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Elton John was not a mega-star when he released this album. In fact he had only had one true hit sngle in "Your Song" and then, commercially at least "gone off the boil" as he and Bernie Taupin swanned around rural America gigging and looking for inspiration. They came up with this album which is remarkable in that it was not remotely commercial. It is country-tinged blues rock of the highest order, the kind The Scissor Sisters seem to be so influenced by these days (check out "Amoreena"). Immaculately delivered by a tight band, Taupin's lyrics are of his Americana variety he has always loved so much and they seem to hark back to a time gone by in almost Hardy-esque fashion, as indeed do his Lincolnshire-inspired lyrics. "Country Comfort" (later covered by Rod Stewart on "Smiler") is a wonderful example.

Jim Steinman credits "Burn Down The Mission" as the cut which first inspired "Bat Out Of Hell", and with its swirling changes of pace and driving rock piano above heavy orchestration, you can see why. That track is the album's highlight and much-underrated when Elton John's canon is discussed.

There is also some beautiful acoustic work on the album. All in all a remarkable mature piece of work for its time.

Rating: 4 out of 5

If you enjoyed the early albums of Elton John such as Madman accross the water and Honky Chateau then I would recommend this album for you. All the tracks are very good and showcase Elton's vocals in his greatest period, the early 70's.



Rating: 4 out of 5

A stunning album. Eltons best without a doubt. However, never should be forgotten the great late Gus Dudgeon who produced Tumbleweed Connection.
I feel that if it wasnt for Gus this album just would not be what it is, a masterpiece that remains timeless

Richard Peter (leeds) UK

Rating: 5 out of 5

I have most of Eltons albums and this is the one I've played the most over the years. Heavily influnced by The Band, this captures Elton at the start of his golden period. I don't think he's ever beaten this album. However Yellow Brick Road this is not! Country/blues/folk is where this album takes its roots from. Eltons Piano playing is heard at its best on this album, high in the mix a lot of the time, and not drowned by other keyboards as on later albums. Listen to Amoreena which has plenty of great gospel/blues licks. Another favourite on this album is My Fathers Gun, not to mention Burn Down The Mission which Elton still plays to this day (35 years later).This could almost be classed as roots music now. It sounds absurd doesn't it, Elton John roots music, but people forget that behind the glitz and the showman, Elton is primarily a songwriter and musician. Listen to this album and forget the newspaper headlines!

Rating: 5 out of 5

They don't call it the classic years for nothing. The lyrics to songs like Ballad Of A Well Known Gun or Son Of Your Father give you that impression of a typical 'out-west' vision.The track Love Song is an exellent form of Accoustic Rock, which contains a guitar and nothing else, with Burn Down The Mission that will have you jumping up and down with an air bass in your hand and bouncing to the 'party' rhythm that runs 'haywire' at the end of the six minute track at the end of the original album.An excellent track is Where To Now, Saint Peter? This has vamps that should appear on those Air Guitar compilation albums. And also, the line 'I took myself a blue canoe' is a real winner. And My Father's Gun has a chorus that you will need to keep playing back and back. This is excellent!

Rating: 5 out of 5