Regimental Sgt. Zippo

Regimental Sgt. Zippo is the thirty-first studio album by English musician Elton John. It was recorded between November 1967 and May 1968.[3] For the session John worked with musicians who were either his or his manager Steve Brown's associates. Among those were guitarist Caleb Quaye and drummer Roger Pope (both members of the band Hookfoot at the time), bassist Tony Murray (from the Troggs), and Plastic Penny and Spencer Davis Group drummer Nigel Olsson, who would later become a full-fledged member of John's band in the 1970s.

Regimental Sgt. Zippo
Studio album by
Elton John
Released12 June 2021
RecordedNovember 1967–May 1968
StudioDick James Studios, London
Length38:53
LabelIsland/Mercury
ProducerCaleb Quaye
Elton John chronology
Rocketman (Music from the Motion Picture)
(2019)		 Regimental Sgt. Zippo
(2021)		 The Lockdown Sessions
(2021)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Daily Telegraph[1]
The Guardian[2]

In a similar fashion to Randy Newman's debut album Randy Newman Creates Something New Under the Sun (1968), Regimental Sgt. Zippo was initially intended to be released to market John and Bernie Taupin's songwriting talent to other recording artists. However, once the production team realised John's potential as a performer, the project was shelved in favour of what would become John's debut album, Empty Sky. Regimental Sgt. Zippo was eventually released 53 years after its inception on 12 June 2021 for Record Store Day, as a vinyl-only release[2] and limited to 7,000 copies.[4]

According to Taupin, the album's trippy sound was "a tip of the hat to Sgt. Pepper. It certainly proved that we were hanging on the coattails of things that were currently popular – things like 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' were in vogue at that particular point in time. I think, in a way, I was literally trying to be part of a gang."[5]

Track listing

All songs are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted.

Side one

  1. "When I Was Tealby Abbey" – 2:35
  2. "And the Clock Goes Around" – 3:06
  3. "Sitting Doing Nothing" (John, Caleb Quaye) – 2:30
  4. "Turn to Me" – 3:16
  5. "Angel Tree" – 2:04
  6. "Regimental Sgt. Zippo" – 4:44

Side two

  1. "A Dandelion Dies in the Wind" – 3:14
  2. "You'll Be Sorry to See Me Go" (John, Quaye) – 2:34
  3. "Nina" – 3:50
  4. "Tartan Coloured Lady" – 4:09
  5. "Hourglass" – 2:44
  6. "Watching the Planes Go By" – 4:07

Personnel
  • Elton John (as Reg Dwight) – piano, electric piano, organ, harpsichord, lead and backing vocals
  • Caleb Quaye – acoustic and electric guitars, flute, percussion, backing vocals
  • Dee Murray – bass, backing vocals
  • Dave Hynes – drums, backing vocals
  • Paul Fenoulhet Orchestra, arranged by Zack Laurence

Production

  • Caleb Quaye - producer
  • Frank Owen - engineer
  • Dave Larkham - cover art

Charts
Chart performance for Regimental Sgt. Zippo
Chart (2021) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[6] 197
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[7] 42

References
  1. McCormick, Neil (11 June 2021). "Regimental Sgt Zippo, review: Elton John's long-lost album is a psychedelic jumble". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  2. Simpson, Dave (11 June 2021). "Elton John: Regimental Sgt Zippo review – the long lost 'trippy' album". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  3. Tyler, Kieron (27 June 2021). "Reissue CDs Weekly: Elton John – Regimental Sgt. Zippo". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  4. Willman, Chris (12 June 2021). "Record Store Day 2021's Most Wanted: Elton John, Tom Petty, Prince, Ariana Grande and More". Variety. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  5. "Bernie Taupin Didn't Want Elton John Box Set Released". Ultimateclassicrock.com. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  6. "Elton John Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  7. "Elton John Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
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