Elton John – Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (LP) (NM/VG+)

Elton John – Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy
LP, Album, Gatefold | MCA Records | Cat. No. MCA-2142 | Canada | 1975

The complete package — gatefold sleeve with foldout colour poster, “Scraps” booklet, and “Lyrics” booklet all present; booklets and poster in mint condition. Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975) was the first album in history to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200, entering the chart at the top in its first week of release — a milestone that had never occurred before — and remaining there for seven weeks. Produced by Gus Dudgeon — the definitive Elton John producer across the entire classic period, from Elton John (1970) through Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and beyond; no other producer shaped the sound of peak Elton John more completely. Recorded at Caribou Ranch, Colorado — James William Guercio’s celebrated mountain studio (founder of Chicago); engineered by Jeff Guercio; remixed at Marquee Studios, London. Album cover design and illustration by Alan Aldridge and Harry Willock — Aldridge is the celebrated British graphic artist whose work for the Beatles (The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics) is among the most recognized psychedelic illustration of the era. Art direction and graphic concept by Bernie Taupin and David Larkham — Taupin, as the “Brown Dirt Cowboy” of the title, co-directed the visual concept of an album that is semi-autobiographically about himself and Elton John’s partnership. Inner sleeve photography by Terry O’Neill — one of the most celebrated British portrait photographers of the 20th century. Lacquer cut by Brian Ingoldsby. Canadian MCA pressing; pressed at the MCA Pressing Plant, Gloversville, New York (identified by the ⧈-G-⧈ stamp in the runout). Someone Saved My Life Tonight (A5 — US #4) is the key single. All compositions by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Vinyl Near Mint; sleeve VG+ with some spine wear. Booklets and poster mint.

Condition

• Media: Near Mint (NM or M-) — excellent
• Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+) — gatefold; some spine wear
• Foldout colour poster — mint
• “Scraps” booklet — mint
• “Lyrics” booklet — mint

Tracklist

Side A
A1. Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (5:45)
A2. Tower Of Babel (4:28)
A3. Bitter Fingers (4:32)
A4. Tell Me When The Whistle Blows (4:20)
A5. Someone Saved My Life Tonight (6:45)

Side B
B1. (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket (4:00)
B2. Better Off Dead (2:35)
B3. Writing (3:38)
B4. We All Fall In Love Sometimes (4:15)
B5. Curtains (6:12)

Credits
Written By: Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Produced By: Gus Dudgeon
Engineered By: Jeff Guercio (Caribou Ranch)
Cover Design & Illustration: Alan Aldridge & Harry Willock
Art Direction & Concept: Bernie Taupin & David Larkham
Inner Sleeve Photography: Terry O’Neill
Lacquer Cut: Brian Ingoldsby

Details

• Format: LP, Album, Gatefold
• Label: MCA Records (MCA-2142)
• Country: Canada (MCA Pressing Plant, Gloversville, NY)
• Released: 1975
• Weight: 230 g
• Recorded: Caribou Ranch, Colorado
• Remixed: Marquee Studios, London
• Style: Pop Rock, Rock & Roll, Singer-Songwriter

Individual listing photos are being updated as we work through our full inventory. In the meantime, actual photos of this specific item are available upon request before purchase — we’re happy to share them.

As with all vintage records, minor signs of age and handling are to be expected and are reflected in the grading above.