Search - Elton John :: Peachtree Road (W/Dvd) (Coll) (Exp)

Peachtree Road Plus Worth The Wait

P. Moore | Syracuse, NY | 10/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's ironic that on the 30th anniversary of the ground-breaking "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" Elton John and Bernie Taupin teamed to write "Peachtree Road." It's another theme disc with this musical journey taking place in the South. It's complete with Gospel (Answer In the Sky), Country (Turn the Lights Out When You Leave), Rock (They Call Her the Cat) and Elvis (Porch Swing In Tupelo).

In addition to Elton's playing, he's supported by mainstay Davey Johnstone on guitar and Nigel Olsson on drums, each who also played on Captain Fantastic. Joining in are now regular bandmates Bob Birch on bass, Guy Babylon on keyboards and John Mahon on percussion. But this CD gets and added boost from the "Voice of Atlanta," a group of background singers who performed so well in the recording session that Elton also brought them on tour.

Peachtree Road stands strong on its own -- but this collector's edition also includes three bonus tracks from the hit musical "Billy Elliott." A second disc is a nine-track DVD of a live performance of nine songs from Peachtree Road performed at the Tabernacle in Atlanta.

For Elton fans, this is a must have. For those on the fence, it's a difference maker."

The Definitive Version of Elton John's "Peachtree Road"

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 10/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Elton John's second 21st Century CD, "Peachtree Road", is a slightly more satisfying, extremely soulful, collection of songs than his "Songs from the West Coast". Better yet, the tone of Elton's music and Bernie Taupin's lyrics, is far more upbeat and spiritual in tone than most of the songs from "Songs from the West Coast" (The latter's "Wasteland", a bluesy, rocking ode to blues pioneer Robert Johnson, is a song which could have appeared on "Peachtree Road".). Indeed, as a concept album, it comes closest in spirit to "Sleeping with the Past", Elton's and Bernie's splendid late 1980's tribute to Motown. And yet musically, "Peachtree Road" sounds more like an updated version of "Honky Chateau", with elements thrown in from "Tumbleweed Connection", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Caribou" for good measure, than any of his recent CDs with new songs, with the notable exception of "Songs from the West Coast". In "Peachtree Road", Elton John and Bernie Taupin have wrought a compelling elegy to Southern rock and roll, blues and country, which long-time Elton John fans and popular music critics alike will compare favorably with "Tumbleweed Connection", their early 1970's tribute to the Western Americana.



This deluxe version of "Peachtree Road", released last year, should be regarded as the definitive version since it includes finally, at long last, the lyrics to the original songs on the album which weren't included in the album's initial release. There are also three additional songs from the hit London musical "Billy Elliot" for which Elton composed the music. There's also the additional DVD featuring live concert performances of most of the songs from the original version of "Peachtree Road" which were recorded during the 2004 "Peachtree Road" tour. Without question, the DVD is a splendid visual historical record of that tour, emphasizing the excellent background vocal singing of the "Voices of Atlanta" choir and the splendid musicianship shown by Elton and his long-time bandmates in the current version of the Elton John Band, most notably from guitarist Davey Johnstone and drummer Nigel Olsson.



At least a half dozen - probably more like nine - songs on "Peachtree Road" are potential singles, and all of these compare favorably with those from "Honky Chateau", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Sleeping with the Past", "Made in England", and of course, "Songs from the West Coast", to name but a few. My personal favorites are "Weight of the World", "Turn the Lights Out When You Leave", "My Elusive Drug", and "Too Many Tears", all of which are compelling ballads steeped in blues and country, which Elton sings and plays the piano with great conviction. Another favorite is the CD's first North American single, "Answer in the Sky", which is a powerful ballad on personal redemption and salvation (I am quite impressed with Guy Babylon's string arrangement, which seems reminiscent of Paul Backmaster's, and featuring a studio session string ensemble with lyrical bluegrass/country violin playing of the kind I've appreciated from the likes of Jay Ungar and my friend Dotty Moore.). "All That I'm Allowed" - released as the CD's first single elsewhere around the globe - is a joyful anthem of thanksgiving which has more in common with George Michael's songs, than any earlier Elton John hit. The second North American single should be "Turn the Lights Out When You Leave", which is a compelling country/western ballard, featuring former band member John Jorgenson's pedal steel guitar playing. "Freaks in Love" is a doo wopish elegy to misfits in love, while "They Call Her the Cat" is a beautiful, uptempo rocker harkening back to "Honky Cat". "It's Getting Dark in Here" features some of Elton's finest singing and elegant solo piano playing. "Porch Swing in Tupelo" is a musical travelogue from Bernie Taupin's visit there which pays homage to the young Elvis Presley. "I Stop and I Breathe" may be the weakest song on this CD, but it is still an effective rhythm and blues ballad which may cause listeners to remember fondly "On Dark Street" from "The One". And last but not least, "I Can't Keep This from You" is a bluesy, elegant little song quite reminiscent of "Harmony" from "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".



This is the first CD since "Made in England" which Elton has produced (However, he co-produced "Made in England" with Greg Penny, so this is indeed his first solo effort.), and it is a fitting musical tribute to original Elton John producer Gus Dudgeon (The album is dedicated to him and his wife, both killed tragically in an automobile accident a couple of years ago.), featuring Dudgeon's prominent positioning of the piano, guitars and vocals (Though I wish Davey Johnstone's solo guitar work would shine through a bit more than it does on this CD.). Unlike "Songs from the West Coast", this CD features the entire Elton John band on every song, and marks the first time since "Breaking Hearts" that Davey Johnstone and Nigel Olsson have appeared on an entire CD (Speaking of Nigel, his drumming is absolutely impeccable, showing why he is one of rock and roll's greatest drummers.). Elton may be getting older, but neither he nor Bernie Taupin have lost their brilliant talents in writing compelling melodies and lyrics. Along with "Songs from the West Coast", I regard "Peachtree Road" as Elton's best CD since "Made in England", and truly one which compares well with his best from the 1970's (Editorial Note: Since writing this comment originally back in 2004 in my Amazon.com customer review of this album's original version, I believe that "Peachtree Road" isn't nearly as satisfying an artistic creation from the John/Taupin songwriting team as "Captain and the Kid", which is their best album from this decade; "Peachtree Road" now ranks third, behind "Songs from the West Coast".). I have no doubt that this splendid CD will be regarded eventually as one of Elton John's essential CDs.



"

Excellent!! A More Mature Elton!

Paul Murphy | Pompano Beach, Florida United States | 01/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Elton John has said that " I am disapointed at the sales of Peachtree, But I know we gave it our all and are very happy with it" He knows that he will probably never have a #1 album again. His records will continue to sell long after anyone who reads this is gone. That is a fact. PeachTree Road is a mature CD that allows the listener to travel through the south while enjoying a variety of songs that relate to Love, Lost Love & Freaks In Love. Hearing the songs live made them even better upon listening to the CD again. I know Elton is in the news nowadays for what he does and says outside of music more than he is for music (Although his concerts continue to sell out all over the world to rave reviews)But he is and will be relevant in the grand scheme for years to come. So what if he gets cranky sometimes,we all have our moods. Question to "Fed up" Did you even listen to the CD? My guess would be no. If you didnt like EJ before, it is unlikely this will be the CD to bring you around. George Michael & Elton have made up, Madonna lives in her own lipsyncing world (this I have witnessed)... Luv her but she is too much. Note to Madge, time to start wearing more clothes in your videos. Anyways I digress, The Bonus DVD is nice, but I also wish the whole Tabernacle show was on it. God Bless ya EJ, Keep on Keepin On!"