UNNECESSARY DOUBLE ALBUMS: Elton's Blue Period

By 1976, Elton John had cranked out a dozen albums in only seven years. This, combined with constant touring, a nasty (and worsening) drug habit, and the stress of concealing his personal life had left old Reg pretty drained. Lyricist Bernie Taupin wished to leave England for the United States so he could become a real Brown Dirt Cowboy. But the beast needed feeding, and Elton was the biggest star in the world, so they kept on. That year saw the release of Elton’s second double album, Blue Moves, after which he took a desperately needed break.

Blue Moves is an appropriate title. Not only is it Elton at his most melancholy, but the album has classy pretensions not expected from this man. It's Elton's Art Record. Jazz flourishes and James Newton-Howard’s dramatic orchestrations replace the tacky fun of previous hits like "The Bitch is Back" and "Bennie and the Jets." Even Taupin seems muted and unusually humorless. "The Wide Eyed and Laughing" is laughable, and "Boogie Pilgrim" strains but fails to strike a funky rock groove. Really, who told these guys they could even approach funkiness?

Shame, though, because there are occasional reminders of the team's brilliance. Bernie spins one of his patented narratives in the spirited Bonnie and Clyde update “Shoulder Holster.” "Tonight" is an eloquent, if overextended, tale of a dying affair, and "One Horse Town" rocks nicely.

Most revealing, and quite effective, is “Idol,” the sad tale of a pop star “taken to the very bottom.” The narrator, seated in the audience, can’t bear to see one of his heroes singing in a dingy lounge. The creamy, horn-colored arrangement can’t hide how tired and sad Elton sounds as he sings it, and it makes you wonder just whose demise Bernie was chronicling.

Upon its release, critics entirely dismissed Blue Moves, ignoring even its best moments and declaring it a disaster. The original review in Rolling Stone failed to even mention “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” the album’s only hit. That the song was not recognized as an instant classic is surprising, but at that point, many were rooting for Elton’s hot streak to finally cool. They got their wish, but if Blue Moves had been more succinct, it might have been another Elton John classic.

TODAY’S RECOMMENDATION: “Idol” by Elton John
AVAILABLE ON: Blue Moves; iTunes