Empty sky

Empty sky
Studio album by Elton John
Publication (s)	June 6, 1969
admission	December 1968 - April 1969
Label (s)	MCA Records (US / Canada) DJM (UK)
Genre (s)	pop
running time	41:00
production	Steve Brown
Studio (s)	Dick James Music Studios, London, UK
chronology - Empty sky Elton John (1970)

Empty Sky is the debut album by British singer and composer Elton John . In the USA, the record was only released on January 13, 1975 after he had already established himself as an artist.

When Reginald Kenneth Dwight realized that he wanted to leave the group Bluesology in order to break new ground with music manager Dick James and become a pop star, he consulted with his band members about a new stage name. After the tenor saxophonist Elton Dean refused to call himself the same, he replaced his last name with the first name of the band leader "Long" John Baldry . Neither of them had any objection to that. The first single under the new name Elton John was 1968 "I've Been Loving You".

background

When Bernie Taupin arrived at Dick James Music in 1967, Reggie Dwight, later Elton John, was playing a piano piece for demo purposes. His first words to Taupin were “Hi, are you the lyricist?” (German: Hello, are you the lyricist?). Taupin later said: “We were complete opposites - town mouse and country mouse. But the one thing we had in common was being mad about pop music. And both being desperate to write songs. “(Eng .: We were completely different - city mouse and country mouse. But we were both equally crazy about pop music. And we both wanted to write songs). After two cups of coffee, they decided to work together.

When they both signed the contract with Dick James Music, John's mother and Taupin's father had to countersign the contract because they were minors. The first steps together were presented to Dick James, who patiently knew how to develop the potential of the two. It would take more than a year before the result could be pressed onto a plate. That first attempt only went over the counter about four thousand times.

review

Although John recorded a number of well-known songs by other artists in the late 1960s, "Empty Sky" was his first real solo album after leaving Bluesology. Stylistically, the album fits into the Post-Sgt.-Pepper era. With the ambitious arrangements and the lyrics used, it is clear that John and Taupin wanted to say something. Although John's R&B roots are visible, the compositions mostly range between vague psychedelic rock and bourgeois pop craft, on which a medley is set with all the musical themes of the songs used on the record. “Empty Sky” doesn't contain any forgotten jewels, but it shows John's potential.

The London Evening Standard newspaper said: “Nicely recorded but unadventurous… While the music is sweet, the lyrics seem to be a bit self-consciously cultured and 'poetic' in a highly fanciful style. To be fair, though, he has talent. When he gets less fanciful and less pretentious he will, I'm sure, have a worthwhile contribution to make ”(Eng .: nicely received, but conservative… The music is very lovely, but the lyrics seem a bit too well-educated and in an exaggerated way 'Poetic'. But to be fair, he has talent. As soon as he becomes a little more down to earth and unpretentious, he can certainly make a valuable contribution).

Track list

Elton John composed the music for all titles , and Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics unless otherwise indicated.

LP and CD

page 1

1. "Empty Sky" - 8:28 am
2. "Val-Hala" - 4:12
3. "Western Ford Gateway" - 3:16
4. "Hymn 2000" - 4:29

Page 2

5. "Lady What's Tomorrow" - 3:10
6. "Sails" - 3:45
7. "The Scaffold" - 3:18
8. "Skyline Pigeon" - 3:37
9. "Gulliver / Hay Chewed / Reprise" - 6:59

"Val-Hala" was accidentally titled "It's Hay-Chewed" on the US first release in 1975 with "Valhalla", "Hay Chewed" on the CD release in 1995.

Bonus Title (1995 Mercury and 1996 Rocket re-releases)

10. "Lady Samantha" - 3:02
11. "All Across Havens" - 2:52
12. "It's Me That You Need" - 4:04
13. "Just Like Strange Rain" - 3:44

occupation

• Elton John - vocals, piano, organ, harpsichord
• Caleb Quaye - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, congas
• Tony Murray - bass guitar
• Roger Pope - drums, percussion
• Don Fay - tenor saxophone, flute
• Graham Vickery - Harmonica
• Nigel Olsson - drums on “Lady What's Tomorrow”

production

• Steve Brown - producer
• Frank Owen - sound engineer
• Clive Franks - Magnetic Tape Recording
• John Tobler - album cover text
• Gus Dudgeon - album cover text

Charts

album

In 1969, “Empty Sky” was not on any hit list. In the USA the album was only released on January 13, 1975.

year	Chart	position
1975	US Billboard 200	6th

single

Despite favorable reviews for the album, there was no single release, probably also because of the low sales figures.

Awards

The album didn't get enough sales for gold or platinum status.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Philip Norman: Elton John. Harmony Books, New York 1992, ISBN 0-517-58762-9 , p. 90
2. ^ Philip Norman: Elton John. 1991, p. 78
3. ^ Philip Norman: Elton John. 1991, p. 113
4. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/empty-sky-mw0000192702
5. ^ Philip Norman: Elton John. 1991, p. 113
6. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/empty-sky-mw0000192702/awards