Captain Fantastic - ELTON JOHN*****

Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy/Tower Of Babel/Bitter Fingers/Tell Me When The Whistle Blows/ Someone Saved My Life Tonight/(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket/Better Off Dead/Writing/We All Fall In Love Sometimes/Curtains

The excellent Captain Fantastic was the last album from Elton John’s classic period when he was on top of his game. It is a concept album based around the composers’ early struggle in the music industry. (US:1 UK:2)

“This was the album where the song partnership realised that they had nothing left to prove and that they could pretty much do as they pleased. Hence, this is an almost self-congratulatory autobiographical concept album which told their story from their childhoods, through the struggle of their early musical forays, to the first steps along the golden road to success.”

“This is a concept album. He and his musical partner, Bernie Taupin, created this autobiographical opus about their early problems pursuing a career in music. As such it is an intimate and mature affair, with music and lyrics that are both complicated and sophisticated.”

“Heavily instrumented, the orchestration and production are nevertheless so deftly handled that every song gets room to breathe and take flight. This album was the culmination of Elton's mega-success period of the early 70s, the heights of which it's probably fair to say he never reached again.”

“He may have released his fair share of memorable singles afterwards, but the album represents the last stand of Elton's classic period. Some genuinely great tracks can't quite cover the cracks that were beginning to appear.”

“This is the Elton John album with the most staying power. It's creative, immediate enough to make a person want to listen to it again, and good enough to sink in more and more with each listening.”

“This is a fine autobiographical album describing the early experiences of Elton and Bernie on the road to stardom. In many ways it is very typical of the time when popular music was becoming a touch self indulgent.”

“Captain Fantastic is one of Elton John’s best works. It conveys true emotion and original poetic thought far above more pedestrian fare often seen in other artists. This is Elton in top form doing what he does best, making great music.”