11-17-70 [LP]

by Elton John

Overview

The great thing about this early live record is its obscurity -- not just that this isn't one of his better-known records, but that the set list is a fanboy's dream, heavy on album tracks, covers, and the kinds of song that make Elton John's early work so individual. It's not just that there are no hits here, but it's that these six songs emphasize the spare, hard-rocking bluesy singer/songwriter that may not have written his own words, but always sang them with conviction and melodies that made them seem like his own. This may be a minor effort in his catalog, but that's part of its pleasure -- it's certainly a record from the time before Elton the superstar, as he tears through Tumbleweed Connection tracks prior to the record's release, does a phenomenal reworking of "Honky Tonk Women," hauls out B-sides like "Bad Side of the Moon," and gives a fierce, infectious performance. It's not essential for anyone but obsessives, but if you want any indication of what Elton sounded like prior to his big break, this is an excellent, even intoxicating, summary. [A six-track LP was released in 2017.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	04/28/2017
Label:	Mercury / Virgin Emi
UPC:	0602557070781

Tracks

1. Take Me to the Pilot
2. Honky Tonk Women
3. Sixty Years On
4. Can I Put You On
5. Bad Side of the Moon
6. Medley: Burn Down the Mission/My Baby Left Me/Get Back

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Elton John   Primary Artist,Vocals,Keyboards
Brian Dee   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Steve Brown   Coordination
Keith Richards   Composer
Elton John   Composer
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup   Composer
Bernie Taupin   Composer
Phil Ramone   Engineer
John Lennon   Composer
John Tobler   Liner Notes
Paul McCartney   Composer
Joe Disabato   Coordination
David Larkham   Photography,Design
David Hentschel   Engineer
Mick Jagger   Composer
Gus Dudgeon   Producer,Liner Notes