Elton John Album: “Lady Samantha”

"Lady Samantha" is a good compilation of rarities and B-sides from Elton's glorious early career. It also includes a small selection from the long-out-of-print Friends soundtrack, the title track and "Honey Roll". Many of the songs of this album were recorded during his early album sessions, such as the superb and instantly memorable "Bad Side of the Moon", which was recorded for the Elton John album. So was "Rock and Roll Madonna", which has lots of energy and a feeling that it was recorded live, which also was the intention. Also included are a number of songs recorded for the sessions of the brilliant Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album: "Jack Rabbit", "Screw You (Young Man's Blues)", "Whenever You're Ready (We'll Go Steady Again)" and the re-recording of "Skyline Pigeon", which originally appeared on the "Empty Sky" album. I find none of these offensive, but rather creative and inspired. The latter has been described by Elton as being the first good song he and Bernie actually wrote. In addition, there are a couple of left-overs from the sessions of the "Empty Sky" album; "It's Me That You Need", "Lady Samantha", which will get stuck in your head after some listens and got a lot of radio airplay, and "Just Like Strange Rain". You'll also find the original version of "Grey Seal", and the 1974 B-side of the "Step Into Christmas" single, "Ho Ho Ho (Who'd Be a Turkey at Christmas)", which is really kind of funny and totally unserious. Overall, this release is a result of Elton being unbelievably prolific, usually creating two albums a year, and as a consequence not everything could be included on his studio albums. It accounts for a good sample of his early year, although some of it is rather obscure, and I wouldn't recommend it for customers who already have purchased the box set "Rare Masters", on which all these songs are compiled.

This is a pretty solid CD of some early, non LP Elton John. About three of the tracks are what I'd consider "novelty" and "It's me that you Need" is a bit on the pompous side, but the other ten tracks are great. Even though "Grey Seal" will be the only song that most fans immediately recognize, the tracks seem really familiar after a while.

It is important to buy this CD new. Polygram reissued this one in 1998, and even though the packaging didn't change at all, the sound and track to track volume consistancy is much better than the original 1988 pressing.

Why pay thirty five dollars for this when you can get a used copy of Rare Masters for fourteen dollars ( even at twenty six for a new copy )that has two CD's and has all these songs and the full soundtrack to Friends plus other rare songs. Half price folks!!

Haven't heard the whole album since my 8-track tape broke (literally) years ago. A must have for any serious EJ fan.