I have to admit I’ve only checked in with Uncle Reg very sporadically this century. I had quite a long visit for his inspired set ‘Songs Of The West Coast’ in 2001 (check the wonderful ear-worm ‘Dark Diamond’, with Stevie Wonder on spirited harmonica) and again in 2010, for his duo album ‘The Union’, with old friend and occasional collaborator Leon Russell (check the sublime and gorgeous ‘Gone To Shiloh’ with Neil Young guesting). These apart, I’ve missed most of his ‘noughties and beyond’ output, sparing the odd track here and there.

I looked up ‘My Quicksand’ from his last album ‘Diving Board’ (2013) on Elton’s own recommendation after stumbling across an article ear-marking what he felt were his greatest songs across his whole career. I felt I should give latest-model Elton a try and quickly heard why he rated the song. His piano playing and sense of melody were certainly as adroit as ever. I do struggle with the now very deep, somewhat damaged, cheeks-full-of-marbles voice (when it used to ring and soar with such off-handed ease), but his performance still sounded committed and the melody took some unexpected, artful twists and those factors counted for a lot in the balance.

Which bring us, and me, to his next album, his 32nd studio album, ‘Wonderful, Crazy Night’, out 5/2/16. At this stage, details about the new album are few beyond the track-list and cover art. Could the garish ‘massacre at the butterfly enclosure’ cover-art with a beaming Elton in the middle and ‘report to the dancefloor immediately’ type album title signal that this time around he might have parked his piano in the club at the end of the street?…on Ibiza?? I think we can safely say he’s in upbeat mode again going by lead single ‘Looking Up’ and following the previous more moody, rootsy affair. We’ll see soon enough and I’ll admit a fair curiosity.

Long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin is on deck and ‘Diving Board’ producer, T-Bone Burnett no less, is back as well. ‘Wonderful, Crazy Night’ is out on Standard CD, Deluxe CD and LP on 5/2/16.

• 1 Wonderful Crazy Night
• 2 In the Name of You
• 3 Claw Hammer
• 4 Blue Wonderful
• 5 I’ve Got 2 Wings
• 6 A Good Heart
• 7 Looking Up
• 8 Guilty Pleasure
• 9 Tambourine
• 10 The Open Chord
• 11 Free and Easy*
• 12 England and America*

*Deluxe Edition bonus tracks