Elton John Caribou

2017 Remaster Pressed on 180g Vinyl!

Few artists could follow a career-highlight double album, just eight months later, with another two times-platinum LP featuring two more major hits. That's exactly what Elton John did with his eighth album Caribou, originally released in June of 1974 as the follow-up to the landmark Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The record's title was inspired by the Caribou Ranch studio, where it was recorded, in the hamlet of Nederland in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

Elton and his regular bandmates Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson and Ray Cooper, plus producer Gus Dudgeon and lyricist Bernie Taupin, cut the album with some notable guests. The album's release had been set up by the immediate success of epic lead single, "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me." It featured backing vocals by Carl Wilson and Bruce Johnston from John's favorite group the Beach Boys. Bruce did the superb vocal arrangement with help from Beach Boys alumnus 'The Captain,' aka Daryl Dragon, whose wife Toni Tennille also sang on it.

Ever keen to explore his love of soul music, John used the mighty Tower Of Power horn section on several tracks as well, including the opener which would be the album's second hit, "The Bitch Is Back." Various members of Tower Of Power also featured on several other tracks, including "Dixie Lily" and "Stinker." Perhaps the most surprising guest vocalist was one of four voices on "The Bitch Is Back," and another of Elton's longtime heroes, Dusty Springfield.

Caribou reached No. 1 not only in the UK and US but in Canada, Australia and elsewhere. Elton John may have been a man with a manic work schedule at the time, but he was rising to every challenge. Remastered in 2017 and available on 180 gram heavyweight vinyl in celebration of Elton John's 50th anniversary in music.