Madman Across the Water
Encyclopedia
- "Holiday Inn (song)" redirects here. Not to be confused with Holidae InHolidae In"Holidae In" is a single by American rapper Chingy, the second from his debut album Jackpot. It features Snoop Dogg and Ludacris, and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #35 on the UK Singles Chart.-Music video:...
.
Madman Across the Water is the fourth studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by British singer/songwriter Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, released in 1971 through DJM
DJM Records
DJM Records was the record label set up in the 1970s by British music publisher, Dick James, distributed by Pye Records in the UK and various other companies around the world, including the USA...
/Uni Records
Uni Records
Uni Records was a record label owned by MCA Inc. The brand, which long featured a distinct UNi logo, was established in 1966 by MCA executive Ned Tanen and developed by music industry veteran Russ Regan...
. The title song, "Madman Across the Water", was set to be released on Elton John's previous album Tumbleweed Connection
Tumbleweed Connection
Tumbleweed Connection is the third album by English international recording artist Elton John. It is a concept album based on the Country and Western/Americana themes. All songs are written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John with the exception of "Love Song" by Lesley Duncan. It was recorded at...
. However, it was set aside and would eventually be re-recorded and serve as the title track of this album. Previous versions of the song (from the Tumbleweed sessions with Mick Ronson
Mick Ronson
Michael "Mick" Ronson was an English guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. He is best known for his work with David Bowie, as one of The Spiders from Mars...
on guitar) can still be found, specifically on the remastered Tumbleweed Connection CD. When it was released in 'The Classic Years' collection, it was the first album not to feature any bonus tracks. One known track recorded at the time, "Rock Me When He's Gone", was released on Rare Masters
Rare Masters
Rare Masters is an album by Elton John that was released in 1992. This compilation album featuring B-sides and outtakes recorded between 1968 and 1975, it is the only place where one can find the soundtrack to the 1971 movie Friends on CD....
a few years before. The song was written for and recorded by one of John's long-time friends, Long John Baldry
Long John Baldry
John William "Long John" Baldry was an English and Canadian blues singer and a voice actor. He sang with many British musicians, with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry in the 1960s. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where Let the Heartaches Begin reached No...
. This was Elton John's first album in which he plays his piano and no other keyboards. This was the first album in which Davey Johnstone played guitar for Elton, a role that would continue for many years and decades to come. John, Johnstone, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson, who would be the main musicians on Elton's next album (Honky Chateau), would soon join with percussionist Ray Cooper and form the best-known line-up of Elton's well known mid-'70s band. As with all Elton John songs during this period, the lyrics were penned by Elton's writing partner, Bernie Taupin.
The album cover for Madman Across the Water was embroidered over two weeks by Janis Larkham, wife of the album art director David Larkham. She used the back of an old Levi's jacket, and the original was gifted to Elton himself. Contrary to rumours, there was no initial run of very expensive album covers with similar embroidery, nor embossed versions; it was just flat printed, though it did include a lavish booklet. Janis chose to credit herself as "Yanis" for this artwork.
This was John's lowest charting album in the United Kingdom after his debut, only reaching # 41. In the United States, Madman Across the Water managed to reach # 8 in early 1972 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
.In the U.S. the album was certified Gold by the R.I.A.A. on 2/19/1972. It was
certified Platinum on 3/23/1993 and 2x Platinum on 8/26/1998 by the R.I.A.A.
Track listing
- "Tiny DancerTiny Dancer"Tiny Dancer" is a 1971 song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It appears on John's fourth album, Madman Across the Water, and was released as a single in 1972...
" – 6:15 - "LevonLevon"Levon" is a song written and recorded by Sir Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. It is from John's fourth album Madman Across the Water and was recorded on February 27, 1971...
" – 5:22 - "Razor Face" – 4:44
- "Madman Across the Water" – 5:56
- "Indian SunsetIndian Sunset"Indian Sunset" is a 1971 song, written and recorded by Elton John, with lyrics by his long-time songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. It was from John's album Madman Across the Water...
" – 6:45 - "Holiday Inn" – 4:16
- "Rotten Peaches" – 4:56
- "All the Nasties" – 5:08
- "Goodbye" – 1:48
When this album was issued on cassette MCA swapped the places of "Razor Face" and "Rotten Peaches" on side 1 and 2 of the tape.
The SACD
Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
version of the album contained a longer version of "Razor Face" which extended the song-ending jam to 6:42 instead of the early fade on the original album.
The song "Holiday inn" was written for Adam Diaz.
Personnel
"Tiny DancerTiny Dancer
"Tiny Dancer" is a 1971 song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It appears on John's fourth album, Madman Across the Water, and was released as a single in 1972...
" (6:15)
Recorded 9 August 1971
- Roger Pope: drums
- David Glover: bass
- Caleb QuayeCaleb QuayeCaleb Quaye , is an English Afro-European rock guitarist and studio musician best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s with Elton John, Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney and Hall & Oates...
: electric guitar - BJ Cole: steel guitar
- Davey JohnstoneDavey JohnstoneDavey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
: acoustic guitar - Elton John: piano
- Lesley DuncanLesley DuncanLesley Duncan was an English singer-songwriter, best known for her work during the 1970s. She received a lot of airplay on British radio stations such as BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2, but never achieved great commercial success.Duncan was born in Stockton-on-Tees...
, Sue & Sunny, Barry St. John, Liza Strike, Roger Cook, Tony Burrows, Terry Steele, Dee Murray, Nigel OlssonNigel OlssonNigel Olsson is an English rock drummer, who is best known for his work with Elton John. Olsson helped establish the Elton John sound as one of the first members of John's band, on drums, percussion and backing vocals. When not working with Elton, Olsson has taken up the role of a session musician...
: backing vocals - Paul Buckmaster: arrangement
"Levon
Levon
"Levon" is a song written and recorded by Sir Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. It is from John's fourth album Madman Across the Water and was recorded on February 27, 1971...
" (5:22)
Recorded 27 February 1971
- Barry Morgan: drums
- Brian Odgers: bass
- Brian DeeBrian DeeBrian Dee is a UK-based jazz pianist.Since leading his own trio featuring Allan Ganley and Lennie Bush in 1957, appearing at the opening of Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in 1959, and co-leading The Jazz Five with saxophonists Vic Ash and Harry Klein, Dee has led his own trios and quartets, often backing...
: harmonium - Caleb Quaye: electric guitar
- Elton John: piano
- Paul Buckmaster: arrangement
"Razor Face" (4:44)
Recorded 9 August 1971
- Roger Pope: drums
- David Glover: bass
- Caleb Quaye: electric guitar
- Rick WakemanRick WakemanRichard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
: organ - Jack Emblow: accordion
- Elton John: piano
"Madman Across The Water" (5:56)
Recorded 14 August 1971
- Terry CoxTerry CoxTerence William Harvey 'Terry' Cox played drums in the British folk rock bands The Pentangle, Duffy's Nucleus and Humblebums....
: drums - Herbie FlowersHerbie FlowersHerbie Flowers is an English musician specialising in bass guitar, double-bass and tuba. He is noted as a member of Blue Mink, T...
: electric bass - Davey Johnstone: acoustic guitar
- Ray CooperRay CooperRay Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
: percussion - Chris SpeddingChris SpeddingChris Spedding is an English rock and roll and jazz guitarist, best known for his session work. Allmusic states - "Spedding is one of the UK's most versatile session guitarists, and has had a long career on two continents that saw him tackle nearly every style of rock and roll, as well as...
: electric guitar - Diana Lewis: ARP synthesiser
- Rick WakemanRick WakemanRichard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
: organ - Elton John: piano
- Paul Buckmaster: string arrangement
"Indian Sunset" (6:45)
Recorded 14 August 1971
- Terry Cox: drums
- Herbie Flowers: electric bass
- Chris Laurence: acoustic bass
- Elton John: piano
- Cantores em Ecclesia Choir, directed by Robert KirbyRobert KirbyRobert Kirby was a British born arranger of string sections for rock and folk music. He is best known for his work on the Nick Drake albums, Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter, but has also worked with Elton John, Ralph McTell, Strawbs, Paul Weller and Elvis Costello.-At Cambridge:Patrick...
- Paul Buckmaster: string arrangement
"Holiday Inn" (4:16)
Recorded 9 August 1971
- Roger Pope: drums
- David Glover: bass
- Caleb Quaye: acoustic guitar
- Davey Johnstone: mandolin & sitar
- Elton John: piano;
- Lesley Duncan, Sue & Sunny, Barry St. John, Liza Strike, Roger Cook, Tony Burrows, Terry Steele Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson: backing vocals
- Paul Buckmaster: string arrangement
"Rotten Peaches" (4:56)
Recorded 14 August 1971
- Herbie Flowers: electric bass
- Terry Cox: drums
- Ray Cooper: tambourine
- Chris Spedding: slide guitar
- Davey Johnstone: acoustic guitar
- Rick Wakeman: organ
- Diana Lewis: ARP synthesiser
- Elton John: piano;
- Lesley Duncan, Sue & Sunny, Barry St. John, Liza Strike, Roger Cook, Tony Burrows, Terry Steele, Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson: backing vocals
"All The Nasties" (5:08)
Recorded 11 August 1971
- Nigel Olsson: drums
- Dee MurrayDee MurrayDee Murray was an English bassist, best known as a member of Elton John's original rock band.-Biography:Murray was born David Murray Oates in Southgate, London in 1946...
: bass - Ray Cooper: tambourine
- Elton John: piano
- Cantores em Ecclesia Choir directed by Robert Kirby;
- Paul Buckmaster: arrangement
"Goodbye" (1:48)
Recorded 27 February 1971
- Elton John: piano
- Paul Buckmaster: string arrangement
Production
- Producer: Gus DudgeonGus DudgeonAngus Boyd Dudgeon , most commonly known as Gus Dudgeon was an English record producer, most notable for production of many of Elton John's recordings.-Early career:...
- Engineer: Robin Geoffrey Cable
- Remastering: Tony Cousins
- Editing: Gus Skinas
- Digital transfers: Ricky Graham
- Surround sound: Greg Penny
- Assistant: Crispin Murray
- Orchestra contractor: David Katz
- Choir director: Robert KirbyRobert KirbyRobert Kirby was a British born arranger of string sections for rock and folk music. He is best known for his work on the Nick Drake albums, Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter, but has also worked with Elton John, Ralph McTell, Strawbs, Paul Weller and Elvis Costello.-At Cambridge:Patrick...
- Arranger: Paul BuckmasterPaul BuckmasterPaul John Buckmaster is a Grammy Award-winning English artist, arranger and composer.He began learning the cello at the age of 4 and graduated from the Royal College of Music at age 16....
- Art direction: David Larkham
- Design: David Larkham
- Artwork: Gill, Yanis
- Illustrations: David Larkham
- Photography: Bob GruenBob GruenBob Gruen is an American photographer known for his rock 'n' roll photographs.Gruen was born in New York City. He began photographing rock stars with Bob Dylan and served as John Lennon's personal photographer during his time in New York City. Gruen is best known for his photograph of Lennon...
, David Larkham - Cover photo: David Larkham
- Liner notes: Gus Dudgeon, John ToblerJohn ToblerJohn Hugen Tobler is a British rock music journalist, writer, occasional broadcaster, and record company executive.With Pete Frame, he was one of the founders of ZigZag magazine in April 1969...
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | UK Album Chart | 41 |
| 1972 | Billboard USA Pop Albums | 8 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Levon | Billboard US Pop Singles | 24 |
| 1972 | Tiny Dancer | Billboard US Pop Singles | 41 |