Tumbleweed Connection

by Elton John

Overview

Instead of repeating the formula that made Elton John a success, John and Bernie Taupin attempted their most ambitious record to date for the follow-up to their breakthrough. A loose concept album about the American West, Tumbleweed Connection emphasized the pretensions that always lay beneath their songcraft. Half of the songs don't follow conventional pop song structures; instead, they flow between verses and vague choruses. These experiments are remarkably successful, primarily because Taupin's lyrics are evocative and John's melodic sense is at its best. As should be expected for a concept album about the Wild West, the music draws from country and blues in equal measures, ranging from the bluesy choruses of "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun" and the modified country of "Country Comfort" to the gospel-inflected "Burn Down the Mission" and the rolling, soulful "Amoreena." Paul Buckmaster manages to write dramatic but appropriate string arrangements that accentuate the cinematic feel of the album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/30/2017
Label:	Mercury / Virgin Emi
UPC:	0602557383065

Tracks

1. Ballad of a Well-Known Gun
2. Come Down in Time
3. Country Comfort
4. Son of Your Father
5. My Father's Gun
6. Where to Now, St. Peter?
7. Love Song
8. Amoreena
9. Talking Old Soldiers
10. Burn Down the Mission

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Elton John   Primary Artist,Organ,Piano,Vocals,Keyboards,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Mick Ronson   Primary Artist,Guitar,Guest Artist
Sunny Leslie   Vocals (Background)
Sue Glover   Vocals (Background)
Dusty Springfield   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Tony Hazzard   Vocals (Background)
Tony Burrows   Vocals (Background)
Paul Buckmaster   Conductor
Skaila Kanga   Harp
Dee Murray   Bass,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Johnny Van Derek   Violin
Tammy Hunt   Vocals (Background)
Ian Duck   Harmonica
Mike Egan   Guitar (Acoustic)
Karl Jenkins   Oboe
Madeline Bell   Vocals (Background)
Lesley Duncan   Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Roger Pope   Drums,Percussion
Nigel Olsson   Drums,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Brian Dee   Organ
Gordon Huntley   Guitar (Steel)
Herbie Flowers   Guitar (Bass)
Chris Laurence   Bass,Bass (Acoustic)
Barry Morgan   Drums
Kay Garner   Vocals (Background)
Robin Jones   Congas,Tambourine
Les Thatcher   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (12 String),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
Caleb Quaye   Guitar,Lead Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Dave Glover   Guitar (Bass)
Sunny   Vocals (Background)
Sue & Sunny   Vocals (Background)
Johnny VanDerrick   Violin

Technical Credits

Gus Dudgeon   Liner Notes,Audio Production,Producer
Robin Geoffrey Cable   Audio Engineer,Engineer
Paul Buckmaster   Arranger
John Tobler   Liner Notes
Lesley Duncan   Composer
Bernie Taupin   Composer,Lyricist
Gus Skinas   Editing
Elton John   Composer
Greg Penny   Producer,Surround Mix
David Larkham   Design,Artwork,Photography,Cover Design,Art Direction
Barry Wentzell   Photography
Barrie Wentzell   Photography
Ricky Graham   Digital Transfers