1.) Elton John – A Single Man Vinyl, LP, Album, Picture Disc, Stereo - 1st US Pressing - 1989 - USA - MCA Records – MCAP-14951 Media: NM / Sleeve: NM A1 Shine On Through A2 Return To Paradise A3 I Don't Care A4 Big Dipper A5 It Ain't Gonna Be Easy B1 Part-Time Love B2 Georgia B3 Shooting Star B4 Madness B5 Reverie B6 Song For Guy After a dozen albums with lyrical collaborator Bernie Taupin, A Single Man (1978) represents Elton John's first full-length release away from their decade-long partnership. John's initial intent was to complete work on a Taupin-era remnant that had been on the back burner, titled Ego. However, he found himself with some interesting melodies and eventually teamed up with former Vigrass & Osborne member Gary Osborne. Also contributing to this album's different approach is producer Gus Dudgeon -- who had worked with John as far back as his debut long-player, Empty Sky (1969). The infusion of new musical associates takes notable effect on songs such as the opener, "Shine on Through," which John had previously worked up during the Thom Bell Philly soul sessions that produced the hit "Mama Can't Buy You Love." (That version is available as one of three previously unissued sides on the Complete Thom Bell Sessions EP.) Among the other standouts are the gospel-tinged "Georgia," the lengthy blues-rocker "It Ain't Gonna Be Easy," and the ultra campy, if not lightweight, "Big Dipper." The single "Part-Time Love" only made a nominal chart impact despite its catchy and danceable melody. 2.) Elton John – Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold - 1st Pressi?ng - UK - 1975 - DJM Records – DJLPX 1 Media: VG+ / Sleeve: VG+ to EX / Booklets: NM A1 Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy 5:32 A2 Tower Of Babel 4:22 A3 Bitter Fingers 4:25 A4 Tell Me When The Whistle Blows 4:13 A5 Someone Saved My Life Tonight 6:33 B1 (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket 3:54 B2 Better Off Dead 2:33 B3 Writing 3:33 B4 We All Fall In Love Sometimes 4:09 B5 Curtains 6:03 Sitting atop the charts in 1975, Elton John and Bernie Taupin recalled their rise to power in Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, their first explicitly conceptual effort since Tumbleweed Connection. It's no coincidence that it's their best album since then, showcasing each at the peak of his power, as John crafts supple, elastic, versatile pop and Taupin's inscrutable wordplay is evocative, even moving. What's best about the record is that it works best of a piece -- although it entered the charts at number one, this only had one huge hit in "Someone Saved My Life Tonight," which sounds even better here, since it tidily fits into the musical and lyrical themes. And although the musical skill on display here is dazzling, as it bounces between country and hard rock within the same song, this is certainly a grower. The album needs time to reveal its treasures, but once it does, it rivals Tumbleweed in terms of sheer consistency and eclipses it in scope, capturing John and Taupin at a pinnacle. They collapsed in hubris and excess not long afterward -- Rock of the Westies, which followed just months later is as scattered as this is focused -- but this remains a testament to the strengths of their creative partnership. 3.) Elton John – Love Songs Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Stereo - 1st UK Pressing - 1982 - UK - TV Records – TVA 3 Media: VG+ / SLeeve: VG+ A1 Blue Eyes A2 Little Jeannie A3 Sartorial Eloquence A4 Shine On Through A5 Chloe A6 Elton's Song A7 Tonight A8 Song For Guy B9 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word 3:42 B10 Princess 3:37 B11 Chameleon 4:16 B12 Return To Paradise 3:24 B13 Never Gonna Fall In Love Again 3:47 B14 Strangers 3:32 B15 Someone's Final Song 3:36 B16 All Quiet On The Western Front 4:47 __________________________________________________ These records have been cleaned with a professional ultrasonic machine. New inner and outer sleeves included. Fast & careful shipping. #summermusicfestival