Quite some time ago, VH1's Classic Albums programme was devoted to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
Among the participants was Del Newman, who orchestrated the title cut, Sweet Painted Lady, I've Seen That Movie Too, Roy Rogers, The Ballad of Danny Bailey and Harmony.
This wasn't the first time the arranger/composer joined Elton in the studio.
In his new book, A Touch From God: It's Only Rock & Roll, Del says he was asked to arrange the rhythm sections for 11 demonstration songs for Warlock Music. The piano player turned out to be Elton, who sang on the bulk of the material. The arranger, one of the fortunate few owning a copy, still listens to the Bond Street demo, which includes Linda Peter (who later married Richard Thompson) on a few numbers.
Newman, who later orchestrated Caribou's Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, noticed how close Elton and his producer were. He and Gus Dudgeon knew one another so well, they didn't need to converse much.
Another EJ associate who is mentioned--albeit briefly--is Ray Cooper.
The percussionist performed on a lot of Del's work, and they became pals.
One memory that stands out for Newman is when Cooper lived in Narrow Street in London. He said he bought the place because the name of the street appealed to him.
Over 50 artists are cited as Del gives the reader a bird's eye view of his work and shares his thoughts about his collaborators as well as about popular music's highs and lows.
The book, due May 7, is from Britain's Apex Publishing.
