Elton John Ice On Fire CD

It seems as if Elton John was still settling on a discernable style on 1985's ICE ON FIRE. He brought in Gus Dudgeon, the architect of such elaborate, wide-screen productions as GOODBYE YELLOWBRICK ROAD, and his touch can be felt in the lush synthesized sound that dominates this record. Even the song credits, full of Simmons drums, synth-guitar, and Yamaha TX81C, attest to the slick production values.

"Nikita" was the record's Top 10 single. The sweeping melody of this gentle ode to a Russian girl rides atop a percolating rhythm track. The synthesizer-drenched sound tends to place it firmly within its era, but the pull of "Nikita"'s melody is fairly irresistible. It features backing vocals by George Michael, who was at his peak of superstardom at the time. Elsewhere on the record, Elton joins forces with the rhythm section of Queen for "Too Young." The fade of "Wrap Her Up," in which Elton sings out the names of women he'd like to wrap up and take home--ranging from Princess Caroline of Monaco to Nancy Reagan--is the record's strangest moment.

Sandwiched between 1984's Top 20 hit Breaking Hearts and 1986's commercial disaster Leather Jackets, 1985's Ice on Fire is a forgotten Elton John effort. While it is hardly a masterpiece -- it isn't even up to the standard of such '80s efforts as Too Low for Zero -- it's still an enjoyable record, living proof of the power of professionalism. John was riding high on his comeback of the early '80s and ready to turn out another record. And that's what Ice on Fire is -- another Elton John album, in the best possible sense. Sure, it does mark the reunion of John and lyricist Bernie Taupin with producer Gus Dudgeon, who helmed John's greatest recordings, but you'd never know it from the sound of the record. Ice on Fire is pure 1985, heavy on synthetic drums and keyboards -- the kind of record where Davey Johnstone is credited with guitar, but it never sounds as if there's a guitar on the record, or any other "real" instrument, for that matter. That's not really a criticism, since John always made state-of-the-art records, so it should come as little surprise that this sounds like its time; it's sort of fun, in a way, since it instantly

Digitally remastered 1998 reissue on Rocket of his 1985album for Geffen featuring the top 10 smash 'Nikita', thetop 20 'Wrap Her Up' and four bonus tracks: 'The Man WhoNever Died' (1985 Remix By Gus Dudgeon), plus live versionsof 'Restless', 'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word' & 'I'mStill Standing'. All of the bonus tracks were originallyflipsides on the singles from the album & haven't ever beenon CD before! 14 tracks total.

Digitally remastered by Gus Dudgeon (Abbey Road Studios).

Recorded at The Sol Studio, Cookham, Berkshire, England. Originally released on Rocket (26). Includes liner notes by John Tobler.

Onward International Horns: Phil Todd (alto saxophone); David Bitelli (tenor & baritone saxophones); Bob Sydor, Pete Thomas, Nick Pentelow (tenor saxophone); Paul Spong, Raul D'Oliveira (trumpet); Rick Taylor (trombone & bass trombones); Chris Pyne (trombone).

Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Nik Kershaw (electric guitar); Davey Johnstone (baritone guitar, synthesizer); James Newton Howard (strings, congas, shaker, tambourine); David Bitelli (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Raul d'Oliveira, Paul Spong (trumpet); Rick Taylor (trombone); Fred Mandel (keyboards, synthesizer); Dave Mattacks, Charlie Morgan , Mel Gaynor (snare drum); George Michael, Alan Carvell, Katie Kissoon, Kiki Dee, Pete Wingfield, Sister Sledge (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Gus Dudgeon; Graham Dickson.

Recording information: The Sol Studio, Cookham Berkshi.

Editors: Gus Dudgeon; Graham Dickson.

Photographer: Terry O'Neill.

Arrangers: David Bitelli; James Newton Howard.

Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, synthesizer); George Michael (vocals); Fred Mandel (guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, sequencers, percussion); Davey Johnstone (g