lapelazzuli's Full Review: Madman Across the Water [Remaster] by Elton John
The years between 1969 and 1975 represent one of the most prosperous period for rock and pop music ever.
Being a obsessed of that kind of music, I've always dreamt of what my life could have been if I could have lived my youth so far before (I was born on 1974...)...and every time reminds me just how great it could have been...instead of living this kind of jealousy for those who were right there seeing that Golden Age, sorted out for Bowie, Iggy Pop, Reed, Clapton, Rod Stewart and more, right in the middle of their blooming period.
Among the protagonists of that era Elton John probably exhaled the most powerful and decisive art for the developing of Pop and Rock music (together with Reed and Bowie, in my opinion), creating during those years a collection of masterpieces that I like to describe as the reference point for pop, a reference point around which every songwriter should turn and to which every song or pop art act must be compared.
Excluding the live recordings and the greatest hits collection, from 1970 to 1975 Elton realized 8 albums (1970 'Elton John' ; 1970 'Tumbleweed Connection' ; 1971 'Madman Across The Water' ; 1972 'Honky Chateau' ; 1973 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player' ; 1973 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' ; 1974 'Caribou' ; 1975 'Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy') containing such a great number of music jewels that the music scenery had never seen before with this density (and will never see again until nowdays).
'Madman Across The Water' is the 4th Elton studio album, the third of the so called Golden Age (I excluded 'Empty Sky', too much twisted between esotericism and presumptuousness). This album, together with the previous three (especially 'Elton John' and 'Tumbleweed Connection'), delivered to the World a sound, a mood, that could be defined as dark-decadent classic pop songwriting. A dash of freshness and originality that the pop universe greatly needed and deserved at that time.
This way of introducing himself to the music environment made its effect by creating such a sense of curiosity and fascination all around, giving the way to the creation of a pop legend of a little genius from Pinner(reinforced, the legend, by some memorable live shows...above all '11-17-70' recorded for a live radio broadcast from A&R Studios, New York, November 1970).
The subsequent masterpieces (from 'Honky Chateau' to 'Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy') saw a brighter, happier and a more liberated from the success anxiety Elton...a gradual transit that more likely moulded the clearest mark of the genius in the history of rock.
On the edge of this virtual border line, at the end of a darker and before a brighter face, 'Madman Across the Water' lies with its 9 pieces....
'Tiny Dancer'
'Levon'
'Razor Face'
'Madman Across The Water'
'Indian Sunset'
'Holiday Inn'
'Rotten Peaches'
'All The Nasties'
'Goodbye'
....and the album starts with a jewel...
'Tiny Dancer' is one of the greatest pop song ever written, for its simplicity and moving ability: the lyrics were inspired to the Taupin' girlfriend of that time (who would become his wife later). Elton's piano playing stands in the middle of the scene with a secure, mature and delicate presence that makes the real difference...
'Levon', is one of the classic of the Elton hits, always anchored to the piano and powerful lyrics: the song will be frequently reinterpreted by various artists.
'Madman Across The Water', the song that gives the name to the album, brings a fan back to the previous albums moods, with its dark musics and meanings and is probably the track anyone would listen with more curiosity and attention: this piece has known different Elton's version during the years that followed...and I suggest everyone to listen to the one recorded live in Australia With The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra...
A good part of the other remained songs ('Razor Face', 'Indian Sunset', 'Holiday Inn', 'Rotten Peaches', 'All The Nasties') , and that's a con. of the album, lie there on the vinyl just to fill up the opera (not to defend anyone, but the three pieces above described would, alone, justify the purchase) and to demonstrate the incredible ability and easiness with which the genius realized in that period such a great number of however acceptable pop melodies.
'Goodbye' is a lush closing: i suggest everyone to listen to the song while reading the lyrics. Such a sense of emotional moving will capture the listener on the Elton chords and the Bernie's virtuoso expressions. This is what i like to show as the perfect melt between lyrics and music.
'Madman Across The Water' (and the Elton of that time) remains a significant star in the Universe of the Rock and Pop's Golden Age.
A star you should own.
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