Customer Reviews

Big Picture

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Elton John is my favorite singer of all-time and I love all his albums. The Big Picture is no exception. I listened to all the songs on this and I loved each and every one. If I had to pick my favorite song, it would have to be "Live Like Horses" which contains brilliant lyrics and a beautiful string arrangement. Other standouts include "Love's Got A Lot To Answer For", "I Can't Steer My Heart Clear Of You", and "Recover Your Soul". If you're a fan of Elton John then you should definitely get this one.

I picked up this album at the midnight release of the "Candle In The Wind '97" single. It wasn't supposed to be released until the following morning, but I got extremely lucky in asking what was playing while the cash register went down and asking if I could purchase it then.

I am quite firmly convinced that it's the best random purchase I have ever made. The only song that hits me wrong in the general feel of the album is "I Can't Steer My Heart Clear Of You", and even that song communicates a depth of feeling that allows me to ignore the break.

The best song? "The End Will Come", hands down. Followed closely by "Love's Got A Lot To Answer For", "If The River Can Bend", and "Wicked Dreams".

My ex-husband introduced me to Elton John's music. Normally, this would turn me off an artist simply because of the memories. Instead, I became a fan. This album has gotten me through a lot of hard times, and I don't think I'll ever stop listening to it regularly. It's been a regular on my playlist since it's release.

As I do with most new CDs I purchase, I placed this one in my car CD player and figured I'd give it 2 or 3 times through. But this collection of songs is different. It was like a book that I could not put down, I just kept listening again and again. I have been an Elton John fan for 25 years and have listened to every album/CD. This ranks right up there with the best. His voice has such a rich quality to it, he just seems to get better with age. Listen to this CD one or two times through, and you'll be hooked.

I always find Elton John to be new and exciting. Never sounds the same. Changes with the times. He has the ability to create a song that touches your soul.

It took me a while to get inside this album, but after a couple of times of listening I was totally hooked. Elton's melodic sense is just stunning. Live Like Horses, by the way, is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard.

I was surprised to read the negative reviews for this CD. This has been, by far, my most favortive CD since I've gotten it. You know the one, if you were going to a deserted island and could take ONE cd with you. Yeah, this is it for me. It's relaxing, it has some tunes with pep. Anytime I'm in a bad mood, I put this on and by the end, I'm right as rain. The only song I skip often is "Live like Horses" - I just don't get it, it's slow, just doesn't do anything for me. But that's it, the rest of the cd fits me like a glove. It's got songs for when you are bummed: Long Way from Happiness, Recover your Soul. Happy love songs: The End Will Come, Something About the Way you Look Tonight, The Big Picture. Sad love songs: Love's Got a Lot to Answer For, I Can't Steer My Heart Clear of You. And then just good toe tapping, sing alongs: January, Wicked Dreams. I really am surprised with the number of negative reviews. To each his own I guess!

Picture this! In the title track on this album,Elton John tells about a potential career in Hollywood(Do I have a shot at the big part?). Hits from this album are SOMETHING ABOUT THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT(the first when this album was released in September 1997) and RECOVER YOUR SOUL. This album was finished before Elton's close friend Princess Diana of Wales was killed in a car crash nearly a month before this album was released. Also just before this release and immediately after Diana's death,Elton recorded and released CANDLE IN THE WIND '97 as a single with the same music as the original 1973 version from GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD but with different lyrics. It's also known as "Goodbye,England's Rose". Great album!

A 5 star rating usually infers that an album is flawless as a whole. This album is not flawless but nonetheless it deserves 5 stars (as far as I'm concerned). Perhaps Elton's best musical work since the early 1980's. Emotional, haunting, sober, melancholic & extremely open hearted sentiments are beared out for all to see here. This is not a party album but stands up as one of Elton's best work ever. The 5 stars are a result of "long way from happiness" "live like horses" "end will come" "if the river can bend" the beautiful "love's got a lot to answer for" "big picture" (such a beautiful lyric & vocal performance worthy of an "oscar") and of course the wicked & fun "wicked dreams" (hence my handle). Makes you anxious for Sir's future work cause we truly are on the road to happiness as far as Elton fans are concerned. The best may be yet to come as unbelievable as that may seem...

I've owned and loved this album for over a year, now. The Elton just gets better with age. Those of you looking for him to do the falsetto capering of his youth, maybe you'll be disappointed, but as for me, I find in his present singing a richness and depth (both vocally and emotionally) that make The Elton remain my Captain Fantastic.

Most overlooked song on this CD is Live Like Horses. This song about freedom soars and is sure to get more attention in future years. The live version of the song included on the "War Child" album and recorded with Pavrotti displays just how dynamic this song really is....I believe it to be Elton's best yet. Other notable songs include: Something About The Way You Look Tonite, If The River Can Bend and Recover Your Soul which has received limited airplay.