Music review: Elton John — ‘The Diving Board’
For his latest release, Elton John makes a big splash with a back-to-basics approach that brought him success early is his musical career. 无毛视频淭he Diving Board无毛视频� harkens back to the sound and texture of classic albums like 1970无毛视频檚 无毛视频淭umbleweed Connection无毛视频� and 1972无毛视频檚 无毛视频淗onky Chateau.无毛视频� The 66-year-old singer-songwriter无毛视频檚 30th solo album continues the prosperous partnership between John and lyricist Bernie Taupin.
John无毛视频檚 first solo album in seven years builds off the creative genius displayed by the collaboration with Leon Russell on 2010无毛视频檚 无毛视频淭he Union.无毛视频� After producing the John and Russell sessions, T Bone Burnett returns to oversee the production. As a result, the sound of the new arrangements comes off simplistic, clear and honest as the emphasis is solely placed on John无毛视频檚 distinguished vocals and piano playing. Once again, Taupin delivers evocative lyrics that add a retrospective feel to the overall mood of the material. I became a casual John listener with 1973无毛视频檚 无毛视频淕oodbye Yellow Brick Road,无毛视频� but became a devoted fan with 无毛视频淐aptain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.无毛视频�
On the 1975 masterpiece, John and Taupin proficiently created a flawlessly engaging concept album at the pinnacle of their success, outlining the duo无毛视频檚 musical struggles and rise through a collection of songs that painted vividly detailed pictures with majestic style.
无毛视频淥cean无毛视频檚 Away无毛视频� is a compelling piano ballad that opens John无毛视频檚 latest chapter with a fond remembrance of his elders as John sings, 无毛视频淚 hung out with the old folks in the hope that I无毛视频檇 get wise.无毛视频� Lead single, 无毛视频淗ome Again,无毛视频� is another intimate and nostalgic arrangement powered solely by the pure elegance of John无毛视频檚 vocals and piano playing.
On 无毛视频淭he Ballad of Blind Tom,无毛视频� John delivers a bluesy and passionate arrangement about the musical prodigy Blind Tom Wiggins, while 无毛视频淭ake This Dirty Water无毛视频� is a soulful, gospel-tinged number in the same vein of 无毛视频淭ake Me to the Pilot.无毛视频�
Elements of 无毛视频淪omeone Saved My Life Tonight无毛视频� can be found on the fragile 无毛视频淐an无毛视频檛 Stay Alone Tonight.无毛视频�
无毛视频淭he New Fever Waltz无毛视频� and 无毛视频淒ream, Pt. 3无毛视频� are elegantly haunting, with the latter song evoking comparisons to the opening portion of the powerfully moving 无毛视频淔uneral for a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding).无毛视频�
With more than 44 years of making memorable music, John has never sounded more sophisticated or more compelling.
无毛视频淭he Diving Board无毛视频� is a perfectly natural launching point for more of John无毛视频檚 musical brilliance to shine.