Elton John Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy Album Review/Analysis Weekend Spin

Track by Track Album Review / Analysis of Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy By Elton John....Is it his best album ever?

[@TJRtheOriginal]

BTW: The reason some of the song clips are so short on this one, is because I kept getting copyright notices and would have to keep shortening them

[@diviningdragon]

I truly was captivated by your analysis. The Beatles really defined the sixties, but the seventies was a decade over-flowing with Elton John. And his purple patch stretched from 1970 through 1976. The timespan of his recording peak lasted just seven years, as did that of The Beatles. That seems to be a pattern for many of our epic bands and groups. But for me personally, I soaked up his songs on the radio during that era. (We were far too poor to allow record purchases.) While many of his songs had a powerful commercial appeal, it was the darker undercurrents of self-reflection and vulnerability that moved me. He genuinely reached a kind of peak here that was hard to return to and recapture--for many reasons. (Perhaps, when one has laid one's soul bare, the revelations that follow seem trite by comparison...) Thank you for your work!

[@TJRtheOriginal]

You are welcome. Thank you for that comment.

[@denniswood1437]

Wonderful analysis of both the music and lyrics. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Madman Across the Water & Honky Chateau are my favorite Elton albums. This presentation makes you reconsider that Captain Fantastic & the Brown Dirt Cowboy is up there in that stratosphere of great Elton John recordings.

[@derekroberts6654]

LOVE THIS ALBUM! one of the problems i had with “Jewel Box” was he SEPARATED “We All Fall In Love Sometimes” from “Curtains” 😖😖 That would be like just putting “Love Lies Bleeding” on there without “Funeral For a Friend”… Another thing about “We All Fall In Love Sometimes” is later on he somewhat copied his own intro on “Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Words”, there’s a faint distinction but it’s there. Also on “We All Fall In Love Sometimes” and “Bitter Fingers” you hear this ominous wind blowing throughout the 2 songs, in fact it sounds like the same wind you hear at the beginning of “Funeral For a Friend”

[@robertlakay88]

It's never occurred to me but now that you mentioned it, I see the slight similarity in the intro with Sorry Seems To Be...

[@davidgena2667]

Superbly done, TJ. I was in a state of mourning in the early 1970’s following the breakup of the Beatles when I discovered Elton. He replaced my Liverpool musical heroes for much of the remainder of that decade. Thank you for such a wonderful presentation of one of Elton’s all-time classic albums.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@goldrag3163]

One day I’ll delve into Elton’s catalog. He was one of my favorites growing up, singles-wise.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Even though, I think this is his best album, I generally recommend Goodbye Yellow Brick road to most newcomers. The reason is because It has a lot of big radio hits on it like the title track and Candle in the Wind. And I think all the hits help sustain a new listener though the lesser known tracks until they know them as well as you know the hits. Just a suggestion. Thanks so much for watching.

[@jameswilson7084]

An incredible album! Amazing production and arrangements. My second favorite Elton John album, after "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" which I also think is his greatest artistic achievement. I was blown away by this album, the first time I heard it. Interestingly, my least favorite tracks on the album, are the final two tracks. The piano opening of "We All Fall In Love Sometimes" reminded me of the opening of "I've Seen That Movie Too" from "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". I agree about the great musicianship on the album. And I love the cymbals on "Someone Saved My Life Tonight". One of my favorite songs to "air drum" to.😊 Also, "Captain Fantastic" was the very first album to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.

[@tonygaston4021]

I thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful (expert) analysis of this superbly magnificent album TJR. You truly did an amazing job on this video. I really loved and enjoyed watching this so very much. Thank you so much for not forgetting about this supremely amazing incredible album. I think this album is easily one of the absolute finest most perfect albums ever made. You definitely hit a homerun with this wonderfully informative in- 11:02 depth and analytically stunning video!

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Thank you kindly! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnlarrinaga4560]

Thanks for reviewing this album and for your insightful commentary. This is MY favorite Elton John album of all time as well. The production and sound quality on this album are extraordinary. It brings back so many great memories of sitting in our family’s den, playing this album over and over, reading the lyrics and immersing myself in the amazing artwork and the multitude of other goodies that were packed into this amazing vinyl release. However, you didn’t mention anything about the quality of the remastered release that you briefly shared with us. I would very much appreciate your opinion on whether or not the quality of the remastering makes it a worthwhile buy, particularly considering the already exceptional sound quality of the original vinyl and CD issues.

[@christinadaily185]

My parents have this album. I was born in 1975 and sometime in the early to mid 80s, I remember my Dad had this on. I had to see the album and what contents were in it. To my amazement I was thrilled to see all of it. It's been a long time since I've looked at that. You bring back fond memories with this album. ❤

[@CookieMusic43]

Wonderful detailed analysis of this classic album.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@lumpielump3576]

great analysis of one of the best rock/pop albums of all time. keep on this work...

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Thank you.

[@thomasroth4533]

This is my favorite Elton John album as well. When it was first released I bought ten copies and gave nine of them away to friends. Really liked your video and I have always considered Taupin to be underrated.

[@robertlakay88]

You hit the nail on the head with that comment about turn a complex title into a workable song. My first thought when I saw the album for the first time was how such a obscure title like Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy could possibly sound as a song. When I played the song for the first time I remember thinking this was the greatest rock song ever.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Yeah,....learning how to play and sing his songs again reminded me of just how difficult some of his vocal melody lines are to learn. Not just the pitches in terms of high and low notes (you can always lower and raise the pitch by an octave if you really need to), but the actual melodies themselves.

[@EddieJazzFan]

You can look at that jacket, both front and back many times and still notice new details. Amazing!

[@TJRtheOriginal]

I agree!

[@rdpurdom]

What a great Album review. Like you, it’s one of my all time favorite albums of all time! Thank you

[@johntabacco]

I think this is my favorite video you've done regarding reviewing an album. Your love for it shows and your voice sounds great on the little excerpts. I remember buying this album when I was 14 in 1975. I loved Alan Aldridge's cover art and the booklets included. Every record should have this kind of detail I thought back then. I did not take into account how expensive it must have been to produce it. Then again Elton was a superstar - literally played continuously on every radio station back in the day, so money was probably not an issue. As far as the songs - yes, they're all great. However, I enjoyed the tunes more on "Caribou". Though "Honky Chateau" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" are master works as well. Yeah, that was a magic time for Bernie and Elton. Very memorable music / lyrics that inspired me to be a songwriter - though back then, the writing and recording process was still a mystery to me. These guys were just geniuses with gifts for the ears and I was fine with that. Oh, and I agree Davey Johnstone is a very underrated guitarist. He always made Elton's music sparkle and shine. Same with Nigel's memorable flammy drum fills. He was definitely an early influence on my own drumming. I miss those exciting musical days.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Thanks I appreciate it. Learning how to sing those excerpts was not easy LOL. I think it’s important to listen to Elton and Bernie’s early collaborations on Jewel Box to get an idea of the amount of work to get to the point where they could write the songs that we all know them for. That stuff isn’t terrible, but it isn’t great yet. It took a lot of work to build up the level of what we call their classic stuff.

[@scott5565]

Outstanding review and interpretation of an excellent album. I really appreciate your insights.

[@map856]

Thank you for another very fine in depth album review TJR. I have to admit that I’m only a casual fan of Elton John. I would have been 19 yo when this album was released but although a few tracks got airplay time on the radio, by and large, the album did not capture my attention. Having watched your review and your analysis of the track, my curiosity is piqued and I find myself eager to explore it. Looking forward to streaming it when I get a chance. I’m loving this series and always look forward to the next episode. Happy new year fro down under!

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Thank you. Happy New Year to you too.

[@studiodlux]

My fav of Eltons and his band! Track by track so diverse but every song is needed for this beautiful album ❤️🎶

[@donnicholas7552]

Interesting review. I have this album, but have never listened to it. That's going to change today. I'll give it a listen.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Right on!

[@donnicholas7552]

@@TJRtheOriginal Played it and love it!

[@samanello3382]

I really enjoyed this video. Very informative. Although Goodbye Yellow brick road is my favorite Elton album this is a great one. I was graduating high school when this album first came out so it brings back many memories.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aprilpeavey186]

Thank you so much for this review! You really helped give me a deeper understanding/appreciation for this album.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

You are welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@paulglover6525]

Great presentation. This was the first Elton John album I purchased.

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic video tjr have a wonderful day ❤😊

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Thank you. You as well.

[@aiyadwolf]

Definitely my favorite Elton album. Can’t believe there’s so few reviews.

[@dranet47]

VERY good review. My favorite EJ album as well.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Thanks 👍

[@seanhayden7719]

Hello thanks for another interesting video keep up the good work iam sure you will

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Thanks 👍

[@Lionize728]

A lot of EJ fans say "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is his best but I'm convinced that is popularity bias. Many of those people have never even heard the entire CFATBDC lp. It only has one hit on it so laymen think it's not as good as GYBR. Personally I think "Captain Fantastic" is miles away better than "Yellow Brick Road." (Though I consider "Funeral For A Friend/Loves Lies Bleeding" to be his magnum opus. ) It shocks that "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" gets forgotten by EJ fans compared to the less personal, more simplistic songs like "Rocket Man"

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Funeral For A Friend/Loves Lies Bleeding is definitely up there. And I agree with you on notion of Popularity Bias.

[@marcofalzone6469]

Btw the piano motif you mentioned about the final ballad, sounds similar to my ears as the flow of "sorry seems to be the hardest word".

[@TJRtheOriginal]

They are very similar and I almost mentioned that. But Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” was written after the fact.....So I guess at that point, Elton was copying himself? LOL

[@dean-ph2ww]

I was 17 when Captain Fantastic came out and I did not like it the first time I heard it. It wasn't Yellow Brick Road but by the end of that 1975 summer it was my favorite album. especially side two. I had Elton's entire discography and it's in the top four along with Yellow Brick Road, Tumbleweed and Madman. As Amazing as CFATBDC is, he put out another studio album only five months later called Rock Of The Westies which is totally different in style and context.

[@davidmorgen4558]

Kind of a wild guess here? To my ears( we all fall love some times )reminds me of the theme of love story perhaps inspired by it.Just me !

[@candelise]

I was fortunate to meet Gus Dudgeon six months before his tragic death and I asked him if Elton and the band had played We All Fall In Love Sometimes/Curtains in one pass and he said yes because he remembers Neil Sedaka in the control room with him and asking him how much longer this was going to go on as the mantra-like ending seemed go on and on and on, which it did, of course, to glorious effect!

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Wow! Great story! Thanks for sharing that!

[@studiodlux]

Elton slways composes w the fifth or 3rd in the bass unexpectedly.. hymn like., always keeps it interesting harmonically. Nice comments on the lyrics btw…

[@studiodlux]

Was Philadelphia freedom recorded during these sessions? Tell me when the whistle Blows has a similiar groove from the band. Recorded at Caribou as well!

[@derekroberts6654]

one more comment please, what are your thoughts on the album “Caribou”? it seems to be highly underrated. it’s “sandwiched” between the almighty albums “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Captian Fantastic….” But the deep cuts on “Caribou” are very memorable. I always thought “I’ve Seen The Saucers” was an abstract sequel to “Rocket Man”..

[@wtywatoad]

The Beatles will still be relevant 100 years from now, as Sir Elton will be as well.

[@RickM01]

Thanks!

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.

[@mattwuxx3888]

No point really in trying to find a "best" Elton album. Just when you think you've got the discography licked, a "Captain Fantastic", "11-17-70" or "Tumbleweed Connection" pops up and confounds everything. People say a few artists never made a bad LP. That's a very misapplied statement, imo. But in the case of Elton John Band in the 70's, it's about as close to being true as can be.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Yes. Elton has talked about having had a huge creative streak in the 70’s where he could do no wrong.

[@mattwuxx3888]

@@TJRtheOriginal I've heard that as well. I guess it all depends on what you would call a "bad track". Hardcore Elton fans even in the 70's when Melanie, Paper lace and the Bay City Rollers were charting with some inanity, would look at am EJ track like "Little Jeannie" and dismiss it as disposable pop shclock. But in totality and especially looking at what passes for "bad" pop music now, it's a masterpiece. Perhaps a better thing to say would be: "EJB may have made some less accessible and obtuse tracks in their discography, but never a _bad_ one, particularly".

[@philaldridge4178]

I love this record. But I think Yellow brick road is unbeatable.

[@TJRtheOriginal]

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is bonafide CLASSIC! And I will always refer to it, whenever I want to introduce a newbie to Elton’s music. I just personally prefer Captain Fantastic a bit more. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@thortruvandi8844]

Sorry seems tn be the hardest word

[@TJRtheOriginal]

I had thought of that...but that song came after. Thanks for brining it up though.

[@ilabelle1]

Those 8 albums that Elton released between 1970 to 1975 can’t be touched. My favourite of the bunch is still Tumbleweed Connection. Cowboy was Elton’s last “great” album. It all went south from here. 🤘😳🤘

[@TJRtheOriginal]

I don’t agree that it “all” went south. Rock of the Westies (while not nearly as strong) is enjoyable. And Blue Moves is highly underrated (I think that will be the next Elton album I discuss). He did lose his way for many decades after Blue Moves but since the year 2000 with Songs From The West Coast, he has made some respectively solid and good albums. Not up there with the classic 70’s period but good album nonetheless.

[@ilabelle1]

@@TJRtheOriginal I do believe the quality took a dip after Cowboy. You’re right, Westies and Moves did have some signs of life. But I think once Bernie was out of the picture I feel Elton lost some power. Admittedly I don’t bother with his newer albums. I do however smile and welcome it when he pops up in unexpected places. Even if Elton had stopped making albums after ‘75 his legacy would remain intact. I really wanted to see his Goodbye tour but alas at $300 a ticket… different topic right there. I’m grateful that I got to see him in his manic chemically enhanced days in the early ‘80s. It was a fantastic show that I still think about when I think of Elton. The guy is a legend for sure. 🤘😳🤘