The Diving Board is the twenty-ninth studio album by English musician Elton John.[2] It is the second of his studio releases since 1979's Victim of Love without any of his regular Elton John Band members.[3][4] The album was released in the United Kingdom on 16 September 2013 and debuted at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart, his highest-charting studio album in his home country since 2001's Songs from the West Coast, and at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. It is also his highest-charting solo album in the United States since Blue Moves in 1976.
| The Diving Board | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 13 September 2013 | |||
| Recorded | January 2012, January 2013 | |||
| Studio | The Village, Los Angeles, California | |||
| Length | 57:45 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | T Bone Burnett | |||
| Elton John chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from The Diving Board | ||||
| ||||
The album's premiere single, "Home Again", was released on 24 June 2013, the same day the album became available for pre-order. On 28 August 2013, a video for "Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)" was released on YouTube.
Production
editThe album was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and produced in Los Angeles by The Union producer T Bone Burnett. Burnett suggested that John return to the piano, bass, and drums format of his very early years and the result, John says, is "the most exciting solo record I've done in a long, long time."[5] The Diving Board was initially written in two days.[6]
The album's release date was pushed back; though the record was originally planned for release in the fall of 2012, it was revealed on Taupin's website that it would instead be released in February 2013 for promotional reasons.[7] Later, it was pushed back again.
It was revealed on 28 September 2012 in Rolling Stone magazine that John was dissatisfied with the balance on the album and that he had started to write more new songs for the album. He believed that many of the songs had a theme and that he wanted to write more songs after sitting on the project for so long.[8]
During a concert at the Perth Arena in Perth, Australia on 10 November 2012 for his 40th Anniversary of the Rocket Man tour, John revealed that The Diving Board's release would be pushed back further, to May 2013.[9] The delay in release was because John was to record more material for the album with Burnett in January 2013.[10]
On 8 January 2013 it was revealed by Taupin's website that the title of the album had been changed from The Diving Board to Voyeur.[11][12]
An article on Billboard published on 23 February 2013 revealed that the release date had once again been pushed back, this time until September 2013; the title of the album was back to The Diving Board again. The article also revealed the revised track list, which includes four new songs mixed in with the original material. A song originally stated for release on the album, titled "5th Avenue", had been dropped. John called the revised album "The most piano-oriented album of my career" and said "It's my most adult album".[13] In total, the album's release had been pushed back four times.
The album's premiere single "Home Again" was released on 24 June 2013, the same day the album became available for pre-order.[14]
On 28 August 2013, a video for "Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)" was released on YouTube, being the album's second single.[1]
Reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 71/100[15] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [16] |
| The Guardian | [17] |
| The Independent | [18] |
| Los Angeles Times | [19] |
| Rolling Stone | [20] |
Critical
editThe Diving Board received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 71, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 24 reviews.
Many critics praise the album as a "great return to form" and one of John's best albums of recent years and of his career.[18] Alan Light of Rolling Stone gave the album a four star review commending its spare instrumentation and focus, saying that John has "regained his sense of musical possibility and taken a brave, graceful jump".[20] Robert Hilburn, who famously reviewed John's American debut at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, praised The Diving Board's "finely crafted and deeply moving" songs that celebrate the past in a "fresh and revealing" manner. Hilburn goes on to say that if these songs had been played at the Troubadour in 1970, John would still have been "showered with applause and acclaim".[21] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic was less enthusiastic. In a mixed review, he stated that the album is an "exceptional idea in theory; in practice it is ever so slightly formless."[16]
Commercial
editIn the United Kingdom, The Diving Board reached No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart on its first week of release behind indie rock band Arctic Monkeys' AM and Swedish dance music producer Avicii's True,[22] selling 22,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry on 10 January 2014, signifying sales of 60,000 copies in the UK. In the United States, the album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart on its first week, with 47,000 copies sold. It is Elton John's 18th top 10 album on the chart.[23] As of December 2015, the album has sold 150,000 copies in the US.[24] It also debuted at No. 7 on the Canadian Albums Chart.[25]
The single "Can't Stay Alone Tonight" became Elton John's 70th song to appear on the Adult Contemporary chart in the US, further extending his record for the most appearances on that chart that first began with "Your Song" in 1970.[26]
Accolades
editRolling Stone placed the album at No. 25 on its list of the 50 Best Albums of 2013.[27]
Track listing
editAll lyrics are written by Bernie Taupin; all music is composed by Elton John
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Oceans Away" | 3:58 |
| 2. | "Oscar Wilde Gets Out" | 4:35 |
| 3. | "A Town Called Jubilee" | 4:30 |
| 4. | "The Ballad of Blind Tom" | 4:12 |
| 5. | "Dream #1" (instrumental interlude) | 0:40 |
| 6. | "My Quicksand" | 4:47 |
| 7. | "Can't Stay Alone Tonight" | 4:48 |
| 8. | "Voyeur" | 4:16 |
| 9. | "Home Again" | 5:01 |
| 10. | "Take This Dirty Water" | 4:25 |
| 11. | "Dream #2" (instrumental interlude) | 0:43 |
| 12. | "The New Fever Waltz" | 4:38 |
| 13. | "Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)" | 3:34 |
| 14. | "Dream #3" (instrumental interlude) | 1:37 |
| 15. | "The Diving Board" | 5:59 |
| Total length: | 57:45 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 16. | "Candlelit Bedroom" | 4:14 |
| 17. | "Home Again" (live from Capitol Studios) | 5:19 |
| 18. | "Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)" (live from Capitol Studios) | 4:28 |
| 19. | "The New Fever Waltz" (live from Capitol Studios) | 4:42 |
| Total length: | 76:28 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "T Bone Burnett Introduction" | |
| 2. | "The New Fever Waltz" | |
| 3. | "Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)" | |
| 4. | "Home Again" | |
| 5. | "Behind The Diving Board with Elton John" | |
| 6. | "Closing Credits" |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Oceans Away" | 3:57 |
| 2. | "Oscar Wilde Gets Out" | 4:35 |
| 3. | "A Town Called Jubilee" | 4:29 |
| 4. | "The Ballad of Blind Tom" | 4:12 |
| 5. | "Dream #1" (instrumental interlude) | 0:39 |
| 6. | "My Quicksand" | 4:46 |
| 7. | "Can't Stay Alone Tonight" | 4:48 |
| 8. | "Voyeur" | 4:16 |
| 9. | "Home Again" | 5:01 |
| 10. | "Take This Dirty Water" | 4:24 |
| 11. | "Dream #2" (instrumental interlude) | 0:43 |
| 12. | "The New Fever Waltz" | 4:38 |
| 13. | "Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)" | 3:33 |
| 14. | "Dream #3" (instrumental interlude) | 1:36 |
| 15. | "The Diving Board" | 5:55 |
| 16. | "Candlelit Bedroom" | 4:13 |
| 17. | "Gauguin Gone Hollywood" | 4:18 |
| 18. | "5th Avenue" | 4:22 |
| 19. | "Home Again" (live from Capitol Studios) | 5:19 |
| 20. | "Mexican Vacation (Kids in the Candlelight)" (live from Capitol Studios) | 4:27 |
| 21. | "The New Fever Waltz" (live from Capitol Studios) | 4:42 |
| Total length: | 84:54 | |
Editions
edit- Standard edition: 15-track album[28]
- Deluxe edition: 19-track album[29]
- Super deluxe edition: 19-track album with DVD Live from Capitol Recording Studios [not available as MP3][30]
- Double LP[31]
- Amazon.com USA exclusive edition: Deluxe album with a reproduction of 1970 Troubadour Concert Poster[32]
- Walmart.com USA exclusive edition: Deluxe album with a bonus DVD of Live at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas, June 2013 For Walmart shareholders
- Target.com USA exclusive edition: 2CD version with three session tracks. Two unavailable on any other format[32]
- BestBuy.com USA exclusive edition: Deluxe album with a bonus DVD of the making of The Million Dollar Piano Show
- Japanese exclusive edition: SHM 2CD version with three session tracks. Two unavailable on any other format[32]
Personnel
editMusicians
edit- Elton John – acoustic piano, lead vocals (1–4, 6–10, 12, 13, 15)
- Keefus Ciancia – keyboards (2–4, 6–10, 12)
- Larry Goldings – Hammond B3 organ (15)
- Doyle Bramhall II – guitars (3, 10)
- Raphael Saadiq – bass (2–4, 6–8, 10, 12–15)
- David Plitch – bass (9)
- Jay Bellerose – drums (2–4, 6–10, 12–15)
- Jack Ashford – tambourine (3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 13)
- George Bohanon – baritone horn (9), trombone (12, 15), euphonium (12, 15)
- Bruce Fowler – trombone (9)
- Ira Nepus – trombone (12, 15)
- Chuck Findley – flugelhorn (9)
- Darrell Leonard – flugelhorn (9, 12, 15), horn arrangements (9, 12, 15, trumpet (12)
- William Roper – tuba (9, 12, 15)
- Stjepan Hauser – cello (2, 4, 12)
- Luka Šulić – cello (2, 4, 12)
- Bill Maxwell – BGV arrangements (3, 4, 7, 10, 13)
- Bill Cantos – backing vocals (3, 4, 7, 10, 13)
- Alvin Chea – backing vocals (3, 4, 7, 13)
- Carmel Echols – backing vocals (3, 10, 13)
- Judith Hill – backing vocals (3, 10, 13)
- Perry Morgan – backing vocals (3, 4, 7, 13)
- Louis Price – backing vocals (3, 4, 7, 13)
- Rose Stone – backing vocals (10)
Production
edit- Producer – T Bone Burnett
- Recorded and mixed by Jason Wormer
- Second engineers – Jeff Gartenbaum, Chris Owens and Vanessa Parr.
- Mix assistants – Zachary Dawes and Chris Owens
- Mixed at The Village Recorder and Olympic Studios (Los Angeles, CA).
- Mastered by Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering (Hollywood, CA).
- Equipment technician – Zachary Dawes
- Piano technician – Carl Lieberman
- Art direction – Mat Maitland
- Photography – Tim Barber
- Creative director – Tony King
Charts
edit| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[33] | 26 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[34] | 13 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[35] | 33 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[36] | 20 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[37] | 7 |
| Croatian Western Albums[38] | 9 |
| Czech Albums Chart[39] | 11 |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[40] | 6 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[41] | 22 |
| French Albums (SNEP)[42] | 29 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[43] | 11 |
| Irish Albums (IRMA)[44] | 14 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI)[45] | 12 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon)[46] | 100 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[47] | 20 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[48] | 10 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[49] | 3 |
| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[50] | 36 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[51] | 42 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[52] | 7 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[53] | 3 |
| US Billboard 200[54] | 4 |
| US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[55] | 6 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[56] | Silver | 60,000* |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia[57] | 13 September 2013 | CD, LP, digital download | Mercury Records | 3744867 |
| United Kingdom[58] | 16 September 2013 | 3744867 | ||
| United States/Canada[58] | 24 September 2013 | Capitol Records | B0018688-02 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Elton John Releases Second Single From New Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- ^ "Elton John Cuts Raw LP With T Bone Burnett". Rolling Stone. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ "Elton John to Release "The Diving Board" This Fall". Artist Direct. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ "Elton John – Elton John Prepares The Diving Board". Contact Music. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ "The Diving Board". EltonJohn. 19 March 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ "Elton John Wrote New Album 'The Diving Board' in Two Days". IMDb. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ ""The Diving Board" Release Rescheduled". BernieTaupin. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ^ "Elton John Writing More Songs For His 'Diving Board' LP". Rolling Stone. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- ^ "The Diving Board Delayed". Elton Daily. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
- ^ "Q&A: T Bone Burnett on 'Nashville,' Elton John's Comeback and Retiring as a Producer". Rolling Stone. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- ^ "Bernie & Elton Back in the Studio". Bernie J Taupin. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
- ^ "Elton John and Bernie Taupin change new album title". Music-News. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
- ^ "Elton John Finishes New Album, Eyes September Release Date". Billboard. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
- ^ "The Diving Board Now Available for Pre-Order!". EltonJohn.com. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "The Diving Board Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Diving Board Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
- ^ Sullivan, Caroline. "Elton John: The Diving Board – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ a b Gill, Andy (13 September 2013). "Album review: Elton John, The Diving Board (Mercury)". The Independent. London. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ Roberts, Randall (24 September 2013). "Review: 'Diving Board' delves deep into the classic Elton John sound". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ a b Light, Alan. "The Diving Board Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ Hilburn, Robert. "Music Reviewer Robert Hilburn Rejoices Over Elton's New Album". eltonjohn.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ Sexton, Paul (23 September 2013). "Jason Derulo's 'Talk Dirty' Cleans-Up on U.K. Singles Chart, Arctic Monkeys' 'AM' Rules Again". Billboard.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (2 October 2013). "Drake Leads Debut-Filled Top 4 on Billboard 200 Followed by Kings of Leon, Cher, Elton John". Billboard.
- ^ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 18 December 2015.
- ^ "Canadian Albums". Billboard. 12 October 2014.
- ^ Trust, Gary (24 March 2014). "Elton John Extends Record For Most AC Hits". Billboard.
- ^ "50 Best Albums of 2013". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "The Diving Board". Elton John. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "The Diving Board [Deluxe]". Elton John. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "The Diving Board [Super-Deluxe]". Elton John. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "The Diving Board [LP]". Elton John. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ a b c "UPDATE: "The Diving Board" – special editions". EltonJohnFan. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Elton John – The Diving Board". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Elton John – The Diving Board" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Elton John – The Diving Board" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Elton John – The Diving Board" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Elton John Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "NameBright – Coming Soon".
- ^ "ČNS IFPI". hitparada.ifpicr.cz.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Elton John – The Diving Board". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Elton John – The Diving Board" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Elton John – The Diving Board". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – The Diving Board" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Elton John". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Elton John – The Diving Board". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Oricon News". oricon.co.jp.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Elton John – The Diving Board". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John – The Diving Board". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Elton John – The Diving Board". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Elton John – The Diving Board". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Elton John – The Diving Board". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Elton John Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Elton John Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "British album certifications – Elton John – The Diving Board". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "Australian Release of The Diving Board Scheduled for September 13". Elton Daily. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Pre-Order The Diving Board Now, Released September 16 UK, 24 USA". Elton Daily. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
External links
edit- The Diving Board at Discogs (list of releases)