Customer Reviews

Duets

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is always interesting to see which guests are present on a collection like this. Elton has chosen duet partners from a diverse range of musical backgrounds so although they all adapt, to some extent, to sing with Elton, it still makes for a somewhat eclectic album. So if you have broad musical tastes, you will enjoy the contrasting styles - if not, may find the album to be somewhat patchy.

The set opens with Tear drops, supposedly a duet with k d lang although, to my ears, it sounds more like an Elton John solo with k d providing harmony vocals. Next comes a superb duet with P M Dawn, When I think about love. Little Richard is the next guest (on The power), but despite the title suggesting an up-tempo rocker, this track is just mid-tempo, although still a fine song.

Don Henley (on Shaky ground), a gently rocking song with a bluesy feel, is next. The big hit among the tracks recorded specially for the album, True love, is a cover of the fifties classic by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. It made number two in the UK singles chart. It's difficult to follow the pairing of Elton and Kiki, but Chris Rea makes a valiant effort on If you were me, a superb ballad written by Chris.

When I originally bought this in 1992, I was surprised to find that Tammy Wynette was among the guests. Elton is clearly a fan of her music - he later recorded a cover of Stand by your man for her memorial album - and I love their duet, A woman's needs, although I know that country fans have divided opinions about this track.

More great duets follow featuring Nik Kershaw (who plays all the instruments), Gladys Knight (with music played by Stevie Wonder), RuPaul (on a re-working of Don't go breaking my heart, but not in the same class as the original version by Elton and Kiki), Marcella Detroit (on a cover of the Motown classic, Ain't nothing like the real thing), Paul Young (on a cover of the sixties oldie I'm your puppet, made famous by James and Bobby Purify), Bonnie Raitt (on a cover of the forties classic Love letters, which became a huge international hit for Ketty Lester in the sixties) and Leonard Cohen (on a cover of another forties song, Born to lose). All these tracks are, of course, excellent.

Next comes Don't let the sun go down on me, a live duet with George Michael. Originally a huge international solo hit for Elton in the seventies, this version was a UK number one hit in 1991. It may have been the success of the single that inspired Elton to record an album of duets. The album closes with Elton performing solo on Duets for one, although one of his guests (Chris Rea) is credited among the musicians.

This album is not regarded as one of Elton's classic albums, but it is very entertaining - if you have broad musical tastes.

At the height of Elton John's revival in the 1990's, he always was able to make a claim into something brand new into the mainstream. Sometimes, it can be easier said than done. Nevertheless, it can be a delightful experience, since Elton scored some of his biggest hits with some of the most dynamic artists in music history, from John Lennon, Eric Clapton, and even the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

His 1993 Duets was widely accepted by critics as a chance-taking record. Although it was to me as well, not many of Elton John's fans were concerned about the album, as much as they had with his other record, The One. The album blends in 15 of the most interesting artists in music at that time, from a short reunion with Kiki Dee, who only was a one-hit wonder thanks to Elton John, on the Cole Porter song, True Love, to performances with artists like If You Were Me, with acclaimed guitarist Chris Rea, and a dance mixed version of Don't Go Breaking My Heart, and his #1 duet with George Michael on Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. Elton also blends in on one song by himself, apply titled Duets For One.

While the album isn't sold as many places as it was when it came out in 1993, Elton John's Duets record is truly a very interesting experience to listen to. This is one collection that fans of Elton John should dare to get as a guilty pleasure.

Fifteen of the sixteen tracks on this album are DUETS. The sixteenth track,DUETS FOR ONE,is a solo recording. Elton joins other artists on 15 of the 16 tracks. TEARDROPS with K.D. Lang,is really cool. He joins "Little" Richard Penniman,a major artist in the fifties,on THE POWER. He joins ex-Eagle Don Henley on a cover of SHAKEY GROUND. Elton records DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART,for the second time,in techno style with little-known artist Ru Paul. He recorded that the first time,in disco style with Kiki Dee,who joined him on the old classic TRUE LOVE on this album. He does the really beautiful IF YOU WERE ME with Chris Rea. He goes country with the late Tammy Wynette on A WOMAN'S NEEDS. Other little-known artists,P.M. Dawn,Nik Kershaw and Marcella Detroit are heard on this album also. GO ON AND ON is more of a trio number. That's Elton,Gladys Knight and composer Stevie Wonder,who sings the bridge verse. Paul Young joins Elton on a cover of I'M YOUR PUPPET. Bonnie Raitt joins Elton on a cover of the old classic LOVE LETTERS. There's also BORN TO LOSE with Leonard Cohen and the previously released live version of Elton's and Bernie Taupin's DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME with the mega-talented George Michael.

I'm very glad I own this album because it shows that any album Elton makes, is excellent. Elton's duet with the late great Tammy Wynette (A Woman's Needs) is brilliant with a very appropriate country edge. I also enjoyed "Teardrops" with k.d. Lang, "If You Were Me" with Chris Rea, "True Love" with Kiki Dee, and also Elton's only solo performance "Duets For One" which is very up-beat. If you buy this album you won't be disappointed.

Elton John always does things big; and this CD gives us a whopping sixteen duets he performs with various artists. The quality of the sound is excellent, too.

The CD track set begins with Elton and k.d. lang singing "Teardrops." The musical arrangement has that '80s pop flavor to it with good percussion and drums. Elton and k.d. sound terrific and this duet really rocks! The strings enhance the natural beauty of this number. "The Power" has a strong beat for this soul type ballad; and the background choir harmonizes well. Elton sounds great as he sings this with Little Richard. Elton and Little Richard bat this one straight out of the ballpark for a grand slam home run---it's THAT good. In addition, Elton sings a passionate rendition of "A Woman's Needs" with Tammy Wynette. The piano adds to the beauty of this number; and Tammy Wynette sounds great!

Elton also does a disco/dance music rendition of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with RuPaul. Together Elton and RuPaul sound better than I thought they would; and they do a fine version of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." The mixing on "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" is excellent; and the female backup vocalists help this very well.

"Born To Lose" gives us Elton doing a duet with Leonard Cohen. Leonard's deep voice works well for this number and he complements Elton's vocals perfectly. The musical arrangement makes great use of the piano and strings. Wow! Listen also for a fantastic live duet when Elton teams up with George Michael to do "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me."

The CD track set ends with Elton performing "Duets For One;" this '80s type of pop number has some great percussion, guitar and piano. The mixing creates the illusion that Elton is doing a duet with himself--we hear two Eltons, not one, at numerous points throughout this number. "Duets For One" makes a strong ending for this fine album.

The liner notes give us some pretty fine artwork and we get the song credits, too. We even get the photos of the people who performed the duets with Elton on this album.

Elton John gives us a great album of duets with his peers; and this truly impresses me. I like the sound and flavor of this album; and I recommend it for fans of pop and rock from the '80s. Naturally, Elton's fans will want this one in their collections!

I found this album lacking in energy and the usual Elton John luster. One of the best songs off the album would be "True Love". Unfortunalty, the rest of the album is somewhat stale.

This album not only demonstrates Elton's versatility of style , but clearly show's how strong and powerful his voice is. Too bad , this album is so under-rated. It's a showstopper. Judy

I give a 5* plus rating to this site. A personal note was enclosed in case I had a question and I totally appreciate this little extra care in sending my CD (which I needed in a hurry and got right away)
I would definitely order from them in front of others in the future. Thank You Sharon Emmett

I feel reluctant to consider that some music Megastars with a quite defined 'level' within the world of Pop & Rock music like Elton John, could make a nice "Duets" album. At least, no beyond that great song with Kiki Dee ("Don't Go Breaking My Heart")... However, this album is the exception that breaks the rule!

Will you please take note: RuPaul, K.D. Lang, Kiki Dee (again), Paul Young, Tammy Wynette, Nik Kershaw, Gladys Knight, P.M. Dawn, Little Richard, Chris Rea, Don Henley, Marcella Detroit, Leonard Cohen, George Michael, the wonderful Bonnie Raitt... WOW!!! All these guys and gals have performed a tune in this album with the great "unshottable" Piano Player.

I bought the CD just by listening the beautiful "True Love" with Kiki Dee... But the whole album is worth the effort to get it! A great one certainly!

At first glance, this SEEMS like it will be phenomenal. Elton established himself as a star in the 70s and has continued to have hits to varying degrees ever since. The album pairs him with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Little Richard, country great Tammy Wynette, Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt, and soul great Gladys Knight among others. This should be great, right?

Well, it SHOULD...but it isn't. It's not even average. A surfeit of covers guarantees that the remakes will be given a side by side comparison with the originals and in most cases they pale.

Paul Young and Elton plod through 60s classic "I'm Your Puppet"..."Love Letters" fares no better despite some nice slide guitar from Bonnie Raitt. The oddest pairing on the disc, "Born to Lose" (Leonard Cohen and Elton) suffers the most. Leonard sets an appropriately somber mood with his first verse, but then Disneyesque strings send it hurtling towards pap. Elton's overly sunny vocal places it firmly there. RuPaul adds some techno glaze to John's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart"...and makes an already lightweight song LESS substantial.

What about the rest? "The Power" is Little Richard and Elton doing faux gospel, Nik Kershaw strings some cliches about friendship together, Tammy Wynette wastes a decent performance on a boring tune ("A Woman's Needs").

BOTTOM LINE:
If you are a COMPLETIST, buy this USED (it's only 99 cents) to get the "lost disco" of "Teardrops" (with K.D. Lang), Chris Rea and Elton's "If You Were Me" semi-crooner and George Michael's guest shot on "Don't let the Sun Go Down on Me" (the best pairing here if not far afield from John's original). But the average Elton fan (and most pop buyers) will be happy to get "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" elsewhere.