Product Description

'The Captain & The Kid' is Elton John's eagerly-awaited sequel to his 1975 masterpiece 'Captain Fantastic And The BrownDirt Cowboy'. Essentially a warts-and-all story of Elton and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin's 30 years in Los Angeles, this album is proof to many people that the duo's songwriting partnership is as strong as ever. Includes the tracks 'Postcards From Richard Nixon' and 'Old '67'.

Track Listing

1. Postcards From Richard Nixon
2. Just Like Noah's Ark
3. Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way (NYC)
4. Tinderbox
5. And The House Fell Down
6. Blues Never Fade Away
7. The Bridge
8. I Must Have Lost It On The Wind
9. Old 67
10. The Captain and The Kid
11. Weblink

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14252 in Music
• Released on: 2006-09-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Running time: 46 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Elton John, well known at this stage in his career for his flamboyance, has taken a back to basics approach on his 44th album The Captain and the Kid. With his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin, Elton has re-approached his classic 1975 album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (the first album ever to debut at Number 1 on the Billboard chart). That album was an autobiographical document of two starving artists getting started in the music business, and their ambitions for the future. More than 30 years later, The Captain and the Kid tells a very different story, but it's no less personal or ambitious. Think of it as a sequel: where Captain Fantastic... was full of youthful optimism and big dreams, The Captain and the Kid catches up with those two characters to find that their dreams have come true in a big way, and the route that was taken to get there. It's therefore a more mature album, but not a more modern-sounding one, something that's very much to its credit. John and Taupin are a masterful songwriting duo, and they rely on the basics that brought them continued success: Elton's piano and voice at centre stage, delivering Taupin's lyrics (in fact, on "Blues Never Fade Away" and the heartfelt "The Bridge", it's nearly two minutes before any other instruments are heard). The Captain and the Kid is a rare and remarkable feat for a musician; it showcases Elton John at the height of his fame, not attempting to recapture his youth, but reexamining his career. It's an intelligent and thoughtful album, and Elton John's finest in many years. --Ted Kord

Customer Reviews

Elton tries to do it again
In all honesty it must be said that this is an excellent album. If a new artist would have come up with this album it would be the sensation of the year. But the trouble is "It isn't a new artist. It's Elton John!". He has done all of this and better the first time around. So all the rave reviews are just an indication of how much we miss the "classic" Elton and how lightweight some of his later albums have become.

It is certainly a return to form and nobody buying this album will be disappointed. Whereas most of his more recent albums rely on a few strong tracks this is a consistent effort with good to fine songwriting, inventive musicianship and a clean "Elton John" sound. In comparison with his classic albums however it falls short. At the time the great songs came easy to him. Now he has to work hard to approach that level and he doesn't succeed all the time. Then he was a great vocalist. Now he sings in a lower register and the range isn't anymore what it used to be. Then he had a innovative producer with Gus Dudgeon, but now we have heard it all before.

So yes, it is a great album, compared with anybody's standards, but no, it doesn't rank with the best of Elton John.

Captain Fantastic Rides Again!
If you are reading this review,first let me direct you to the Deluxe edition of this album that comes with a bonus DVD doco and a web-link on the CD to download exclusive tracks online that are not on the album but one of which appears in the lyric book.I highly recommend the Deluxe edition to the standard edition for those two reasons.One of the download tracks "Across The River Thames" is awesome,and part of the Captain and the Kid Story!
Elton toured Australia in late 2006 on the back of this album and had a good deal to say about it getting no airplay or promotion.Indeed he performed a block of the album's songs(5 or 6 of them if my memory serves me),right in the middle of the show preceded by "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" from the original Captain Fantastic.He spoke of the fondness he and Bernie share for that album(as do a lot of his fans)and the reasons for doing a follow up to that autobiographical masterpiece.If you buy the Deluxe edition of the album,it's all explained on the bonus DVD interview.

After the show I could hear a number of disgruntled patrons complaining about too much new music and the volume of all things(and I thought I was getting old!).But as Elton said in his monologue before the "Captain and the Kid" block of songs,and I quote,"If we don't play them,how else are you gonna hear them."So he must have known there would be a few out there who only want to hear Candle..,Your Song and Crocodile Rock etc.Indeed!

But,I digress,just to point out that I think this album really did go over every-one's heads or slipped under their radar.And for the life of me,I don't know why.It is probably the best thing he's done for quite some time.It leaves Peach-tree Road and Songs From The West Coast for dead.

I dare anyone to listen to some of these tracks("The Bridge,"Blues Never Fade Away") and once you know the story behind the song,be genuinely moved!The lines in "Blues..." that refer to Gianni Versace had me in tears!And the obvious reference in "The Bridge" to the demons in all our lives is some of the best words Taupin has EVER written!

If you are an Elton fan and have not bought this album(shame on you,add it to your cart this instant)you won't be disappointed.

Breathtakingly Beautiful!

Captain - Fantastic
To keep this review simple, this album is just as well-written with equally good vocals as anything Elton has done before. All of the songs on this album are good and are of exceptionally high quality - you'll listen to them again and again.

The best songs on this allbum are 'Postcards form Richard Nixon', 'The Bridge', 'Tinderbox' 'Blues Never Fade Away' and the brilliant tribute to himself and Bernie, 'Captain & The Kid'.

Even if you've not really got into Elton before, you'll appreciate the quality of the music on this album and regard it as an instant classic.