Caribou (album)

Caribou (album) is the eighth studio album by British singer-songwriter Elton John, released in June 1974 by DJM Records and MCA Records. The album was recorded at Caribou Ranch in Nederland, Colorado, with production by Gus Dudgeon and assistance from Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray, and Nigel Olsson. The album features a mix of Rock music and Pop music styles, with influences from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and David Bowie.

Background

The album was recorded in January 1974 at Caribou Ranch, a recording studio in Nederland, Colorado, owned by James William Guercio. The studio was also used by other famous artists, including Chicago (band), Earth, Wind & Fire, and Dan Fogelberg. The album's title, Caribou (album), refers to the recording studio where it was made, which was located in the Rocky Mountains near Boulder, Colorado. The album's production team included Gus Dudgeon, who had previously worked with Elton John on albums such as Honky Château and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, as well as Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray, and Nigel Olsson, who were all members of Elton John's band.

Release

The album was released in June 1974 by DJM Records and MCA Records, and it was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA). The album's release was supported by a tour, which included performances at Madison Square Garden in New York City, The Forum (Inglewood, California), and Wembley Stadium in London. The tour also featured guest appearances by other famous artists, including Stevie Wonder, The Beach Boys, and Kiki Dee.

Reception

The album received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising Elton John's songwriting and the album's production. The album was praised by critics such as Robert Christgau of The Village Voice, who noted that the album was "a solid, professional piece of work", and Rolling Stone magazine, which praised the album's "catchy, well-crafted songs". The album was also praised by other famous musicians, including David Bowie, who noted that the album was "a great piece of work", and Bernie Taupin, who praised the album's lyrics. However, some critics noted that the album was not as strong as some of Elton John's previous work, such as Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Honky Château.

Track listing

The album features the following tracks: "The Bitch Is Back", "Pinky", "Grimsby", "Dixie Lily", "Solar Prestige a Gammon", "You're So Static", "I've Seen That Movie Too", "Stinker", "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", "Ticking". The album's track listing includes a mix of Rock music and Pop music styles, with influences from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and David Bowie. The album's tracks were written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, with the exception of "Ticking", which was written by Elton John alone.

Personnel

The album features the following personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano), Davey Johnstone (guitar), Dee Murray (bass), Nigel Olsson (drums), Gus Dudgeon (production), Clive Franks (engineering), David Hentschel (engineering). The album also features guest appearances by other famous musicians, including Lenny Pickett (saxophone), Tower of Power (horns), and Kiki Dee (backing vocals). The album's personnel includes many of the same musicians who worked on Elton John's previous albums, including Honky Château and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player. Category:Elton John albums