Elton John: Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player

Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023. Don’t Shoot was Elton John’s sixth studio album and his second straight No. 1 album in the US and first No. 1 album in the UK.

The Record Store Day release was pressed on 180g red and white swirled vinyl. While the packaging and vinyl presentation are excellent, the pressing is essentially the same as the mass released 50th anniversary version, minus the colored vinyl of course. The release is a two record set with the complete album on one vinyl and out takes and demos on the second.

Dynamically, the record is probably as good as a mass produced vinyl record can be given it is likely cut from a digital source. The alternative takes are interesting, but probably not interesting enough to listen to more than once or twice

SIDE A:

1. Daniel

2. Teacher, I Need You

3. Elderberry Wine

4. Blues for My Baby and Me

5. Midnight Creeper


SIDE B:

6. Have Mercy on The Criminal

7. I'm Going to Be a Teenage Idol

8. Texan Love Song

9. Crocodile Rock

10. High Flying Bird


SIDE C:

11. Daniel - Session Demo

12. Teacher, I Need You - Session Demo

13. Elderberry Wine - Session Demo

14. Blues for My Baby and Me - Session Demo

15. High Flying Bird - Session Demo


SIDE D:

16. Have Mercy on The Criminal - Session Demo

17. I'm Going to Be a Teenage Idol - Session Demo

18. Hi-Heel Sneakers - Session Demo

19. Skyline Pigeon - Session Demo

20. Jack Rabbit - Session Demo

The record presents well and is certainly a worthwhile investment for the diehard Elton John fan, but it is not the best available pressing for the price. That said, this album is not known for its sound. There are few, if any that sound amazing. Issues with the Dolby recording system during the recording process have left us with the best of what's possible, which is not great.

As Steve Hoffman, renowned mastering engineer discovered when he remastered Elton John's Greatest Hits for his DCC label, the tracks for that album that came from Don't Shoot Me... had "Misaligned Dolby A. Some cuttings were mastered with Dolby off, some with Dolby on. Neither worked."

A high resolution digital download may be as good as it gets. 💵

💰 Invest
 💵 Consider
💸 Pass