His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Seeing as Elton John's career in popular music has been going strong for well over thirty years, it is easy to see why there are so many biographies about him. And why not? After all, John has always been an artist of unusual candor, not to mention unusual stage uniforms running from the trashy to the just-plain garish. But the music has always been the main thing, the reason his fans throughout the years still pay good money to see him, even at the ripe old age of 54.
Elizabeth Rosenthal's take on Elton revolves predominantly on the music in this lastest John biography. Those looking for fresh perspectives behind the man, rather than the performer, will be disappointed; certainly those more interested in the recording and performing parts of Elton's life will be most thrilled.
In fact, some of the more interesting items about E.J.'s off-stage life are given short shrift, indeed. Rosenthal hardly mentions the musician's public and private tiffs with his father, his early struggle with his dubious sexuality, or even his renowned drinking/drugging binges...and subsequent recovery in the early 1990's. Only scant mention is made of these life stories, which for better or worse have molded the man into what he is today. Many of the quotes you see (and they are few and far between) are ones given many years ago to other publications. Apparently, Rosenthal had the pleasure of meeting the singer in Atlanta, GA, where he makes his American home, but was apparently not able to interview him. Perhaps it's because John was still managed by the imposing John Reid, who has since been canned by Elton after some financial treachery done by the one person the megastar trusted for almost twenty-five years; Reid had been known to stand in the way of independent biographers who wanted fresher quotes from the star.
It's obvious to anyone who reads the book that Rosenthal is a big fan; she even runs a website devoted to her subject. She does an admirable job, however, of noting many of Elton's career missteps, if not all of them. She is less critical, however, of some of his missteps in his personal life, choosing instead to merely recount these unfortunate events.
Where Rosenthal eventually fails is in neglecting certain events in John's career that proved noteworthy. For instance, she doesn't elucidate in even one sentence why Elton split with lyricist Bernie Taupin after the recording of 1976's "Blue Moves." The motives behind the separation of the two in work collaboration is explained only briefly later on in the book. Other biographies had done a better job with this issue. After all, Taupin was as instrumental to the Elton John hits machine of the early-mid 1970's as the pianist himself. Without Taupin's entrancing lyrics, Elton's music had little outreach beyond some nice melodies constructed here and there.
Still, I enjoyed the copious background on the music. Rosenthal examines each album track, one by one, dissecting them and explaining why each one succeeded or failed. Her prose is definitely unique, and it provides an upbeat style that makes it an absolute joy to read. Those looking for more personal stories about the singer's extremely interesting life will only thirst for more, and are urged to seek out the various other E.J. biographies available.

Click Here to see more reviews about: His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John

Click here for more information about His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John