Elton John Album: “The One [Remaster]”

With The One, Elton launched his first new collection of songs for the 1990s. With the slow down turn of his personal life coming to a halt by 1990, Elton emerged clean and sober for the first time in years. It shows in the music as well and particularly, in his voice. Confident, soulful and more mature, The One showcases Elton's vocal and piano playing once again. After the mild-mannered Sleeping With The Past, which attempted to capture the spirit of old school R&B (of which about half succeeded), The One jumps back into a more traditional mix of pop and rock.

The first song on the album, Simple Life, examines the trials and desires of getting things back in order (including personal, professional and spiritual). Did lyricist Bernie Taupin - who writes all of the words here - deliberately write this on purpose? In a way, the lyric reminds me of the storytelling he used for 1975's autobiographical Captain Fantastic release. Because he sings this song with a lot of conviction and he not just a mouth piece for Taupin this time - these lyrics are something he can relate to and more importantly, experienced. That aside, the plodding music never takes the song anywhere and once again, producer Chris Thomas never lifts the song up. The verses and chorus blend into one another without any trace of chord structure changes or rhythmic patterns to intervene.

The title track, The One, about finding personal and spiritual happiness with that special someone, ranks up there with Elton's best ballads. Lyrically, musically and vocally, this one was destined to be a smash hit from the beginning. Other key songs include the haunting "The North", about Taupin's roots, in which Elton sings: "The North was my mother, but I no longer need her, you trade your roots in the dust, for a face in the river. There's a north in us all, but my north can't hold me anymore." Whitewash County tells the tale of David Duke (remember, this is 1992 and the former KKK ex-senator was making a run for president) complete with faux-syn-fiddles which give the song a really downhome country swing. Emily, seems a little like Eleanor Rigby lyrically, but musically borrows the same melody from Simple Life. However, Elton's pleading vocal on Emily makes the song shine. When A Woman Doesn't Want You is a great ballad in the tradition of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, though the lyric is much more serious as it addresses date rape. Runaway Train features a blistering guitar solo from Eric Clapton who also duets. The song about despair and finding peace and love literally moves like a train as it rocks out. The Last Song, is probably one of Elton's most eloquent and truely amazing performances on any release. The lyrics tells the story of a man dying of AIDS and making peace with his father before passing away. Once again, lyrically, musically and vocally, this song is perfectly executed on all levels. It's impossible not to feel the pain and sentiment after listening to this song. And some 12 years later, the song never fails to move me.

Otherwise, a few other songs round out this collection and those include Understanding Woman, On Dark Street and Sweat It Out. None of these unfortunately made a lasting impression on me as they seem a little routine.

I would have given The One 5 stars except that on most of the songs, the production is overdone. The drums are hugely echoed and there is way too much reliance on programmed synthesizers. There is no open space on any of these songs and while Elton's piano makes a comeback after being buried in the mix on a the few past releases, it still sometimes takes a back seat to all of the sound effects whizzing around on most of these songs. Also, I wish the melody's had been a litle more adventurous because most of very mid-tempo at best.

That aside, there is some great songwriting here. Elton and Bernie Taupin have a release that is well deserving of a proper place in their rich catalog of albums.

This is not quite 4 stars in my view, but its a better album than Elton had produced for a long time with stronger songs and arrangements than anything since "Two Low for Zero". It is still over-produced but there are hints here of the gradual return to his classic sound of the early 70's that would occur so dramatically on "Songs for the West Coast".

'Simple Life' and 'The One' are fine starters to the album. 'The One' in particular shows off Elton's melodic gift as well any track I can think of through his use of an extended chord sequence. Its sad that the track is over-produced, but this can't detract from a great melody. 'Emily' is classic Elton John. Starting with a verse that really doesn't seem to be going anywhere, but then he hooks with another of those amazing choruses. "On Dark Street" is a soulful track, which is one of the few tracks that benefits from its contemporary production. If you want a comparison with classic period its 'Philadelphia Freedom (ish)'. Eltons insistent electric Piano underpins the whole song, and a synthesised string arrangement adds to the soulful arrangement.

'The Last Song' is the last track of the album and is a great song both lyrically and melodically. Its a shame that Elton didn't do this with just Piano and Vocal as the track really doesn't need the other keyboards. However its a fine way to finsh the album.

Its really only the production and overall sound that separates this album from say 'Songs fron the West Coast'. Elton showed with this album that having recovered from the drugs and alcohol problems he could write good songs again and this is well worth getting.

1992 saw Elton John release "The One" which went onto multi-platinum status and generated 3 or 4 successful singles. Prior to "The One" Elton John had gone into rehab in Chicago for alcohol and drug abuse as well as eating disorders. "The One" became his first truly clean and sober record since his early to mid 1970s heyday. The result was a collection of solid tunes.

A #1 record in France and Germany, #2 in the UK, and #8 in the USA, "The One" became his best selling studio record since those same 70s heydays. "The One" opened with "Simple Life" which is a powerful song about simplifying one's life and making good choices. The title track became an Elton John / Bernie Taupin classic and is about finding that "someone" or "something" in life that inspires stength and courage. The closing "The Last Song" is a bare and touching song about a relationship between a father and his son strained by the fact that the son had AIDS and the father couldn't initially accept it. Acceptance wins out over intolerance in this beautiful Taupin lyric.

One of the most gratifying aspects of "The One" is the excellent piano playing in what must be described as a partly electronic-based album. Elton rocks out with a scorching piano outro in "Whitewash County" and "Sweat It Out" features a lengthy jazzy piano outro. There is an energy throughout the record. Taupin delivered his best collection of lyrics in years and Elton's voice had clearly recovered from late-80s vocal surgery.

The record also features a guest vocal and guitar from Eric Clapton on "Runaway Train" which is a story about making bad life decisions leading to an out of control existence. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour provides some signature guitar work on "Understanding Women."

"The One" clearly launched Elton back into chart relevance in 1992. More importantly, it featured a healthy and appreciative artist. He started the Elton John AIDS Foundation that year and started a life of giving back through many philanthropist projects.

This CD is very good. The plastic case had cracks in it (I have been unable to confirm/deny whether Amazon or USPS employees drive a forklift over the cases before shipping), but there was no damage to any of the tracks on the CD.

Love this CD. I think it is one of Eltons' best--good variety. "Runaway Train" with Calpton is great.