The Thom Bell Sessions
Encyclopedia
The Thom Bell Sessions is an EP
recorded by Elton John
in the second half of 1977 but was not released by MCA Records
until June 1979. The project was a departure for Elton at the time. Up until that time he had worked almost exclusively with lyricist Bernie Taupin
and record producer Gus Dudgeon
. Also, Elton's band was not used at these sessions.
This project brought John together with legendary R&B songwriter and producer Thom Bell
, who had previously worked with such artists as The Stylistics
, The Delfonics
and The Spinners. Apparently relations between the producer and the artist became difficult rather quickly. Though Elton was eager to work with one of the creators of the Philadelphia soul
sound, recording sessions did not go smoothly and recording ended before an entire album could be finished.
As Bell had recently relocated from Philadelphia to Seattle the initial sessions were recorded at Kaye-Smith Studios, the top Seattle studio at that time. Additional overdubs were done back at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. Bell produced all the tracks and co-wrote one of the songs with his nephew, LeRoy Bell
, and Casey James, who together comprised the popular singing duo Bell & James. Bell and James co-wrote the other songs in this set. The Spinners sang backing vocals on the project.
During these sessions Thom Bell also advised Elton John on vocal skills, including encouraging him to sing in a lower register.
Although at least six songs were recorded during the 1977 sessions only 3 completed tracks were made available on a 12 inch EP in 1979. The project ended up producing one top 10 single: "Mama Can't Buy You Love", which peaked at #9 (#1 Adult Contemporary) on the Billboard Hot 100
in August 1979. Ten years later, MCA Records
released The Complete Thom Bell Sessions
, bringing together the unreleased material with the previously released music.
The first three tracks were (according to the CD sleeve) previously unreleased. "Shine on Through" is a different version than the one that appears as the opening track on Elton's "A Single Man" album. Though not noted on the CD, the mix of "Are You Ready For Love" is different than the original EP version, with several other vocalists singing different lines of the second verse instead of Elton, among other more subtle differences. The EP mix of the song did, however, surface on CD in the UK as a bonus track on a CD single release of "The Last Song."
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
recorded by Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
in the second half of 1977 but was not released by MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
until June 1979. The project was a departure for Elton at the time. Up until that time he had worked almost exclusively with lyricist Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
and record producer Gus Dudgeon
Gus Dudgeon
Angus Boyd Dudgeon , most commonly known as Gus Dudgeon was an English record producer, most notable for production of many of Elton John's recordings.-Early career:...
. Also, Elton's band was not used at these sessions.
This project brought John together with legendary R&B songwriter and producer Thom Bell
Thom Bell
Thomas Randolph "Thom" Bell is an American songwriter and producer, best known as one of the creators of the Philadelphia style of soul music in the 1970s. He moved to Philadelphia as a child.-Biography:...
, who had previously worked with such artists as The Stylistics
The Stylistics
The Stylistics are a soul music vocal group, and were one of the best-known Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. They formed in 1968, and were composed of lead Russell Thompkins, Jr., Herbie Murrell, Airrion Love, James Smith, and James Dunn. All of their US hits were ballads, graced by the...
, The Delfonics
The Delfonics
The Delfonics are a pioneering Philadelphia soul singing group, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their most notable hits include "La-La ", "Didn't I ", "Break Your Promise," "I'm Sorry," and "Ready or Not Here I Come "...
and The Spinners. Apparently relations between the producer and the artist became difficult rather quickly. Though Elton was eager to work with one of the creators of the Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul, sometimes called the Philadelphia Sound or Sweet Philly, is a style of soul music characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements, often featuring sweeping strings and piercing horns. The subtle sound of a glockenspiel can often be heard in the background of...
sound, recording sessions did not go smoothly and recording ended before an entire album could be finished.
As Bell had recently relocated from Philadelphia to Seattle the initial sessions were recorded at Kaye-Smith Studios, the top Seattle studio at that time. Additional overdubs were done back at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. Bell produced all the tracks and co-wrote one of the songs with his nephew, LeRoy Bell
LeRoy Bell
LeRoy Bell, at times Leroy Bell is an American singer and songwriter. He and his friend Casey James played in Special Blend, and then went on to form their own duo Bell and James, also composing songs that were hits for other artists most notably two charting hit singles for Elton John. Later Bell...
, and Casey James, who together comprised the popular singing duo Bell & James. Bell and James co-wrote the other songs in this set. The Spinners sang backing vocals on the project.
During these sessions Thom Bell also advised Elton John on vocal skills, including encouraging him to sing in a lower register.
Although at least six songs were recorded during the 1977 sessions only 3 completed tracks were made available on a 12 inch EP in 1979. The project ended up producing one top 10 single: "Mama Can't Buy You Love", which peaked at #9 (#1 Adult Contemporary) on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in August 1979. Ten years later, MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
released The Complete Thom Bell Sessions
The Complete Thom Bell Sessions
The Complete Thom Bell Sessions is a music album recorded by singer/songwriter Elton John. Recorded in 1977, the album brings together the complete recording session by Elton John and producer Thom Bell onto one album...
, bringing together the unreleased material with the previously released music.
Side two
- "Three Way Love Affair" (L. Bell-C. James) - 5:31
- "Mama Can't Buy You LoveMama Can't Buy You Love"Mama Can't Buy You Love" is a hit single for British singer/songwriter Elton John off the EP The Thom Bell Sessions. The song was written by LeRoy Bell and Casey James , and it became John's first U.S. top-ten hit in almost three years when it peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in...
" (L. Bell-C. James) - 4:03
CD version The Complete Thom Bell Sessions
In February 1989, this CD was released by MCA Records, which featured three additional songs.- Nice and Slow (Elton John-Bernie Taupin-T. Bell)
- Country Love Song (L. Bell-C. James)
- Shine on Through (Elton John-G. Osborne)
- Mama Can't Buy You Love (L. Bell-C. James)
- Are You Ready for Love (L. Bell-C. James)
- Three Way Love Affair (L. Bell-C. James)
The first three tracks were (according to the CD sleeve) previously unreleased. "Shine on Through" is a different version than the one that appears as the opening track on Elton's "A Single Man" album. Though not noted on the CD, the mix of "Are You Ready For Love" is different than the original EP version, with several other vocalists singing different lines of the second verse instead of Elton, among other more subtle differences. The EP mix of the song did, however, surface on CD in the UK as a bonus track on a CD single release of "The Last Song."