Elton John: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Album:
DVD:

Features:

• Four bonus tracks
  
• 2nd disc contains a fifty-minute making-of docu
  

Released by: Island Records

My Advice: Own it if you don't already have worthwhile copies.

When I first became aware of Elton John, he had already started putting out songs like "I'm Still Standing" and "Sad Songs." While they were worthwhile pop, I never really understood why Elton had reached such a height in the musical pantheon with a lot of folks. Indeed, if I only paid attention to his recent stuff and concert footage like that out of Live in Barcelona, I might still be wondering.

While I can't come up with musical context like I can with the cinematic flavor--just not enough room in me head, I fear--1973's release of this double album apparently blew a lot of people's minds. Elton's longtime co-conspirator Bernie Taupin's lyrics, coupled with Elton's music, is quite frankly, flawless. While every track isn't what I would call perfectly timeless (the electronic keyboard that opens the massive "Funeral for a Friend" clues you into what era this is hailing from), there is plenty here that sounds just as fresh now as it did back then. The title track, my personal favorite, is quite frankly, exquisite. And other well-known tracks like the rambunctious "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and the captured arena feel of "Bennie and the Jets" positively kickass.

Of course, even the "deep cuts" on this thing are choice. The relatively quick ditty "This Song Has No Title" is better than almost every radio single you'll hear these days. Other choice tracks include "Grey Seal" and "All the Girls Love Alice." The great news is that the DVD-A and remastering make everything sound pretty damn good.

There are bonus tracks, four in fact. Of them, they're nothing really to write home about. "Whenever You're Ready (We'll Go Steady Again)" is a fun track, but only slightly less forgettable than "Screw You" or "Jack Rabbit." The one that had the most promise was the acoustic version of "Candle in the Wind"...trouble is, while initially the stripped down sound (vocals + acoustic guitar) are very inviting, more vocals make the song a little more complicated than it needed to be. Shame about that.

The second disc of material is essentially the same making-of docu that was released as part of Eagle Vision's Classic Albums line. Granted, if you're a fan of Elton or of the album, you'll appreciate this fifty-minute docu. It does give a good deal of information about the album's creation, although you'll probably be depressed--as I was--to hear Elton trying to sing "Goodbye" now...and his voice just doesn't cut it anymore. Sad.

For those who already own either the remastered CD or SACD version of the album and the Eagle Vision docu DVD release, only a really serious audiophile can give you the verdict on whether or not to shell out coin for this as well. Personally, I think it sounds good--but a CD would probably sound as good for the money. However, the fan who doesn't have all the content on here can snag it in one easy swoop...so in that light, I recommend it.