It was during the intense research phase for last year’s Jewel Box box set Rarities items that the hidden history of Regimental Sgt. Zippo came into focus. In late 1967 and early 1968, the year before Empty Sky was released, twelve songs were recorded and organized onto two LP sides for intended release as Elton's introduction to the world.

However, it was not to be.

As graphic designer David Larkham recalls, “[Then-manager] Steve Brown would have said to Dick James, ‘Give these guys a little more slack other than just as songwriters in the ‘moon and June’ genre that you’re looking for because they do have other things to say.’ And then a bit later he may have said to Elton and Bernie, ‘Let’s shelve this album and see what you can come up with, and let me produce the next album.' Which turned out to be Empty Sky.”

Three of the twelve songs on the unreleased 1968 LP were actually included, in their final version, on Jewel Box last year. The box set also contains eight more RSZ titles, but in the form of early demos or previous incarnations (there is also one alternate mix). The remaining song, You’ll Be Sorry To See Me Go, has its official debut with the Record Store Day drop.

The earliest known activity for a song on Regimental Sgt. Zippo was the recording of the demo for Nina on November 3, 1967, a mere month after the release of Bluesology’s third and final single (Since I Found You Baby) and a full week before Elton and Bernie signed their first publishing deal with Dick James.

On the 15th of that month (so now five days into the songwriting team working on the clock, as opposed to skulking around the 1st-floor studios in the dead of night to capture their steadily growing volume of work before the famed publisher's staff became wise), Elton, producer/guitarist Caleb Quaye, and the musicians mentioned below picked up their instruments and fired up the four-track tape machine to cut the full-band version of Nina. At some point after, strings were added to the track, and the project was launched. "Regimental Sgt. Zippo was put together as an album, it wasn’t just a pile of demos", says Larkham.

Elton’s studio work that year was not yet done. In amidst demo-ing and developing a number of other John/Taupin compositions, Elton – or, more accurately, someone at the Dick James office – registered Angel Tree with the UK copyright office on December 13, quite possibly at the very same moment the demo was being recorded. As an intriguing point of reference, Elton sang backing vocals for the Tom Jones hit Delilah the following week. The version of Angel Tree heard on RSZ was recorded on January 11, 1968, with the backing vocals tracked on the 19th, during the same session as the orchestration for Elton’s first single, I’ve Been Loving You, was recorded.

Busy days indeed: in March and April of 1968, he recorded the bulk of RSZ as well as a handful of other new songs, released I’ve Been Loving You, and played his first club performance under his own name on April 30 at the Marquee Club in London. 20 days later, the album's title track, evoking not only the Beatles' mind-blowing Sgt. Pepper album but also Elton’s birth name, “Reg”, and the fact that his father was a regimented military man, was tracked and the sessions were complete.

And that is where the story ended...for 53 years. Until now. Finally, “the album that never was”, as Elton calls it, has a home on the Record Store Day shelves and in fans' collections.
'Regimental Sgt. Zippo' album details

All songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, unless otherwise noted.

Recorded on four-track at Dick James Studios, 71-75 New Oxford Street, London, UK.

Produced by Caleb Quaye
Engineered by Frank Owen

Musicians:

Elton John (as Reg Dwight): Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Lead and Backing Vocals
Caleb Quaye: Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Flute, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Dee Murray: Bass, Backing Vocals
Dave Hynes: Drums, Backing Vocals
Paul Fenoulhet Orchestra – arranged by Zack Laurence

Thanks a lot PP!

Given this a good listen now and I think this is just fantastic. I was expecting a bunch of demos when I ordered this, but we have a set of very well produced finished tracks, all with full band backing, great harmonies and orchestration. The music is mainly period pop with nods to Bee Gees and Beatles, but has it's own sound and does get psychedelic at times. A very nice well made package in a colourful period looking sleeve with flipbacks. No booklet or insert unfortunately, but still nice and a great pressing.

And Stuart, I'm sure this will be out on CD pretty soon, as tends to happen with initially limited vinyl pressings, especially for something so good and by such a big name.