Rock of the Westies [Original recording remastered]

Amazon.com essential recording
Although it was viewed as one of Elton John's more lightweight efforts upon its 1975 release--possibly because it followed only half a year after the acclaimed Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (and partially because many thought the album was released to fulfill a contractual obligation)--Rock of the Westies appears in retrospect to be his last great rock album. It certainly does rock consistently harder than any other John album, with guitarist Davey Johnstone even getting cowriting credits (with John and Bernie Taupin) on the opening "Medley: Yell Help/Wednesday" and "Grow Some Funk of Your Own." Lyricist Taupin seems to be going off the deep end here at times with titles like "Dan Dare (Pilot of the Future)" and "Billy Bone & the White Bird," but "Island Girl" was another huge hit for the pair. And the CD version adds the wonderful pop gem "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart," which turned KiKi Dee into an eternal Trivial Pursuit answer. --Bill Holdship

Rock of the Westies,Elton John,Island,Album Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter,Soft Rock

---

Rock of the Westies [Original recording remastered]

Average customer rating: So you better yell help! Rocking Pinnacle. Fun. Rhythmic. Different. Did I say Fun? Elton's Hardest Rockin' Album! CLASSIC ELTON IT AIN'T

Rock of the Westies Elton John Manufacturer: Island ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 $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 All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Caribou Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player Empty Sky Elton John Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy ASIN: B000001EM3 Release Date: 1996-05-14

Tracks:

1. Medley (Yell Help, Wednesday Night, Ugly)
2. Dan Dare (Pilot Of The Future)
3. Island Girl
4. Grow Some Funk Of Your Own
5. I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford)
6. Street Kids
7. Hard Luck Story
8. Feed Me
9. Billy Bones And The White Bird
10. Planes (Bonus Track)
11. Sugar On The Floor (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com essential recording

Although it was viewed as one of Elton John's more lightweight efforts upon its 1975 release--possibly because it followed only half a year after the acclaimed Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (and partially because many thought the album was released to fulfill a contractual obligation)--Rock of the Westies appears in retrospect to be his last great rock album. It certainly does rock consistently harder than any other John album, with guitarist Davey Johnstone even getting cowriting credits (with John and Bernie Taupin) on the opening "Medley: Yell Help/Wednesday" and "Grow Some Funk of Your Own." Lyricist Taupin seems to be going off the deep end here at times with titles like "Dan Dare (Pilot of the Future)" and "Billy Bone & the White Bird," but "Island Girl" was another huge hit for the pair. And the CD version adds the wonderful pop gem "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart," which turned KiKi Dee into an eternal Trivial Pursuit answer. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

So you better yell help!.......2007-06-22

It was bound to happen; "Rock of The Westies" was where the Elton John backlash hit. Even though it followed the unbelievably successful and critically acclaimed "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" and debuted at number one (a feat that only Elton and Stevie Wonder accomplished until the chart tracking methods changed in the 80's), "Rock Of The Westies" was viewed as Elton's lightweight album.

There are a couple reasons for this. First, Elton's core band was gone, save for Davey Johnstone and Ray Cooper. Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson were out and a stable of studio pros were on board. (This is the same band that appears on the live CD with the deluxe "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.") They made the "Elton John" sound seem different than before. Second, after the thoughtful and more laid-back focus of "Captain Fantastic," the harder rocking songs here seemed like a step back. With 7 number one albums and 16 Top 20 hits (only one of those singles missing the top Ten) in four years, the well was going to run dry eventually.

Elton had simply reached the oversaturation point. The negative snap judgement "Rock Of The Westies" endured on its initial release is unjust. While it most certainly is not up the standards Elton and Bernie set for themselves on "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" or "Captain Fantastic," it is easily the most rocking record Elton has ever issued. The first single, "Island Girl," is more than a slight nod to The Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar" in both topic and sound. "Grow Some Funk Of Your Own" rocked just as hard, and the expanded band made the "Yell Help Medley" a workout akin to (the superior) "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding." In fact, there is only one ballad here, the top 20 single "I Feel Like A Bullet In The Gun of Robert Ford." (Ford being the man who shot Jesse James.)

I still have a fond spot for this album, and it has grown on me as the years have passed. Bear in mind the his next album would be the arty and morose "Blue Moves" and you may gain a greater appreciation of the harder rocking "Rock Of The Westies."

Rocking.......2007-04-23

This is considered the worst album from Elton's classic years but....

Actually its an album that frequently rocks in way that most Elton albums don't. You can definitely hear an early 70's Stones influence on some of these tracks. Having said that my favourite tracks are the wonderful ballad "I Feel Like Bullet (in the gun of Robert Ford)" and the rocking "Hard Luck Story".

Eltons regular drummer and bass player (Nigel & Dee) had been dropped for this album and to some extent this accounts for the different feel to the album. I think this is also the first album where Ray Cooper played as regular member of the band. His distinctive touches are felt throughout the album, noteably his Conga and Vibes playing.

So perhaps not the best album of Eltons classic era, but its still a fine album.

Pinnacle. Fun. Rhythmic. Different. Did I say Fun?.......2006-11-03

1) Musically, fun to play along with. Awesome to sing with as well. Robert Ford isn't going to blow you away until you sing it yourself. If you play an instrument (guitar, keys, voice) you will love this collection. People beat up on this album because they expect something more like GBYBR or Madman OTW. When you feel the vocal range on each of the songs combined with the upbeat rhythms you have to smile.

2) Elton starting to reach his pinnacle. Rounding out with Blue Moves and you see the band mellowing out with a more consistent commercial sound. Few bands have put out more hits in such a short timeframe.

3) It's so unfortunate that the newer generations that grew or are growing up on Elton post operation are missing out on the fun and pace of Elton exemplified on the following: Rock OTW, Goodbye RBR, Caribou, Empty Sky, Blue Moves, Captain FATBDC, Madman ATW. You have to appreciate the contributions of Elton even with the newer collections however, I would pay a bundle to hear more of the classic style band today than the Phil Collins-like middle of the road songs expected from EJ these past 20 years.

4) Thanks for the album. It keeps me young and renews the vigor with a push of the play button and a strum on the strings.

Elton's Hardest Rockin' Album!.......2006-09-23

I LOVE this album! Having owned everything Elton's put out, Rock of the Westies is, in my opinion one of his top 5 albums--though it's a bit underappreciated. This is E.J.'s hardest edge album with heavy reliance on guitar licks throughout. It's got a funky and slightly weird edge. Its beauty lies in it's roughness where as lately, Elton has become so polished.

In many ways, this work is very similar to the earlier release, Honky Chateau (coincidentally the only other E.J. album cover that pictures him bearded). It's got that same New Orleans edge but with heavier guitar and strings. Not as popular as some of his other mid-1970's releases, it's best to take Rock of the Westies as a whole. The only successful single off this album was Island Girl.

If you love the crazy, funky Elton John of the mid-1970's, then next to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Rock of the Westies is a great choice!

CLASSIC ELTON IT AIN'T.......2006-09-08

I consider myself a really big ELTON JOHN fan and this album is just lousy .In context it's a bit more rocky than the 1970 -1975
earlier lps.But after listen to this album even after many of his lesser "hit albums" it just doesn't do it for me now or then.
ISLAND GIRL though a big top 40 hit is down right corny.I really don't give a hoot about DAN DARE or the STREET KIDS.The only saving grace is I FEEL LIKE A BULLET..On a possitive note SUGAR ON THE FLOOR one of the cd extras is a vocal beauty and a really nice song written by kikie dee.The other down side is that this was the first album without the likes of NIGEL OLSSON and DEE MURRAY

Average customer rating:

Rock of the Westies Elton John Manufacturer: Universal/Polygram ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 Pop | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Caribou ASIN: B00005NS1G Release Date: 2007-06-25

Tracks:

1. Medley
2. Dan Dare
3. Island Girl
4. Grow Some Funk Of Your Own
5. I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford)
6. Street Kids
7. Hard Luck Story
8. Feed Me
9. Billy Bones And The White Bird
10. Dont Go Breaking My Heart (Duet With Kiki Dee)

Album Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2007.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Version featuring an LP Style Slipcase Cover.

Average customer rating: Elton's worst album of the '70's

Rock of the Westies Elton John Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 Similar Items: Caribou Songs from the West Coast ASIN: B00000E5L0 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Medley: Yell Help/Wednesday Night/Ugly
2. Dan Dare (Pilot of the Future)
3. Island Girl
4. Grow Some Funk of Your Own
5. I Feel Like a Bullit (In the Gun of Robert Ford)
6. Street Kids
7. Hard Luck Story
8. Feed Me
9. Bill Bones and the White Bird

Customer Reviews:

Elton's worst album of the '70's.......2005-03-08

Now, bear in mind I'm a huge Elton fan and have been since I discovered Honky Chateau as a kid. I won't "bash" the album, and those who like it are welcome to it. It's the only EJ album I never upgraded from vinyl. The first time (of about 15) that I saw EJ was his tour in '76 in support of this album. Thankfully he played little of it. To me, this is the type of material that is produced when an artist thinks they can do no wrong. Luckily, Elton's soon-after stardom crash and long road back to the limelight taught him something.

Again, no offense to any who like the album, but I just can't think of a single song on it that I care for.

Rap Music:

1. Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
2. Side Two
3. Silvertone
4. Sing Great Country Hits/Gone Gone Gone [Original recording remastered] [Import]
5. Six Wives of Henry VIII
6. So Cold [Enhanced] [EP]
7. So, It's Like That
8. Songs for a Blue Guitar
9. Spectrum
10. Stag

Rap Music

rap music

Recommended Music:

Ocean [Import]

Sveinn Lúðvík Björnsson: Hvar væri ég þá? (Where Would I Be Then?)

The Jazz Skyline [Original recording remastered]

Music: The Complete Organ Works of Kenneth Leighton

Third Wish [Import]

The Famous Last Words EP [Explicit Lyrics]

The Passages Series: The Lord's Prayer

Tore a Hole [CD-single]

Songs for Rolling Stones [Import]

Superpoderosos [Import]

Time Stands Still

Somewhere Between Day and Night

Strictly B-Boy Breaks, Vol. 1 [Import]

Offertories

Black & White Hillbilly Music: Early Harmonica Recordings from the 1920s & 1930's