Leather Jackets was two years in the past and Victim Of Love had been mercifully fading from memory. Reg Strikes Back, issued in 1988, was billed as Elton John’s big comeback album.
The comeback technically started in 1987 with the release of two non-studio releases. Greatest Hits Volume 3 served as Elton's last release for the Geffen label while also keeping him in the public eye. Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra marked his return to the MCA Label, becoming a huge hit in the United States as it produced a top ten single with a live version of “Candle In The Wind.” And so it was against this background that he returned to the studio.
Reg Strikes Back became a hit, selling over ten million copies worldwide. It used his classic formula of containing two hits singles which, as they received massive airplay, drove its overall sales.
Elton John produced a very consistent album here. It had the tone and textures of his seventies work and, while it may not have contained the overall quality of that time period's music, it was still very good.
Side one of the original vinyl release is just terrific. “Town Of Plenty,” which is the lead track, is a simple up-tempo song on which Elton sounds engaged and at ease. He had undergone vocal surgery before the recording of this album but his vocal on this track shows that everything is fine. “A Word In Spanish,” which is a nice and mellow love song, became a top twenty hit in the States. “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)” is a continuation of the 1972 song of the same title. Here, however, the music and song structure is very different and has almost a funky feel. Davey Johnstone’s work on the mandolin is some of the best of his career.
Article comments
1 - John DeCorse
A very under rated album. I think of it as Elt's 1980's version of Rock Of The Westies.
I really had no idea, though that Reg Strikes Back hit the 10 million mark in sales. I've always been interested in trivia, and my history teacher used to call me Mr Trivia. Is there a place that I could find out actual global sales like this one?
I would greatly appreciate any referral.
Also, it's great reading about these under appreciated Elton long players. Thanks for the article.
2 - Lord Choc Ice
Just what the heck are 'Elton long players'?
3 - mpg
As opposite as the reviewer says I think than heavy traffic is a great track. I agree with him that this is a great album, maybe the best of the eighties along with the fox, one step behind are sleeping with the past, 21 at 33 and Ice on Fire.