Elton John - Rare Masters
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Free Music Notes for Rare Masters
Free Music Review: Great Compilation of Odd Tracks & Rarities
Hit: 5 Stars
When I was a lot younger I bought all of Elton John's albums and singles on vinyl. When I upgraded my albums to CD I was disappointed (at first) to find that many of the B-sides that appeared on singles were not issued to CD. Later releases of Elton John's 1970s era albums contain many of these B-sides as bonus tracks. So buyer beware if you have the later EJ reissues.
This set is great because nearly all of the 1970s era B-sides are in one place. These are oddities and rarities, some very beautiful. One of them, "Skyline Pidgeon" is one of my all time EJ favorites. This version is better than the harpsicord based original that appears on 1969's "Empty Sky" album. This version of "Skyline Pidgeon," often called the "piano version" was issued in 1973 as the B-side to the hit single "Daniel". It was probably recorded at the same time as the "Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player" album.
Besides the famous "I Saw Her Standing There" live duet with John Lennon (which also appears on the extended edition of "Here And There"), one of the prettiest Elton John tracks on this collection is "One Day At A Time." This beautifully produced piece was issued as the B-side to Elton John's #1 hit single, "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds." Yes, the A-side was penned by Lennon/McCartney. "One Day At the Time" was written and originally recorded by John Lennon and appeared on his "Mind Games" album in late 1973. You know what? I always liked Elton John's version of this song better than Lennon's.
"Step into Christmas" is a great holiday track to which I bought and still own the original 45. The B-side to this record was the hilarious "Ho Ho Ho Who'd Be A Turkey at Christmas". I'm sure this was recorded as a throwaway for the single.. but hey... it is funny and reminds me of "B-B-B-Bennie & the Jets"... Funky little holiday song that goes by each year unnoticed by the masses.
Three Dog Night recorded a version of Elton John's "Lady Samantha". In this case Elton's original is much better than the cover version. Good thing it is included here.
Finally, I never saw the movie "Friends," but am happy the entire soundtrack to "Friends" is included here. The title song was a minor hit single for Elton John and its b-side "Honey Roll" appears for the first and only time on CD.
Be aware that some of these songs also appear on the 1990 boxed set "To Be Continued". Whatever the case may be, most Elton John fans will be happy to own this CD set.
Free Music Review: A Great 2 - Disc Set
Hit: 5 Stars
For those who couldn't afford to buy the boxed set "To Be Continued", 1992's "Rare Masters" proved to be a great companion to that set for Elton John fans. Featuring excellent outtakes from 1967 to 1976 (it's a shame that no 1980s' stuff is here), it has 2 discs worth of great music.Disc 1 bgins with his first single. "I've Been Loving You" is Tom Jones - Vegas ballad. Elton wrote the melody and the lyrics. It proves he can write a catchy melody but he needed Bernie Taupin on board to write the lyrics. The rest of the album's first half includes such rarities as the great rocker "Lady Samantha" (covered by Three Dog Night), the haunting "It's Me That You Need" and the thrilling "Bad Side Of The Moon".
Tracks 10 - 19 is the "Friends" soundtrack, available for the first time ver on cd. These are a mixed bag of tracks. Elton and Bernie contributed several great tracks to the movie: the uplifting title track, the upbeat "Michelle's Song", the luscious "Seasons", the rokcer "Can I Put You On" and the bouncy "Honey Roll". These are btter than Paul Bukckmaster's orchestral instrumentals, which are nothing more than well - written crap.
Disc 2 is the better. First, there's an eerie alternate version of "Madman Across The Water". Next, the gospel/rock rave - up "Rock Me When He's Gone". There's a faster version of "Slave", which is way better than the "Honky Chateau" version. A piano version of "Skyline Pigeon" bests the "Empty Sky" version by a long shot. "Jack Rabbit" is a jaunty country number, and "Whenever You're Ready" is a great, 1959s - style rocker. "Step Into Christams" is a great Christmas song. "One Day At A Time" is a haunting cover of a John Lennon song that features Lennon. "Planes" is an excellent acoustic song. For this song alone, it's worth buying this collection. Closer is "Sugar On The Floor", a haunting ballad.
I recommend this cd to al Elton John fans. It's a great collection of unreleased material. Also pick up his albums and his live dvds.
Free Music Review: A Great Album
Hit: 5 Stars
This 1992 features rare Elton John songs, many of them never before released . The first disc start off with Elton's first single, " I've Been Loving You ". This is sort of a corny, Vegas - style ballad that sounds like something from Tom Jones
and Englebert Humperdink, according to Bernie Taupin. The next track, " Here's To The Next Time ", is nothing like any of Elton's songs. It sounds more like a blues song. The next track, " Lady Samantha " is a great song, and it sounds much more like the type of music that Elton would record later in his career. The next track, " All Across The Havens " sounds more like a fast version of " Burn Down The Mission ". The next two tracks, " It's Me That's You Need " and " Just Like Strange Rain " are also great songs. The next song, " Bad Side Of The Moon " is another little known gem, and features a frightening orchestral arrangement by Paul Buckmaster. The next two tracks,
" Rock 'N' Madonna " and " Grey Seal " should be cherished by any listener. The next tracks from, from 10 to 19, are all from the original " Friends " soundtrack. It's good, but we hear only a small amount of Elton songs. The second dosc is great !. It kicks off with an alternate version of " Madman Across The Water ", and is lasts eight minutes and fifty seconds. The next song, " Into The Old Man's Shoes ", is great for people who like
the " Tumbleweed Connection " album. The next track is a demo,
" Rock Me When He's Gone ", that he made for Long John Baldry. The next track is an alternate " fast version " of " Slave ". We also hear other great tracks, but my favorite is the previously unreleased track " Planes ". It is sort of reminiscent of the title track to " Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy ". People who are Elton fans should buy this album
Free Music Review: Sir Elton...The Master
Hit: 5 Stars
I recently purchased this album (Rare Masters)...I was sure that i'll like most of the songs...His oldies were of great charm by themselves.I was a fan of Sir Elton for 15 years now...more than half of my age!...well,this album was something different...I've been loving you(written also by Elton),Bad side of the moon,...& his magic:"Friends"...I never thought that Elton could excel more above his everlasting "your song" or "Tonight" or...his many other songs...Well,now we see!!..Even his rare mastrers which have never been recorded before are an excellent proof that his is the one & only in the music world....The Master! In this double album,you'll hear many great pieces...each is very enough to show u how he is the master of piano & composing..I remember i felt the same when i was listening to "Lion King" For every Elton's fan,u need to hear this...it will move u further in his kingdom....He will never fade..He is still..The Master!Free Music Review: Splendid Outtakes From Elton's Classic Years
Hit: 5 Stars
This multiple CD compilation shows us a rare side of Elton John, including the B-sides of many singles and a lot of material that was cut from albums made during the height of his popularity in the 1970's. Of special note is the inclusion of the soundtrack for the film "Friends", most notable for the songs "Friends" and "Honey Roll"; both of which should have been released as singles. There's also splendid alternative versions of "Skyline Pigeon" and "Madman Across The Water" and singles like "Step Into Christmas". Certainly an absolute must for Elton John fans, even though some of this material has been included in recently remastered CD versions of his classic 1970's albums.