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Post by BiteUrLip on Mar 29, 2019 9:53:00 GMT
[Alternative version on The Complete Thom Bell Sessions]
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Post by BiteUrLip on Mar 29, 2019 9:54:25 GMT
It's a great version of the song, but the one on ASM is better. This one sounds more R&B, while the ASM version sounds more adult contemporary, which is better to me.
4½ stars.
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Post by dougs on Mar 29, 2019 12:52:38 GMT
"Shine On Through" from THE COMPLETE THOM BELL SESSIONS:
Originally, the melody to "Shine On Through" was written during the BLUE MOVES sessions. Apparently Bernie attempted to fit lyrics to the melody (reverse way of writing with Elton) however it didn't work out. Gary Osborne then followed up later on with his lyrics which managed to work. This particular version didn't make the original 3-song THOM BELL SESSIONS EP in 1979 but did emerge when the entire COMPLETE THOM BELL SESSIONS album was released in 1989. A more sombre version appeared on Elton's A SINGLE MAN release in 1978.
As opposed to the A SINGLE MAN version which is more fragile and sombre (a compliment), this THOM BELL SESSIONS version is much longer and changes in mood part way through with lots of backing vocals and more buoyant strings plus more celebratory vocals from Elton. Apparently, producer Thom Bell encouraged vocal improvisations and this is what Elton did in this particular version. Elton stated this about Thom Bell: "he was the first person that ever taught me about my voice...he said 'you don't use your lower register enough'..." Thom Bell had already become successful as writer and producer for Philly-Soul and R&B artists such as The Spinners, The O'Jays, and The Stylistics.
Elton played "Shine On Through" solo at his shock-the-world "retirement" concert at Wembley Arena in London in 1977. He played it again in 1978 and not since. He also played it solo in that famous Morecambe & Wise show in England in 1977 - Christmas special.
Rating: 4 to 4 1/2 stars
Doug
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Post by Rocket Man on Mar 30, 2019 3:08:39 GMT
I gave it four stars. Like Doug, I think the "A Single Man" version is better. It is still a good song on "The Complete Thom Bell Sessions" though. Just so different!! The overall mood of the lyrics probably fits better the orchestration put fowards on the 1978 released version.
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Post by newloneranger on Mar 31, 2019 18:51:41 GMT
I like both versions of this song about the same, I guess it depends on the mood i'm in. 4 1/2 stars  |
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Post by rocketman on Apr 2, 2019 14:18:18 GMT
4 stars...I tend to favor this version over the ASM version, though it does get a little long-winded. Doug's comment about the song's origins are quite interesting - a definite reversal of the normal process of creating an Elton John song.
Though Thom Bell, according to Elton, encouraged Elton to use his lower register more, I personally seldom hear much of a difference in Elton's singing style post-Bell Sessions. To my ears, with exceptions like Blue Eyes from Jump Up!, Elton's style is very similar and any drop in register is likely due to age and wear and tear, and later, throat issues that led to surgery.
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