Tumbleweed Connection
Tumbleweed Collection was Elton’s third album, and the second I’ve reviewed this year. If Elton John was essentially a set of demos for other singers to record, this is a very different beast. From the outset, it is a strong, confident performance and presentation.
As before, Reg Dwight from Pinner’s voice is on the western side of transatlantic, as is much of the material. The first album reminded me of Leon Russell, as does this, but also of The Band.
This was a breakthrough album for him, and I understand why. When talking about Elton, it seems trite now to say that the talent was obvious, but it was true. As well as the Elton and Bernie songs, there’s his flexible voice, good phrasing and articulate piano playing. In the end, this music isn’t my kind of thing, but that’s just personal taste: this is undoubtedly a fine album. The cd version (and Spotify) have a bonus version of Madman Across the Water featuring Mick Ronson which is well worth a listen.
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