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Arriving ten years after the single-disc Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits (known as Rocket Man: Number Ones in North America) and 15 years after the double-disc Greatest Hits 1970-2002, Diamonds ups the game by offering two variations on Elton John's greatest hits: a double-CD version and a limited-edition triple-disc box set. Given John's canon is close to set, it should come as no surprise that Diamonds follows the same path as its predecessors -- indeed, the first ten songs on Diamonds are the same as those on Greatest Hits 1970-2002, with minor rejiggering; ultimately, there is a 26-song overlap -- but within its standard two-disc set, it finds a place for some important hits absent in prior comps. Notably, this has "Little Jeannie," "I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That," and his live duet with George Michael, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," all welcome additions, and as it extends into the present, it also finds space for John's artistic renaissance of the 21st century in the form of "Electricity," "Home Again," and "Looking Up." The third disc on the deluxe version deepens the story further by adding a bunch of hits that could've feasibly been included on the first two discs -- "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," "Pinball Wizard," "Mama Can't Buy You Love," "Part-Time Love," "Victim of Love," "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)," "Kiss the Bride," the superstar charity single "That's What Friends Are For" -- and also underscores his enduring stardom and cultural reach by including OK '90s U.K. hits with Kiki Dee, Pavarotti, and LeAnn Rimes, plus his 2012 U.S. dance hit with Pnau, "Good Morning to the Night" (conspicuous in their absence is any duet with Leon Russell). This last disc offers up plenty of hits but it also feels slightly messy because of the leap from "Kiss the Bride" to "Live Like Horses," but that only indicates how John would've been equally well served by a four-disc set. Instead, we get this excellent -- if incomplete -- collection that is equally satisfying in either its double-disc or triple-disc incarnation.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Paul Buckmaster, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 2016 This Record Company Ltd.
Roger Cook, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Lesley Duncan, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Steele, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Buckmaster, Conductor, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Geoffrey Cable, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - Nigel Olsson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Liza Strike, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Caleb Quaye, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Pope, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - BJ Cole, Steel Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Burrows, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - David Glover, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Barry St. John, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Sue Glover, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Sunny Leslie, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2016 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Scott, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Scott, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ivan Jullien, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jean Louis Chautemps, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jacques Bolognesi, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Alain Hatot, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Organ, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Scott, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, Mellotron, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Maracas, AssociatedPerformer - Ken Scott, Engineer, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - David Hentschel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2014 This Record Company Ltd.
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Dusty Springfield, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Sherlie Matthews, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - Lenny Pickett, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Clydie King, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Guitar, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Kelsey, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Hentschel, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Clive Franks, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Tower Of Power Horn Section, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Jessie Mae Smith, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 2017 This Record Company Ltd.
Kenny Passarelli, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Banjo, Electric Guitar, Steel Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - Ray Cooper, Tambourine, Marimba, Conga, AssociatedPerformer - Kiki Dee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - James Newton Howard, Synthesizer, Mellotron, AssociatedPerformer - Ann Orson, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Caleb Quaye, Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Pope, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Guercio, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer
℗ 2016 This Record Company Ltd.
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Gus Dudgeon, Producer - Kiki Dee, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
Kenny Passarelli, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Vibraphone, AssociatedPerformer - John Stewart, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Newton Howard, Conductor, String Arranger, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Carl Fortina, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Howlett, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
Bruce Johnston, Vocal Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Hey, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - DAVID FOSTER, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Composer, Producer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Horn, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, Author - Clive Franks, Producer
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
DISC 2
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elton John, Producer, Piano, Synthesizer, Mellotron, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Cooper, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Clive Franks, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Phil Dunne, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
Jeffrey Porcaro, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Richie Zito, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Price, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHRIS THOMAS, Producer - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mike Stavrou, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gavin Wright, Orchestra Leader, AssociatedPerformer - James Newton Howard, Conductor, String Arranger, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Osborne, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Nigel Barker, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
Bill Price, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHRIS THOMAS, Producer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2016 Mercury Records Limited
Bill Price, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHRIS THOMAS, Producer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stevie Wonder, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Dee Murray, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2016 Mercury Records Limited
CHRIS THOMAS, Producer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Renate John, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
David Paton, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Synthesizer, Background Vocalist, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Epps, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - GEORGE MICHAEL, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Mandel, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gus Dudgeon, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Nik Kershaw, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Mattacks, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Dickson, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Gordon Vicary, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Pearce, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
CHRIS THOMAS, Producer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHRIS THOMAS, Producer - Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Keyboards, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fred Mandel, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Iversen, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - David Nicholas, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Guy Babylon, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Moffett, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Karl Lever, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Romeo Williams, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
Gavyn Wright, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Williams, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHRIS THOMAS, Producer - Bernie Taupin, Author - Elton John, Composer, Piano, Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Laurence, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - David Daniels, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Green, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Charlie Morgan, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Carol Kenyon, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Anne Dudley, Conductor, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - David Nolan, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Robin McGee, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Carrack, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Willey, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Vaughan Armon, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Maciej Rakowski, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Jim McLeod, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Kegg, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Jackie Shave, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Katie Wilkinson, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Philip De Groote, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Eddie Roberts, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - John Pigneguy, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Bill Benham, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Strange, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - John Jorgenson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jackie Rawe, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Birch, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Hugh Seenan, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Lewis, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Pleeth, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Kelly, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Oxer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Mike De Saulles, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Paul Cullington, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Guy Babylon, String Arranger, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Parker, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Jay Reynolds, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Howard Ball, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Wilfred Gibson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Philip Dukes, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Frank Lloyd, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Hawkins, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Jon Ewans Jones, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Van Kampen, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Gillian Findley, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Bradbury, Violin, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - PATRICK LEONARD, Producer - BILL BOTTRELL, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Mercury Records Limited
Gary Barlow, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - The London Community Gospel Choir, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHRIS THOMAS, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elton John, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Olle Romo, Programmer - Phil Spalding, Bass Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Rice, ComposerLyricist - Kiki Dee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Lewis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rick Astley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Guy Babylon, Programmer - Chuck Sabo, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Paula Jones, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Walt Disney Records
Casey James, ComposerLyricist - Leroy Bell, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Mixer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - THOM BELL, Conductor, Producer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Clive Franks, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Nathan Thursting, Programmer
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
Gary Barlow, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Elton John, Composer, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lee Hall, Author - Nigel Olsson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Still, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Birch, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Rick Astley, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Guy Babylon, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - John Mahon, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
David Piltch, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Keefus Ciancia, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - T-Bone Burnett, Producer - Darrell Leonard, Flugelhorn, Horn Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Owens, Engineer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gavin Lurssen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Wormer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Vanessa Parr, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jay Bellerose, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chuck Findley, Flugelhorn, AssociatedPerformer - George Bohanon, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Bruce Fowler, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Zachary Dawes, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Gartenbaum, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Roper, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
Kim Bullard, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - T-Bone Burnett, Producer - Gavin Lurssen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Wormer, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Piersante, Editor, StudioPersonnel - Vanessa Parr, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, Producer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nigel Olsson, Drums, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Bissonette, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - John Mahon, Percussion, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Gartenbaum, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Alex Williams, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Village, Studio - Gabriel Burch, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Mercury Records Limited
The London Community Gospel Choir, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHRIS THOMAS, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Elton John, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Davey Johnstone, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Olle Romo, Programmer - Phil Spalding, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Rice, ComposerLyricist - Pete Lewis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Guy Babylon, Programmer - Chuck Sabo, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Matthew Vaughn, Programmer - Paula Jones, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2017 Walt Disney Records
Album review
Arriving ten years after the single-disc Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits (known as Rocket Man: Number Ones in North America) and 15 years after the double-disc Greatest Hits 1970-2002, Diamonds ups the game by offering two variations on Elton John's greatest hits: a double-CD version and a limited-edition triple-disc box set. Given John's canon is close to set, it should come as no surprise that Diamonds follows the same path as its predecessors -- indeed, the first ten songs on Diamonds are the same as those on Greatest Hits 1970-2002, with minor rejiggering; ultimately, there is a 26-song overlap -- but within its standard two-disc set, it finds a place for some important hits absent in prior comps. Notably, this has "Little Jeannie," "I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That," and his live duet with George Michael, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," all welcome additions, and as it extends into the present, it also finds space for John's artistic renaissance of the 21st century in the form of "Electricity," "Home Again," and "Looking Up." The third disc on the deluxe version deepens the story further by adding a bunch of hits that could've feasibly been included on the first two discs -- "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," "Pinball Wizard," "Mama Can't Buy You Love," "Part-Time Love," "Victim of Love," "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)," "Kiss the Bride," the superstar charity single "That's What Friends Are For" -- and also underscores his enduring stardom and cultural reach by including OK '90s U.K. hits with Kiki Dee, Pavarotti, and LeAnn Rimes, plus his 2012 U.S. dance hit with Pnau, "Good Morning to the Night" (conspicuous in their absence is any duet with Leon Russell). This last disc offers up plenty of hits but it also feels slightly messy because of the leap from "Kiss the Bride" to "Live Like Horses," but that only indicates how John would've been equally well served by a four-disc set. Instead, we get this excellent -- if incomplete -- collection that is equally satisfying in either its double-disc or triple-disc incarnation.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 34 track(s)
- Total length: 02:35:21
- Main artists: Elton John
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2017 Universal Music Operations Limited This Compilation ℗ 2017 Universal Music Operations Limited
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