Elton John › Victim of Love

A German digital remaster of the English singer's early 80s electro release.

Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano); Maxine Willard Waters, Patrick Simmons (vocals, background vocals); Julia Tillman Waters, Michael McDonald (vocals); Craig Snyder, Steve Lukather, Tim Cansfield (guitar); Lenny Pickett (saxophone); Thor Baldursson, Roy Davies (keyboards); Keith Forsey (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Julia Waters, Mike McDonald, Stephanie Spruill (background vocals).

Liner Note Author: John Tobler.

Recording information: Musicland, Munich, Germany; Rusk Sound Studios, Hollywood, CA.

Photographer: David P. Bailey.

Arranger: Thor Baldursson.

After flirting with Philly soul and dance music on THE THOM BELL SESSIONS, Elton John dove headlong into the disco craze with 1979's VICTIM OF LOVE. At the time, John was going through a separation from lyricist Bernie Taupin, resulting in a collaboration with songwriter Pete Bellotte, who co-wrote everything on VICTIM with the exception of an ultra-slick, eight-minute cover of "Johnny B. Goode." Full of seamless rhythms, funk bass and synths that connect the tracks seamlessly together, EJ's songs on this album reflect the influence of disco's peak.

Tracks such as "Thunder In The Night" and "Spotlight" fit perfectly into the carefree vibe that was being served up nightly at hotspots like Studio 54. Whereas previous John/Taupin compositions were marked by character-driven stories and complex arrangements, VICTIM OF LOVE was the one Elton John album where the anonymity of the players was paramount and dance was the order of the day.

Genre:

• Disco

Music Categories:

• R&B: Disco