Lyricist Bernie Taupin has cited The Big Picture as his least favourite of the albums he has made with Elton John, describing its production as “abysmally cold and technical”. And the critical reception was not a lot better. Many people seem to feel that the album is somewhat anonymous and run-of-the-mill. Which is a shame, because this now relatively obscure album features some outstanding material. Indeed, I believe it to be among Elton’s finest work.
Released in September 1997, The Big Picture was (to date) the last of Elton’s albums to be produced by his long-term collaborator Chris Thomas, who had previously produced such albums as the hugely successful Too Low for Zero (1983), Sleeping With the Past (1989) and The One (1992). A common thread running through these records is that they had a very polished sound. This may, in fact, be one reason why The Big Picture was not particularly well received – the more rootsy and piano-orientated albums that Elton has recorded over the years since have generally been seen as much stronger efforts. But The Big Picture undeniably has a beautifully atmospheric soundscape throughout which compliments some wonderful songwriting, and it sounds as good as ever on the recently released 180g vinyl edition, which celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The Big Picture is perhaps not the most upbeat of albums, but the lush textures and keyboard-laden arrangements featured make for compelling listening – and none more so than on the opening track ‘Long Way from Happiness’, which sets the mood for the album beautifully. ‘Live Like Horses’, with its uplifting chorus and hopeful lyric, was originally recorded with Luciano Pavarotti and was re-recorded as a solo version for the album. This is followed by ‘The End Will Come’, with its brilliant, climactic ending fitting its subject matter perfectly. ‘If the River Can Bend’ is one of the more upbeat tracks on the album, helped in no small way by a superb contribution from the East London Gospel Choir. This then gives way to the soft, contemplative ‘Love’s Got a Lot to Answer For’.
There were, in fact, two sizeable hits on The Big Picture. Arguably the biggest of these was the classic ‘Something About the Way You Look Tonight’, which found itself being released as a double A-side single with the heartbreaking version of ‘Candle in the Wind’, re-recorded with alternative lyrics in tribute to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. ‘Recover Your Soul’ later became a UK Top 20 in April 1998.
The title track and ‘January’ are also highlights – both superbly arranged and produced. The penultimate track, ‘I Can’t Steer My Heart Clear of You’, is possibly one of the finest songs on the album. Both sonically and lyrically, it is incredibly effective and, in the mind’s eye, it effortlessly conjures up the storms and rough seas alluded to in its lyrics. ‘Wicked Dreams’ closes the album and once again the nature of its lyrics is reflected perfectly by the music.
Now, I will admit to being a little biased here. I was eleven when The Big Picture was released. I was in the process of ‘discovering’ music at that time and I have a lot of memories associated with it. But there is genuinely much to love about The Big Picture and honestly, having enjoyed listening to it for twenty years, I have difficulty faulting it. It is a mystery to me that such a strong, well written and well produced album has been largely dismissed.
The general perception amongst the public tends to be that an artist was at his/her best when they were at their most successful. But artists of Elton’s calibre will always evolve as musicians and continually better themselves whether they are at the peak of their commercial powers or not. There is no question that the music from Elton’s most iconic period in the 1970s and ’80s does overshadow his later efforts in terms of exposure. However, I believe there is something special about this period of his work, and The Big Picture in particular. His voice was as strong and clear as ever at this point, and Elton and Bernie Taupin’s material was combining to great effect with the abilities of producer Chris Thomas. It is a beautifully lush, atmospheric album which has a certain, unique ambiance and feel about it. And like a lot of great albums, it will take the listener on an emotional journey from the first track to the last. It is, quite simply, wonderful.
Mike's Musical Musings 