Elton John Album: “Sleeping With the Past”

Of all of Elton John's albums, this is one of the few that I return to again and again, listening to it in its entirety. Without question, it is his best concept album since "Captain Fantastic" and his best 1980's album, though "Jump Up" finishes a close second. For this album Bernie Taupin wrote some of his finest lyrics. And Elton John never sounds better as a singer or as a pianist in every track from "Durban Deep" to "Blue Avenue". Both Bernie Taupin and Elton John have created a wonderful tribute to the Motown Sound. This is an essential Elton John CD with songs as memorable as those dating from the 1970's.

This is the only Elton John CD I own that isn't a Greatest Hits. I bought it because I wanted the song "Club at the End of the Street". I've never been disappointed in this CD. I agree with some of the other reviewers that I miss the standard Elton John piano sound here but come on, this is Elton John we're talking about. He could be playing the bazooka and it would still sound good. However, I am also one of those rare people who actually likes the music from the 80's, especially the 'synth sound. I wouldn't say this is his best, but it's pretty good.

This is a very exquisite album. You can hear the maturity of Elton's voice as compared to his earlier works. This album helps to develop what we see from him in his future albums. He is a world class artist, and this album displays his fantastic singing voice. The song Healing Hands is the voice we all know, but in Stones throw from Hurtin, he displays his ability to change. This is truly an album for those who can respaect what Elton has done to change the music industry.

This is a great Elton John album with some very catchy tunes that ARE fun to sing along to. This is a pure Elton John album complete with stirring ballads and piano driven uptempo numbers. "Healing Hands, "Club At the End Of the Street" and "Sleeping With the Past" are my favorites. You won't be disappointed with this album.

Elton John shows us again that he can continue to keep writing good music (with Bernie Taupin). It seems like whatever this duo writes becomes a hit, or gets lots of airplay, and the ten cuts on "Sleeping With the Past" are no different. The songs are composed of good lyrics and musicianship, and should be listened to often.

All of the songs on this album are great, from the opening "Durban Deep" to the title track. "Club At the End of the Street" is the only one that I find any problems with, and that is do to the cartoon video from many years ago, (it's kind of like that Genesis video with the Muppets, hard to hear the song the same way again afterwards). The best songs come at the end of the album. The run begins with the hit "Sacrifice" before moving into the falling in love with a "bride of a handsome man" while watching the ceremony unfold in "I Never Knew Her Name", which is my favorite of the album. "Amazes Me" and "Blue Avenue" finish out the strong second half of the album. Simply, this is a great album.