Maps of Music

Empty Sky (1969)

Where the lyrics of Empty Sky take you, and where it was really made.

Empty Sky was not officially released in the United States until January 1975, long after John's fame had been established internationally, though imported UK copies were already sold there.

Key places

Recorded at DJM Records' studio (1969)

Recording site Wild Bunch Studios (London) — The album was recorded during the winter of 1968 and spring of 1969 at DJM Records' 8-track studio in London, with production by Steve Brown. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Empty Sky: debut studio album by British singer-songwriter Elton John
• Released in the United Kingdom on 6 June 1969
• Imported UK copies were available in the United States before any official release
• Not officially issued in the US until January 1975, on MCA Records
• The US edition came with different cover art
• Released well after John's fame had been established internationally

Background

• Recorded during the winter of 1968 and spring of 1969
• Only album from the early phase of John's career not produced by Gus Dudgeon
• Production handled by DJM staff member and close associate Steve Brown
• John played harpsichord on several tracks, including "Skyline Pigeon"
• John has described "Skyline Pigeon" as the first song he and Bernie Taupin ever got excited about
• John has since called the album naïve, but recalls fond memories of making it

Recording

• Recorded at DJM Records' 8-track studio
• Musicians were friends of John, Brown, or both
• Caleb Quaye and Roger Pope, then members of Hookfoot, played on many tracks
• Quaye and Pope later rejoined John for Rock of the Westies (1975) and Blue Moves (1976)
• Tony Murray of the Troggs played bass
• Nigel Olsson played drums on "Lady What's Tomorrow?"
• Olsson and Dee Murray later joined John's early-1970s touring band
• Clive Franks is credited in production and later handled John's live sound for much of his touring career

Cover

• Original sleeve design by David Larkham (billed as "Dave")
• Larkham later designed sleeves for John and other artists
• The 1975 US release used different cover art

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, Middlesex, on 25 March 1947.
• Won a junior scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age 11.
• Formed the blues band Bluesology in 1962; took the name Elton John in 1967.
• Joined DJM Records as a staff songwriter with lyricist Bernie Taupin in 1968.

Members

• Partnered with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967; Taupin writes lyrics and John composes the music.
• Backing band over the years included Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray and Ray Cooper.

Career

• Debut album Empty Sky (1969); Honky Château (1972) became his first US number-one album.
• Seven consecutive US number-one albums between 1972 and 1975.
• Composed The Lion King and Aida with Tim Rice; won Academy Awards and a Tony Award.
• Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour (2018–2023) was the highest-grossing tour at the time.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Disc & Music Echo praised the music as so nice and pretty that it was hard to stop listening
• The same review wished the lyrics had more intensity and less youthful pretension
• The reviewer called the album well worth a good, deep listen
• The review was written when the album first came out in 1969

Reappraisal

• AllMusic's retrospective review reacted to the material in a subdued way
• The review found no forgotten gems on the album
• It concluded that the album still suggests John's potential
• Sources give no other critical reviews of the album

Records

• Official US release: January 1975, on MCA Records, with different cover art
• Released in the UK in both stereo and mono
• The mono edition is now a rare collector's item
• The source gives no chart positions or sales figures for the album

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• "Skyline Pigeon" was re-recorded with orchestra and piano in place of harpsichord for 1973's Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, and first appeared as the B-side of "Daniel" in 1973
• John lodged at The Salvation Army Regent Hall on Oxford Street, which was run by Steve Brown's father, and walked home from recording at 4 a.m.
• John said he thought the title track was the best thing he had ever heard when the band finished it
• The 1975 US reissue titled "Val-Hala" as "Valhalla"
• The 1995 CD reissue titled "Hay Chewed" as "It's Hay-Chewed"

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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