There was a lot of hope for Elton John fans with the release of "Reg Strikes Back" in 1986. Elton's singing was more energetic and his music was more creative than in the previous few albums, particularly his musical low point, "Leather Jackets." The question was: would Elton's next release show even more improvement? The answer was an absolute yes. "Sleeping with the Past" had Elton and Bernie moving toward improved creativity and a renewal of their careers. Some of the songs on this CD are significantly more inspired than songs the duo had created in years, and fans could rejoice that Elton really was striking back.

The album kicks off with "Durban Deep." Durban Deep is the name of a mine in South Africa. I believe the mine is actually a gold mine, though the lyrics talk about breathing coal dust. Regardless, this bouncy tune has some interesting musical effects to back it up.

The second song is upbeat. "Healing Hands" reflects the powerful pop style of Elton's 70s hits. This song sets the tone for this album, rather than the first song. This song also reached #15 on the U.S. charts, backed by "Dancing in the End Zone," which did not appear on this album in its original release, but which is included on the remastered version.

The third song is one of the best songs on this CD, and surprises me in that the song was not released as a single by itself rather than being released backing "The Club at the End of the Street." This song is one of the most artistic on this CD, and is a beautiful love ballad as well. Elton excellently matched his music to Bernie Taupin's lyrics to create one of those songs that could easily have been included on Elton's "Love Songs" CD. This song is an overlooked gem. Fortunately it is one of the longest songs on this CD, and I enjoy every second.

"The Club at the End of the Street" is a nice pop song that is bouncy and upbeat and fits all the requirements for commercial success. However, of the songs released from this CD, this one was the weakest, reaching only #25 in the U.S. Since this song was backed by "Whispers," which I think is the better song of the two, perhaps this song should have charted higher.

The next song is the title track. Keeping with the tone of the album, this song is also peppy and upbeat, with a very enthusiastic refrain. While this song has a commercial flavor similar to the previous song, somehow this song comes across as more creative and interesting. By the time you reach this song you realize that this CD is much more consistent and musically interesting than any Elton John CD in a number of years, and yet, there are even more interesting songs to come on this CD.

I have little to say about "Stones Throw from Hurtin'." I know Elton was trying to affect a certain style, and perhaps he succeeds. I know I do not care for the style. The vocal sounds muddy and nearly monotone and the music is too repetitious. This song is the weakest and is stylistically very different from the other songs on this CD.

"Sacrifice" makes up for the last song by being one of the best songs on this CD. This song reached #18 on the U.S. charts, backed by "Love Is a Cannibal," which is a song from "Ghostbusters II." This song was chosen for Elton's "Love Songs" collection, and is one of Elton's greatest ballads. The music contains a lot of electronic effects, but they are so well done that they enhance the beautiful words and the excellence of Elton's vocals. This song is one that strikes an emotional chord every time you hear it.

Breaking out of the mellow mood is "I Never Knew Her Name." This jazzy song is about an observer at a wedding, seeing a beautiful woman that impresses him. This song is an above average song for this CD that contains a number of interesting musical moments, including an all too brief organ portion. Combined with Elton's powerful vocal performance, this song delivers.

Elton did powerful blues songs early in his career, but did so less frequently as his career progressed. "It Amazes Me" has a lot of soul and power, with even the words throwing in an element of blues and soul, making a number of obvious references. This song is poetically and musically interesting, and is yet another of the strong performances on this CD. The guitar on this song is very well done and takes a rare lead on the bridge of this song.

The last song on this CD is very mellow. I could easily see Dan Fogelberg singing "Blue Avenue." The music is very well done and matches Taupin's lyrics very nicely. There is a touch of jazz on this song, in keeping with some of the earlier songs. This song is yet another of the standout songs on this CD.

In addition to the original songs, the remaster includes the aforementioned B-sides "Dancing in the End Zone" and "Love Is a Cannibal," both nice additions to fill out the time available on this CD, in addition to being associated with singles released from this album.

If Elton had yet to really strike back with his previous album, he certainly did with this album. Following Elton John and Bernie Taupin's induction into the National Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1988, this album generated Elton's first ever #1 single in the United Kingdom, "Sacrifice," and proved that Elton John was still an incredible singer and song writer. Elton and Bernie were poised to go into the 1990s refreshed, ready to climb back into the charts anew, and ready to break into territory that was new to both of them.

Every musical artist has their ups and downs. Their peaks and valleys. Elton John has certainly had his. The late 70's started to turn bad, but there was an upswing in the early 80's. It went mediocre again in the mid 80's. But, in 1989, Elton shined through again with this amazing album. Sleeping With The Past is easily Elton's best work of the entire 80's. "Too Low For Zero" would be second. The album is fashioned after a lot of soul and R&B music that had originally inspired Elton and Bernie. The three singles were all hits and the strongest set of singles Elton released in the 80's. "Healing Hands" is classic Elton. The melody is priceless. "Sacrifice" is one of the best, most hauntingly beautiful pieces of work he's ever recorded. "Club At The End Of The Street" is bouncy fun. Every track on this album is either good or great. There's no weak spot. That's something to be treasured. The title track is an uptempo rocker that'll make anybody a fan. "I Never Knew Her Name" is a fantastic song that deserved to be a single. Elton's voice sounds as good as ever. It's just a lovely, haunting album. You can tell by the somber looking front cover. Elton started back on a roll again with this album. He hasn't stopped since. This is an essential album for any EJ fan to have. A classic Elton John album.

This cd is a very personal favorite of mine. It is simply a set of beautiful songs. Of his 70's albums, "Don't Shoot Me", is my favorite. Of his 80's {and this one made it in there barely by a few months, having been released in August 1989}, this one here is my favorite. I bought this cd in Oct. '89, at a time of very personal upheaval, and this cd mirrored thoughts and emotions that I could not myself, at the time, even express. Every song on here is strong and has soul. I love this cd. Among my favorites here are: "Whispers". "Sleeping With The Past", Healing Hands", and "Amazes Me". ...Brilliant. Thanks, E.J. and B.T.

This late 1980's album from Elton John marked the start of his rejuvenation after years of drugs and alcohol problems. Inside the sleeve notes you will find the following quote:

"These songs were inspired by the Soul pioneers of the Sixties and Seventies, whose music meant so much to us"

That pretty much sums up what this album is about and in some instances the influences are quite clear. For example "I never knew her name" is clearly inspired by Aretha Franklin, and is one of my favourite tracks on the album. Another favourite track of mine is "Club at the end of the street". This is a really catchy track, with some great backing vocal arrangements and a fabulous Sax solo. The track that seems to most represent a normal Elton John track is the last - "Blue Avenue" which is a great way to finish the album.

The album isn't perfect though. Overall the quality of the songs on this is as good as anything he produced in the 80's with the exception of "Too Low For Zero". However it is over-produced (as were nearly all records in the 80's). Still this was the start of Elton rebuilding his career and its a good album, that ultimately has lead back to "Songs from the West Coast" and "The Captain and the Kid"

Without a doubt, this is Elton John's finest concept album since "Captain Fantastic" and it is a sterling homage to the Motown sound. However, the remastered version offers two duds at the end, which I think detract from this otherwise exceptional album. Virtually all the tracks could have been released as singles. Along with "Sacrifice", "Healing Hands", "Club at the Edge of the Street" are the equally exceptional title track, "Whispers", and "Blue Avenue". Bernie Taupin has penned some of his finest lyrics, period. This is a brilliant end to one of the finest periods in Elton's career, foreshadowing his great work on "The One", and especially, "Made in England".