Álbum Madman Across the Water (Elton John)

Madman Across the Water de Elton John

Álbum de Elton John

1971
★★★★☆
Basado en 9 votos
  • Fecha de lanzamiento: 5 de Noviembre de 1971
  • Sello Discográfico: DJM Records
  • Compositores: Elton John, Bernie Taupin
  • Productores: Gus Dudgeon

Valora este álbum

Madman Across the Water es un álbum de Elton John, publicado en 1971 por DJM Records. El disco incluye 9 canciones, entre ellas «Tiny Dancer», «Levon», «Razor Face» y «Madman Across The Water».

Introducción: grandeza orquestal

"Madman Across the Water" es el cuarto álbum de estudio de Elton John. Lanzado en 1971, este disco marca un regreso al sonido sinfónico y grandioso de su álbum homónimo, pero con un tono más oscuro y progresivo. Es uno de sus trabajos más dominados por los arreglos orquestales de Paul Buckmaster, que aquí alcanzan una escala y una complejidad cinematográficas. El álbum es famoso por contener dos de las canciones más icónicas y queridas de su carrera: "Tiny Dancer" y "Levon".

Grabación y contexto

La grabación del álbum estuvo marcada por la necesidad de utilizar músicos de sesión en lugar de su banda de gira habitual, debido a disputas contractuales. Esto llevó a la participación de músicos de primer nivel, incluyendo al teclista Rick Wakeman de la banda de rock progresivo Yes. La canción principal, "Madman Across the Water", había sido grabada originalmente para el álbum "Tumbleweed Connection" con el guitarrista Mick Ronson, pero fue descartada y regrabada para este disco. La producción de Gus Dudgeon y los arreglos de Paul Buckmaster son los verdaderos protagonistas del sonido del álbum.

Canción por canción

"Tiny Dancer": Una de las baladas más legendarias de la historia del rock. Es una oda de más de seis minutos a la California de principios de los 70, con una letra de Bernie Taupin inspirada en su esposa. La canción es famosa por su lento crescendo, que comienza con un piano íntimo y culmina en un estribillo eufórico con cuerdas y coros. Aunque no fue un gran éxito en su momento, su inclusión en la película "Casi Famosos" la convirtió en un clásico inmortal.

"Levon": Otra épica balada de piano, con una estructura compleja y una letra críptica sobre un personaje llamado Levon. La canción destaca por su arreglo de cuerdas dramático y la apasionada interpretación vocal de Elton.

Ventas y recepción

"Madman Across the Water" fue un gran éxito, especialmente en Estados Unidos, donde alcanzó el puesto número 8 y fue certificado multiplatino. En el Reino Unido, sin embargo, solo llegó al número 41. La crítica inicial fue mixta, con algunos elogiando su ambición y otros criticando su producción grandilocuente. Con el tiempo, el álbum ha sido revaluado y ahora es considerado uno de sus mejores trabajos de principios de los 70.

Listado de Canciones

  1. Tiny Dancer6:12

    Vídeo

    vídeo del tema Tiny Dancer
  2. Levon5:37
  3. Razor Face4:40
  4. Madman Across The Water5:22
  5. Indian Sunset6:45

    Letra

    As I awoke this evening with the smell of wood smoke clinging Like a gentle cobweb hanging upon a painted teepee Oh I went to see my chieftain with my warlance and my woman For he told us that the yellow moon would very soon be leaving This I can't believe I said, I can't believe our warlord's dead Oh he would not leave the chosen ones to the buzzards and the soldiers guns Oh great father of the Iroquois ever since I was young I've read the writing of the smoke and breast fed on the sound of drums I've learned to hurl the tomahawk and ride a painted pony wild To run the gauntlet of the Sioux, to make a chieftain's daughter mine And now you ask that I should watch The red man's race be slowly crushed What kind of words are these to hear From Yellow Dog whom white man fears I take only what is mine Lord, my pony, my squaw, and my child I can't stay to see you die along with my tribe's pride I go to search for the yellow moon and the fathers of our sons Where the red sun sinks in the hills of gold and the healing waters run Trampling down the prairie rose leaving hoof tracks in the sand Those who wish to follow me I welcome with my hands I heard from passing renegades Geronimo was dead He'd been laying down his weapons when they filled him full of lead Now there seems no reason why I should carry on In this land that once was my land I can't find a home It's lonely and it's quiet and the horse soldiers are coming And I think it's time I strung my bow and ceased my senseless running For soon I'll find the yellow moon along with my loved ones Where the buffaloes graze in clover fields without the sound of guns And the red sun sinks at last into the hills of gold And peace to this young warrior comes with a bullet hole
  6. Holiday Inn4:22

    Letra

    Boston at last and the plane's touching down Our hostess is handing the hot towels around From a terminal gate to a black limousine It's a ten minute ride to the Holiday Inn Boredom's a pastime that one soon acquired Where you get to the stage where you're not even tired Kicking your heels till the time comes around To pick up your bags and head out of town Slow down Joe, I'm a rock and roll man I've twiddled my thumbs in a dozen odd bands And you ain't seen nothing till you've been In a motel baby like the Holiday Inn Oh I don't even know if it's Cleveland or Maine With the buildings as big and rooms just the same And the tv don't work and the French fries are cold And the room service closed about an hour ago
  7. Rotten Peaches5:14
  8. All The Nasties5:08

    Letra

    If it came to pass that they should ask What could I tell them Would they criticize behind my back Maybe I should let them Oh if only then and only then They would understand They'd turn a full-blooded city boy Into a full-blooded city man If they could face it I could take it in their eyes Oh I know I'd make it Their tiny minds And sacred cows just fake it If only then and only then They would understand They'd turn a full-blooded city boy Into a full-blooded city man But I know the way they want me In the way they publicize If they could turn their focus off To the image in their eyes Maybe it would help them, help them understand Maybe it would help them, help them understand Maybe it would help them, help them understand That a full-blooded city boy Is now a full-blooded city man Oh my soul Oh my soul Oh my soul
  9. Goodbye1:48

    Letra

    And now that it's all over The birds can nest again I'll only snow when the sun comes out I'll shine only when it starts to rain And if you want a drink Just squeeze my hand And wine will flow into the land And feed my lambs For I am a mirror I can reflect the moon I will write songs for you I'll be your silver spoon I'm sorry I took your time I am the poem that doesn't rhyme Just turn back a page I'll waste away, I'll waste away I'll waste away, I'll waste away I'll waste away, I'll waste away