Leather Jackets

by Elton John

Overview

Although he had re-formed his 1970s quartet and even reinstated both lyricist Bernie Taupin as well as seminal producer Gus Dudgeon earlier in the decade, Elton John failed to sustain the momentum that informed Too Low for Zero (1983), Breaking Hearts (1984), and to a lesser extent Ice on Fire (1985). Even the most ardent enthusiasts freely admit that Leather Jackets (1986) was nothing more or less than a final fulfillment of his six-album deal with Geffen Records. On top of the half-hearted material and less-than-inspired performances is increasing evidence that John's voice -- which would require a potentially career-ending surgery less than a year later -- is beginning to show signs of extreme fatigue and strain. While these circumstances certainly don't aid this effort, they likewise do not lessen the few bright moments that exist, including the languid and soulful "Slow Rivers" featuring a duet with Cliff Richard, the hopelessly upbeat single "Heartache All Over the World," as well as the middle-of-the-road "Don't Trust That Woman" -- the latter of which is a co-composition between John (under the guise of Lady Choc Ice) and Cher and sports an opening line of "She's a real ball-buster/Don't trust her." Perhaps the most telling track is the achingly poignant mid-tempo ballad "I Fall Apart." With an understated passion and an almost reserved delivery, it hearkens back to tracks such as "Cry to Heaven" from Ice on Fire or "One More Arrow" off of Too Low for Zero. While not really a highlight per se, Queen enthusiasts should note appearances from Roger Taylor (drums) and John Deacon (bass) on the lightweight "Angeline." Over the course of the ensuing months, John reinvented himself by once again embracing his past on the two-disc Live in Australia (1987) -- which spawned the international chart-topping version of "Candle in the Wind." ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	06/16/2023
Label:	Emi Records / Geffen / Umr
UPC:	0602455160805
Rank:	66219

Tracks

1. Leather Jackets
2. Hoop Of Fire
3. Don't Trust That Woman
4. Go It Alone
5. Gypsy Heart
6. Slow Rivers
7. Heartache All Over The World
8. Angeline
9. Memory Of Love
10. Paris
11. I Fall Apart

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Elton John   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Dave Mattacks   Guest Artist,Drums,Vocals
John Deacon   Guest Artist,Bass
Roger Taylor   Guest Artist,Drums
Kiki Dee   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Cliff Richard   Guest Artist,Vocals
Charlie Morgan   Drums,Vocals,Percussion
Shirley Lewis   Vocals (Background)
Fred Mandel   Keyboards,Synthesizer
David Paton   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Pete Wingfield   Vocals (Background)
Katie Kissoon   Vocals (Background)
Albert Boekholt   Vocals,Emulator
Davey Johnstone   Guitar,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Jody Linscott   Percussion,Tambourine
Frank Ricotti   Percussion
Gus Dudgeon   Percussion
Paul Westwood   Bass
Gordon Neville   Vocals (Background)
Alan Carvell   Vocals (Background)
Graham Dickson   Percussion
Frank Riccotti   Percussion

Technical Credits

Cher   Composer
Lady Choc Ice   Composer
Fred Mandel   Programming
Gary Osborne   Composer
Bernie Taupin   Composer
Elton John   Composer
Gus Dudgeon   Producer,Programming
Alan Carvell   Composer
Graham Dickson   Engineer