Elton John ~ 11-17-70 (1971){Original US}
Elton John ~ 11-17-70
Vinyl transfer in 24/96 & 16/44.1 | 1 LP | Artwork
Pop/Rock | UNI Records – 93105
The performances on this album were recorded during a live radio concert, broadcast in New York by WABC-FM on November 17th, 1970. The broadcast originated at A&R Recording Studios, New York.The recording engineer was Phil Ramone. The tapes were mixed at Trident Studios, London.
REVIEW (Allmusic)
The great thing about this early live record is its obscurity -- not just that this isn't one of his better-known records, but that the set list is a fanboy's dream, heavy on album tracks, covers, and the kinds of song that make Elton John's early work so individual. It's not just that there are no hits here, but it's that these six (seven, on the CD reissue) songs emphasize the spare, hard-rocking bluesy singer/songwriter that may not have written his own words, but always sang them with conviction and melodies that made them seem like his own. This may be a minor effort in his catalog, but that's part of its pleasure -- it's certainly a record from the time before Elton the superstar, as he tears through Tumbleweed Connection tracks prior to the record's release, does a phenomenal reworking of "Honky Tonk Women," hauls out B-sides like "Bad Side of the Moon," and gives a fierce, infectious performance. It's not essential for anyone but obsessives, but if you want any indication of what Elton sounded like prior to his big break, this is an excellent, even intoxicating, summary.
TRACKS
A1 Take Me To The Pilot
A2 Honky Tonk Women
A3 Sixty Years On
A4 Can I Put You On
B1 Bad Side Of The Moon
B2 Burn Down The Mission
B2b My Baby Left Me
B2c Get Back
PLAYERS
Piano & Vocals - Elton John
Bass – Dee Murray
Drums – Nigel Olsson
EQUIPMENT
-VPI HW-16.5 RCM
-Clearaudio Concept w/ Verify magnetic-bearing tonearm
-Clearaudio Talismann V2 Gold Ebenholz MC
-Musical Suroundings The Phonomena II preamp
-Zoom H4n
-Audioquest interconnects