Elton John - Greatest Hits

2007 reissue of the package with the 2CD "Greatest Hits 1970-2000" collection (featuring 34 classic hit songs) plus the "One Night Only-Greatest Hits Live" DVD (PAL format) that was recorded in 2000 at Madison Square Garden with over 2 and a half hours of live performances featuring guest appearances by Bryan Adams, Mary J. Blige, Billy Joel & Ronan Keating as well as five promotional videos in 5.1 Surround Sound!

Elton John has always fancied himself a big-theme album artist, but because even his finest albums are spotty, his best moments, with few exceptions, have been singles. Greatest Hits collects nine of them from '70 to '74, plus one of those exceptions, the stirring faux-gospel "Border Song." If you overlook the weightless "Crocodile Rock" and the contrived "Your Song," this album shows why John is a superstar, especially on the big ballads, where collaborator Bernie Taupin supplies some interesting lyrics for his impeccable melodic hooks. The ethereal "Rocket Man" is a marvel despite its goofy premise, and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" remains the greatest pop moment of John's career. --David Cantwell