Sir Elton John flirted with unprecedented stardom in the 70s. He went on to don a Donald Duck costume, went back and forth regarding his sexuality, made some noble forays on MTV with “I’m Still Standing,” wrote some big songs for Disney, and even recorded an album with Leon Russell. For 2013, he’s released his 30th album, The Diving Board. This is a return to form for the singer-songwriter, employing a basic piano, guitar, bass and drums lineup around songs written with longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin. It’s his first solo studio release in seven years – “the album,” John claims, “I’ve been waiting to make for decades.”
We open with “Oceans Away,” a piano and vocal track with a sweet and angelic melody. “Oscar Wilde Gets Out” follows, and it’s driven by a Russian sounding arpeggiated piano and John singing in a much lower register…at first. It has well-placed accents, strings, low toms and a fantastic Raphael Saadiq bass – like an expansive movie soundtrack tune with the feel of Madman Across The Water. There’s even some honky tonkin’ piano at the end.
“Dream #1,” one of three short piano instrumentals on The Diving Board (the other two are “Dream #2” and “Dream #3”) is a slightly off-to-the-center ragtime-flavored exercise that proves beyond the glamour and glitz Elton John is first and foremost a first-rate musician. This somewhat sad interlude flows into “My Quicksand,” a plaintive and touching ballad cast very much in the classic Elton John mode. “Voyeur” benefits from the small band backing what might be the singer’s strongest vocal on the record.
“Home Again” has a piano instrumental opening with swirling percussion. Again, we’re in Madman territory both lyrically and instrumentally with the horns, backing vocals and production. “The New Fever Waltz” is a masterpiece from an artist known for them. There’s mournful horn lines, low toms, cello and a perfect piano throughout it all. “The New Fever Waltz,” one of three tracks recorded live at Capitol Studios, sees the singer harmonizing with himself, bringing Taupin’s lyrics to life like nobody but Elton John can.
Produced by multiple Grammy winner T Bone Burnett (who saw Elton John during his legendary 1970 run at the Troubadour in Los Angeles), The Diving Board is a thick listen with many redeeming qualities. There’s lots going on here even though the production is simple. I’d put it among one of Elton John’s best efforts in recent years, and quite possibly of his entire career.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
