Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection

Instead of repeating the formula that made Elton John a success, John and Bernie Taupin attempted their most ambitious record to date for the follow-up to their breakthrough. A loose concept album about the American West, Tumbleweed Connection emphasized the pretensions that always lay beneath their songcraft. Half of the songs don't follow conventional pop song structures; instead, they flow between verses and vague choruses. These experiments are remarkably successful, primarily because Taupin's lyrics are evocative and John's melodic sense is at its best. As should be expected for a concept album about the Wild West, the music draws from country and blues in equal measures, ranging from the bluesy choruses of "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun" and the modified country of "Country Comfort" to the gospel-inflected "Burn Down the Mission" and the rolling, soulful "Amoreena." Paul Buckmaster manages to write dramatic but appropriate string arrangements that accentuate the cinematic feel of the album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Barrie Wentzell Photography Barry Morgan Drums Barry Wentzell Photography Bernie Taupin Lyricist Brian Dee Organ Caleb Quaye Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic) Chris Laurence Bass, Bass (Acoustic) Dave Glover Guitar (Bass) David Larkham Artwork, Design, Photography, Cover Design, Art Direction Dee Murray Vocals (Background), Bass, Guitar (Bass) Dusty Springfield Vocals (Background) Elton John Vocals (Background), Piano, Keyboards, Organ, Vocals Gordon Huntley Guitar (Steel) Greg Penny Producer, Surround Mix Gus Dudgeon Producer Gus Skinas Editing Herbie Flowers Guitar (Bass) Ian Duck Harmonica John Tobler Liner Notes Johnny Van Derek Violin Johnny VanDerrick Violin Karl Jenkins Oboe Kay Garner Vocals (Background) Les Thatcher Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (12 String) Lesley Duncan Vocals, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Acoustic) Madeline Bell Vocals (Background) Mike Egan Guitar (Acoustic) Nigel Olsson Vocals, Drums, Vocals (Background) Paul Buckmaster Conductor, Arranger Ricky Graham Digital Transfers Robin Geoffrey Cable Engineer Robin Jones Tambourine, Conga Roger Pope Percussion, Drums Skaila Kanga Harp Sue & Sunny Vocals (Background) Sunny Vocals (Background) Tammy Hunt Vocals (Background) Tony Burrows Vocals (Background) Tony Hazzard Vocals (Background)