I find it hard to accept some peoples reviews of 'Song for Guy'. A few people call it monotonous or boring, or say that they cringe when Elton John sings "Life isn't everything". I titled my review 'Perhaps I am biased' because Guy Burchett was my uncle. He was a motorcycle messenger who worked with Elton John, and at seventeen years old was killed in an accident while riding pillion on a motorcycle. Elton John's 'Song for Guy' is not only a very generous tribute to a young man who lost his life at a very young age, but also an emotional song that Elton John wrote from his heart.

"A Single Man" may not be Elton John's best album, but it ranks right up there with his classic albums from the early seventies. Here, EJ experiments with certain musical styles ranging from the jazz-laden "Big Dipper" to the 'countrified' "Georgia". There's also straight-ahead rock featured in "I Don't Care" and "Part-Time Love", an AM Top-40 radio staple in 1978. The pyrotechnical, yet powerful "Madness" breathes more life into "A Single Man", while "It Ain't Gonna Be Easy" tends to bring the album down just a melancholic tad. The lovely piano-encompassed instrumental "Song For Guy" provides both a sentimental and rousing finish to a stellar, finely crafted album. These are good reasons to add "A Single Man" to your CD library.

I became an Elton John fan during the superstar's 1976-82 career lull, A SINGLE MAN (released in '78) among the first of his albums I obtained. The weak lyrics accompany routine music and only three songs stand out: "Big Dipper" and the minor hit singles, "Part-time Love" and "Song For Guy." Both those 45s had great flip-sides, "I Cry At Night" and "Lovesick," respectively, and it is too bad the CD release of A SINGLE MAN did not include them as bonus tracks. The rest of A SINGLE MAN has hints of what made Elton great. It was just a matter of time until he got back in top form with JUMP UP, TOO LOW FOR ZERO and BREAKING HEARTS, to name three of Elton John's worthwhile 1980s albums.

It's true- Elton John has such a long and legendary career, that it's hard to keep up with everything he did. He did a little underrated album in the late 70's called A Single Man.

The first thing that strikes me about this album is that the distinct rock sound he had in the early 70's on albums such as Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is all but gone, and instead a more trendy album was released. However, the one thing that remains is Elton's songwriting. Every song is filled with a lot of range, and this hasn't changed at all through the years. He's still very good at knowing how to write memorable hooks with lots of range and emotion. That's what you will find here. Emotions were running high when this album was made, and Elton expresses his honest feelings in every song.

"Return to Paradise" has to be the highlight for me. It's a really tropical-sounding song, with a distinct and instantly memorable chorus. It will take you to an island. "when WE re TURN to paradiiiiiise" See? It's memorable! "Madness" is another major highlight. An angry song where Elton is basically screaming/crying his feelings at an unbelievably personal level. You have to hear it to believe it- it sounds really angry.

"Georgia" is beautiful, "Song for Guy" is emotionally distinct, and "I Don't Care" might remind you of something from the Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player album.

Most people will ignore this album because they're convinced Elton John was going through such a terrible time when this album was made that it's not even worth a listen. That's not true at all. Every song's a winner, though it might take a few listens before you're won over with the different sound. Give it a chance.

A half dozen great songs here, at least. My favorites, Georgia, Song For Guy, Return To Paradise, Part Time Love, Madness, It Aint Gonna Be Easy... MORE! I guarantee you that this is still in Captain Fantastic's most prolific and productive era. And It Shows! Definitely one of his best albums.