The Big Picture (2 Lp's)

Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, organ); Davey Johnstone, John Jorgenson (guitar); Paul Carrack (organ); Matthew Vaughan (keyboards, percussion); Guy Babylon (keyboards); Bob Birch (bass); Charlie Morgan (drums, percussion); Paul Clarvis (tablas); Carol Kenyon, Jackie Rawe (background vocals); East London Gospel Choir, Angel Voices Choir. Recorded at Townhouse Studios, London, England. As true as the Rolling Stones have remained to their blues beat, Elton John, who's been around nearly as long, has stayed true to his pop muse; and perhaps more than the Stones, he's retained his pop craft. THE BIG PICTURE is a simple album at heart, a collection of melancholy love songs beefed up with million-dollar pop arrangements and rocked up every now and then with Davey Johnstone's electric guitar. The sentiments are basic enough: in "The End Will Come," he's ready to swear there ain't no mountain high enough to stop his love, while in "Love's Got A Lot To Answer For," he's ready to admit that no matter how he climbs there's just going to be another mountain around the bend. Lyricist Bernie Taupin provides these basics, and John adds the incredible melodic weight that the best of these songs have. "Long Way From Happiness" is haunting blue-eyed soul; "The End Will Come" is a true anthem that showcases a Stevie Wonder-like conviction in the power of music to overcome reality. "If The River Can Bend" serves as teasing proof that the rock flame behind such early John showstoppers as "Burn Down the Mission" is far from out.