Elton John and Howard Jones - Great Musicians With Some "Lost" Gems Which Should Be Lost "Classics"

Music Wed - I love singer-songwriters, that is well-known for readers of this blog; but I particularly have a special place in my heart for those who also are virtuoso musicians. I am going to toggle between the 70s and 80s with some deep cuts from two of my all time faves - Elton John (of course) and Howard Jones (a tip of the bandana to my 80s-loving chums). First is a song showing Elton and Bernie Taupin at their moody, lyrically obscure, Gus Dudgeon hauntingly produced best on "I've Seen That Movie, Too" (http://youtu.be/eptRpgMyyNE). No video here, just pristine audio of Elton and his original band playing live at the peak of their powers - Elton on piano, Ray Cooper on percussion and Davey Johnstone on guitar fill the hall like the full orchestra used in the original recording on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (which is an absolute MUST HAVE for every music collection, it is so beautiful, weird and wonderful). Shifting gears, let's enjoy the piano master of 80s New Wave, Howard Jones, with "No One Is To Blame" (http://youtu.be/ENB2eX-U3a8). Cut him some slack on the hairdo and just enjoy his playing, his voice and a really sweet song that seemed to mean a lot to me when Rena and I stopped dating and the reasons weren't exactly clear or easy to articulate. Back to Elton, and let's waste no time with a two-fer of Elton's long forgotten beauties "All The Young Girls Love Alice" (http://youtu.be/C44qzpUD1kY) and "Have Mercy On A Criminal" (http://youtu.be/ZsGz1HL4BGY). Again no video, but pristine recordings of Elton just blowing the doors down with unforgettable songs about social ills and troubled souls. Who's writing songs like this today?  Oh yeah, I know - NOBODY! Let's wrap up with a two-fer from HoJo with "Like To Get To Know You Well" (http://youtu.be/DiZ-rLXCbLY) - a loose, live cut from recent times showing Howard still can sing and play like he did 30 years ago, and "Pearl In The Shell" (http://youtu.be/7KR-dRcEn6U) - this rollicking version brings to mind the spirit and energy of early Elton. Kick back, listen to these timeless gems and, of course, Enjoy!