'Reg Strikes Back'

Coming off the career nadir of Leather Jackets in 1986 and a victorious lawsuit against British tabloid The Sun in 1987 for false and scandolous rumors against him, Elton John sought a new start with 1988's Reg Strikes Back. Chris Thomas who produced Elton's work earlier in the 80s returned as producer. It was recorded at AIR Studios and Westside Studios in London England and Circle Seven Recording and The Record Plant in Los Angeles California.

The cover for Reg Strikes Back features many of Elton's Stage costumes which were to go on sale at a 1988 Sotheby's Auction

The album opens with "Town of Plenty" which features The Who's Pete Townshend on acoustic guitar and former Elton John Band members Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson on backing vocals. Sadly, Dee and Nigel only contribute vocals on this album with David Paton on bass and Charlie Morgan on drums returning from the previous album.

"A Word in Spanish" comes next, which also includes Dee and Nigel's backing vocals on a pretty decent song on which Davey Johnstone plays a nice acoustic guitar solo, which gives the song a somewhat Spanish vibe.

"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Part 2" is a sequel song to Elton and Bernie's classic anthem about New York City, and while it does not reach the heights of its illustrious predecessor, is a nice enough song for the album. It features prominent trumpet and Flugelhorn by Freddie Hubbard and the classic vocal trio of Davey, Dee and Nigel.

"I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That" was Elton's highest charting song of the 1980s in the United States. It does sound like a product of its era with Elton playing a Roland digital piano on the track and pronounced synthesizers by Fred Mandel. It also once again features the classic backing vocals of Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson.

"Japanese Hands" starts out with a synthesizer solo by Fred Mandel with guitar accents by Davey Johnstone. Then Elton's vocals come in and more vocal magic from Davey, Dee and Nigel which begs the question of Elton. If you were going to bring Dee and Nigel back to sing so much why not give them at least one or two tracks on their old instruments? but whatever, it's a pretty good song. "Japanese Hands" would really be nothing special on a typical Elton album but after the lesser songs on "Leather Jackets" it is a refreshing return to form.

"Goodbye Marlon Brando" is another synthesized little tune but made bearable by Davey Johnstone's electric guitar which is really given a chance to shine on this song.

Next is "The Camera Never Lies" whose instrumental bed is also too synthesizer-laden for my taste but is once again tempered down by Davey Johnstone's electric guitars and acoustic piano touches from Elton. One of the few songs on this album to feature an acoustic piano. Longtime Elton sideman Ray Cooper also adds tambourine to this track.

"Heavy Traffic" in which Davey Johnstone is once again given a writing credit along with Elton and Bernie is a nice piano and guitar driven ditty. and once again gives Davey, Dee and Nigel a chance to work their backing vocals magic.

"Poor Cow" sounds like the synthesized soundtrack to a bad 80s video game and is probably the lowlight of the album.

"Since God Invented Girls" is another Eltonian love letter to the music of the Beach Boys, name-checking Brian Wilson and featuring Beach Boys, Carl Wilson and Bruce Johnston along with longtime Beach Boys touring vocalist Adrian Baker on backing vocals.

While nowhere close to re-scaling his 70s heights of quality. Reg Strikes Back was an admirable comeback from the pit that "Leather Jackets" represented.