The Sleeve:
The Liner/Sleeve Notes:
None.
Personal Review:
Everyone knows Elton John. This just so happens to been one of his greatest albums.
So, the album opens with the ever so good “Cold As Christmas (In the Middle of the Year)” – which is a break-up song, about a man and his wife breaking up, and his wife is basically a cold-hearted bitch. Poor Elton. “How come it’s as cold as Christmas in the middle of the year?” – oh, and then after that comes a song about getting up after a break-up. “I’m Still Standing” – I swear to God, Elton wrote this album for me. Break-up, then boom! Still standing. So far, it’s pretty great. Then again, Elton is amazing, so it should be great! Then comes the title track of the album, which happens to be another dance hit, “Too Low for Zero” – and Elton just hams it up on the piano, with his amazing vocals. Elton is one of the greatest pop singers of all time, and I play this album way too much. Then comes the song “Religion” – not really sure what it’s about, but it’s a pretty good song. Not really complaining about this one! Anyways, the A-Side closes with one of my all time favorite Elton songs “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” – which just has such a good chorus and is just overall, a sweet song. “I simply love you, more than life itself – and I guess that’s why they call it the blues, time on my hands will be time spent with you. Laughing like children, living like lovers – rolling like thunder, under the covers“.
The B-Side opens with the song “Crystal” – and let me say this now, this is the first time I’ve played the B-Side, and so far, Elton does not let down. Then again, he’s Elton. How can he? Then comes “Kiss the Bride” – which is a song about Elton wanting to break up a wedding, cause he likes the bride. Well Elton, we think alike. Then comes the track, “Whipping Boy” – and well, the B-Side isn’t as great as the A-Side, but hey, Elton is still pretty good. The songs are fast paced and good. Then comes the song “Saint” – which has a pretty neat opening to it, it’s also a pretty slow power ballad, and I love it – “and heaven can wait, but you ought to be a saint.” – the album closes with the song “One More Arrow” – it’s a slow song, and the album is pretty good. Way to go Elton.
Interesting Facts:
None.
Track Listing:
A1 – Cold As Christmas (In the Middle of the Year)
A2 – I’m Still Standing
A3 – Too Low for Zero
A4 – Religion
A5 – I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues
B1 – Crystal
B2 – Kiss the Bride
B3 – Whipping Boy
B4 – Saint
B5 – One More Arrow
Label:
Geffen Records
Catalog Number:
XGHS-4006
Studio Musicians & Other Album Credits:
Keyboards & Lead Vocals – Elton John
Guitars & Vocals – Davey Johnstone
Bass & Vocals – Dee Murray
Drums & Vocals – Nigel Olsson
All songs written by: Elton John & Bernie Taupin
“I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” written by Elton John, Bernie Taupin & Davey Johnstone
Recorded at Air Studios, Montserrat
Additional Recording at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California
Mixed at Air Studios, London England
Produced & Originally Mastered by Chris Thomas
Recorded by Bill Price
Additional Vocals on “Cold As Christmas – Kiki Dee
Strings on “One Morrow Arrow” arranged and conducted by: James Newton-Howard
Additional Percussion on “Cold As Christmas” – Ray Cooper
Harp on “Cold As Christmas” – Skaila Kanga
Harmonica on “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” – Stevie Wonder
Synthesizers by Yamaha International
Management – John Reid Enterprises Limited
Art Direction – Rod Dyer
Design – Clive Pierce, Dyer/Kahn, Inc.
Other Albums I Own by Elton John:
“Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player”
“The Fox”
“Friends”
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
“Greatest Hits”
“Greatest Hits Volume II”
“Honky Château”
“I Don’t Want to Go On With You Like That”
“Madman Across the Water”
“Sad Songs (Say So Much) / A Simple Man”
Released:
1983
