Classic Albums: Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (2001) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Davey Johnstone and various others are interviewed about the making of the classic album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which featured a number of hits and is considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of the decade. Once again the "Classic Albums" series provides for a big entertainment and unlike so many other documentaries, this one here contains the real music so you really get a full overview of the album. As usual, the documentary covers just about every aspect of the album from the writing of the songs to the recording of the material and the eventual release of the album. Fans of John or rock music in general should really be entertained by this documentary because it really does deliver on all levels and by the time its over with you'll feel as if you know the album a lot better. As with other episodes, one of the highlights here is getting to sit at the sound mixer and hear various songs broken apart. In some cases we'll hear the vocal by itself or in other spots we'll hear just the piano or just the guitar. By doing this it's interesting to hear the various decisions that went on for the final mix and we even get to hear an early version of 'Bennie and the Jets.' Also discussed here is John and Taupin's working relationship, the rise to fame and a now famous show done at the Hollywood Bowl. Fans should be entertained by this short and those unfamiliar with the album will get to see how many great classics are there.
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