Madman Across the Water [Original recording remastered]

Amazon.com essential recording
Named for a cut that originally appeared on his Tumbleweed Connection album, Madman Across the Water yielded some of Elton John's earliest AOR staples. "Tiny Dancer," like the previous "Your Song," was introduced and carried by John's masterful piano composition. The song's sense of longing also employed the falsetto chorus that would become as much of a trademark as his costumes. "Levon," another entry into the John/Taupin "ballad of" category, is one of their finest pieces. The orchestration gives the song not only its sense of foreboding, but also its release of tension as the song ends. "Rotten Peaches" became a favorite, as did "Holiday Inn." There's also a different interpretation of the title track than appeared on Tumbleweed Connection. --Steve Gdula

Madman Across the Water,Elton John,Island,Album Rock,England,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter,Soft Rock

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Madman Across the Water [Original recording remastered]

Average customer rating: Keep listening over and over! When Music Was Great Dam good Music is life Elton John Madman Across the Water

Madman Across the Water Elton John Manufacturer: Island ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop Rock | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Pop Rock | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tumbleweed Connection Honky Chateau Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player Elton John ASIN: B000001EGC Release Date: 1996-05-14

Tracks:

1. Tiny Dancer
2. Levon
3. Razor Face
4. Madman Across The Water
5. Indian Sunset
6. Holiday Inn
7. Rotten Peaches
8. All The Nasties
9. Goodbye

Amazon.com essential recording

Named for a cut that originally appeared on his Tumbleweed Connection album, Madman Across the Water yielded some of Elton John's earliest AOR staples. "Tiny Dancer," like the previous "Your Song," was introduced and carried by John's masterful piano composition. The song's sense of longing also employed the falsetto chorus that would become as much of a trademark as his costumes. "Levon," another entry into the John/Taupin "ballad of" category, is one of their finest pieces. The orchestration gives the song not only its sense of foreboding, but also its release of tension as the song ends. "Rotten Peaches" became a favorite, as did "Holiday Inn." There's also a different interpretation of the title track than appeared on Tumbleweed Connection. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

Keep listening over and over!.......2007-07-12

I have been dipping into the early Elton albums lately, and this one stops me cold and has me listening over and over. The Taupin lyrics on this album are masterpieces, and Elton delivers them with feeling and perfect melody. This album shows why this team has put out some of the best songs in popular music. True artists. Levon and Indian Sunsets are must haves for any Elton fan.

When Music Was Great.......2007-06-27

It is hard to imagine anyone who has not at least heard or Sir Elton John. He is the piano maestro who would bring Bernie Taupin's lyrics to life with the perfect musical arrangement. The 1970's saw Elton John become the outlandish arena rock, superstar. Unlike other stars, such as Madonna, Elton's outlandishness did not eclipse the music. While his big hits such as, "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road" and "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds", or "Bennie and the Jets" were huge, some of the earlier work showed the promise. "Madman Across the Water" is probably one of the most underrated albums of all time. In 1971 this effort should have been the freashest breath of air out there. Over the decades ballads have become anathema to stadium rock due to their often formulaic blandness. Let it be noted that before "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road", "Madman Across the Water" yielded two of the best ballads ever written, "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon". It was really years later when these songs became appreciated for their timeless brilliance. Both songs evoke a heartfelt emotion and beauty that few balladeers have been able to touch. While those two songs found a big audience on Elton John's greatest hits collection, put into context on the Madman album, they become something more. The title track is epic and sweeps one away with its lush orchestration and length. "Indian Sunset" is another such song and fairly well brings tears to your eyes. All of the songs are well crafted and orchestrated making them moving and powerful thirty-six years later. There were no sappy ballads on this album, just great, solid music. A real testament to a true artist. Any serious music aficionado needs to have this cd in their collection if they don't already have it on vinyl. Here, here, to a time when the music was truly great.

Dam good.......2007-05-13

This is a very under-rated album in the Elton John cannon. OK it probably isn't as good as Honky Chateau or Tumbleweed Connection, but I suspect that its more to do with the lack of a successful single than the quality of the songs on the album. With the exception of the very short "Goodbye" (1:48) only one other track (Razor face 4:40) is under 5 minutes in length. So unless they edited the songs there was no chance of a single from this album.

The album was recorded in 1971 and kicks of with "Tiny Dancer". Its a great opening track, but its beaten by track 2 "Levon". This has one of Eltons patented Piano introductions, a great lyric and arrangement and is one of Eltons greatest tracks never to be released as a single. Full credit should also be given to Paul Buckmasters great string arrangements on this track and many of the others well.

Careful reading of the credits to this album will reveal many well known musicians playing on this album. For example a number of tracks have Rick Wakeman playing Organ and Ray Cooper makes one of his earliest appearances on an Elton John album on "All the Nasties".

I've been playing this album for 30 years or more now and its well worth getting.

Music is life.......2007-03-27

I'm not an avid Elton John fan, I've just like the occasional hit on the radio.

This is an album I enjoyed and I'm not looking for more by EJ.

I don't have much use for organized religion but this album was beyond such nonsense. I gave this 5 stars because I think it was the best of EJ before he became the superstar: sound quality was excellent.

Elton John Madman Across the Water.......2007-01-05

THE BEST album Elton John ever put out. Indian Sunset is such a moving piece of music and Madman Across the water is great!

Average customer rating: Incredible sounding 5 channel sacd SACD Version of One of Elton's Greatest Albums Yet Another Classic Elton John Album Enhanced via SACD format Still my clear choice for the best of the early Elton John albums Another superb SACD

Madman Across The Water Elton John Manufacturer: Island ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tumbleweed Connection Elton John Honky Chateau Captain Fantastic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road ASIN: B00064X3EK Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

1. Tiny Dancer
2. Levon
3. Razor Face
4. Madman Across the Water
5. Indian Sunset
6. Holiday Inn
7. Rotten Peaches
8. All the Nasties
9. Goodbye

Customer Reviews:

Incredible sounding 5 channel sacd.......2007-03-10

The SACD 5.1 mix makes an excellent CD even better. Clarity, seperation and multi-channel defintion are all excellent. I noticed that some of the songs are extended versions of the original releases. Not having listened to this cd for many years in previous forms one other thing struck me. That being the only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star classic is the material on the 2nd side (at least what would be the 2nd side of the original LP) is noticeably weaker than side 1. Never hear anyone mention this, but if you think about it, its hard to argue that point. You could say its partly because of how incredible side 1 is and I would not dispute that point. Just makes me realize why back in the LP days I always found myself listening to side 1 more than side 2. None of this detracts from the overall excellence of this CD and even if it only contained side 1 it would still be a near classic. I'd say a solid 3 songs on this CD belong in the top 10 all time Elton John songs. That in itself is plenty good enough even if the lesser material seems a bit like filler in comparison.

SACD Version of One of Elton's Greatest Albums.......2006-11-14

This album was Elton John and Bernie Taupin's sixth album in three years. During that time Elton explored a variety of sounds, trying to find his sound. "Madman Across the Water" was the cusp of the quest that would be fully realized on Elton's next album, "Honky Chateau." While seeking his sound Elton managed to demonstrate an incredible potential that was broadly manifested on this album.

The first five songs particularly show a wonderful range of styles and compositions ranging from the solid pop of "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" to the heavily orchestrated "Madman Across the Water" and "Indian Sunset." The lyrics were occasionally murky and often misquoted. Yet, there was a lot of power in the piano and the backing arrangements were incredible. The still maturing voice of Elton was new and different at the time, and appealed to a broad array of audiences trying to find stability after the psychedelic and turbulent 60s.

One interesting feature of some of Elton's early music is the periodic influence of gospel or soul music, most strongly seen on this album in "All the Nasties." The influence would not last much longer as Elton went down a musically more cohesive path from this point on.

Over time Elton played keyboards of various types, but on his recent album "Songs from the West Coast" he returned to the piano once again, recalling the relative innocence of this early music, though with the maturity of a talented, seasoned artist. I think it is a tribute to the power of this early music that Elton has returned to it once again in an album released decades after this album.

Music of this type has an incredible amount of power and appeals as much to emotion as it does to the ear. Listen again to an artist that made it big based on the power of his music and not the over-polished commercial pop that is hyped on many FM stations today. Truly a solid album for any collection.

Yet Another Classic Elton John Album Enhanced via SACD format.......2006-10-29

"Madman Across The Water" was Elton John's second 1971 album, following closely on the heels of "Tumbleweed Connection". Although stylistically, Elton wanders across a vast musical terrain that's larger than "Tumbleweed Connection", relying upon gospel, rhythm and blues as well as bluegrass, country and rock and roll, it is truly in his ballads "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" that John offers two of his most compelling - and popular - songs in his early career. The album is also noteworthy for having guitarist Davey Johnstone joining the Elton John Band - in which both bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson are heard for the first time on an entire Elton John studio album - contributing his versatile range in bluegrass, country and folk music as the band's lead guitarist. Paul Buckmaster's orchestral arrangements have not sounded as elegant as they have here, and with the new SACD format, it seems rather obvious that his compelling arrangements relied upon only a small group of studio musicians, not an entire symphony orchestra.

My own personal favorites on "Madman Across the Water" include the enigmatic-sounding title song, which some of Elton's fans and critics have remarked that it represents the scandal-ridden American presidency of Richard Nixon, but I think that this is too obvious an interpretation; the "Madman" could be anyone, not the least of which, Richard Nixon himself. I am also quite fond of the two ballads from this album that have proven to be enduring classic Elton John songs. "Tiny Dancer", the album's first song, is a lovely romantic tribute to Bernie Taupin's first wife - "the seamstress for the band" - which many may recognize now after it became a part of the soundtrack for Cameron Crowe's film "Almost Famous". "Levon" is a more gospel/rhythm and blues-influenced ballad, with a set of exquisite, quite memorable, lyrics from Bernie Taupin. Both ballads are blessed with elaborate string orchestrations from Paul Buckminister, which serve only to back Elton and his bandmates, without overwhelming them sonically.

Long-time Elton John producing associate Greg Penny - who had co-produced the "Made in England" album with Elton - has done a marvellous job with the sound quality, via the 5.1 Mix SACD format. Relying upon the late Gus Dudgeon's digital remastering, Penny has clearly gone much further, yielding the best possible sound I have heard for this album, by separating out each of the instruments being played by Elton, the rest of his band, and the studio session string ensemble. Without question, "Madman Across The Water" is an essential Elton John album, which is now more desirable in its SACD format reincarnation.

Still my clear choice for the best of the early Elton John albums.......2005-12-17

When I was going through my 1000+ CDs to look for ideas for the Music unit of the Popular Culture class I teach, I have come to the conclusion that "Madman Across the Water" was a seminal album in my life. I seriously started listening to FM radio in the early Seventies because that was the only place to hear "Levon," which was my favorite song for about half a year (I believe it was replaced by "Knife's Edge" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Consequently, the shift in my musical appreciation from Top Forty to more sophisticated musical forms can be traced to this particular song Elton John song and this special album.

Of course, once I had enough loose change I bought the album and promptly proceeded to play the first side about five times as often as I flipped it over and played side two; having the CD means I tend to listen to the whole thing all the way through. I would argue that "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," "Razor Face," and "Madman Across the Water" equals the best side of any Elton John record. I also used the title track as part of a poetry unit for English class (ah, those liberal days of yore). The movie "Almost Famous" has made "Tiny Dancer" popular again, but anybody who listens to this CD is going to find out there are some other great songs too. In addition to John's music and Bernie Taupin's lyrics, I think credit has to be given to Paul Buckmaster, whose sweeping string arrangements never worked better in giving John's songs color and depth. "Madman Acros the Water" is Elton John's darkest album, although it is more a sense of brooding and forboding rather than anger.

"Madman Across the Water" made it to #8 on the Billboard album chart. Since most of the songs were five minutes or longer, this was really the last Elton John album before he started turning out a string of Top 40 hits. But the best albums on any Elton John album were almost always the songs you never heard on AM radio. Ironically, given its place in my musical history, "Levon" made its way onto the third volume of Elton John's greatest hits collection even though it only made it to #24 on the single charts in 1972 ("Tiny Dancer" made it to only #41). Just another example of the cherished memories of our youth turning out to be phantasms when seen in the harsh light of day (or commercial music industry interests).

Another superb SACD.......2005-10-04

Like all the other 70's era Elton John SACDs, Madman is a pure pleasure to listen to. Something no one has metioned so far is that RAZOR FACE has been extened an extra two minutes for a long jam by the band. It's very cool.

Average customer rating: +0 Bonus Tracks

Madman Across the Water Elton John Manufacturer: Umvd Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Pop | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tumbleweed Connection Honky Chateau Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tumbleweed Connection ASIN: B00005NS1A Release Date: 2007-06-25

Tracks:

1. Tiny Dancer
2. Levon
3. Razor Face
4. Madman Across the Water
5. Indian Sunset
6. Holiday Inn
7. Rotten Peaches
8. All the Nasties
9. Goodbye

Album Description

Japanese reissue of 1971 album, packaged in a limited edition miniature LP sleeve.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Version featuring an LP Style Slipcase Cover.

Customer Reviews:

+0 Bonus Tracks.......2002-10-23

I have the (West) German LP on DJM/Hansa/Ariola. It was first released in Japan by Toshiba-EMI, then Nippon Phonogram, and in the U.S. & Canada by UNI/MCA. I have the reissue baked up on CD-R, which is legal. Featuring the hits "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon". The bonus tracks should have been the ones from the movie (NOT the show) "Friends", since the soundtrack is out of print. I would also add the early rare single, "I've Been Loving You" and its B-side. Japanese released usually have more to offer so stores in Japan don't sell imports because they'd be cheaper, and if they all did that, the Nikkei would fall.

Average customer rating: Keep listening over and over! When Music Was Great Dam good Music is life Elton John Madman Across the Water

Madman Across the Water Elton John Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tumbleweed Connection Honky Chateau Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player Elton John ASIN: B000008H2V Release Date: 1990-11-01

Tracks:

1. Tiny Dancer
2. Levon
3. Razor Face
4. Madman Across the Water
5. Indian Sunset
6. Holiday Inn
7. Rotten Peaches
8. All the Nasties
9. Goodbye

Amazon.com essential recording

Named for a cut that originally appeared on his Tumbleweed Connection album, Madman Across the Water yielded some of Elton John's earliest AOR staples. "Tiny Dancer," like the previous "Your Song," was introduced and carried by John's masterful piano composition. The song's sense of longing also employed the falsetto chorus that would become as much of a trademark as his costumes. "Levon," another entry into the John/Taupin "ballad of" category, is one of their finest pieces. The orchestration gives the song not only its sense of foreboding, but also its release of tension as the song ends. "Rotten Peaches" became a favorite, as did "Holiday Inn." There's also a different interpretation of the title track than appeared on Tumbleweed Connection. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

Keep listening over and over!.......2007-07-12

I have been dipping into the early Elton albums lately, and this one stops me cold and has me listening over and over. The Taupin lyrics on this album are masterpieces, and Elton delivers them with feeling and perfect melody. This album shows why this team has put out some of the best songs in popular music. True artists. Levon and Indian Sunsets are must haves for any Elton fan.

When Music Was Great.......2007-06-27

It is hard to imagine anyone who has not at least heard or Sir Elton John. He is the piano maestro who would bring Bernie Taupin's lyrics to life with the perfect musical arrangement. The 1970's saw Elton John become the outlandish arena rock, superstar. Unlike other stars, such as Madonna, Elton's outlandishness did not eclipse the music. While his big hits such as, "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road" and "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds", or "Bennie and the Jets" were huge, some of the earlier work showed the promise. "Madman Across the Water" is probably one of the most underrated albums of all time. In 1971 this effort should have been the freashest breath of air out there. Over the decades ballads have become anathema to stadium rock due to their often formulaic blandness. Let it be noted that before "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road", "Madman Across the Water" yielded two of the best ballads ever written, "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon". It was really years later when these songs became appreciated for their timeless brilliance. Both songs evoke a heartfelt emotion and beauty that few balladeers have been able to touch. While those two songs found a big audience on Elton John's greatest hits collection, put into context on the Madman album, they become something more. The title track is epic and sweeps one away with its lush orchestration and length. "Indian Sunset" is another such song and fairly well brings tears to your eyes. All of the songs are well crafted and orchestrated making them moving and powerful thirty-six years later. There were no sappy ballads on this album, just great, solid music. A real testament to a true artist. Any serious music aficionado needs to have this cd in their collection if they don't already have it on vinyl. Here, here, to a time when the music was truly great.

Dam good.......2007-05-13

This is a very under-rated album in the Elton John cannon. OK it probably isn't as good as Honky Chateau or Tumbleweed Connection, but I suspect that its more to do with the lack of a successful single than the quality of the songs on the album. With the exception of the very short "Goodbye" (1:48) only one other track (Razor face 4:40) is under 5 minutes in length. So unless they edited the songs there was no chance of a single from this album.

The album was recorded in 1971 and kicks of with "Tiny Dancer". Its a great opening track, but its beaten by track 2 "Levon". This has one of Eltons patented Piano introductions, a great lyric and arrangement and is one of Eltons greatest tracks never to be released as a single. Full credit should also be given to Paul Buckmasters great string arrangements on this track and many of the others well.

Careful reading of the credits to this album will reveal many well known musicians playing on this album. For example a number of tracks have Rick Wakeman playing Organ and Ray Cooper makes one of his earliest appearances on an Elton John album on "All the Nasties".

I've been playing this album for 30 years or more now and its well worth getting.

Music is life.......2007-03-27

I'm not an avid Elton John fan, I've just like the occasional hit on the radio.

This is an album I enjoyed and I'm not looking for more by EJ.

I don't have much use for organized religion but this album was beyond such nonsense. I gave this 5 stars because I think it was the best of EJ before he became the superstar: sound quality was excellent.

Elton John Madman Across the Water.......2007-01-05

THE BEST album Elton John ever put out. Indian Sunset is such a moving piece of music and Madman Across the water is great!

Average customer rating: Still my choice for the best of the early Elton John albums

Madman Across the Water Manufacturer: MCA Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Every Picture Tells a Story Honky Chateau ASIN: B0002Z628W

Product Description

Elton John's 1972 hit record. Tracks: 1) Tiny Dancer 2) Levon 3) Razor Face 4) Madman Across the Water 5) Indian Sunset 6) Holiday Inn 7) Rotten Peaches 8) All the Nasties 9) Goodbye

Customer Reviews:

Still my choice for the best of the early Elton John albums.......2004-11-08

When I was going through my 1000+ CDs to look for ideas for the Music unit of the Popular Culture class I teach, I have come to the conclusion that "Madman Across the Water" was a seminal album in my life. I seriously started listening to FM radio in the early Seventies because that was the only place to hear "Levon," which was my favorite song for about half a year (I believe it was replaced by "Knife's Edge" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Consequently, the shift in my musical appreciation from Top Forty to more sophisticated musical forms can be traced to this particular song Elton John song and this special album.

Of course, once I had enough loose change I bought the album and promptly proceeded to play the first side about five times as often as I flipped it over and played side two; having the CD means I tend to listen to the whole thing all the way through. I would argue that "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," "Razor Face," and "Madman Across the Water" equals the best side of any Elton John record. I also used the title track as part of a poetry unit for English class (ah, those liberal days of yore). The movie "Almost Famous" has made "Tiny Dancer" popular again, but anybody who listens to this CD is going to find out there are some other great songs too. In addition to John's music and Bernie Taupin's lyrics, I think credit has to be given to Paul Buckmaster, whose sweeping string arrangements never worked better in giving John's songs color and depth. "Madman Acros the Water" is Elton John's darkest album, although it is more a sense of brooding and forboding rather than anger.

"Madman Across the Water" made it to #8 on the Billboard album chart. Since most of the songs were five minutes or longer, this was really the last Elton John album before he started turning out a string of Top 40 hits. But the best albums on any Elton John album were almost always the songs you never heard on AM radio. Ironically, given its place in my musical history, "Levon" made its way onto the third volume of Elton John's greatest hits collection even though it only made it to #24 on the single charts in 1972 ("Tiny Dancer" made it to only #41). Just another example of the cherished memories of our youth turning out to be phantasms when seen in the harsh light of day (or commercial music industry interests).

Average customer rating: The Classic Sixth Album Excellent Early Elton My vote for the very best of the "early" Elton John albums

Madman Across the Water Elton John Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000E5JF Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Tiny Dancer
2. Levon
3. Razor Face
4. Madman Across the Water
5. Indian Sunset
6. Holiday Inn
7. Rotten Peaches
8. All the Nasties
9. Goodbye

Customer Reviews:

The Classic Sixth Album.......2007-05-04

Elton John and Bernie Taupin had five albums under their belt before, "Madman Across The Water" and this proved to only solidify their immense talent. Of course, the huge hits, "Levon" and "Tiny Dancer" grace this album, but all the songs carry a strong sense of pop/rock with a minimum of perfect orchestration. After this album, Elton John pushed his style in slightly different directions, but returned to this original fashion with albums like, "Songs From The West Coast" and "Peachtree Road". This album has always been a classic and in SACD format, the sound is absolutely brilliant!

Excellent Early Elton.......2005-05-05

This album was Elton John and Bernie Taupin's sixth album in three years. During that time Elton explored a variety of sounds, trying to find his sound. "Madman Across the Water" was the cusp of the quest that would be fully realized on Elton's next album, "Honky Chateau". However, while seeking his sound, Elton managed to demonstrate an incredible potential that was broadly manifested on this album.

The first five songs particularly show a wonderful range of styles and compositions ranging from the solid pop of "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" to the heavily orchestrated "Madman Across the Water" and "Indian Sunset". While the lyrics were occasionally murky and often misquoted, there was a lot of power in the piano and the backing arrangements were incredible. The still maturing voice of Elton was new and different at the time, and appealed to a broad array of audiences trying to find stability after the psychedelic and turbulent 60s.

One interesting feature of some of Elton's early music is the periodic influence of gospel or soul music, most strongly seen on this album in "All the Nasties". The influence would not last much longer as Elton went down a musically more cohesive path for the next few years.

Over time Elton played keyboards of various types, but on his album "Songs from the West Coast" he returned to the piano once again, recalling the relative innocence of this early music, though with the maturity of a talented, seasoned artist. I think it is a tribute to the power of this early music that Elton has returned to it stylistically in "Songs from the West Coast."

Music of this type has an incredible amount of power and appeals as much to emotion as it does to the ear. Listen again to an artist that made popular on the power of his music and not the over-polished commercial pop that is hyped on many FM stations today. Truly a solid album for any collection.

My vote for the very best of the "early" Elton John albums.......2003-12-01

I have been going through my 1000+ CDs for the Popular Culture class I teach and I have come to the conclusion that "Madman that was the only place to hear "Levon," which was my favorite song for about half a year (I believe it was replaced by "Knife's Edge" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Consequently, the shift in my musical appreciation from Top Forty to more sophisticated musical forms can be traced to this particular song and this special album.

Of course, once I had enough loose change I bought the album and promptly proceeded to play the first side about five times as often as I flipped it over and played side two; having the CD Across the Water" was a seminal album in my life. I seriously started listening to FM radio in the early Seventies because means I tend to listen to the whole thing all the way through. I would argue that "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," "Razor Face," and "Madman Across the Water" equals the best side of any Elton John record. I also used the title track as part of a poetry unit for English class (ah, those liberal days of yore). The movie "Almost Famous" has made "Tiny Dancer" popular again, but anybody who listens to this CD is going to find out there are some other great songs too, from the somber "Indian Sunset" to the catchy "Rotten Peaches."

Ironically, "Levon" made its way onto the third volume of Elton John's greatest hits collection. Just another example of the cherished memories of our youth exploited by the commercial interests of some soulless giant company.

Rap Music:

1. Metamorphosis [Enhanced]
2. Mirrorball [Live]
3. More Than You Think You Are
4. Number Ones [Limited Edition]
5. Only [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]
6. Our Shadows Will Remain
7. Rarities [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]
8. Retrospective: The Best of Buffalo Springfield
9. Seals & Crofts - Greatest Hits
10. Several Arrows Later

Rap Music

rap music

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