Elton John Album: “Fox [Remaster]”

This collection from 1981 has nearly gone unnoticed, probably due to the lack of input from Bernie Taupin. It is filled with great uptempo, complex arrangments like, "Breaking Down Barriers" and"Fascist Faces". "Just Like Belgium" is one of Elton's most upbeat romantic songs since the mid-seventies and "Carla/Etude/Fanfare" (which runs into) "Chloe" is a testament to Elton John's creativity. However, the best song on the album and the only single, "Nobody Wins" beats out the rest for arrangment, lyrics and heartfelt tearjerking. Amazingly, this single is omitted from all collections. I wish someone would explain this mystery to me.

"The Fox," Elton John's first album for Geffen Records, went largely unnoticed in the spring of 1981. And that is a shame because the set is full of wonderful tunes. The first two tracks, "Breaking Down Barriers" and "Heart In the Right Place" are classic Elton; and the title track could just as easily fit in on 2001's "Songs From the West Coast" or 2006's "The Captain and the Kid" as on this release.

The first single, "Nobody Wins," tells the story of lost love backed by swirling synthesizers and a haunting piano hook. The track took off on radio upon release in 1981 and raced up the lower half of the Hot 100 singles chart before stalling quickly at a disappointing number 21. "Chloe," is a wonderful ballad, yet only managed to make it to number 34 on the chart.

"Fascist Faces" has found its way back into my rotating music library. With the Republicans in control of the American government during 6 of the last 7 years, the song takes on new meaning.

"Heels of the Wind" is an uplifting precursor to "I'm Still Standing" yet stands on its own merits. Had it been released as a single, it probably would have done well.

Finally, no review of "The Fox" would be complete without a mention of the superb "Elton's Song." A heart-wrenching ballad of a school boy-on-boy crush. Sir Elton's vocals cut deep. And the writing shows early indications of songs he would later write for movies and stage.

The next time a retrospective of Elton's music is released, the producers would do well to include a track or two from "The Fox." This is a wonderful album and I urge you to give it a listen.

Great album that generated disappointing sales and reviews,yet a gem where Ej teamed up with Taupin,Tom Robinson & Gary Osborne among others.The result still resonates in beautiful CHLOE,brave ballad ELTON's SONG,former French hit NOBODY WINS ,up tempo yet mellodic JUST LIKE BELGIUM and the Bernie penned autobiographical title track.

My opinion is a bit different from other reviewers. I think this remastering job sounds different, but not necessarily better. The remastered album has a somewhat LOUDER sound, but not necessarily BETTER I would say. Actually, during "Hearts In The Right Place" I noticed the hiss level pumping a bit more, and I wonder if a bit of digital clipping is going on.

As this album is imported, it differs from the classic album remasters. Those are actually remixed, with the balance of different instruments readjusted by original producer Gus Dudgeon. I don't see any note about remixing on this disc, and it does not sound remixed. The remastering is not by the same person/facility.

I really don't know which I prefer; I'll have to think about it. Look at the Marketplace listings and you'll see what I decided :-)

As for the album, it starts off with a bang. "Breaking Down The Barriers" is a great rocker I'd love to hear Elton play live. The song selection is odd, but for me somehow fits together, and I still listen to it lo these many years later.

"The Fox", was Elton John's first record on his then new label, Geffen. You would need to be a hard core fan to really want this lack-luster effort. However, I wanted it for two reasons, the first being, this recording has not been available on cd before, and secondly, the song "Nobody Wins" has been all but impossible to find. "Nobody Wins" was the song that was released as a single and is the best song of this collection. In fact, it was and is, a really great song. Another truly good gem off of "The Fox", was "Heart in the Right Place", which boasted Elton John's by now recognizable way with the blues. As for the other songs, they are fine as background music but nothing special.