Elton John - Friends (Original Soundtrack Recording) (1971)

Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English pianist, singer-songwriter and composer.

Friends, released in 1971, was the fourth official album release for Elton John. It was a project John and Bernie Taupin took on before their breakout success in the US, based on the Friends film released in the same year. It was certified gold in April 1971 by the RIAA. It became John's third gold record in as many months in that market (following the albums Elton John in February and Tumbleweed Connection in March). The title track was a minor hit in the US (#34 on the pop chart) despite the film's poor performance.
Even though the "hit" song didn't chart that well this film score by Sir Elton is only just short of amazing! The "4 seasons suite" on side two
is marvelous... and every song moving in it's own way. The Catchy tunes are hummable all day - the title song so moving..., so...,
this is a wonderful recording and a MUST for every true Elton fan. If you have not heard it (or heard OF it) shame on you!

All songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted. Timings are on the LP release, while those in parentheses are those for the Rare Masters collection.

Side one

1. "Friends" - 2:20 
2. "Honey Roll" - 3:00 
3. "Variations on 'Friends'" (John, Taupin, Paul Buckmaster) - 1:45 
4. "Theme (The First Kiss)"/"Seasons" - 3:52 (3:56)
5. "Variations on Michelle's Song (A Day in the Country)" (John, Taupin, Buckmaster) - 2:44 
6. "Can I Put You On" - 5:52 

Side two

1. "Michelle's Song" - 4:16 
2. "I Meant to Do My Work Today (After All a Day in the Country)" (John, Taupin, Buckmaster) - 1:33 
3. "Four Moods" (Buckmaster) - 10:56 
4. "Seasons Reprise" - 1:33

Credits

• Arranged By, Composed By [Additional Music] – Paul Buckmaster
• Composed By – Elton John And Bernie Taupin* (tracks: A1 to B2, B4)
• Engineer – Robin Geoffrey Cable
• Executive Producer – John Gilbert
• Producer – Gus Dudgeon

Personnel

• Elton John: piano, vocals
• Caleb Quaye: guitars
• Dee Murray: bass guitar, vocals
• Nigel Olsson: drums, vocals
• Paul Buckmaster: orchestral arrangement
• Rex Morris: saxophone
• Madeline Bell, Lesley Duncan, Kay Garner: backing vocals

Notes

Tuesday Productions Ltd. 

Album recorded at Trident Studios, London. 

Track A4 consists of two songs: A4a 'Theme (The First Kiss)' and A4b and 'Seasons'. 

A product of Paramount Records, a division of Famous Music Corporation, a G+W Company, New York, New York 10023 

Released: 5 March 1971 

Recorded: Trident Studios, London September 1970 

Genre: Film music, soft rock 

© 1971

Label - Paramount Records