Empty Sky

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Empty Sky
Studio album by Elton John
Released	June 3, 1969 (UK) January 13, 1975 (USA)
Recorded	Dick James Music Studios, London, from December 1968 to April 1969
Genre	Rock
Length	54:56
Label	DJM Records MCA Records (US/Canada-1975)
Producer	Steve Brown
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
Elton John chronology
Empty Sky (1969) Elton John (1970)

Empty Sky is the debut album of British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1969. It was finally released in the United States in 1975, well after Elton's fame had been established internationally.

While the instrumental accompaniment in Empty Sky could be classified as mildly psychedelic rock, Elton's flair for pop melody is obvious even at this early stage. [1] Elton adds to the unique sound of the album by playing harpsichord on several tracks, including "Skyline Pigeon", which Elton has described as being "the first song Bernie and I ever got excited about."^[1]

Contents 1 Track listing 1.1 Side one 1.2 Side two 1.3 Bonus tracks (1995 CD reissue) 2 Personnel 3 Production 4 Charts 5 References

[edit] Track listing

All songs by John/Taupin.

[edit] Side one

1. "Empty Sky" – 8:29
2. "Val-Hala" – 4:12
3. "Western Ford Gateway" – 3:15
4. "Hymn 2000" – 4:29

[edit] Side two

1. "Lady What's Tomorrow" – 3:09
2. "Sails" – 3:45
3. "The Scaffold" – 3:18
4. "Skyline Pigeon" – 3:37
5. "Gulliver/Hay-Chewed/Reprise" – 6:59

[edit] Bonus tracks (1995 CD reissue)

1. "Lady Samantha" – 3:02
2. "All Across the Havens" – 2:52
3. "It's Me That You Need" – 4:04
4. "Just Like Strange Rain" – 3:44

The 1995 remaster erroneously lists "Hay-Chewed" as "It's Hay Chewed".

[edit] Personnel

• Elton John - organ, piano, harpsichord, keyboard, electric piano, vocals
• Don Fay - flute, tenor saxophone, wind
• Clive Franks - human whistle
• Tony Murray - bass
• Nigel Olsson - drums (Credited as "Nigel Olsen")
• Roger Pope - percussion, drums
• Caleb Quaye - acoustic guitar, guitar, electric guitar, congas
• Graham Vickery - harmonica

[edit] Production

• Producer: Steve Brown
• Engineer: Frank Owen
• Tape operator: Clive Franks
• Liner notes: Gus Dudgeon

[edit] Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1975	Pop Albums	6

[edit] References

1. ^ Citation Needed

v • d • e Elton John Elton John • Guy Babylon • Bob Birch • Davey Johnstone • John Mahon • Nigel Olsson Tony Murray • Roger Pope • Barry Morgan • Dee Murray • Ray Cooper • James Newton Howard • Caleb Quaye • Kenny Passarelli • Charlie Morgan Studio albums Empty Sky • Elton John • Tumbleweed Connection • Madman Across the Water • Honky Château • Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player • Goodbye Yellow Brick Road • Caribou • Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy • Rock of the Westies • Blue Moves • A Single Man • Victim of Love • 21 at 33 • The Fox • Jump Up! • Too Low for Zero • Breaking Hearts • Ice on Fire • Leather Jackets • Reg Strikes Back • Sleeping with the Past • The One • Duets • Made in England • The Big Picture • Songs from the West Coast • Peachtree Road • The Captain & The Kid Live albums 11-17-70 • Here and There • Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra • Elton John One Night Only - The Greatest Hits • Elton 60 - Live at Madison Square Garden Soundtracks Friends • The Lion King • The Muse • Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida • The Road to El Dorado Compilations Greatest Hits • Greatest Hits Volume II • The Thom Bell Sessions • Lady Samantha • Milestones • Your Songs • Greatest Hits Vol. 3 • The Complete Thom Bell Sessions • To Be Continued • The Very Best of Elton John • Rare Masters • Greatest Hits 1976-1986 • Chartbusters Go Pop! 20 Legendary Covers from 1969/70 as Sung by Elton John • Classic Elton John • Love Songs • Prologue • Greatest Hits 1970-2002 • Elton John's Christmas Party • Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits DVDs The Very Best of Elton John • One Night Only: Greatest Hits Live at Madison Square Garden • Live in Barcelona • To Russia with Elton • Dream Ticket Tribute album Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin Related articles Discography • Band • Awards • Bernie Taupin • Gus Dudgeon • Paul Buckmaster • John Reid • Dick James • Renate Blauel • David Furnish • John/Taupin • Elton John AIDS Foundation