Oakland's Vinyl Vault - Elton John

This week the old random generator has pulled out another one of the more seldom listened to albums in my collection.  It's the eponymous album from Elton John.

Release date: April 10, 1970
Singles: Take Me to the Pilot, Your Song, Border Song

This is the album that introduced America to one of the most famous singer-songwriter duos in Elton John and Bernie Taupin.  The album starts off on a high note with "Your Song," which remains one of Elton John's biggest hits.  "Your Song" was originally released as the B-side to "Take Me to the Pilot," but proved to be so popular that the sides were flip-flopped, making "Your Song" the A-side.

Unfortunately, the rest of the album fails to live up to that fantastic opener.  This album is very frustrating to me because it is so close to being a good album, but it falls just short.  Some of the songs drag a little too much for me, and there just doesn't seem to be much flow as the album goes on.  The result is a mediocre album that has some bright spots.  You can definitely hear the talent and potential of a young Elton John, but he hadn't quite figured it all out yet.

Rating: Four thumbs up - It's not a bad album, and there are some great tunes to be found on it.  The front side is a little weak following "Your Song," but it finishes strong with a solid second side.

Now here's one of the more up-tempo numbers from the back side, "The Cage."



Pat is crazy.