April 2nd, 2024 - Hazy Todd is Smiling Down, with a Beer in Hand, From Beyond the Yellow Brick Road

 

Hey there rockers, rollers, and hopheads!  Your pal the Meista here with another great pairing for you!  This one is dedicated to the memory of Todd Curtis, who was a lover of Fisher Brewing beers and Elton John.  He passed away a little over a year ago.  I'm pairing a crisp and juicy Hazy Todd's Pale Ale from Fisher Brewing Company and Elton John's "Greatest Hits: Volumes One And Two"!  It is also dedicated to Todd's very good friends, Brett Markum, Robert Hamilton, Tim Persons, and Bryce Schulzke, and all the wonderful folks at Fisher, who created this beer in Todd's honor!  Cheers!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Elton John
• Title: "Greatest Hits: Volumes One And Two'"
• Recorded: 1970 through 1976 at various studios
• Release date: 1981 (compilation album by Elton John)
• Record company: MCA Records
• Production: Gus Dudgeon
• Album cover art: ? 
• Personnel: Elton John (lead vocals, electric and acoustic piano, harpsichord, mellotron, synthesizer, and organ)
• Additional musicians: Madelline Bell (backing vocals), Jacques Bolognesi (trombone), Paul Buckmaster (arrangement), Tony Burrows (backing vocals), Jean-Louis Chautemps (saxophone), Frank Clark (acoustic guitar), Roger Cook (backing vocals), Ray Cooper (vibraphone, tambourine, tubular bells, gong, maracas, mark tree, shaker, cymbals, bongos, and congas), Brian Dee (organ and harmonium), Kiki Dee (lead vocals on "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and backing vocals), Leslie Duncan (backing vocals), Carl Fortina (accordion), Kay Garner (backing vocals), Colin Green (guitar), Alain Hatot (saxophone), Tony Hazzard (backing vocals), David Hentschel (ARP synthesizer and mellotron), Clive Hicks (guitar), Bill Hinsche (backing vocals), James Newton Howard (electric and acoustic piano, synthesizers, and string arrangement), Bruce Johnston (backing vocals), Davey Johnstone (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, banjo, sitar, and backing vocals), Ivan Jullien (trumpet), Clydie King (backing vocals), John Lennon (guitar and backing vocals), Sherlie Matthews (backing vocals), Barry Morgan (drums), Dee Murray (bass and backing vocals), Del Newman (orchestral arrangement), Brian Odgers (bass guitar), Nigel Olsson (drums, maracas, and backing vocals), Gene Page (orchestral arrangement), Kenny Passarelli (bass), Lenny Pickett (saxophone), Roger Pope (drums), Caleb Quaye  (electric guitar), Dave Richmond (double bass), Ken Scott (ARP synthesizer), Jessie Smith (backing vocals), Dusty Springfield (backing vocals), Toni Tennille (backing vocals), Tower of Power (horns), Carl Wilson (backing vocals)
• Musical style: Rock, pop with elements of glam rock, hard rock, and R&B
• Sound: The soundtrack of my childhood, Elton John's early music of the 1970s is a richly textured tapestry of rock and roll and pop sensibility!  
• Major themes: Rock and roll, music, life, love, fighting, space, freedom, joy, desire, passion, etc.
• Tracks: 

          Volume I

1. "Your Song"
2. "Daniel"
3. "Honky Cat"
4. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
5. "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting"
6. "Rocket Man"
7. "Bennie And The Jets"
8. "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me"
9. "Border Song"
10. "Crocodile Rock"

        Volume II

1. "The Bitch Is Back"
2. "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" (The Beatles cover)
3. "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word"
4. "Don't Go Breaking My Heart"
5. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight"
6. "Philadelphia Freedom"
7. "Island Girl"
8. "Grow Some Funk Of Your Own"
9. "Levon"
10. "Pinball Wizard" (The Who cover)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.fisherbeer.com/
• Brew: Hazy Todd's Pale Ale
• Style: New England Hazy Pale Ale
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 5.0%
• IBUs: 30
• Ingredients: Galaxy, Citra, and 1019 hops
• Pour: The Hazy Todd's Pale Ale pours a very hazy, golden-yellow hue with a billowy and creamy, eggshell white, 2+ finger head with great sustain and lots of sudsy, sticky, and layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by citrusy, fruity, floral and herbal hops, and more subtle sweeter malts.  There are aromas of peach, orange juicy and zest, mango, pineapple, wildflowers, doughy bread, and sweet honey.
• Taste: The taste of the Hazy Todd's Pale Ale follows the nose with lots of fruity, citrusy, and herbal flavors along with more subtle sweet malts.  There are notes of sweet pineapple, juicy peach, apricot, orange juice and pith, crackery biscuit, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp and juicy with a dry, slightly sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The easy drinking, crisp, juicy, and hoppy smoothness of the Fisher Hazy Todd's Pale Ale goes great with the power pop, rock and roll might of Elton John's amazing double album of greatest hits!  Those bright, fruity notes are prefect for Sir Elton John's warm vocals, upbeat melodies, and inspiring lyrics.  Todd was a big fan of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", so the pairing is obviously fitting.  Nuff' said!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!  Rest in power, Todd!!