Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [MFSL UDCD 526]

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL, or "MoFi") is a company that produces audiophile releases of classic CDs and vinyl records.

Many commercial CDs undergo dynamic range compression in order to sound "louder" when played on radio or low-end systems. Some consider this detrimental to the sound quality when reproduced on high-quality equipment. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab releases are highly desirable due to their attention to detail concerning the audio mastering process. Some of the techniques used are half-speed mastering and pressing gold-plated CDs. MFSL also releases record albums meant to be played at 45 RPM instead of the standard 33⅓ RPM, for better sound quality. These albums must be released on two or three discs, as less music can be held at increased speed.

MFSL only acquires the license to reproduce releases for a specific time period, and because of the limited quantities produced, they are highly sought after.

The Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Philosophy

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab's ongoing quest is to deliver the foremost sounding audio entertainment software that technological innovation can provide. From our first UHQR™ vinyl LP to our latest Ultradisc UHR™ SACD, we have been and will remain a steadfast innovator in the audiophile frontier. We further believe that technological development serves best when accompanied by a profound awareness and appreciation for the elusive magic and mystery that comprises music itself. Our greatest hope is that our products will serve as conduits for ears ands souls to experience premium, pure, natural sound reproduction of diverse, pre-eminent original master recordings across the entire musical spectrum



Track listing
1. Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding
2. Candle In The Wind
3. Bennie And The Jets
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
5. This Song Has No Title
6. Grey Seal
7. Jamaica Jerk-Off
8. I've Seen That Movie Too
9. Sweet Painted Lady
10. Ballad Of Danny Bailey, The (1903-34)
11. Dirty Little Girl
12. All The Girls Love Alice
13. Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock 'N' Roll)
14. Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
15. Roy Rogers
16. Social Disease
17. Harmony


Details
Playing time: 76 min.
Contributing artists: Kiki Dee
Producer: Gus Dudgeon
Distributor: n/a
Recording type: Studio
Recording mode: Stereo
SPAR Code: AAD


Album notes
Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, electric piano, organ, Farfisa organ, Mellotron, keyboards); Del Newman (arranger); Prince Rhino (vocals); Davey Johnstone (acoustic, electric, slide & steel guitars, banjo, background vocals); Leroy Gomez (saxophone); David Hentschel (ARP synthesizer); Dee Murray (bass, background vocals); Nigel Olsson (drums, congas, tambourine, background vocals); Ray Cooper (tambourine); Kiki Dee (background vocals).

Recorded at Strawberry Studios, France. Originally released as a 2-LP set on MCA.
The gold-disc version of GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD includes all the original album artwork, with lyrics.

Generally regarded as Elton John's masterpiece, GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD is a double-album (on one CD) that includes several of his signature songs alongside a sprawling array of lesser-known (but by no means lesser) tunes. The hits included "Bennie And The Jets," a funky, falsetto stomper; the Rolling Stonesy rocker "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting"; and the gorgeous title ballad. "Candle In The Wind," an elegy for Marilyn Monroe, which didn't become a certified hit until 14 years later, when John re-recorded it with the Melbourne Symphony. The fact that it wasn't released as a single at the time is testimony to the wealth of pop pleasures available here.
The swelling, synth-fueled overture of "Funeral For A Friend" gives way to one of John's toughest guitar-rockers in an 11-minute medley. "Grey Seal" is a piano showcase with a perfect verse-chorus-verse construction. The rocking "All The Girls Love Alice" is one of the era's most overt references to lesbianism, and "Harmony," the soft ballad that closes the album, may be John's grandest melody. Willfully eclectic and packed with great music, GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD bursts with the bold energy and undeniable talent that made John a superstar.


Editorial reviews
5 Stars - Indispensable - ...remains a classic...
Q (08/01/1995)

Ranked #91 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time - ...Everything about GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD is supersonically huge...
Rolling Stone (12/11/2003)

Download (Rapidshare):

GBYBR MFSL - Part One
GBYBR MFSL - Part Two
GBYBR MFSL - Part Three
GBYBR MFSL - Part Four
GBYBR MFSL - Part Five
GBYBR MFSL - Part Six

Pass: None Necessary