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Elton's second album self titled is a mix of very good and so so for elton. Your Song i believe is one of the best songs ever. Take me to the pilot is also a fantastic track. There are a few fillers such as no shoe strings on louise, first episode at heiton, and greatest discovery. Grey seal, sixty years on and rock n roll madona are all real gems of songwriting and musical talent showcasing the skills of john/taupin.Overall a good elton, but i would only get it if you already an avid elton fan curious about his early work. This album is not ideal for a first time elton listner. I would strongly recomend Dont shoot i am only the piano player or Goodbye yellow brick road for fist time eltoners.

Rating: 4 out of 5

This was the second album of Elton John's and the one that put his name out there. This album has plenty to offer in the different types of songs that are available. 'Your Song' has gone down as a all time classic and is the perfect introduction to this album. 'First Espisode at Hienton' and 'Sixty Years On' are two mellow songs that you can feel emotion from.3 bonus tracks are on offer on this album including 'grey seal' that can be found on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album, a early version of the song.This was the introduction of Elton John into the music scene so for an Elton fan this is a must have but can easily entertain any music lover. Plenty to offer, money well spent.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Elton John's second album, released in 1970, was a more mature, and enjoyable effort than the previous years 'Empty Sky', mainly through a rich orchestral backdrop. Everyone must have heard the ultimate love song, 'your song', and this is an obvious highlight, alongside 'Sixty Years On', with strings straight out of a Hammer Horror, a very moving song, and 'Border Song', a fantasticly original pop song, fitting in rock, gospel and pop in a little over 3 minutes. 'The Cage' is a catchy rock song, as is 'Take Me To The Pilot'. Really great so far.Elton plays many of these songs in his solo concerts, including the short, romantic 'I Need You To Turn To', which is as straightforward musically as you can get, and all the better for it. 'Last Episode At Hienton' is a nice ballad, although slightly bland, with no chorus of note. However, 'The Greatest Discovery', an incredibally dull story about the birth of Bernie Taupin's brother is yawn inducing, and has nothing remotely original about it. The Worst song is definitely 'No Shoestrings On Louise', a horrible country song which Elton sings terribly, and is actually painful on the ears. Possibly the worst song Elton ever recorded.However, overall, the class of Elton shows through in the album, and although there are only really 3 up-tempo songs, it is still not a boring listen, and I would recommend it to anyone who has an open mind musically. Probably not the best place to start Elton-wise, try Goodbye Yellow Brick Road or Captain Fantasic, then this.

Rating: 4 out of 5

If his first album, the low-budget 'Empty Sky' hinted at Elton John's potential, his second ('the black album') well and truly confirmed it and is one of the most significant albums of the early 70s. Its distinctive character derives from the three features which would become Elton's trademark sound in his early albums - his unique vocal delivery, his expressive piano playing, and the use of heavy orchestration. The songs range from tender ballads with baroque influences, to bluesy rock numbers, and the slow but powerful songs for which he is perhaps best known. Only one ('Your song') was a hit record, but many others have become well-established classics of Elton's repertoire (notably 'Border song', 'Take me to the pilot', 'Sixty years on' and 'The king must die'). (Three additional early songs, not originally included on the album, also appear.) Paul Buckmaster's orchestral arrangements on this album might be criticised as being too grandiose and overbearing at times, but they are part of what gives the record its distinctive character and helped to establish Elton as a very individual new talent in his early days. After two further heavily orchestrated albums, his song arrangements became much more stripped-down and conventionally commercial, as can be heard on 'Goodbye yellow brick road', but the black album showcases Elton's raw talent before 'stardom' arrived. A landmark album - but if you like the style of this you should also obtain the subsequent 'Tumbleweed connection' and 'Madman across the water', which are also EJ classics.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Your song. The one that made the pair famous is first heard on this old old disk. I prefer the quieter tunes on this album, but the loader ones still have their place. Compare these with the later Madman and Tumbleweed and try to work out how the music changed from this to the Lion King! Get it, if only for the ballads

Rating: 4 out of 5