'Ice on Fire'

Elton John's 1985 album, Ice on Fire marked the return of Elton's original Producer Gus Dudgeon behind the desk but ironically also saw the dismissal of Elton's original rhythm section of Dee Murray on bass and Nigel Olsson on drums, replaced with ex-Pilot bassist David Paton and drummer Charlie Morgan. Also on board was keyboardist and additional guitarist Fred Mandel. Davey Johnstone on guitars once again remained on board. The album was recorded at Sol Studios in Cookham, Berkshire England.

The album opens with a Charlie Morgan drum fill which leads into the synthesizer and bass by Paul Westwood- heavy "This Town". The track features Sister Sledge on backing vocals. The track also features a prominent horn section consisting of Raul D'Olivera on trumpet ,Paul Spong on trumpet, Rick Taylor on trombone, and David Bitelli arranging and playing baritone saxophone.

After the synthesizer heavy lead-off track. The second track "Cry To Heaven" is a refreshing return to Elton's Classic piano playing style complemented lightly by Fred Mandel's keyboards, Paul Westwood on bass and Charlie Morgan on drums come in soon after, tastefully laying the beat for the song. The song is about the horrors of war as seen by children.

A drum fill from Mel Gaynor brings us into track 3 "Soul Glove" once again featuring the horn section and featuring backing vocals from longtime Elton associate Kiki Dee, Alan Carvell and Katie Kissoon.

Next is album highlight and hit single, "Nikita." A Cold War-era forbidden romance story about a western man's love for a Russian border guard.

Nikita also happens to be a Russian Gender-neutral name, while in the accompanying music video shows a male-female relationship and Elton was married to a woman at the time. This could be seen as a precursor to Bernie's later romantic lyrics having an ambiguous interpretation for the now openly-gay Elton to believably sing.

The song features backing vocals by George Michael of Wham!, Davey Johnstone and Nik Kershaw who also plays electric guitar on the track.

"Too Young" is a song about being too young to have a relationship. What's notable on this song is the rhythm section. None other than John Deacon on bass and Roger Taylor on drums of the band Queen.

"Wrap Her Up" has a full laundry list of co writers in addition to the ubiquitous John/Taupin partnership including drummer Charlie Morgan, bassist Paul Westwood, guitarist Davey Johnstone, and keyboardist Fred Mandel.

George Michael sings the falsetto harmonies on the song which seems to be just a lyrical excuse to name as many female celebrities as humanly possible. What the song really means is anyone's guess. Elton John Band alumni James Newton Howard adds string arrangements. The amount of production for such a mediocre song seems questionable.

"Satellite" starts with Mel Gaynor on drums performing a basic backbeat and the bass by Deon Estus and keyboards slowly join in followed by Elton's vocals which have a lot of repeat echo on them. The synthesizers give the song an outer spacey type feeling which is appropriate.

A drum fill by Dave Mattacks (of Fairpoint Convention fame) brings us into "Tell Me What the Papers Say," an upbeat rock number criticizing the media with a prominent cowbell on the track.

Next is "Candy by the Pound." It features Frank Ricotti on vibraphone, the aforementioned horn section and backing vocalists.

Last on the album is "Shoot Down The Moon," a piano driven ballad along with string accompaniment arranged by Fred Mandel.

All in all, Producer Gus Dudgeon's return to the Elton John camp was nothing that spectacular. It was not terrible, though.