Madman Across The Water (rare session feat. Mick Ronson)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the rare gem "Madman Across The Water (feat. Mick Ronson)" from Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection sessions, a track that’s a gritty, eight-minute psychedelic departure from the polished version later released on the 1971 album of the same name. Recorded in March 1970 at Trident Studios, this early version features Mick Ronson, David Bowie’s iconic guitarist from The Spiders From Mars, unleashing trippy, extended solos that give the song a raw, almost menacing edge. Producer Gus Dudgeon brought in Ronson and folk guitarist Michael Chapman for the session, but Elton and the label felt the result was too dominated by the guitarists’ flair, with Chapman later recalling that label head Dick James went “nuts” over it, saying it sounded like Elton singing with someone else’s band. This led to the track being shelved until its release on the 1992 Rare Masters compilation and later on the 2008 deluxe edition of Tumbleweed Connection. Fans on Reddit have praised Ronson’s “mindblowing” contribution, noting the rhythm section’s intensity and the lack of orchestral elements compared to the later version, which leaned on Paul Buckmaster’s strings for drama.

Another tidbit from the session reveals the song’s complex evolution. Elton originally intended it for Tumbleweed Connection, a 1970 concept album steeped in Americana and influenced by The Band’s Music From Big Pink. However, the Ronson version’s harder rock vibe didn’t fit the album’s country-western aesthetic, prompting a re-recording with Davey Johnstone on guitar for the Madman Across The Water album. In a 2022 post on X, Elton shared rare footage from a 1972 performance of the song on Sounds of Saturday, highlighting its enduring place in his live sets. Critics like Robert Hilburn in 1971 called the album a high point of Elton’s early work, blending “immense feeling and power,” while fans on platforms like My Les Paul Forum have geeked out over Ronson’s suspected use of a Les Paul Custom through a Marshall amp, adding to the track’s cult status among gearheads.

Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, began his musical journey as a piano prodigy. By age 11, he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, though he later admitted to skipping classes to soak up rock ‘n’ roll records. His career kicked off in the mid-1960s as a pub pianist and session musician, playing for acts like The Hollies. In 1967, he answered an ad from Liberty Records, where he met lyricist Bernie Taupin, sparking one of music’s most legendary partnerships. Their early work, including Elton’s 1969 debut Empty Sky, laid the groundwork for his breakthrough with the 1970 self-titled album, featuring “Your Song.” His flamboyant stage presence, blending outrageous costumes and virtuosic piano, exploded during his 1970 U.S. debut at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, cementing his rise as a global superstar. By the time “Madman Across The Water” was recorded, Elton was already a sensation, with Tumbleweed Connection hitting the U.S. Top Ten.

Zoo Freaks can keep up with Elton John through his vibrant online presence. His official website, eltonjohn.com, offers tour dates, news, and exclusive content like the Jewel Box box set. Follow him on Facebook for nostalgic posts and tour updates, or check out his Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. On X, Elton shares everything from music milestones to personal reflections. Fans can dive deeper at sites like Elton John World, a hub for news and exclusive interviews, or join the Elton John Fan Club on Facebook to connect with fellow devotees. For hardcore Zoo Freaks, the r/EltonJohn subreddit is a lively spot to swap trivia and celebrate the Rocket Man’s legacy.