Elton John

The trouble with Amazon reviews is that often there's no distinction between the bog-standard version or the Deluxe version of a particular CD release. Here, I'm writing about the Deluxe version that has been kicking around for some time now, but one well worth getting if you're an Elton fan or even if you just like quality music. Elton's second album showcases his music from an early stage of his recording career - it might be slightly solemn in places, but is chock full of those trademark Elton melodies that became 'ear worms' for a generation. This is Elton and Bernie honing their craft, full of hints of how they would later develop.Of course, the opening track is 'Your Song', and it's easy to forget after years of being overplayed what an exquisite song it is - and why John Lennon spotted Elton as being a talent to keep an eye on. Here, on the Deluxe version of this album, it really breathes and shines anew. The rest of the album has many highlights, and the intimate setting created by the remastering of the original tapes is magical. A second disc is brimming with alternative takes, demos and BBC live versions of songs, but the real meat of this set shows a master craftsman starting to spread his wings before the world went mad a few short years later. A beautifully produced set.

First of all this is a great album, Your song, 60 years on, The greatest Discovery and the great King must die to name a few. The mastering is very good, keeping the quality levels at a high standard,but this album always sounded good even my original LP is still sounding great.Disc two has some interesting out-takes and other bonus material, a piano led Your song, and not just a live selection from a concert at the time, which for me never warrants a deluxe issue. so why did i knock of a star?. Well after all the effort with the disc's, you get the worst tackiest box to hold the Cd's in I have ever had the pleasure of buying.Gone is the plastic slip case,that you get with most of the Universal deluxe issue's, instead the cardboard box is wrapped with what only can be described as sellotape, wrapped around the box, which you then have to cut open, looks very tacky, so i thought well as it looks really bad now, perhaps I'll remove it, err bad idea this the rips the picture of the cover. This is ridiculous and not what you expect for £12.99. Considering CD's it cost less than a £1.00 to manufacture a CD,this is a disgrace and Universal should be ashamed with this package, A good set ruined by cut backs, bring back the original deluxe packaging.

Speaking as a non Elton John nut! i.e. I've not bought into everything he's done over the years. But I've always,since the 70's, had a soft spot for this album. And I'd just like to put on record,what a stunning job has been done on the remaster here - absolutely superb! One of the best technical jobs ever, whilst retaining the original 'soul' of the work. 5 stars - all the way! Check this one out!

Elton's second studio album from the classic era of the singer songwriter is simply a masterpiece and this remastered release impresses in every way. The instrumentation is clear and distinct and the whole project is beautifully packaged.

An absolutely classic album, with fantastic remastered sound in this special edition. As well as the original 10-track album, all the extra non-album, demo and live tracks are very interesting in showing the evolution of the final versions. The whole packaging and presentation is excellent, making this a very collectable souvenir of Elton in his musically superb very early days. Unreservedly recommended.