Growing up I was exposed to music very early in my life as my mom and most of her sisters and brothers played an instrument. My Mom and Aunts played piano, my Uncles played guitar. So when we visited my Grandmother in Louisiana, it was a hootenanny and my love of music was encouraged by my parents.
So, as a pre-teen, my music taste gravitated to what was on the radio in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Songs like American Pie by Don McClean, I Think I Love You by the Partridge Family (still in my top 5 faves) and Knock Three Times by Tony Orlando and Dawn, to name a few. I STILL have the 45 rpm for these songs and many others.
So what’s with the history lesson? Well, once I found hard rock I shunned anything pop oriented and anything that really had a piano or keyboard dominating the sound. So I loved (and still do) Grand Funk Railroad, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and KISS (my favorite). That is until I heard Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. I was taken aback. I’d heard of Elton John but dismissed him as a piano player with piano music. But this album was good and is still a favorite. I then looked into other bands with keyboards in them. Bands like Yes and Uriah Heep were added to my listening pleasure. Going even further, there was Genesis (my second favorite band) and Pink Floyd.
So thank you Elton John and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. You were a gateway album that expanded my mind and my ears. For that reason Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, is the Album of the Month.
Retirement Ain't Easy 