It is hard to imagine anyone who has not at least heard or Sir Elton John. He is the piano maestro who would bring Bernie Taupin's lyrics to life with the perfect musical arrangement. The 1970's saw Elton John become the outlandish arena rock, superstar.  Unlike other stars, such as Madonna, Elton's outlandishness did not eclipse the music.  While his big hits such as, "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road" and "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds", or "Bennie and the Jets" were huge, some of the earlier work showed the promise.  "Madman Across the Water" is probably one of the most underrated albums of all time.  In 1971 this effort should have been the freashest breath of air out there.  Over the decades ballads have become anathema to stadium rock due to their often formulaic blandness.  Let it be noted that before "Good-bye Yellow Brick Road", "Madman Across the Water" yielded two of the best ballads ever written, "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon".  It was really years later when these songs became appreciated for their timeless brilliance.  Both songs evoke a heartfelt emotion and beauty that few balladeers have been able to touch.  While those two songs found a big audience on Elton John's greatest hits collection, put into context on the Madman album, they become something more.  The title track is epic and sweeps one away with its lush orchestration and length.  "Indian Sunset" is another such song and fairly well brings tears to your eyes.  All of the songs are well crafted and orchestrated making them moving and powerful thirty-six years later.  There were no sappy ballads on this album, just great, solid music.  A real testament to a true artist.  Any serious music aficionado needs to have this cd in their collection if they don't already have it on vinyl.  Here, here, to a time when the music was truly great.