I’d agree with most pundits and say that this album is not the strongest of the Elton John back catalogue, in fact, you’ll find many of his subsequent albums will have one or two hit singles onboard, but the remainder could best be described as filler.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Elton John
ALBUM: A Single Man
LABEL: Rocket Records
SERIAL: TRAIN1
YEAR: 1978
CD REISSUE: Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Elton John – lead vocals, backing vocals, piano, keyboards * Ray Cooper – percussion * Paul Buckmaster – orchestra arrangements, synthesizer * Davey Johnstone – lead guitar, backing vocals * Tim Renwick – guitars, mandolin * Clive Franks – bass * Steve Holley – drums, motor horn * Patrick Halcox, Henry Lowther – trumpet * Jim Shepherd – trombone * B.J. Cole – pedal steel guitar * John Crocker – clarinet, tenor sax * Herbie Flowers – acoustic bass * Gary Osborne, Vicki Brown, Stevie Lange, Joanne Stone, Chris Thompson, Watford Football Club, The South Audley Street Girl’s Choir – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Shine On Through * 02 Return To Paradise * 03 I Don’t Care * 04 Big Dipper * 05 It Ain’t Gonna Be Easy * 06 Part Time Love * 07 Georgia * 08 Shooting Star * 09 Madness * 10 Reverie * 11 Song For Guy
WEBLINKS: Official Website
Background
Elton John doesn’t require an introduction to Glory Daze readers. His discography and history makes for interesting reading nonetheless, especially his career from the start of the 70’s right up to about 1990. From there (well for me at least), it gets less interesting. The early days were a creative time, with many great albums on DJM Records, including the classic ‘Yellow Brick Road’ and ‘Captain Fantastic’.
In the mid 70’s, he formed Rocket Records with collaborator Bernie Taupin and noted producer Gus Dudgeon. Rocket Records would end up being a mostly Elton John publishing label featuring his records, though there were many others acts who were signed during the 70’s and 80’s. One of those first albums for Rocket was 1978’s ‘A Single Man’.
The Songs
It was the first album to not feature Taupin; instead the role of lyricist went to a bloke called Gary Osborne. There’s lots of toe-tapping piano work here, the album producing two hits: ‘Part Time Love’ and the piano and synth driven instrumental ‘Song For Guy’, which still ranks as a favourite of mine years later.
I’d agree with most pundits and say that this album is not the strongest of the Elton John back catalogue. In fact, you’ll find many of his subsequent albums will have one or two hit singles onboard, but the remainder could best be described as filler.
In Summary
His follow-up album, 1979’s ‘Victim Of Love’ would be one of his least-selling efforts. In fact, Elton stepped right away from playing any instruments and provided just the vocal work. It was the disco era after all, and that one didn’t work. For my money, if you’re interested in the best parts of a lengthy career, stick to the 1970-1976 timeframe for best results.
Elton John on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
