CORPORATE LINE: The Captain & The Kid, written with his long-time writing partner, Bernie Taupin. More than 30 years after the release of their landmark #1 multi-platinum album, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, the duo returns with this sequel. The new album features 10 new songs reflecting the intimate lives and public times spanning the long-standing songwriting partnership of Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin. In fact, for the first time, both John and Taupin are featured on an Elton John album cover.
“The album is a celebration of our lives and our lifetimes, of our music and of the music we love. The Captain & The Kid continues our story. You can’t look back, we’re looking ahead,” says John.
Created in the tradition of those fantastic records of the 60’s and 70’s, The Captain & The Kid is a celebration of when music was the most important voice of our culture and the album was its prime vehicle. Much like Elton’s previous records Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across The Water, and Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy, The Captain & The Kid is an album meant to transport you back to that place in time when music mattered most. 35 plus years-later, Elton really has become Captain Fantastic and Bernie is most definitely The Brown Dirt Cowboy and they are as passionate about their music as they have ever been.
“I find the whole album to be so touching and beautiful for me because I’ve lived it,” Elton added. “I lived it with Bernie and we’ve come through it. We’ve gone over the bridge and here we are at the other side.”
The first single from the album, ‘The Bridge” is one of 10 tracks which picks up where Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy left off. The album tells the story of Elton and Bernie from when they arrived in Los Angeles 30 years ago, through the ups and downs of their lives, to present day.
THE GOOD:
“Postcards From Richard Nixon” – Reminiscing about the past has never sounded so good. The piano hits on the upswing and Elton sings like a bird.
“Just Like Noah’s Ark” – Elton kicks up some dust on a honky-tonk piano and the melody is vintage Elton John.
“Wouldn’t Have You Any Other Way (NYC)” – Elton is not one to shy away from a teary-eyed ballad.
“And The House Fell Down” – Another fabulous song. Elton offers wonderful lyrics and the piano bridge is magnificent. How do we live without Elton John?
THE AVERAGE:
“Blues Never Fade Away” – Elton John tries to do a follow up to “Candle In The Wind” and it ends too far over the top.
“I Must Have Lost It On The Wind” – This definitely sounds like a song that should have been sung by a cowboy—of course in a more rugged voice.
THE BAD:
Nothing.
FRANKLY: Elton John sounds rejuvenated. This version of The Captain isn’t quite as good as Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy but that doesn’t mean it can’t be thoroughly enjoyed. Even an average Elton John is better than almost any other artist out there and we can thank heaven that Elton has offered an above average album.
+ Rae Gun
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