Search - Elton John :: Made in England

Made in England

Bjorn Viberg | European Union | 01/31/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Made in England being Elton John's 1995 release and his 25th studio album contained such hits as Believe, Made in England and Blessed. The booklet is ok with a bunch of photos of Elton John and the lyrics are easy to read. I have no idea who Denis Gauthier is or Peter Williams but they must have mattered in Elton John's life to mention them. 3/5."

Truly Made From England

Michael Kerner | Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. | 09/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While Elton John has made some of the most brilliant records of all time, there have been some hidden gems that've been made that a lot of people have really forgotten about. While Elton was riding high on the success of The Lion King, he released Made In England, which you can only find available for downloading off the internet, and not in the record stores. This 1995 Elton John album, brings back the feeling of his signature 70's style, through the perfectional mix of orchestral and rock styles. The album includes a lot of great songs from his #1 Adult Contemporary hit Believe, Blessed, the upbeat title track Made In England, and great simplistic songs like the elequent House, and the Rock driven Pain. I absolutely love this record. This is the very first Elton John album I've ever purchased. I really recommend this as a great gem to your music collection.



Songs: A-



Price: A



Overall: A 1/2-"

One Of Elton's Most Consistently Impressive Latter Day Effor

Anthony Nasti | Staten Island, New York United States | 01/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After revitalizing his career as well his personal life with 1992's "The One," Elton John wasted no time capitalizing on his comeback. He launched a massive, lengthy world tour, and scored the hugely successful "The Lion King," which garnered him an Oscar. By 1995, Elton was once again able to prove that he was, still standing.



His album release from that year, "Made In England," is further testament to his enduring staying power, as well as the ever enduring prowess of his lyricist, Bernie Taupin. After years of dabbling with electronic sounds, Elton finally returned to the more organic sounds of earlier albums such as "Elton John" and "Madman Across The Water." The result was a top to bottom succession of classic Elton, complete with stirring, beautifully complex melodies and Taupin's sincere, emotional, often humorous lyrical touches, anchored by fine musicianship anchored by longtime stalwarts such as Davey Johnstone on guitar and Paul Buckmaster handling string arrangements.



Kicking off with the stunning, Lennon-esque ode to love, "Believe," which is similar to "Imagine" in its simple yet powerful plea to unity and peace, yet elevates itself to a higher artistic plateu with Elton's dramatic, emotional vocal and Buckmaster's steady, soaring string arrangement.



This level of artistic excellency maintains itself throughout the rest of the album. Among the gems present on this album are another somber, brooding Lennon tribute, "House" (similar to Lennon's "God" in its sparse arrangement and steady lyric pattern), the sad yet hopeful ode to a war torn, shimmering city of emerald in "Belfast," which features some of Buckmaster's best string work since his early 1970s' work with EJ, and two rockers, the autobiographical title track and the witty, Rolling Stones-ish "Pain," whose title and lyrics juxtapose with its in your face, guitar driven melody, further proof Elton's gift for irony in music. "Man," while tepid on paper, is driven by Elton's gutsy, passionate vocal, while "Cold" and "Lies" are, much like "Believe," simplistic but powerful.



Best of all, perhaps, is its mystical closer "Blessed." Containing snatches reminsicent of "Your Song" and other, earlier classics, "Blessed" is a look towards the future, as Elton and Bernie express their desire to have children and continue to explore new territories, both in music and in life.



"Made In England" is a masterful latter day effort from EJ, and one that ranks up there with some of his all time best work."