Greatest Hits - John, Elton (CD 1990)

Exception to what rule, you ask? My rule that Greatest Hits albums are unnecessary (and even demeaning) for great musicians. Making such a compilation for artists like Led Zeppelin or the Pixies is a rock'n'roll sacrilege. And even Elton's early albums were fairly consistant, sometimes conceptual. But he lends himself to compilation extremely well, and these songs are just as effective here as in their original settings. Perhaps they are just that good - but they almost seem to belong together. It's also in part thanks to his never relying on formula, so unlike some band's hit albums it never gets repetitive or tiring. But he also never really branched out in different directions, so all of this sounds like it could be on an album together - a very good one. It's a cohesive collection that may be the one definitive Elton John record.

The songs are great. "Crocodile Rock", "Bennie and the Jets", "Honk~y Cat" & "Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting" are just beautiful rock classics. "Rocketman" is perhaps one of Elton's finest melodies, with lyrics that are both cryptic but somewhat touching. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is slow but very catchy. And as sappy as "Your Song" and "Daniel" are, they are pretty good soft ballads.

The CD release features a new addition too - "Candle in the Wind", which recently enjoyed an even bigger bout with the charts in it's rerelease as a single to commemorate the life of Princess Di. Although it was a notable song from that era, it does slightly bog down the album from it's original form - the last thing it needed was another slow ballad. But it does put another big title on an already impressive track listing.

If you only get one Elton John album, this is it. All of his strongpoints are on display here.