Elton John had taken his first step into the realm of 5.1 surround format. This one in particular is the SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc) Hybrid format. The 'Hybrid' means that you can play these discs anywhere, in the stereo CD Audio format embedded on this disc as well. Pretty cool, although some people prefer the DVD-Audio format because of the visual aspects usually found on the disc, maybe lyrics, pictures or videos.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the album

This classic collection of songs has spawned much instantly recognizable music. Originally released as a double album back in October of 1973, these discs contained chart-topping singles: Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting, Bennie And The Jets, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Candle In The Wind, which became a huge seller twice years later in one form or another.
In addition, found on these discs are the classic rock staples: Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Harmony, and this re-release of Grey Seal that appeared on his Elton album originally back in 1970. That is a lot of songs, and there are 10 more on the original album, and on this Hybrid CD, there are four additional rarities.


The SACD Surround Mix

Now, before we go on about the quality of this SACD surround mix, let us make clear that not all surround mixes are equal. Just because you may purchase a disc with the SACD symbol stamped on the back, this does not guarantee that they even come close to such a masterpiece as this one is. The first song is the perfect showcase for what should be accomplished with the right love and care illustrated here by producer Greg Penny, and the correct resources. Sometimes, the older music recorded, such as this, does not have the original tapes to remix from and that would mean finagling with a stereo mix and trying to stretch along the six speakers. Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding really shows the potential of superior multi-channel surround mixes in the opening seconds as the wind encircles you. The synthesizer introduction really sets the mood beautifully. It stimulates more senses than just hearing. You can almost see Elton at the piano singing always directly in front of you, Dee Murray and Davey Johnstone behind you singing backup, and playing the bass and guitar behind you. You can hear Bernie Taupin scratching some new lyrics in the next room... well, it is not that good.
One of the best mixes is the simple and gentle ballad This Song Has No Title. There are no drums, but piano, farisa organ, melotron and electric piano all performed by Elton. The mix sounds better when the instruments are a bit more separated than we are used to with the stereo mix.
Elton's songs have never sounded more like a Billy Joel song than his I've Seen That Movie Too. The acoustic guitar in the rear right speaker sounds so crisp and powerful, and it really accents the song perfectly in this surround format.
Bennie And The Jets is one of my favorites by Elton, and this surround mix is truly ensconcing. The taped audience plays a huge part in the original stereo version, and here it is even more important.
Perfected here, released three years later than its original version isGrey Seal. The song is a frenzy of music and vocals as it is one of Elton’s rockier songs. I’m not sure what to think of the lyrics for Jamaica Jerk Off, but I don’t think it’s about the spicy-sweet condiment.


Bonus Tracks

Whenever You're Ready (We'll Go Steady) and Jack Rabbit were the songs on the flip side of the Saturday's Alright For Fighting single. Both songs have an early rock and roll feel, while Jack Rabbit seems to lean a bit more toward country-blues as well.
Screw You (Young Man Blues) was the flipside of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road single. Many have never heard these songs until this deluxe edition release.
Included is a rare gem, previously unreleased acoustic guitar version of Candle In The Wind. It sounds like the exact vocal version from the album. The acoustic guitar sounds exact as well, except with a bit more that was left out of the final mix. I am a fan of the Live In Australia version, which is just Elton at the piano. This version of the mix is in that same vein, where it's just Elton and Davey Johnstone's rich sounding acoustic guitar.


The Package

This SACD Hybrid Deluxe edition of Elton's classic album has quite a little deluxe package included in the contents of the booklet. This 27 page booklet includes original album artwork, lyrics to the 17 original songs, and a four page biography on Elton and the making of these songs. The CD case itself is sort of like a mini album that opens up once and then once again. If I were to give a rating for the SACD package here, it would be 5 stars.



Overview

A great, classic album of songs from Elton's heyday era, possibly his best in this excellent SACD mix is a great addition to your surround collection. If you have no titles in this format, this is a great choice on where to start. I have owned this CD in the remastered form from 1998. That CD sounded really good, this stereo mix blows that one away. Maybe it's just my DVD player, but the difference is leaps and bounds.
Just remember that after you buy this SACD Hybrid, try not to expect this amazing quality in all SACD or DVD-Audio titles.

ALBUM RATING: 4½ stars
SACD RATING: 5 stars
STEREO RATING: 5 stars

Tracks:
DISC ONE -
1. Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (11:08)
2. Candle In The Wind (3:50)
3. Bennie And The Jets (5:23)
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (3:14)
5. This Song Has No Title (2:23)
6. Grey Seal (3:58)
7. Jamaica Jerk-Off (3:39)
8. I've Seen That Movie Too (5:59)

DISC TWO -

1. Sweet Painted Lady (3:52)
2. The Ballad Of Danny Bailey (1909-1934) (4:24)
3. Dirty Little Girl (5:01)
4. All The Young Girls Love Alice (5:08)
5. Your Sister Can't Twist(But She Can Rock N Roll) (2:42)
6. Saturday's Alright For Fighting (4:54)
7. Roy Rogers (4:08)
8. Social Disease (3:44)
9. Harmony (2:45)
BONUS TRACKS:
10. Whenever You're Ready (We'll Go Steady) (2:51)
11. Jack Rabbit (1:50)
12. Screw You (Young Man Blues) (4:43)
13. Candle In The Wind (acoustic mix) (3:50)

Musicians:
The Band -
Elton John: Vocals, keyboards, piano
Davey Johnstone: Guitars, background vocals
Dee Murray: Bass, background vocals
Nigel Olsson: Drums, background vocals

Special Guests -
David Hentschel: ARP Synthesizer
Del Newman: Orchestral Arrangements
Prince Rhino: Vocal Interjections
Ray Cooper: Tambourine
Kiki Dee: background vocals
Leroy Gomez: Saxophone



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For More Elton Reviews~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elton John - SACD
Tumbleweed Connection - SACD
Madman Across the Water - SACD
Honky Chateau - SACD
Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - SACD
Greatest Hits Volume 2


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Listening