[.ca] Rocket Man: Number Ones

Happy birthday, Reginald !:
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.

ELTON 60: REVIEWED BY CHURCHMOUSE.BZ:
Elton at 60! Hard to believe. He ain't rocking some rocking chair. He's rocking! I mean he's really rocking. Since 1967 we have seen him blossom into a superstar. Hit after hit after hit. The first time I saw him in concert was in 1982. I wondered how he was going to fit all his hits in 2+ hours. He didn't disappoint me: he not only sang his greatest tunes but he also included hits by other artists. Now here we are 27 years later and he's still churnin' them out -- one hit after the other. At that time I was amazed at the audience demographics: from children on their father's shoulders to 30, 40 and 50 year-olds. Yes, he's a genius. Just think, he wanted to be an accountant (His real name: Reginald Dwight C.A.). Now he's really record keeping. I had the pleasure of meeting him in 1976 in downtown Toronto when he was recording the album, "Blue Moves" (with "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word", "Don't Go Breaking my Heart, "Tonight" and more). I gave up Rock and Roll in 1986, but I never gave up on him. I'm always looking forward for the next album - all I can say is "Get it now". Listen to the genius who put Bernie Taupin's lyrics/poems to music. "Island Girl" took him only 20 minutes to compose. He could turn your Income Tax form into a hit. Sincerely, Charles, ChurchMouse.Bz.

• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
• Bennie and the Jets
• Daniel
• Crocodile Rock
• Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
• Philadelphia Freedom
• Island Girl
• Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Kiki Dee, Elton John
• Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
• Sacrifice
• Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
• Your Song
• Tiny Dancer
• Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)
• Candle in the Wind
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)