Other Mixes By J&C's Dad
CD
|
Theme
CD
|
Mixed Genre
CD
|
Theme
CD
|
Theme
CD
|
Theme
Defending The Very Nearly Indefensible: A Look at Elton John's Work In The 1980s
| Artist | Song | |
| Elton John | Chasing The Crown | |
| EJ | Fanfare/Chloe | |
| EJ | Breaking Down Barriers | |
| EJ | Nobody Wins | |
| EJ | Dear John | |
| EJ | Spiteful Child | |
| EJ | Ball and Chain | |
| EJ | Empty Gardent (Hey, Hey Johnny) | |
| EJ | I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues | |
| EJ | I'm Still Standing | |
| EJ | Burning Buildings | |
| EJ | Slow Rivers | |
| EJ | I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That | |
| EJ | Paris | |
| EJ | Heavy Traffic | |
| EJ | Blue Avenue | |
| EJ | Carla/Etude (Live) | |
| EJ | Blue Eyes | |
Comment:
Elton John was a childhood music hero of mine, to the point where I'd somehow find ways to write good reviews of utterly awful '80s-era albums like Ice On Fire for my college newspaper. I think the '80s was clearly the worst period in his career, but I think this is a fairly solid representation of some good stuff that he did. Some of the songs are actually from fairly decent, somewhat underrated albums, like The Fox and Jump Up. Others are the only decent bits of albums that just bite, like Breaking Hearts and Leather Jackets. One '80s EJ album, the aforementioned Ice On Fire, is not represented even though it had two top 40 hits and is widely considered to suck less than the Leather Jackets album, from which two tracks on this mix are taken. I think Ice on Fire is particularly evil because of all the EJ '80s albums it is the one that clearly sounds the most "Eighties." Having said all this, I want to also say that I think his album from 2001, Songs From The West Coast, is the best thing the man has done in 25 years. I think I might write a little essay on this mix for my website, but I haven't done that yet.Feedback:
Jeez... yeah "indefensible" is a word that I'd use for this man past 1975, with one or two single exceptions... a bold move, nonetheless. I hope all is well with you, my friend, as we haven't e-mailed in awhile.
Wow. Tell ya what, Rich. I'll grant you that track 9 is actually a pretty great song. Can't say I'm familiar with much else here. Seems he suffered more from production than actual song quality. Still, much like Neil Young, Lou Reed, McCartney and Lennon, I think it's a mistake to completely write off his post-classic period. Never forget that he and Bernie T wrote some of the most amazing songs of the 70s.
I never listened to much Elton John after about 1977, so I don't really know anything about his 80s work (except that I'll agree with Sean that "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" is a pretty good song). A good friend of mine from high school was a big Elton John fan and I heard the 70s stuff over and over. I guess I'll need to read your essay to brush up on what he was doing in the 80s.
Of course I do like most of you love the early Elton but Fav of his is from 1979 and unfortunately deleted "Thom Bell Sessions" lovely soul record, one of the great tracks "Are you ready for love" is now out in a new mix from Ashley Beedle worth checking out
Your title alone deserves props. As I am in my mid-20s, I can safely say that "I'm Still Standing" still makes me happy as well as brings back childhood memories! :)