Diamonds: The Greatest Hits

Brilliant collection of some amazing songs.

There have been many Elton John compilations released over the years but finally there is one which can be described as a definitive hits collection.Every British and American top 10 hit is included apart from 1984's Passengers which for me is no great loss. This means some songs included here will be unfamiliar to anyone other than a die hard fan. Mama Can't Buy You Love for example was a US top 10 hit in 1979 but failed to chart in the UK. There are a few top 20 hits missing but the only one I would have added is Made In England from 1995.Disc 1 is almost all top drawer pop music. The only exceptions are Island Girl, a UK top 20 hit from 1975(US number 2) which is pretty average and Little Jeannie, which is pleasant enough, but only a minor hit in the UK but reached number 3 in America. Song For Guy was released a year earlier and should be on CD1 chronologically but is on CD2 because at 6.34 it's too long to fit on it.Disc 2 consists of hits from the 1980s and 1990s. The songs are mostly good but just below the level of Disc 1. There are a couple of pleasant filler tracks towards the end but the only one I will skip is I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That which is very lacklustre and contains a very irritating electronic percussion track all the way through it. It was a flop in the UK but an American number 2(!) hence it's inclusion here. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me is the duet version with George Michael. It is a great version but I would have preferred the original.Disc 3 is the bonus disc featuring a couple of terrific cover versions and some of the various collaborations Elton has done over the years. Also included is the very underrated This Train Don't Stop There Anymore from 2001. Not a top 20 hit but a very welcome inclusion here. The only track I would skip here is the penultimate track, a pointless dance mash up from 2012. Step Into Christmas is rightly included but it is wisely the last track on the collection.All in all, a very good and enjoyable collection and all a casual fan would want or need. Those who do want to seek more should consider starting with the early albums like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Tumbleweed Connection and Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy.

There is no one like Elton John. This is a wonderful box set.

What a fantastic compilation of Elton’s top selling singles released over the years. ‘Your Song’ still sounds fresh today and the great ‘Crocodile Rock’ is pure brilliance. I have so many personal favourites including the beautiful ‘Sacrifice’ and ‘Sad Songs’ and the outstanding ‘I’m Still Standing’. ‘Song For Guy’ is simply a magnificent piece of music and ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ with the great Kiki Dee is one of the most successful duets ever. A brilliant three CD collection in a lovely red slipcase. Certainly deserves the title ‘Diamonds’. This CD along with ‘ABBA GOLD’ are certainly two of the best compilations ever issued by any artist reflecting on their superb songwriting and musicianship.This is my 3rd edition along with the 3.CD box set and the 2 CD version in the Silvery slipcase.

Great CD of all his hits

Good quality 3 Cd containing many of Elton Johns well known songs. Sold at a competitive price. Well packaged and promptly despatched

Excellant service great quality CDs. Great sound.

I am pleased with my purchase