Reflections on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John Band

In this episode we discuss “Goodby Yellow Brick Road"; the 1973 landmark album recorded by The Elton John Band; and produced by Gus Dudgeon. This album changed my life and set me on a course to become a recording artist, musician, songwriter and producer. There aren’t many albums that stand the test of time; but this double LP will no doubt be discovered and celebrated for centuries to come. If you’ve ever wondered why Elton John is such an important artist this is a perfect place to start. If you’ve never understood how integral Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone were to Elton’s success: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road will tell you all you need to know.
If you’re an Elton John fan you will enjoy these other videos:
• Recording with Dee Mur...
• When Nigel Played On M...
• Video
• Why Did Elton Fire Dee...
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[@twominutepianoman9868]

Funeral For a Friend/LLB has to be the best opener on any album ever. Also the greatest rock anthem right up there with the best of them. I remember being like 6-7 yrs old and being in awe of that album as well as studying the inside of the album cover to death. Memorizing who played what, loving those pictures. The artistic quality was always so cool with those early albums. Even things like the way Dee is sitting on the ground, looking at his bass. Of course me and my brother were always talking about the ARP synthesizer…going “What’s an ARP synthesizer?” and “whose David Hentschel?”

[@urbangorilla33]

Yeah, I borrowed the full double album fold-out from my cousin because I wanted to know as much as I could about it. I remember that it said only "Elton - piano" for example, and it gave me a moment of doubt - "What?! He's not the singer?" I guess I figured out that it was just understood that he was in indeed the lead singer.

[@thomasvincennie3910]

Elton's run of albums from 1970-1975 may be unmatched in the history of popular music.....so many great songs and when you begin to understand the method that Elton and his band used in the recording process (in alot of cases staring with a lyric, Elton hashes out the music, the band joins in and they record - sometimes 4-5 songs in one day) it is an ASTOUNDING accomplishment. These albums were all very well produced and recorded and they still sound amazing today. Honorable mention to the backup vocals - probably the most underrated in music.

[@Diagnoc]

I think that in a recent interview, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) was saying basically the same thing as you did about Elton John in that 1970-1975 period

[@JonBlackstone]

Sorry IM just now seeing your comment. Obviously I agree wholeheartedly! Thanks for watching!

[@goliathsmall2911]

The backing vocals of Davey,Dee and Nigel were such an integral part of that early Elton sound. Never were bettered really

[@sonofelohim9857]

All I can do is breathe deep and sigh because I can remember how powerful this recording was in its size,scope,and musicality to millions, but when you're just a young kid growing up learning about life and how to love and be loved by family,friends, and lovers alike, this yellow brick road record is the soundtrack of my life, and for "Harmony" to end it, well there's no more perfect ending...... I heard it said that in one interview years ago when Elton talked about making this epic when harmony rounded out everything he had to say at the end he broke into tears, well Elton you've made a lot of us cry in good ways because we remember life and times and loved ones who are not with us, and the cinematic flow of your music & songs and your voice helps to bring them back vividly........ We all love you and thank you for sharing your heart and passion in your songs making our lives a little brighter along the way...

[@JonBlackstone]

Thank you for watching and your heartfelt comments. I agree with every word! Based on what you said I think you'll enjoy these as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKXJeop9pJpjrqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJfCmJeta8Z2btk kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHbEdKWImdiUfKs kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM

[@donnatovsen1191]

This album is an eclectic masterpiece of Bernie’s lyrical story-telling paired with Elton’s gift for marrying the perfect melodies to those lyrics. The synergy is magical🔥🔥🔥

[@pattiburton9976]

Those 70’s Elton John albums were on a level that was never realized before that time. That’s why he blew everyone’s mind when he debuted here. Even the great Leon Russell, Elton’s idol, wanted to sign him to his Shelter label. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is our generation’s classical music. It’s perfection!

[@ogam5]

Jon said it BEST: It's EJ & the band's 'Sergeant Pepper's (title track, SO clearly influenced by "A Day In The Life"....)

[@johnm8096]

Such an amazing album. Most underrated song is Grey Seal.

[@JonBlackstone]

I absolutely love Grey Seal. It's such an amazing song to begin with; and the was they approached it on GYBR is incredible. I hope you subscribed as I have a lot more coming. If you liked this video you will love this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0

[@donnatovsen1191]

Grey Seal is a phenomenal song that, for unknown reasons, never gained much traction. Elton tried re-recording and sending through a second time with similar, unremarkable results. It is one of my favorite songs on the album, alongside Harmony.

[@kevinlakeman5043]

For me it's "I've Seen That Movie, too" with the incredible guitar, phasing, melody and lyrics. Plus, they'd written Grey Seal years before so it had been worked over to get it to that point.

[@StephenDoty84]

To me, the most underrated song on the album is... DIRTY LITTLE GIRL.

[@ActionMediaProductions]

@@kevinlakeman5043in my top Elton songs; the backwards guitar is brilliant

[@Dreamkid62]

You know when I look at this footage and see Elton John at his magical best in 1973, I could never understand how in only seven short years this was the same guy singing your song in a Donald Duck costume. The Seventies thats when nothing could touch him.

[@JonBlackstone]

Don't get me started! I couldn't agree with you more! I was literally heartbroken with what he released after Blue Moves. It was as if he was kidnapped by aliens and they left behind a clone (dressed in a duck costume). There are several tracks post Blue Moves that I enjoy; but something died after Blue Moves. Anyway I think you'll enjoy this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHbEdKWImdiUfKs and I KNOW you'll love this I know you’ll enjoy this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0

[@johnscialfa7391]

​@@JonBlackstonethat' all change though when made in England came out... And everything since then has been great my opinion except for the Big picture

[@user-ud8mh8wb3i]

I've Seen That Movie Too is a real gem. Listen to the interplay between Davey Johnston's ethereal guitar solo and Del Newman's orchestral arrangement. Brilliantly balanced by Producer Gus Dudgeon and Engineer David Hentschel. Headphones only. LOUD

[@irishman4671]

That song is a masterpiece. There is only one video on here of him performing it live (that I can find) and it looked to be early 2000's

[@javascript6948]

Sounds like Eltons lead vocal track is doubled

[@drewgeraci8434]

I drew my own comic books every waking moment when I wasn't in school. I had the first album but didn't like Blue Moves so I settled on the 6 albums played over again relentlessly. Thanks to Elton, I finally became a professional comic book artist! Thanks, Elton!

[@francesfinn9958]

I told my father to go get me Elton John’s Greatest Hits but he came back with the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album and I was really blown away! I will never forget that day back in 1974.

[@mikeh7262]

Probably the best pop album of time. It's so perfect in every way.

[@rclamb04]

Elton is one of those few artists that the non hits are just as much a part of your life as the monster hits in my opinion 🎼🎸🎤🎹🥁🎼

[@donnatovsen1191]

Absolutely! The deep tracks are my go-to👍

[@giftoftime9968]

Love this album. This was my first album I had.. 1973 . I was 11 and I memorized the lyrics to every song. As you did I always requested an Elton Kohn album for birthdays and Xmas. After 74 Elton unfortunately plummeted down down down but this album by far was and will always be my love affair with great music of the 70s❤

[@BlackstoneComedyArchive]

I am the same age and had the same incredible experience listening to this album. From the opening song it felt more like a movie than a pop album. Elton and Bernie were riding a wave; and this is the big one!

[@jeanettegault276]

This has to be the greatest album. Listen to it frequently, they are all magnificent, singer , pianist, lyricists , & of course the band.🥰🥰🥰👍

[@JonBlackstone]

Agreed! Thanks for watching!

[@jmcrae825]

You ain’t the only one brother. Crocodile Rock was my gateway drug too and Dee is the reason I became a bass player!

[@JonBlackstone]

I love to hear that! I admit my friend and I were so into The Elton John Band we used to mime to the records. We would act out dramatic scenes between Elton and Bernie and then argue over would play who in the band. He always wanted to be Nigel and I usually did Elton. It reminds me of the kids who pretended to be The Beatles in the '60s. That's how important this band was to me. I ended up working with Dee and Nigel in Nashville. I was waiting tables and I was stunned one day to discover I was waiting on Dee Murray! He was really flattered that I recognized him so easily. I told him it was because I had posters of the band on my wall when I was a kid. He loved that! Have you watched my other Elton videos? I think you'll enjoy these: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKXJeop9pJpjrqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJfCmJeta8Z2btk kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHbEdKWImdiUfKs kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM

[@whitsundaydreaming]

And Nigel is why I got a drumset at 15!

[@philschroeder]

Wow, Jon, this footage is awesome! Another great video on one of the best albums of all time. No one else is doing this! Great work again.

[@pam8962]

There will never be another Elton John and original band members and Bernie Taupin. Always be in a league of their own ❤

[@user-pd1pj6mq6v]

Goodbye and Captain fantastic are hands do 2 of the most important albums of the day, and to date as far as I am concerned. The band was at their peak, unstoppable. Dee, Nigel and Davey were on fire, especially on Saturday night. Dee's bass work was phenomenal. Then, just like that, the magic was over, Dee and Nigel were fired. It was one of the most incomprehensible moves of all time. Dee and Nigel were with Elton, even before he was Elton, but Reg. They slugged it through the dirt and paid their dues, helping Elton rise to the top of the world, only to be tossed aside, with no explanation. I lost my respect for him and his music after that for a long time, but Captain Fantastic remains one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@JonBlackstone]

Thanks for watching! Have you checked out my other videos? I’ve done interviews with Caleb Quaye and Stewart Epps, both of which shares awesome stories about the very earliest days of Elton’s career. I hope you’ll check them out!

[@sirgilmour]

Elton should release all the footage he has from the seventies in studio, on stage or being himself in 4k quality. I would go through hundreds of hours of these.

[@JonBlackstone]

You’re a man after my own heart. In fact I’ve dreamed of producing a boxset of everything in his archives from the 1970s. I would use digital technology to clean up the pictures and remix the audio in 5.1 surround! I doubt he could find a better person to produce that project! Thanks for watching!

[@murraymclean9072]

Growing up in the 70's Elton's music had a profound effect on me..we never relize were in the presence of greatest till it pass us by and we reflect..he shaped a generation.

[@mr.modern4419]

Jon, I love your channel and your videos. Thank you for sharing the magic that is The Elton John Band!!!

[@keithhayes844]

Probably the best double album ever. Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life is loaded, too. Most double albums have a bunch of throwaway songs.

[@robmorrison1043]

With the greatest opening track of any album, Funeral for a friend/Love lies bleeding.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

I have a vague memory of a similar interview with Elton and the gang during the making of _"Madman Across the Water"._ I've seen two different clips where he talks about the song _"Tiny Dancer"._ The one I've seen more often is after he's already written the music, and someone asks him about the writing process and he picks up a sheet of Bernie's lyrics and says something like "here's the lyrics that Bernie handed to me, and then I wrote the music", and he starts playing it. But that was filmed *after* the music had been written. There's another one which caught him earlier in the process, where he's sitting at a piano and he picks up a sheet of lyrics. He then starts reading the lyrics and playing around on the keyboard, and what he's playing sounds nothing like the song we know. I think he then comes to the line "Ballerina, you must have seen her, dancing in the sand", and says something like "That suggests something more like a carnival", so he starts over. And right then he's playing something which is recognizably close to the song we know. The guy came up with the music in less time than it took him to read the lyrics! I've seen that video where he's actually writing the music just once, and I'm hoping that it isn't something I imagined. I remember being pretty impressed by it.

[@truthof7382]

Album is a masterpiece. The album jacket having the lyrics and the now iconic drawings inside was genius. Elton’s vocal style doesn’t let you immediately know every lyric and seeing them was like a discovery. You could sing along with them at last. No internet, so we would have kids (or possibly a girl I liked) over to listen to the album and read the jacket for hours. Sad those times are gone, but lucky to have lived them.

[@urbangorilla33]

Same here and I'll add that my ten your old mind couldn't wrap itself around a lot of it but I was fascinated and mesmerized by it. As an American I still wasn't sure, even after reading it, what "going back to my plough" meant; in the US it's written plow. That may have been the first time I heard of vodka and tonics, mohair suits, and so many other expressions. It was not standard radio pop fare.

[@DaveLL500]

Of all the albums I've collected in my 50 years of listening to music, I can't think of one with a better opener and closer. Amazingly, the hits everyone knows were the songs in between.

[@thelostdogs2328]

Back to my Plowwwwwwwwww! Vocal nuances A+! Piano fills - A+!!! Arrangement - A+! Lyric - A++! Gorgeous top 10 of all time Elton. Not matched as a complete package ( album ) since by he or anyone in Rock music in my opinion! Throw in sun and ticking and someone saved it’s not just an opinion - it’s fact! - Claude Bernardin

[@injuredtabletennisplayer1474]

This album came out when I was a sophomore in college. Hearing these stories really takes me back. Miss some of the parts of those times.

[@ActionMediaProductions]

It’s on my turntable as I’m typing this; the original album, scratches and all.

[@JonBlackstone]

Best way to listen to this amazing analog recordings! Thanks for watching! Have you seen my other videos? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0

[@ActionMediaProductions]

@@JonBlackstone Hi. I’ve seen all your EJ videos, I can’t thank you enough.

[@stephenmarshall4825]

Really enjoy your Elton video's. Especially the one about the Elton John Band. When I saw Elton in 2013 in Philly, he played "All the Girls Love Alice" it was incredible live! Much better than I thought it could be, it gave me a new appreciation of that song. Live versions of "Alice" the base really resonates in your chest at certain parts. It's a very jarring but cool effect.

[@truvakaplan2376]

My favorite song has ALWAYS been the Song with No Title (just words and a tune).

[@JonBlackstone]

I absolutely love that song. I’ve never heard another song like it. It is so uniquely Elton.

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

Love all the live footage. To me, this is one of the most important Albums ever made. I know every song by heart.

[@JonBlackstone]

Thanks for watching! I agree it’s easily among the top 10 best albums ever made (and that’s a tight competition). The songs are incredible alone; but add the impeccable work of the band takes it to another dimension. Have you seen my other Elton videos? I know you’ll love this one: The Elton John Band 1970-75 - A Celebration of Musical Excellence kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0

[@luvbasses5487]

I’m dropping this comment whilst only one minute into this film. Just hearing the piano intro to FFAF…I immediately thought; wouldn’t Ludwig van Beethoven or JSB just love to hear this beautiful yet sad piece of music, if they were among the living? All the while it’s likely because of those two the Elton wrote this piece out. He’s SUCH a good pianist. Maybe it was a tribute to one of them.? All I know is that when I heard this being played in my house as a kid during the middle seventies, it stuck with me. It made me feel so happy yet sad - SIMULTANEOUSLY. That’s the true power of music.

[@mikebassy]

Yellow brick has a vibe and mood that runs throughout the whole lp . Great band . The opening two tracks get me , a bit clockwork orange then that Love lies guitar riff . That place in France helped and the nostalgia of Hollywood

[@JonBlackstone]

Thanks for watching! Have you seen this episode? The Elton John Band 1970-75 - A Celebration of Musical Excellence kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0

[@thelostdogs2328]

My theory? You and I could get it done again! We do Gus’s job as a duo! And I can guarantee we’d deliver the goods again in a month or two! He needs the right honest, friendly, loving, teasing, intuitiveness that you can offer. And I could as well. We have fantastically ears, and huge hearts towards his genius! Loved your take!

[@Ocrilat]

I have the DVD for the making of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road...very interesting.

[@michaelelliott3209]

Me too. Davey's interview about the riffs he "wrote" is super cool.

[@JonBlackstone]

Yes I LOVE that video! I was bummed that the DVD they included with the 40th anniversary box didn't include all the cool extra footage that was on the "Classic Albums" DVD. It has some really excellent interviews with Davey. I don't know if you subscribed but I have lots of other Elton stuff I think you'll enjoy. Let me know what you think! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0

[@JonBlackstone]

Yes I LOVE that video! I was bummed that the DVD they included with the 40th anniversary box didn't include all the cool extra footage that was on the "Classic Albums" DVD. It has some really excellent interviews with Davey. I don't know if you subscribed but I have lots of other Elton stuff I think you'll enjoy. Let me know what you think! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0

[@Ocrilat]

@@JonBlackstone What funny about all this is, 17 years ago I was asked to help take care of my niece. My job is very flexible, and I generally work from home, so I had no issue with it. However, I had no toys or kid-friendly videos and such, so I had to make do. I work in advertising, and had a bunch of samples that she could play with, so that was a good substitute for toys. As for videos and such, I did have a DVD of the original Winnie the Pooh, some Mr. Bean stuff...and that 'Making of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'. She ADORED it. Interestingly, she was fascinated by not just Elton, but the band, and had a toddler-crush on Nigel. She would watch the video (and a few others, and KZbin stuff), standing at the computer in her onesie with a pencil in each hand, imitating Nigel playing the drums. Now she's 17, is taking piano and drum lessons, and has seen Elton in concert three times. I tell this to everyone. Expose the new generation to great music (and film). Pass the torch.

[@Ocrilat]

@@JonBlackstone ...and I just discovered you guys today with that video, and subscribed like 3 minutes in.

[@jtlynn23]

Another great video! Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was the big album of my junior high years, and my friends and I played it constantly. Such a classic. I remember when ABC-TV ran the documentary "Elton John and Bernie Taupin Say Goodbye Norma Jean and Other Things"-- I recorded the audio on my cassette recorder and played it over and over. When VH1 ran the film again in the 1980s I was able to get a video copy. So great to see a lot of that footage here and used so well!

[@aschule5684]

If I had to pick 1 Elton John album, this would be the one. The power of music and it's affect was channeled through all involved in this masterpiece. It visually and emotionally carved its way into the souls of all who heard it. A timeless treasure!

[@patkeeg1]

Amazing that the song 'Harmony' was not on his Greatest Hits album.

[@skukumquills303]

Thank you Jon for more Elton John goodness 🙏

[@JonBlackstone]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@ispot4651]

I grew up in a very small southern town. Only one radio station, and it went off at sunset. I actually drove to the nearest town that sold records and bought the 45 and gave it to the station so they would play it!

[@JonBlackstone]

Wow, what a great story! You sound exactly like me. When Elton released pinball Wizard, I couldn’t find it anywhere, because it was never released as a single. I went through hoops to try to find a copy of that record. I actually wrote a letter to the Elton John fan club, asking them if they would send me a vinyl single of Pinball wizard. Eventually, I figured out I could buy the soundtrack to the movie Tommy! 😆

[@steveataylor3699]

in mid 70s I used to go see in Long Beach and Newport Beach/ Costa Mesa an up-and-coming local band- Manna. gtr, bass, drums and keys...they always did Grey Seal...keys guy had a Yamaha baby grand and a Hammond B3 w Leslie and a poly zynth (ARP 2600?) on stage And a Cavinet for Stevie Wonder type stuff innervisions was popular then... But when they hit the choruses on Grey seal, the keyboard player held chords with his left hand on the B3 and playing the piano arpeggios 16ths with his right hand. Tony Dean on '60 LP burst and JIM Perez on bass had similar voices and unison sang the chorus, similar to double tracking lead vocals in studio. Bob Wright on keys and a Steve Gadd fan on drums Bobby Guidotti. I watched or danced in a dream pure crestive magic. P s. Check out their album named NaNna GOT Some radio play with some of their songs, plus they backed The Pointer Sisters, opened for logguns/Messina first tour plus they formed other bands in Laguna Beach always in the clubs they showed me leave the model for me for a jam band, where I would play a song and then in the middle establish a quart sequence of some sort with extended solos for everybody. Always tighter than a frog's ass. I'll admit be formed me as a gigging musician they will always be grateful for that to Tony, Jim, Bobby, Bob W. THANKS GUYS ! it was magic ! Steve Taylor, Ild and in the Way in Orange, CA

[@user-if7ci5zf6o]

Thanks for keeping the music alive Jon!.

[@JonBlackstone]

Thank you for watching! It’s encouraging to know people like the videos. Music is so wonderful isn’t it?!

[@mickm7786]

One of my all time favourite albums.

[@nickanddeb]

This was also my first Elton John album. “Your Song” was my into; “Daniel” was my gateway. “Candle in the Wind” hit really hard because we’d just had a classmate commit suicide. Going back years later and re-reading the music credits really blows my mind to realize that a quartet was creating this amazingly complex music! Their harmonies and Nigel’s drumming are still unmatched. Hard to believe it’s now 50 years on and the music is just as fresh now!

[@mikeonfreeserve2926]

The Gershwin of Glam.........rock on Elton........we love ya!

[@alexdiachok6597]

Watching this video totally re-sparked my love for all Elton John’s 70s albums. Thank you for this🙏 I’m definitely going to go through the catalogue again. Never really gave Madman or Tumbleweed a full listen through.

[@mikeverdesca4976]

Wow! The best 30 minutes I just spent watching and totally agreeing with. I only wanted the Yellow Brick Road single for Christmas in 1975. I was 17. My sister (Santa) bought me the double album! I learned Funeral/LLB, Grey Seal, Song has No Title, Harmony, etc. on the family piano and organ (no synthesizer). Just a few of my favorites on the GBYBR double album. Seen EJ in concert many times. My favorite keyboard player. We're both Aries too...March 25th, 27th respectively. Many thanks for these beautiful videos.🎵🎹

[@dansharkey5218]

Thanks for your Efforts Jon another great Elton & the Boys video. Thank You. You just put this album back in the #1 position of E.J. albums for me.

[@perryperez2839]

I remember 7 11s sold the 45s i remember my bro told me he saw step in to chrismas 45 i said kool he turned me on to eltons music my first 45 was good bye yellow brick road thanks j0n awsome review

[@stevem-h3562]

Bloody fabulous album. Elton and Bernie were on fire at the time. Absolutely. On. Fire.

[@whitsundaydreaming]

Officially my favorite channel. I know everything you’re saying and have been saying it myself since high school. I’m retired now and it means more to me now than then. These vintage clips are fantastic!! The effect of the graphic design and illustrations on this album cannot be overstated. I think if they had done more with Blue Moves art wise it would have given it more sex appeal. Goodbye was an album that hit ALL the right notes.

[@JonBlackstone]

I appreciate that more than you can know. I mean that very sincerely. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.

[@digger815]

Thank you Jon for another insightful EJ presentation! Please keep them coming

[@JonBlackstone]

More to come! Thank you for the great comments and for watching!

[@ispot4651]

It's ashame we dont have more concert footage from the early days

[@JonBlackstone]

Thanks for watching! There is quite a bit of footage that the BBC has. It would be so cool if someone would do some thing with that footage by restoring the sound and picture. I would love to see them release a Box Set of all of the BBC performances starting from 1970 onward. If I was in Alton Circle, I would encourage him to release a box set as live video in recordings from the 1970s.

[@ispot4651]

@OnlyKidWithCamera Have you ever noticed how people suddenly recognize talent "after" their death? I know EJ is loved by many now, but just wait until he dies. A new found love for Elton will emerge, and so will the greedy ones who hold these rare clips.

[@jbjester1]

This was my first album bought with my Christmas money at 8 yrs old. I was completely blown away by the whole album.

[@JonBlackstone]

Thanks for watching! You were a little younger than I was when you heard that album for the first time. I was around 11 or 12. I remember the album was very magical to me in the same way movies were magical. The songs themselves and the way they’re recorded sound so cinematic; and the packaging makes it seem more than just a album of songs. The days when music was so special are long gone. I was thinking the other day about how Elton’s early albums used to show photographs of every person who worked on the album. even the recording engineers producers, a Rangers musicians. There’s a reason those albums are so special; they were a labor of love for so many incredibly talented people. Thanks again for watching!

[@truvakaplan2376]

"Let me drink deeply from the water and the wine..."

[@JonBlackstone]

Oh man, I love that song! That album is magical from beginning to end.

[@SophiahKoikasWindyQueen]

I think of the Wizard of Oz for yellow brick road as well and even David Lynch is heavily influenced by the movie.

[@caramanico1]

If you like voice and piano only stuff, you need to get the following boots: BBC 1973, Edinburgh 1973 / Live In Edinburgh, Rainbow Rock. There are others, but these are the cream of the cream of the cream. 10 for both sound quality and performance. It is a revelatory experience.

[@JonBlackstone]

Totally agreed. They are amazing performances and recordings. Thanks for watching!

[@Kenaroni]

So, the lyrics to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road are the opposite of “Honky Cat” from a year earlier. I’ve been familiar with these songs since they came out but maybe I just now realize this.

[@GnarlsGnarlington]

Fantastic episode guys!

[@JonBlackstone]

Thank you! Have you seen our other Elton episodes? The Elton John Band 1970-75 - A Celebration of Musical Excellence kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 Dee Murray & Nigel Olsson - Elton John Stories kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI

[@luvbasses5487]

Music is a business…and the line between business and friendship can easily and usually does become blurred. The performances on Yellow Brick are stunning, beautiful, legendary - something that certainly John and Paul would give a tip of the hat to. (I’ve always said that “Elton picked up where the Beatles left off.) Just a couple years down the line is when Dee and Nigel (was he relieved of his duties the same time as Dee?) got the call saying they were no longer needed. Imagine all they’ve been through together up to that point and from the very beginning. It’s very insulting to say the least. Just listen to Dee’s bass during Goodbye YBR! I mean…it’s perfection personified! Greed and money win the day though…for some. Elton is no different than Bowie and Alice Cooper…for when they dropped their bands and broke out solo. Mick Ronson got squat when he was dropped…all the while HE was the one who gave the act the shot in the arm that was so very badly needed in the beginning Spiders days! It’s despicable.

[@michaelcullen5308]

Thanks for this. It's always been one of my favourite songs, and your descriptions have helped me to elucidate why 👍.

[@JonBlackstone]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it! I hope you’ll check out my other videos; especially this one: The Elton John Band 1970-75 - A Celebration of Musical Excellence kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0

[@michaelcullen5308]

@@JonBlackstone Yes, that was the first one I watched :)

[@wagnercabrerisso5986]

*_GYBR was my 1st Elton John's album. Since then, he's been the soundtrack of my entire life and l'll love him and his music til'the end of times 🤗💓🇧🇷🙏_*

[@jmcrae825]

Damn I miss the 70s

[@JonBlackstone]

So do I my friend. Such amazing music; especially out of England. Have you watched my other Elton videos? I think you'll enjoy these: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKXJeop9pJpjrqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJfCmJeta8Z2btk kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHbEdKWImdiUfKs kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM

[@truvakaplan2376]

İ bought GYBR on the first day of Seventh Grade. Early September 1975.

[@JonBlackstone]

Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@50scap3]

MAN was that ever great! Thanks so much for posting! Top ten greatest rock albums of all time.

[@riccardoangeli802]

Grandissimo album ... Come Zyggy Stardust BOWIE .. The Stranger and 52nd street Billy joel

[@SophiahKoikasWindyQueen]

wow to see elton play alone funeral for a friend!

[@JonBlackstone]

Cool huh?! Thanks for watching!

[@SophiahKoikasWindyQueen]

yes!@@JonBlackstone

[@ai_serf]

Top tier footage. Thank you Jon!

[@JonBlackstone]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ai_serf]

@@JonBlackstone The music is godly. i'll be coming back very often and watching, especially that Candle In The Wind in studio part. Thank you Jon, you're awesome!

[@paolovincent6800]

pure Magic ! heard it first Roller Skating in 73 ! thanks Jon

[@dustyaries]

The first time I remember hearing GYBR was on Channel 7 WABC (NYC) when a one of the news reporters (John Johnson (?)) was doing a Time Capsule series about event of a certain year...LIke "The Year is ____". This particular episode (Which I've in vain tried to find in KZbin yet haven't found it yet...) was about the year of 1973. Incidentally, I was one years old on 1973. The show aired about 1981-1982. The segment was displaying about the end of the American involvement in Vietnam. With Elton's GYBR playing in the background, it showed montage of American POWs were place on a plane wearing grey POWs outfits leaving Vietnam and landing in America wearing their Dress Green/Marine Blues/Air Force Blues with their ribbons with their family running in to their arms in happiness. After seeing that, I went and searched for that song and I'd found it at my local record store at the Junction in Flatbush Ave. I actually bought Elton's Greatest Hit songs and all at once, I'd heard the fantastic catalogue of his greatest hits...Crocodile Rock, Daniel, Don't Let the Sun Fall Down on Me, and others. It turns out, though the years, the year of 1973 has placed GYBR on certain instances and scenes that shows reflection or the end of the innocents events. Here are the two other examples that I found in KZbin. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYvGfZWXgKeEZ9E

[@thomassawicki2065]

Amazing video ! The comments, the live music video, seeing Elton record "Candle I The Wind" reminds me of why I love Elton John .

[@peruseperusing5027]

Great clip! :)

[@JonBlackstone]

Thank you very much! Thanks for watching!

[@I-Libertine]

i think y'all really caught the magic and majesty of an album that was intoxicating on so many levels. thanks for reminding me of what a gift this was...

[@cootmaster]

in 89 i heard GBYBR on radio i went home and requested down the yellow brick road or something lol

[@MarkRDKing]

WOW!

[@raindeerprojekt4119]

Maybe focus on the WHOLE ALBUM !!!! Its all GOLD!!!

[@JonBlackstone]

Thanks for watching! I’m hoping to do a full length review. This was more of a reflection on our discovery. Have you seen my other videos? You’ll like this one! The Elton John Band 1970-75 - A Celebration of Musical Excellence kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0

[@raindeerprojekt4119]

It is in my Q and I am planning on enjoying it as well!! You did some great cuts and lifts here. You got talent and my attention

[@JonBlackstone]

@@raindeerprojekt4119 Thank you. I did some cool video stuff in the Elton John Band video. I think you’ll dig it!

[@lewistrott417]

Only criticism I had of this classic album was that the sing prior to "Saturday Night's Alright..." has a much faster tempo and made "Saturday Night's Alright...." sound much slower than it really was. I could never figure out why it was paced on the album next to that song. "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" blew me away when I first heard it.

[@TheBrad605]

In the Detroit area we were so lucky to have the most amazing music store, Harmony House. They had everything :) also had Foreigner there for an autograph signing😂🤣😂 I also say Springsteen is God, but Berny & Elton are also so close. Danny Bailey? great song.

[@dporper6390]

The Glory days indeed!

[@cafinario]

In Argentina Elton was not very popular at the time, so the company decided to release GBYBR as one record. At least they were smart enough to include the best of the best so when we heard the record our minds were blown away,it was just perfection. Only years after that I knew that it was a double album, with the “second” record being almost as good as the first one!!!!

[@wpl8275]

Two albums that are pivotal albums with incredible sound are Rubber Soul and GYBR. The songs are great and they sound great. Which is what is lacking in today's music.

[@JonBlackstone]

Thanks for watching! You sound like a kindred soul. The Beatles and Elton are my favorites. And your comment about modern music couldn’t be better timed. I working on a video that’s about how modern music isn’t actually music at all. Thanks again for watching. Have you seen my full length episode about Paul’s work with The Beatles? KZbin blocked it so you can watch it here: www.bitchute.com/video/OpkzAT6LZ3o5/

[@JonBlackstone]

This is the Paul video: www.bitchute.com/video/OpkzAT6LZ3o5/

[@johnphillips1172]

I met Gus and his wife six weeks before they died and it was just around that time that the DVD was made. The most interesting fact to me was the use of a second piano frame that hovered over the piano to give the piano a richer sound. Are you playing from an SACD? Nice to hear the piano, vocal & harmonies. I don’t own any SACDs and wouldn’t know how to play them…..

[@saundrabebout967]

It was Daniel for me

[@JonBlackstone]

One of my favorite tracks of all time. Thanks for watching!

[@jamesparker1063]

"Funeral...." is THE "apex" song/composition of the Elton John Band...

[@redriderbbgun8018]

Hey Jon, was wondering if you ever had any thoughts on Leo Sayer's 'How Much Love' which hit #8 on the charts in 1977. Many people mistake it as an Elton John song, because Leo sounds so much like him and the backing arrangements were eerily similar to Elton's output during those years. Rumor has it Paul Buckmaster & Nigel Olsson worked with Leo on that song also. Would love your take on this....🤜🤛

[@xa9590]

Harmony & sweet painted lady are 2 cuts that could have been hits imo

[@ActionMediaProductions]

Harmony would’ve been released, but Caribou was about to come out. Sweet Painted is a great song

[@xa9590]

@@ActionMediaProductions I think I’ve seen the saucers could have been a hit too

Oh, gosh, I wish I could sit with you guys and be nerdy on Elton's music through a whole week! 🙃 Why two uploads? (side note: there's a typo on the description: 'goodby')

[@donnatovsen1191]

Count me in as well! I could Geek-out for hours exchanging stories🙂

[@JonBlackstone]

Thank you for watching! My first upload had a technical glitch I wanted to fix. The second upload is the corrected version. I'm actually thinking about doing some live listening parties where we can all interact while listening to tracks. Based on your comments I know you’ll enjoy this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0

[@JonBlackstone]

Based on your comments I know you’ll enjoy this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0

@@JonBlackstone My, oh, my!!! You're the same guy that hired Nigel and Dee to play on your album!! I remember watching those videos right when you released them, they appeared to me as KZbin recommendations. And now again, we're here because of those recommendations, I watched the "The Elton John Band 1970-75" video a couple of weeks ago. I'm properly subscribed, now! 😉 And, yay, listening party! Count me in! 🤩

[@JonBlackstone]

@ I certainly will. Thanks again!

[@ronchiles399]

Where is the intro version of FFAF piano performance?

[@StephenDoty84]

5:06 For me, these songs were his top & most important works. Take these away and his career would not have hit the heights it did: THE BITCH IS BACK SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING BENNIE & THE JETS ROCKET MAN

[@truvakaplan2376]

Must be Elton's personal house in 1973

[@JonBlackstone]

Yes, that is Ellens first home.

[@justplainjimmy1481]

In the opening of this video, was it at Elton's old Surrey, England home? Do you have any idea who owns that home now? Thanks Jon!

[@labeaxyz]

GYBR, most definetely top three favourites of mine. Talking about Nigel's drumming: do you know the story of the now iconic "wrong" drum fill? And thank you for your hard work on it!

[@JonBlackstone]

Thanks for watching. No I don't know that Nigel story! Please do tell! I don't know if you subscribed but I just posted this new video I just posted this episode kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKXJeop9pJpjrqc This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0

[@labeaxyz]

@@JonBlackstone kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmOyhoqaaJp6ra8 Hey there, in this interview he talks about it: how he played the drum fill after the GBYR second chorus by instinct, where he was not supposed to. And they kept it. And of course he plays it live ever since. And I am subscribed already!

[@JonBlackstone]

@@labeaxyz Thanks for sending this link. I had watched that interview but forgot about that comment from Nigel. That's a coo; interview and it was fun to watch again. Thanks!

[@kevinlakeman5043]

Yeesh, you start with 'Caribou' instead of 'GYBR', 'Madman', or even 'Don't Shoot Me'?

[@johnphillips1172]

Watching this reminds me of Salieri in Amadeus. This is God mocking me

[@JonBlackstone]

I totally understand the feeling. But this music has given me so much happiness I actually thank God for hearing it! Based on your comments I know you’ll enjoy this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmSoimiMppKLhM0 This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band kzbin.info/www/bejne/eITLcmOuabacpaM&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWW7fXtseKp7iZI And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5zRqYlqgbOoZs0

[@truvakaplan2376]

First frame: İs this the room from Greatest Hits cover?

[@JonBlackstone]

Yes, I’m pretty sure it is the same room.

[@Diagnoc]

I find something freddiemercuresque about him walking bare-chested on stage at timestamp 19:32 (yeah, I know Freddie came after that period).

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

Two Korean a cappella groups did this tune, and they did such an outstanding job on this one! They all have beautiful voices, however the ladies are outstanding: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKGuZJSbdq6Ub8k

[@screenplayhouse4932]

Yes, Crocodile Rock was my gateway song The Yellowbrick Road album was an instant love affair, and I was 9 going on 10. Sure, I've been a lifelong Elton John fan but I'm also very objective. so listen up. Yes, the Beatles released TOP NOTCH songs. Elton came in a close SECOND to the Best of the Beatles. However, and I'm being VERY objective when I say this: The Yellowbrick Road album is simply the BEST album I've ever heard. You're like bullshit, right? I always felt SGT. PEPPERS and MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR were a pile of amazing Beatles songs, but neither was a 'movie'. Had they been released as one double album, hmm... maybe the best album of all time. But still, to me, they lack the cohesion of GYBR. Now Pink Floyd's THE WALL is a brilliant double album and extremely cohesive. On paper it's a better double than Elton's, but... and this matters... it's music to kill yourself during. Whereas GBYR is as fun as it is touching. I adore Earth Wind and Fire's THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD as much as I love Queen's A NIGHT AT THE OPERA. But Elton's GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK does what those albums do but with twice the song count. I've been given up looking for a better recording. It simply doesn't exist. The only current artist I think who has a prayer of pulling this off is Billie Eilish.

[@hbofbyu1]

I am a child of the 80s and 80s music is hugely sentimental for me but looking back with more perspective I believe the 70s produced better music.