When it comes to Elton John, there are few that can boast of the singles popularity that he’s enjoyed since the relative beginning of his career. And still, he is a big name that can sell titles and produce more than casual interest. Of course, there are a number of ‘best of’ collections bearing his name and all too familiar songs. But again, few artists have sustained a strong enough career over decades that can add to a library like he has. With charting singles, and popular deep cuts, Elton rules in the annals of Rock and Roll.
On November 10, Universal Music will release several versions of a new ‘best of’ set called Diamonds. The best thing about Diamonds is that it will be made available in several ways (CD, 2CD, 3CD) in order to appease the casual fan AND the FAN fan!
The CD edition will contain seventeen classics that everyone knows. The 2CD edition adds in another seventeen tracks, switching the track-list about a bit to create a more consistent flow between the two discs. And then there’s a career-defining 3CD Limited Edition Box that provides an additional seventeen tracks with moderate (but still recognizable) hits added (“Pinball Wizard”, “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”, “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) to name a couple).
The 3CD Box sweetens the purchase with a 72-page hardbound book filled with a span through Elton John’s illustrious career trek. The box finishes with a set of postcards, neatly tucked into a preserving jacket of their own.
Also, along with the expected Digital downloads of the packages, there will also be a 2LP, 180g-weight gatefold set with 21 songs.
Say what you will about the frequency of these ‘best of’ sets but Elton John’s career is one that can do this kind of thing. My eye is on the 3CD Box because that is the prize intended. The CD, and 2CD sets are merely breakdown for the casual fan who will refuse to buy the Box but still want this set. There’s no word yet on whether these have been newly remastered but I certainly hope that they were.
Diamonds (CD1) – Elton John
01 – Your Song
02 – Tiny Dancer
03 – Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
04 – Crocodile Rock
05 – Daniel
06 – Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
07- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
08 – Candle In The Wind
09 – Bennie And The Jets
10 – Philadelphia Freedom
11 – Island Girl
12 – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart [Elton John and Kiki Dee]
13 – Mama Can’t Buy You Love
14 – I’m Still Standing
15 – I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
16 – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me [George Michael and Elton John]
17 – Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Diamonds (2CD) – Elton John
CD1:
01 – Your Song
02 – Tiny Dancer
03 – Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
04 – Honky Cat
05 – Crocodile Rock
06 – Daniel
07 – Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
08 – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
09 – Candle In The Wind
10 – Bennie And The Jets
11 – The Bitch Is Back
12 – Philadelphia Freedom
13 – Island Girl
14 – Someone Saved My Life Tonight
15 – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart [Elton John and Kiki Dee]
16 – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
17 – Little Jeannie
CD2:
01 – Song For Guy
02 – Blue Eyes
03 – I’m Still Standing
04 – I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
05 – Sad Songs (Say So Much)
06 – Nikita
07 – I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That
08 – Sacrifice
09 – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me [George Michael and Elton John]
10- Something About The Way You Look Tonight
11 – I Want Love
12 – Can You Feel The Love Tonight
13 – Are You Ready For Love?
14 – Electricity
15 – Home Again
16 – Looking Up
17 – Circle Of Life
Diamonds (Limited Edition 3CD Box) – Elton John
CD1:
01 – Your Song
02 – Tiny Dancer
03 – Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
04 – Honky Cat
05 – Crocodile Rock
06 – Daniel
07 – Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
08 – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
09 – Candle In The Wind
10 – Bennie And The Jets
11 – The Bitch Is Back
12 – Philadelphia Freedom
13 – Island Girl
14 – Someone Saved My Life Tonight
15 – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart [Elton John and Kiki Dee]
16 – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
17 – Little Jeannie
CD2:
01 – Song For Guy
02 – Blue Eyes
03 – I’m Still Standing
04 – I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
05 – Sad Songs (Say So Much)
06 – Nikita
07 – I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That
08 – Sacrifice
09 – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me [George Michael and Elton John]
10 – Something About The Way You Look Tonight
11 – I Want Love
12 – Can You Feel The Love Tonight
13 – Are You Ready For Love?
14 – Electricity
15 – Home Again
16 – Looking Up
17 – Circle Of Life
CD3:
01 – Skyline Pigeon
02 – Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
03 – Pinball Wizard
04 – Mama Can’t Buy You Love
05 – Part-Time Love
06 – Victim of Love
07 – Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)
08 – Kiss The Bride
09 – That’s What Friends Are For [Dionne Warwick with Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder]
10 – The One
11 – True Love [Elton John and Kiki Dee]
12 – Believe
13 – Live Like Horses [Elton John and Luciano Pavarotti]
14 – Written In The Stars [Elton John and LeAnn Rimes]
15 – This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore
16 – Good Morning To The Night [Elton vs PNAU]
17 – Step Into Christmas
Diamonds (2LP) – Elton John
LP1:
Side A –
01 – Your Song
02 – Tiny Dancer
03 – Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
04 – Crocodile Rock
05 – Daniel
Side B –
01 – Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
02 – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
03 – Candle In The Wind
04 – Bennie And The Jets
05 – Someone Saved My Life Tonight
LP2:
Side C –
01 – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart [Elton John and Kiki Dee]
02 – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
03 – Song For Guy
04 – Blue Eyes
05 – I’m Still Standing
06 – I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
Side D –
01 – Nikita
02 – Sacrifice
03 – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me [George Michael and Elton John]
04 – Can You Feel The Love Tonight
05 – Are You Ready For Love?