Music review: Elton John — ‘The Diving Board’
For his latest release, Elton John makes a big splash with a back-to-basics approach that brought him success early is his musical career. 鈥淭he Diving Board鈥� harkens back to the sound and texture of classic albums like 1970鈥檚 鈥淭umbleweed Connection鈥� and 1972鈥檚 鈥淗onky Chateau.鈥� The 66-year-old singer-songwriter鈥檚 30th solo album continues the prosperous partnership between John and lyricist Bernie Taupin.
John鈥檚 first solo album in seven years builds off the creative genius displayed by the collaboration with Leon Russell on 2010鈥檚 鈥淭he Union.鈥� After producing the John and Russell sessions, T Bone Burnett returns to oversee the production. As a result, the sound of the new arrangements comes off simplistic, clear and honest as the emphasis is solely placed on John鈥檚 distinguished vocals and piano playing. Once again, Taupin delivers evocative lyrics that add a retrospective feel to the overall mood of the material. I became a casual John listener with 1973鈥檚 鈥淕oodbye Yellow Brick Road,鈥� but became a devoted fan with 鈥淐aptain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.鈥�
On the 1975 masterpiece, John and Taupin proficiently created a flawlessly engaging concept album at the pinnacle of their success, outlining the duo鈥檚 musical struggles and rise through a collection of songs that painted vividly detailed pictures with majestic style.
鈥淥cean鈥檚 Away鈥� is a compelling piano ballad that opens John鈥檚 latest chapter with a fond remembrance of his elders as John sings, 鈥淚 hung out with the old folks in the hope that I鈥檇 get wise.鈥� Lead single, 鈥淗ome Again,鈥� is another intimate and nostalgic arrangement powered solely by the pure elegance of John鈥檚 vocals and piano playing.
On 鈥淭he Ballad of Blind Tom,鈥� John delivers a bluesy and passionate arrangement about the musical prodigy Blind Tom Wiggins, while 鈥淭ake This Dirty Water鈥� is a soulful, gospel-tinged number in the same vein of 鈥淭ake Me to the Pilot.鈥�
Elements of 鈥淪omeone Saved My Life Tonight鈥� can be found on the fragile 鈥淐an鈥檛 Stay Alone Tonight.鈥�
鈥淭he New Fever Waltz鈥� and 鈥淒ream, Pt. 3鈥� are elegantly haunting, with the latter song evoking comparisons to the opening portion of the powerfully moving 鈥淔uneral for a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding).鈥�
With more than 44 years of making memorable music, John has never sounded more sophisticated or more compelling.
鈥淭he Diving Board鈥� is a perfectly natural launching point for more of John鈥檚 musical brilliance to shine.