Maps of Music
Duets (1993)
Where the lyrics of Duets take you, and where it was really made.
The album began as a Christmas project of Elton John's and grew into his first collaborative studio record, built around duets with other singers.
View on the mapKey places
Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood (1993)
Recording site Ocean Way Recording — Ocean Way Recording is listed among the Hollywood studios credited for recording Duets. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Conway Recording Studios, Hollywood (1993)
Recording site Conway Recording Studios — Conway Recording Studios is listed among the Hollywood studios credited for recording Duets. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Capitol Studios, Hollywood (1993)
Recording site Capitol Studios — Capitol Studios is listed among the Hollywood studios credited for recording Duets. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Schnee Studio, North Hollywood (1993)
Recording site Schnee Studio — Schnee Studio is credited as a recording location for Duets in North Hollywood. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Wonderland Studios, Los Angeles (1993)
Recording site Motown Recording Studios — Wonderland Studios is credited as a recording location for Duets in Los Angeles. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Record One, Sherman Oaks (1993)
Recording site Record One — Record One is credited as a recording location for Duets in Sherman Oaks. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Tarpan Studios, San Rafael (1993)
Recording site Tarpan Studios — Tarpan Studios is credited as a recording location for Duets in San Rafael. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Soundtrack Studios, New York City (1993)
Recording site Soundtrack Studios — Soundtrack Studios is credited as a recording location for Duets in New York City. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Bosstown Recording Studios, Atlanta (1993)
Recording site DARP Studios (Atlanta) — Bosstown Recording Studios is credited as a recording location for Duets in Atlanta. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Woodland Digital, Nashville (1993)
Recording site Nashville — Woodland Digital is credited as a recording location for Duets in Nashville. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Sol Studios, Cookham (1993)
Recording site Sol Studios — Sol Studios in Cookham is credited as a recording location for Duets. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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The Town House, London (1993)
Recording site The Town House — The Town House in London is credited as a recording location for Duets. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Olympic Studios, Barnes (1993)
Recording site Olympic Studios — Olympic Studios in Barnes, London is credited as a recording location for Duets. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Metropolis Studios, Chiswick (1993)
Recording site Metropolis Studios — Metropolis Studios in Chiswick is credited as a recording location for Duets. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Album story
Overview
- Duets: first collaborative studio album by British musician Elton John
- Released in 1993
- UK release on a single CD, a single cassette and a double vinyl LP, with a slightly different running order
- Originally a Christmas project, later grew into an album of its own (Elton John's Christmas Party)
Background
- The live version of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" with George Michael, track 15, had already become a No. 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK singles chart in 1991
- One of only three albums released between 1983 and 2016 without John's regular guitar player, Davey Johnstone
- Three singles released in Britain: "True Love" with Kiki Dee, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with RuPaul, "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" with Marcella Detroit
Recording
- Recording credited to studios across several cities, including Ocean Way Recording, Conway Recording Studios, Capitol Studios and A&M Studios in Hollywood
- Other studios: Schnee Studio in North Hollywood, Wonderland Studios in Los Angeles, Record One in Sherman Oaks, Tarpan Studios in San Rafael, Soundtrack Studios in New York City, Bosstown Recording Studios in Atlanta, Woodland Digital in Nashville, Sol Studios in Cookham, The Town House and Olympic Studios in London, Metropolis Studios in Chiswick
- Executive producers: Steve Brown, Ray Cooper and Elton John; Greg Penny as supervisor
- Jon Ingoldsby handled recording and mixing on tracks 1 and 3
- Mastering by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, California
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Tracklist
| 1 | Teardrops | 4:55 |
| 2 | When I Think About Love (I Think About You) | 4:35 |
| 3 | The Power | 6:25 |
| 4 | Shakey Ground | 3:52 |
| 5 | True Love | 3:35 |
| 6 | If You Were Me | 4:26 |
| 7 | A Woman's Needs | 5:19 |
| 8 | Old Friend | 4:17 |
| 9 | Go on and On | 5:50 |
| 10 | Don't Go Breaking My Heart | 5:00 |
| 11 | Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing | 3:36 |
| 12 | I'm Your Puppet | 3:36 |
| 13 | Love Letters | 4:01 |
| 14 | Born to Lose | 4:33 |
| 15 | Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me | 5:48 |
| 16 | Duets for One | 4:52 |
Sources: musicbrainz.org
Artist
Formation
- Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, Middlesex, on 25 March 1947.
- Won a junior scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age 11.
- Formed the blues band Bluesology in 1962; took the name Elton John in 1967.
- Joined DJM Records as a staff songwriter with lyricist Bernie Taupin in 1968.
Members
- Partnered with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967; Taupin writes lyrics and John composes the music.
- Backing band over the years included Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray and Ray Cooper.
Career
- Debut album Empty Sky (1969); Honky Château (1972) became his first US number-one album.
- Seven consecutive US number-one albums between 1972 and 1975.
- Composed The Lion King and Aida with Tim Rice; won Academy Awards and a Tony Award.
- Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour (2018–2023) was the highest-grossing tour at the time.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Reception
At release
- Debuted at No. 7 on the UK chart
- Released in 1993 on a single CD, a single cassette and a double vinyl LP in the UK
- Initially a Christmas project that grew into a full album
- Singles: "True Love" with Kiki Dee reached No. 2, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with RuPaul reached No. 7, "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" with Marcella Detroit reached No. 24
Records
- UK albums chart debut at No. 7
- US Billboard 200 peak at No. 25
- Certified platinum by the RIAA in January 1994
- Three singles released in Britain, with the chart positions listed above
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Trivia
- The album started as a Christmas project and later became a separate release under the title Elton John's Christmas Party.
- The live duet with George Michael on "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", track 15, was already a No. 1 hit in the US and UK in 1991.
- It is one of only three albums from 1983 to 2016 without Davey Johnstone, John's regular guitar player.
- The three British singles paired John with three different guests: Kiki Dee, RuPaul and Marcella Detroit.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
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