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.

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.

Elton John always does things big; and this CD gives us a whopping sixteen duets he performs with various artists. The quality of the sound is excellent, too.

The CD track set begins with Elton and k.d. lang singing "Teardrops." The musical arrangement has that '80s pop flavor to it with good percussion and drums. Elton and k.d. sound terrific and this duet really rocks! The strings enhance the natural beauty of this number. "The Power" has a strong beat for this soul type ballad; and the background choir harmonizes well. Elton sounds great as he sings this with Little Richard. Elton and Little Richard bat this one straight out of the ballpark for a grand slam home run---it's THAT good. In addition, Elton sings a passionate rendition of "A Woman's Needs" with Tammy Wynette. The piano adds to the beauty of this number; and Tammy Wynette sounds great!

Elton also does a disco/dance music rendition of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with RuPaul. Together Elton and RuPaul sound better than I thought they would; and they do a fine version of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." The mixing on "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" is excellent; and the female backup vocalists help this very well.

"Born To Lose" gives us Elton doing a duet with Leonard Cohen. Leonard's deep voice works well for this number and he complements Elton's vocals perfectly. The musical arrangement makes great use of the piano and strings. Wow! Listen also for a fantastic live duet when Elton teams up with George Michael to do "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me."

The CD track set ends with Elton performing "Duets For One;" this '80s type of pop number has some great percussion, guitar and piano. The mixing creates the illusion that Elton is doing a duet with himself--we hear two Eltons, not one, at numerous points throughout this number. "Duets For One" makes a strong ending for this fine album.

The liner notes give us some pretty fine artwork and we get the song credits, too. We even get the photos of the people who performed the duets with Elton on this album.

Elton John gives us a great album of duets with his peers; and this truly impresses me. I like the sound and flavor of this album; and I recommend it for fans of pop and rock from the '80s. Naturally, Elton's fans will want this one in their collections!

This album not only demonstrates Elton's versatility of style , but clearly show's how strong and powerful his voice is. Too bad , this album is so under-rated. It's a showstopper. Judy

Great product. Really love it. Listen to it every day. Got me into the mood to go to the concert.