Peachtree Road

Elton John | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B00061X95Q
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (148 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,118 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's relatively easy to launch a comeback. It's far harder to maintain one. The follow-up to 2001's warmly received (by critics, anyway) Songs from the West Coast indicates Elton John is committed to following through on his late career critical renaissance. Entirely self-produced and featuring his trusty band on each song (and have any sidemen been more stalwart than Davey Johnstone and Nigel Olsson?), Peachtree Road's noble ambitions aren't entirely realized. Starting strong with the telling "Weight of the World" ("Happy to play with the weight of the world off my back") and Americana-flavored "Porch Swing in Tupelo," the 12-song set loses momentum as it progresses. Overproduction rears its glitzy head most egregiously in "All That I'm Allowed." Still, the young Elton John who took the singer-songwriter movement to new heights in the early '70s with the likes of Tumbleweed Connection and Honky Chateau is in evidence on Peachtree Road. He's laid the groundwork to totally throw caution to the wind and make a truly great album. Next time, perhaps? --Steven Stolder

Product Description

Special repackaged version of 2004 album with 3 bonus tracks from the hit musical Billy Elliot. plus a DVD (PAL/Region 0) with 9 songs from the album recorded live at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. Peachtree Road easily rivals the best work of Elton's illustrious career and the album features 12 brand new John/Taupin songs. Recorded in Atlanta and produced for the first time by Elton himself, Peachtree Road is heavily influenced by the sound of the American South, at times incorporating a choir, pedal steel, acoustic guitar as well as his trademark piano virtuosity. Longtime band members Davey Johnstone and Nigel Olsson are aboard. Showcasing a voice that's gotten deeper and richer with age, John wisely sticks to a set that is predominantly made up of ballads. *Please note you will need an All Code DVD player to view. Universal. 2005. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pure EJ recording, blending old and new, November 10, 2004

By 

Texas Brian "texasbrian" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peachtree Road (Audio CD)

Since 1992, if you bought a new Elton John recording your choices were: slow, slower, or a soundtrack. The quality was never lacking, but usually, energy and "life force" were; the music sometimes seemed paint-by-numbers. Having seen Elton live countless times, where nothing but energy and talent filled the room, I knew that the discs weren't giving Elton justice. I am happy to say that this disc finally lays that all to rest.

Peachtree Road effortly combines the two things we've come to expect from Elton over his 35 years in the industry: outstanding lyrics and incomparable musicianship. Here, you'll find songs that are simple yet deep, spiritual yet grounded. Touching on everything from being happy with one's lot in life ("All That I'm Allowed") to love's intoxication ("My Elusive Drug") to the character tale of a transsexual ("They Call Her The Cat"), Bernie Taupin has simultaneously done what he does best: paint scenes, and capture Elton's moods.

With so much on-the-spot material to work with, Elton's work is inspired. He still tends toward ballads, but the ballads here actually have depth and soul. "My Elusive Drug," self-acknolwedged autobiographical track, brings out richness in Elton's voice -- you can FEEL that Elton feels this song, and thhat, folks, is what music is all about.

Most refreshingly, we see the funky Elton of old raise his head with a vengeance. '60s-rock-tinged blues appears in "They Call Her The Cat," complete with a lively horn section. Nashville should aspire to create again such a pure country song as "Turn The Lights Out When You Leave," complete with steel guitar.

Some other items of note: This is the first CD that Elton himself has produced. The disc is dedicated fittingly to Gus Dudgeon and his wife Sheila. It's clear that Elton has learned how to produce an ear-pleasing record thanks to Dudgeon's masterful production of the '70s recordings. Beginning in the 80s, fans had to suffer through years of mind-numbing Chris Thomas productions where everything was flattened into nothingness. Elton's production is clean and crisp, much like Dudgeon's early work, with pianos and vocals returning to the front, their rightful place. This is a treat for the listener and a great tribute to Gus.

And, again, we see Elton working with the original band: Nigel and Dave. You get a sense that recording the CD was a flawless, joyful effort.

And that is the overriding tone here... Peachtree Road is a CD full of looking-back-on-life happiness. The lyrics, songs and production combine to make this a road that you're happy to relax and travel on for a long, long time.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elton takes us down Peachtree Road, November 9, 2004

By 

RBR "crazywater" (CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peachtree Road (Audio CD)

This album picks up where Songs From The West Coast left off and builds on it even more. Peachtree Road prominently features Elton's piano and vocals. Davey's guitar is finally allowed to step out in front and stay there and is not buried in the mix and the results are stunning. The background vocals, with "Elton and the boys," definitely bring you back to the glory days.

Bernie's lyrics this time around are mostly on the happy and content side with Elton on the opening track professing he's happy where he is; "I'm wearying and I'm staying up late, and the rain hits my roof so hard, You know I'm no longer thirty these days, I'm happy to play one or two hands of cards....fortune and fame is so fleeting these days, I'm happy to say I'm amazed that I'm still around..."

Elton has crafted an album that reminds us of why we are fans with songs that are fresh and new but yet take us back to the days where Elton ruled the charts and the radio. This album will not get Elton back on the radio or at the top of the charts but that is in no way the music's fault but the state of the industry these days. Elton appears to be ok with that and we should be too.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The more you listen, the better it gets, November 23, 2004

By 

Joe Douglas - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peachtree Road (Audio CD)

When I first played this CD, I thought, "Oh, great. Another middle-of-the-road effort." But after listening to it over and over, I'm taken by the strength of all of the cuts. This album will grow on you. Elton still has an incredible gift of composition. Many of the melodies in these songs will stick with you. Just give it time.

Some of the songs have the classic 70's Davey/Dee/Nigel backing vocals sound (even though Dee isn't still with us); and the backing vocals on "My Elusive Drug" sounds like those on Partridge Family records. (But then again, this is nothing new. They were also there on "Blues For Baby and Me" from the "Don't Shoot Me..." album some 30+ years ago and they sound good. 1/8/05 note: When I mentioned the Partridge Family sound in this review, I should have said that it was the ORCHESTRATION on "Blues For Baby And Me," not the backing vocals on that song. There were none! -- Sorry.) -- Each song stands on its own and has its unique qualities, but in particular, music-wise, Elton has created another classic with with the closer, "I Can't Keep This From You" -- soaring and inspiring.

The biggest disappointment for me was that the lyrics were not enclosed. One of the biggest thrills of a new Elton John album was in being able to read and savor the poetry of Bernie Taupin. Long-time EJ fans can remember that being able to enjoy the album package was almost as good as hearing the music. And maybe one day Elton will get back to providing instantly recognizable piano intros to many of his songs. That was what made many of his early hits and album cuts loved so much. (Think "Your Song," "Tiny Dancer," "Levon.")

All in all, there really are no negatives. New and long-time fans, don't hesitate to buy this one. It's worth owning and enjoying.