It's impossible to fit all of Elton John's hits from 1970-2002 into a two-disc compilation, even with the addition of a third bonus disc. During the seventies, the songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin had the Midas touch. Wisely, the first disc of this collection covers their heyday from 1970-1976. The song selection is superb, balancing hit singles with essential album tracks. "Your Song" was Elton's first hit and the obvious choice for starting this collection. "Tiny Dancer" peaked at number 41 and, amazingly, "Candle In The Wind" wasn't even released as a single. Being among two of Elton's best and most recognizable songs, they rightly appear on the first disc. "Island Girl" is a lightweight song that is not well remembered, but was included because it hit number one on the charts! On the other hand, Elton's excellent version of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" hit number one, but must have been excluded because it was a cover version of a Beatles' song.

Like the import CD "The Very Best Of Elton John," the second disc starts off with Elton's number one song with Kiki Dee, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." Whereas that previous collection only went up to 1990, this disc goes up to 2001. It's great to have "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" and "Circle Of Life" from the Lion King, as well as "Written In The Stars" from Aida, on an Elton John compilation. However, I would have included them on the bonus disc to make room for other worthy songs from his regular albums, such as "Nobody Wins," "Blue Eyes," "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" and "Healing Hands," to name a few. The second disc closes out on a strong note with the two best songs from Elton's last album, namely the Lennonesque "I Want Love" and the autobiographical "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore."

The limited edition, bonus disc is another reason for buying this collection. It has Elton's live version of "Candle In The Wind," which peaked at number 6, and his duet with George Michael on "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," which hit number one. "Live Like Horses" is an interesting curiosity, being a duet with Luciano Pavarotti. The last song on the bonus disc was recorded in 2002. It is Elton's duet with Alessandro Safina on "Your Song." Thus, Elton's greatest hits comes full circle, including an incredible selection of fantastic songs in-between the two versions of "Your Song."

With all due respect to Michael Jackson, I always believed that Elton John is more deserving of the title "King of Pop." Both performers have endured their share of artistic and personal ups and downs, but while Jacko has recently morphed into self-parody, Sir Elton still churns out freshly-crafted pop (as evidenced on his excellent "Songs from the West Coast"). I'm excited as the next Elton fan that we now have a double-disc greatest hits album spanning his entire career, but let's be honest: it's not as comprehensive as it could have been. There are enough omissions on this recording to warrant a third disc: "Blue Eyes," "Empty Garden," "A Word in Spanish," "In Neon," "Kiss the Bride," and so forth. Also, the disc completely ignores the albums "Victim of Love" and "Leather Jackets," which is a smart move since both records were easily among his least inspired. But moving on, the material that DOES surface on this collection is, for the most part, mind-blowingly good. Disc 1, which covers the 1970s, is utter perfection, a snapshot of classic, vintage Elton in peak form. "Your Song," "Daniel," "Tiny Dancer," "Somebody Saved My Life Tonight," and "Rocket Man" form ample evidence that Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin were among the best songwriting teams of the 1970s. Disc 2 (which covers 1980-2002) has some good stuff, but it's easily the lesser disc which has some decent tunes as well as a handful of not-so-great ones. "I'm Still Standing" is still a winning tale of perseverence, while "Sad Songs," "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues," and "Little Jeannie" also stand out, too. However, I wasn't a big fan of his work for "The Lion King," and personally wasn't fond of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life." However, this disc closes on a great note with "I Want Love" and "This Train Don't Stop Here Anymore," which are from 2001's "Songs from the West Coast." The limited edition has 4 tracks; the best of which is the live version of "Candle in the Wind" (NOT the tribute to Princess Diana) and his duet with George Michael "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." Overall, I'm impressed with this hits collection, which comes with some really cool liner notes and nice photographs from his early years. For a one stop guide to Elton's work, "Greatest Hits 1970-2002" is the way to go, warts and all.

Another greatest hits compilation from Elton John, After Greatest Hits, Volume II, Volume III, The Very Best of (Import),1976-1986, Love Songs and One Night Only (The Greatest Hits)-the horrible live album, here comes Greatest Hits 1970-2002. Granted Sir Elton has had a long career filled with ups and downs with a lot of wonderful songs, so let's hear a few other hits. I'm am a huge Elton John fan, having every commerical release and was excited about this purchase as well. The songs on the disc sound wonderful but there are so many hits lacking which is why I gave it only 3 stars. How about a 3rd disc with many other top 20 songs that he had. Where is Blue Eyes, Healing Hands, Empty Garden, Part Time Love and nobody in the US is going to believe that Written in the Stars with LeAnn Rimes was a bigger hit than Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds which doesn't appear here. I think rabid Elton John fans would have loved more material, especially from the down side of his 70's career and 80's comeback. So the songs weren't up to snuff but wouldn't it great to hear even some guilty pleasures for old times sake like Ego, Bite Your Lip, Victim Of Love (well maybe not),Nobody Wins, Chloe, Kiss The Bride, Who Wears These Shoes, Wrap Her Up, A Word In Spanish, Club At The End of The Street, The Last Song and the extremely wonderful and Adult Contempory #1 Simple Life. Look I mentioned 17 songs in this review, easily another full disc of music. Guess we fans will have to burn our own greatest hits from Elton John to get what we really want especially from later in his career.

I found this cd set to be somewhat lacking in quality. The recordings have obviously not been remastered since they were originally produced for LP's, and the resultant product on these cds is scratchy and limp at best - incomprehendable at worst. What makes it all the more glaring is that as the cd tracks are arranged in chronological order, the quality of the recordings gradually gets better. But, if you play track 20 followed by track 5, the gap in quality is reprehensible. Very poorly executed.

Ok...I admit it. I have every one of these songs on other CDs and yes, even other compilations...but I bought it anyway. And I am happy, but not surprised to say, that this collection of hits still comprises the best "new" CD out there...no competition. What a great experience to listen to these songs one right after the other. It really is a stunning achievement for Elton and Bernie. Unlike so many of his contemporaries, Elton's hits just sound so fresh...the poetic, timeless lyrics paired with one of the greatest voices in rock and roll, not to mention astounding piano player.

I also confess that I reflect on the song selection much like the selection played at an Elton John concert. I love what he plays, but am always convinced that he could have executed an equally powerful and satisfying performance if he played all the songs he chose not to play at the concert. So there are, in my opinion, many greatest hits not included in this 2 disc set: "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," "Healing Hands," "Club at the End of the Street," "The Last Song," "Simple Life," "Empty Garden," "Blue Eyes," "Pinball Wizard," "Wrap Her Up" (with George Michael),"Candle in the Wind 1997," "Take Me to the Pilot," "Amoorena," "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters"...and the list goes on and on...but then again, if all of these were included, you'd be putting a box-set together, which already exists.

Truth is, Elton John's 32 year catalogue is inexhaustible. That being said, this collection is stellar. What is striking is that the second CD, taken mainly from the 80's through present day, is as strong as the first, which contains all the 70's hits. Unfortunaltey, it is rarely ever said that Elton's later works are just as important as his earlier works. Side by side, song by song, this CD makes that point crystal clear. The beauty of "Daniel" is equally matched by the sweetness of "Nikita"; we can hop and bop to the "Crocodile Rock" and snap our fingers and mean it to "I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That"; we soar into outer space with "Rocket Man," and glory in the orchestral intensity of "Believe".

There's no talent equal to Elton John. Listen for yourself!