Post by dougs on Nov 5, 2021 8:29:32 GMT
MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER:
Elton's fourth (proper) studio album was released 50 years ago today - November 5, 1971! Hard to believe that 50 years has gone by so fast!
It had interesting chart success upon release. It went #8 in the US and Australia and #9 in Canada. The album didn't do so well in the UK where it hit only #41. In the US, MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER stayed in the upper reaches of the Billboard chart for many months and ended up as the #10 album for all of 1972. It had staying power.
As far as singles go, we need to remember that Elton wasn't seen as a singles or AM hit artist yet. His previous album TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION (#2 in the UK, #4 in Canada & Australia, and #5 in the US) did not have any singles for most of the world. MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER, however, released 1 or 2 singles depending on the country. "Levon" was released shortly after the album and had chart success in really only one country, Canada #6, while having moderate success in the US peaking at #24. "Tiny Dancer" had less success on the singles charts; it reached #13 in Australia, #19 in Canada, and only #41 in the US. It wasn't even released in the UK except to radio only with a butchered 3 minutes chopped off!
It was clear that the songs on MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER were not geared for the AM hit audience but, rather, the FM album-oriented rock stations that gave the two singles sufficient airplay in addition to strong album tracks like "Indian Sunset" and the title track. Here are some interesting facts about the record:
* the song "Madman Across the Water" was to be included on TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION. That version of the song featured guitarist Mick Ronson known for his work with David Bowie.
* the newly recorded and selected version of "Madman Across the Water" was far less electric than Ronson's and featured some excellent acoustic guitar from newcomer Davey Johnstone.
* Nigel Olsson & Dee Murray from Elton's touring band only played (typical for the time) on one song on the album - "All the Nasties."
* the album saw the last-ever performances from several session players (eg. bassist Herbie Flowers) who had played on these early Elton albums.
* the album saw the departure of guitarist Caleb Quaye and drummer Roger Pope until 1975's ROCK OF THE WESTIES album.
* Rick Wakeman from the progressive rock band Yes played organ on three tracks.
* despite sluggish sales, both "Tiny Dancer" & "Levon" immediately became concert favourites as did "Madman Across the Water" which morphed into 20-minute long versions by 1973.
* the song "Tiny Dancer" got a second life when it was featured prominently in the major film "Almost Famous" in 2000.
* despite never being an officially released single in the UK, "Tiny Dancer" became certified Platinum for sales in the UK in 2019. It was certified 3X Platinum in the US in 2018.
* years ago it was said the "blue jean baby, LA lady, seamstress for the band" was supposedly Bernie's soon to be wife - Maxine.
* Elton and company made a major video for "Tiny Dancer" in 2017 and it is being used in the FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD tour.
* "Levon" has now become Elton's current longest concert song -usually coming in at 13+ minutes on the FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD tour.
* the cover for the album is an actual photograph (David Larkham) of an embroidery (Janis Larkham, wife of David) on a Levi's jacket which apparently took two weeks to complete.
* Elton recently stated that "All the Nasties" was about himself wondering how people would react (especially the press) if he were to "come out."
OK, that's it for now.
Any thoughts about the album or certain songs? Favourite songs? Least favourite songs? How about that mandolin, sitar, and acoustic guitar in "Holiday Inn"? Does anyone remember buying it when it came out?
Doug
Elton's fourth (proper) studio album was released 50 years ago today - November 5, 1971! Hard to believe that 50 years has gone by so fast!
It had interesting chart success upon release. It went #8 in the US and Australia and #9 in Canada. The album didn't do so well in the UK where it hit only #41. In the US, MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER stayed in the upper reaches of the Billboard chart for many months and ended up as the #10 album for all of 1972. It had staying power.
As far as singles go, we need to remember that Elton wasn't seen as a singles or AM hit artist yet. His previous album TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION (#2 in the UK, #4 in Canada & Australia, and #5 in the US) did not have any singles for most of the world. MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER, however, released 1 or 2 singles depending on the country. "Levon" was released shortly after the album and had chart success in really only one country, Canada #6, while having moderate success in the US peaking at #24. "Tiny Dancer" had less success on the singles charts; it reached #13 in Australia, #19 in Canada, and only #41 in the US. It wasn't even released in the UK except to radio only with a butchered 3 minutes chopped off!
It was clear that the songs on MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER were not geared for the AM hit audience but, rather, the FM album-oriented rock stations that gave the two singles sufficient airplay in addition to strong album tracks like "Indian Sunset" and the title track. Here are some interesting facts about the record:
* the song "Madman Across the Water" was to be included on TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION. That version of the song featured guitarist Mick Ronson known for his work with David Bowie.
* the newly recorded and selected version of "Madman Across the Water" was far less electric than Ronson's and featured some excellent acoustic guitar from newcomer Davey Johnstone.
* Nigel Olsson & Dee Murray from Elton's touring band only played (typical for the time) on one song on the album - "All the Nasties."
* the album saw the last-ever performances from several session players (eg. bassist Herbie Flowers) who had played on these early Elton albums.
* the album saw the departure of guitarist Caleb Quaye and drummer Roger Pope until 1975's ROCK OF THE WESTIES album.
* Rick Wakeman from the progressive rock band Yes played organ on three tracks.
* despite sluggish sales, both "Tiny Dancer" & "Levon" immediately became concert favourites as did "Madman Across the Water" which morphed into 20-minute long versions by 1973.
* the song "Tiny Dancer" got a second life when it was featured prominently in the major film "Almost Famous" in 2000.
* despite never being an officially released single in the UK, "Tiny Dancer" became certified Platinum for sales in the UK in 2019. It was certified 3X Platinum in the US in 2018.
* years ago it was said the "blue jean baby, LA lady, seamstress for the band" was supposedly Bernie's soon to be wife - Maxine.
* Elton and company made a major video for "Tiny Dancer" in 2017 and it is being used in the FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD tour.
* "Levon" has now become Elton's current longest concert song -usually coming in at 13+ minutes on the FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD tour.
* the cover for the album is an actual photograph (David Larkham) of an embroidery (Janis Larkham, wife of David) on a Levi's jacket which apparently took two weeks to complete.
* Elton recently stated that "All the Nasties" was about himself wondering how people would react (especially the press) if he were to "come out."
OK, that's it for now.
Any thoughts about the album or certain songs? Favourite songs? Least favourite songs? How about that mandolin, sitar, and acoustic guitar in "Holiday Inn"? Does anyone remember buying it when it came out?
Doug
