Reg Dwight (aka Elton John) has been pondering of late about the diverse directions the biz has taken him since he first exploded onto the scene in 1967.

Along with his lyricist of nearly four decades, Bernie Taupin, he has crafted a canon ranging from vibrant foot-tappers to ballads that helped shape the sound of the 1970s - an era that today's young guns often tap into for inspiration.

And it's to such a golden period that the former pub pianist from Watford pays homage with his latest offering. It also marks how a steadfast friendship and song-writing partnership have survived.

Taupin, who's straight, was responsible for the early songs in which John hankered after women. As John's sexuality began to reveal itself, the lyrics became more ambiguous.

Through the 80s, the hits became almost excruciating to listen to, but The Captain and the Kid goes some way to rectifying that. Instead of manufacturing the soundtrack for the next animated feature, John and Taupin shunned the studio to record in a theatre.

There's a welcome revisit to the honky-tonk piano that characterised his heyday on Just Like Noah's Ark and And The House Fell Down, while devotees who can't get enough of John's earnest voice over the ivories will warm to The Bridge.

The country harmonicas and mandolin in I Must Have Lost it on the Wind suggest the duo are letting grand compositions cede at last to commercial-friendly roots and folk, but there again, it may be a mere nod to the rancher's grit. If so, Reg may yet fall off the saddle and back into mediocrity.