I own every EJ recording I can find; so plunking down more cash on something I already own several copies of wasn't my idea of fun, but it seemed necessary. After doing it, I can only say... worth EVERY cent!

First off, there are two discs, one of the original recording with extra tracks, and the other the Wembley performance of the tneire record front to back. Both feature the Captain Fantastic logo lending more authenticity than the "45-rpm" replica CDs offered last time.

Disc 1 apparently has been digitally sweetened or remastered -- I'm not exactly sure (I haven't read the liner notes yet) but it sounds even better than the remastered edition. It's crisp, clear, powerful; you'd swear this was recorded yesterday, not in 1975. It just blows out of my my speaks with unrivaled clarity and brilliance. Wonderful recording.

The concert is a gem for the second disc, because of its rarity and uniqueness. What's fun here is that Elton talks between tracks and gives some info on the writing behind the songs, as well as his trademark humor and raport with his audiences. You get to be part of the 1975 concert experience, which for me having been born in 1974, is pretty damned cool.

The other awesome, awesome, AWESOME part of this collection is the packing and other items. This disc set is presented as a "double album" treatment where the discs are in a box that unfolds, but slips neatly into a plastic case. Inside, in addition to the two discs, you'll be dlighted to find original artwork, original liner notes... the original Captain Fantastic poster (!)... printed interviews with Elton and Bernie several years on looking back, and notes on the reissue.

This is a classic recording -- the first album to EVER *ENTER* the Billboard charts at #1 -- and it gets the classic treatment it deserves here.

For an Elton fan, this is a must have, as I think it will be the definitive recording. As we've seen reissue after reissue, I think they have finally nailed it by giving you as complete a package as possible. Buy this, and let what Elton intended come from the end of the world... to your town.

I purchased the lp the day it was released in '75, saw EJ at Madison Square Garden later that year. One of 7 (SEVEN!)sold-out shows. The album and the concert are two of the greatest experiences I've had with music. This re-issue is phenomenal.

Just last Friday, my wife & I saw Elton again at Madison Square Garden. The first 45 minutes or so were dedicated to his most recent studio disc "Peachtree Road", which we all politely listened to. After, he went straight into "Captain Fantastic", (all but 2 songs)and the place went crazy. He continued to play more greats from back in the day, but one thing that struck me was how great "Captain" was/is, and not nearly as appreciated as it should be.

30 YEARS? ALREADY? CAN'T BE! I have 3 Original LPS(1 to play/1 to save & a reissue). I remember sitting by Dad's Motorola Console Combo, reading the scraps booklet,listening to all the words & crying when "Curtains" ended as I knew EJ's band would'nt be on his Rock of the Westies Tour later in '75. Being

a collector & a fan since '71, I have a vast Elton Emporium!

This 2 disc features the whole LP & a live version from Wembley

plus Extras! If U love EJ like I do, U WILL LUV this! 1 of my faves is "Tell me When the Whistle Blows". So NEAT! My 1st LP has turned silver from constant play! Skips & scratches included! It's a beautiful thing! Ahh, the 70's! He's been thru so much & "He's STILL Standing! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!!!"

30 years ago, I walked to my local record store (not yet of age to drive) to buy Elton's latest. I still have the original orange sticker from the platic wrap. I was one of those fans responsible for sending this album to number one its first week out. I loved this album then; I still love it now. Elton and Bernie telling there own story. Incomparable! I bought the remaster a few years back. I had to have this special edition because of the live portion, CD 2. Sure would have loved to be there for that show. Elton rocked this album live. The special edition packaging is great, just like the original but mini-sized. All are included, the gatefold cover, the two booklets, and even the original poster. Rumor has it that a movie is in the making for this album. Who could play Elton? My childhood is wrapped up in this album and many of Elton's others. Too bad

Peachtree Road doesn't stand up next to masterpieces like this.

Since most of us who are willing to plunk down the cash for this reissue are already fans of the original album, it wouldn't make much sense to review disc one. The question is, do the restored inserts and disc two make this a worthwhile purchase?

The answer is a slightly qualified yes. Although the booklets and poster have been necessarily minaturized, it's good to have them back as they are part and parcel with the magic of the original release. As to disc two (Live at Wembley), Elton himself is in fine form. The problem is that the Elton John Band Mark II is not quite up to the material. Roger Pope's drumming is tepid and slightly out of sync and the guitars sometimes seem buried in the mix. The back up singing is a bit over pitched and frantic, while Ray Cooper loses all sense of musical proportion, hammering his gong incessantly during "Pinball Wizard". Perhaps the biggest disappointment is "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"; you would think with three great guitarists at hand, that ever-recognizable riff would shake the stadium to bits. Instead, it sounds tinny. Too bad. This was a historic show as far as Elton is concerned, and it's great to have a recording of it. One can't help but wonder, however, how much better things would have sounded if Nigel Olson and Dee Murray had not been dismissed from the band prior to this performance.