Customer Reviews

Elton John - Greatest Hits 1976-1986

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Some other criticism seems awfully unfair. I think it wrong to dis this later work because his earlier recordings are so damned strong. However, this album stands along with his earlier anthologies.

"Empty Garden" is, in my opinion, as great a song as he has ever put down. Ditto for "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" They make me want to sing along loudly (and lamentably, very badly). "Nikita"? "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word"? I would put these up against any of his earlier work. Not necessarily better, not worse. Strong evocative lyrics and vocals. Surely worth the purchase price, and essential to any E.J. collection.

Obviously, this is the album to get if you a single volume overview of Elton's "non Classic Years" songs. It's not as good as his previous two greatest hits albums, but it features some fine songs nonetheless. Genuine classics include I'm Still Standing, Sorry..., I Guess That's..., Sad Songs..., and some lesser known hits like Kiss The Bride and Who Wears These Shoes?. That said, the rest of the songs are average at best (and the two songs co-written by Gary Osborne are awful), to me at least. Still, if you want to get the best of EJ's late 70's-mid 80's output, this is definately the place.

Sometimes when I look at some of the heroic icons within Pop music, I really don't seem to see that same luster that they really used to have. That can go with most of the acts from the 70's that might seem like they are oldies now, but their music continues to live on in dramatic fashion. With Elton John, he continues to prove that no matter how old you are, your music will always bring a soundtrack to people and their lives. There are just so many flavors that really made Elton a legend, but it wasn't until the 80's, personally because I was born in '81, that I enjoyed Elton's music.

The Greatest Hits 1976-1986, is a concept of 13 of Elton biggest tunes within the 10 year span this collection has. There are just so many good tunes to the collection, it almost seems like a guilty pleasure. The music blends quite nicely from Rock and Pop to the mix, including Don't Go Breaking My Heart with Kiki Dee, I'm Still Standing, and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. Although the record was remastered in 2001, it really seems like a joke when it comes to remastering records. They just aren't always remade just like they say. The music still seems to be shown in great fashion. Also added on to the mix are great songs like Empty Garden, Sad Songs (Say So Much), and Kiss The Bride.

Still, I was a little bit dissapointed that the record wasn't remastered nicely, but the music is just great. I also was upset that a couple of other songs didn't get on this record including That's What Friends Are For, Elton's collaboration with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder, and even Tonight and In Neon. Still, for those die hard Elton John fans, this collection might be for you.

This isn't a bad album, but it's not great. That's a shame, because I really love half of the songs on this album, but the other half leave me looking for more. I personally love "Sad Songs (Say So Much)", "Little Jeannie", "I'm Still Standing," "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues," "Blue Eyes," and "Nikita," but most of the rest of the album just doesn't meet those high points. Songs like "Who Wears These Shoes?" and "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" are especially disappointing. "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" would probably mean more if I were old enough to remember John Lennon (which I am not), but as it is it doesn't touch me all that much. I wait for Volume 4 of his greatest hits and wish that this album could have been a more even collection.

This CD is not too bad, but leaves a lot to be desired. It is almost the same song for song as the album Elton John's greatest hits Volume three. The only difference is a small one. Two songs, which are Sorry Seemes To Be The Hardest Word, and Who Wears These Shoes. Otherwise,this cd is the same as the other cd that I mentioned before. Though I must say that on the other cd, the song Heartache All Over The World is totally awesome.

I have the original cassette of this collection with a different cover (EJ is playing piano wearing a coat w/tails & sunglasses) and included the song "Too Low for Zero"--before his new hair, new husband, etc. I don't mind him reinventing himself, but I do wish he'd left the song list alone & the original cover on it. Still a good album from that time period: "Mama Can't Buy You Love", "Little Jeannie, & "Blue Eyes" are almost never played on the radio anymore, & I miss these songs, which is a good reason to buy this CD. :)

After his brilliant run with MCA records, Elton John joined the early roster of mogul David Geffen, who pledged to make his Geffen Records a haven for Artist's Artists. His initial signings were John Lennon, Donna Summer and Elton. His first album for Geffen, "The Fox," had a minor top 40 single on it that isn't even included here, "Nobody Wins." Thus Elton entered a slower period that didn't really reinvigorate until the third Geffen album, "Too Low for Zero" and "I Guess That's Why The Call It The Blues."

After the poorly recieved "Leather Jackets," Elton resigned with MCA and re-established his career with the "Live in Australia" album, Geffen issued a third Greatest Hits collection. It seems Elton must have retained the rights to his materail since this set came out within ten years on MCA and covers hits from "Blue Moves" to "Leather Jackets."

What this set does show is that, even in a somewhat shallow period of success, Elton John still could create finally tuned pop gems. From "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" to "Wrap Her Up" ("Heartache All Over The World" is one of the drops from the prior GHv3 set), this best-off really does pack on hits. It also misses a few key tracks ("Act Of War," "In Neon" and "Nobody Wins" would have been nice), yet includes one bona-fide oldie "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." You're still getting several top tens ("I Guess That's Why..." and "Sad Songs Say So Much" are now classics) to offer that proof of Elton's staying power.

The change between the two GHv3 is that this version has 13 songs (from the Geffen's 12), drops two songs ("Heartache All Over The Word" and "Too Low For Zer"), then adds "Sorry Seems...," "Who Wears These Shoes" and Don't go Breaking My Heart." The cover art on this one is a step down from the Geffen version, but the sound quality is an improvement. And I always get a smile from hearing Elton and George Michael name-check everyone from Samantha Fox to Nancy Reagen (!?!) on "Wrap Her Up."

This cd is great! Empty Garden ( Hey Hey Johnny) is proboly the best song on here. But the are other gems two like I'm StillStanding, Little Jeannie, Who Wears These Shoe's?. This is great

There's no stopping Elton John,but you can't forget Bernie Taupin.His words are Brilliant."Little Jeannie" was one of the first songs without Bernie.My all time favorite cut is "Empty Garden," written about John Lennon.The line that says it all,"How one Insect could damage so much Grain." I also enjoy the George Michael duet,"Wrap her Up," and "Sad Songs." This hits package ends at the year,1987.The years to follow are even greater than this collection.

I mostly just bought this CD for "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" because it's my favorite Elton John song and I really couldn't find it anywhere else. I also found a couple other good songs on here including "I'm Still Standing" and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." All in all,it's an okay album,but it really has none of Elton's landmark songs ("Candle In the Wind,Can You Feel the Love Tonight,etc.) For songs like these,I would recommend his "Love Songs" album.