Empty Sky

Did You Know?

• A contemporary review from Disc & Music Echo said the lyrics could use more intensity but called the music 'nice and pretty'.
• AllMusic's retrospective review concluded: 'There aren't any forgotten gems on Empty Sky, but it does suggest John's potential.'

Background

The album was recorded during the winter of 1968 and spring of 1969 at DJM Records' 8-track studio. It is the only album from the early phase of Elton John's career not produced by Gus Dudgeon; instead, production was handled by DJM staff member and close associate Steve Brown. Empty Sky was released in the UK in both stereo and mono, the mono version now being a rare collector's item. John plays harpsichord on several tracks, including "Skyline Pigeon", which John has described as being "the first song Bernie [Taupin] and I ever got excited about that we ever wrote." The musicians used were friends of either John or Brown or both. Guitarist Caleb Quaye and drummer Roger Pope, both at the time members of the band Hookfoot, played on many of the tracks. Quaye and Pope would rejoin John a few years later as part of his studio and touring band behind Rock of the Westies in 1975 and Blue Moves in 1976. Tony Murray from the Troggs played bass. Empty Sky is the first appearance with John of the then Plastic Penny and Spencer Davis Group member Nigel Olsson, who played drums on "Lady What's Tomorrow?" Olsson and his fellow Spencer Davis bandmate, bassist Dee Murray, would soon join John as his early-1970s touring band. Also listed in the production credits is Clive Franks, who would later produce John's live sound in concert for much of his touring career, and would occasionally co-produce with John on albums such as A Single Man and 21 at 33. The original sleeve design was done by David Larkham (billed as "Dave"), who would go on to create designs for John and other artists. "Skyline Pigeon" is the most popular and best-known song on the album, which John, albeit infrequently, performed as part of his live shows. The more definitive version of "Skyline Pigeon" featuring an orchestra and piano backing in place of harpsichord was recorded for 1973's Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, and initially appeared as the B-side of "Daniel" in 1973. Another appearance of the song was in 1974, when a version recorded in London was featured as the opening track on the Here and There live LP and its 1995 CD reissue. The only other song from the album that was played live was the title track, "Empty Sky", which was included at various stops on John's 1975 Rock of the Westies Tour.