Tumbleweed Connection
	Produced by Gus Dudgeon
	Released on October 1970
	UK CHART POSITION #5 . . . US CHART POSITION #5 . . . PLATINUM RECORD
	Find it at GEMM
MCA-1674 cover [high resolution scan]

K RONOMYTH 3.0: GUNSINGERS. For their next act, Elton and Bernie decided to make a concept album set in the post-Civil War United States. Tumbleweed Connection featured a similar cast to their last record but was far more cohesive in style and execution. Although the album includes some of their best songs (“Burn Down The Mission,” “Amoreena,” “Where To Now St.Peter?”), it didn’t produce a single; instead, “Love Song” was released a month later. Even without a readily identifiable “single” to rally around, Tumbleweed is a fan favorite. It has its share of stereotypes and inaccuracies (the goose has never been a food staple over here, let alone the hedgehog), yet Bernie’s lyrics are some of his most powerful and intimate, revealing a faculty for getting into the head of fictional characters that would serve him well throughout the years. Tumbleweed is also one of the most guitar-centric albums in Elton’s catalog; you’d probably have to look forward to Rock of the Westies for another album with as many guitar solos (Caleb Quaye is the common link to both). Quaye’s fuzzed guitar gives the songs a hazy, psychedelic edge that fits comfortably into the rock camp of David Bowie (who shared a producer/arranger); in fact, the similarities between “Burn Down The Mission” and “Space Oddity” are striking. Despite Gus Dudgeon’s sometimes epic production and Paul Buckmaster’s arrangements, Tumbleweed Connection is an intimate, understated album. The songs gain a foothold without using force, relying on good music and a compelling narrative to pull the listener into its sepia-toned snapshots of Civil War survivors. While Elton and Bernie were just beginning to unleash their cast of characters, the pair wouldn’t write another concept album (although the autobiographical Captain Fantastic could be considered). For prog fans, this is Exhibit A in making the case for the man as a progressive artist, with Madman and Yellow Brick Road suitable for the supporting argument. In 2008, Tumbleweed Connection was re-issued as a two-disc Deluxe Edition with a bonus disc of piano demos, unreleased session recordings and live versions recorded for the BBC.

TRACK LISTING

1. BALLAD OF A WELL-KNOWN GUN    4:59
2. COME DOWN IN TIME    3:24
3. COUNTRY COMFORT    5:07
4. SON OF YOUR FATHER    3:46
5. MY FATHER'S GUN    6:19
6. WHERE TO NOW ST. PETER?    4:12
7. LOVE SONG    (Lesley Duncan)    3:39
8. AMOREENA    5:02
9. TALKING OLD SOLDIERS    4:02
10. BURN DOWN THE MISSION    6:20
    
    CD reissue bonus tracks
    
11. INTO THE OLD MAN'S SHOES
12. MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER (ORIGINAL VERSION)
    
    2CD reissue disc two
    
1. THERE GOES A WELL KNOWN GUN
2. COME DOWN IN TIME
3. COUNTRY COMFORT
4. SON OF YOUR FATHER
5. TALKING OLD SOLDIERS
6. INTO THE OLD MAN'S SHOES
7. SISTERS OF THE CROSS
8. MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER
9. INTO THE OLD MAN'S SHOES
10. MY FATHER'S GUN (BBC SESSION)
11. BALLAD OF A WELL-KNOWN GUN (BBC SESSION)
12. BURN DOWN THE MISSION (BBC SESSION)
13. AMOREENA (BBC SESSION)
    
    All songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin unless noted

CREDITS

ELTON JOHN -- piano, vocals, organ
CALEB QUAYE -- acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lead guitar
BERNIE TAUPIN -- lyrics
Madeline Bell -- backing vocals
Paul Buckmaster -- arrangements
Tony Burrows -- backing vocals (1,5)
Brian Dee -- organ (10)
Ian Duck -- harmonica (3,4)
Lesley Duncan -- backing vocals, acoustic guitar
Mike Egan -- acoustic guitar (10)
Herbie Flowers -- bass
Kay Garner -- backing vocals
Dave Glover -- bass
Tony Hazzard -- backing vocals (1,5)
Tammi Hunt -- backing vocals (4)
Gordon Huntley -- steel guitar (3)
Karl Jenkins -- oboe (2)
Robin Jones -- congas and tambourine (10)
Skaila Kanga -- harp (2)
Chris Laurence -- acoustic bass (2,10)
Barry Morgan -- drums
Dee Murray -- backing vocals, bass
Nigel Olsson -- backing vocals, drums
Roger Pope -- drums and percussion
Dusty Springfield -- backing vocals (1,5)
Sue and Sunny -- backing vocals (4)
Les Thatcher -- acoustic guitar, acoustic 12-string guitar
Johnny Van Derek -- violin (3)

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