The Complete Thom Bell Sessions

by Elton John

Overview

After dismissing his recently re-formed backing band and breaking off professional ties with longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin, Elton John sought Philly soul maestro Thom Bell in search of a fresh direction. However, John's brief foray into soul isn't as surprising or unusual as it might initially sound. In fact, two of John's biggest hits -- "Bennie and the Jets" as well the breezy four-on-the floor backbeat on "Philadelphia Freedom" -- also became crossover R&B smashes. Initially, John was not entirely pleased with the results and sat on the tapes for over a year before remixing the six completed songs in early 1979 for a summertime release. Ultimately, John chose half of the material that he and Bell had cut to be included on a three-song EP, which was led by the midtempo and ultimately danceable "Mama Can't Buy You Love." The two other sides -- "Are You Ready for Love" and "Three Way Love Affair" (which were issued on that June 1979 extended-play single) -- were likewise Bell creations and were augmented significantly by some of Philly's finest. Among them were Casey James (guitar), Leroy M. Bell (guitar), and Charles Collins (drums), strings and horns courtesy of none other than MFSB, and backing vocals from the one and only Spinners. When the CD version of that EP was issued, the other three previously unissued tunes documented during those sessions were released. Notable among them are a Taupin/John leftover titled "Nice and Slow" -- which Thom Bell also rearranged -- as well as a John ballad co-written with Gary Osborne titled "Shine On Through." This track would resurface as the leadoff track on John's A Single Man in a much more stark and moody musical setting. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	08/04/2023
Label:	Emi Records / Island / Umr
UPC:	0602445318773
Rank:	49448

Tracks

1. Nice And Slow
2. Country Love Song
3. Shine On Through
4. Mama Can't Buy You Love
5. Are You Ready For Love
6. Three Way Love Affair

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Elton John   Primary Artist,Vocals
MFSB   Guest Artist,Horn,Strings
The Spinners   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Bobby Eli   Guitar
Larry Washington   Percussion
Casey James   Vocals (Background)
Charles Collins   Drums
Thom Bell   Guitar,Conductor,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Carla Benson   Vocals (Background)
Bob Babbitt   Bass
Evette Benton   Vocals (Background)
Barbara Ingram   Vocals (Background)
Bill Lamb   Vocals (Background)
Tony Bell   Guitar,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Andy McKaie   Reissue Coordination
J. Jefferson   Composer
Clive Franks   Remixing
Gary Osborne   Composer
Casey James   Composer,Synthesizer Overdubs
Greg Fulginiti   Mastering
Doug Schwartz   Digital Transfers
Leroy Bell   Composer
Joseph Jefferson   Composer
Bernie Taupin   Composer
Thom Bell   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Elton John   Composer,Remixing
Don Murray   Engineer
Vartan   Art Direction
Buzz Richmond   Assistant Engineer
Jeff Stewart   Assistant Engineer
Michael Diehl   Design
James Casey   Composer