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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating collection, January 24, 2005
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.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Double Is Better Than One, December 26, 2002
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.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Elton and friends, August 5, 2003
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.
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