Episode 35 - 'Elton John' at 50 with John Higgins

Episode 35 - 'Elton John' at 50 with John Higgins

Author: Neil Barrett August 29, 2020 Duration: 1:40:58
Enormous thanks to John Higgins - Feature Writer for the eltonjohn.com website - who came onto the podcast to share his love for the 'Black Album', and to tell me some of the stories that he'd been able to hear during interviews that he carried out with Paul Buckmaster and Gus Dudgeon about their work on the project.  We listened through some 'mixes' that I've made of the tracks, making use of the separate channels in the 5.1 mixes, which I feel make for a pleasing new outlook onto some of Elton's densest material.  Apologies to anyone who's been waiting on an episode, or a reply from me. There are several excuses in the episode, I won't repeat them here.  Part two of this interview will be up very soon! 

Neil Barrett hosts I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Elton John Podcast, a series built on a simple but powerful idea: you can love an artist's work deeply without needing to know every single fact. This isn't a dry historical archive or a gossip-filled biography. Instead, each episode focuses on the music itself-the songs, the albums, the collaborations, and the sheer craft behind them. You'll hear a thoughtful, often personal exploration of what makes these tracks resonate, from the chart-topping anthems to the deeper album cuts that might have slipped by. The tone is warm and conversational, like discussing records with a knowledgeable friend who’s more interested in sharing appreciation than proving expertise. It’s that balance of affection and detail that defines this podcast, offering a space for both lifelong fans and curious newcomers to hear Elton John's catalog with fresh ears. Barrett’s approach reminds us that music is for enjoyment first, and his episodes are a perfect companion for that journey, whether you're revisiting classic albums or discovering hidden gems for the first time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 42

I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Elton John Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 31 - Empty Sky at 50 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:42
Empty Sky, Elton’s debut album, and also his most honest, laid-back sounding set of songs, hit the shelves 50 years ago this month. It didn’t make much impact at the time, but it is greatly loved, both by fans, and by th…
Episode 30 - Listening Session with Peter Thomas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:45
You are invited to a very special listening session and conversation with Peter Thomas, the preeminent Elton John collector and archivist. Peter Thomas, in his role as founder of monitor and speaker company PMC, has work…
Episode 29 - Top of the Charts with a ROCKET, ft. The Lambrettas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:41
This episode counts down the 15 biggest non-Elton singles on Rocket, and in the process, tells the story of the label, attempts to define the Rocket sound (spoiler - there isn’t one), and draws out the connections with E…
Episode 28 - Alternate Versions, Mixes and Edits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:17
This episode revels in the obscure, picking up the curios in the discography, studying them, and making an attempt at explaining them. Here are the early versions, the erroneous edits that never should have been heard, t…
Episode 27 - Breaking Down 'Passengers' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:11
This is the story of Elton's personal redemption, through the prism of the song 'Passengers', the UK top 5 hit single with the unique songwriting credit - Elton, Bernie, Davey and South African musician Phineas Mkhize. T…
Episode 26 - Rare Masters Vol. 2 (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:25
In this episode, I finish going through the imaginary box-set. First, I detail all of the non-album tracks that were released between 1984 and 1990 (CD3 of the collection that I have programmed), and I then go on to disc…
Episode 25 - Rare Masters Vol. 2 (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:50
The Elton John Podcast with the unwieldy name goes where the record company dare not go - Rare Masters Vol. 2. We all loved the first volume when it came out, and many of us have been going grey waiting for the next inst…
Episode 24 - David Larkham Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:22
Another treat - an interview with David Larkham – the man who controlled the visual element of the classic albums, liaising with Steve Brown, Bernie, Elton and others to bring their ideas to life. David was there at Stev…
Episode 23 - Bernie's Auction - What We've Learned [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:40
In this episode, I attempt to play (and sing in one case) the three ‘new’ songs from 1967 that have come to light via Bernie’s upcoming auction. I also go through the working lyrics that Bernie is selling in New York on…
Episode 22 - Caleb Quaye Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:43
I was lucky enough to be able to spend more than an hour in the company of the brilliant Caleb Quaye. Without Caleb, there would be no Elton John as we know him. He got Elton and Bernie the gig with Dick James, and it wa…