Elton John - Madman Across The Water (BBC Sounds For Saturday 1971)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Strap in for an incredible performance of the title track of Elton’s 4th studio album, ‘Madman Across The Water’. This classic deep cut was recorded at Trident Studios in London on August 14th 1971 and performed here for the BBC TV series, ‘Sounds For Saturday’. This stripped down version of the song provides a glimpse into the early magic and mastery of Elton, bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson.
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Elton John - Madman Across The Water (BBC Sounds For Saturday 1971)
/ eltonjohn
This whole album (Madman Across the Water) is a master piece.
Yes it is of course
Still have this one!
@@cathyholden6442 , so do I!
This is marvelous. When he was great, before he became a comfortable, safe, self-important institution.
I'm not a fan, but I'm old enough to have BEEN a fan of the first three albums, of which this is the greatest. A spectacular performance, and a demonstration of the songwriting genius of Bernie Taupin.
The first side of the album is one of the two best album sides of all time, the other being Van Morrison’s Moondance
There's nothing like Elton John and the 70's ❤
Comment 1000 - I can´t stop watching this exquisite song.
The drama between Elton and the drummer is just fantastic. Music!
Nigel😎👍🎶🙏💕
Hungry Elton John at the absolute top of his game. This jammed out version is a prime example of why hes one of the greatest ever.
Hungry - well put and true. Hunger makes great music.
I saw him and his piano a decade ago and was truly impressed.
Yes.
Can we give Nigel Olson some love please. Just great....
10 minutes that comppletely destroy the modern music industry. No auto tune, no backing track, just pure talent and an on-point band
Beautifully stated and so true. Minimalistic perfection.
Nw xor❤i❤❤🎉😮❤❤v❤❤❤❤❤❤❤g❤d❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂o❤f❤❤bdf❤k😅😮h.nkou
😅😊😊😊
Those long songs had great development and build up but they have vanished from. history.
Talent like this does not exist anymore
Half a hundred years ago. We enjoyed wonderful music in the dark ages.
We are living in the dark ages right now thanks to the democrat party here in America !
We did, didn’t we. We truly are, the lucky ones!
@@DutcherDog
At least the democrats did not commit treason. 😏
his early albums were the best
@@ericburdon6148 C'mon fellas, step back and enjoy the music.
Elton's best song, without a doubt, and this rendition is nothing short of magic. My God. Musical perfection. Every time I watch, it never fails to amaze me. The hope the audience understood the level of genius they were witnessing.
I think they know.
I think they were well-aware. Total silence, just listening to brilliance. Also my favorite song, although others are close.
Well said !!
I totally agree !
What is it about. It doesn't really make sense. Please explain.
I am 66 and for Christsake I wont change my age cause I lived in this great period of music
Haaaaa me too
Ditto, I’m 65 & so grateful for all the superb musicians, lyricists & innovators I grew up with🥰
Im 68 and totally agree with ya lol
Mon Deux!!!!
Same .I'm 65 ❤
Love Dee Murray's bass playing. He was so great.
My understanding is that Elton and band played the entire album that night. I always thought Elton's voice was over-looked. Being able to sound this good live throughout is mind blowing.
Agree, and he had such a great way of interpreting each lyric, he had incredible versatility (as witnessed by hit songs in almost every genre except rap). An absolute LEGEND.
@@Mia444 Agreed, he has one of the best ballad voices in the world.
@@TheAnimeist sweet
He has such a colorful voice, able to do a lot with it. I love his emphatic phrasing.
This is Elton's best song, I believe. And that's saying something.
Bernie wrote the lyrics of course
I totally agree.. rumor has it that Madman was so hard to perform live that it got kicked off the set list all the time therefore MATW lived in the shadows. It's my favorite song ever.
And Madman Across the Water.
Jeezusss he sounds EXACTLY like the album.
And that is one of greatest of all albums, though it's criminally underappreciated.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is amazing too!
@Bill Woo: It's not criminally unappreciated. Those who have the refinement to be even CAPABLE of appreciating it, do. The lowest common denominator...yada yada...
Don’t overlook “Tumbleweed Connection” it might be Eltons best
He is a master. Beautiful always,
BYU eat and
I forgot how good he really was. This live version is incredible.
Yea he's efforless
Madman Across The Water best song ever made in my opinion, and I am an old guy!
Let's not forget that it was Bernie Taupin who wrote the lyrics to all his songs back then.
And what a great job Bernie did. This composition is a masterpiece❤❤
Don't forget the classic country album. Tumbleweed Connection.
When music was real.
I've always ranked this song as Elton's crowning achievement, and this performance is just stunning
Agree
My#1 fave by Sir Elton.....
Get a grip
Someone Saved My Life tonight
@@manco828 Good song, but not in the same league as Madman
Elton is displaying pure talent and musicianship. Society is blessed to have such a genius.
He and Bernie Taupin
@@corkcamden9878 He'a talent, not a genius. Great musician, always has been.
So is his band. They were all top notch.
Amazing display of his jazz abilities. Nigel’s drumming is ridiculously good.
@Sour Alien Elton's solo for the last 5 minutes of this track sounds a lot like jazz to me; improvisation around a theme, modulation, stuff like that.
Nigel
Folds the syncopated jazz riffs into the rock backbone of the song. Joni Mitchel would often do the same. And it’s all evolved from the blues.
@@soaringvulture i agree
@Sour Alien Barley, oats or rice. Take your pick. LOL! Most of the song is rock/pop but there is a part that is Jazz. Oh, and don't forget millet. LOL!
That's just piano, bass and drum, right? Insane how good that sounds. The last minute or two reminded me of traffic a little bit. The early 70's was the best music ever made.
Low Spark? This reminded me a little of that.
Power trio trippin' Yo!
Traffic is a great band. Stevie Winwood can sing and he could also play the piano and he became more Progressive on every one of his Traffic albums.
Yah, quite the more jazzy and improvisational take vs the studio cut... a la Traffic. Sweet
...and MORE COWBELL!!
Younger Elton is way cooler than older Elton.
That's usually the way it works.
@ Nope, Older Elon Musk is way cooler than younger Elon Musk.
Different man altogether.
@godisreality7014 No, quite simple.
I noticed there are only three players here. So raw so real.
The Elton John Band was a trio at this time. Davey Johnstone didn't formally join till the Honky Chateau album, though he was a session guitarist for this album
One of the most underrated albums of Sir Elton John's career. Love this album.
Agree, it's one of my favourite albums of Elton!
Underrated? I thought it was his best...
Your opinion. I don't agree that it is underrated. Tiny Dancer is giant, even today. And Levon got huge airplay. Elton just kept outdoing himself. I'd love to have that problem.
There's not a bad track on it
Its one of tye best
This is just straight-up jazz. Pure perfection.
It's verging on Chick Corea territory. But not quite there. Still really good though!
Just what I was thinking.
more eclectic which was so great about the 60s and the 70s __ Grateful Dead, ELP, Weather Report, YES, Jeff Beck, RUSH TONS and TONS of original Bands but yes, this live version strays into A JAM
I can't put my finger on it, but there's something special about this song. It really grabs me.
That piano riff is like crack
same! its just a juicy old goodie
Elton's voice back then had a bell-like quality.
Its way too underrated it should be up their with tiny dancer
It has this alluring ebb and flow to it...
As good as Sir Elton has been he was the Best in his earlier career/albums. This is just pure GOLD!!!
Nothing beats early Elton totally live with the band. These guys were incredible and anyone who heard or saw this early stuff knew what a star he was gonna be.
Saw the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour on a Monday at Mapke Leafs Gardens, then Billy Joel Wednesday, Equals!
Would have loved to see their together tour!
Saw him a few years ago. They were still amazing. RIP Dee.
The original with Mick Ronson is amazing
Started listening in the 70s. This madman across the water came to America, and made IT clear to everyone, his talent, was here hear, to stay.
Nigel, Dee, Davey. Killer band.
Wow! The audio engineer sure knew what he was doing!
Lord the man could play the piano. So good!
Still can!
Hands down one of the best music videos on TH-cam.
This isn't a music video, homie. It's a video of a live musical event from a BBC show. Big difference.
@lemurianchick I is a subset of the other! It very definitely is a music video, homie.
I’m just sitting here shaking my head. Unreal treasure
This is truly Elton at his finest
still, perhaps the best 11 minutes of pop-rock live music ever. Chills each time I listen. A master-class by all: Elton: songwriting, singing, piano, piano solos, stage presence (damn, just damn!); Nigel: how to LISTEN, and play, drive and fade, wander and bring it back together (wow!); Dee: also listening and playing, driving and fading, and just carrying it all along effortlessly. 3 guys jamming a 6 minute song out to 11... It doesn't go to 10, this one goes to 11.
Of course, we know that Elton never wrote any words to his songs he just wrote the music. Bernie Taupin Wrote every word!
@@gundog7199 Yep, of course.....
11❤
This period in my opinion was when Elton and Bernie were at their very peaks in everything music . The clarity of his voice is astonishing and the songwriting is sublime . I can hear the huge influence of The Band here on both men's work ... fantastic v!
I think people forget what a great singer he is ! Not to mention his skill on the ivories !
@j.denino5732 I got to see him in 1976 ! I was 13 at the time.
Superb doesn't get any better😂
I think he's as good as Liberace😊
It is absolutely astonishing how incredible this performance is. Like I kind of can't come to terms with the fact that it actually happened.
Elton's piano skills are amazing! It does take me back to the 70's where he ruled the charts.
Dee Murray was the best bassist for Elton's music!! ☺❤ RIP Dee ❤🙏
I found Elton early on, and I must admit I love his early works best, when Bernie wrote the lyrics and Elton wrote the music.
Eltons early stuff has some seriously brilliant moments
True musicianship my God. I love the studio version on Madman album and here he takes it a level above. Amazing!!
Emily KM im glad my dad had hood taste in music. I love EJ
@D B LOL
Check out the extended studio version, heaven.
Bernie Taupin and Elton's combination gave the world the best music the world has heard.
To me...
THIS IS ELTON JOHN!!!
With Mona Lisa and mad hatters...
I always knew this as a rock song, and I was blown away when Elton John completely broke the mold here and reimagined it as a jazz tune. It's another facet of his genius, and another reason why I think that in the early 1970s no single artist could touch him. Is it the intensity? The imagination? Or is he just a piano-playing madman?
All of the above.
Maybe John Lennon or David Bowie, but no he's more successful artist.
It’s absolute brilliance. Your description was spot on and well spoken.
In the early 70s there was only Elvis.
I'd argue that Elton really matured during his 1979 tour with ray.
Sounds like you’d better grab your coat, mmmdear. 😎🤷🏼♂️👊🏼👊🏽👊🏾
One of the most fabulous things about music created in the 70's is the undeniable narrative present. Story tellers, engaging, reflecting, that resonates the time!
What a pretty and adorable woman ,hello ,my darling ?
A 3 piece band filling up a LOT of space. Props to Nigel Olsen and Dee Murray!
Unpretentious and artistic.
This song, in 2025, is 54 years old!! Still one of his and Bernies best.
How does this not have millions of hits by now?!!! 😳
Because we boomers who listened to this back then are old, and dying off. Tell your friends, have them tell friends... Maybe post on Facebook, get word out.
@@2degucitas LOL facebook
i could listen to him sing boat with the broken back part over and over for all eternity
This!
Absolutely! Delicious.
Sure love to see this song done some more! Brandi and Derrick been great! The Mick Ronsin version is god. Love it every time!
Way, WAY ahead of its time. Too hip for this room.
...
Brilliant! My God. I'm moved to tears over this! My babysitter would bring her EJ albums over and we'd listen to this. I'm 61 now. He was at his peak here. Pure mastery
Elton at the peak of his powers
Just a madman who became Knight tickling the ivories
This might not be a popular thing to say. Elton was his best back then. I would sit and listen to this album back then. ❤❤
100
Pretty popular opinion, actually. Most of his fans prefer his very early stuff.
Nothing controversial about that one bit..his early work is outstanding
It was a very popular opinion back then.
No argument here
I’m just blown away. He really was fantastic. I was SO obsessed with him early on
Musicianship is mind-boggling. All in there early twenties and sounds like they've been playing together for a 100 years.
That trio (and later quartet with the addition of Davey) was so insanely talented and tight together! Listen to the way Dee's (RIP) bass, Nigel's drums and Elton's piano interplay during the instrumental breaks--the product is pure magic.
Elton, Dee and Nigel have known each other since 1967, shortly after EJ and BT got their contract with DJM. They all did session work together and apart at DJM HOWEVER, Dee, Nigel and Davey all met Bernie first.
Who is still enjoying this song in 2024 after Elton's retirement ?
70 years young here. I remember the album when it first came out...
This song, mad hatters, two of his best.
July 2024, love this timeless classic
I grew up in the 60s-70s and Elton’s music was a huge part of it.
I am!
I mean Elton's work is undeniably amazing, but can we talk about Nigel? I mean he's not only killin' it..but look at that shirt!
Nigel Rocks!...I got to meet/talk with him last month.....for around 15 minutes..Too cool!
Nigel is, in one word, AMAZING. It's no wonder Sir Elton has kept him for all these years.
Yes. Yes & yes, certainly dee & danny's tone, playing & singing., But. Two words.
NIGEL. OLSEN w
Shirt. Hair cowbell. I'd say he got more babes than sir elton
Consistent impeccable timing and style
@@Formula-602 wow! How exciting.
I always thought Nigel was smoking 🔥
Now, I like BillyJoel and he has toured and played with Elton years ago "as equals" with equal billing. And I would be hysterical LMAO because, as rhis performance clearly demonstrates, Elton is in his own league. ❤
Improvisation
DAMN ELTON WAS A BEAST HERE 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
DEEP SONG 🎶
Elton is superb, but I can't day enough about that drum sound... The snare, the bass, the cymbals... everything in perfect form and perfect sound making all right with the world.
Wow! That band was locked in the fkn pocket! Very tight sound. Forgot what a magician Elton is on that piano! My man was tickling that ivory! What an awesome song!
O!MY! Those were the great years!
Bernie Taupin and Elton John....what more need be said
Add Nigel and Dee. Perfection.
Elton’s best album by far; the music is superb, the lyrics stunning, and this performance what can one say! Nothing like this has been seen for decades. Will popular music ever become authentic again? So sad! I know I’m going on a bit but what a couple of decades we had, starting with the Beatles and ending with the Clash. From then on it all went downhill unfortunately in the eighties with compromise and commerciality and the rapidly accelerating down to the sound I wouldn’t even call it music we have today!
Early, Elton John, was so good!
THAT is a professional performance by all three. The Elton John Band should be considerered the greatest rock band of all time. Incredible!
Elton was my first big concert. 1974 Chicago...we had 4th row center seats and he had 2 major costume changes that evening that are forever emblazoned into my mind. Yellow feathers, then blue sequined-- omg. The one song that I also will never forget from that show is Funeral for a Friend. But Madman will always be my favorite of his. The jazz elaboration here in this performance---is just fantastic.
Title song of one of the best albums of all time…with one of the best and mesmerizing album covers of all,too.
I have the "11/17/70" album and it's a great representation of this lineup. Stripped down Elton is the best. One of my faves. "John has stated in several interviews that he believes that this recording is his best live performance. He has also cited the album as a great showcase for the musicianship of drummer Nigel Olsson and bassist Dee Murray. It is also the only officially released example of what John's live band sounded like prior to the arrival of guitarist Davey Johnstone, who wouldn't be a member until the release of Honky Château in 1972."
....I was very fortunate to see Elton perform with this lineup back in 1971 when he toured the Madman album.....as has been said, a criminally underrated album.....
I saw him in Detroit in 1976. What a show!
I saw him in Central Park, one of the best performers ever !
OMG, me, too. San Diego. Brilliant show
Takes me back
…
Lovely to remember before hard reality set in.
Dead right!
Dee Murray’s bassline is so suitable to this song,nice performance(RIP)
saw him back then live in seattle, wa. amazing.
My most favorite Elton John album! Pure talent❤
This album was a gift from the divine❤
Piano based power trio. Stunning. Holy crap it's so good.
50 years later and still better than anything today
Acoustic brilliance
Older brother played this album all the time. Think I was 9 at the time. I'm only 63!
Absolutely amazing and beautiful music. I remember when this came out. I was 14. My 25 year old sister was raising us after our parents passed. She had all genres playing.
My sister introduced me to Elton when I was 12 in 1975. What a ride.
What a volume of work these two put out,hard to find better
Absolutely love this Jazz/ fusion version... much better than the album track. Nigel and Dee are just locked. Just fantastic!
watched this 20 XS and the drummers midriff shirt gets me every time ! man I miss the 70s
Elton, the jazz pianist. Very nice. Love this song. What a talent.
First time I heard this. 2/22/22. What a great song!
I love this version cuz it's so much jazzier and free than the original album one. Brilliant!
The bonus cut on Tumbleweed with Mick Ronson is pretty wild too. Sparser and angrier.
Amazing what doubling the time to play can reveal.
The commercial reality doesn't do their talent any favors, albums usually cut things short
Bruce Hornsby's version is amazing too! Even better than this, even though it's a cover.
Wow, thanks for all the support and completements,I really appreciate it
A little Stevie Winwood Traffic feel to it.
His brilliance as a pianist is on full display in this piece.
Yes, I get caught up in his incredible song writing and vocals but forget what an absolutely incredible pianist he is..just incredible. This version sounds very heavily Jazz influenced.
Who needs a electric guitar...? Elton got a passport to eternity with his impressive rock and jazz... Nobody else can do it like him.
This is the height of Elton's talent along with Tumbleweed Connection. I was never that fond of Yellow Brick Road, but the early Elton John is mind blowing excellence.
yeah Im a fan of everything pre yellow brick and have a love hate relationship with Yellow Brick. After Yellow Brick , i hold my nose and plug my ears
His early works were brilliant…I believe he peaked with GYBR..Caribou had a few good songs but after that nothing else ever caught my interest.
I think this is the best version of the song. 😍 What a performance!
This is fantastic, I’ve never seen it. Omg the singing, that voice, the piano skills, tight little trio. I hope some young ones see this and understand why Elton was King.
The most talented musician I’ve ever heard!
Some songs lend themselves perfectly to late night cruising and this is one of them. Kick up the volume, set the cruise control , put EJ on repeat and be transported, literally and figuratively, to another place.
Wow, I knew EJ was a very good pianist but this is jazz. As much as I love Nigel's drumming and Dee's bassing I'd like to have heard this with Billy Cobham and Ron Carter
I said to myself, “ Elton John is playing like he’s blind “ and then he says “ I can see, very well.” He read my thoughts.
As great as this is especially with Nigel killing,the extended version where Daveys guitar comes in makes this song so much better