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Monday, December 27, 2004
Beyond the Yellow Brick Road
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Album Review:
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Elton John
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A few seconds into GYBR is, well, silence. Elton John's musical masterpiece begins quietly and hauntingly. The first track, "Funeral For a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding)," is actually two songs seamlessly attached together. Similar to what The Beatles used to do in their latter albums, John starts off with a mournful but magical instrumental ("Funeral For a Friend") and then magically attaches a rock song to it ("Love Lies Bleeding").
With a sad beginning like that, one might think that this album is all about death. The second track is John's Marilyn Monroe tribute, "Candle in the Wind," which he later altered as a tribute to the late Princess Diana in 1997. "Candle in the Wind" is a proof of just how timeless John's music is. He can reinvent himself over and over again, but he will always have that distinct, hit-making ability of his.
The album's third track is another Elton John hit, "Bennie and the Jets." The song has such a catchy, heavy beat that I can't help nodding my head to it. With the help of brilliant sound effects, this song realistically sounds like it was recorded before a live audience.
The title track, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," was recently rendered by my idol Camile Velasco. I'm not surprised why she chose this song. This is one of the best among John's hits. In the most magnificently melodic way, John bridges the verses to the chorus with the eternally catchy "Ooooh...Aaahhh" hook. It can easily get stuck to your head. Try it at home, and let's see if everyone doesn't stop humming it.
"Sweet Painted Lady" was a wonderful re-discovery for me. It's one of those songs which you've always known, but you never really knew who sang it. I was surprised to hear this song in this album. I never really knew its title, and the more did I not know it was by Elton John. Nevertheless, it has become one of my favorites. With a flapper-era feel to it, the cute and nostalgic "Sweet Painted Lady" is actually a song about a prostitute from the viewpoint of a sailor.
Once again, John returns to the dark theme of death with "The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-1934)." It's one of those songs, like The Eraserheads's "Ang Huling El Bimbo" or The Beatles's "Eleanor Rigby," that are too heavy and heart-breaking for recreational listening. "The Ballad of Danny Bailey" is a tragic song about a small-town Kentucky boy who is killed by "some punk with a shotgun."
The upbeat rock song "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting," another Elton hit, is just a proof of how musically versatile Elton John is. This rebellious rock song is from the same composer of such ballads as "Your Song" and "Daniel." The beauty of it is that the melodic magic of John is not lost in all the shouting, cymbal crashes, and guitar overdrives.
Once in a while, I get to come across certain albums which contain nothing but hits. GYBR may contain some obscure songs to the average listener, but I can guarantee anyone that each track in this monumental album is a musical gem. It's such a diverse piece of work. As an Amazon.com reviewer said, GYBR is "sprawling." It's a two-disc album, my friends. Surprisingly, the reviewer says that it's length makes it inferior to John's earlier album, Honky Chateau. I don't know about him, but I say Goodbye Yellow Brick Road may well be Elton John's magnum opus. It's got so many hits! It's a brilliantly eclectic mix of almost every pop musical genre--a testament to John's genius. You've got your reggae track ("Jamaica Jerk-Off"), your 60's beach party rock 'n roll song ("Your Sister Can't Twist [But She Can Rock 'n Roll]"), and your Broadway-ish show tune (this "Grey Seal" version really sounds like something out of Jesus Christ Superstar). How can anyone produce so much hooks? John is right up there with my musical idols. If I could have written just one of Elton John's songs, then I've got all I need to achieve some sense of immortality in music history.
To sum it all up, Elton John is a genius (and so is his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin), and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a masterpiece that every music lover must experience.
*If you are unable to get your hands on a copy of this album, and you know me personally, I may be able to help you.
posted by
Ana,
sgtpepper72687@yahoo.com
3:32 PM
9 Comments:
Oi!
I found your site from Sacki's tabulas.
Where were you able able to find "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"??? I didn't even know they still sold that. And yes, Elton John is a genius. Shame that most kids our age can't appreciate him more.
Camill
Oh, and would you happen to know were I can get any Who album?
I don't think they sell it here anymore. I bought this pirated Elton John Mp3 CD. It was a compilation of several Elton albums. I'll burn you a copy. Ü
However, I do support local anti-piracy campaigns. In this case, I don't think it will hurt Sir Elton if I buy a pirated CD of his, especially since they don't sell his old albums here.
Don't worry, I only buy original OPM albums. Ü
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