Elton John - Rocket Man: Number Ones [CD/DVD Package]
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Free Music Notes for Rocket Man: Number Ones [CD/DVD Package]
Free Music Review: American Edition of Elton John's Number One Hits Is A Superb Compilation
Hit: 5 Stars
"Rocket Man: Number Ones" is a spellbinding definitive collection of Sir Elton John's most popular chart-topping hits from both his hit single recordings and live performances (though not all of the songs in this compilation were Number One hit singles), issued now in celebration of the Rocket Man's 60th birthday. Not surprisingly virtually all of the songs on this CD consist of those from his legendary 1970s hit-making phase of his magnificient career in music which spans now four decades (However, I should note that the version of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down From Me" included in this CD is Elton's live duet with George Michael, which did finally become a Number One hit for him in the United States and the United Kingdom back in 1991 over 16 years since its original debut on the USA Billboard hit charts.). The only notable exceptions are two songs from the most recent phase of his career, "Sacrifice", which was his first Number One single in the United Kingdom from the late 1980s album "Sleeping With the Past", and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight", the hauntingly beautiful love song with lyrics by Tim Rice from the Disney animated film "The Lion King" (Personally I would have liked to have seen several other relatively recent songs included too, most notably "Little Jeannie", "I Guess Why They Call It The Blues", "Sad Songs (Say So Much)", "I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That" and "The One" since they were bigger hits for Elton in the United States than "Sacrifice", which didn't even reach the top ten here.). Also for the first time ever in an Elton John greatest hits compilation, his chart-topping version of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", recorded with John Lennon around the time of the "Caribou" album studio recording sessions, is finally included, along with an early Elton John favorite, "Tiny Dancer" from the album "Madman Across the Water" (The song became a popular "hit" after it was featured in the soundtrack of Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical film "Almost Famous", but it has been a crowd-pleasing favorite at Elton's live performances for years.).
A bonus DVD contains ten videos, most notably five never released live concert performances from his Las Vegas-based "Red Piano" shows ("Bennie & The Jets", "Rocket Man", "Candle In The Wind 1997", "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting", "Your Song") and four videos for three of his greatest hits from his post-1976 body of work ("I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues", "I'm Still Standing", "I Want Love") and the newest single, "Tinderbox", from the recently released studio album "The Captain and The Kid". I think this special CD/DVD set is worth getting simply for the videos, especially of the live "Red Piano" performances, featuring Sir Elton and his current Elton John Band: musical director and guitarist Davey Johnstone, bassist Bob Birch, keyboardist Guy Babylon, drummer Nigel Olsson and percussionist John Mahon (Both Johnstone and Olsson were members of the original Elton John Band.). And I say this simply because Elton has been blessed in having with his current band, the best group of musicians who've played with him, with the exceptions of course of both percussionist Ray Cooper and the late Dee Murray, the band's original bassist. This special two-disc set will surely please countless fellow Elton John fans and demonstrate why he still remains one of our most important singer-songwriters. If nothing else, this set demonstrates the timeless quality of Elton's most popular hits, which will remain enduring classics of pop and rock music.
Free Music Review: Rocket Man, Number Ones by Elton John
Hit: 5 Stars
Rocket Man - Number Ones is a two disc set. On the first disc you get seventeen songs. Twelve are tried and true number ones and include hits like "Bennie & The Jets" and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?"
One of my favorites is "Tiny Dancer", a song written about Maxine Feibelmann, a dancer who was on tour with Elton and who later married Bernie Taupin. They are divorced now, but the song will forever be a beautiful story and mind's eye visual performance to me. Close your eyes when you listen, you can see her dance.
Now, one song I would have liked on this compilation is "Ticking." That is just me, and that song is another of my all-time favorites.
When you're finished listening to disc one, you'll be filled with memories of where you were and what you were doing at the time each of the songs hit the airwaves. It was a nice return to the past. You can sing along, wash dishes, take a walk, or just listen. It was nice to have all the hits in one place.
As much as I love the music, I really loved the second disc in the set. The DVD is also broken up into two sections.
Five videos (the good kind - the when MTV was all about videos kind) are on the disc. "Tinderbox" is nostalgic and you see some of the old band mates when they were young and footage of shows and concerts, bus trips and plane rides. The cinematography is awesome and I'm not sure if I watched or listened more.
If you remember "I Want Love", this is a haunting piece that uses Robert Downey, Jr. He's in an empty apartment looking for love with sad eyes, hardwood floors, a fireplace and great windows. I think I want to live there. Although the focus in this piece is on Downey, Elton sings lyrics that weave a story. You will also smile at the video of "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues." This video hits home now with the war and so many soldiers leaving and returning to the United States. At the end of the "Your Song" video, I clapped. In my study, alone with my cat, Gus, I clapped at my laptop screen.
Don't fear if you're a fan of live music. This compilation has something on there for you as well. You can see performances from Elton's "The Red Piano Show" in Las Vegas.
I loved the concert footage. I forgot how great Elton John was on stage. I saw him in Cleveland a long time ago. I was a size 5 then, more interested in scanning the crowd for boys then appreciating that I was in the presence of a fantastic performer. Oh, so is youth.
Speaking of youth, if you are a bit older, like me, this is a great CD to share with your kids. They will get a good review of Elton's work and also get to see him perform.
Free Music Review: Double your pleasure!
Hit: 5 Stars
Elton John's fans will double their pleasure with this CD and DVD. The seventeen tracks on the CD are all previously released material,albeit a much smaller compilation than the GREATEST HITS 1970-2002 double CD. Mariah Carey,the Bee Gees and Michael Jackson all have NUMBER ONES albums themselves. The material contained herein covers Elton's entire career spanning over three-and-a-half decades. Elton's other compilations include GREATEST HITS 1976-1986,LOVE SONGS and a three volume GREATEST HITS series. The DVD contains select videos from live performances and studio tracks. I remember seeing numerous times in 1983 on MTV the I'M STILL STANDING video with Elton sporting a suit and hat,which was then his wardrobe style. TINDERBOX is the youngest of all songs contained in this package,that one coming from THE CAPTAIN AND THE KID which was released only this past fall. DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME on the CD was the third time Elton recorded the song. He first recorded it solo in the studio for 1974's CARIBOU,the second time was live for LIVE IN AUSTRALIA in 1986 and the third time was also live but Elton was a guest of George Michael's at that 1991 concert. The title track,we can say is one of 1972's top hits. The song even inspired the launching of MCA's subsidiary,Rocket Records(Neil Sedaka was one of the first artists signed to Rocket in 1974). BENNIE AND THE JETS is live but an awesome GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD track as is the original CANDLE IN THE WIND,a tribute to Hollywood great Marilyn Monroe. Hey,where's CANDLE IN THE WIND '97,the second version which was a tribute to Princess Diana of Wales? The latter CITW was a million-seller during the last four months of 1997. YOUR SONG was one of Elton's first US hits in 1970. YS also appeared on the first GREATEST HITS album and the LOVE SONGS compilation. Anyway,the other songs are awesome. If there were one or two original tracks,any EJ fan would have to buy this item.Free Music Review: Sixty Years On
Hit: 5 Stars
Elton John has already released multiple greatest hits packages, so in order to make this one standout from the pack, it bears the task of commerating his sixtieth birthday and includes a bonus DVD. The songs are all classics and need no explanation and the DVD contains a good live performance of several hits and straight music videos. The music alone merits five stars and the DVD is must for any Elton John fanatic or catalog completist. Nothing much here for the average fan as they probably already own these songs on other disks.Free Music Review: Number Ones...all great
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD is for the casual fan who wants to relive the hits. Elton at his finest for sure. These songs are all classics and have stood the test of time.
I loved the DVD as well. Some rare footage, even for the die hard fans. Also, the inclusion of the Red Piano clips is masterful. Elton's Vegas show has been a mega hit, and it's great to be able to get this sample on a DVD.
Additionally, the CD booklet is worth the price of admission. It's a wonderful trip down memory lane recapping Elton's career.