Elton John 17-11-70

Despite everything I've ever said and written about live albums I've bought a number of them this year and the latest is Elton John's "17-11-70". But usual gripes to one side there's no getting away from the fact that there's something special about live music that just can't be captured in a sterile overdubbed auto-tuned precision-controlled knob-twiddling studio environment [and yes there's loads of stuff that can be done to "improve" a live recording today, some of which was done when this was re-released, but you couldn't do much when Elton was a young man and this gig was recorded] and that's what makes this album exciting.With only the eponymous "Elton John", "Tumbleweed Connection" and the "Friends" soundtrack albums behind him EJ was the new kid on the block and taking the US by storm (the earlier "Empty Sky" hadn't yet been released in America) when he and his bandmates Dee Murray (bass) and Nigel Olsson (drums) recorded a live radio broadcast on 17 November 1970 in front of around 100 or so people. Although the original set of 13 songs ran for 80 minutes my CD reissue has only seven tracks, all from the second half of the show but excludes the encore, "My Father's Gun" [a vinyl version with the full set is available].The album kicks off with the up-tempo rocking and rolling "Bad Side of the Moon" before Tumbleweed Connection's more thoughtful "Amoreena" [note this was omitted from the original album and CD releases] but that's followed by a near six-minute piano-thumping "Take Me to the Pilot" after which I'm left feeling exhausted! Things slow down a little for "Sixty Years On", but don't be fooled as the rhythm section gradually build over its seven minutes to a thunderous rolling climax. Sadly things then get a little less serious with a playful cover of Jagger and Richards' "Honky Tonk Women", clearly appreciated more by the audience than by me and a reminder of why I don't generally like live albums, before a rocking and reeling "Can I Put You On" from the "Friends" soundtrack gets us back on course.But it's with the seventh and closing track, an extended jam of "Burn Down the Mission" with Arthur Crudup's "My Baby Left Me" and Lennon & McCartney's "Get Back", that the trio really gets to cut loose and show what they're made of and it's this that makes this live recording special, it might be eighteen minutes long but for me it's way way too short!And that's it. It may only be seven tracks and it may suffer from many of the usual live album faults, and without a guitarist it may sound a little thin in places, but it's worth buying just for that final track.

I bought this for too only 2 songs which are amoreena and take me to the pilot which I still enjoy listening to even now as for the rest they are mediocre songs in my opinion but I was pleasently surprised by the fact this is a live album which is why it give it 3 stars as I was only going to give 2

I have the original vinyl version purchased in the early 70's- I was keen to add the CD to my collection. Some of the material is a bit mediocre but the performance is lively and full of energy. This is an important album as its the only (legal) recording of an early EJ live performance. And what a recording! A terrific remastering has produced an amazingly lifelike sound.

I have the orginal LP and CD but purchased this for the revised track order and formally missing "Amoreena". It's as good as ever and I cannot really notice any great improvement in this issue but that might be me! However the images shown by Amazon (supplied by Assai-uk) is not 17-11-70 by Mecury but 11-17-70 (American notation) by Rocket. Just saying, as I find it irritating.17-11-70 is a great album, but this release at this price isn't the greatest value.

I'm a long-time Elton fan and I am revisiting the classic stuff, I won't say I forgot how good he was, as I know how good he was, but I'm re-appreciating his albums. I just bought this and it's a blaster. I never heard it before as I never bought it. I'm sorry I didn't as it is astounding. The power is great with the trio of piano, bass and drums. I'm glad there is no guitars as this gives a stripped down snapshot of how Elton sounded in the early years. The sound is fantastic on the remaster with superb clarity, punch, and his piano playing and singing is on fire along with Olsson's explosive drums. This is a treat for fans that never heard it before and I'm ashamed I didn't as I have all his output up to the mid 90s. This is a must for fans of the Classic 70s Elton John!

Perhaps not one of the more famous of Elton's albums, but it is full of great tunes that you probably haven't heard a lot of on the radio.

A truly great live album. Considering Elton's band only consisted of two others ( Nigel Olsson/ Drums and Dee Murray/ Bass ) it delivers a solid sound. If you have never heard this and you're only a part time Elton John fan then I suggest you buy this.

I had an LP version of this album on the Pickwick label from the 70's, and finally found it here on CD with more tracks! This has got to be the best gig you never went to. The trio format with Dee Murray on Bass and Nigel Olsen on drum works perfectly and actually sounds like a much bigger line up. The band and audience sound like they're having the best time ever, I just wish I could have been there. Buy it now.