21 at 33

by Elton John

Overview

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 Eagles Glenn 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

Product Details

Release Date:	06/16/2023
Label:	Emi Records / Geffen / Umr
UPC:	0602455160775
Rank:	76207

Tracks

1. Chasing The Crown
2. Little Jeannie
3. Sartorial Eloquence
4. Two Rooms At The End Of The World
5. White Lady White Powder
6. Dear God
7. Never Gonna Fall In Love Again
8. Take Me Back
9. Give Me The Love

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Elton John   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Wurlitzer,Piano (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Timothy B. Schmit   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jim Horn   Guest Artist,Piccolo,Saxophone,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Glenn Frey   Guest Artist,Vocals
Don Henley   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Stephanie Spruill   Vocals (Background)
Steve Lukather   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Bill Champlin   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Dee Murray   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Chuck Findley   Horn,Trumpet,Trombone
Clive Franks   Vocals,Cowbell,Percussion,Tambourine
Joe Chemay   Choir/Chorus
Gary Osborne   Vocals (Background)
David Paich   Organ,Keyboards
William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr.   Trombone
Lenny Castro   Congas,Percussion
Peter Noone   Choir/Chorus
Jerry Hey   Wind,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Nigel Olsson   Drums
Richie Cannata   Saxophone,Sax (Alto)
Richie Zito   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Reggie McBride   Bass
Jon Joyce   Choir/Chorus
Larry Hall   Wind,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
James Newton Howard   CS-80,Piano,Keyboards,Fender Rhodes
Carmen Twillie   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Toni Tennille   Choir/Chorus
Byron Berline   Fiddle,Violin
Bruce Johnston   Choir/Chorus
Alvin Taylor   Drums
Victor Feldman   Percussion,Tambourine
Curt Becher   Choir/Chorus
Venette Gloud   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Alvin "Red" Taylor   Drums
Richie Zotto   Guitar (Acoustic)
Max Gronenthal   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Larry Williams   Sax (Tenor)
Steve Wrather   Guitar
Glenn Grey   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Patrick Jaunead   Engineer
Teddy Randazzo   Composer
Andrae Crouch   Composer
Bernie Grundman   Mastering
John Tobler   Liner Notes
Joe Black   Project Coordinator
Clive Franks   Engineer,Producer
Gary Osborne   Composer
Eric Carmen   Composer
David Burgess   Engineer
David Leonard   Engineer
Jerry Hey   Brass Arrangement,Horn Arrangements
Judie Tzuke   Composer
Bernie Taupin   Composer
Tom Robinson   Composer
Elton John   Composer,Overdubs,Producer
Little Walter   Composer
Jim Horn   Brass Arrangement,Horn Arrangements
David Foster   Arranger,String Arrangements
Steve McManus   Engineer
Bruce Johnston   Arranger,Choir Arrangement,Vocal Arrangement
Peggy McCreary   Engineer
Jane Hitchin   Tape Research
Zoe Roberts   Tape Research
Jim Shea   Photography
Stephen W. Desper   Engineer
Thomas Robinson   Composer
Adrian Collee   Studio Coordinator
Adrian Colle   Studio Coordinator
Gary Moore   Digital Remastering
George Osaki   Art Direction
Norman Moore   Design,Artwork,Concept,Cover Design,Art Direction,Original Sleeve Design
Stephen McManus   Engineer