Empty Sky (1969)
Empty Sky introduces us to the legendary Elton John and lays the groundwork for everything ahead of him. It may not get as much recognition as his later work, but it holds its own and already carries Elton’s signature sound. Choosing Empty Sky over the earlier-recorded Regimental Sgt. Zippo as the debut was a smart move. It’s the more diverse record, and it leans into Elton’s experimentation rather than the psychedelic, baroque pop-rock of Sgt. Zippo, which wasn’t exactly the sound leading the charge into the 1970s.
From the start, this isn’t just a showcase for his songwriting, it’s him testing out all kinds of musical ideas, and his maturity as a composer is already there. The best part of Empty Sky is Elton John’s one-of-a-kind voice, full of emotion, power, and a timbre that grabs you immediately.
Skyline Pigeon is where he shows how heartfelt and emotionally resonant he can be. The title track, Empty Sky, is an eight-minute scorcher built on bongos, harmonica, flutes, and piano, and it shows off his range, his musicianship, and his knack for unconventional song structures.
As the record unfolds, Gulliver/It’s Hay Chewed (Reprise) is where the experimental streak really comes out, stacking multiple styles on top of each other. It’s one of my absolute favorites here, which puts me at odds with a lot of online reviews. It opens on that iconic Elton John signature pop sound, drops into a pure jazz break, then rolls into a medley that recaps the entire first half of the album. It’s fantastic. The same energy shows up in the bluesy rock of Sails and Lady Samantha.
Empty Sky isn’t without its faults. The record gives the harpsichord, not exactly a favorite instrument of mine, quite a bit of room. That said, I can’t slam it too hard. It’s a relic of its time and part of the album’s nostalgic charm.
The record never reached the commercial heights of his later albums, but don’t underestimate it. It’s an essential prologue to the genius Elton John would become and the groundwork for the masterpieces ahead. It’s a great debut that deserves more credit for its invention and for Elton’s flat-out talent. It’s far from nonessential listening. It gives context and character to the legend himself and the unbelievable career that follows.
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Highlight Songs:
Empty Sky
Gulliver/It’s Hay Chewed (Reprise)
Sails
Lady Samantha
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Own It, Stream it, Forget about it
Some would argue this is nonessential listening, entirely skippable. Those who say that are big losers. At the VERY least, stream this record and pick out what you like, because I’m certain there’s something to love on it. And if you’re super cool and not at all a loser, own it. Everyone should have a big Elton John collection. He is King.
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Overall Rating:
3.5 Stars
