Peachtree Road

Elton John

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 2004)
• Original Release Date: November 9, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B00061X95Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (134 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #87,091 in Music (See Bestsellers 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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Brian Martinez "texasbrian" (KINGWOOD, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I love Too many tears, November 10, 2004

By	Tnahpellee "Brendan" (Australia) - See all my reviews

I think the best song on the album is Too Many Tears. It's a peek for Elton's creativity in my view. The album starts off very well, too. It begins with a similar feel to Songs from the West Coast, but the lyrics are charmingly positive and upbeat. Answer in the sky is an already familiar song from the album, didn't it make the top 20? Then he gets really country and western with songs like Turn the lights out when you leave and Freaks in love, while 'They call her the cat' is a fun rocker like something from his early days. Along with the jazzy 'My elusive drug' Elton uses some inspired gruff vocals that work wonders. It makes you forget he's not as young as he used to be. All that I'm allowed is a strong piece of gospel. After a while there is an abundance of the slower tempo songs and the end of the album lacks diversity, though I must stress while 'Too Many Tears' is among the songs at the end try listening to it on it's own, it really is, in my opinion, one of the best songs he's ever done. Oh and the last song is quite an enthusiastic performance, too. It's called I can't keep this from you and is similar to 'Man' from Made In England.

A solid album from Elton that could have benefitted from a few more uptempo songs but is still a very good listen.

11 of 12 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 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.