Album: Caribou
Performers: Elton John on piano and vocals, Nigel Olsson on drums, Dee Murray on bass, Davey Johnstone on guitar, Ray Cooper on tambourine, Lenny Picket on tenor sax, Tower of Power horn section on brass, backing vocalists Clydie King, Sherlie Matthews, Jesie Mae Smith, Dusty Springfield
Producer: Gus Dudgeon
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Buy Caribou: US | CA
© 1974 Big Pig Music Limited

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Greatest Hits – 1970-2002 By Elton John. For Piano/Vocal/Guitar. Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook. Rock and Pop Rock. Songbook. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and guitar chord diagrams. 176 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.306640).

One of their best rock tunes.  The Bitch Is Back is performed at many of Elton John’s modern concerts even up to this day.    There is a rumour that John Lennon provided a second tambourine on the track!  Can’t find absolute verification on that though…   The sixth number one song they have had in Canada.

Here’s a performance from the Million Dollar Piano concert series

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The Elton John Keyboard Book By Elton John. For Piano/Keyboard. Hal Leonard Keyboard Recorded Versions. Rock and Pop Rock. Difficulty: medium. Songbook. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and introductory text. 160 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.694829).

A song from the early years that Elton himself did not even consider to be single worth.  Bennie and the Jets ended up being the second number one single in the U.S.  A very popular song at his live concerts and usually included an excellent piano solo in the outro.  The song was written about a fictional band

The song still receives lots of airplay on the radio today.  Modern day singers such as Axl Rose have stated listening to this song inspired them to become singers.   Fortunate enough for Axl he performed with Elton John live at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.  They have done Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and November Rain by Guns N Roses.

Here’s one of my favourite performances of this song from 1995 Live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Also for fun – here is Elton John and Axl Rose performing together

Album: Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player
Performers: Elton John on piano, organ and vocals, Nigel Olsson on drums, Dee Murray on bass, Davey Johnstone on guitar and mandolin
Producer: Gus Dudgeon
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Buy Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player: US | CA
© 1972 Dick James Music Limited

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The Elton John Keyboard Book By Elton John. For Piano/Keyboard. Hal Leonard Keyboard Recorded Versions. Rock and Pop Rock. Difficulty: medium. Songbook. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and introductory text. 160 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.694829).

Elton John’s first U.S. number one single.  This song is a great tune about the old tunes from the late 50s to early 60s, when rock was young.   A song Bernie Taupin described as fun at the time it has remained a fun time for many fans at dances and receiptions.

Early performance from back in ’72.

A ballad that Elton John himself calls one of his favourites.   Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters was also featured on the film Almost Famous during a scene in New York City.   I always loved listening to this song and playing it on the piano.  A great solo ballad for any piano player to perform.

look inside

The Elton John Keyboard Book By Elton John. For Piano/Keyboard. Hal Leonard Keyboard Recorded Versions. Rock and Pop Rock. Difficulty: medium. Songbook. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and introductory text. 160 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.694829).

A performance from 1972

One of my favourite performances from performed live at Ephesus Amphitheatre

Album: Honky Château
Performers: Elton John on piano and vocals, Nigel Olsson on drums, Dee Murray on bass, Davey Johnstone on guitars, David Hentschel on synth, backing vocals include Dee Murray, Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson
Producer: Gus Dudgeon
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Buy Honky Château: US | CA
© 1972 Dick James Music Limited

look inside

The Elton John Keyboard Book By Elton John. For Piano/Keyboard. Hal Leonard Keyboard Recorded Versions. Rock and Pop Rock. Difficulty: medium. Songbook. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and introductory text. 160 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.694829).

Here’s a 1972 performance of the song, live and when it was fresh

A more modern performance with extended intro and jam outtake

Album: Madman Across The Water
Performers: Elton John on piano and vocals, Roger Pope on drums, David Glover on bass guitar, Caleb Quaye on electric guitar, B.J. Cole on steel guitar, Davey Johnstone on acoustic guitar, backing vocals by Lesley Duncan, Sue Glover, Sunny Leslie, Barry St. John, Liza Strike, Roger Cook, Tony Burrows, Terry Steele, Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson
Producer: Gus Dudgeon
Arrangement: Paul Buckmaster
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Buy Madman Across The Water: US | CA
© 1971 Dick James Music Limited

look inside

The Elton John Keyboard Book By Elton John. For Piano/Keyboard. Hal Leonard Keyboard Recorded Versions. Rock and Pop Rock. Difficulty: medium. Songbook. Vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names and introductory text. 160 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.694829).

Brought to the status of a greatest hit thanks to Cameron Crowe’s film Almost Famous in 2000.  Now a huge request at many piano players live cover show.  Tiny Dancer always goes over well with the crowd at any piano bar.

Here’s a classic live version from 1971