dexterity that has not been appreciated.

I don't think even I am quite ready to reappraise the two decades that followed (excepting the two excellent instrumental B-sides recorded as 'Lord Choc Ice' in 1983), but his last three albums released since 2001 certainly have their moments, reflecting and responding to his early seventies highlights.

This lot neatly fits on to a single CD - that was the limiting factor. Several tracks that didn't quite make the cut will follow would make a fine bonus EP. I don't expect many new converts to Elton John's cause, but hope that there is something to tickle most people's fancy.



Your Starter for....

Elton was not a big instrumental track fan, probably due to the fact that wordsmith Taupin would be somewhat redundant. It is interesting to note that it is their last collaboration (Blue Moves) before the acrimonious split, that includes three instrumentals. This is written with his long-time band guitarist Caleb Quaye, and sounds like a lost library track used for a forgotten breakfast TV talkshow. Upbeat and bouncy.

Sixties Years On

An amazing ominous string arrangement sweeps in this track, which manages to combine classical, folk and latin influences creating a unique aural experience. From his second album.

Just like strange rain

This B-side is as close to psychedelic pop that Elton reached. I think it works pretty well with distorted guitar opening, nice organ throughout, ending in a classic wig out. B-side to his third (flop) solo 45 'It's me that you need' from 1969.

Yell Help

Part of the opening medley to 1975's 'Rock of the Westies'. Reminds me a little of Paul McCartney's little experiments throughout his output. On the surface a simple little ditty, but it's those strange backing vocals that make it for me.

Bad side of the moon

This is the Elton John track you can safely play out at any eclectic music gathering. It's catchy, has a wee little break, and is generally funky, and has strings too! I love this track. B-side to Border Song (on which the backing choir is led by one Barbara Moore), single from his second self-titled album.

Billy Bones and the white bird

A pulsating epic, almost prog-glam, track from 1975, which breaks the standard EJ formula with an interesting orchestral beat, intricate and changing rhythms and fun keyboard work. Probably too much for most folk. (From Rock Of The Westies)

Flinstone Boy

After the Blue Moves LP Elton had to consider life after Taupin, his long-term writing partner. Before his first 80s LP came out (with a new collaborator), he released a 45 - two tracks - one with Taupin, one by just Elton. This is Elton's solo effort and is a lonely but defiant statement to going it alone. I'm sure it is a coded message to someone. I like the striped down simplicity.

House of cards

Another B-side (to 'Somebody saved my life'), an effortless example of the country-infected Elton John tune. I do like the tracks that don't overplay his piano playing. This one removes it entirely - just some laid back organ. Nothing amazing - but makes me happy.

Across the havens

An early folky outing, before his first album came out. Suggests something of what was to come, but also shows the choices that Elton was making - was he going to follow Donovan down the folk route, or look to America for inspiration? Although there are some folk tracks on the first couple of albums, they soon disappear from his repertoire.

Jack Rabbit

Throwaway country nonsense. Silly but fun. A B-side contemporary of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album.

Gulliver

Another great opening to a track. What follows is a chilled moving folk tale of death and memories. Part of a medley on the first album (hence the violent cut-off).

I think I'm going to kill myself

Strange honkey-tonk suicide note. An example of that hit and miss eclecticism that in this case hits. Found on the Honkey Chateau LP,1972.

Theme from a non-existent T.V. series

Another instrumental. The description describes it pretty well. So - did Elton do any library stuff? He certainly had a flair for it! (from Blue Moves)

Madman across the water

Probably the best-known track of the collection. Classic EJ - epic, long, strings, a groove. The title track to his forth album, which contains Tiny Dancer. Could that be Herbie Flowers on the bass?

The Cage

Another track you can play out, though you have to hold your breath through the moog solo in the middle. It reminds me of 'Werewolves of London' for obvious howling references. This sits on the self-titled second album.

Boogie Pilgrim

This is where we get funky. It's not all about the famous 'Are you ready for love' - there are several great soul, gospel, proto-disco numbers to be found. This funky blues number ends with the wonderful contribution of the The Cornerstone Institutional Baptist and Southern California Choir. (from Blue Moves)

Bite your lip (Get up and dance)

THE funky soul number. This is the business on the dancefloor (I imagine - will experiment soon). Great Conga action and fine strings from Gene Page. Again from Blue Moves - a hugely underrated (double) album.

Ego

The other side to the Flinstone Boy 45. Sign-posting the way to the 80s, but via Sparks. This is close to the edge, but I'm invariably drawn back to it. Am I wrong?

Curtains

The perfect ending. Starting with possibly one of the weirdest opening lines - "I used to know this scarecrow, he was my song". This ends the great Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy concept album. I don't know what the concept is, but it is certainly concluded rather well with this rousing bombastic number.


So that's it for now, and I haven't even got to the track that has Dusty Springfield, Madeline Bell, Lesley Duncan and Tony Hazzard as backing singers; Or the one with the great Herbie Flowers bassline; Or his version of Lesley Duncan's Love Song; Or the 6 min prog-jazz fusion instrumental; Or his work on Francis Lai's The Games soundtrack...... coming soon.

Sunday 2 May 2010

Eclectiana

APRIL 2009

This month we go all Hoxton Eclectic. We are looking for our musical clues within the diverse influences of London band ’Golden Silvers’, who play live.... Expect anything from the world of..... "Electric Ladyland, The Love Below, Blonde on Blonde, Luv and Haight, OK computer, Death Of A Ladies’ Man, Here My Dear, Voodoo, Leadbelly, The Miracles, Jay Dilla, The Magical Mystery Tour, Around The World in a Day, Live Evil, Endless Summer" (Golden Silvers’ musical influences, myspace)

PITCH played:

Cruisin' - Smokey Robinson
Feel Flows - Beach Boys
Are You There? - The California Dreamers (with Gabor Szabo)
End Credits (The Hot Spot) - John Lee hooker & Miles Davis (Jack Nitzsche)
Let The Good Times Roll - Dr John
Visions - Cold Blood
Sunshine (Go away today) - Isley Brothers
Unwind Your Mind - Greyboy
Candido's Funk - Candido
Tamorine - Prince
Color Me True - Sly & The Family Stone
Brass in Africa - Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
The Hunter - Ike & Tina Turner
Shotgun - The Matadors
Stop - Giorgio Moroder
Drifter - Tritons
Think I Care - Paupers
Got My Thing - Trifles
Ode To Carrabassett 'Fats' - The Significant Others
Trudi - Donovan
Painting For Freakout - John Simon
(Who planted thorns in) Miss Alice's Garden - The Explosive
The Marquis - The Amboy Dukes
Rotation - Rotation
The Cage - Elton John
The Girl Can't Help It - Cliff Richard
Lay Lady Lay - Sandie Shaw


JAHSHABBY played:

Jacques Dutronc - J'ai tout lu tout vu tout bu
Yellow Moon Band - Chimney
Tranquility - Couldn't Possibly Be
The Hollies - Hey Willie
Iron Knowledge - Showstopper
Anvil Chourus - Rhythm Is the Way
Mike Berry - Take a Heart
Geraldine - The Rattles
The Shocking Blue - Send Me a Postcard
Aphrodite's Child - Magic Mirror
Quiller - Quiller
The Hollies - Mad Professor Blythe

Kenny Rogers - Girl Get a Hold of Yourself
CCS - Hang It on Me
Tim Rose - Morning Dew
Bergundy - Zold Pokol
Manfred Mann - One Way Glass
Bobby Gentry - Fancy
Marta Kubisova - Tak Dej... (Song a Balady LP)
Hor Auf - Manfred Krug
Anagram Jam - Anagram Jam
Jaydee - Fuck the Police
Madvillain - Money Folder (Four Tet remix)
Jaylib - Champion Sound
Noor Jehan - I Am Very Sorry
Eranga & Prianga - Let Love In
Richard Caiton Listen to the Drums
Dia Prometido - Hey Al-lah

Quiet Village - Free Rider
Laughing Light of Plenty - The Rose


TOM B played:

JD Blackfoot - Who's nuts Alfred
The Guerillas - Lawdy rolla
Robert Wyatt - I'm a believer
Owen B - Nowhere to run
Can - Moonshake
Aguaturbia - Heartbreaker
Circus Maximus - Lost sea shanty
Vision of Sunshine - Bizarrek kind
Soft Soul Transition - Move it on down
Erkin Koray - Ilahi morluk
Baris Manco - Anadolu
La Svitate - Basta essere belle
Edu Lobo - Zanzibar
Celia Cruz - Rock and roll
Choc - I want you to be my girl
Alan Randall - The meditating Hindoo man
Eric Burdon & the Animals - Monterey
Alan James Eastwood - Closer to the truth
The Sweet - Man from Mecca
Primitive Man - Animal love
Trubrot - Eg veit ao pu kemur
Googoosh - Respect
Edan - Mic manipulator
Majority One - Get back home
Fluff - Love machine
JD Blackfoot - Epitaph for a head
Aguaturbia - I wonder who

Not Quite Hollywood Soundtracks

MARCH 2009

Accompanying the showing tonight of an Australian film entitled "Not Quite Hollywood" (about ’Ozploitation’ movies), we thought we should do a "Not Quite Hollywood Soundtracks" session. So expect a diverse selection of soundtracks from anywhere else but LA!

PITCH played:

Fragment of Fear - Norman Norwell Orchestra
African Summer - Francis Lai
Withnail's Theme - David Dundas & Rick Wentworth
Orson Welles' Great Mysteries - John Barry
The Knack - John Barry
The Carey Treatment - Roy Budd
Plaything - Roy Budd (Get Carter)
The Burglars - Ennio Morricone
This is how you dance - John Barry (Follow Me)
Ascent to virginity - Dave Grusin (Candy)
Orzowei (theme) - G & M De Angelis
Tobey's Song - Chad Stuart (3 in the attic)
Mama if you're able - Bert Summer (Hot Parts)
Frenzy - Philip Green (All Night Long)
Bongolia - Incredible Bongo Band (The Thing with two Heads)
So Tired - Coleridge Perkinson (Mike Curb) (If He Hollers, Let Him Go!)
You Gotta Let me go - Jerry Goldsmith (Sebastian)
Short Eyes - Curtis Mayfield
You Can Fly - Jerry Butler (Joe)
Somebody's Gonna Off the Man - Barry White (Together Brothers)


SOUL-FIEND played:

Carmine Coppola & Francis Coppola - Orange Light
Komeda - The Coven
Sorgini - Mysterious Country
B. Green - Toadstrip
Roubaix - Predestination [-6]
Lloyd Ryan - Night Run
Boneschi - Sisy
Bruno Nicolai - Mariale [edit]
P. Willsher - Funk Phobia/Cyborg
Neil Ardley - Summer Ice
Blobs - Son of Blob
F. Trecca - A Morte Dell 'Erminia
Chaino - Torture Dei Mau Mau
S. Brugnolini - Cromoton [edit]
Yamasuki - Yam Yama
Blackanized - Crack Pipe [strange edit]
Ralph Lundsten - Horrorscope
J. Gardner - Mustard Greens
Chromatics - Running up that hill
Chromatics - In the City
Poppy Family - No Blood in Bone


PETER SUNDAE played:

Bruno Nicolai - Hurry to me - CBS 45
Mick Jagger - Memo from Turner -Decca 45
Quincy Jones - Soul full of Gold - RCA 45
Candy - King of Kung Fu - EMI 45
The Maytals - 54-46 was my number- Trojan 45
John Barry - Three on a bed
Peddlers - Tell the world we're not in
Vangelis- (track from) La Fete Sauvage
Santi Latora - Cherio Cores
Pink Floyd - More (main theme)
Dave Grusin - Constant Journey
Keith Mansfield - (track from) 'The Loot'
Tony Hatch - Theme From 'Bedazzled'
(track from) 'Up the junction'

With Added Rude Bits

FEBRUARY 2009

In addition to the usual mixed bag of tunes, we hunted down some examples of unexpected swearing in songs - accompanying ICA’s showing of the film ’Fuck’.

PITCH played:

Your fucking sunny day - Lambchop
Don't let the system get you - Johnny Hammond
(entertainingly all swearing is bleeped out of this funky rant against the system)
Theme de yoyo - Motorpsycho
Show Biz Kids - Steely Dan
The man don't give a fuck - SFA
Spasticus Autisticus - Ian Dury
When the shit hits the fan - Master Boogies Song and Dance
Too drunk to fuck - Nouvelle Vague
Street Lady - Donald Byrd
Funky Snakefoot - Alphonze Mouzon
Tribal Bumpin' - Tribe
Funk Up - Mongo Santamaria
Funk no. 49 - James Gang
Strange Days - Humble Pie
Birthday - Underground Sunshine
Three-Two-One-Ah! - Canarios
Bugulu - Los Albas
Tren transoceanico a bucaramanga - Los Pekinikes
Hang it on me - CCS
Yes we can can - Pointer Sisters
Tom the peeper - Act I
Salome - CCS
New Orleans - Bob Thiele (Teresa Brewer)


FILTHY RICH played:

The Blenders - Don't Fuck Around With Love
Avenue B and Caswell - The Sex That I Need
Andre Williams - Mother Fuyer
Wayne County - Fuck Off
Zebra - For Your Love
Television Personalities - Where's Bill Grundy Now?
SOD - Too Loose to Get Tight
Holy Fuck - Frenchys
Snatch - Stanley
Trinity - Wild Cat
Jan Mink - Come On In
Bunker Hill - Hide and Go Seek


RICH HERO played:

Serge Gainsbourg ‘Requiem Pour Un C…’ (Phonodor EP)
Staveley Makepeace ‘Slippery Rock 70’s’ (Spark 45)
The Sensation ‘Oh My Eli’ (MCA 45)
Triangle ‘Viens Avec Nous’ (EMI 45)
The Damned ‘Morning Bird’ (Youngblood 45)
Ramases ‘Hola Señor’ (Philips 45)
A.R. And Machines ‘Come On People’ (Polydor LP)
Apatchi Band ‘Issmak’ (President 45)
Tribu Bantu ‘Free Africa’ (BBB 45)
The Shadows ‘The Rise And Fall Of Flingel Bunt’ Columbia 45)
The Strangeloves ‘Cara-Lin’ (Immediate 45)
Mike Curb ‘Bay City Boys’ (Sidewalk LP)
Magic Sand ‘Get Ready To Fly’ (Uni LP)
Yesterday’s Obsession ‘The Phycle’ (Pacemaker 45)
The Outcasts ‘Loving You Sometimes ‘ (Plato 45)
Hot Chocolate 'Go Go Girl' (RAK 45)
Alexander ‘Working My Way’ (EMI 45)
Angelo And Eighteen ‘Flight 2’ (RAK 45)
Tullio De Piscopo ‘Fastness’ (Analogy 45)
Angelo And Eighteen ‘Flight 2’ (RAK 45)
Die Doraus And Die Marinas 'Fred Vom Jupiter' (Teldec 45)
She Trinity ‘He Fought The Law’ (Columbia 45)
Billy Watkins ‘I’m Tired’ (Jerhart 45)
The Merits ‘Arabian Jerk’ (Bandstand USA 45)
Fred Berlipp Band ‘Beating Steel’ (Selected Sound LP)
Michel Magne ‘Compartiment Tueurs’ (Barclay LP)
East Of Eden 'Jig A Jig' (Deram 45)
The Champs ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues’ (London 45)
Christine ‘Miss X’ (Ember 45)
Jane Birkin And Serge Gainsbourg ‘Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus’ (Phonodor EP)

Spaghetti Head 'Big Noise From Winnetka' (RCA 45)
Charly Antolini 'Charly's Drums' (Cornet 45)
H. Caiage 'Violence' (St Germain Des Prés LP)

Credit Crunch Special

JANUARY 2009

This month's topical 'Credit Crunch' (which I do think would make a great new dance craze) inspired theme was all things MONEY - or lack of it....

PITCH played:

Cat's In The Cradle - Harry Chapin
Parchment Farm - Mose Allison
Ace Insurance Man - Bobbie Gentry
Sixteen Tons - Tom Jones
Go Down Gamblin' - Blood Sweat and Tears
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash - Steve Miller Band
Free Money - Patti Smith
Taxman - Beatles
It's Caper Time (Italian Job) - Quincy Jones
Gold - Jimmy Helms (from Elmer Berstein's Gold soundtrack)
Beauty and the Bass (from Diamonds soundrack) - Roy Budd
For the Love of Money - O'Jays
24 Carat Black (theme) - Dale Warren
Money B - Flying Lizards

Sympathy for the Devil - Sandie Shaw
I wanna take you higher - Brian Auger & the Trinity
Sort of Soul - Soundsational
If you Love Me - New Faces
Kiskadee - Bobby Lamb


TOM B played:

Esther Marrow - Money honey
Kelly Gordon - Independently poor
Little Milton - The cost of living
Little Richard - Money is
William deVaughan - Be thankful for what you've got
Joe Bataan - Ordinary guy
Jeannie Reynolds - Unwanted company (getting a bit tenuous here...)
Charles Brinkley - In the pocket (and here)
Doris Duke - Woman of the ghetto
Voices of East Harlem - Cashing in
Nina Simone Ain't got no - I got life (live version)
Richie Havens - No opportunity necessary
Howlin' Wolf - 300 pounds of joy
Johnny Jenkins - I walk on gilded splinters
Stanley Winston - No more ghettos in America
Curtis Mayfield - Right on for the darkness
James Brown - Money won't change you
Rosa King - Ghetto of people's mind
Bo Diddley - I've been workin'
Jeru tha Damaja - Me not the paper
The Fall - Fit and working again
Laura Nyro - Poverty train


ALANMCK played:

JB's: You can have your watergate, just gimme some bucks and i'll be straight (People)
Kim Tamango: Not by bread alone (Firebird)
Georg Reidel: Gluttony (Sveriges Radio)
Bobby Byrd: You got to have a job (If you don't work, you can't eat) (King)
The Alexander Review: A change had better come (vaya)
Roland Kirk: Shakey money (Limelight)
Rueben Wilson: Tight money (Cadet)
Lee Fields: The bull is coming (Angle 3)
Bag Of Goodies: Twitchie feet (Pzazz)
Hank Carbo: Bad luck (HCP)
Skullsnaps: It's a new day (GSF)
Bobby Byrd: Hang ups we don't need (The hungry we've got to feed) (King)
Donny Hathaway: Valdez in the country (Atlantic)
Ernest Ranglin: On higher ground (Water Lily)
Harold Butler: Out of bondage (Water Lily)
Ernie Hines: Our generation (We Produce)
Lost Generation: The lost generation (Brunswick)
Kenny Clarke: Big Bang (Horo)
james brown: Escape-ism (People)
O'Donel Levy: Freedom and good times (TK)
Main Ingredient: Happiness is just around the bend (RCA)


JAKARTAJIVE played:

Steve Ellis - Loot
The Beatles - Taxman
The Saints - Know your product
The Eyes - Man with Money
Bobby Bland - Poverty
Keith Hudson - Too Expensive
One Blood -Be Thankful for What You Got
John Lee Hooker - The House Rent Boogie
Ram Jam Holder - Brixton Blues
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Money
Kempy and The Guardians - Love for a Price