Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player Advert & Review: 1973

Elton's 1973 DJM Album Triumph

Published in the UK on January 27, 1973, New Musical Express featured a one-page advert and review of Elton John’s Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (DJM). The review hailed it as “another fine Elton John album,” praising its blend of gentle, amusing, and bruising songs — from the soulful “Daniel” to the nostalgic “Crocodile Rock” and heavier tracks like “Have Mercy On The Criminal” and “Midnight Creeper.” It noted the emergence of Davey Johnstone as a standout soloist, delivering exciting and consistently interesting guitar work, especially on “Have Mercy.” The reviewer dismissed critics’ sneers, celebrating Elton’s consistent songwriting, singing, and ability to connect with listeners, calling the album “one nice piece of black plastic” behind its elaborate “LIFE” magazine-style cover with movie trappings and soulful portraits of Bernie Taupin.

Exact Text Excerpts from the Review

ELTON JOHN: "Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player" (DJM).

Well, whadaya know — another fine Elton John album. Despite sneers, calumny and general foulness, the former Reg just keeps on writin', playin', singin' and gettin' in on for the people.

"Don't Shoot Me is one nice piece of black plastic. Once you get past the amazing 300-page issue of "LIFE" that passes for a cover, old movie trappings, soulful portraits of Bernie Taupin and all, you get a record of songs gentle, songs amusing and songs bruising. From the gentleness of "Daniel" to the supercharged nostalgia of "Crocodile Rock", with some hefty stuff like "Have Mercy On The Criminal" and "Midnight Creeper" thrown in along the way.

Possibly the most instantly obvious development on this album is the emergence of Davy Johnstone as a soloist to be, as they say, reckoned with. He gets off some extremely exciting and consistently interesting playing on "Have Mercy" and...

Legacy

This advert and review capture Elton John at his early 1973 peak — just as “Crocodile Rock” and “Daniel” were about to take him to superstar status.

Do you have this NME advert/review in your archive? Ready for Crocodile Rock? Share in the comments!