edition), David Fricke wrote: "1971’s Tumbleweed Connection needs no improvement; it is one of the best country-rock albums ever written by London cowboys." Robert Hillburn wrote for Los Angeles Times: "Tumbleweed Connection is that near-perfect album that artists often spend a whole career trying to produce." Dave DiMartino wrote for Yahoo! Music: "A step up from the slightly more overtly commercial Elton John... Tumbleweed is beautifully recorded and filled with very fine songs... Bordering on classic status." Track listing 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) Production Gus Dudgeon – producer Robin Geoffrey Cable – engineer Gus Skinas – editing Ricky Graham – digital transfers Greg Penny – surround mix Bernie Taupin – lyricist David Larkham – art direction, design, cover design, cover artwork, photography Barry Wentzell – photography Ian Digby-Ovens – photography John Tobler – liner notes Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Certifications References External links Elton John albums 1970 albums Albums produced by Gus Dudgeon Albums recorded at Trident Studios Albums conducted by Paul Buckmaster Albums arranged by Paul Buckmaster