Remixed

by

Elton John

Edit

Who would have thought all those years ago, back in 1969, that Elton John would become one of the most long lasting and influential musicians of all time? Well he has, and Elton John Remixed brings the story up to date somewhat. The five track disc has five different takes on four different songs that span Elton's career. Are you ready for love, Elton's latest number one single in England, is presented in two different forms, the 79 radio edit and Ashley Bedlle's Love and Protection Mono Edit. Candle in the Wind is presented entirely acoustically. Rocket Man is remixed, as is Song for Guy. Only 5 tracks, but in the end well worth the 8 dollars.

Are you ready for love was originally recorded during the Thom Bell Sessions in the late 70's. Elton was trying new avenues musically, and the "Philly Soul" scene was one of those roads. Are you ready for love would be the second and final track released from the Sessions, but it did not do very well, topping out in the 40's on the British charts. Now, 30 years later, Southern Fried Records has brought this track back from oblivion. Are you ready is an infectious number, that just makes you want to get up and dance. The song shows a side of Elton no one really knew about before. The two versions on Remixed are very different. Essentially, the original 8:32 long track has been split up and lengthened into about 11 minutes of pure soul and dance. The radio edit takes the vocals from the original songs, and cuts out the break. Ashley Beddle's remix however, takes the break and parts of the chorus and turns the song into the perfect club song. A DJ on radio one in Britain said this number would be perfect as a closing number, a feel good song as people would leave the club. Now, critics have blasted the song for it's schmaltzy lyrics, and it's true, the lyrics aren't the best ever. In fact, Bernie Taupin didn't even write them. But that doesn't matter. In tone, Are you ready is similar to The Beatles All you need is love. One could argue those lyrics were clichéd and overtly sentimental. The point of songs like these is too make the listener feel good. In these times people can get very depressed, and songs like these are made just to shine a little light into their lives. Is that all that bad?

Candle in the Wind will go down in history as one of the greatest songs of all time. Elton had enormous success with this song three times. First, in Britain when it was released as a single off Yellow Brick Road, secondly in the US when it was released off the Live in Australia album, and thirdly, as the best selling single of all time when Princess Diana died. That's hard to top, but the acoustic version of Candle in the Wind is up to task. I liken it to Bruce Springsteen's acoustic version of Born to Run. Both songs gain a new level of emotional power in a stripped down sound. There is more power to the songs. All we have on Candle in the wind is Elton, Davey Johnstone's guitar, and the backing vocals from Elton's band. If I had to highlight one of the three, it would be the backing vocals. The harmonies are just outstanding. Just put on a pair of headphones and listen in the dark somewhere, and you'll hear what I mean.

Rocket Man was Elton's first really big hit in both the US and Britain, and here it is presented as Rocket Man 03. I like to think of it as Rocket Man with a few flourishes. A drum beat is added in, as are some synthesizers to provide that "space" sound. Elton's vocals are relatively unchanged, and the same goes for his piano playing. That helps the song stay grounded in the original. Rocket Man 03 is not a dance edit like Are you ready. It is simply a new take on an old standard. Now to me, the original is the superior song, but Rocket Man 03 has it's charm.

The final song on Elton John Remixed is a new version of Song for Guy. One of Elton's most underrated songs, Song for Guy is a classic most Elton fans mark as one of their favorites. In this case, how much they like this new version of Song for Guy will depend on how strongly they feel about the original version, because this is certainly a different song. You still have Elton's piano, but like Rocket man a drum beat and synthesizer are added. More echo is added to add to the already strong sense of mysticism the original already had. When Elton chants Life, it has a very ethereal quality to it. Now, the most interesting part of the song, is at the end of what we know as Song for guy. Out of nowhere, a whole new song basically comes in with Elton's Life chant being remixed over the opening acoustic guitar licks to Madman Across the Water. This nod back to one Elton's greatest songs and albums really came as a surprise to me, but a welcome one. The Song for guy Remix takes on whole new "Life" as it were with the inclusion of this last bit.

You, the reader may have notices I didn't talk about the actual musicianship of the songs. That is because these songs are classics and I can't define them any better than the many who have come before me. It is truly wonderful to see an artist like Elton John still having an impact on the musical community. Elton John Remixed is not an album of all new material, but rather a bridge between generations. If a teenager, like me, sees this album and buys it, and learns to love these versions as much as other Elton fans love the classic versions, then it was worth it. Elton purists may not like it, but the fact remains, Elton's music has the ability to touch generations. Give it a chance.

Four songs at a budget price, so not too shabby. Though you may already have a few of these, since (with the exception of the extended edit of "Are You Ready For Love"), most have these have been available on other CD singles. But for those of us not savvy enough to have bought the imports over the years (or really didn't need to have the "Thom Bell Sessions" (which is not really one of Elton's better records), this will do nicely.

There are two real reasons to have this. The first is the "Are You Ready for Love" single, given its due some 25 years after it was recorded. It was one of Elton's many attempts to stretch out as a musician and songwriter, and he was shooting for a Philly/Detriot soul sound via producer Thom Bell. Bell was running hot with a string of hits for the Spinners, who originally sang back-ups here. Aside from being edited to play out for eight-plus minutes, the "remix" is superfluous. (Its not a remix, really - it's the old method of 70'd disco twelves where the song is spliced out to ridiculous lengths.)

The other is one of Elton's most overlooked songs here in the states. "Song For Guy" was a huge hit around the world when "A Single Man" was released, but somehow escaped that attention in the US. The added synths give it an additional airiness and relieve some of the elegiac qualities.

"Rocket Man '03" is no great shakes, and the acoustic version of "Candle In The Wind" is on the remastered "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" set, which is a must have for fans of all things Elton. Overall, "Remixed" is worth the bargain price, but it's not a necessity.