'Regimental Sgt. Zippo'

Released over 50 years after it was originally recorded on Record Store Day 2021, Regimental Sgt. Zippo shows an Elton John debut that could have been. Produced by longtime associate Caleb Quaye who also plays guitar and adds backing vocals along with some familiar names as Dee Murray on bass and backing vocals and not-so familiar names like Dave Hynes of the band The Mirage on drums. Elton (Still known at this point as Reg Dwight) plays acoustic and electric piano, organ and harpsichord at various points during the album. Zack Laurence wrote the arrangements performed by the Paul Fenoulhet Orchestra which adds additional color to the album.

The music on the album was described by lyricist Bernie Taupin as a "Tip of the Hat" to the Beatles' recently released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, as well as owing much musically to the Moody Blues. However the upper brass at Dick James Music felt that this was not the right musical direction to go in and the album was scrapped in favor of what later became Elton's debut Empty Sky.

The album opens with the organ and vocal driven "When I Was Tealby Abbey" about a church in the village of Tealby near Bernie Taupin's childhood home of Lincolnshire. Unusually for a pop record this track features prominent timpani in the choruses.

"And The Clock Goes Round" sounds very much like it could be a Beatles song from that era.

"Sitting Doing Nothing" is an oddity in the Elton John catalog in that it not only did not feature lyrics by Bernie Taupin but instead Elton wrote the lyrics while the music was written by Caleb Quaye.

"Turn To Me" is a fairly simplistic love song. It features heavy organ textures and prominent drumrolls as well as flutes and horns from the orchestra and prominent backing vocal responses to the lead vocals.

"Angel Tree" is complimented by a lively tambourine beat. While it's very simplistic lyrically with it's la-la las, prominent Horns give it a sonic grandeur.

The album's title track "Regimental Sgt. Zippo" features a very military style drumroll befitting it's subject. It also makes liberal use of sound effects such as a cannon sound. a guitar solo by Caleb Quaye pushes the song forward. psychedelic organ sounds date it to the late 60s but not in a distracting way. toward the end of the track slide whistles and other woodwinds bring the song to a chaotic end.

"A Dandelion Dies in the Wind" is an organ laden anthem that was one of the first John/Taupin compositions and was referenced in "Curtains" the closer to Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy album in the lyric "I held a dandelion, which said the time had come". an alternate mix had been included on 2020's Jewel Box.

"You'll Be Sorry To See Me Go" was also written by Elton with Caleb Quaye instead of Bernie Taupin. it features handclaps and tambourine and prominent backing vocals.

"Nina" opens with a cymbal crescendo leading into a heavily organ and strings based-song. Lyrically, it's a pretty basic love song .

"Tartan Coloured Lady" opens with studio chatter leading to a countdown into a harpsichord, flute and strings-laden love song. A prominent snare drum roll propels the song forward.

"Hourglass" is a song about boredom that uses Taupin's ability to create images with his lyrics to it's advantage. Taupin's lyrics on the song are probably the most descriptive on the album.

"Watching The Planes Go By" is a song about longing for someone. it features great backing vocals and prominent organ.

Overall, The album would have been a very effective way to introduce Elton John and Bernie Taupin's work to the public but fate had other plans.