Peachtree Road is the twenty-seventh studio album by British singer-songwriter Elton John, released in 2004. It was named after Peachtree Road, the northern part of Peachtree Street in Atlanta, where one of John's four homes is located. This is the only album during his long career on which John has sole credit as producer, although on some previous projects he was listed as a co-producer, with Clive Franks, or Greg Penny. It was recorded in January 2004.
Album cover
The album art on the front cover is a photograph from a railroad crossing near the Atlanta suburb of Douglasville, taken by London photographer Sam Taylor-Wood. Taken in by the American South and given complete artistic freedom, she shot thousands of photos during her week-long trip. The trip included other towns like Unadilla and Forsyth in Georgia. While she also visited Peachtree Road in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, she thought it was too busy for the album's more mellow nature. She picked several photos to present to him, and John made the final selection. Other photos from the shoot appear on the back of the album cover and in the included CD and SACD booklet.
Despite its generally positive reviews, Peachtree Road was one of John's lowest-selling contemporary efforts, reaching No. 17 in the US upon its release, yet only managing No. 21 in the UK, making it one of his rare albums to miss the top ten in his homeland. In the US, it was certified gold in December 2004 by the RIAA. It debuted at No. 12 in Denmark in November 2004, its highest chart placing in that country.
Additional performers
In addition to Nigel Olsson playing drums on all tracks, once again a permanent member of John's touring and recording band, the album features renowned gospel vocalist Adam McKnight, as well as members of Chicago contributing horns and brass arrangements. Guy Babylon was credited with playing Hammond organ and Rhodes piano instead of keyboards, which was the case on earlier projects.
Other information
The album was re-released in July 2005 with three bonus tracks from Billy Elliot the Musical, as well as a DVD featuring nine tracks from the album performed live in Atlanta. The song "Electricity" from the musical was also released as a single in June 2005. It rose to No. 4 in the UK. It was dedicated to the memory of Gus and Sheila Dudgeon, John's original producer and his wife, who were killed in a car accident in 2002. Some editions of the album included bonus - two videos for the two first singles.
Track listing
All music composed by Elton John. All lyrics written by Bernie Taupin.
"Weight of the World" – 3:58
"Porch Swing in Tupelo" – 4:38
"Answer in the Sky" – 4:03
"Turn the Lights Out When You Leave" – 5:02
"My Elusive Drug" – 4:12
"They Call Her the Cat" – 4:27
"Freaks in Love" – 4:32
"All That I'm Allowed" – 4:52
"I Stop and I Breathe" – 3:39
"Too Many Tears" – 4:14
"It's Getting Dark in Here" – 3:50
"I Can't Keep This from You" – 4:34
Track 8 was titled "All That I'm Allowed" on the original 2004 release of the album but was titled "All That I'm Allowed " on the 2005 expanded edition.
Violin – Charlie Bisharat, Joel Derouin, Bruce Dukow, Endre Granat, Eric J. Hosler, Dimitrie Leiviachi, Phillip Levy, Robin Olson, Sid Page, Mark Robinson, Anatoly Rosinsky and Lisa M. Sutto.
Viola – Brian Dembrow, Victoria Miskolczy, Simon Oswell and James V. Ross.
Production
Produced by Elton John
Engineered and Mixed by Matt Still
Assistant Engineers – Jason Carson, John Holmes, Josh McDonnell, Josh "Frodo" Monroy, Rob Skipworth and Tom Tapley.
