Language / Idioma

Elton John

Elton John Album: “Rock of the Westies [Japan Bonus Tracks]”

Album Information :

Title:

Rock of the Westies [Japan Bonus Tracks]

Release Date:2001-09-27

Type:Unknown

Genre:Pop, Soft Pop, Classic Rock

Label:Universal/Polygram

Explicit Lyrics:Yes

UPC:4988005281951

Track Listing :
1	Medley
2	Dan Dare
3	Island Girl Video
4	Grow Some Funk of Your Own
5	I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)
6	Street Kids
7	Hard Luck Story
8	Feed Me
9	Billy Bones and the White Bird
10	Dont Go Breaking My Heart (Duet with Kiki Dee)

Review - :

Less than four months after issuing the landmark and autobiographical {^Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy} (1975), {$Elton John} re-emerged with a new band and a slightly modified sound. However, the departure of {$Dee Murray} (bass) and {$Nigel Olsson} (drums) would ultimately begin a deceleration in terms of {$John}'s success, which rivalled only {$the Beatles}' and {$Elvis Presley}'s in terms of global acclaim. The revamped band grew to include new associates {$James Newton Howard} (keyboards) and {$Kenny Passarelli} (bass) as well as {$Roger Pope} (drums) and {$Caleb Quaye} (guitar), who had both performed with {$John} as far back as his first long-player, {^Empty Sky} (1968). He also retained the services of {$Davey Johnstone} (guitar) and {$Ray Cooper} (percussion) from the most recent lineup. Musically, {^Rock of the Westies} (1975) maintains the balance of harder-edged material and effective {\ballads}. In fact, one of the album's strongest suits is the wide spectrum of strong material. The ballsy no-nonsense {&"Street Kids"} and the aggressive gringo {\rock} of the {$ZZ Top} sound-alike {&"Grown Some Funk of Your Own"} contrast the poignant power balladry of {&"I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)"} or the dark and brooding tale of addiction on {&"Feed Me."} Perhaps inspired by the crossover {\R&B} appeal of {&"Philadelphia Freedom,"} the up-tempo {&"Island Girl"} bears a distinct and danceable groove that lies somewhere between a slightly Jamaican vibe and {\disco}. Perhaps more soulful in the traditional sense are the boogie-based {&"Hard Luck Story"} or propulsive {$Bo Diddley} beat that drives {&"Billy Bones and the White Bird."} While the increasingly fickle public as well as lack of a strong follow-up to the chart-topping single {&"Island Girl"} may have prevented {^Rock of the Westies} from becoming the heir apparent to {^Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy}, in the wake of {$John}'s flawless predecessors it remains a strong and worthwhile entry that also sets the stage for its follow-up, {^Blue Moves} (1976). [A Japanese version included bonus tracks.] ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide