Elton John Madman Across the Water (180g Vinyl LP) * * *

Madman Across the Water Remastered from the Original Analog Tapes, LP Includes 12-Page Booklet: How Elton John's Music Is Supposed to Sound on Vinyl

Madman Across the Water, the last album he would record at the legendary Trident Studios, represents something of "the quiet before the storm." After the record's 1971 release, Elton John's career would go stellar and propel him to global superstar status. A mature and sensitive set of songs which John regards as one of his personal favorites, it includes such darkly introspective classics as "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" as well as the epic "Indian Sunset." Much less cinematic than its predecessor Tumbleweed Connection, the double platinum release marked Elton and Bernie Taupin's first foray into quasi prog-rock but like early efforts it's also filled with lush string arrangements which embolden the emotional material.