Elton John Album: “Empty Sky [Remaster]”

Empty Sky is the album that first introduced Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin to the world (except for the US where the album wasn't released until 1975). When I first heard it, I was less than impressed, but on repeated listenings, I've learned to appreciate it more. It's crude, dark, with overly pretentious lyrics from the usually great Bernie Taupin, and Elton has told stories of how the piano he recorded with was out of tune. However, you've got to start somewhere. You can hear the promise of what was coming on Elton's very next effort, the self-titled ELTON JOHN. These songs began as poems that Bernie wrote before he ever met Elton. Their early efforts at writing pop songs produced some largely forgetable songs,and Steve Brown (I think) suggested they try using Bernie's poems. That's why these songs seem as disjointed as they do. "Skyline Pigeon" is my favorite track (although like so many have said, I prefer the piano version which was the B-side of "Daniel" and available on the

remastered DON'T SHOOT ME, I'M ONLY THE PIANO PLAYER). "Valhalla" and "Lady, What's Tomorrow" are also worthy

of note. The bonus tracks are a very welcome addition. The

orchestral arrangements of "It's Me That You Need" make up for

the sappy, simplistic lyrics. (Sorry, Bernie)

I'm a huge fan of the John/Taupin team, and I would say it's worth the price of admission to hear how these great songwriters got their start.

Well, this is where it all really started. "Empty Sky", 1969..If I could, I would would give this album another half star, because though it is lacking, there is still something rather charming, and enjoyable about it. At first, I listened to this album very little, and wasn't impressed, but all the sudden, I would be in class, or doing whatever, and I would have "Val-Hala" stuck in my head, a very haunting song. The title track is probably my favorite, I'm surpised it doesn't get classic rock airplay, or performed live. "Western Ford Gateway" is a catchy one, along with "Sails"(watch out for the lyrics on that one, though). "Skyline Pigeon" is a great song, but I am more partial to the versions on "Here And There", or "Rare Masters", and why oh why, did it have to be about a pigeon... One thing that I don't understand about this album, why was there a non-album single, "It's Me That You Need", released right before, but not included on the lp? There for, the album has no singles, this never really made any sense to me. Overall, I would say this is a decent, experimental album, a little rough around the edges, but any true fan has to hear where it all started.

You know, I've had several people tell me to avoid Elton John's Empty Sky because, according to them, Elton's songwriting lacked focus since it's just an early effort that should be forgotten. I have to strongly disagree.

In fact, I absolutely love Elton's classic early to mid 70's period (including Blue Moves) and I really don't understand how supposed gigantic fans of Elton's music can possibly find *any* major problems with Empty Sky.

There's honestly nothing to hate about this album. It's completely loaded with one highly melodic song after another. In fact, much of the style feels similar to his Tumbleweed Connection album, which is considered a masterpiece to most Elton John fans, so it makes no sense why Empty Sky is constantly ignored the way it is.

Perhaps people are turned off by the choice of background instruments. You will hear flute, harpsichord, and electric guitar jams much more frequently than on future Elton John albums, but that's hardly a big deal. Most of the time these instruments are played quite tastefully anyway.

Also, Elton's usual singer-songwriter style of piano-dominated pop/rock is all over the place here. No kidding. You'd never guess this is a late 60's album because it sure doesn't sound like it. It sounds like Elton John already knew what kind of music he wanted to make from the beginning, so he went ahead and did it... for the next 40-something years.

Picking a favorite song is literally impossible and I'm honestly not saying that to get OUT of doing it either. It really is a difficult thing to do considering there's not a single weak point on the entire album (including the bonus tracks- though to be fair, the last of the bonus tracks has a chorus that does repeat a bit too much).

I prefer this album to his follow-up self-titled album by *far*. If you're an Elton John fan, you will be humming these memorable songs over and over again.

There's no denying the John/Taupin talent--it's just that most of it isn't on display here. This early effort suffers from poor production and a collaboration that had yet to catch fire. The title track and Skyline Pidgeon are two of the strongest songs on the album. The rest is pretty easy to dismiss (including the bonus tracks some of which are horrid).

The most important songs that point the way to the big leap in development as songwriters for John/Taupin are the title track an expansive epic that runs over eight minutes, "Skyline Pidgeon" (which John would re-record as an elegant piano/vocal arrangement) and the concluding track "Gulliver/Hay Chewed/Reprise" with its jazzy jam at the end of the song. Producer Steve Brown (who would convince Gus Dudgeon to produce Elton)provides a simple, spare, uncluttered production style for the songs.

The second album would be the "real" debut for the John/Taupin songwriting team. Yes, "ELTON JOHN" has its weaknesses as well but, over all, the songs are better written, arranged and the lyrics less haphazardly thrown together. Even Elton's weakest albums during his "prime" had the superb production of Gus Dudgeon to salvage even the weakest material. Fortunately, Steve Brown recognized his own shortcomings as a producer and hooked up Elton with Gus.

I really like this album. I was pretty disappointed to find out that not alot of people, especially in the U.S.,didnt really pay attention to this album. Too bad, because this is basically the album that showed how much potential EJ had at the time. ANd he certainly grew. I hope more people can find out about this album. My faves are "Empty Sky", "Valhala", "Western Ford Gateway", "Sails"[which i love cuz it has that old rock n roll feel],& "Its Me That You Need". Love em all. Hope yall do too.