Elton's latest album is a sequel to the 1975 album "Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy". The album continues the autobiographical tale of Elton and Bernie Taupin's rise to fame, fortune, drugs, loss and redemption in the music business. Hopes were that the album would capture some of the magic from Elton's 70's heyday. On that level the album only half succeeds. Elton's voice is significantly different today from when the first album came out and the music seems to follow a more soft, at times almost country-ish bent not all that different from albums like "Honkey Château". Nothing really rocks here, which may or may not be a turn off depending on how you like your Elton. On first listen I was quite disappointed with this disc, but I have to admit that with repeated listenings many of the songs grew on me. Highlights include "Postcards From Richard Nixon", "Blues Never Fade Away", and "The Captain And The Kid". These songs rank right up there with Elton's better work over the years. The rest of the album is good enough, although nothing mind blowing. Overall I don't think that this one quite captures what Elton and Bernie were trying to achieve and it can't quite measure up to the duo's 70's hey day, but it is a solid Elton John album that is worth picking up. Give this one several listens and some of it's subtle charms will begin to grow on you.

**This review is based on the music, lyrics, and production value of the album**


"The Captain and The Kid" is an album with very well written and inspired tracks that lacks from an overall 'production' point-of-view. The songs themselves are very good and could stand up to quite well to a lot of his artistic output over the years... But this albums achillies heal is the overall 'sound' that it produced.. Here's a quick rundown of the overall 'idea and sound' of this album:

Lyrically, Bernie's still on fire.. Since 2001's 'Songs from the west coast', Bernie Taupin has been displaying a newly invigorated and inspired sense to his lyrics that were sorely missing for the better of almost 2 decades.. NOT saying that his lyrics were bad in that time, I'm simply saying that his recent lyrics are showing signs of that character-based, metaphoricle paintings in peoples minds that he was so quickly churning out in the early 70's. I believe this has always been the key to whether or not Elton's albums/songs have been successful...

Musically, here Elton is writing very simple yet diverse styles of music and melodies to accompany the lyrics.. Centered mostly around slow tempoed pop arrangements, each of the tracks have enough catchy melody and hooks to keep each one of the tracks interesting. One might say that the slower tempos of the songs could get a bit much and the listener wants the album to pick up a bit, but what I like is how the dirtiness or 'energy' of the songs themselves compensate for the lack of upbeat tempos. A lot of the melodies are standouts and Elton's piano playing and voice is definitely in the forefront of each track, which is how it should be.. :o)

Now my only gripe about the album is completely from the production standpoint. The tracks are well written, Obviously they are well performed.. I just really do not like the mixing and production value this album ended up with. Personally to me the album sounds like an unfinished demo.. Elton really should have had some help in having a professional mixer and masterer put their hands on it and give the album a bit more sparkle and shine to make the songs more 'accessible'. Mastering gives the album more intensity and energy.. Though I completely respect that he was probably going for that 'in the room as we recorded it' feel, the final product ended up sounding uneventful and middle of the road. A good production can be a huge key to whether or not someone without much musical knowledge will like an 'album' or not.. This to me is the difference between "Songs from the west coast" and "The captain".. Songs was produced to a fine 'T', and this album's feel suffers because of that.

Again, I'm not saying this album is bad.. The songs themselves are great, the performances are great.. Just as an average listener when you purchase this important piece of the Elton John Puzzle, please look past the 'demo' sound and really listen to those brilliant lyrics and exceptional melodies..

All The Best,
-Andy Anderson-

If you are reading this review,first let me direct you to the Deluxe edition of this album Captain & the Kid 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.

Elton John is a great artist.This album is fantastic.Keep making great albums like you did years ago.thank you.

This CD gets back to his roots and features a lot of good songs. I am a fan of his older songs and I love a lot of the newer music. Peachtree Road and Songs From the West Coast are great and I highly recommend them. As with most music, some take a bit to get used to, but the songs are good.