Tumbleweed Connection is the third studio album by English singer-songwriter Elton John. It was recorded at Trident Studios, London, in March 1970, and released in October 1970 in the UK and January 1971 in the US. It is a concept album based on country and western and Americana themes. All songs are written by John and Bernie Taupin, with the exception of "Love Song" by Lesley Duncan.
In 2012, Tumbleweed Connection was ranked number 458 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The album peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and number five on the US Billboard 200 chart. In the US, it was certified gold in March 1971 and platinum in August 1998 by the RIAA.
Tracklist:
Side one
1. Ballad of a Well-Known Gun 0:00
2. Come Down in Time 4:59
3. Country Comfort 8:24
4. Son of Your Father 13:31
5. My Father's Gun 17:20
Side two
6. Where to Now St. Peter? 23:41
7. Love Song (Lesley Duncan)
8. Amoreena
9. Talking Old Soldiers
10. Burn Down the Mission
Personnel
Track numbers refer to CD and digital releases of the album.
Elton John – lead vocals, acoustic piano (1, 3–6, 8–10), Hammond organ (8), backing vocals (10)
Brian Dee – Hammond organ (10, 13)
Caleb Quaye – lead guitar (1, 4, 6, 8), acoustic guitar (1, 3, 5, 6), electric guitar (5)
Les Thatcher – acoustic guitar (2, 10), 12-string acoustic guitar (3)
Gordon Huntley – steel guitar (3)
Lesley Duncan – backing vocals (1, 4, 5, 7), acoustic guitar (7)
Mike Egan – acoustic guitar (10)
Dave Glover – bass guitar (1, 4–6)
Herbie Flowers – bass guitar (2, 3, 10)
Chris Laurence – acoustic bass (2, 10)
Dee Murray – backing vocals (3, 6), bass guitar (8)
Roger Pope – drums (1, 4–6), percussion (1)
Barry Morgan – drums (2, 3, 10)
Nigel Olsson – backing vocals (3, 6), drums (8)
Robin Jones – congas (10), tambourine (10)
Karl Jenkins – oboe (2)
Skaila Kanga – harp (2)
Ian Duck – harmonica (3, 4)
Johnny Van Derek – violin (3)
Paul Buckmaster – orchestral arrangements and conductor
Madeline Bell – backing vocals (1, 4, 5)
Tony Burrows – backing vocals (1, 5)
Kay Garner – backing vocals (1, 4, 5)
Tony Hazzard – backing vocals (1, 5)
Dusty Springfield – backing vocals (1, 5)
Tammi Hunt – backing vocals (4)
Heather Wheatman – backing vocals (4)
Yvonne Wheatman – backing vocals (4)
