Track Listing

1. The Emperor's New Clothes
2. Dark Diamond
3. Look Ma, No Hands
4. American Triangle
5. Original Sin
6. Birds
7. I Want Love
8. The Wasteland
9. Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes
10. Love Her Like Me
11. Mansfield
12. This Train Don't Stop There Anymore

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28613 in Music
• Released on: 2001-10-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .24 pounds
• Running time: 54 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The appearance of "Rocket Man"-era cohorts Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone as backing vocalists touches Songs From the West Coast with one of the trademark sounds of Elton John's 1969-75 albums. His admiration of Ryan Adams and Rufus Wainwright (a guest here) inspires him to recall the often stripped down, lyric-driven sensibility of his early days. The tone of the words, which long-term collaborator Bernie Taupin feeds John, is rooted in a wearier version of the romanticism that fuelled oldies as diverse as "Your Song", "Love Lies Bleeding" and "Burn Down the Mission". Songs From the West Coast sidesteps bombast with only a few exceptions--"The Wasteland", with its invocation of Robert Johnson, just doesn't suit. The standout track is "I Want Love", a Lennon-esque rumination that's their most impressive writing, separately or together, in more than a decade. --Rickey Wright

CD Description
'Songs From The West Coast' is Elton John's first studio album since 1997's 'The Big Picture'. Teaming up once again with co-writer Bernie Taupin, the album sees Elton stay with his winning formula of contemporary pop and rock. Also included is the single 'I Want Love'.

Customer Reviews

Elton
'Songs From The West Coast' displays a significant transition from Elton's last successful album 'The Big Picture'. He has returned, as we have heard, to his 'roots', which has produced an album of twelve magnificent tracks. Elton sings each with an intense passion, it is evident that much meaning is imbedded in the lyrics, produced by the magnificent 'Elton and Taupin' team. This working talent is exhibited particularly in the song 'Original Sin' which is one of my favourite tracks. The melody is simply beautiful, it is a song which can be listened to repeatedly without becoming tireless. This is echoed in 'Ballad of The Boy in The Red Shoes', a harmonious song which is simply striking, sung in its lamenting tone and uncomplicated sounds. It is fabulous.
Then who could forget this year's (in my opinion) unsurpassed chart success despite not entering at number one, 'I Want Love', a stunning love song coupled with a great video starring Robert Downy Jr ?
This album offers a range of sounds which display Elton's voice and piano skills at their best. Listening to the album in its entirety will provide you with an immense satisfaction, it is well worth the purchase and a 'must' for any person's CD collection, whether young or old. It is true, 'This Train Don't Stop Here Anymore'...

Reg really strikes back this time...
A common misconception is that Elton John's post-1970's output is all sentimental schlock, put together with little or no thought. Thats never been entirely fair or true, but 'Songs From The West Coast' certainly reminds this reviewer of what made Elton's music so special in the first place.

The album opens with 'The Emperors New Clothes', a track which, in terms of sound, could almost have been taken from the 'Captain Fantastic' album. Slightly corny opening piano chords, but a really lovely number, with Elton's vocals clearer than they've been for years. The best conceivable opening track for any Elton fan.

'Dark Diamond' is just a good pop song, nice rhythm and catchy chorus.

'Look Ma, No Hands' has great lyrics and a slightly more up-tempo sound. The chorus is a bit noisy and confused, but the verses are lovely- a fun track.

'American Triangle' showcases Elton's vocals in some beautifully clear and uncluttered production.

'Original Sin' is fantastic- the first verse, ironically without piano, being impressively stark. Sounds a couple of times like its about to break into 'Blue Avenue' from the 'Sleeping With The Past'album.

'Birds' reminds one of....absolutely nothing Elton has done before. Great chorus, good mid-tempo song.

'I Want Love'- despite what some people have been saying, this is the obvious single from the album. Which is not to say it is the best track, but some sympathetic production and the heartfelt vocals produce a likeable result.

'The Wasteland' is Elton John showing he can still do rock and roll. It blasts out of your speakers from the songs that surround it and, as a point of contrast, is highly effective.

'Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes' recalls 'The Last Song'(from 'The One' album), dealing with a man dying of AIDS. But no, its not dreary, its beautiful.

'Love Her Like Me' is the only song on the album that does not work.Over-produced....'The North Star', from the B-side of the 'I Want Love' single, was much stronger and should have been included instead.

'Mansfield' seems to have left some people cold, and it takes more than one listen, but it is actually a great little track- neat lyrics and a rather more involved arrangement than the rest of the album.

The album concludes with the storming 'This Train Don't Stop There Anymore'- a really powerful rendering by Elton of a set of lyrics that could almost be Taupin's farewell to songwriting. I suppose it stays just this side of OTT, but personally I loved it.

In all, this is an album in which Taupin has delivered the kind of sharp, personal lyrics so missing from Elton's last album, 'The Big Picture'. It has inspired Elton John to his best work for a very long time. Stunning!

Elton turns back the clock
There's been a lot of hype in the press over how this is Elton's best album for 25 years. This is hardly a compliment, because there have been some stinkers since Elton's last good album, Blue Moves was released in 1976.

However, it's true to say that 'Songs from the West Coast' is a much stronger offering from Elton. The melodies are simple and effective, with 'American Triangle' and 'I Want Love' the outstanding tracks. 'Wasteland' should have been left out though.

There are similarities here with 'Tumbleweed Connection',though Taupin's lyrics are less ambitious and more self indulgent. Only long term fans will understand some of the more personal messages, and truly appreciate the quality of lyric on offer here.