Episode 38 - Tumbleweed Connection Covered

Episode 38 - Tumbleweed Connection Covered

Author: Neil Barrett October 31, 2020 Duration: 1:26:02
I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Elton John Podcast
Music
It's all go in Eltonland! The label have marked the 50th anniversary of Tumbleweed with a reissue of the album on green vinyl, plus an entirely unexpected companion 10" single, featuring the unearthed almost 8 minute long original version of Come Down in Time, backed with a full band DJM demo of Ballad of a Well Known Gun. Everything is available, along with a range of Tumbleweed merch, over at the EltonJohn.com shop, and John Higgins' fascinating anniversary article about Tumbleweed can also be found there now.  Since the album is often felt to be the musician's Elton John album, I thought it would be interesting to go through some of the cover versions of these songs, and to make up my own playlist of my favourite covers. You may have very different choices - please let me know on the Facebook group or by email if I haven't picked or played your favourites.  I'll be back with a fuller breakdown of Tumbleweed at some point in the future. If you want to listen to the YouTube playlist without me bleating all over the songs, it can be found here.   

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

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I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Elton John Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 11 - The Greatest Covers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:45
If you like Elton John songs, then you'll probably like these relatively obscure renditions of Elton John songs, by musicians who tried to do something original with the material.
Episode 10 - The One - 25 And A Half Years On [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:06
Elton came back from rehab stronger than ever at the end of 1991. Here, in review, is the album that he brought back from the brink with him. The context, the music, the lyrics, the instrumentation - it's all given the a…
Episode 9 - At Home With Sheila and Reg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
A tribute to Elton's first musical mentor - his mother Sheila. This episode is a trip through the music of the 1950s that was dear to Sheila, to her mum Ivy, and to Reg. On the way, we take in the story of how Reg came t…
Episode 8 - Dee Murray Love-In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:36
Dee Murray was a truly innovative force in the Elton John band. In this episode I look at what made him special, from the jigsaw puzzle of ideas that Dee and Elton threw around in the 3-piece band; taking in the almost-s…
Episode 7 - Reconstructing 'A Song For Europe 1969' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:54
I attempt to piece together the weekly Saturday evening TV shows, hosted by the impish Lulu, that led up to the UK's selection being made for the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest, and follow up the progress of the careers of…
Episode 6 - Cool As Christmas - Collaborations That Make Elton Cooler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:31
Elton's not always seen as a particularly cool musician to be a fan of. Lots of well-respected artists have no problem associating themselves with him though. In this episode, I go through those collaborations and connec…
Episode 5 - Don't Say It With 'Diamonds' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:37
This week, Elton released another greatest hits collection, to somehow celebrate his and Bernie's 50 year anniversary of writing together. In this episode I look at 12 'genuine diamonds' - products that would actually be…
Episode 3 - Regimental Sgt Zippo - The Debut Album That Never Was [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:37
This episode skips through the 1968 almost-debut album, track-by-track. How good would this album have been if it had come out in 1968? How would it have fared? Actually that's a question I don't answer. I think we know…
Episode 2 - Buckmaster Before Elton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:34
This episode takes you back to the 2nd of November 1969, to a Miles Davis gig, at Ronnie Scott's jazz club, where Elton met a 23 year old Paul Buckmaster for the first time. How did Buckmaster get to be the guest of Mile…

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