I ordered this thinking it was something like Bowie's PIN UPS elpee, i.e., Elton and the band doing a bunch of his favorite songs from when he was getting started.

Not so.

Perhaps you are familiar with the practice of knocking off a bunch of clone-cover versions of current popular hits, and putting them out as a party album? It would appear that EJ participated in a few of these projects during his early days, and this album is the result of collecting a number of such tracks on which EJ sang. I have no clue whether he played piano on any of them, but have my doubts.

It's amusing, entertaining in places, but not by any means a real Elton John album.

WARNING: I found that it would not play in either my or my wife's car stereo, though it plays at home just fine.

Back in 1969 and 1970, the early days of Elton John's career, he performed covers of then-current pop hits as appeared on K-Tel and "Top of the Pops" albums. The good news is that the former Reg Dwight put as much heart, enthusiasm, and talent into his remakes of others' work as he does into his own work. I especially enjoyed his versions of "United We Stand" (who *is* that terrific girl singer performing with him?), "Spirit In The Sky," and "Signed Sealed Delivered." CHARTBUSTERS GO POP is an infectiously fun, boppy, entertaining album that anyone who loves Elton John or late '60s/early '70s music would be happy to own -- even if the one I got didn't have a cute girl on the cover! :-)

Back in the Reg Dwight Days, it was common play for "sound-alike" albums to be released in the late 60's and early 70's. I remember having a few on the Pickwick label. Even though Sir Elton doesn't ever talk about doing these tracks, they are a hoot! The quality is surprisingly good, although there are many labels that put this out. I have the one with this cover and it's on RPM International, which is under Pickwick. Some of the tracks don't sound like Elton but there are definitly some great tracks with Elton doing his best at these covers. Best tracks for me were Badfinger's "Come And Get It", Cat Stevens' "Lady D'Arbanville", The Beach Boys version of "Cottonfields" and "My Baby Loves Lovin'" could pass as an early track like his own "I've Been Loving You". If you are an Elton fan like me, this is a must! I took a star away because I doubt that ALL songs are Elton singing.

"My baby loves lovin'..."

Yes, I give this thumbs up; being generous cause I appreciate Rock 'n' Roll; I find this to be a well rounded collection of songs; some of my favorite collectables are those sorts of historic recordings, little known recordings, this is in that vein exactly.

Historic it is; but indeed, I believe this does not actually predate some other Elton John releases like "Empty Sky"; but rather recorded during the same time period, even after.

These are covers of top 40 songs; but Elton has an excellent groove in some of them worth the cost alone; others probably don't work as well, i.e. in other words, so funny, I was reading in one of the reviews for this release, Elton shouldn't ever sing John Fogerty, even in the shower as there are two CCR songs included in the songs, "Travelin' Band" and "Up around the bend" but the renditions of the Creedence songs are still novelties.

"Yellow River"; you know, I listen to it and think, that probably influenced Elton's sound and on some editions of this CD; leads off the collection.

"To be young gifted and black" well; this might be a Jamaican early reggae/ska type of song and Elton does it well.

Speaking of; this is a cool collection because these are a number of American top 40 songs; and it must reflect a view of what songs were played in London in the day; how about "Lady D'Arbanville", I don't know it originally but it does well.

"United we stand" is an excellent inspiring rendition of a sort of civil rights anthem; this collection really gets me moving.

Everyone is timid to give this a five star rating but I easily could and it certainly is at the lower price.

Good show Elton.