Elton John – Madman Across The Water
(Super Audio Compact Disc)
PCM 2.0: B DSD
2.0: B+ DSD 5.1: A- Music: A-
Just before he really broke through as an unstoppable
phenomenon, Elton John’s third solo outing did not have the initial success it
should have. Madman Across The Water
(1971) barely broke the Top Ten and had only one Top 40 hit, but as the rest of
the world caught up with John, they caught up to this album. The songs are as follows:
1)
Tiny Dancer – Originally a single that
missed the Top 40, this is now recognized as one of the great John/Taupin love
ballads and radio more than made up for their mistake later. It is beautifully written, sung and has a
beautiful music arrangement to back it up.
2)
Levon – Not remembered as much as it
should be, this was the only hit from the album, barely making the Top 25! Now we know it was one of the most
challenging, interesting and clever of the John/Taupin collaborations. John’s impassioned voice and dead-on
storytelling are totally convincing and make this yet another classic.
3)
Razor Face – I always liked this one,
which was an odd song with an odd title that worked. This is a fan favorite that is still oddly picking up slowly,
more and more in popularity. Great
record!
4)
Madman Across The Water – The
title song is just brilliant. A
masterpiece of self-reflection, voyeurism and despair, of accepting one as
different and the consequences of not being able to connect to others as a
result.
5)
Indian Sunset – Songs about Native
Americans became part of a cycle in American Pop Music at the time, and this is
one of the very best. Unlike the
bolder-than-credited Half-Breed by Cher or somewhat novel Indian
Reservation by Paul Revere & The Raiders, this song is very realistic
from beginning to end. It is as great
now as it ever was.
6)
Holiday Inn – Another Country/Pop/Rock gem
that happens to take place at the famed chain, telling the story of a
Rock-loving drifter. John is again
totally convincing as the character, proving he may be an underrated acting talent
as well.
7)
Rotten Peaches – A great record that
ties together memories of times missed with mortality, combining Rock and
Gospel sensibilities.
8)
All The Nasties – The country boy/city
boy split later revisited in Honky Cat is addressed in this subtle Country/Gospel
gem.
9)
Goodbye – A beautiful wrap-up song
about wanting to love and losing it.
Years ago, Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs had issued this as
one of their coveted Original Master Recording 24-karat Gold CDs, a title which
has commanded some serious dollars.
With this SACD, that should change.
The CD tracks here are at least as good, while the DSD 2.0 and
especially 5.1 mixes are stunning. Greg
Penny once again delivers an amazing soundfield that does justice to the music
and never overdoes anything. Vocals are
never too forward, nothing is harsh and the instruments never sound out of
place. Tiny Dancer is opened up
like never before, while Levon gains a new power and the title song new
poignancy that was probably intended all along. You have got to hear it to believe it. Again, another Elton John back catalog title becomes a must-have
SACD for any serious collection.
- Nicholas Sheffo
