Elton John (1970) Bad Side of the Moon - LOST 70s GEMS

The self titled sophomore album by Elton john would be the first of the decade he would come to rule and personify in his ultra-characteristic balladry, though famous for the towering ode, 'Your Song' its a surprisingly consistent set of tunes if never capturing the subtle and sublime sentiment of that breakthrough hit. Between tthe legendary Bernie Taupin lyrical content and Paul Buckmaster's grand scheme of strings and choirs
There is the harpsichord lined, medieval love song I Need You to Turn To, the groovy gospel knockabout Take me to the Pilot, silly Stones-esque hoedowns like No Shoe Strings on Louise with it's ragged nature and then tracks like First Episode at Hienton which capture Elton's deep heartfelt and flawless vocals as clear and ornate as ever; sung with a delicate touch and rugged nature held in check. Border Song is a little too heavy in Johns' forced nasal delivery, with Tiny Dancer turnarounds and placid verses but but he leans on the trailing twangy nature of his vocal melody on every line and lacks his later lighter touch and finessed vocal polish.

 Sixty Years On and the Greatest Delivery are an exercise (or an excuse) for Buckmaster to try some bold string charts before some delicate, world music folk pickin enter in and some boring baroque verses by Elton. The Cage is catchy funky pop rocker and very melodic for a loose album jam, demonstrating how he would dominate the 70s with his love for the most popular genres of the upcoming decade that loomed ahead; soft rock and disco. The King Must Die is corny 'court of the Jester' imagery while Bad Side of the Moon is the most impressive mix of groove based pop balladry with enough funky soul and gospel backing singers to transcend the generic production, while Grey Seal has a more singer-songwriter feel and is another subtle tribute along the lines of Tiny Dancer and hits to come as well as the aforementioned Your Song. Live track Rock n Roll Madonna is a bonus that displays the Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting grit and Fats Domino thunder to come.