Artist of the day: Alan Aldridge

Alan Aldridge is the British painter most famous for his illustrations of Beatles songs and the cover of Elton John’s Captain Fantastic album. His psychedelic, intricately detailed fantasyscapes are instantly recognizable.

Better Off Dead

 

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is widely considered the apex of Elton John’s career. I disagree. Captain Fantastic & the Brown Dirt Cowboy is by far Elton’s highest achievement. What makes it so effective is the emotional honesty. It’s almost a rock opera about the struggles and adventures of Elton John (Capain Fantastic) and Bernie Taupin (the Brown Dirt Cowboy) in their early days of chasing fame and trying to stay afloat. All the songs are heartfelt, melodic, catchy and witty, like this one.