Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player

Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player. This album is the sixth studio album by Elton John, released in 1973, and features the hit singles Daniel and Crocodile Rock. The album was recorded at Château d'Hérouville in France and was produced by Gus Dudgeon, who had previously worked with Elton John on his earlier albums, including Honky Château and Caribou. The album's title is a humorous reference to the phrase "don't shoot the piano player," which was popularized by Oscar Wilde and later used as the title of a Western film starring Bob Hope.

● Album Information

The album was released on DJM Records and features a mix of rock, pop, and gospel influences, with Elton John on piano and vocals, Davey Johnstone on guitar, Dee Murray on bass, and Nigel Olsson on drums. The album's cover art features a photograph of Elton John taken by Ed Caraeff, who had previously worked with The Doors and The Who. The album was mastered at Trident Studios in London, where Elton John had recorded many of his earlier albums, including Empty Sky and Elton John.

● Background and Recording

The album was recorded in June 1972 at Château d'Hérouville in France, a recording studio that had been used by many famous artists, including The Grateful Dead, The Who, and Pink Floyd. The album's producer, Gus Dudgeon, had previously worked with Elton John on his earlier albums, including Honky Château and Caribou, and had also produced albums for other artists, including David Bowie and The Beach Boys. The album's engineer, Clive Franks, had previously worked with The Rolling Stones and The Kinks, and would go on to work with many other famous artists, including Queen and Aerosmith. The album features a number of guest musicians, including Ricky Nelson and Dusty Springfield, who sang backing vocals on several tracks.

● Track Listing

The album features 12 tracks, including the hit singles Daniel and Crocodile Rock, as well as other notable tracks like Blues for Baby and Me and Midnight Creeper. The album's track listing is as follows: 1. Daniel 2. Teacher I Need You 3. Crocodile Rock 4. Blues for Baby and Me 5. Midnight Creeper 6. Have Mercy on the Criminal 7. I'm Gonna Be a Teenage Idol 8. Texan Love Song 9. Crocodile Rock (reprise) 10. High-Flying Bird 11. Screw You 12. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is not on this album, but Candle in the Wind is not on this album either, however Bennie and the Jets is also not on this album. The album's tracks were written by Elton John and his longtime songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, who had previously written many of Elton John's hit songs, including Your Song and Levon.

● Release and Reception

The album was released on January 26, 1973, and was a major commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and number three on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album received positive reviews from critics, with many praising Elton John's songwriting and piano playing, as well as the album's production and guest musicians. The album has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has been named one of the greatest albums of all time by many publications, including Rolling Stone and NME. The album's success helped establish Elton John as one of the most popular and influential musicians of the 1970s, alongside other artists like The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Pink Floyd.

● Musical Style and Themes

The album features a mix of rock, pop, and gospel influences, with Elton John's piano playing and vocals taking center stage. The album's lyrics, written by Bernie Taupin, explore themes of love, relationships, and social commentary, with songs like Daniel and Have Mercy on the Criminal featuring storytelling and character sketches. The album's musical style is reminiscent of other artists of the time, including Leon Russell, Billy Joel, and Stevie Wonder, and features a number of memorable melodies and hooks. The album's use of gospel influences, particularly on tracks like Take Me to the Pilot and Burn Down the Mission, adds a unique and distinctive flavor to the album's sound, and helps to set it apart from other albums of the time. Category:Elton John albums