Peachtree Road (album)

Album cover

The album art on the front cover is a photograph from a railroad crossing near the Atlanta suburb of Douglasville, taken by London photographer Sam Taylor-Wood. Taken in by the American South and given complete artistic freedom, she shot thousands of photos during her week-long trip. The trip included other towns like Unadilla and Forsyth in Georgia. While she also visited Peachtree Road in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, she thought it was too busy for the album's more mellow nature. She picked several photos to present to him, and John made the final selection. Other photos from the shoot appear on the back of the album cover and in the included CD and SACD booklet.

Debut performance

Songs from the album debuted at The Tabernacle in Atlanta in early November. John also performed at the November 2005 Country Music Association Awards, televised live from Madison Square Garden, duetting with Dolly Parton on "Turn the Light Out When You Leave".

Chart performance

Despite its generally positive reviews, Peachtree Road was one of John's leanest-selling contemporary efforts, reaching No. 17 in the US upon its release, yet only managing No. 21 in the UK, making it one of his rare albums to miss the top ten in his homeland. In the US, it was certified gold in December 2004 by the RIAA.

It debuted at No. 12 in Denmark in November 2004, its highest chart placing in that country.

Additional performers

In addition to Nigel Olsson playing drums on all tracks, once again a permanent member of John's touring and recording band, the album features renowned gospel vocalist Adam McKnight, as well as members of Chicago contributing horns and brass arrangements. Guy Babylon was credited with playing Hammond organ and Rhodes piano instead of keyboards, which was the case on earlier projects.

Other information

The album was re-released in July 2005 with three bonus tracks from Billy Elliot the Musical, as well as a DVD featuring nine tracks from the album performed live in Atlanta. The song "Electricity" from the musical was also released as a single in June 2005. It rose to No. 4 in the UK.

It was dedicated to the memory of Gus and Sheila Dudgeon, the former being John's original producer.

Some editions of the album included bonus - two videos for the two first singles ("Answer in the Sky" and "All That I'm Allowed").

Track listing

All music composed by Elton John. All lyrics written by Bernie Taupin.

1. "Weight of the World" – 3:58
2. "Porch Swing in Tupelo" – 4:38
3. "Answer in the Sky" – 4:03
4. "Turn the Lights Out When You Leave" – 5:02
5. "My Elusive Drug" – 4:12
6. "They Call Her the Cat" – 4:27
7. "Freaks in Love" – 4:32
8. "All That I'm Allowed" – 4:52
9. "I Stop and I Breathe" – 3:39
10. "Too Many Tears" – 4:14
11. "It's Getting Dark in Here" – 3:50
12. "I Can't Keep This from You" – 4:34

Track 8 was titled "All That I'm Allowed" on the original 2004 release of the album, but was titled "All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful)" on the 2005 expanded edition.

Bonus tracks (2005 CD reissue)

13. "The Letter" (Lyrics: Lee Hall) – 2:33
14. "Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher" (Lyrics: Hall) – 3:38
15. "Electricity" (Lyrics: Hall) – 3:29

Bonus DVD (2005 reissue)

All tracks recorded live at the Tabernacle, Atlanta (November 2004).

1. "Weight of the World"
2. "Porch Swing in Tupelo"
3. "Answer in the Sky"
4. "Turn the Lights Out When You Leave"
5. "My Elusive Drug"
6. "They Call Her the Cat"
7. "Freaks in Love"
8. "All That I'm Allowed"
9. "I Can't Keep This from You"

Personnel

Production