Elton John entered the second decade of his pop music career releasing his 21st long-player during the 33rd year of his life, hence the album's title. It also marked the tentative return of former writing partner Bernie Taupin after a four-year sabbatical. Although the reunion yielded a trio of tunes, "Chasing the Crown," "Two Rooms at the End of the World," and "White Lady White Powder," unfortunately they all suffer from the same nauseating disco vibe that made John's previous effort, 1979's Victim of Love, so thoroughly dismissible. However, the following year's 21 at 33 is far from a complete washout. Building on the strength of his relationship with Gary Osborne -- with whom John had created A Single Man (1978) -- the pair wrote the standouts "Dear God" and "Take Me Back" as well as the hit single "Little Jeannie." "Sartorial Eloquence" harks back to the classic "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," thanks to the all-star backing vocals from EaglesGlenn Frey and Don Henley as well as Toni Tennille, Bruce Johnston, and Peter Noone (from Herman's Hermits). Interestingly, John briefly reassembled his 1970s core band of Davey Johnstone (guitar), Dee Murray (bass), and Nigel Olsson (drums), although their contributions sound more like an afterthought when compared to those of studio stalwarts Richie Zito (guitar), Steve Lukather (guitar), Lenny Castro (percussion), and an all-star horn section of Chuck Findley (trumpet), Jim Horn (sax), and Jerry Hey (trumpet). The scattered nature and lack of cohesion on 21 at 33 would translate onto John's next few albums such as The Fox (1981) and Jump Up! (1982). Not until the full-fledged reunion with Taupin and backing quartet on Too Low for Zero (1983) would John begin to reestablish himself as a central pop music figure. ~ Lindsay Planer, Rovi
21 at 33 is the 14th studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1980. It was recorded at Superbear Studios, Nice, France, in August 1979 and at Rumbo Recorders and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, California between January to March 1980.
The title comes from the fact that this was Elton John's 21st album in total at the age of 33. According to the liner notes in the remastered edition of the album, the count includes all standard albums, two "Greatest Hits" compilations, two live albums, as well as the Friends soundtrack, the 3-song, 12-inch EP The Thom Bell Sessions and the UK-only "rarities" collection Lady Samantha.[3]
John has not played any of the material in concert since touring in 1980, with the exception of "Little Jeannie", "White Lady White Powder" and "Sartorial Eloquence;" all three of which were performed in Central Park that same year. Little Jeannie was again performed at the two One Night Only concerts in 2000.[4] Even "Little Jeannie", which was a big North American hit, (# 3 in the U.S. and # 1 in Canada), is rarely performed. Two of Elton's "classic" bandmates, drummer Nigel Olsson and bass player Dee Murray, reunited with John for one song. Elton's backup keyboardist James Newton-Howard returns and performs on almost every track as was the case on Rock of the Westies and Blue Moves. Other musicians include members of The Eagles and Toto as well as Peter Noone from Herman's Hermits. In the U.S. it was certified Gold on September 22, 1980 by the RIAA.
(Note: Four more songs, excluding the B-sides were recorded during these sessions: Heart in the Right Place, Carle-Etude/Fanfare, Chloe and Elton's Song. They would appear on Elton John's next release, The Fox)
In 2003, Mercury/Universal and Rocket Records reissued the album on CD, remastered by Gary Moore. The lineup contained no bonus tracks.
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