Rating: Five star

If you strip away the tantrums and tiaras and look beyond the extortionate flower bills, then what you have in Elton John is a damn fine artist.

And that is what this album is all about.

Sir Elt is going back to basics and by golly, he's doing it in style with this superlative blend of classic ballads and excellent pop songs.

This album marks a return to the 70s heyday of the Versace-clad songster and his brilliant writing partner, Bernie Taupin.

Two outstanding songs in particular can be marked out as instant classics.

I Want Love, the current single release, is almost Lennon-esque in its piano-led melody and insightful lyrics.

Original Sin also hits the sweet spot with its perfect tune and sentiment.

But the rest of the album is also very much up to scratch. From the more upbeat Love Her Like Me to the haunting Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes, here you have an A-Z journey through Elton's turbulent (and very public) past. And his music is all the richer for his experiences.

With sparkling piano and writing that would be difficult to surpass, this is an album to crack open the red wine, chill out and reminisce to.

- SC