Reviews, Vinyl Records

RAW PICKS Joel Reviews (RPJR#29): Elton John – “Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player”

LP REVIEW: spot the ‘easter egg’ on the cover, with Elton John, “Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player”, 1973

TOSHIBA EMI, IFP-80705, 1974, Japan re-issue, gatefold, obi, 6 page insert with lyrics and liner notes in Japanese by Yuji Kono, a Japanese discography, 10 page full-color booklet with English lyrics & photos

ARTIST

With the possible exception (one cannot be sure 🙂 of people living on the tiny island of Kisar just north of Timor-Leste on the south-east point of Indonesia, I am not sure that there are many people on earth who have not heard of Elton John – born on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex (UK). He and his legendary songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, have been one of the dominant forces in rock and pop music, with over 200M records sold.

LABEL

DJM Records (2) on Discogs

DJM was an independent record label from the UK, owned by Dick James and his son Stephen. Dick made his fortune by controlling The Beatles’ publishing company, Northern Songs. The label received ‘The Queens Award For Export Achievement’ in 1976 & ’77, primarily due to revenue from its biggest act, Elton John.

Dick James' Son Angered by Father's 'Opposite' Portrayal in New Elton John  Biopic
The real Dick James (top left), the actor who played him in the movie “Rocketman” (bottom left), and on the right, of course, Elton John

KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS

/1\ Elton John’s 6th studio LP and his first #1 on the UK LP Chart and his first #1 single in the US and second #1 US LP

/2\ The hit Daniel was recorded in just three takes on the same day at the Chateau d’Herouville in France (the “Honky Chateau”)

/3\ Bernie Taupin said of the song: “The story was about a guy that went back to a small town in Texas, returning from the Vietnam War. They’d lauded him when he came home and treated him like a hero. But he just wanted to go home, go back to the farm, and try to get back to the life that he’d led before. I wanted to write something that was sympathetic to the people that came home.” 

/4\ According to Elton, the album title comes from something he said in an exchange with Groucho Marx. After Marx poked fun at his name, Elton replied, “Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player.” The ‘Easter Egg’; on the cover, under the marquee, there is a poster for the Marx Brother’s movie Go West, in homage to Groucho Marx. Bernie Taupin disputes this story, claiming he found the phrase on a piece of kitsch at a junk shop.

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MUSIC

I am a fan of Elton John, but a casual one, meaning that I know his hits but, for example, I would not be able to name more than a few LP titles from his extensive discography. I certainly do not know the deeper cuts from his albums or even the LP version of many of his hits. That’s the story for this record then, apart from Daniel and Crocodile Rock, how does the rest hold up? Let’s find out.

For starters, I never heard Daniel like this, with a beautiful acoustic rhythm guitar setting the scene and driving the song forward. Great version. Crocodile Rock is a great pop song but has been performed elsewhere with more impact than the LP version here I think, or it could be just me imagining things. Perhaps this song is at its best when performed live.

This album reminded me how great a singer/storyteller Elton John is. His style is so strong, so impactful with soul and wit. This is very clear in the bluesy Have Mercy On The Criminal, for example, an impressive song, as well as the strong pop song I’m Going To Be A Teenage Idol. The latter tune is one of those songs that have many elements you recognize from his various hits, but as a deeper LP cut it stands alone very well. Same with Elderberry Wine. The two ballads, High Flying Bird and Blues For My Baby are strong tracks as well

Midnight Creeper and Texan Love Song impressed me less, they feel a little forced, but you can’t have everything I guess, even if you are called Elton John. It’s a little weird to hear an English guy sing a Texan love song with the occasional and token Country & Western influence 🙂

As I said above I am a casual fan so I’m afraid I do have not a lot of in-depth perspective on his overall LP work and it’s tough to say how this album fares in comparison with the rest. When he released this LP he was already a globally recognized star. You can certainly hear elements of what was to come. Overall my view is that this album, even if you omit the two hits, stands up fine with a cohesive band and some exceptional singing on most of the songs.

YOUTUBE LINK

Of course, this entire album is on youtube, so listen here

RAW MUSIC Store

This LP just came in when RAW PICKED it for review. Check the site and if you can’t see it just ask at the store. It’s one of those wonderful vinyl issues from Japan with a thick cardboard sleeve and some wonderful extras. I particularly love the cover photo, very atmospheric, especially with that somewhat hidden Groucho Marx tribute.

PERSONNEL

  • Bass – Dee Murray
  • Drums – Nigel Olsson
  • Guitar – Davey Johnstone
  • Lyrics By – Bernie Taupin
  • Piano, Music By – Elton John

TRACKS

  • A1 Daniel – 3:52
  • A2 Teacher I Need You – 4:08
  • A3 Elderberry Wine – 3:34
  • A4 Blues for My Baby and Me – 5:38
  • A5 Midnight Creeper – 3:52
  • B6 Have Mercy on the Criminal – 5:55
  • B7 I’m Gonna Be a Teenage Idol – 3:55
  • B8 Texan Love Song – 3:33
  • B9 Crocodile Rock – 3:56
  • B10 High Flying Bird – 4:10