Playing to his strengths, the piano man concentrates largely on ballads, from the somewhat Beatlesque "I Want Love" to the stately, elegiac "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore." Still, Elton didn't become the master pop craftsman that he is by constructing monochromatic records "The Wasteland" is a churning bluesy number, and "Dark Diamond" employs a modified reggae rhythm. There's no overblown orchestration here, just simple arrangements based quite rightly around Elton's piano and voice. Whether the inspiration was aesthetic hunger or mid-life crisis, Elton decided to team up with lyricist Bernie Taupin-the man who helped pen all those '70s classics-to produce a more direct, stripped-down album than he's seemed capable of since his glory days. SONGS FROM THE WEST COAST is the album for all those who idolize HONKY CHATEAU and CAPTAIN FANTASTIC but feared that Elton John had become Disneyfied beyond repair in the '90s. Recording information: Cello Studios (-) Johnny Yuma Recording (-) Ocean Way Studios (-) Sony Studios (-) The Townhouse, London, England (-) Wonderland (-). Audio Mixers: Alan Sanderson Joe Chiccarelli Bill Bottrell. Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, harmonium) Davey Johnstone (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, background vocals) Rusty Anderson (guitar, electric guitar) David Channing (acoustic guitar, dobro) Bruce Gaitsch (acoustic guitar) Stevie Wonder (harmonica, Clavinet) Patrick Leonard (organ, Mellotron, keyboards) Billy Preston (organ) Matt Chamberlain (drums, percussion) Nigel Olsson (drums, background vocals) Jay Bellerose (percussion) Gary Barlow, Paul Bushnell, Tata Vega (background vocals). "Original Sin" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. "I Want Love" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. SONGS FROM THE WEST COAST was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Engineers include: Joe Chiccarelli, Brian Scheuble, David Channing. Personnel includes: Elton John (vocals, piano) Rufus Wainwright (vocals) Bruce Gaitsch, David Channing (acoustic guitar) Davey Johnstone (guitar, background vocals) Rusty Anderson (guitar) Stevie Wonder (harmonica, Clavinet) Billy Preston, Patrick Leonard (Hammond B-3 organ) Paul Bushnell (bass, background vocals) Matt Chamberlain, Nigel Olsson (drums, background vocals) Jay Bellerose (percussion) Tata Vega, Kudisan Kai (background vocals). Rufus Wainwright, Stevie Wonder, Elton John
0 kommentar(er)
