Elton John - ELTON JOHN*****

Your Song/I Need You To Turn To/Take Me To The Pilot/No Shoe Strings On Louise/First Episode At Hienton/ Sixty Years On/Border Song/The Greatest Discovery/The Cage/The King Must Die

The excellent self titled follow up album from singer songwriter Elton John heralded his commercial breakthrough, thanks to the transatlantic top ten hit single Your Song. (US:4 UK:5)

"There are many great songs here and it's hard to choose some highlights, because this album works best as a totality. But if you force me to select my favourite song, it would be the final track The King Must Die, one of his very best songs of all-time."

"It’s hard to believe that so many years have passed since Your Song was released. This haunting love song marked his first US hit and remains a testament to the idea of what’s simple is best. Two other well known tracks grace this release: Border Song, another simple tune that focuses on vocal and piano, is about peace and tolerance. Take Me To The Pilot has undergone a number of incarnations over the years. Here it is the first great rock track of his career, complete with a gospel-tinged vocal and remains an excellent early effort."

"This album is pure genius and some of Elton’s greatest work. Sixty Years On is his best song ever, with First Episode At Hienton and The Greatest Discovery coming pretty close. All the remaining songs are very good - there is not one boring second."

"Your Song and Border Song are classics. Sixty Years On, The Greatest Discovery and First Episode At Hienton are masterpieces of songwriting. A beautiful, mellow album by one of the truly great songwriters and also a very fine pianist."

"Elton's second album is a much better listening experience than his first with superior production and much better songwriting. Your Song is the start off track and one of the best known Elton John songs of all-time. Simply brilliant."

"Elton John's second album established him in the pantheon of up-and-comers to watch. With Gus Dudgeon's gorgeous production and Paul Buckmaster's string arrangements, Elton now had a team worthy of his music.”

"As the 1970s began, a new sound, the singer-songwriter era, began to dominate the music charts, becoming an important part of both the pop and rock music repertoire. Among its first stars was Elton John. This highly lauded self-titled album would set him on the path to make him a world class rock star."