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.

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.

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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