Elton John

エルトン・ジョン初期の傑作アルバム『Elton John』の50周年を記念した2枚組半透明パープル・ヴァイナルLP。DISC 1にはオリジナル収録の10曲の2016年リマスター音源を収録。DISC 2に収録されている2008年発表のデラック・エディションCDで既出のデモ音源や「Border Song」「Bad Side Of The Moon」のデモ音源は初ヴァイナル化。

"Record Store Day 2020"限定リリース

Empty Sky was followed by Elton John, a more focused and realized record that deservedly became his first hit. John and Bernie Taupin's songwriting had become more immediate and successful; in particular, John's music had become sharper and more diverse, rescuing Taupin's frequently nebulous lyrics. "Take Me to the Pilot" might not make much sense lyrically, but John had the good sense to ground its willfully cryptic words with a catchy blues-based melody. Next to the increased sense of songcraft, the most noticeable change on Elton John is the addition of Paul Buckmaster's grandiose string arrangements. Buckmaster's orchestrations are never subtle, but they never overwhelm the vocalist, nor do they make the songs schmaltzy. Instead, they fit the ambitions of John and Taupin, as the instant standard "Your Song" illustrates. Even with the strings and choirs that dominate the sound of the album, John manages to rock out on a fair share of the record. Though there are a couple of underdeveloped songs, Elton John remains one of his best records. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine