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Madman Across the Water
Studio album by Elton John
Released	5 November 1971 (1971-11-05)
Recorded	27 February; 9, 11, 14 August 1971
Studio	Trident, London
Genre	Progressive rock
Length	45:17
Label	Uni DJM
Producer	Gus Dudgeon
Elton John chronology
17-11-70 (1971) Madman Across the Water (1971) Honky Château (1972)
Singles from Madman Across the Water
"Levon" Released: 29 November 1971 "Tiny Dancer" Released: 7 February 1972

Madman Across the Water is the fourth studio album by English musician Elton John, released on 5 November 1971 by DJM and Uni Records. The album was his third album to be released in 1971, at which point John had been rising to prominence as a popular music artist. John's first progressive rock album, Madman Across the Water contains nine tracks, each composed and performed by John and with lyrics written by songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman plays Hammond organ on two songs.

There were two singles released from Madman Across the Water, "Levon" and "Tiny Dancer". The album was certified gold in February 1972, followed by platinum in March 1993, and 2× platinum in August 1998 by the RIAA. The album was included in Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. On 10 June 2022, the album was reissued as a deluxe edition for its 50th anniversary, featuring 18 unreleased tracks including demos, outtakes and alternate takes, as well as a 40-page book detailing the album's creation with notes from John and Taupin.

History

The nine tracks were each composed and performed by John and with lyrics written by songwriting partner Bernie Taupin as with his previous material. Like John's other studio albums up to this point, Madman featured John's touring band (which consisted of bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson) on only a single song, due to producer Gus Dudgeon's lack of faith in the group for studio recordings. Instead, most of the tracks were backed by studio players and string arrangements put together by Paul Buckmaster. Davey Johnstone, who had previously worked with Dudgeon as a part of Magna Carta, was also put on as the main guitarist.

Johnstone, Murray and Olsson would be fully featured on John's next album, Honky Château. Percussionist and later band member Ray Cooper made his first appearance with this album, which was John's last to be recorded at London's Trident Studios, although subsequent albums would be remixed or overdubbed there. Caleb Quaye and Roger Pope would not play with John again until Rock of the Westies in 1975, following Murray and Olsson's departure from the band.

Title

The album's title song was initially set to be released on John's previous album, Tumbleweed Connection, featuring guitarist Mick Ronson; however, that version was set aside and the song was re-recorded for this album, with Johnstone on guitar. The earlier version was included on the remastered Tumbleweed Connection compact disc.

Dispelling rumours that the song's lyric referred to then US President Richard Nixon, Bernie Taupin had this to say:

Back in the seventies, when people were saying that "Madman Across the Water" was about Richard Nixon, I thought, That is genius. I could never have thought of that.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Christgau's Record Guide	C
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Tom Hull – on the Web	B−

Madman Across the Water was one of John's lowest-charting album efforts. It continued a streak of mediocre performance in the UK for John, peaking at No. 41 on the UK Albums Chart and spending two weeks there. The album fared much better in North America, peaking at No. 8 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums and later on at No. 10 on the year-end list of 1972.

The album was certified Gold by the RIAA in February 1972, achieving $1 million in sales at wholesale value just in the United States. In 1993, the album was certified Platinum, representing shipments of more than one million units in the US. In 1998, the album was certified Multi-Platinum, representing shipments of over two million units in the US. In May 2017 the album was certified Silver for sales of 60,000 units by the British Phonographic Industry.

On release, Alex Dubro of Rolling Stone was not especially enthusiastic about the album and found it inferior to its two predecessors. Although he commended "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon", he found the lyrics throughout the record confusing, concluding that it is a "difficult, sometimes impossibly dense record" that would not upset John's current fans, but not gain new ones either. Penny Valentine in Sounds magazine was more positive, however, describing John as "a music man of immense feeling and power" and full of unexplored talent.

When it was released in The Classic Years collection, it was the first album not to feature any bonus tracks. One known track recorded at the time, "Rock Me When He's Gone", was released on the 1992 compilation Rare Masters. The song was written for and recorded by one of John's long-time friends, Long John Baldry. It was later remastered for the 50th anniversary deluxe edition.

Madman was John's first foray into progressive rock, and it did not sell well. His next album, Honky Château, shifted gears to glam rock, beginning a string of more successful releases. He did not touch upon prog rock again until Blue Moves in 1976, another less popular album. Madman was helped in North America by FM radio deejays willing to play the lengthy singles, unlike BBC Radio 1.

Covers

Alice in Chains member Jerry Cantrell covered the album's closing track, "Goodbye", for his third solo album, Brighten. He told Wall of Sound that John gave him his approval for his rendition, revealing he said, "Absolutely you should put it on the record. You got my permission. You did a great version."

Track listing

Original release

All tracks are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Note

• The SACD version of the album contained a longer version of "Razor Face", which extended the song-ending jam to 6:42 instead of the early fade on the original album. This extended version can only be heard in the 5.1 surround mix, or on the 50th Anniversary reissue of the album.

50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Note

• The live radio broadcast of "Indian Sunset" is from November 17, 1970 and edits out the last verse of the song. The full version of the song (without John's intro) is on the expanded edition of 11-17-70+.

Personnel

Track numbers refer to CD and digital releases of the album.

• Elton John – vocals, acoustic piano
• Brian Dee – harmonium (2)
• Rick Wakeman – Hammond organ (3 & 7)
• Jack Emblow – accordion (3)
• Diana Lewis – ARP synthesizer (4, 7)
• Caleb Quaye – electric guitar (1, 2, 3), acoustic guitar (6)
• B. J. Cole – steel guitar (1)
• Davey Johnstone – acoustic guitar (1, 4, 7), mandolin (6), sitar (6)
• Chris Spedding – electric guitar (4), slide guitar (7)
• David Glover – bass guitar (1, 3, 6)
• Brian Odgers – bass guitar (2)
• Herbie Flowers – bass guitar (4, 5, 7)
• Chris Laurence – double bass (5)
• Dee Murray – bass guitar (8), backing vocals (1, 6, 7)
• Roger Pope – drums (1, 3, 6)
• Barry Morgan – drums (2)
• Terry Cox – drums (4, 5, 7)
• Nigel Olsson – drums (8), backing vocals (1, 6, 7)
• Ray Cooper – percussion (4), tambourine (7, 8)
• Paul Buckmaster – orchestral arrangements and conductor (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)
• David Katz – orchestra contractor (1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)
• Tony Burrows – backing vocals (1, 6, 7)
• Roger Cook – backing vocals (1, 6, 7)
• Lesley Duncan – backing vocals (1, 6, 7)
• Barry St. John – backing vocals (1, 6, 7)
• Terry Steele – backing vocals (1, 6, 7)
• Liza Strike – backing vocals (1, 6, 7)
• Sue and Sunny – backing vocals (1, 6, 7)
• Cantores em Ecclesia Choir – choir (8)
• Robert Kirby – choir director (5, 8)

Technical

• Gus Dudgeon – producer, liner notes
• Robin Geoffrey Cable – engineer
• Tony Cousins – remastering
• Gus Skinas – editing
• Ricky Graham – digital transfers
• Greg Penny – surround sound
• Crispin Murray – assistant
• David Larkham – art direction, design, illustrations, photography, cover photo
• Gill – artwork
• Yanis – artwork
• Bob Gruen – photography
• John Tobler – liner notes

Charts

Certifications

References

1. ^ Madman Across The Water Retrieved 19 December 2017
2. "Behind The Song: Elton John, "Levon" – American Songwriter". americansongwriter.com. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
3. "What is the Meaning Behind the Song "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John? – American Songwriter". americansongwriter.com. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
4. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Madman Across the Water – Elton John". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
5. ^ Weisbard, Eric (2014). Top 40 Democracy: The Rival Mainstreams of American Music. University of Chicago Press. p. 169. ISBN 9780226194370.
6. "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America.
7. Dimery, Robert, ed. (2013). 1001: Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. London: Cassell Publishing. p. 323. ISBN 978-1844037353.
8. Kreps, Daniel (21 April 2022). "Elton John Announces 50th-Anniversary Reissue of 'Madman Across the Water'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
9. Rapp, Alison (21 April 2022). "Elton John Announces Deluxe Reissue of 'Madman Across the Water'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
10. ^ Giles, Jeff (5 November 2016). "How Elton John Matured on 'Madman Across the Water'". UltimateClassicRock.com. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
11. Fussman, Cal (2 January 2012). "Bernie Taupin: What I've Learned". Esquire. Santa Ynez, California.
12. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: J". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 27 February 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
13. Larkin, Colin (2011). "John, Elton". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. p. 2,003. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
14. Hull, Tom (22 June 2021). "Music Week". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
15. "Allmusic: Madman Across the Water : Charts & Awards : Billboard Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
16. ^ "American album certifications – Elton John – Madman Across the Water". Recording Industry Association of America.
17. Dubro, Alex (20 January 1972). "Madman Across the Water". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
18. Valentine, Penny (30 October 1971). "Elton John: Madman Across The Water (DJM)". Sounds. Retrieved 21 April 2022 – via Rock's Backpages (subscription required).
19. "Elton John – Blue Moves (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
20. Brown, Paul 'Browny' (28 October 2021). "Jerry Cantrell – 'Back to Brighten Your Life with Rock's Finest Figures'". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
21. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
22. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5317". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
23. "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 12 January 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Elton John".
24. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
25. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
26. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
27. "Elton John Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
28. "Ultratop.be – Elton John – Madman Across the Water" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
29. "Ultratop.be – Elton John – Madman Across the Water" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
30. "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Madman Across the Water" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
31. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
32. "Swisscharts.com – Elton John – Madman Across the Water". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
33. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
34. "Elton John Madman Across the Water. Australian Gold Disc Award". 20 February 2023.
35. "Bernie Taupin Elton John Madman Across the Water Record Award". 27 February 2023.
36. "great britain's million sellers, 1971-72" (PDF). Cash Box. 6 July 1974. p. 8, Part II. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
37. "British album certifications – Elton John – Madman Across the Water". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 9 October 2020.

External links

• Madman Across the Water at Discogs (list of releases)

• Elton John albums
• 1971 albums
• Albums arranged by Paul Buckmaster
• Albums produced by Gus Dudgeon
• Albums recorded at Trident Studios
• DJM Records albums
• Uni Records albums
• Progressive rock albums by English artists