"plenty of other good albums from Elton, give them a second chance."
russ69-
With the release of "Don't shoot me" and later albums, I found Eltons music nearing the"jump the shark" phase before Fonzi did it on Happy Days.
Thankfully EJ's "Yellowbrick" had substance to rise above "Don't Shoot Me."
"Caribou" "Capt Fantastic" and so on....pass.
I have read on other threads "The Diving Board" is worth a listen, just haven't heard it yet.
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"I especially like "Tumbleweed Connection." The UK DJMs of these early records, including "Madman" sound very nice, but condition is always an issue. You know who Dick James (DJM) was?"
Whart-"Tumbleweed" is a favorite of mine. I have taken a very good domestic press to a show, just to hear "Talking Old Soldiers"...Wow! I do have a nice DJM "Yellowbrick" that sounds fabulous. Good condition DJM’s have become tough find for cheap.
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"The sonics and arrangements...esp., Sixty Years On."
ghosthouse-playing a clean copy of this "must have" make a one appreciate EJ's
contribution to possibly the greatest era of his career.
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Currently spinning 11-17-70.
Wish I were one of the 100-125 lucky guest for that performance.
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whart-took a peek at your system pics...
Buddha definitely approves-especially with the Avant's.
Not knowing how old the pics are, I noticed the David Lindley album in the background of one pic.
That is one great sounding album. I remember "Mercury Blues" being a huge hit here, in SoCal.
My copy gets played now and then.
Whats the LP plugged into? My LP goes through a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb(reissue)
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bdp24-looks like you've had some amazing playing experiences! ROCK ON! Unlike audio gear, we know it's the player, not the instrument/amp that matters. The DR was one of the most used amps in the studio by countless artists. David Lindley playing a 2x4 strung with wire would still sound like David Lindley. whart-as bdp24 mentions, good fortune to you.The devastating events missed your area, which you now call home. Looks like a great old house. I like the attention paid to the line power. I'm sure it sounds great, if not better than your previous setup. "That amp, with only18 watts..." Yeah, my DR is 22 watts with plenty of headroom for a heavy handed drummer. I don't play out, and just noodle with records. My R&R tone is from a tubed stompbox, so I can play without annoying the S.O./neighbors. All the crunch and "woman" tone at near whisper levels. Since there's a few DL fans here, thought I'd mention I also listen Jackson Browne, particularly his early years when David supported JB's band. A moment of connect the dots here.... "Redneck Friend" from the album, "For Everyman" was a big hit during the period. Artist credits for this song list the keyboard player as "Rockaday Johnnie" Rockaday Johnnie happens to be the subject of this post...Elton John. https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=AwrS32F2x6pZz2QA99u5mWRH;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwN...Great slide by David Lindley. |
whart, had the good fortune of seeing him during the El Rayo period.
A friend asked me to join him, and catch Dacid at a now defunct venue in Huntington Beach.(The Golden Bear) I wasn't really hip to David at the time.
After hearing his brilliance, I was hooked. I haven't seen him since, but I certainly will now, 35 years later!
DL certainly had a head of hair.He is one of those musical instrument genius freaks.
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slaw, i'd be interested in reading your assessment of sonic differences of DJM/UNI presses. Im in a lifelong quest of replacing subpar albums. Reading old threads, seems the DJM's is the press to get. If you buy into any of the "hot stamper"marketing ,there's a copy for you... http://www.better-records.com/search_adv.aspx?sp=elton+john&option=s_name&min_price=1&ma...I have a couple of stores walking distance in my neighborhood, so I just zip up the imaginary bin diving jumpsuit(Peter Townsend white, with boots!) and find these exact presses stamper guy writes about. |
Slaw, I’m doing laundry right now,so i have downtime to play with my system while in between loads...good time!
I pulled out my copy of "Don't Shoot me"
Mine is a black label MCA, I haven't heard a DJM of this album. This is another I need to find a nice press.
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"The actual record label is black with white printing. Both of my copies have the several pages of pictorial inserts. The original lp inner sleeve is solid black w/ MCA printed all over in white lettering."
A closer inspection of my so-so copy-
perhaps an earlier press from yours?...a single,plain looking MCA logo along with the white lettering. Actually sounds good, but random ticks/stitches throughout.
After giving side 1 a spin, I like this album now, much more than when it was released. Definitely looking for a nicer DJM of this ablum. Or I could wait unti the stamper site has a "white hot" for $800.00!....
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I admit I took the plunge on a "Hot Stamper" years ago. CSN&Y "4 Way Street" for $125.00."
slaw- my favorite neighborhood store in the past, has reported Better Record "scouts" going through his bins.
"Thinking about my most expensive lp purchases, almost 30 years ago I bought a used MOFI "Aqualung from Elusive Disc for $120.00. I still consider that to be the biggest rip-off I've experienced. Of coarse he had just separated from Chad and I guess had to build capitol. I have a long memory."
I never got into the audiophile presses. Unless something is deemed unobtanium, I reluctantly buy a reissue(mono Beatles)
Hearing the terrible news of Walter Becker, I played my black label ABC's of "Thrill" "Countdown" and "Pretzel" Based on stamper guys description of these timeless albums, I have over $1K in just 3 records! After a few $5 trial throwaways,I think they may approach "white hot" status!
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slaw- I think side 3 of GB is my favorite. It's the only DJM I have.
The guitar riff that preceeds the chorus to "All the Girls" and bass lines sound fabulous with the volume knob at 2 o'clock and the tubes cookin.
Lots of subtlety in that cut.
An interesting newspaper clip was included in my copy. Dated November 5, 1977. Long Beach Press Telegram.
Headline-"No more shows for Elton John"
British rock star Elton John has told weeping fans he is giving up live performances onstage.
The 30-year old creator of "Captain Fantastic and dozens of other million-selling hits made the surprise announcement in front of 7,000 fans at a charity concert Thursday night in north London...
The article goes on with his love of soccer and involvement in a team, which was taking up a lot of his time.
In closing, the article mentions his "coming out" and getting booed at British soccer stadiums. Also, he was listed as one of the world's "worst dressed women" by Hollywoods designer Richard Blackwell.
My, times have changed!
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slaw-congrats on your recent acquisition. Madman is another impossible title to find in an unmolested condition. Every copy is a victim of being played on the "all in one" system, stacked 5 deep on the changer,tracking @ 5 grams!
What level did you get? Did you get an ultimate "white hot." I put my so-so Uni copy on the table and checked out the site. Is this a DJM copy?
There is a white hot copy of HC for $700 and a super for $350. MAN! While I have no issue with price, my expectation level on condition(absolutely tick/noise free)
would be off the charts!
My favorite is side 2 of Madman. What a great album.
Please list info on label, any significant etchings on wax, etc. so I have a reference when im bin diving. I want a killer copy of this fine album.
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"You misread" Ah..silly me. I default to stamper guy, when I see DCC in a sentence.I get his site as a hit, when I do a search. http://dccblowout.comGreat album, regardless. |
slaw, are you certain it's the same dude?
I agree with TP on a lot of his critique, but call BS on some his his attempts at being "technical" with descriptives. There isn't anyone who's 100%, and he sometimes hits a BS grand slam, now and then. I'm curious of his technical pedigree.and qualifications.
Personally, im not sold on heavy presses. You probably have some decent,floppy Bowie copies in your collection? On the flip side, I have not heard a heavy press as inferior. Most, not all new, anything to my ears has bumped up bass and an unexplainable something(perhaps it just in my head?) which is lacking?
Example-Friday Music copies I have...Trower,Beck etc.. sound like their pressed for my system I used in 1978! |
slaw-insert Arte Johnson GIF here...VERY INTERESTING
Johnny Carson- I did not know that... |
"I actually purchased my EAR 834P from him. When I received it, to my surprise, he had enclosed a used Amperex Bugle Boy at an extra $50.00 charge. When I inquired about it he did not make any apologies. I accepted it and never did business with him again. Life's too short."
Slaw-that's an odd business move. That kind of maneuver would give me reason to drive to his place of business(since I live here, in SoCal) and have him look me in the eye and explain himself.
Since this thread detoured earlier with dialogue about David Lindley and his history with Jackson Browne, thought I'd mention I found a very nice early copy of "Saturate Before Using." "Doctor My Eyes" is such a great cut. I really enjoy JB's first 4 albums
Also, rediscovered an Elton John album that's rarely mentioned. Years ago, I found a sealed,DJM "Empty Sky" I guess I played it once, and put it in the collection, never pulled it out again. I have the stereo version, not the rare mono.
I like more now, than the first pass. The only song that ever got any radio play at the time I believe was "Skyline Pigeon" I think it's an underrated album.
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