• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

‘Restoration’ Gets The DISClaimer Treatment

May 3, 2018/by Robert K Oermann

And now for something completely different.

Restoration is billed as Nashville’s re-imagining of the stellar song catalog of living legend Elton John. In most publications it is being reviewed alongside Revamp, which is the pop/rock community’s similar effort. And in every case, the Nashville record comes out on top.

Credit the great Frank Liddell, who executive produced with Paul Kremen and lyricist Bernie Taupin. Also credit a stunning lineup of artists. From Rosanne Cash & Emmylou Harris’ thumping kiss-off “This Train Don’t Stop Here Anymore” to Miley Cyrus’ stormy rocker “The Bitch Is Back” to Kacey Musgraves’ twinkling waltz “Roy Rogers,” the set is loaded with jewels.

Since radio airplay is doubtful, this is going to be a press-driven project. Here are 10 reasons why you need to own it.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Rocket Man
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Frank Liddell/Mike McCarthy; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
-As good as their performance of this was on the ACMs, it pales next to the recorded version. Jimi’s lead vocal gleams. The harmonies here are double and triple tracked to make the foursome sound like a massive heavenly choir. The outer-space production touches are sublime. Essential.

YouTube video

 

MAREN MORRIS/Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producer: busbee; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
-This longtime fan favorite from 1972’s Honky Chateau LP gets a yearning, stately reading here. I like the way she alternates whispery passages with soaring blasts. The spare, r&b flavored track leaves her plenty of room to emote.

YouTube video

 
DON HENLEY & VINCE GILL/Sacrifice
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Henley/Gill; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Pretty, but kinda disappointing. Elton’s gorgeous 1990 original had a certain soulful, behind-the-beat tenseness. That’s gone, and the song is transmogrified into a wistful Eagles ballad.

YouTube video

 

BROTHERS OSBORNE/Take Me To The Pilot
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– When this tune appeared on the flip side of 1970’s hit single “Your Song,” Elton served notice that he was a rocker as well as a troubadour balladeer typical of that era. The Osbornes’ version turns up the song’s temperature by spitting out the lyric and adding blazing guitar solos and a sizzling rhythm track.

YouTube video

 

MIRANDA LAMBERT/My Father’s Gun
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf & Eric Masse; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Miranda mourns masterfully with revenge on her mind in this eulogy to a fallen Confederate soldier. Dripping with Southern nostalgia, it also has the “edge” of grinding guitar work in mid song. The chestnut is from 1970’s Tumbleweed Connection.

YouTube video

 

CHRIS STAPLETON/I Want Love
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Dave Cobb/Stapleton; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Stapleton is characteristically searing and soulful on this blue-eyed soul ballad. As such, he is arguably the collection’s closest vocal approximation of Elton John. Dating from 2001, the song is the most recent of Restoration’s revivals.

YouTube video

 

LEE ANN WOMACK/Honky Cat
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Frank Liddell/Mike McCarthy; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– We all thought this 1972 hit was a country song in the first place, right? Now it is.

YouTube video

 

RHONDA VINCENT & DOLLY PARTON/Please
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Frank Liddell/Mike McCarthy; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Sublimely pleasurable listening. Even on a collection as loaded with spectacular performances as Restoration is, this track stands out. The lilting bluegrass instrumentation is awesome, and these two singers simply take your breath away. This 1995 Elton outing has one Taupin’s most straightforward lyrics, requesting a love that lasts into old age.

YouTube video

 

DIERKS BENTLEY/Sad Songs (Say So Much)
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producer: Jon Randall Stewart; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Of all the revivals here, this one perhaps sticks closest to the arrangement of the original 1984 hit. Enjoyable, if a little pedestrian.

YouTube video

 

WILLIE NELSON/Border Song
Writers: Elton John/Bernie Taupin; Producers: Frank Liddell/Eric Masse; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/HST/WAB/Dick James/Rouge Booze/Cow Dog, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– It is nearly forgotten today that this 1970 gem was Elton’s first American charting single. Willie is here to remind us of what a cool, gospel-y song it is.

YouTube video
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Robert K Oermann
Robert K Oermann
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
Robert K Oermann
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Zach Top Kicks Off Summer - June 12, 2025
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Old Dominion ‘Live & Breathe Hooks’ - June 5, 2025
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Sister Sadie Brings ‘Tart Lyric & Swaying Fiddling’ - May 29, 2025
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
0 0 Robert K Oermann https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Robert K Oermann2018-05-03 11:19:252018-05-03 11:19:25‘Restoration’ Gets The DISClaimer Treatment
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • Industry Ink: Miranda Lambert, CMHOFM, Deluge, Edgehill June 24, 2025
  • Niko Moon Slates New Album ‘American Palm’ For July 18 June 24, 2025
  • Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Continues To Rule The Charts June 24, 2025
  • Briana Calhoun Signs With Sony Music Publishing & Kix Brooks June 24, 2025
  • Kane Brown Lands 13th No. 1 With ‘Backseat Driver’ June 24, 2025
  • MercyMe Seek The ‘Wonder & Awe’ On Latest Project, Due Aug. 8 June 24, 2025
  • John Oates Revisits R&B & Pop Grooves On New Self-Titled LP Due In August June 24, 2025
  • Owen Riegling Inks With UMPG June 24, 2025
  • New Vinyl Collection Of Randy Travis Hits Due In August June 24, 2025
  • JUST IN: Lost Highway Taps Casey Thomas & Vincent Masino June 24, 2025

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2025 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top