EMPTY SKY is 50

[dougs]

Elton & Bernie's first album, EMPTY SKY, has turned 50!

Elton's website has prepared an excellent article including an interview with fellow musician/guitarist Caleb Quaye in order to take a look at the album:

www.eltonjohn.com/stories/empty-sky-50

Caleb worked on Elton's early albums as guitarist and then returned in 1975 for ROCK OF THE WESTIES and then BLUE MOVES when he played, wrote, and toured with Elton.  EMPTY SKY has a charm.  It must have been terribly exciting to do.  Imagine writing and releasing your first album.  The title track, "Empty Sky" and "Skyline Pigeon" have certainly stood the test of time.  Elton has stated over the years that he quite likes how those two songs, in particular, turned out.  The extended live versions of "Empty Sky" in 1975 & 76 were incredible;  both Caleb Quaye and Roger Pope were back in the band at this time.  I am glad that I bought the re-issued EMPTY SKY on remastered 180 gram vinyl two years - sounds great.

Check out the article.

Doug

[rocketman]

Thanks Doug, very interesting insider's view from Caleb Quaye. I've always liked Empty Sky, and in some of the groups I've belonged to on Facebook, I've noticed that many fans dismiss it, which is a shame, because it provides a glimpse at the stardom to come, and also gives us a window into what Elton's early years were like. It also is unique in his catalog in several respects - the recording tech (or lack thereof) used, the lack of backing vocalists, Bernie's early, somewhat strange lyrics.

[dougs]

rocketman:

Agreed.  Well said.  Yeah, aren't Bernie's lyrics something else at times! Despite the technology, it is amazing how these young musicians and Steve Brown crafted the songs.

Doug