Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 [Polygram] (CD - 1986)

Personnel: Elton John (vocals, piano, mellotron, harpsichord); Kiki Dee (vocals); Davey Johnstone (guitar, sitar, banjo, background vocals); Les Thatcher, Caleb Quaye, John Lennon (guitar); Carl Fortuna (accordion); Lenny Pickett (tenor saxophone); The Tower Of Power (horns); James Newton Howard (electric piano, synthesizer, mellotron); Brian Dee (harmonium); Dee Murray, Kenny Passarelli (bass, background vocals); Brian Odgers (bass); Nigel Olsson (drums, background vocals); Roger Pope, Barry Morgan (drums); Ray Cooper (percussion, tambourine, vibes); Clyde King, Dusty Springfield, Jessie Mae Smith, Sherlie Matthews, Ann Orson, Leslie Duncan, Liza Strike, Barry St. John, Sue, Sunny (background vocals).

Recorded from 1971 to 1976.

Much like its sister album, GREATEST HITS VOLUME II is a collection overflowing with successful singles. Every song was a Top 10 hit with the exception of "Grow Some Funk Of Your Own" (which stalled at 14 on the charts) and Elton's cover of "Pinball Wizard," which he sang as the character of the same name in the film Tommy. The other notable cover included is "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," featuring the reggae guitar of Dr. Winston O'Boogie (aka John Lennon).

As for the rest of GREATEST HITS II, there's a fair mix of rockers ("The Bitch Is Back"), bubbly pop ("Island Girl") and some of EJ's most poignant work ("Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word," "Someone Saved My Life Tonight'). Most evident on this compilation is how gregarious this talented Brit is, whether he's composing a theme for Billie Jean King's professional tennis team ("Philadelphia Freedom") or cutting an adorable duet with cutie-pie Kiki Dee ("Don't Go Breaking My Heart.") minimize