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The Big Picture (1997)

Where the lyrics of The Big Picture take you, and where it was really made.

Dedicated to Gianni Versace, who was murdered a few months before release, this was John's last album to date produced by Chris Thomas.

Key places

Townhouse Studios, London (1997)

Recording site Townhouse Studios — The album was recorded at Townhouse Studios in London. The map point marks the studio location. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Air Lyndhurst Studios, London (1997)

Recording site AIR Studios — The article also lists Air Lyndhurst in London among the studios tied to the album. The map point marks the Air Studios site on Lyndhurst Road. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• The Big Picture: 25th studio album by British musician Elton John
• Released 22 September 1997 through The Rocket Record Company and Mercury Records
• Recorded at Townhouse Studios in London
• Strong orchestral emphasis with string arrangements
• Last album to date produced by Chris Thomas

Background

• Dedicated to fashion designer Gianni Versace, a friend of John
• Versace was murdered a few months before the album's release
• Chris Thomas had worked with John almost nonstop since 1981's The Fox
• String arrangements by Anne Dudley and Guy Babylon, John's then backup keyboardist
• The only album on which neither Davey Johnstone nor Bob Birch provides backing vocals
• Drummer Charlie Morgan was let go shortly after release

Recording

• Recorded at Townhouse Studios in London
• The source list also names Air Lyndhurst Studios in London
• Outtake "Live Like Horses" recorded in 1994 for the previous album Made in England, but dropped for lack of time

Cover

• Design credit: Rick Lecoat
• Design, paintings and still life photography: Julian Schnabel
• Portrait photography: Mario Testino

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

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

• Commercial success upon release
• Reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart
• Reached the top 10 of the US Billboard 200 and numerous other countries
• Three singles released to promote the album: "Something About the Way You Look Tonight", "Recover Your Soul", and "If the River Can Bend"
• The first of these was the most successful, especially as a double A-side with "Candle in the Wind 1997"

Reappraisal

• In a 2006 interview, Bernie Taupin, John's longtime friend and lyricist, said this is his least favourite album they made together
• In the same interview John said his own least favourite is Leather Jackets from 1986

Records

• UK Albums Chart: top five
• US Billboard 200: top 10
• The double A-side with "Candle in the Wind 1997" became the best-selling single in Billboard history
• Certified Platinum by the RIAA on 19 August 1998 for US sales over 1,000,000 copies

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The album is dedicated to Gianni Versace, who was murdered a few months before release.
• In 2006 Bernie Taupin said this is his least favourite album with John, while John named Leather Jackets from 1986 as his own least favourite.
• Drummer Charlie Morgan left the band shortly after release and was replaced by Curt Bisquera and Nigel Olsson, who remains in the lineup to this day.
• "Live Like Horses" was recorded in 1994 for Made in England, but lack of time kept it off that album; the single version of 1996 was a duet with Luciano Pavarotti, while the album version is solo.
• "Past Imperfect" and an alternate version of "Recover Your Soul" were completed for the album, but neither has seen official release.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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