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A Single Man
Category: Music |
List Price: $16.98
Our Price: $16.98 |
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As of: November 19th, 2008 12:04:48 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Tepid and Directionless
Elton had cut his ties with his old band in hopes that this would inspire a fresh approach. Unfortunately that didn't work in his case. I bought this in the late seventies when I was hoping that he might enjoy a return to form. No such luck.
The instrumental "Song For Guy" is the highlight and is the sole representation for this album on Elton's 4CD box set. "Part Time Love" was a pleasant enough single for the radio stations that secretaries put on to get them through the workday. Of the rest, only "Shooting Star" might be of note.
There are thousands of great albums waiting to be discovered out there. Unless someone is determined to consume every album issued by Elton John, "A Single Man" is better left to history. I know my copy went to the used record store, not to be replaced by a CD version.
 Underrated -- Celebrate the Songwriting and Performances
I think it's easy to dismiss this album, given that Taupin is not part of it. It's certainly not considered one of John's best, and most reviewers tend to focus on the filler, of which there are a few.
But doesn't nearly every great John record have one or two lesser songs?
What I love about this album are the sonic qualities, the sound of John's voice and piano, the lush backing vocals, and several stand out tracks that -- to me -- rank among his finest.
You get a feel for the experience with the first two tracks. "Shine On Through" finds Elton hopeful, optimistic, despite adversity. It's a great way to open a record. "Return to Paradise" to me is one of his better songs, beautifully and tastefully arranged, with a message that you can play in your head over and over again.
For me, the filler really comes in with "Part Time Love" which is fun but is clearly a throwaway for John, with no emotional heft or meaning.
"Georgia" should be a John classic, covered by other artists. The full backing choir on this is a treat.
"Shooting Star" is introspective, moody, and the guitar effects and vocal miking for me really work. A different sound for John for sure.
Ok, I'll grant you "Madness" is filler, apparently designed with the burgeoning disco crowd in mind. Whoever was in charge of the strings (Arif Mardin?) went way overboard.
The last two songs, for me, make the album. Again, you have a deeply heartful, introspective song series, with Elton repeating a very meaningful refrain as the album closes in quiet, dignified fashion.
That comes to a pet peeve of mine -- when releasing a album with extra tracks, I wish the record company would put them on a separate disc. Although the songs aren't bad, they for me ruin the mood of the closing of the record in its original release and as intended by the artist.
In sum, this one deserves another chance.
 The best experience of elton ever
When I got this album in 1978, I was a new fan who only had his greatest hits to my name. Even though Bernie Taupin was not the writer I was impressed with the selections on the album. My favorite is Part time Love and the new selections I have been getting to know as I go along. I highly recommend this album for those fans wanting to see what Elton could do with other writers. His music and his life as always been an inspiration to me.
Untitled Review (Admire my artsiness!)
As the title, cover art, and certain lyrics (read: all the lyrics) imply, this is a breakup record. The difference is that the breakup in question was not a romantic one (or at least I don't think so), but an artistic one - this is the first Elton John album without Bernie Taupin adding lyrics! Gary Osbourne provides them instead, and where Taupin is blindingly misogynistic, Osbourne is sickeningly obvious - honestly, if I hear one more song that contains the lyric "Playin' with my heart!" (i.e. "It Ain't Gonna be Easy"), I will get a bunch of other people who are sick of that lyric together and file a class-action suit against every songwriter who ever used the term, which means a lot of money would exchange hands. The good news is that, musically speaking it's still Elton, and Elton melodies and arrangements were always spot-on - indeed, the strings, guitar, and vibes on "It Ain't Gonna be Easy" are no exception to this rule. All it needs is better lyrics. Sadly, a lot of the "rockers" are bitter pills to swallow: "I Don't Care" is drenched in "good-time" synths; "Part Time Love" seems forced and has a dated guitar tone; "Big Dipper" sounds too much like "Suzie (Dramas)"; "Madness" is the closest Elton's come to arena-rock, and I'm glad he never came anywhere near again. Elton's better off when he sticks with balladeering, on gospel-influenced tracks such as "Shine on Through" and "Georgia" (with the famed Brit referring to it as "his home" - ha! Stupid Gary Osbourne. Was he from Georgia?). And, well... wait a sec? What was I doing praising the ballads? "Shooting Star" is a flaming bag of crap left on Taupin's doorstep! But the synth-drenched beauty of the instrumental "Song for Guy" sure isn't a bag of crap! It's a bit long, but still all right. Unlike most the rest, which is not all right at all.
An underrrated work
This is a great album in spite of Bernie not being there.Back by demand after a two year sabbatical,Elton delivered grandly by releasing this disc.From the opening track Shine On Through through the closing Song For Guy,he proved he was striking back.Return To paradise's tropical flavor,Part Time Love's careless stance and Georgia's gospel feel help you get into the soul of born again EJ.
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