Elton John - Rocket Man: Number Ones [CD/DVD Package]
![Rocket Man: Number Ones [CD/DVD Package]](/images/Rocket-Man-Number-Ones-CD-DVD-Package-B000NDEXPW-L.jpg)
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Free Music Notes for Rocket Man: Number Ones [CD/DVD Package]
Free Music Review: Far From Remotely Concise, But Decent Primer For Beginners.
Hit: 4 Stars
One would expect someone like Elton John to give his fans something a little more special to honor his 60th birthday than yet another "Greatest Hits" package, and yet that's what we got.
So what does "Rocket Man: Number Ones" offer? Well, nothing new, really. Basically, we get a complete rundown of all of Elton's number one hits plus other big classics, which essentially means we once more get the same recycled classic hits ("Bennie And The Jets", "Crocodile Rock" and "Your Song", among the other usual suspects). Despite these being some of the finest rock songs ever written, one tires of having to see these songs endlessly trashed on unneeded hits collections.
So does this collection have any justification for its existence. Well, yes. If you're a beginning Elton fan who can't afford the vastly superior two disc collection "Greatest Hits: 1970-2002" as a starting point for your collection, "Rocket Man" does a decent job of exposing you to the songs that make Elton one of the finest performers in the anals of popular music. The packaging and liner notes are excellent, and the sound quality is fantastic.
The other reason is for the accompanying dvd. The five performances from The Red Piano shows in Las Vegas are Elton on fire, for he's at his best before a live audience. And it's finally it's wonderful to have some of Elton's classic music videos on dvd, especially the campy but unforgettable one for "I'm Still Standing".
So while not entirely unnecessary, "Rocket Man" is a decent way of acknowledging a magnificent performer's 60th day of birth. Hopefully, though, a complete cd or concert of Elton's magnificent 60th birthday concert will come up soon enough.
Free Music Review: Decent CD collection of hits, DVD is a dud
Hit: 4 Stars
There isn't much to say about the CD -- if you have these songs already, you don't need to buy another copy. For the casual fans who want some of Elton's best, then this may be just the ticket.
Others may be wondering about the Bonus DVD. From my perspective, having all of Elton's early CDs, and having seen him circa 1981 when he was probably at his absolute peak, the Vegas Red Piano show videos here are shocking. Elton's singing voice has changed so much he simply cannot sing the old songs anymore. I don't even like his phrasing. The piano playing is still good, and he does get the house bopping around on Saturday Night's Alright. His attempt at Your Song sounds like a parody of the stereotypical Vegas lounge singer trying to do a cover version, though. Tragic. For me, seeing these five songs from his Vegas act cures me of ever wanting to see Elton live again. Just enjoy the old records, and salute him for the good run that he's had.
There are five other videos on the DVD -- an earlier live performance of Your Song, with full symphony orchestra behind him, is much better. The other four contain little of note. I found Robert Downey Jr. lip-syncing an entire song was a little disturbing and pointless. There are two Too Low For Zero-era videos probably made for MTV which are OK, but clearly dated.
In short, the CD is great if that's what you need. The DVD really offers no incentive to own this new/old collection.
Free Music Review: Happy birthday, Reg !
Hit: 4 Stars
Only in 2002 Elton John released a double CD best of which included the worst also, tracks like "Nikita" and "Made In England".
Since then, the man's career has not exactly been as buoyant as the hype suggests. So, following several underperforming albums - here is yet another greatest hits collection.
Cannily, or should I say blatantly, released to coincide with his 60th Birthday Party Concert - this definitive hits album excludes the tracks you wish to forget. It also includes the average new single "Tinderbox".
There is no doubting that our Reginald has made some great music. Tracks like "Your Song" and "Tiny Dancer" are classics and all here. But you if you are a fan, you have got them numerous times.
The TV appearances and concerts showed that the voice has weakened over the years as has the stage presence.
The only thing that this album proves is that there is more to Elton John than being a friend of Liz Hurley's or Victoria Beckham.
But if you cringed your way through the TV special as the plastic celebs danced in the aisles - this Emperor's New Clothes Collection will not sway you.
Your best bet is to dig out your dusty version of the brilliant classic "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and weep.
Free Music Review: An economical way to get 17 Elton John hits
Hit: 4 Stars
This is an economical way to get 17 Elton John hits. It is not a comprehensive collection of his hits and it leaves out some of his songs that I prefer and includes others that I am less fond of. But it does include some good selections of his music and all of the selections sound familiar and as I am used to hearing them. This is an advantage over some of his other greatest hit compilations which include selections that were not hits and in order to get all of the hits on one album you have to receive some songs that were not hits. I have not viewed the DVD yet and I was not particularly interested in getting it. Someday I will view it when I get around to it.Free Music Review: Worth it for the DVD
Hit: 4 Stars
If you're a fan, then you probably have all the tracks on the CD in other recordings. BUT the real benefit to this package is the DVD which contains videos of performances from the Red Piano show in Las Vegas, as well as other concert videos.
Hopefully a full Red Piano concert video is in the offing!