Classic Albums: Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Bob Smeaton
2001-11-06


6.9
90 min

The worlds of glitz, glam, and pop-rock fused immortally on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, born of the formidable partnership of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. This 1973 double album may well have been the peak of their collaboration. Ranging from perennial favorites like "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," and the title track to more ambitious compositions like "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" and everything in between, Goodbye is unmatched in its depth and scope. This entry in the Classic Albums series of DVDs documents the often tumultuous writing and recording sessions for that masterpiece through vintage clips of the musicians in the studio and new interviews with Elton, Bernie, producer Gus Dudgeon, and the band members. We may never know how the John-Taupin team achieved their magic, but this release offers a both a peek at the process and a few reasons why the album endures today.

Cast

Name Character Team
Gus Dudgeon Self - Producer Unowned
Rick Frio Self - Marketing MCA Records USA Unowned
Paul Gambaccini Self - Broadcaster Unowned
David Hentschel Self - Engineer Unowned
Connie Hillman Self - Vice President Rocket Records Unowned
Elton John Self Unowned
Davey Johnstone Self - Guitarist Unowned
Del Newman Self - Orchestral Arranger Unowned
Nigel Olsson Self - Drummer Unowned
Tim Rice Self - Lyricist Unowned
Bernie Taupin Self - Lyricist Unowned