THE BIG PICTURE is the twenty-sixth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1997. It includes three worldwide singles: "Something About The Way You Look Tonight" (released later as a double A-side with "Candle in the Wind 1997"), "Recover Your Soul" and "If The River Can Bend". The album has a strong orchestral emphasis with string arrangements written by Anne Dudley.
The album was dedicated to Elton John’s friend, popular fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was murdered a few months before the album's release. This was the last album to date to be produced by Chris Thomas. This is the only album in which neither Davey Johnstone nor Bob Birch provide backing vocals.
THE BIG PICTURE is a simple album at heart, a collection of melancholy love songs beefed up with million-dollar pop arrangements and rocked up every now and then with Davey Johnstone's electric guitar. The sentiments are basic enough: in "The End Will Come," he's ready to swear there ain't no mountain high enough to stop his love, while in "Love's Got A Lot To Answer For," he's ready to admit that no matter how he climbs there's just going to be another mountain around the bend. Lyricist Bernie Taupin provides these basics, and John adds the incredible melodic weight that the best of these songs have. "Long Way From Happiness" is haunting blue-eyed soul, "The End Will Come" is a true anthem that showcases a Stevie Wonder-like conviction in the power of music to overcome reality. Single "If The River Can Bend" serves as teasing proof that the rock flame behind such early John showstoppers as "Burn Down the Mission" is far from out.
Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, organ, keyboards); East London Gospel Choir, Angel Voices Choir (vocals); Davey Johnstone, John Jorgenson (guitar); Paul Carrack (organ); Matthew Vaughan (keyboards, percussion); Guy Babylon (keyboards); Charlie Morgan (drums, percussion); Paul Clarvis (tabla); Jackie Rawe, Carol Kenyon (background vocals).
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, England.
Produced by Chris Thomas.
Track Listing:
1. Long Way from Happiness - 4:47 2. Live Like Horses - 5:02 3. The End Will Come - 4:52 4. If the River Can Bend - 5:23 5. Love's Got a Lot to Answer For - 5:02 6. Something About the Way You Look Tonight - 5:08 7. The Big Picture - 3:45 8. Recover Your Soul - 5:18 9. January - 4:02 10. I Can't Steer My Heart Clear of You - 4:10 11. Wicked Dreams - 4:39
The Big Picture (1997)
ReplyDeleteElton John
Album Description:
THE BIG PICTURE is the twenty-sixth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1997. It includes three worldwide singles: "Something About The Way You Look Tonight" (released later as a double A-side with "Candle in the Wind 1997"), "Recover Your Soul" and "If The River Can Bend". The album has a strong orchestral emphasis with string arrangements written by Anne Dudley.
The album was dedicated to Elton John’s friend, popular fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was murdered a few months before the album's release. This was the last album to date to be produced by Chris Thomas. This is the only album in which neither Davey Johnstone nor Bob Birch provide backing vocals.
THE BIG PICTURE is a simple album at heart, a collection of melancholy love songs beefed up with million-dollar pop arrangements and rocked up every now and then with Davey Johnstone's electric guitar. The sentiments are basic enough: in "The End Will Come," he's ready to swear there ain't no mountain high enough to stop his love, while in "Love's Got A Lot To Answer For," he's ready to admit that no matter how he climbs there's just going to be another mountain around the bend. Lyricist Bernie Taupin provides these basics, and John adds the incredible melodic weight that the best of these songs have. "Long Way From Happiness" is haunting blue-eyed soul, "The End Will Come" is a true anthem that showcases a Stevie Wonder-like conviction in the power of music to overcome reality. Single "If The River Can Bend" serves as teasing proof that the rock flame behind such early John showstoppers as "Burn Down the Mission" is far from out.
Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, organ, keyboards); East London Gospel Choir, Angel Voices Choir (vocals); Davey Johnstone, John Jorgenson (guitar); Paul Carrack (organ); Matthew Vaughan (keyboards, percussion); Guy Babylon (keyboards); Charlie Morgan (drums, percussion); Paul Clarvis (tabla); Jackie Rawe, Carol Kenyon (background vocals).
Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, England.
Produced by Chris Thomas.
Track Listing:
1. Long Way from Happiness - 4:47
2. Live Like Horses - 5:02
3. The End Will Come - 4:52
4. If the River Can Bend - 5:23
5. Love's Got a Lot to Answer For - 5:02
6. Something About the Way You Look Tonight - 5:08
7. The Big Picture - 3:45
8. Recover Your Soul - 5:18
9. January - 4:02
10. I Can't Steer My Heart Clear of You - 4:10
11. Wicked Dreams - 4:39