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Originally slated for release in 1968, Elton John scrapped Regimental Sgt. Zippo in favor of Empty Sky, the LP that became his official debut in 1969. Looking back, it was certainly the right move. Empty Sky touches upon the lush, arty balladry that would become one of John's signatures in the 1970s, whereas Regimental Sgt. Zippo is very much looking backwards -- at the psychedelic vistas opened up by the Beatles in particular. The very title signals the album's debt to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" -- a song Elton would later cover -- is a particular touchstone. Melodies swirl through the ornate production, the lyrics are aggressively whimsical, and the recordings are intent on opening up your mind so you can float downstream. As a whole, Regimental Sgt. Zippo is a heavier affair than Pepper -- there are fuzz guitars and washes of organ straight out of Procol Harum -- and it can also get quite Baroque, as the precious "Tartan Coloured Lady" makes plain. All of this is interesting and makes for a rather interesting artifact, but there's little question it would've gotten Elton John's career off to an unsteady start back in 1968.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Caleb Quaye, Producer
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Caleb Quaye, Producer
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Caleb Quaye, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Organ, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Nigel Olsson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Caleb Quaye, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Zach Lawrence, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Caleb Quaye, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Hynes, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Organ, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Caleb Quaye, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Caleb Quaye, Producer
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Caleb Quaye, Producer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Organ, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Caleb Quaye, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Harpsichord, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Caleb Quaye, Producer, Flute, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Zach Lawrence, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Caleb Quaye, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Organ, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Caleb Quaye, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Hynes, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 This Record Company Ltd.
Album review
Originally slated for release in 1968, Elton John scrapped Regimental Sgt. Zippo in favor of Empty Sky, the LP that became his official debut in 1969. Looking back, it was certainly the right move. Empty Sky touches upon the lush, arty balladry that would become one of John's signatures in the 1970s, whereas Regimental Sgt. Zippo is very much looking backwards -- at the psychedelic vistas opened up by the Beatles in particular. The very title signals the album's debt to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" -- a song Elton would later cover -- is a particular touchstone. Melodies swirl through the ornate production, the lyrics are aggressively whimsical, and the recordings are intent on opening up your mind so you can float downstream. As a whole, Regimental Sgt. Zippo is a heavier affair than Pepper -- there are fuzz guitars and washes of organ straight out of Procol Harum -- and it can also get quite Baroque, as the precious "Tartan Coloured Lady" makes plain. All of this is interesting and makes for a rather interesting artifact, but there's little question it would've gotten Elton John's career off to an unsteady start back in 1968.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:39:24
- Main artists: Elton John
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2022 Universal Music Operations Limited ℗ 2022 Universal Music Operations Limited
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