Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy

by Elton John

Overview

Sitting atop the charts in 1975, Elton John and Bernie Taupin recalled their rise to power in Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, their first explicitly conceptual effort since Tumbleweed Connection. It's no coincidence that it's their best album since then, showcasing each at the peak of his power, as John crafts supple, elastic, versatile pop and Taupin's inscrutable wordplay is evocative, even moving. What's best about the record is that it works best of a piece -- although it entered the charts at number one, this only had one huge hit in "Someone Saved My Life Tonight," which sounds even better here, since it tidily fits into the musical and lyrical themes. And although the musical skill on display here is dazzling, as it bounces between country and hard rock within the same song, this is certainly a grower. The album needs time to reveal its treasures, but once it does, it rivals Tumbleweed in terms of sheer consistency and eclipses it in scope, capturing John and Taupin at a pinnacle. They collapsed in hubris and excess not long afterward -- Rock of the Westies, which followed just months later is as scattered as this is focused -- but this remains a testament to the strengths of their creative partnership. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	05/14/1996
Label:	Rocket Group
UPC:	0731452816023
Rank:	50768

Tracks

1. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
2. Tower of Babel
3. Bitter Fingers
4. Tell Me When the Whistle Blows
5. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
6. (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket
7. Better Off Dead
8. Writing
9. We All Fall in Love Sometimes
10. Curtains
11. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
12. One Day (At a Time)
13. Philadelphia Freedom

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Elton John   Primary Artist,Strings,Clavinet,Ensemble,Keyboards,Mellotron,Harpsichord,Synthesizer,Vocal Harmony,ARP Synthesizer,String Ensemble,Piano (Electric),Piano,Vocals
John Lennon   Primary Artist,Guitar,Guest Artist
Ray Cooper   Handbells,Jew's-Harp,Bells,Bongos,Congas,Shaker,Cymbals,Jawbone,Quijada,Triangle,Bell Tree,Gong,Percussion,Tambourine
Dee Murray   Guitar (Bass),Bass,Vocals (Background)
Dave Hentschel   Synthesizer
Nigel Olsson   Drums,Vocals (Background)
Davey Johnstone   Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Mandolin,Synthesizer,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
David Hentschel   Keyboards,Synthesizer,ARP Synthesizer

Technical Credits

Jeff Guercio   Audio Engineer,Engineer
Gus Dudgeon   Audio Production,Producer,Remixing,Remix Engineer
Elton John   Composer
David Larkham   Package Design,Graphic Conception,Design,Artwork,Art Direction
Geoff Halpin   Lettering
Alan Aldridge   Design,Cover Design,Illustrations
Harry Willock   Design,Cover Design,Illustrations
Mark Guercio   Assistant Engineer
Terry O'Neill   Photography
Ricky Graham   Digital Transfers
Pete Townshend   Composer
Phil Dunne   Remixing,Remix Engineer
Paul McCartney   Composer
John Tobler   Liner Notes
John Lennon   Composer
Bernie Taupin   Artwork,Composer,Art Direction,Graphic Conception
Gus Skinas   Editing
Greg Penny   Mixing,Producer,Surround Sound,Mixing Engineer,Mastering Engineer
Gene Page   Arranger,Orchestral Arrangements
Tony Cousins   Remastering