Customer Reviews

He Who Rides the Tiger

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For many music fans, Bernie Taupin is known, or possibly not known, as Elton John's lyricist. But for those of us who are ardent Elton followers, we know Bernie is much more. It is true he has written himself and John into music history but Taupin is also an accomplished actor, writer and singer on his own. His release "He Who Rides The Tiger" received very little critical or audience acclaim. Mainly because not many know if it's existance. The CD is a good representation of Taupin as a writer. The songs do not have the commerical flair of his work with Elton but they are interesting and introspective all the same. "Lover's Cross" brings many issues of relationships to bare. "The Whores Of Paris" takes on a more somber tone and opens itself up on a different level. Taupin's voice is strong but doesn't stand out as his writing partners'. This withstanding, "He Who Rides The Tiger" is the best solo effort Taupin has released to date. Elton joins him as a backround singer on this effort. So, if you're an Elton and Bernie fan, this CD is worth adding to your collection.

I always thought that "Approaching Armegeddon" was a great set of lyrics. "On a foreign runway, delayed by the rain, I look back on the last 10 years, and how my life had changed". Written in 1980, this is something of an autobiographical album from Bernie. It didn't sell well at the time, because the record company tried to market it as a Pop album when Bernie himself said it wasn't Pop.

For me, the surprise of this album was to find out that Bernie was as good a singer as he is, at least for the kind of songs he did here.

Not sure why the review claims this as his third solo album. His first solo album was a record of spoken poems, and I don't think he had any others before this one. Several years *after* this he did "Tribe", and later he also was the center of a group called "Farm Dogs" (who still have a web site, although it hasn't been updated in years).

I managed to pick this CD up before it sold out, and the sound quality is excellent. I was glad to get it (even at a rather absurd price), because I had pretty much worn out my vinyl version. This, and "Last Stand in Open Country", are great albums.

First bought this album when it came out on vinyl. Fantastic musical content. Taupin wrote the lyrics, of course, and also does the vocals, and not too badly. "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Blitz Babies" are the highlights, though there are no bad tracks. Dennis Tuffano, formerly of The Buckinghams, provides the music in splendid fashion. Apparently Alice Cooper offered to do the music, but Taupin was wise enough to go with Tuffano. Taupin did provide the lyrics for Alice Cooper's "From the Inside," which has some very good tracks on the first side of the LP, and "Wish I Were Born in Beverly Hills" on side two. Anyone who bought LP's will understand what "side one" and "side two" means. Kids won't. ;-)

Taupin's trauma, anger, and to some degree, whining, over his divorce is obvious on "Lover's Cross," my least favorite track on the LP. Same theme on "Love, the Barren Desert," but with Elton John's backing vocals, and, again, the excellent music, make it a superior track. The superb electric guitar work, esp. on "Blitz Babies" & "Born on the Fourth of July," make the album / CD worth the cost. My personal favorite is "Approaching Armageddon." It's Taupin's mini-autobiography. Overall, I strongly recommend this collection to anyone who wants an inside look at the lyricist who stands at the peak of the 70's "Classic Rock" glory days.

Be sure, this is a nice CD from long years ago....but especially for elton john fans

If you enjoy John/Taupin songs, then this cd or album is for you. Taupin delivers not only superb lyrics, but his voice defines each song as it should be. " Venezuela " is a great song.In this song I can not only feel the waves, but I can smell the sea air and fresh caught fish a well. Buy it , enjoy it, love it !

This is Bernie Taupin's second solo album and it is excellent.From the rockers Born on the fourth of July to his smooth ballads Venezuela and Love(the barren desert). This is a great album for anyone who has followed Elton and Bernie's career.

In music the lyrics are often secondary so it comes as no surprise that most people don't appreciate the lyrics of Elton John's best collaborator Bernie Taupin. Taupin who continues to work with John today (although they did take a break from 1979 and were infrequent collaborators through "Too Low for Zero")can write terrific lyrics at his best but he can also write some pretty mundane ones as well.

"He Who Rides the Tiger" features Taupin as lead vocalist for the first time (he made "Taupin" a solo album before this but he recited his lyrics to music)and he's quite good--the opening track "Back on the Monkey" could be an early 1980's Elton John outtake (it helps that John provides backing vocals for the track).

Guitarist Dennis Tufano best known as lead vocalist/guitarist with The Buckinghams ("Kind of a Drag") wrote the music. The arrangements and production are a bit too generic to make this as distinctive as what, say, Elton John might have recorded around the same time but the material is often quite good.

The American Beat reissue doesn't include any bonus tracks or outtakes which is a pity and the mastering is a bit bright here but, on the whole, the album sounds pretty good.

Bernie is one of the best lyricists out there!!! His vocal performance on this cd and "Tribe" show that he is not just a lyric writer, but also someone who loves music. His passion for music has continued on to the formation of the band "Farmdogs".

I have a question, however. The previous reviews state that this is either Bernie's second or third solo album. What were his first attempts?

Please let me know at: Robin@moonsitter.com
Thank you!!!!

I once had two copies of this on LP. I wore out the first one mostly because of the song "Venezuela". Bernie has a wonderful voice.