Madman Across the Water

by Elton John

Overview

Trading the cinematic aspirations of Tumbleweed Connection for a tentative stab at prog rock, Elton John and Bernie Taupin delivered another excellent collection of songs with Madman Across the Water. Like its two predecessors, Madman Across the Water is driven by the sweeping string arrangements of Paul Buckmaster, who gives the songs here a richly dark and haunting edge. And these are songs that benefit from grandiose treatments. With most songs clocking in around five minutes, the record feels like a major work, and in many ways it is. While it's not as adventurous as Tumbleweed Connection, the overall quality of the record is very high, particularly on character sketches "Levon" and "Razor Face," as well as the melodramatic "Tiny Dancer" and the paranoid title track. Madman Across the Water begins to fall apart toward the end, but the record remains an ambitious and rewarding work, and John never attained its darkly introspective atmosphere again. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/15/2024
Label:	Island
UPC:	0602465793710

Tracks

1. Tiny Dancer
2. Levon
3. Razor Face
4. Madman Across The Water
5. Indian Sunset
6. Holiday Inn
7. Rotten Peaches
8. All The Nasties
9. Goodbye

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Elton John   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Keyboards,Lead Vocals
Mick Ronson   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Sunny Leslie   Vocals (Background),Vocals
Sue Glover   Vocals (Background),Vocals
Herbie Flowers   Guitar (Bass),Bass,Bass (Electric)
Dave Glover   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Brian Odgers   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Dee Murray   Guitar (Bass),Bass,Vocals (Background)
Diana Lewis   ARP Synthesizer,Synthesizer
Rick Wakeman   Guest Artist,Organ,Keyboards
Caleb Quaye   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar,Guitar (Bass)
Sunny   Vocals (Background)
Sue   Vocals (Background)
David Katz   Violin
Cantores in Ecclesia   Choir/Chorus
Les Thatcher   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Sue & Sunny   Vocals (Background)
Diane Lewis-Steinberg   Synthesizer
David Glover   Guitar (Bass)
Liza Strike   Vocals (Background),Vocals
Lesley Duncan   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Robert Kirby   Director,Conductor,Choir Director
Roger Cook   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Tony Burrows   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Paul Buckmaster   Conductor
Terry Cox   Drums
B.J. Cole   Guitar (Steel)
Ray Cooper   Percussion,Tambourine
Jack Emblow   Accordion
Chris Spedding   Guitar,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Barry St. John   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Roger Pope   Drums
Nigel Olsson   Drums,Vocals (Background)
Alan Parker   Guitar
Brian Dee   Harmonium
Davey Johnstone   Sitar,Guitar,Vocals,Mandolin,Synthesizer,Guitar (Acoustic)
Chris Laurence   Bass,Double Bass,Guitar (Bass),Bass (Acoustic)
Barry Morgan   Drums
Terry Steele   Vocals,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Gus Dudgeon   Audio Production,Producer,Liner Notes
Robin Geoffrey Cable   Audio Engineer,Engineer
David Larkham   Design,Cover Photo,Photography,Cover Design,Art Direction,Illustrations
Greg Penny   Surround Sound
David Katz   Orchestra Contractor
Crispin Murray   Assistant
Yanis   Artwork
Bob Gruen   Photography
Gill   Artwork
Stanley Dorfman   Producer
Ricky Graham   Digital Transfers
Paul Buckmaster   Arranger,Performer,Recording Arranger
Bob Ludwig   Mastering Engineer
John Tobler   Liner Notes
Phil Ramone   Recording
Bernie Taupin   Composer
Gus Skinas   Editing
Matt Still   Mixing
Tony Cousins   Remastering
Ken Scott   Engineer,Remixing
Elton John   Composer