Elton John’s autobiographical concept album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy will be re-released as an expanded 50th anniversary edition, to include rare sessions demos and live material; as well as stand-alone singles, including “Philadelphia Freedom” and his cover of the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.” An accompanying 28-page booklet features never-before-seen entries from John’s personal diary.
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy was Elton’s ninth studio album, first released in 1975 and remains one of his most successful records. The album was certified gold before its release and topped the Billboard 200 the week of its debut, going on to become a triple-platinum chart-topping smash — including the gold-selling Top 5 hit “Someone Saved My Life Tonight.” Check out the previously unreleased performance of the title track from Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy – HERE.
A press release reads: “‘Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy’ was written aboard The SS France – at the time, the world’s longest passenger liner – as Elton was taking the leisurely route back to the US for a breather in a very hectic year. With a sheaf of words already provided by lyricist Bernie Taupin, Elton wrote the music using downtime in the liner’s music room, the Salon Debussy, committing everything to memory as he didn’t have a tape recorder, before recording at Caribou Ranch with longtime producer Gus Dudgeon.”
Elton John in a statement: “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy was the first album I’d ever made that was autobiographical, and it was the first time we’d gone into the studio with all the songs already written. We rehearsed it as a band, then went in and cut it more or less live. The band were at their absolute peak and you can hear it on the record. I think it’s the best thing we ever did. The songs were strong, Bernie’s lyrics were brilliant, and the atmosphere at Caribou was perfect. Seeing it go to Number One faster than anything I’d ever released felt like vindication, like the culmination of everything Bernie and I had fought for back in those bedsits in London.”
Bernie Taupin adds: “Of all our recorded output Captain Fantastic has a very special place in my heart. Obviously it was emotionally rewarding as it chronicled a very special time in our lives. I’m not by nature one to wallow in nostalgia but hearing this album once again 50 years on reminds me of how very deep our bond of friendship and creativity ran.”
Captain Fantastic (50th Anniversary Edition) is due out on Oct. 24 in 2LP, 2CD and digital formats. To preorder, head HERE.
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