We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago……
It was the 4th album in 18 months and the 2nd in 1971 when Elton John released “Madman Across The Water” late in the year.
I’ve always preferred early Elton John to his later excesses although, lets face it, much of his material, at least through 1977 , was top notch.
This album of course features “Tiny Dancer” and “Levon” which have been ingrained in our memories over the years. Great songs yes…but not the best for me. Some of the other cuts on the LP get some love including “Razor Face”, “Holiday Inn” and “Rotten Peaches”. “Indian Sunset”, despite it’s historical inaccuracies is powerful.
Producer Gus Dudgeon did not trust Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson to play much on this LP…and Davey Johnstone was brought in late and only contributed a little (thats his mandolin on ‘Holiday Inn). Studio cats did alot of the playing on this including Rick Wakeman (he was a busy guy in 1971) on Hammond organ, Caleb Quayle on guitar and a number of different bass players and drummers.
Which brings us to the most important “musician” on the LP, outside of Elton’s piano. And this guy didn’t even play an instrument. His name was Paul Buckmaster and you probably don’t know him unless you are a liner note afficinado. Buckmaster was a celllist who also arranged the orchestral and string parts on dozens of rock and pop LPs for over 20 years. He worked with everyone from Bowie to Guns & Roses, Stevie Nicks to the Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Miles Davis and Carly Simon. Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Counting Crows, Kenny Loggins, Lionel Ritchie and on and on and on. He also worked on Elton’s Your Song and Border Song and on some of Tumbleweed Connection.
I want you to listen to this album for the strings first and you will hear what an important part Buckmaster’s arrangements make to the sound of the album. They ebb and flow, rise and fall contributing much to texture and mood of the songs. Some of these songs would sound much different without them.
Which brings me to, not only my favorite song on the record, my favorite Elton John song in his entire catalog. The title track to “Madman Across The Water”, is for me, a stunning tune. Bernie and Elton were working at a high level and it shows. The song was originally recorded for the ‘Tumbleweed Connection” Lp with Bowie’s guitarist, Mick Ronson, playing on it. Here’s what that sounded like…
Now here is the version which appears on “Madman” which has Johnstone (acoustic) and noted British guitarist Chris Spedding (electric) playing on it…
I just love Elton’s music to this and Buckmaster’s string arrangement, Herbie Flowers bass and Spedding’s solo. Elton’s vocals leave it all on the studio floor too. I could listen to this for hours.
Elton’s good friend Brandi Carlile, did an awesome cover of this….
Why do I bring that up (outside of my huge crush on anything Carlile does). It closes a circle because the last string arrangement that Paul Buckmaster did before he died was for Carlile’s song “Party of One” in 2017.
I also found this version of the song, caught live in the BBC studios in 1971 with Elton, Murray and Olsson turning it into an extended “jazz” jam. If you havent seen this, youre in for a treat.
Once again, no glitter needed. No feather boas, tiaras or rhinestone encrusted glasses. Just three musicians playing their instruments at a high level in a way that nobody expects. It’s just so cool.
Like I said at the top, I’ll take early Elton & Bernie over the later stuff, although some of that stuff was really good too.
Was this his best? Well, for me it’s either this or Goodbye Yellow Brick Rd. Good thing we can still listen to both….and Honky Cat…and Tumbleweed Connection…and “Captain Fantastic”….
