Made In England (1995) (5 BONUS TRACKS) Elton John
Album Description:
MADE IN ENGLAND is the twenty-fifth studio album by English singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1995. It was dedicated to Elton's boyfriend and future civil partner David Furnish. It was also dedicated to the memory of Denis Gauthier and Peter Williams. This is the last album to date to feature percussionist Ray Cooper. Bob Birch became Elton's Bass player for this album and many more to come.
While still promoting his work for The LION KING soundtrack, in September of 1994, five months before its release as a single, the first track from MADE IN ENGLAND, "Believe", was played live by Elton John at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. "Believe" reached #15 in the U.K. and #13 in the U.S., and was the only American hit from the album to reach the Top 20. During November, Elton John toured Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Switzerland, Poland, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, and Japan and other countries two months later.
There is no denying the musicianship of this Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist. Elton John composes songs steeped in the craft of old-time tunesmithing. His dreamily melodic, catchy-chorus, piano-based writing style has been gobbled up by the public for decades. But as strongly evidenced on this album, his 35th (including greatest-hits records and boxes), John and lyricist Bernie Taupin want to simplify their lives. The one-word titles on all except the title track are indicative of the unadorned sentiments expressed on this collection. MADE IN ENGLAND is John at his most mature -- no fantastic Captains or manic Liberace-isms, just a songwriter trying to entertain his audience on that smooth sail without making too many waves.
Beatles producer George Martin adds his special touch on the lushly arranged folk/waltz "Latitude," a sensitive standout. The heavily orchestrated "Belfast" begins like a pretty soundtrack theme but soon turns lyrically sorrowful and dark. MADE IN ENGLAND moves with ease from the passionate ballad "Believe" to the plucky, Tennessee Williams-inspired "Lies," with its bravado ivory tinkling. Spirited pop tunes like the mid-tempo "Please" and pensive ballads like "Cold" are as irresistible as ever, but the singer's excesses are gone from his music just as they are from his life. What remains are proper and secure songs, a notch or two above those of most other pop tunesmiths.
All music written by Elton John. All lyrics written by Bernie Taupin.
"Believe" was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, harmonium, keyboards, background vocals); Davey Johnstone (guitar, banjo, mandolin, background vocals); Dermot Crehan (violin); The London Session Orchestra (strings); Paul Brennan (flute, pipe); Teddy Borowiecki (accordion); George Martin (horns); Paul Carrack (organ); Guy Babylon (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Charlie Morgan (drums); Ray Cooper (percussion); Bob Birch (background vocals).
Recorded at Air Studios, London, England.
Audio Mixers: Greg Penny; Jon Ingoldsby. Arrangers: George Martin; Guy Babylon; Paul Buckmaster.
Produced by Greg Penny & Elton John.
Track Listing:
1. Believe - 4:55 2. Made in England - 5:09 3. House - 4:27 4. Cold - 5:37 5. Pain - 3:49 6. Belfast - 6:29 7. Latitude - 3:34 8. Please - 3:52 9. Man - 5:16 10. Lies - 4:25 11. Blessed - 5:01 12. Made in England (Edit) - 3:59 (BONUS TRACK) 13. Whatever Gets You Through The Night - 4:12 (BONUS TRACK) (Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden On November 28, 1974) 14. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - 6:00 (BONUS TRACK) (Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden On November 28, 1974) 15. I Saw Her Standing There - 3:30 (BONUS TRACK) (Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden On November 28, 1974) 16. Believe (Hardkiss Mix) - 10:27 (BONUS TRACK)
Made In England (1995) (5 BONUS TRACKS)
ReplyDeleteElton John
Album Description:
MADE IN ENGLAND is the twenty-fifth studio album by English singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1995. It was dedicated to Elton's boyfriend and future civil partner David Furnish. It was also dedicated to the memory of Denis Gauthier and Peter Williams. This is the last album to date to feature percussionist Ray Cooper. Bob Birch became Elton's Bass player for this album and many more to come.
While still promoting his work for The LION KING soundtrack, in September of 1994, five months before its release as a single, the first track from MADE IN ENGLAND, "Believe", was played live by Elton John at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. "Believe" reached #15 in the U.K. and #13 in the U.S., and was the only American hit from the album to reach the Top 20. During November, Elton John toured Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Switzerland, Poland, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, and Japan and other countries two months later.
There is no denying the musicianship of this Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist. Elton John composes songs steeped in the craft of old-time tunesmithing. His dreamily melodic, catchy-chorus, piano-based writing style has been gobbled up by the public for decades. But as strongly evidenced on this album, his 35th (including greatest-hits records and boxes), John and lyricist Bernie Taupin want to simplify their lives. The one-word titles on all except the title track are indicative of the unadorned sentiments expressed on this collection. MADE IN ENGLAND is John at his most mature -- no fantastic Captains or manic Liberace-isms, just a songwriter trying to entertain his audience on that smooth sail without making too many waves.
Beatles producer George Martin adds his special touch on the lushly arranged folk/waltz "Latitude," a sensitive standout. The heavily orchestrated "Belfast" begins like a pretty soundtrack theme but soon turns lyrically sorrowful and dark. MADE IN ENGLAND moves with ease from the passionate ballad "Believe" to the plucky, Tennessee Williams-inspired "Lies," with its bravado ivory tinkling. Spirited pop tunes like the mid-tempo "Please" and pensive ballads like "Cold" are as irresistible as ever, but the singer's excesses are gone from his music just as they are from his life. What remains are proper and secure songs, a notch or two above those of most other pop tunesmiths.
All music written by Elton John. All lyrics written by Bernie Taupin.
"Believe" was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, harmonium, keyboards, background vocals); Davey Johnstone (guitar, banjo, mandolin, background vocals); Dermot Crehan (violin); The London Session Orchestra (strings); Paul Brennan (flute, pipe); Teddy Borowiecki (accordion); George Martin (horns); Paul Carrack (organ); Guy Babylon (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Charlie Morgan (drums); Ray Cooper (percussion); Bob Birch (background vocals).
Recorded at Air Studios, London, England.
Audio Mixers: Greg Penny; Jon Ingoldsby.
Arrangers: George Martin; Guy Babylon; Paul Buckmaster.
Produced by Greg Penny & Elton John.
Track Listing:
1. Believe - 4:55
2. Made in England - 5:09
3. House - 4:27
4. Cold - 5:37
5. Pain - 3:49
6. Belfast - 6:29
7. Latitude - 3:34
8. Please - 3:52
9. Man - 5:16
10. Lies - 4:25
11. Blessed - 5:01
12. Made in England (Edit) - 3:59 (BONUS TRACK)
13. Whatever Gets You Through The Night - 4:12 (BONUS TRACK) (Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden On November 28, 1974)
14. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - 6:00 (BONUS TRACK) (Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden On November 28, 1974)
15. I Saw Her Standing There - 3:30 (BONUS TRACK) (Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden On November 28, 1974)
16. Believe (Hardkiss Mix) - 10:27 (BONUS TRACK)